1.1 Define the term ‘mental health’

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Define the term ‘mental health’.

Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how someone thinks, feels, and behaves each day. Good mental health means having the ability to enjoy life, cope with stress, and reach your potential. It is also about forming positive relationships, making good choices, and contributing to your community.

Mental health does not mean the complete absence of any mental health problems or distress. Everyone feels sad, anxious, or stressed at times. These feelings are a normal part of being human. Mental health is about how well people manage these everyday feelings and challenges.

Commonly accepted definitions, such as those from the World Health Organization (WHO), describe mental health as “a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to their community”.

Some professionals speak about mental health on a spectrum. A person may have good mental health, experience temporary issues, or live with a mental health condition. Mental health can change over time, often depending on life events, stress, or support.

Emotional Wellbeing

Emotional wellbeing is a key part of mental health. It means being able to understand and manage your emotions. Good emotional wellbeing allows you to:

• Recognise your own feelings
• Express feelings appropriately
• Adapt to change and setbacks
• Stay hopeful about the future

People with strong emotional wellbeing are better able to enjoy positive emotions and recover from tough times. They find healthy ways to deal with disappointment or stress.

Psychological Wellbeing

Psychological wellbeing is about how we think. It covers internal processes such as:

• Self-worth
• Motivation
• Ability to solve problems
• Confidence in making decisions
• Coping skills

Having good psychological wellbeing means feeling positive about your own abilities. It helps with making decisions, planning ahead, and adapting when plans change. Building coping skills strengthens psychological wellbeing.

Social Wellbeing

Social wellbeing describes how people interact with others. It can include:

• Building and maintaining relationships
• Communicating effectively
• Working well in groups
• Feeling connected to society

Having supportive friends, family, or colleagues helps improve social wellbeing. Social isolation or lack of support can damage mental health.

Factors that Influence Mental Health

Many things influence mental health. Some people are born with a higher chance of experiencing mental health challenges. Others may be affected by life events.

Influencing factors include:

• Genetics: Family history may increase the risk of certain mental health conditions.
• Life experiences: Trauma, abuse, or sudden loss can affect mental health.
• Physical health: Chronic illness or disability may raise the risk of mental health problems.
• Environment: Poor housing, low income, or lack of access to services can contribute.
• Relationships: Supportive relationships can protect mental health.
• Substance use: Alcohol and drug misuse can harm mental health.

Mental Health versus Mental Illness

It is important to separate the terms mental health and mental illness. Mental health is about overall wellbeing. Mental illness refers to diagnosable conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Having poor mental health does not always mean someone has a mental illness. They may feel stressed or low without a diagnosis. People with mental illness can have periods of good mental health if they are coping well and managing their condition.

Terms Used in Mental Health

Here are some terms you may hear in mental health work:

• Wellbeing: Overall state of comfort, health, or happiness.
• Resilience: Ability to recover from difficulties or adapt to challenges.
• Coping mechanisms: Strategies people use to deal with stress or trauma.
• Diagnosis: Formal identification of a mental health problem by a professional.

If you come across an unfamiliar term, do not feel embarrassed to ask or look it up. Getting terms clear improves communication and care.

Signs of Good Mental Health

A person with good mental health often:

• Feels confident in themselves
• Can manage emotions well
• Coping with normal stresses of life
• Makes decisions and solves problems
• Builds strong relationships
• Takes part in activities they enjoy
• Sets and achieves personal goals
• Accepts both good and bad experiences

These are positive signals, but a person does not need all of them to have good mental health.

Signs of Poor Mental Health

Signs that someone may be struggling with poor mental health can include:

• Feeling sad or hopeless for long periods
• Withdrawing from friends or family
• Feeling anxious, worried, or fearful much of the time
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
• Having thoughts of harming themselves

These signs do not always mean someone has a mental illness, but they do suggest extra support could help.

Mental Health Across the Lifespan

Mental health affects people at every age. Children, young people, adults, and older adults may face different pressures and challenges.

• In children, mental health supports learning, play, and development.
• Teenagers may face stress from exams, relationships, or identity questions.
• Adults may juggle families, work, or life changes.
• Older adults may experience loss, loneliness, or health issues.

At every age, social inclusion and support raise the chance of positive mental health.

The Impact of Stigma

Stigma means negative attitudes or discrimination against people with mental health problems. This can stop people from asking for help or talking about their struggles. It makes recovery harder.

Challenging stigma starts by talking openly, using respectful language, and treating every person as an individual.

Promoting Positive Mental Health

Everyone can take steps to promote positive mental health. Here are some common ways:

• Talk to someone you trust about your feelings
• Stay active through regular exercise
• Eat a balanced diet
• Sleep regularly and rest well
• Keep in touch with friends and family
• Get involved in community, hobbies or volunteering
• Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol or drugs

Looking after both physical and mental health as one improves wellbeing.

The Role of Health and Social Care Workers

As a health and social care worker, your own mental health is important. You should look after yourself so you can care for others.

In your work, you can:

• Listen without judgement
• Encourage people to talk about feelings
• Respect each person’s dignity
• Work with other professionals
• Promote a supportive environment

Your attitude can help reduce stigma and make people feel valued and understood.

Legal and Policy Frameworks

Several laws and policies support people’s mental health.

• Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007): Law for the care and treatment of people with serious mental health conditions.
• Equality Act 2010: Protects people from discrimination based on mental health.
• Data Protection Act 2018: Protects personal information, including details about mental health.

You need to be aware of these laws while working with people with mental health needs. Respect rights, support independence, and keep information private.

Common Misconceptions about Mental Health

Some people think mental health only matters if there is a problem. This is not true. Mental health is important for everyone every day.

Other common misconceptions include:

• People with mental health problems are “weak” – Not true. Anyone can be affected at any time.
• Mental health problems are rare – Many people experience mental health issues at some stage in their lives.
• Mental illness is not real – Mental illness is as real as physical illness. It often needs treatment and support.
• People with mental health problems cannot recover – With treatment and support, many people can and do recover.

Clear, honest conversations help challenge these myths.

The Social Model of Mental Health

Not everyone views mental health the same way. The social model says that mental health is shaped by society’s attitudes and structures. People’s experiences, relationships, and community play a big role.

For example, unemployment, housing problems, discrimination, or lack of support can cause or make mental health problems worse. Positive change can come from improving society, not just treating individuals.

Wherever possible, listen to what people with mental health problems say will help, and support their choices and rights.

Final Thoughts

Mental health describes a person’s emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It covers how we think, feel, cope, relate, and contribute to the world.

Mental health is not just the absence of illness. It is about feeling good, coping with life’s challenges, and reaching potential.

Anyone can experience poor mental health at times. Many things influence it, including health, relationships, environment, and support.

As a worker, you help promote positive mental health by being supportive, respectful, and informed. Remember, mental health belongs to everyone, every day.