1.1 Evaluate two different views on the nature of mental wellbeing and mental health

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Evaluate two different views on the nature of mental wellbeing and mental health.

Understanding the nature of mental wellbeing and mental health is central to providing quality care. People hold many views about what these terms mean. These views can influence attitudes, policy, and the support given in health and social care settings. Two main perspectives are the medical model and the social model. Each has different ideas about what mental health means and how to support people.

The Medical Model

The medical model is a traditional approach. It treats mental health conditions as illnesses, similar to physical diseases. This view is sometimes called the biomedical or psychiatric model. It rests on the belief that mental health problems come from physical causes in the brain or body.

Key points of the medical model:

• Mental health issues are classified as disorders or illnesses.
• Underlying biological, genetic, or chemical causes are emphasised.
• Symptoms are grouped into categories for diagnosis.
• Diagnosis is made by a doctor or psychiatrist.
• Treatment focuses on managing or reducing symptoms, often with medication.

People who support this model look for physical explanations. They suggest that an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, brain injuries, infections, or genetic factors cause mental ill-health.

Strengths of the Medical Model

• Provides a clear system for diagnosis and treatment.
• Enables development of evidence-based treatments.
• Can help reduce blame towards the person, as it frames problems as illnesses.
• Often leads to quick intervention and access to medical help.
• Makes it easier to get treatment funded by insurance or the NHS.

Limitations of the Medical Model

• Can lead to labelling people, which sometimes increases stigma.
• Tends to overlook personal experiences, trauma, and social circumstances.
• Treatment often centres on medication, with less focus on talking therapies or lifestyle changes.
• May discourage self-help and empowerment, since it assumes the illness is outside the person’s control.
• Can create a “patient” identity, making people feel more passive in their own recovery.

The Social Model

The social model offers a quite different view. It suggests that mental wellbeing and mental health problems are shaped mostly by people’s life experiences and environment. This view looks beyond biological causes. It places more value on the impact of society, relationships, culture, and personal history.

Key points of the social model:

• Mental health is affected by social factors such as poverty, discrimination, trauma, and stress.
• Focus is given to the person’s experience, strengths, and coping strategies.
• Diagnosis is less important than listening to the person’s story.
• Interventions aim to support recovery and wellbeing through social change, support networks, and empowerment.
• Views mental health as something everyone has, with problems seen on a spectrum.

People who favour this view think that difficult life events, social exclusion, or a lack of opportunity can have a major impact. They argue that labels like “disorder” are not always helpful, and may actually make things worse.

Strengths of the Social Model

• Values the person’s own understanding and narrative.
• Seeks to reduce stigma by ‘normalising’ distress as a common human experience.
• Recognises the impact of trauma, discrimination, and inequality on mental health.
• Encourages self-advocacy and shared decision making.
• Supports a wide range of therapies, practical support, and life skills training.
• Aims to change social conditions and systems, not just treat symptoms.

Limitations of the Social Model

• May underestimate the biological and neurological aspects of mental health.
• Can be less clear about how to treat severe conditions where medical intervention is needed.
• Relies on changes in social policy or support structures, which can be slow or limited.
• Without a diagnosis, access to some treatments or benefits may be harder.
• Not all families or communities have the resources to provide needed support.

Comparing the Two Views

Focus of Explanation

• The medical model looks to biology, genetics, or physical changes in the brain.
• The social model highlights life experience, culture, and society.

Approach to Diagnosis

• Medical model uses detailed classifications, such as ‘schizophrenia’ or ‘bipolar disorder’.
• Social model tends to avoid labels, instead using terms like ‘emotional distress’ or ‘response to trauma’.

Law and Policy

• The medical model is reflected in laws such as the Mental Health Act, which can restrict people’s rights if a doctor diagnoses them with certain disorders.
• The social model has influenced lots of mental health charities, peer support networks, and policies focusing on community-based care.

Treatment and Support

• Medical model uses medication, psychiatric assessment, and hospital care.
• Social model promotes talking therapies, self-help, accessible housing, employment support, and community involvement.

Impact on Stigma

• Medical model can sometimes reduce blame, but may increase labelling and division.
• Social model aims to make mental health a community issue, supporting acceptance and inclusion.

