By NAMI California

There is a quiet, yet consequential misunderstanding embedded into many of California’s mental-health policy discussions. When mental wellness, mental health, and mental illness are treated as one in the same, we unintendedly perpetuate stigma. This discourages early, voluntary care and increases the likelihood that individuals are pushed into crisis-driven interventions that are more traumatic and could have potentially been avoided. 

January is Mental Wellness Month, a timely opportunity to remind ourselves that while mental wellness is still very important for every Californian, it is essential we clarify that its definition refers to the foundations that allow people to thrive, including stable relationships, healthy coping strategies, community support, and preventative care. It is a foundational practice for all, especially young people, caregivers, service professionals, and those navigating stressful life transitions. 

But mental wellness is not mental health, or mental illness. Mental health is a broader conversation that encompasses both the presence of well-being and the risk or onset of conditions that may require care, navigation, or early intervention. 

Mental illness refers to diagnosable medical conditions that alters a person’s behavior or thinking, and in turn impacts their quality of life. These diagnoses can range from mild to severe and often require clinical treatment, long-term support, and potentially crisis intervention. 

Mental wellness matters, mental health matters, and supporting those living with mental illness is our organization’s highest mission. Mental illness does not discriminate, and impacts everyone, regardless of income, gender, age, race, religion or political affiliation. 6.6 million Californians live with a mental health condition — that’s more than 7 times the population of San Francisco.  

As advocates, we have seen firsthand the impact the right support can make on individuals experiencing, living with, or impacted by mental illness, as well as the caregivers and family members who support them each day. 

California in the past couple of years has taken meaningful steps to strengthen our behavioral health system – a strong foundation for impactful change. Intent matters, but precision matters more. Treating these terms as interchangeable can unintentionally frame mental illness as something individuals can manage through effort or awareness, rather than a diagnosed medical condition that shapes daily life in ways that are not a matter of choice. It is no different from diabetes or other chronic illnesses. 

As an organization advocating for Californians impacted by mental illness, policymakers need to prioritize fundamental shifts that negate this stigma. California has already taken meaningful steps to strengthen our behavioral health system, but this gap in understanding must be brought to light and addressed through conversation and action. 

Policies that promote education and understanding around mental illness should begin at a young age. 50 percent of lifetime mental illnesses begin by the age of 14. California needs to strengthen early and preventive support, especially for our youth. Schools and community organizations need to continue expanding awareness, education, and understanding, decreasing stigma and creating more opportunities for early intervention. 

Policymakers also need to prioritize addressing structural barriers to essential care for individuals impacted by mental illness. Workforce shortages remain one of the largest challenges to treating severe mental illness effectively. Nearly 9.4 million Californians live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. 

Most importantly, families must have a seat at the table. Families are often the first source of support and the first to navigate care. Language may seem secondary in the face of complex health challenges, but it has real consequences for families. When mental illness is described imprecisely, it reinforces stigma and widens the gap between policy and lived experience—framing care as optional rather than essential and making it even harder for families to seek the care their loved ones need. 

If California wants a behavioral health system that works, we must begin by using true definitions and not overshadowing true need by grouping concepts together. 

NAMI California is grateful to see this conversation being prioritized, and stands ready to work with lawmakers, counties, schools, and community partners to continue to build a system that prevents crisis, treats illness, and supports recovery.