MODULE 1 and is flexible and tough when the situation

calls for it.

“Definitions of Mental Health,
Mental Health Problems, and
Mental Illness”
“Health is a state of complete physical,
mental and social wellbeing and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Mental health is therefore an integral part of
health.
A person with mental health displays
productivity and creativity. He is efficient and
able to perform his role within the context of
his environment.
The skill to contribute to the community
provides one a sense of Purpose. He asserts
that he plays an important role in the society
and actions, it does not interfere significantly an
individual’s functioning the way mental disorder
does.

The World Health Organization (2014) defines

mental health as a state of well-being in which
every individual realizes his or her own
potential, can cope with the normal stresses of
life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is
able to make a contribution to her or his
community.

A person who possesses mental health:

 Realizes one’s own potential.

 Is resilient with the normal stresses of
life.
 Can work productively and efficiently.
 Can contribute to the community
effectively.
The descriptions stated above illustrate the
psychological dimensions of mental health.
A person’s self- image is expressed through
realization of one’s own potential. A person
with mental health is aware of his own
potentials, he utilizes and appreciates the
strengths and tries to improve the weaknesses.
He is confident of what he can do while
accepting what he cannot.
A person who can cope with the normal
stresses of life in a healthy manner is resilient.
He is able to handle well the usual challenges
Mental health problems are the conditions
experienced temporarily upon reacting to life
stressors. These problems are less severe and
shorter in duration than mental disorders.
However, mental health problems may develop
into mental illness when not given proper
attention. (Commonwealth Department of
Health and Aged Care, 2000).
Mental Health Determinants
There are several determinants in attaining
mental health and developing mental illness.
The social, cultural, spiritual, biological, and
psychological interaction surrounding an
individual affects his state of mental well-being.
Today, various studies may also prove that a
number of mental illnesses relate to genetic
factors. Mental illness has also been associated
with interference in certain chemical process in
the brain while some are due to infectious
diseases, toxic substances, and traumatic
experiences.
Socio-economic factors are also used as mental
health determinants. Insecurities and
despondency brought by poverty, illiteracy and
poor living conditions also can cause mental
illness. One example of this are Illegal settlers
who live in the streets are more prone to
physical illness, inadequacy, family problems
and even suffer depression.
Health problems like HIV/AIDS and deviant
behaviors such as violence, abuse of women
and children, and substance abuse are also
associated with mental illness.
Gender, age, race, and social class are
connected with daily life stresses and the ability
to cope with them as well as the development
of mental illnesses.
An overview on the Status of Mental Health
Mental Health has been one of the often-
neglected dilemmas across countries over the
years. Even in the Philippines, specific mental
health legislations are still yet to be fully
furnished. Several plans and programs have also
been implemented to improve the mental
health system in the country.
In line with this, the World Health Organization
approved the “Comprehensive Mental Health
Action Plan for 2013-2020” in 2013 that aims to
take specific actions to improve mental health
and to contribute to the attainment of a set of
global targets.
Below are some of the recent facts on the
status of mental health worldwide:
Adolescents (10- 24)
 Suicide accounts for the death of
approximately 1.3 million of
adolescents worldwide as 17% of
adolescents aged 13-15 diagnosed with
mental health problems complained
being loneliness most of the time and
4.5% do not have close friends while
16.7% have suicide thoughts.
 50% of mental disorders develop at the
adolescent age of fourteen.
 Approximately 20% of the total
population of children worldwide is
projected to have mental disorders or
problems.
Adults
 In 20 agencies in Metro Manila, 32% of
government employees experience
mental health problems at least once in
their lifespan.
 Phobia (15%), alcohol use (10%) and
depression (6%) are the leading
diagnoses of mental health problems in
the Philippines.
Elderly
 An estimated 15% of the elderly
population suffer from a type of mental
disorder.
 Neurological and mental disorders
attribute to nearly 6.6% of all disability
suffered by adults aged 60 and above.
 Dementia and depression are the most
common neuropsychiatric disorder
among the elderly alongside anxiety
disorders which affect 3.8% and
substance use problems with 1%. The
World Health Organization included
 dementia and depression in the WHO
Mental Health Gap Action Programme
(mhGAP) to strengthen the
management and treatment of these
disorders most especially in remote and
poor areas.
 Depression accounts for 1.6 of total
disability among elderly while unipolar
depression occurs in 7% of the general
elderly population.
 Who released the "Dementia: a public
health priority" in 2012 to promote
awareness and information about
dementia.

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