mentals

Mentals is a colloquial plural form used in informal speech to refer to mental states, processes, or aspects of mental health. It is not a formal technical term in psychology or medicine. The word is derived from mental, with the plural appearing occasionally in casual conversation or coaching jargon.

In everyday language, "the mentals" can describe one's current mindset, mood, or level of focus. In sports or performing arts, coaches might talk about "getting the mentals right" to emphasize concentration, routine, and confidence. The term may also appear in youth slang or online discussions as a shorthand for mental readiness or resilience. Because it is informal, its exact meaning can vary by context and speaker.

In clinical or scholarly contexts, researchers and clinicians use terms such as cognition, emotion, perception, attention, memory, and executive function to describe mental processes, and mental health to discuss emotional and psychological well-being and disorders. The expression "mental health" is the standard term for health-related aspects of mood and functioning, whereas "mentals" is rarely used in professional writing.

Grammar notes: "mentally" is the adverb form (e.g., performed mentally well), "mental" is the adjective (e.g., mental health, mental state), and "mentality" is a noun for a particular mindset. "Mentals" as a standalone noun is uncommon outside informal speech and may not be understood in all regions.

See also: mental health, cognition, psychology, mental state, mental disorder, mindfulness.