We all have differing degrees of mental health at different times in our lives. Most people aren’t at the extremes but fall somewhere in the middle. Anyone can become mentally ill, given the right circumstances.
Some people are mentally healthy; others have specific mental disorders.
MENTALLY HEALTHY MENTALLY ILL
What is Mental Health?
In western society, a mentally healthy person:
- Has self-esteem, self-acceptance
- Is realising potential
- Is able to maintain fulfilling relationships
- Has a sense of psychological well-being
- Has a sense of independence
- Has a sense of competence, mastery, purpose
Different cultures may have different ideas about what exactly having a healthy mind is.
Who Has Mental Health?
- Most of us fall short to some extent
- Campaigners of mental health believe that a broad range of mental health services should be available to the general population, not just people who have a serious mental illness
- They believe in being pro-active and not reactive; that prevention and education, as well as treatment, are extremely important
What is Mental Illness?
- Is it a disease, like diabetes or smallpox?
- Is it a form of irregular behaviour, like being rebellious, choosing to dress differently, being extremely creative?
To diagnose a physical disease, doctors perform tests, undertake body scans, X-rays, check the person’s medical history, undertake physical examinations. Once the disease is diagnosed, the doctor will know:
- The cause of the disease / illness
- How it is likely to run its course
- What is the most appropriate treatment
Mental illnesses cannot be confirmed by tests or body imaging. Diagnosing a mental illness does not lead to an understanding of the cause, the course of the illness or the most appropriate treatment.
