What is mental health? Evidence towards a new definition from a mixed methods multidisciplinary international survey

Abstract

ObjectiveLack of consensus on the definition of mental health has implications for research, policy and practice. This study aims to start an international, interdisciplinary and inclusive dialogue to answer the question: What are the core concepts of mental health?Design and participants50 people with expertise in the field of mental health from 8 countries completed an online survey. They identified the extent to which 4 current definitions were adequate and what the core concepts of mental health were. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted of their responses. The results were validated at a consensus meeting of 58 clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience.Results46% of respondents rated the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC, 2006) definition as the most preferred, 30% stated that none of the 4 definitions were satisfactory and only 20% said the WHO (2001) definition was their preferred choice. The least preferred definition of mental health was the general definition of health adapted from Huber et al (2011). The core concepts of mental health were highly varied and reflected different processes people used to answer the question. These processes included the overarching perspective or point of reference of respondents (positionality), the frameworks used to describe the core concepts (paradigms, theories and models), and the way social and environmental factors were considered to act. The core concepts of mental health identified were mainly individual and functional, in that they related to the ability or capacity of a person to effectively deal with or change his/her environment. A preliminary model for the processes used to conceptualise mental health is presented.ConclusionsAnswers to the question, ‘What are the core concepts of mental health?’ are highly dependent on the empirical frame used. Understanding these empirical frames is key to developing a useful consensus definition for diverse populations.

How commuting affects subjective wellbeing

“…3 Mental health is distinct from SWB, since mental health refers to an objective state of the individual. However, there are some overlapping featuresmental health is often measured through asking people about themselves, albeit with the aim to identify their level of cognitive-emotional functioning (Manwell et al 2015). Roberts et al (2011) carried out fixed effects modelling analysis of BHPS data (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004) and found that longer duration commutes were associated with worse mental health for women, but not men.…”

The Relationship Between Mental Health and Resilience: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…What is meant by mental health is the ability to carry out everyday activities, establish proper relationship, and exhibit proper social and cultural behavior (4). Mental health is considered as intellectual, emotional and spiritual development, positive self-perception, a sense of dignity and physical health, and interpersonal harmony (5,6).…”

Does the recent intensification of nationalistic and xenophobic attitudes in Eastern European countries adversely affect public mental health?

“…Manwell et al, promotes the formulation made by the Public Health Agency of Canada, which states that: “Mental health is the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. It is a positive sense of emotional and spiritual well-being that respects the importance of culture, equity, social justice, interconnections and personal dignity” [20]. …”