Mental illness

Mental illness is a general term for a group of illnesses that may impact on a person's thoughts, perceptions, feelings and behaviours. Mental health issues and illnesses can affect working and personal relationships. Counselling, medication, or both can help you treat mental illness.

Causes of mental illness:

• childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect
• social isolation or loneliness
• experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism
• social disadvantage, poverty or debt