Definition of mental health
Scientists and doctors agree that physical health is the body’s safety from disease, pain, and the integrity of the internal organs, in addition to the integrity of the functioning of vital processes and their functions in an active manner, but the definition of mental health cannot be as simple as some scientists have seen, since the meanings of the soul, its potentials, and its level of safety Its compatibility is not a tangible material that can be measured, but is evidenced by the external behavior of the individual and its interactions and responses, and the definitions of mental health differ according to different societies and cultures and the behavioral rules that take place in them, and the different beliefs and cultures adopted by scientists, [2] , and accordingly the simple and comprehensive definition For mental health: it is the prevailing and continuous state of the individual in which he is stable and compatible psychologically and socially, in addition to feeling happy with the self and with others, and thus the ability to achieve and appreciate the self, and exploit the skills and self-efficiencies to the maximum extent possible, that is, it is the positive feature that the individual’s behavior and trends enjoy To himself and others, he will be a happy, balanced and well-mannered individual.
Key facts
.Mental health is not just a lack of mental disorders.
.Mental health is an integral part of health; Indeed, health is not complete without mental health.
.Mental health is affected by socio-economic, biological and environmental factors.
.There are cross-sectoral and cost-effective strategies and interventions to promote mental health.
In this regard, the WHO constitution states that "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or disability." One of the most important effects of this definition is that explaining mental health goes beyond the concept of lack of mental disorders or disabilities.
Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual can devote his or her own capabilities and adapt to the normal types of stress, work with dedication and effectiveness, and contribute to his or her community or society.
Mental health and well-being are essential to strengthening our collective and individual ability to think, influence, and interact with one another as human beings, and to earn a living and enjoy life. On this basis, the promotion, protection and restoration of mental health can be considered a vital concern for individuals, groups and societies around the world.
Determinants of mental health
There are multiple social, psychological, and biological factors that determine a person's level of mental health at some point. It is recognized, for example, that the persistence of socio-economic pressures is one of the risks to the mental health of individuals and communities. The most obvious evidence in this regard relates to indicators of poverty, including low levels of education.
There is also a relationship between low levels of mental health and factors such as rapid social transformation, stressful working conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyles, risks of violence and poor physical health, and human rights violations.
Also, there are psychological and other specific factors related to an individual's personality that make people vulnerable to mental disorders. Finally, there are some biological factors that cause these disorders, including genetic factors and imbalance of chemicals in the brain.
Strategies and interventions
Mental health promotion involves taking actions that seek to create living conditions and appropriate environments to support mental health and enable people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. This includes taking a range of measures that increase the chances of more people enjoying a better level of mental health.
An environment that respects and protects the lowest civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights is also a key factor in promoting mental health. It is very difficult, without the security and freedom guaranteed by these rights, to maintain a high level of mental health.
National mental health policies should not only focus their attention on mental health disorders, but should also recognize and work on large-scale issues related to the promotion of mental health. This includes integrating mental health promotion into policies and programs at the government and other sectors, including education, employment, justice, transportation, the environment, housing and social welfare, as well as the health sector.
Health promotion depends to a large extent on multisectoral strategies. Here are some specific ways to carry out this process:
.Early childhood interventions (such as visiting pregnant women at home, undertaking psycho-social activities in the pre-school stage, combining nutritional interventions and psycho-social assistance for the benefit of disadvantaged groups);
.Provide necessary support to children (such as skills building programs and child and youth development programs);
.Empowering women in the socio-economic sphere (such as improving their access to education and microcredit plans);
.Provide necessary social support to the elderly (such as favoritism initiatives, daytime and community centers for the elderly);
.Activities to promote mental health in schools (such as programs supporting ecological changes in schools, child-friendly schools);
.Interventions to promote mental health in the workplace (such as stress prevention programs);
H.ousing policies (such as home improvement);
.Violence prevention programs (such as reducing the availability of alcohol and obtaining weapons);
.Community development programs (such as 'conscious communities' initiatives, and integrated rural development).
.Poverty reduction and social protection for the poor;
.Anti-discrimination laws and campaigns;
.Protecting rights, opportunities and care for individuals suffering from mental disorders.
Mental health care and treatment
In the context of national efforts to develop and implement mental health policies, it is important not only to protect and promote the psychological well-being of its citizens, but also to meet the needs of people with specific mental disorders.
Our knowledge of what to do about the growing burden of mental disorders has improved dramatically over the past decade. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of major interventions for priority mental disorders in countries at various levels of economic development. The following are examples of cost-effective, affordable and affordable interventions:
.Treatment of epilepsy with antiepileptic drugs;
.Treating depression with psychotherapy, and with antidepressants (produced as generic drugs) in moderate to severe depression.
.Treating psychosis with old antipsychotic medicines in addition to psychosocial support;
.Taxing alcoholic beverages and restricting their availability and marketing.
There is also a range of effective measures to prevent suicides, prevent and treat mental disorders among children, prevent and treat dementia, and treat drug-related disorders. The Mental Health Gap Action Program has developed evidence-based guidelines for non-specialists to enable them to diagnose and manage priority mental health conditions.
WHO response
The plan represents a commitment by all member states of the organization to take specific measures to improve mental health and contribute to achieving a set of global goals.
.Promote effective leadership and management of mental health issues;
.Providing comprehensive and integrated health care services that respond to the needs of the population and social care services in community health facilities.
.Implement strategies to promote mental health and prevention;
.Strengthening information systems, evidence and research necessary for mental health.
Special attention is given to the action plan for protecting and promoting human rights, strengthening and empowering civil society, and to the central place in community care.
In order to achieve its goals, the action plan proposes and requires clear actions that governments, international partners and WHO must take. In the absence of any measures that are appropriate for all countries, each government will have to adapt the action plan to its specific national circumstances.
Implementation of the action plan will allow persons with mental disorders to obtain the following:
.Easily access mental health and social care services;
.Treatment by health workers with the necessary skills in public health care facilities; .This process is facilitated by the WHO Work Program on Bridging the Mental Health Gap and its Evidence-Based Tools.
.Participate in reorganizing, providing and evaluating services so that care and treatment become more responsive to needs;
.Increase access to government disability benefits, housing and livelihood programs, and improve participation in work, community life and civil affairs.
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