enfermedad mental
/enfeɾmeˌdad menˈtal/feminine
The English phrase "mental illness" is translated into Spanish as enfermedad mental.
enfermedad mental is a term used to describe a mental illness. You may also encounter salud mental, which translates to "mental health" and can be used as an umbrella term to encompass mental illness.
Meaning: mental disorder (countable) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of enfermedad (illness/disease) and mental (mental).
Which one should you use?
While enfermedad mental is a common way to say mental illness, the term trastorno mental is often preferred in clinical or medical contexts to mean "mental disorder".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the term trastorno psicológico (psychological disorder) is used, as well as the term problemas de salud emocional (emotional health problems).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun enfermedad is feminine, so it takes the feminine definite article la (the mental illness). To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -s, resulting in enfermedades mentales (mental illnesses).
How do you pronounce it?
/enfeɾmeˌdad menˈtal/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, nervios is used as a cultural shorthand to describe a wide range of mental health struggles without the stigma of enfermedad mental.
- Older Spanish medical texts used the term alienación mental to describe mental illness, based on the idea that the person was 'alienated' from their own nature.
- The word mental shares a root with mente, which is used in Spanish to form 'adverbs of manner' by adding -mente to almost any adjective.
Examples in context
- La enfermedad mental debe ser tratada con compasión y comprensiónMental illness should be treated with compassion and understanding
- Los trastornos mentales pueden afectar la calidad de vida de una personaMental disorders can affect a person's quality of life
- Es importante hablar abiertamente sobre los problemas de salud mentalIt is important to openly talk about mental health problems
- Mi amigo/a enfrenta problemas de salud mentalMy friend is facing mental health problems
- La enfermedad mental no define a una personaMental illness doesn't define a person
- Entiendo lo difícil que puede ser lidiar con problemas de salud mentalI understand how challenging it can be to deal with mental health problems
- Es importante buscar ayuda profesional para tratar los problemas de salud mentalIt's important to seek professional help to treat mental health problems
- Tienes el valor y la fuerza para superar cualquier desorden mentalYou have the courage and strength to overcome any mental disorder
- La enfermedad mental es un tema serio.Mental illness is a serious topic.
- Él lucha contra una enfermedad mental.He fights against a mental illness.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about a health documentary.
- JavierEste documental explica muy bien la enfermedad mental.This documentary explains mental illness very well.
- MaríaEs cierto, ayuda a eliminar los prejuicios.That's true, it helps eliminate prejudices.
- JavierCreo que más gente debería verlo, María.I think more people should watch it, María.
- MaríaEstoy de acuerdo contigo, Javier.I agree with you, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mental illness” translations and entries enfermedad mental, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
