Mental health is an integral part of public health and is as important as physical health to the overall wellbeing of individuals, communities and societies. Indeed, it was said that ‘there is no health without mental health’and everyone has mental health needs. Most tend to emphasise that mental wellbeing includes parts of subjective wellbeing. Whenever in consonance with theMental Health Foundation, individuals with good mental wellbeing. There’s greater variety in definitions of mental wellbeing than mental health problems. Itis more than the absence of mental health problems. Notice, mental health problems cover a continuum fromsymptoms at a subclinical threshold which interfere with emotional, cognitive or social function, to the most severe clinically diagnosed mental illnesses. Examples include common mental health problems similar to depression and anxiety, and severe and enduring mental health problems similar to schizophrenia. I’m sure you heard about this. So that’s underpinned by a wealth of evidence thatmental health is produced socially.
Mental wellbeing is important for individuals as well as for society.
At an individual level, it enables people to realise their intellectual and emotional potential and to find and fulfil their roles in social, school and working life.
At society level, mental wellbeing is a resource for social cohesion and better social and economic welfare ). Mental wellbeing is more than the absence of mental health problems. Mental health problems range from mild subclinical conditions to severe and enduring clinically diagnosed mental illness. Of course two mental aspects health are considered in these web pages.
See’Concepts and Definitions’ briefing paper for further information. Furthermore, the field of mental health has a lot of disputed terminology with many different definitions, influenced by age, class and gender, people’s experiences and expectations, and cultural and religious beliefs.
It also influences our ability to cope with change, transition and life events.
It affects our capacity to learn, to communicate and to form, sustain and end relationships.
Mental health influences how we think and feel, about ourselves and others, and how we interpret events. Mental health problems cause a large and increasing burden that contributes to high costs to societies, long lasting disability, increased mortality and enormous human suffering. Most of the major mental health problems perceived to be public health problems are depression, anxiety, substance misuse disorders, psychosis and dementia. Undoubtedly it’s predicted by The World Health Organization that by 2030 depression should be second only to HIV/AIDS as an international health burden ).