According to WHO, mental health includes subjective
well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational
dependence and self actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potential
among. Other cultural difference, competing professional theories affect how
mental health is defined.
well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational
dependence and self actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potential
among. Other cultural difference, competing professional theories affect how
mental health is defined.
Other Definitions of Mental
Health
Health
1. Mental health is the
ability to live comfortably with oneself and others, to understand and accept
one’s own feelings and to make mature and appropriate responses to situations.
ability to live comfortably with oneself and others, to understand and accept
one’s own feelings and to make mature and appropriate responses to situations.
2. It is a state of mind that
is able to deal with frustrations, pains, tension, conflicts, anxiety and
grief.
is able to deal with frustrations, pains, tension, conflicts, anxiety and
grief.
3. It is a state in which
people go about their daily activities without making fool of themselves to
other people.
people go about their daily activities without making fool of themselves to
other people.
4. Mental health can be
defined as an expression of emotions, and as signifying a successful adaptation
to a range of demands.
defined as an expression of emotions, and as signifying a successful adaptation
to a range of demands.
In essence, mental health
describes a level of PSYCHOLOGICAL well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
From the perspective of positive psychology “holism” mental health may include
an individual’s inability to enjoy life and create a balance between life
activities and effort to achieve psychological RESILIENCE.
describes a level of PSYCHOLOGICAL well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
From the perspective of positive psychology “holism” mental health may include
an individual’s inability to enjoy life and create a balance between life
activities and effort to achieve psychological RESILIENCE.
Mental Disorder
It afflicts hundreds of millions of people in every
part of the world. One in four people might be affected by mental disorder at
some point in their lives. According to WHO, many people with mental illness
refrain from seeking treatment because of the stigma associated.
part of the world. One in four people might be affected by mental disorder at
some point in their lives. According to WHO, many people with mental illness
refrain from seeking treatment because of the stigma associated.
Understanding Mental
Disorder
Disorder
Mental disorder is a significant dysfunction in a
person’s thinking, emotional control and behaviour. The condition often
disrupts a person’s ability to relate to others and to deal with the demand of
life. It can affect people of any gender, age, culture, race, religion,
educational and income level. Through appropriate medical care, individuals can
be treated and can live a productive and fulfilling life.
person’s thinking, emotional control and behaviour. The condition often
disrupts a person’s ability to relate to others and to deal with the demand of
life. It can affect people of any gender, age, culture, race, religion,
educational and income level. Through appropriate medical care, individuals can
be treated and can live a productive and fulfilling life.
N.B. – Mental health disorder are
not the result of personal weakness or a character flaw.
not the result of personal weakness or a character flaw.
Treating Mental Disorder
Mental health professionals can treat many mental
health disorders successfully. The first crucial step then is to obtain a
thorough assessment from a competent health professional who is experienced in
treating mental conditions.
health disorders successfully. The first crucial step then is to obtain a
thorough assessment from a competent health professional who is experienced in
treating mental conditions.
Sufferers, however can
benefit from such experience only when they accept suitable treatment. This may
require overcoming any reluctance to talk to others about a mental illness. The
treatment includes:
benefit from such experience only when they accept suitable treatment. This may
require overcoming any reluctance to talk to others about a mental illness. The
treatment includes:
1. Talking to a trained mental
health professional who can help them understand their illness and resolve
practical problems.
health professional who can help them understand their illness and resolve
practical problems.
2. To reinforce the need not
to give up the treatment.
to give up the treatment.
3. At such consultations, a
family member or friend can play a vital role by providing reassurance.
family member or friend can play a vital role by providing reassurance.
Many people have learnt to deal with mental
disorders after acquiring a better understanding of their condition and
following the treatment prescribed by mental health professionals.
disorders after acquiring a better understanding of their condition and
following the treatment prescribed by mental health professionals.
Case Study
1. Before my wife was
diagnosed, Tark says; we had little understanding of mental illness. But we’ve
learnt to take life one step at a time and adapt to our situation. Overtime, we
have benefited from the support of reliable professionals as well as family and
friends.
diagnosed, Tark says; we had little understanding of mental illness. But we’ve
learnt to take life one step at a time and adapt to our situation. Overtime, we
have benefited from the support of reliable professionals as well as family and
friends.
2. Claudia agrees; In the beginning,
my diagnosis felt like a prison sentence, she admits. But even though my
illness places limitations on both of us, I have learnt that seemingly
impossible hurdles can be overcome. So I cope with my mental illness by working
together with my treatment team, nurturing relationships with others and taking
one moment at a time.
my diagnosis felt like a prison sentence, she admits. But even though my
illness places limitations on both of us, I have learnt that seemingly
impossible hurdles can be overcome. So I cope with my mental illness by working
together with my treatment team, nurturing relationships with others and taking
one moment at a time.
