Knowing the difference between joy and happiness can help your family’s mental health, according to Atherton. That’s because while everyone truly wants joy, not a lot of people know how to obtain it. Instead, they chase happiness, which is fleeting. Those who focus on happiness and don’t experience it as much as they want could feel sad and even depressed. For example, smiling depression, which is essentially depression hidden behind a happy and content façade, could be an issue. Knowing the difference between joy and happiness can help your family’s mental health, according to Atherton. That’s because while everyone truly wants joy, not a lot of people know how to obtain it. Instead, they chase happiness, which is fleeting. Those who focus on happiness and don’t experience it as much as they want could feel sad and even depressed. For example, smiling depression, which is essentially depression hidden behind a happy and content façade, could be an issue.