Brain health is a higher category of health — it includes, but is not limited to, mental health.One way to understand this is to picture a snowman.The top of the snowman (the head) represents wellness: a positive state of health characterized by a high quality of life and a strong sense of well-being. We all want to have wellness, but wellness must be supported.The middle section represents mental health, which supports wellness. Mental health includes our emotional and psychological well-being, the presence or absence of distress (such as anxiety or depression), and our ability to cope with everyday life. It also reflects our resilience and the strategies we use to manage challenges.The foundation of the snowman—the base holding everything up—is brain health. Brain health is the broader, underlying system that supports both mental health and wellness. It includes the physical health of the brain, cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, and our connection to others and to purpose. Factors such as sleep, nutrition, physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation all contribute to brain health.By strengthening brain health, we create a stable foundation that supports mental health and ultimately enables us to achieve and sustain true wellness.