Real World Examples

Medical Model Example

A person hears voices and feels distressed. Under the medical model, they are assessed and diagnosed with a psychotic disorder by a psychiatrist. Treatment may include antipsychotic medication and regular check-ups, possibly in hospital. The main focus is on symptom management and reducing distress.

Advantages:

• Gives fast access to treatment and professional support.
• Provides a name for what’s happening, helping some people make sense of their experience.

Disadvantages:

• May overlook triggers in the person’s life or recent trauma.
• Medication side effects or feeling labelled can be upsetting.

Social Model Example

A person with low mood following redundancy talks to a support worker. They explore how unemployment affects self-esteem. The support worker arranges job-seeking help, social groups, and counselling. Focus is on building confidence and tackling loneliness, not on diagnosis.

Advantages:

• Focus on practical support and empowerment.
• Sees the person in the context of their life.

Disadvantages:

• If severe depression is present, medical input might be needed but not provided.
• May not suit people who want a clear diagnosis and medical treatment.

Combining Both Models

In UK health and social care, many organisations now combine elements of both models. This is called the ‘biopsychosocial model’. It recognises that both biological and social factors play a part.

Features include:

• Individual care plans considering life history and medical needs.
• Joint working between doctors, psychologists, and social workers.
• Support for both medication and talking therapies.
• Involving family and community resources in support.

This combined approach tries to take the best from both views. It looks at the whole person, not just symptoms or circumstances.

Language and Attitudes

How people talk about mental health impacts attitudes and stigma. The medical model’s language can sometimes reinforce ideas of difference. Phrases like “has a mental disorder” or “patient” may seem impersonal.

The social model encourages use of terms like “distress” or “lived experience”. Some people find this reduces shame or embarrassment. Some mental health campaigners prefer words like “mental unwellness” or “emotional crisis” over “illness” or “disease”.

Care workers need to adapt their language to fit the situation and respect the views of people using services.

Law and Rights

The medical model supports using legal powers to help or protect people. This includes the Mental Health Act, which allows compulsory hospital admission if someone is a risk to themselves or others.

The social model supports more voluntary and community-led approaches. It encourages advocacy, legal rights, and support to help people stay in their homes. Legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 supports this model by protecting against discrimination in work and services.

Recovery and Self-Management

The medical model sometimes focuses on reducing symptoms rather than full recovery or a meaningful life. The social model talks about recovery as a personal process, not just an absence of symptoms. This means supporting people to build skills, get jobs, or form relationships even if some symptoms remain.

Many people find a recovery focus more hopeful. It allows for ups and downs and values progress, no matter how small.

Involving Family and Carers

The medical model may focus on the individual, sometimes excluding carers from decisions. The social model is more likely to involve families, friends, or peer support groups, recognising the value of relationships in recovery.

Impact on Care Practice

These views affect every part of care work:

• How you assess and treat people.
• What kind of support is suggested or offered.
• How you talk to those seeking help.
• The ways you challenge stigma.

Knowing both models makes it easier to respect each person’s preferences and partnership in care.

Evaluating Both Models

Neither model gives all the answers. The medical model suits some people and situations, particularly where symptoms are severe or urgent action is needed. It has improved understanding of the biology of mental health problems and made many effective treatments possible.

The social model highlights the big impact of social circumstances, exclusion, trauma, and inequality. It pushes for more holistic, person-centred care and challenges stigma. Yet it sometimes struggles to address severe or long-term mental illness on its own.

Both models have their strengths and drawbacks. The most effective support often comes from combining both perspectives.

Final Thoughts

Mental wellbeing and mental health mean different things to different people. Some focus on illness and diagnosis—the medical model. Others see mental health as shaped by society and life experience—the social model.

You will meet people who are helped by both kinds of support. Some want a diagnosis and medication; others want to focus on their life and community. Good practice means being aware of both models and using them flexibly.

Mental health support in the UK now tries to combine these ideas. It uses both medical and social approaches for better care. This gives people choice, respect, and hope. Understanding both perspectives helps you offer better, more person-centred support and challenge unfair discrimination.