Unfortunately there isn’t a clear answer to this question because everyone with a mental health problem is different. Some people may only have one experience (known as an “episode”) of mental illness that might only last a few days, weeks or months but others may have long term conditions which do not go away which are managed often with medication.It is also possible to have long periods when you are not ill between episodes, known as being “in remission” and it is important to know what the warning signs that you might be getting ill again are so that people can help you as early as possible so things don’t get worse.