Essentials of Mental Health
摘要
Most of us have a fair perception of conditions like depression and anxiety and consider their presence or absence in our lives as an indicator of good or bad mental health. The concept of mental health, though broadly includes anxiety and depression, is much wider than this. Absence of mental disorders, while desirable, is not the absolute indicator of good mental health, which exists on a complex continuum, is experienced differently by different individuals with varying degrees of difficulty and distress and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes (WHO in Mental health and COVID-19: Early evidence of the pandemic’s impact. World Health Organization, 2022). In this chapter, we provide an overview of mental health basics and their everyday relevance. The global prevalence of mental health challenges, and its social, cultural, and economic dimensions and impact is examined. Additionally, we introduce key elements, such as emotional resilience, stress management, and social support. The chapter underscores the importance of early detection and intervention for mental health issues, emphasizing the pivotal role mental well-being plays in individual and societal health.