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Mental Health

What Is Mental Health?

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Health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Hence, mental health is an essential component of health.

Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realize his/her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his/her community (WHO).

Mental illness is characterized by a disturbance in thinking, emotion, or behavior (or a combination of these) and is associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.

Mental health, therefore, designates the absence of psychopathology, and the positive aspects of subjective well-being, development and use of abilities, social adaptation, and achievement of goals.

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    Adapted from:
  1. Essentials of Psychiatry By Dr Sandeep K Goyal.