Mental health is deeply personal and shaped by emotional well-being, behavioral adjustment, and the ability to handle daily life. Emotions like anxiety and depression are normal responses to challenges, but when they interfere with functioning, they may require support. The key question is: When does a normal emotional experience become a mental health condition?

Brenda explains that two central questions help guide this understanding: How do we define mental health, and how do we recognize when it’s interfering with life? Everyone experiences emotions like sadness and anxiety. These conditions only become problematic when they are too severe for someone to thrive.

Determining this often relies on self-reporting or, in the case of children, input from parents or teachers. Mental and physical health are also closely connected—many conditions coexist, though research has yet to determine exactly how they influence each other. Correlation does not mean causation, but understanding these links can improve treatment.

People seek therapy hoping to feel better, but Brenda asks—how much better could they be? Assessing severity is crucial to providing the right support. She is exploring new ways to evaluate mental health by studying relationships and emotional interactions. Equine-assisted therapy, for example, offers insight into emotions through how horses respond to humans.

Mental health is complex, but by deepening our understanding of its connection to physical health and relationships, we can better identify, assess, and support those seeking help.