Failure to distinguish “mental health” from “mental illness” disrupts effective policy for population well-being

The semantics and measurement of “mental health”, “well-being”, and “mental illness” have long been debated - as has the way clinicians and policymakers are expected to respond to their associated insights. However, despite existing discussion on distinctions between these terms, there is an urgent need to more forcefully articulate how key terminology in mental health should be used. Failures to do so have been problematic and directly impacted how mental health is understood, which has subsequently impacted efforts to prevent and treat mental illness as well as protect and promote mental health. Here we highlight significant concerns about incorrect use of these terms, their implications, and why the field needs to urgently apply more stringency in the literature. Our aim is not to criticize journals, articles, or authors for such mixing, but rather to provide compelling arguments as to why it is critical to be correct and precise about how these are discussed, measured, and addressed to benefit population well-being.