Mental health: definition and characteristics according to psychology.

This concept is fundamental in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Let's see what it is.

Relatively recently, on October 10, World Mental Health Day was celebrated on an international level. Although for a large part of the population this fact has remained unnoticed, the fact is that this celebration allows us to talk about and make visible many aspects of the psyche, often related to the presence of disorders such as schizophrenia or schizophrenia. the presence of disorders such as schizophrenia, OCD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression, depression, depression, bipolar disorder, depression, bipolar disorderbipolar disorder, phobias, substance abuse or anxiety problems.

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

It should also be noted that although most people would be able to identify or define at least in a superficial way what a mental disorder is, curiously enough, the same does not occur with the apparently opposite concept. And the fact is that... what exactly do we call mental health? We are going to discuss it throughout this article.

Mental health: definition of the concept

The term of mental health can be in appearance simple, but the certain thing is that in the bottom it is a highly complex concept for which there is not a unique global definition. And the fact is that it depends on who makes it and from the discipline and biological and cultural perspective from which one starts, what is understood as mental health can be very different.

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

We would be facing a state of balance between the person and the world both cognitive and emotional and behavioral, in which the former feels and is able to function properly, and can not only meet their needs but feel good and fulfilled. It should also be taken into account that health is not considered as a goal per se, but as something that is part of our daily life. is part of our daily life that allows us to achieve 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 not to have any type of pathology to be considered healthy.

It is not just a matter of not having physical or mental illnesses or disorders, but also of having a biopsychosocial equilibrium that is in balance with the physical and mental health.It is also about having a biopsychosocial balance that allows us to keep ourselves in good condition, to be able to adapt to the environment and to enjoy our daily life. 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 field of psychology, not everyone considers the concept of mental health to be useful. This is especially true in the paradigm of behavior analysis, in which the tendency of the concept of mental the tendency to view psychological problems as health problems is viewed critically.. 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 inadequate behaviors themselves, and to promote more adaptive ones.

Psychological well-being: what does it imply?

As we have seen, mental health implies a state of well-being, not only at a physical but also at a psychological level. In this sense, we understand psychological well-being as the set of positive sensations derived from a mental functioning in which self-fulfillment and the ability to cope with or to adapt to the world prevails. 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 capacity to validate both the good and the bad in oneself in such a way that one is satisfied with who one is, the search for and maintenance of positive and deep relationships with the environment, the ability to influence the environment and the perception of this ability, the existence of the ability to choose independently and make one's own decisions based on one's own beliefs, the 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 be achieved.

To all this can be added the existence in daily life of a high proportion of positive and low proportion of negative affection, satisfaction and sense of coherence, integration, social acceptance. In addition also influences the perception of being useful and generating something to the community..

Main characteristics

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 absence of disorder

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

2. It 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, motivational and even behavioral elements: mental health does not only imply having a specific way of thinking, but also of feeling and doing.

3. It develops over the course of life

One's state of mental health does not appear out of nowhere, but is the product of a long process of development. is the product of a long process of development in which biological, environmental, and biographical factors (the experiences and (the experiences and learnings we make throughout life) will have a great influence.

The experience of a state of well-being or lack thereof can vary greatly from one person to another, and two different people, or even one person at two different times of life, may have a different consideration of their state of mental health.

4. Cultural influence

As we have already seen, the concept of mental health can be complex to define in a universal way due to the fact that different cultures have different conceptions of mental health. different cultures have different conceptions of what is or is not healthy.. Similarly, comparison with the reference group is generally used to assess one's own state of mental health: something is considered healthy if it conforms to what society considers it to be healthy. Thus, the same subject may 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 in a collectivist country, those who are able to think more about the group or the community will be considered healthier. Another example can be found in the management and consideration of emotions.Some cultures or countries tend to seek to hide or suppress negative emotions, while others seek greater acceptance and validation of them.

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 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 be greatly improved. Likewise, we can establish strategies and measures that contribute to improve our state of mental health and to prevent possible problems..

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

6. Mind-body interrelationship

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 the body without the mind.

The presence of diseases and medical disorders is a factor to be taken into account when explaining the state of mental health, and vice versa. It is easily visible if we think of the effects that serious, chronic or very dangerous illnesses can have on our psyche: the stress, fear and suffering that can be caused by problems as serious as cancer.a heart attack, Diabetes or HIV infection.

In this sense, it is necessary to take into account both the possible effect of the disease on the state of mental health (for example, intoxication can generate mental alterations) and that which generates the perception of illness. This does not mean that mental health cannot be preserved despite having an illness, 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 to stay healthy, while if there is a problem it is easier for fatigue, discomfort, physical pain, lowering of the immune system, somatization... and this can lead to disease.

Referencias bibliográficas:

• American Psychiatric Association (2014). DSM-5. Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales. Madrid: Panamericana.
• Clariana, S.M. y De los Ríos, P. (2012). Psicología de la salud. Manual CEDE de Preparación PIR, 04. CEDE: Madrid.
• National Collaborating Centre 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.
• Organización Mundial de la Salud (2013). Salud mental: un estado de bienestar. [Online]. Disponible en: 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.