1.1 Compare perspectives in relation to mental wellbeing and mental health

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Compare perspectives in relation to mental wellbeing and mental health.

Mental wellbeing and mental health are interconnected but distinct concepts. Mental wellbeing refers to an individual’s overall emotional, psychological, and social state, which includes their ability to cope with life’s challenges, feel happy, and maintain relationships. Mental health relates more to specific conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behaviour, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. Comparing different perspectives provides insight into how these concepts are understood and managed.

Medical Perspective

The medical perspective focuses on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses based on biological and physical factors. It views mental health as a part of overall health and examines how brain chemistry, genetics, and physical symptoms contribute to mental health conditions.

Health professionals in this field often rely on:

• Medical tests, such as brain scans and blood tests, to rule out physical causes of symptoms.
• Diagnostic tools, like the ICD-11, to identify specific mental illnesses.
• Treatments such as medication (antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers) or therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

This perspective might struggle to fully address mental wellbeing, as it often targets conditions rather than holistic emotional resilience. Critics argue that this approach can be more reactive than proactive, addressing problems after they appear rather than focusing on prevention.

Psychological Perspective

The psychological perspective takes a deeper look at thought processes, emotions, and behaviour. It prioritises understanding the root causes of mental health conditions and focuses on emotional and cognitive resilience as key elements of mental wellbeing.

Methods used include:

• Psychotherapy, such as counselling or CBT, where individuals explore their experiences and emotions.
• Models like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which suggests wellbeing improves when basic and psychological needs are met.
• Positive psychology approaches, which encourage individuals to focus on their strengths and build resilience.

This view emphasises the individual’s role in shaping their mental wellbeing. It encourages personal growth and self-reflection. However, some critics claim it may oversimplify conditions that have biological causes or overlook external factors such as poverty or trauma.

Social Perspective

The social perspective focuses on external influences on mental wellbeing and mental health. These include relationships, societal norms, living conditions, and community support.

Key points under this perspective include:

• Recognition of stigma surrounding mental health. Public attitudes can shape how people feel about seeking help.
• The impact of socioeconomic factors, such as income, housing, and employment. Poor living conditions may contribute to mental health challenges.
• Importance of social connections. Isolation can worsen mental health, while strong networks often enhance wellbeing.

This view promotes collective responsibility to support mental wellbeing by improving social conditions. Approaches might include tackling stigma, building inclusive communities, or implementing government policies that prioritise health and housing. Critics may argue it lacks focus on individual efforts for emotional resilience.

Holistic Perspective

The holistic perspective combines elements from medical, psychological, and social approaches to create a fuller picture. It understands mental wellbeing as shaped by multiple factors, including biological, emotional, and social influences.

Practices under this perspective include:

• Integrating physical care (nutrition, exercise) with emotional support (therapy, meditation).
• Recognising the role of spirituality or personal beliefs in promoting wellbeing.
• Encouraging both individual action and societal reforms.

The holistic perspective acknowledges that mental wellbeing requires addressing a broad range of factors rather than focusing on one area. For example, it’s not enough to simply prescribe medication for a condition if the individual is experiencing isolation or poverty, as these will impact their overall mental wellbeing.

Recovery Perspective

The recovery perspective focuses on empowering individuals to take charge of their mental wellbeing and health. It often addresses ongoing or chronic mental health challenges, aiming to help individuals live fulfilling lives despite their conditions.

This perspective promotes:

• Individual empowerment and choice. People are supported to set goals and make decisions about their care plans.
• Strengths-based approaches, which recognise individuals’ capabilities rather than focusing solely on symptoms.
• Peer support. Those with lived experience of mental health conditions often play a crucial role.

The recovery model challenges traditional approaches, which can sometimes place too much emphasis on diagnosis and treatment. It focuses on helping people build lives that are meaningful to them.

Cultural Perspective

The cultural perspective highlights how different cultures understand mental wellbeing and mental health. It considers the influence of beliefs, traditions, and norms on emotions and behaviours.

Important points include:

• Cultural variation in defining mental health conditions. For example, some cultures see depressive symptoms as temporary spiritual imbalances rather than illnesses.
• Role of traditional practices, such as meditation, rituals, or herbal remedies, in protecting mental wellbeing.
• Impact of cultural stigma. Negative attitudes in certain communities can discourage individuals from seeking help.

This perspective shows how mental health support needs to adapt to diverse cultural contexts. Without this understanding, services may fail to meet the needs of certain groups.

Comparing and Combining Perspectives

Comparing these perspectives highlights their strengths and limitations. For example:

• Medical approaches are useful for diagnosing and treating physical aspects of mental health. However, they often exclude emotional and social causes.
• Psychological perspectives focus on individual resilience but might overlook cultural influences or external barriers.
• Social and cultural views explain how external factors shape wellbeing but might fail to address biological conditions.

Combining approaches can create a comprehensive strategy for mental wellbeing and mental health. A person experiencing anxiety, for instance, might benefit from:

• Medical support like antihistamines for sleep disturbances.
• Psychological techniques such as CBT to manage thought patterns.
• Social interventions such as attending group therapy to promote connection.

A well-rounded plan helps individuals address mental health challenges from multiple angles and build stronger, lasting wellbeing.

Diverse Perspectives

Each perspective adds value in different ways. Understanding them helps health and social care workers provide personalised support that meets individuals’ needs. For example:

• A client with bipolar disorder might need medical treatment to stabilise their mood but could also benefit from social support groups and psychological techniques to enhance coping skills.
• A young person experiencing stress during school exams might not require medical intervention but may rely on psychological and social frameworks to manage their emotions.

Different situations call for different approaches. By considering various perspectives, care workers deliver more comprehensive and effective support.

The Role of Government and Policy

Policies influence how mental wellbeing and health services operate. In the UK, initiatives like the Mental Health Act 1983 and equality reforms prioritise mental health awareness and protection of rights. Funding mental health services also impacts access to support.

Social perspectives often play a role in shaping policy. Governments may tackle external barriers to mental health by addressing poverty, improving housing, and promoting workplace mental health programmes. Psychological perspectives inform education and training for care workers to better understand emotional resilience.

Final Thoughts

Understanding mental wellbeing and health through these perspectives allows health and social care workers to improve outcomes for individuals. Whether the focus is on biological treatments, emotional support, social connections, or holistic strategies, appreciating the different ways these ideas overlap helps provide inclusive and effective care.