Mental (psychological) health is one of the fields of health. It is an essential component of an individual’s well-being.
The World Health Organisation defines mental health as:
“a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community”.
Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders and disabilities. Taking care of your mental and psychological health is no less important than your physical health, as it is crucial to one’s personal development and ability to build relationships and participate in different societal processes.
One’s psychological state is influenced by social, economic, political and cultural factors such as:
- family relations
- social and emotional interactions
- income
- access to and quality of education
- working conditions
- use of alcohol or prohibited substances, etc.
In addition, a person’s age, gender, ethnicity or race may have an effect on their mental well-being (e.g., because of discrimination or by not feeling a part of a community).
Mental health is also often connected to a physical disease – serious medical conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and others may affect an individual’s ability to cope with emotions and even increase the likelihood of depression.