When I hear the term mental health, I often assume it simply means the absence of mental illness. But on the DiCHiPi UNFiLTERED podcast, Dr Batetshi Matenge challenges this narrow definition in a powerful conversation with Barbara Moagi and Lauren Smit. She offers a deeper, more holistic understanding of what it truly means to be mentally well — and why I should be paying attention to where I am on the spectrum of mental health.

Dr Matenge begins by debunking a common myth: that if I am not diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or any clinical condition, then I must be mentally well. “Mental wellness is not simply the absence of illness,” she explains. Instead, she describes mental health as a spectrum — and wellness as the ability to adjust, adapt, and live with purpose beyond merely surviving day to day.

On one end of the spectrum, many people are stuck in survival mode — getting through tasks, holding it together, enduring stress without breaking. But Dr Matenge invites me to imagine something greater: the other end of the spectrum, where people are flourishing. “It’s not just about bouncing back from difficulty,” she says, “it’s about growing through it. It’s about pursuing passions, building meaningful relationships, and embracing life with a sense of energy and curiosity.”

Mental wellness, in this light, becomes something active and intentional. It’s about building the emotional and psychological strength to not only withstand challenges, but to live fully in spite of them.

Crucially, Dr Matenge reminds me that life will continue to bring difficulties. “Mental health is about how well you cope in the face of distress,” she says. It’s not about escaping stress, but about how I respond to it. How do I meet adversity? Do I have the tools, support systems, and inner strength to navigate tough times?

Perception plays a key role too. Two people can go through the same experience and come out with entirely different responses. Why? Because how we perceive our ability to cope often shapes our reality. “Your mental wellness is not only what happens to you,” Dr Matenge shares, “but how you experience it, and what you believe about your capacity to get through it.”

Ultimately, her message is clear and empowering: mental wellness is about thriving, not just surviving. It’s about creating a life that feels meaningful, connected, and authentic — even in the face of inevitable challenges.

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