What is mental health?

... What is Mental Health? Defined by Wooton (1959, p.221) Mental Health influences the way an individual adjusts to live and behave in a resourceful and fulfilling manner in his/hers world, and deals in a socially considerate manner the challenges and obstacles which life presents. I chose this definition because it describes mental health from a perspective, that mental health is more than an absence of mental illness (Jormfeldt et al, p.55). In evidence of the above, mental health does not just mean mental illness, it also means positive mental health (Magyary 2002, p.331). Positive mental health envelops: positive thinking, feelings, behaviours; crucial e.g.: to be able to make rational decisions; deliver a professional care to patients; learn; network; have self awareness (Burnard 1992, p.13); and deal, and cope with moments of fear, anxiety, change, stress, and physical illness (Long 1998, p.535-541). In contrast Mental illness or mental health problems is the term

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