What is the Holistic Model in Mental Health?

The holistic model in mental health looks at the whole person, not just one part such as symptoms or a diagnosis. This approach believes that wellbeing depends on a balance of the mind, body, emotions, environment, and social relationships. In the UK, many organisations and practitioners use holistic ideas, whether working in hospitals, community services, or private practices.

The holistic model is rooted in a long tradition that sees health as more than the absence of illness. It considers all areas of a person’s life, recognising that everything is connected and plays a part in mental health.

Core Beliefs of the Holistic Model

The holistic model rests on several important beliefs:

• Each person is unique, with individual needs, strengths, and experiences.
• Mental health is influenced by a mixture of psychological, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual factors.
• No single approach suits everyone.
• Recovery and wellbeing require a broad view, rather than focusing on symptoms alone.
• Finding meaning and balance is part of mental health.

Practitioners working holistically will listen to all aspects of your life, including goals, values, and relationships.

Areas Covered by the Holistic Model

The holistic approach explores all aspects of life that can affect mental health. These include:

• Physical health: Sleep, diet, exercise, and the presence of any medical conditions.
• Emotional wellbeing: How you feel, manage emotions, and express yourself.
• Social and environmental factors: Relationships, family, work, housing, and the wider community.
• Spiritual needs or beliefs: For those who are interested, a sense of purpose, belonging, or faith might be considered.
• Psychological factors: Thinking patterns, past experiences, and coping strategies.

Services often bring together staff from different backgrounds to address these areas.

Types of Support in the Holistic Model

A holistic approach may include a variety of supports, such as:

• Psychological therapies: Like counselling or CBT to explore thoughts and feelings.
• Physical health support: Help with nutrition, exercise, stopping smoking, or managing long-term conditions.
• Social support: Advice on finding housing, debt support, volunteering, or employment.
• Creative therapies: Art, music, or drama therapy.
• Mind-body practices: Yoga, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or tai chi.
• Spiritual care: Pastoral support or help to explore values and purpose.

Support is chosen with the person, tailored to what is most helpful for them.

Holistic Assessment

Assessment in the holistic model involves looking at the whole picture. Staff might:

• Ask about your lifestyle, daily routines, and physical health.
• Explore relationships, support networks, and community links.
• Listen to your hopes, strengths, and any worries about the future.
• Involve you in every decision about your care.

The goal is to build a full understanding, so support can fit your life—not just your symptoms.

Benefits of the Holistic Model

Many people appreciate the holistic model because:

• It recognises you are more than a diagnosis or set of symptoms.
• Care feels personal and individual.
• Emotional, practical, and physical needs are respected.
• You can use a range of supports—not just medication or therapy.
• It encourages balance and prevention, not just crisis management.
• Strengths and resources are highlighted, not only difficulties.

Taking all parts of life into account often leads to better and longer-lasting wellbeing.

Challenges of the Holistic Model

The holistic model also faces some challenges:

• Co-ordinating care across many areas takes time and teamwork.
• Access to certain supports, like creative therapies or peer groups, may be limited in some places.
• It can take more effort to bring together physical, psychological, and social care.
• Some staff or services may still focus on symptoms over the bigger picture.

However, many people find this approach improves satisfaction and outcomes.

Role of Multidisciplinary Teams

Holistic care often involves a team:

• Doctors and nurses assess and support physical and mental health.
• Psychologists provide therapy.
• Social workers help with benefits, housing, or family issues.
• Occupational therapists work on daily living skills.
• Peer supporters and volunteers offer community and lived experience.

This team works with the person to co-ordinate all parts of care.

Personalised and Preventative Support

Prevention and early intervention are core in holistic care. This might mean:

• Offering advice on healthy lifestyles to prevent problems.
• Supporting people to stay connected and reduce isolation.
• Helping build resilience and coping strategies before a crisis.

Personalised plans help people avoid relapses and stay well in the longer term.

Empowerment and Choice

Central to the holistic model is the belief that people should make choices about their own care. This means:

• Support is flexible and based on what matters most to you.
• Options are discussed together, with the chance to try different approaches.
• Your feedback shapes what happens next.

This gives a sense of control and partnership.

Cultural Sensitivity in Holistic Mental Health Care

The holistic model values cultural beliefs and practices. Practitioners may:

• Ask about family roles, traditions, or beliefs that shape your experience.
• Avoid making assumptions based on diagnosis or ethnicity.
• Provide interpreters or culturally specific support when needed.
• Work with faith leaders or community groups if this would help.

Understanding the whole person includes being sensitive to background and culture.

Role of Lifestyle and Self-Care

Lifestyle choices are a major focus of the holistic model. Areas include:

• Diet and nutrition
• Physical activity
• Sleep habits
• Managing stress
• Finding creative or spiritual outlets
• Building positive routines

Services might run workshops, groups, or offer one-to-one coaching on these topics.

Holistic Support in the Community

Community connection is seen as a key part of wellbeing. The holistic model might involve:

• Connecting people with local clubs, volunteering, or social groups
• Walking groups, gardening projects, or creative workshops
• Support for returning to work or education
• Building friendships and reducing loneliness

Being part of a community is seen as protective for mental health.

Examples of Holistic Model Services

Across the UK, holistic approaches are found in:

• NHS wellbeing hubs and recovery colleges
• Voluntary sector projects offering combined support
• Community interest companies with creative or outdoor activities
• Specialist services for people from different cultures or backgrounds
• Integrated physical and mental health programmes

These services shape support to fit the whole person, not just their diagnosis.

Combining Holistic, Medical, and Other Models

Most UK services now recognise the value of blending the holistic model with other approaches. This means:

• Medication when needed, but alongside lifestyle advice or practical support
• Therapy, peer support, and creative activities offered together
• Plans tailored to what works for each person, reviewed regularly together

Wellbeing improves when all areas of life are considered, valued, and supported.

Final Thoughts

The holistic model in mental health focuses on the whole person, recognising that wellbeing depends on the balance of mind, body, social connections, environment, and personal values. Support is built around each person’s unique needs and strengths, taking into account lifestyle, relationships, and culture.

Services using the holistic model aim to support not just recovery from distress, but also long-term health, prevention, and satisfaction. By bringing together different types of support, the holistic approach offers a path towards fuller, more meaningful wellbeing for people across the UK.