Mental health 990505 223305174 2008-07-03T14:03:38Z WriterHound 266293 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 223165194 by [[Special:Contributions/86.130.118.179|86.130.118.179]] ([[User talk:86.130.118.179|talk]]) [[Image:Brain 090407.jpg|thumb|right|Mental health is often [[brain]] health]] '''Mental health''' is a term used to describe either a level of [[cognition|cognitive]] or [[emotion]]al [[Quality of life|wellbeing]] or an absence of a [[mental disorder]].<ref name=About>About.com (2006, [[July 25]]). ''What is Mental Health?''. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2007]], from http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/stressmanagement/a/whatismental.htm</ref><ref name=Princeton>Princeton University. (Unknown last update). Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2007]], from http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=mental%20health</ref> From perspectives of the discipline of [[positive psychology]] or [[holism]] mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve [[psychological resilience]].<ref name=About /> The [[World Health Organization]] states that there is no one "official" definition of mental health. Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined.<ref name=WHO>[http://www.who.int/whr/2001/chapter1/en/index.html World Health Report 2001 - Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope], World Health Organization, 2001</ref> == History == The treatment of [[mental disorder]]s date back to medieval [[Islamic medicine|Muslim physicians]] from the 8th to 15th centuries.<ref>Ibrahim B. Syed PhD, "Islamic Medicine: 1000 years ahead of its times", ''[[The Islamic Medical Association of North America|Journal of the Islamic Medical Association]]'', 2002 (2), p. 2-9 [7-8].</ref> An early concept of mental hygiene was introduced by the Muslim physician Abu Zayd al-Balkhi (d. 934), who often related it to [[spirit]]ual health.<ref>Nurdeen Deuraseh and Mansor Abu Talib (2005), "Mental health in Islamic medical tradition", ''The International Medical Journal'' '''4''' (2), p. 76-79.</ref> In the mid-19th century, William Sweetzer was the first to clearly define the term "mental hygiene".<ref name=JohnsHopkins>Johns Hopkins University. (2007). ''Origins of Mental Health''. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2007]], from http://www.jhsph.edu/dept/mh/about/origins.html</ref> [[Isaac Ray]], one of thirteen founders of the [[American Psychiatric Association]], further defined mental hygiene as an art to preserve the mind against incidents and influences which would inhibit or destroy its energy, quality or development.<ref name=JohnsHopkins /> At the beginning of the 20th century, [[Clifford Whittingham Beers]] founded the National Committee for Mental Hygiene and opened the first outpatient mental health [[clinic]] in the [[United States]].<ref name=JohnsHopkins /><ref name=CliffordBeersClinic>Clifford Beers Clinic. (2006, [[October 30]]). ''About Clifford Beers Clinic''. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2007]], from http://www.cliffordbeers.org/aboutus.htm</ref> == Perspectives == === Mental wellbeing === {{Refimprovesect|date=June 2007}} Mental health can be seen as a [[continuum (mathematics)|continuum]], where an individual's mental health may have many different possible values. Mental wellness is generally viewed as a positive attribute, such that a person can reach enhanced levels of mental health, even if they do not have any diagnosable mental health condition. This definition of mental health highlights [[emotion]]al well-being, the capacity to live a full and [[Creativity|creative]] life, and the flexibility to deal with life's inevitable challenges. Many therapeutic systems and self-help books offer methods and philosophies espousing strategies and techniques vaunted as effective for further improving the mental wellness of otherwise healthy people. [[Positive psychology]] is increasingly prominent in mental health. A [[Holism|holistic]] model of mental health generally includes concepts based upon [[Anthropology|anthropological]], [[education]]al, [[psychology|psychological]], [[Religion|religious]] and [[Sociology|sociological]] perspectives, as well as theoretical perspectives from [[Personality psychology|personality]], [[Social psychology|social]], [[Clinical Psychology|clinical]], [[Health psychology|health]] and [[Developmental psychology|developmental]] [[psychology]].<ref name=WitmerSweeney_p71> {{cite journal | last = Witmer | first = J.M. | coauthors = Sweeny, T.J. | title = A holistic model for wellness and prevention over the lifespan | journal = Journal of Counseling and Development | volume = 71 | pages = 140–148 | date = 1992 }}</ref><ref name=HattieMyersSweeney_p354364> {{cite journal | last = Hattie | first = J.A. | coauthors = Myers, J.E.; Sweeney, T.J. | title = A factor structure of wellness: Theory, assessment, analysis and practice | journal = Journal of Counseling and Development | volume = 82 | pages = 354–364 | date = 2004 }}</ref> An example of a [[wellness]] model includes one developed by Myers, Sweeny and Witmer. It includes five life tasks — essence or spirituality, [[Labour (economics)|work]] and [[leisure]], [[friendship]], love and self-direction—and twelve sub tasks—[[Self-esteem|sense of worth]], [[Self-efficacy|sense of control]], realistic beliefs, [[Emotional intelligence|emotional awareness]] and [[Coping skill|coping]], [[problem solving]] and [[creativity]], [[Humour|sense of humor]], [[nutrition]], [[exercise]], self care, [[stress management]], [[gender identity]], and [[cultural identity]]—are identified as characteristics of healthy functioning and a major component of wellness. The components provide a means of responding to the circumstances of life in a manner that promotes healthy functioning.