The aim of this paper is to correlate the concept of emotional intelligence and mental health through the analysis of relevant research and literature on this subject. The paper has the purpose of explaining how understanding emotions, as an integral part of the construct of emotional intelligence, as well as emotional intelligence itself as a set of abilities, can be a protective factor for mental health of persons. Within the work, the concept of emotional intelligence is explained, as well as models and methods of measuring it. Special emphasis has also been placed on the concept of mental health and its essential components, namely the promotion and prevention of mental health. Furthermore, an overview of relevant researches examining the relationship between emotional intelligence and mental health, as well as their constituents, is followed. In several studies, a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and mental health has been confirmed, as well as the predictive value of emotional intelligence as a protective mental health factor. Such findings open up the possibility of planning future research, as well as creating various preventive programs within the profession of social work aimed at the prevention of mental health of the individual.