Mental health: definition and characteristics according to psychology

Relatively recently, specifically on October 10, World Mental Health Day was celebrated internationally. Although for a large part of the population this fact has remained unnoticed, the truth is that this celebration allows to speak and make visible about many aspects of the psyche, often related with the presence of disorders such as schizophrenia, OCD, the Bipolar disorder, phobias, substance abuse or anxiety problems.

It is important to talk about these facts, since mental health problems are highly invisible and even today many of them carry a significant social stigma.

Likewise, it should be noted that although most people could identify or define at least by On top of what is a mental disorder, curiously the same does not happen with the apparently opposite concept. And it is that... What exactly do we call mental health? We will discuss it throughout this article.

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Mental health: definition of the concept

The term mental health may appear simple, but the truth is that deep down it is a highly complex concept for which there is no single global definition. And it depends on who does it and from the discipline and biological and cultural perspective from which what is understood as mental health can be very different.

In a general way, it is possible to define mental health as the subjective state of well-being in which the person is able to cope with the psychosocial demands of the day-to-day, is aware of his capabilities and can, thanks to them, adapt and integrate effectively into the world around him.

We would be facing a state of balance between the person and the world, both cognitive, emotional and behavioral, in which the first feels and is able to function properly, and can not only meet his needs but feel good and done. Likewise, it must be taken into account that health is not considered as an objective per se, but as something that is part of our daily life and that allows us to carry out our aspirations. The concept of mental health also includes the ability to perform the necessary behaviors to maintain and promote one's own physical and mental health.

It is important to bear in mind that mental health and mental disorder are not opposites, since it is not enough to not have any type of pathology to be able to consider being healthy.

It is not a question of not having physical or mental illnesses or disorders, but also to enjoy a biopsychosocial balance that allows us to stay in good condition, be able to adapt to the environment and enjoy our day to day. In other words, it is necessary to have a good state of psychological well-being to be able to consider good mental health.

Criticisms of this concept

In the realm of psychology, not everyone finds the concept of mental health useful. This is especially the case in the behavior analysis paradigm, in which the tendency to see psychological problems as health problems is critically seen. Therefore, from this point of view the objective of psychology applied to well-being is not so much to enhance something called mental health, but to focus on the inappropriate behaviors themselves, and promote more adaptive.

Psychological well-being: what does it entail?

As we have seen, mental health implies a state of well-being, not only on a physical but also psychological level. In this sense, we understand psychological well-being as the set of positive sensations derived from mental functioning in which self-realization and self-realization prevail. the ability to cope with or adapt to environmental situations and demands.

Subjective well-being is mainly configured, according to Carol Ryff's model, by the presence of high self-acceptance or the ability to validate both the good and the bad of oneself in such a way that one is satisfied with who oneself is, the search and maintenance of positive and deep relationships with the environment, the ability to influence the environment and the perception of said capacity, the existence of the ability to choose independently and make their own decisions based on their own beliefs, possibility to grow and develop personally in such a way that we can optimize ourselves as much as possible and, last but not least, the existence of vital purposes or goals to achieve.

To all this can be added the existence on a daily basis of a high proportion of positive and low negative affect, satisfaction and a sense of coherence, integration, social acceptance. What's more the perception of being useful and generating something to the community also influences.

Main features

There are many aspects to consider when assessing mental health. In this sense, it may be interesting to point out and underline different characteristics to take into account with regard to what the existence of mental health implies. Among them we can find the following.

1. It is not only the absence of disorder

As we have seen, when we talk about mental health we are not talking about the mere absence of mental disorders or problems but about a state of general well-being that allows a good functioning and participation in the world and a correct relationship with oneself.

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2. Includes cognition, emotion, and behavior

Often when we talk about mental health we tend to imagine someone with some kind of problem linked to the existence of cognitive problems. However, within mental health we also find emotional and motivational elements and even behavioral: mental health not only implies having a specific way of thinking, but also of feeling and make.

3. It develops throughout life

The state of mental health of each one does not appear out of nowhere, but It is the product of a long development process in which biological, environmental and biographical factors (the experiences and learnings that we make throughout life) are going to influence a great deal.

The experience of a state of well-being or the lack of it can vary greatly from one person to another, and two different people or even the same person in two different moments of life may have a different consideration regarding their state of health mental.

4. Cultural influence

As we have seen previously, the concept of mental health can be complex to define universally because different cultures have different conceptions of what is or is not healthy. Similarly, comparison with the reference group is generally used to assess the own state of mental health: something is considered healthy if it conforms to what society considers to be such. Thus, the same subject can be considered mentally healthy in one context and not in another.

For example, in an individualistic country more emphasis will be placed on autonomy and self-determination while that in a collectivist one who is capable of thinking more about the group or the community will be considered the healthiest. Another example is found in the management and consideration of emotions: some cultures or countries tend to seek to hide or suppress the negatives, while others seek greater acceptance and validation of these.

5. Mental health as something dynamic and workable

As with physical health, the state of mental health can vary throughout life based on the different pathogens and experiences that we have throughout our lives. In this sense, it is possible to work to improve mental health: mental health problems can be treated and the situation of each individual can improve greatly. In addition, we can establish strategies and measures that contribute to improving our state of mental health and preventing possible problems.

On the other hand, it is also possible that in certain situations a person with a good level of mental health comes to suffer some kind of problem or pathology.

6. Body-mind interrelation

Another idea that must be taken into account when we talk about mental health is the fact that it is not possible to fully understand the functioning of the mind without the body or of the body without the mind.

The presence of diseases and medical disorders is a factor to take into account when explaining the state of mental health, and vice versa. It is easily visible if we think about the effects that serious, chronic or very dangerous diseases can generate on our psyche: the stress, fear and suffering that can lead to serious problems such as cancer, a heart attack, diabetes or HIV infection.

In this sense, it is necessary to take into account both the possible impact of the disease on the state of mental health (for example, intoxication can generate mental alterations) such as that generated by the perception of illness. This does not mean that mental health cannot be preserved despite having a disease, but it can be a handicap or a difficulty in maintaining a state of mental well-being.

Likewise, the practice of sports and the maintenance of healthy lifestyle habits favors mental health, balance and well-being. In the same way, mental health has an effect on physical health: good mental health helps the body stay healthy, while if it exists Some problem is easier for fatigue, discomfort, physical pain, lowered immune system, somatizations... and this can lead to suffering diseases.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Madrid: Panamericana.
• Clariana, S.M. and De los Ríos, P. (2012). Health Psychology. CEDE PIR Preparation Manual, 04. CEDE: Madrid.
• National Collaborating Center for Mental Health. Depression. (2009). The treatment and management of depression in adults (updated edition). National Clinical Practice Guideline Number 90. London: British Psychological Society and Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Öhman A (2000). "Fear and anxiety: Evolutionary, cognitive, and clinical perspectives". In Lewis M, Haviland-Jones JM (eds.). Handbook of emotions. New York: The Guilford Press. pp. 573 - 593.
• World Health Organization (2013). Mental health: a state of well-being. [On-line]. Available in: https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/es/
• Ryff, C. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069-1081.
• Sylvers, P.; Lilienfeld, S.O.; LaPrairie, J.L. (2011). Differences between trait fear and trait anxiety: implications for psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review. 31(1): 122 - 137.