<ref name=MyersSweenyWitmer_p251266> {{cite journal | last = Myers | first = J.E. | coauthors = Sweeny, T.J.; Witmer, J.M. | title = The wheel of wellness counseling for wellness: A holistic model for treatment planning. Journal of Counseling and Development | journal = Journal of Counseling and Development | volume = 78 | pages = 251–266 | date = 2000 }}</ref> === Lack of a mental disorder === {{see also|Mental disorder}} Mental health can also be defined as an absence of a major mental health condition. === Cultural and religious considerations === Mental health can be socially constructed and socially defined; that is, different professions, [[Community|communities]], [[Society|societies]] and [[culture]]s have very different ways of conceptualizing its nature and causes, determining what is mentally healthy, and deciding what interventions are appropriate.<ref name=Weare2000_p12>{{cite book | last = Weare | first = Katherine | title = Promoting mental, emotional and social health: A whole school approach | publisher = RoutledgeFalmer | date = 2000 | location = [[London]] | pages = 12 | id = ISBN 978-0415168755 }}</ref> Thus, different professionals will have different cultural and religious backgrounds and experiences, which may impact the methodology applied during treatment. Many [[mental health professional]]s are beginning to, or already understand, the importance of competency in religious diversity and [[spirituality]]. The [[American Psychological Association]] explicitly states that religion must be respected. Education in [[Spirituality|spiritual]] and religious matters is also required by the [[American Psychiatric Association]].<ref name=HandbookofPsychotherapyandReligousDiversity_p4>{{cite book | last = Richards | first = P.S. | coauthors = Bergin, A. E. | title = Handbook of Psychotherapy and Religious Diversity | publisher = [[American Psychological Association]] | date = 2000 | location = [[Washington D.C.]] | pages = 4 | id = ISBN 978-1557986245}}</ref> ==Mental health profession== {{main|Mental health professional}} A number of [[profession]]s have developed specializing in [[mental disorder]]s, including the [[Medicine|medical]] speciality of [[psychiatry]], divisions of [[psychology]] known as [[clinical psychology]], [[abnormal psychology]], [[positive psychology]], [[applied behavior analysis]], [[behavior therapy]], clinical or mental health [[social work]], mental health counselors, [[Family therapy|marriage and family therapists]], [[psychotherapists]], [[counselors]] and [[public Health]] professionals.<ref name=KingLS>King, L.S. (1952) Is Medicine an Exact Science?. ''Philosophy of Science, 19'', 131-140.</ref><ref name=AJP154Editorial>A, N.C. (1997). What is Psychiatry? ''The American Journal of Psychiatry, 154'', 591-593.</ref><ref name=APASiteAbout>American Psychiatric Association. (2006). ''About APA''. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]], from http://www.psych.org/about_apa/</ref><ref name=PrincetonDef2>Princeton University. (2006). ''psychiatry''. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]], from http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=psychiatry</ref><ref name=SCHHS>South County Hospital Healthcare System. (2006). ''Glossary of Specialties''. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]], from http://www.schospital.com/glossary.cfm</ref><ref name=UM>University of Melbourne. (2005, [[August 19]]). ''What is Psychiatry?''. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]], from http://www.psychiatry.unimelb.edu.au/info/what_is_psych.html</ref><ref name=Stedman>Stedman, T. (2005). Psychiatry. In ''Stedman's Medical Dictionary'' (28th Edition). Pennsylvania: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.</ref><ref name=StonybrookHospital>Stony Brook University Medical Center. (Unknown last update). ''Psychiatry''. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]], from http://www.stonybrookhospital.com/index.cfm?id=1874#whatis</ref><ref name=CPA>California Psychiatric Association. (2007, [[February 28]]). ''Frequently Asked Questions About Psychiatry & Psychiatrists''. Retrieved [[April 19]], [[2007]], from http://www.calpsych.org/publications/cpa/faqs.html</ref> Different clinical and academic professions tend to favor differing models, explanations and goals.<ref name="Rogers&Pilgram05">Rogers, A. & Pilgram, D. (2005) ''A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness'', Open University Press, 3rd Edition. ISBN 0335215831</ref> ==See also== * [[Global Mental Health]] * [[Health]] * [[Public health]] * [[Self-help groups for mental health]] * [[Baker Act]] === Related concepts === * [[Dissociation (psychology)|Dissociation]] ''(psychology)'' * [[Mental disorder]] * [[Mental health professional]] * [[Sanity]] * [[Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV]] === Related disciplines and specialties === * [[Psychology]] ** [[Positive psychology]] * [[Psychiatry]] :* [[DSM-IV Codes]] * [[Social work]] * [[Youth Health]] == References == === Further reading === * Atkinson, J. (2006) '''Private and Public Protection: Civil Mental Health Legislation,''' Edinburgh, Dunedin Academic Press * Nesse, R.M. (2005). '''Evolutionary Psychology and Mental Health''' in [[David Buss]], (Ed.), ''Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology''. John Wiley and Sons: Hoboken, NJ. Pp. 903-937. [http://www-personal.umich.edu/~nesse/Articles/Nesse-EvolMentHlth-Buss-HBEvPsy-2005.pdf Full text] === Notes === {{reflist}} === External links=== * [http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/international/ International Mental Health] * [http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthandsocialcaretopics/Mentalhealth/index.htm Mental Health Department of Health (United Kingdom)] * [http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ National Institute of Mental Health (United States)] * [http://www.mh-center.org/en/ Mental Health and HIV/AIDS (Articles in Eng/Rus versions) (Kazakhstan)] {{Psychology}} {{Mental and behavioural disorders}} [[Category:Mental health| ]] [[Category:Social issues]] [[Category:Positive psychology]] [[ar:صحة نفسية]] [[es:Salud mental]] [[fr:Santé mentale]] [[is:Andleg heilsa]] [[it:Salute mentale]] [[he:בריאות הנפש]] [[ja:メンタルヘルス]] [[pl:Zdrowie psychiczne]] [[pt:Saúde mental]] [[ru:Психическое здоровье]] [[sr:Ментално здравље]] [[fi:Mielenterveys]]