Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feels, and act and it also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Positive mental health allows an individual to function well in daily life, realize their potential, and contribute to their community. A mental illness, on the other hand, refers to a wide range of disorders that affect mood, thinking, and behavior, and can disrupt a person's ability to function in daily life.