Mental Health & Wellbeing Definitions

Health

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." (WHO, 2005)

Mental Health

"Mental health is 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. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development." (WHO, 2022).

There are individual, structural and social determinants that can all impact our mental health.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing are terms used interchangeably with Mental Health and Wellbeing, as culturally inclusive terms.

Wellbeing

"Well-being is a positive state experienced by individuals and societies. Similar to health, it is a resource for daily life and is determined by social, economic and environmental conditions. Well-being encompasses quality of life, as well as the ability of people and societies to contribute to the world in accordance with a sense of meaning and purpose." (WHO, 2021).

References

WHO (World Health Organisation). (2005). Constitution of the World Health Organisation. Geneva: World Health Organisation

WHO, (World Health Organisation). (2021). Health Promotion Glossary of Terms. World Health Organisation

WHO (World Health Organisation). (2022). Mental Health. World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response