Key facts mental health is not only the absence of mental disorders

Mental health is an important part of health;
•  Indeed, without mental health there is no health.
• Mental health is determined by a number of socioeconomic, biological and environmental factors.
• To promote mental health, cost-effective inter sectoral strategies and public health interventions exist.

Mental health is an integral part and essential component of health. The famous constitution WHO  states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease and physical defects.” An important consequence of this definition is that mental health is not only the absence of mental disorders and forms of disability.

Mental health is a state of well-being in which a person realizes his abilities, can withstand ordinary life stresses, work productively and contribute to his community. In this positive sense, mental health is the foundation of human well-being and the effective functioning of the community.
Mental health is essential for our collective and individual ability to think, show emotions, communicate with each other, earn our living and enjoy life as intelligent beings. Given this fact, strengthening, protecting and restoring mental health can be perceived by individuals, communities and communities around the world as actions of vital importance.

Determinants of Mental Health 

The level of a person’s mental health at any given time is determined by numerous social, psychological and biological factors. For example, violence and sustained socio-economic pressure are recognized as a risk factor for mental health. Evidence is related to sexual abuse. Poor mental health is also associated with rapid social changes, stressful conditions at work, gender discrimination, social exclusion, an unhealthy lifestyle, physical ill health, and human rights violations.
There are also special psychological and personality factors that make people vulnerable to mental health problems. Biological risks include genetic factors.

Strengthening and protecting mental health
Mental health promotion includes activities that enhance psychological health. These may include creating an environment that supports mental health.

An atmosphere in which respect and protection of basic civil, political, socio-economic and cultural rights are ensured is the basis of mental health. In the absence of security and freedom provided by these rights, it is difficult to maintain a high level of mental health.

National mental health policies should focus on mental disorders and on broader aspects that promote mental health. Mental health promotion must be considered in strategies and programs. In addition to the health sector, sectors such as education, employment, justice, transportation, the environment, housing and social welfare need to be involved in addressing these issues.

Specific ways to promote mental health include:

•  activities in early childhood (for example, creating a stable environment that meets the needs of children in terms of health and nutrition, providing protection from hazards and the possibility of early learning and communication with others on the principles of responsiveness, emotional support and stimulating developmental impact); supporting children (for example, skills development programs, development programs for children and young people);
• providing social and economic opportunities for women (for example, improving access to education and microcredit schemes)social support for older people (e.g. dating initiative, local day care centers for the elderly);
• programs aimed at vulnerable people, including minorities, indigenous peoples, migrants and people affected by conflict and natural disasters (for example, psychosocial activities after natural disasters);
• school mental health interventions (for example, programs that support environmental change in schools)
• workplace mental health interventions (such as stress prevention programs); 
• housing strategies (e.g. housing improvement); 
• violence prevention programs (such as restricting access to alcohol and weapons);
• community development programs (for example, community care initiatives, integrated rural development);
• poverty alleviation and social protection of the poor; 
• anti-discrimination laws and campaigns; 
• strengthening the rights and opportunities of persons with mental disorders and caring for them.

Mental Health Care and Treatment

 In the context of national efforts to develop and implement mental health policies, it is crucial not only to protect and strengthen the mental well-being of citizens, but also to address the needs of individuals with certain mental disorders.

Over the past decade, an understanding of what needs to be done with respect to the growing burden of mental disorders has improved significantly. The volume of information is growing, which indicates the effectiveness and efficiency from the economic point of view of the most important measures for priority mental disorders in countries with different levels of economic development.