By 
In the heart of Lagos, where the city never sleeps and life can swing from laughter to stress in a matter of minutes, Abike sat in a danfo bus, staring out the window. The conductor’s loud shouts blended with honking cars, yet her mind was far away, wrestling with a question many Lagosians often confuse:
👉 “Is mental health the same thing as a mental disorder?”
The answer is simple but important: No, they’re not the same.
Mental health is about how we think, feel, and act every day. It’s our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
For Abike, good mental health meant being able to:
- Stay calm even when the danfo got stuck in traffic.
- Push through the stress of deadlines at work.
- Share laughter with friends at a buka after a long day.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being where you can realize your potential, cope with life’s stressors, work productively, and contribute to your community.
It’s not just the absence of a disorder, it’s about living well and functioning positively.
⚠️Now, here’s where the difference lies. A mental disorder is not just stress, sadness, or worry. It’s a condition marked by significant disturbances in how a person thinks, feels, or behaves.
For example, if Abike’s sadness lasts for weeks, making it hard for her to go to work, interact with others, or even get out of bed, this may point to a mental disorder such as depression.
The Mayo Clinic explains that mental disorders cause real distress or impairment in social, occupational, or personal life.
But here’s something many forget:
✨ Even with a mental disorder, people can still experience moments of good mental health.
Think of it this way:
- Mental health is like your overall physical health.
- A mental disorder is like an illness that affects that health.
You can have good mental health and still feel stressed occasionally, just like you can be physically healthy and still catch a cold. But when a disorder sets in, it’s more serious and often requires professional help.
Wondering why this information matters for Lagosians? Here is why👇🏽
In a city as demanding as Lagos, where the daily hustle can wear anyone down, it’s easy to mislabel every mood swing as a “disorder.” But understanding the difference helps us:
- Reduce stigma: not every struggle means a disorder.
- Seek help early: when real disorders show up.
- Care for our mental health daily: just like Abike does when she takes time to rest, laugh, or stay connected with friends.
Dear Lagosian, Remember This:
Mental health is the spectrum we all live on. A mental disorder is a condition on that spectrum that can disrupt daily life. Both matter, and both deserve attention.
So next time you hear someone say “mental health and mental disorder are the same,” think of Abike in that danfo, reflecting on life. Remind them:
💧 Taking care of your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. And if a disorder shows up, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.