11:24 | .0Ke/s Sal CD 6% nload full-text PDF v ‘What is mental health? Dinesh Bhugra! Alex TH and Norman Sarsoras? separ hated areas een Sopinuectens Gee taniere eran Siprouetihapesanimech ktwcg eects ween het tw ee) Pestetpanoses Sie nremeorinst aes teen Riera: Georemreemans Spadaciarcmeecs atecfagedmee ata ieee ead harrahs eT icinmneansn Stuaeceeacettee weamoaetee Reape nes Sen eratare seemiie ees SSiieieote screteenonmets Sort se selaget ent wel se ine i Med Ne tn $pevso siz.) mest mel ot ams ie a es a ina lites sdaraniol Sy ogee cosets af pean tt eterna Bong eck oc te Lee tera Cee emer Soe yes ee eee 5 =a eee Rigi airientinen ieaiinemat eens et eisai Seiler eee oe ‘Yenc 10 ens eh wa he Hea chgs enn and cnet 9 arse mary gnames tag Se Reet mo sates SSeS ee Ener aoe tute ning bono hie hee eC Sas ean roms, Kap fhe Se {Soon ath sal ean ae tam So Ry) Ns ofan beth cee sen Fn fm aCe rll mat HEA hah Eanes mst, (maa ae" sec mond so14:37 | 0.0KE/s & 3! Cw es A new definition of mental health In the light ofthe above considerations we proposed the following definition Mental health is dynamic state of internal equilibrium which enables individuals to use their abilities in harmony with universal values of society. Basic cognitive and social skills: ability to recognize, express and modulate one’s own emotions, as well as empathize with others; flexibility and ability to cope with adverse lie events and function in social roles; and harmonious relationship between body and mind represent important components of mental health which contribute, to varying degrees, to the state of internal equilibrium [5} In the definition, the internal equilibrium is regardedas a“dynamie state” mainly to refletthe facttha different life epochs (adolescence, becoming a parent, retirement) challenge the achieved equilibrium and may require changes, ‘Mental health components The elements ofthe definition cited above are regarded as important but not man- Aatory resources. They may contribute to varying degree to mental health, so that fully developed resources may offset an impairment in another component. A very {empathetic person, for instance, may compensate for a moderate degree of cognitive impairment, develop a very good social network, a satisfactory equilibrium and pur- sue her/his life goals. Basic cognitive and social skills are regarded as an important component of mental health in the light oftheir impact on all aspects of everyday life A proposed new defintionof mental belts 409 [6], They include the ability to pay attention, remember and organize information, solve problems, make decisions, and use one’s own repertoire of verbal/non-verbal abilities to communicate and interaet with others. The term basic” is meant to clarify that mild degrees of impairment are compatible with mental health, while moderate to severe degrees of impairment, especially if not balanced by other aspects, may require social support and incentives, such as facilitated job opportunities, financial benefits cor ad hoe training programs, The ability to recognize, express and modulate one’s own emotions is also re- garded as an important component of mental health [7 it represents a mediator of stress adjustment [8-10] and its impairment isa risk factor for mental and physical disorders [11]. Empathy, ic. the ability to experience and understand what others feel, is important in communicating and interacting in effective ways and! to predict actions, intentions, and feelings of others [12]. Poor empathy is a risk factor for violence, a feature of antisocial personality disorder, and may impair social interac- tions at all levels. Flexibility refers to the ability to modify one’s own behavior or ideas in the light of unpredicted events or new evidence. Poor flexibility may result in great distress for a person undergoing sudden and/or important life changes, and isan important aspect of several psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive personal- ity or delusional disorder (13]. The basic ability to function in social roles and to participate in meaningful social interactions is reported inthe definition and tn important aspect of mental health, as it contributes to resilience against distress; however, a careful analysis of factors impairing social participation and favoring social exclusion is always needed to avoid confusing the results of stigmatization, discrimination and scarce opportunities with individual's poor ability to participate inthe life of the community [14-16] ‘The mind is embodied, and heavily interconnected with the brain, organism and environment, [17]. Disturbances of these interactions may result in psychotic experi- ences, eating disorders, self-harm, body dysmorphie disorder or poor physical health, a @ 4\ Z ‘ )) Canesten Letree Sl be Decewna, g ata morraliny Droadecing ce Areynarpfiere | 3 rot Socucb, » 4, bk eu, Emeédicad Love Cue,18:5 | 0aKE/s Ball GB 79: This Article Contains: > What are Mental Health Theories? +> ALook at the Models and Methods > Mental Health Counseling Theories > AList of Popular Mental Health Theories > Popular Mental Health Theories on Wellbeing +> ATake-Home Message > References What Are Mental Health Theories? In the sciences, a theory is more than a simple guess. It is a “coherent group of B propositions formulated to explain a group of facts or phenomena in the natural world . © <i945 | 0.0KE/s Ball GD 795 2% positivepsychology.con/mental-heall GJ A What Are Mental Health Theories? In the sciences, a theory is more than a simple guess. It is a “coherent group of propositions formulated to explain a group of facts or phenomena in the natural world and repeatedly confirmed through experiment or observation” (Scientific theory, n.d.). One could create theories about almost anything, but it is rigorous testing that distinguishes simple theories from scientific ones. Not all theories will survive this type of testing. In fact, the acceptance or rejection of parts of theories is not unusual. Theories in the field of psychology and mental health developed 50-100 years ago a Q Q :18:5 | 0.0KE/s Biull GB 79 fall into six broad categories. They still influence us today. You might recognize them as: ~» Analytical/developmental (Freud, Jung, Erickson, Kohlberg) ~ Behavioral (Watson, Skinner, Pavlov) ~ Cognitive (Tolman, Piaget, Chomsky) ~ Social (Bandura, Lewin, Festinger) — Humanistic (Rogers and Maslow) > Personality (Erickson’s psychosocial development theory) From these, many contemporary theories followed. Some are specific to a domain, like development. Others make use of neuroimaging to explain why we do the things we do. Mental health theories strive to explain human development behaviorally, seco e Lexicet Ua ote18:15 | 0.0KE/s @ Bull GD 79: human development behaviorally, psychologically, and socially. For many years, researchers focused on alleviating pain or suffering. The approach centered on what was wrong with a person and how to fix it. There was no assumption that a person could strengthen their wellbeing. A Look at the Models and Methods Mental health and wellbeing experts draw from other areas to inform their perspective. They also review a person's mental heal within context. An act could be psychopathological in one cultural context18:5 | 0.0Ke/s Bull GB 79 but not in another. Some of the perspectives from which counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists gain understanding about mental health are (Dasgupta, 2013): > Spiritual This approach explains who we are in the world and how we are to act. It also tells us what we can expect after death based on our actions. The spiritual perspective discusses good and evil as they relate to suffering. > Moral character This perspective posits that there are certain virtues a person needs to learn. Doing so allows the individual to live a better life free from mental illness. > Statistical B Based on mathematics, this perspective seeks to define what is a @© <418:5 | 0.0KR/s Biull GD 79s “normal” or “average” for populations. Anyone falling outside of the norm is abnormal. > Disease/medical/biological (genetics, neuroimaging, neurobiology) This approach explains mental health as it relates to changes in the brain. The well-known case of Phineas Gage is an example. A rod went through his left frontal lobe. This affected his personality and behavior. Before the accident, people enjoyed his company and thought he was reliable. Afterward, they described him as ill tempered, foul, and unreliable. ~ Psychological (psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, existential /humanistic) Mental health develops along an expected path. People try to adjust a @© <41915 | 0.0KE/s @ tt) GD 79s to their environment to survive within it. Problems arise when a person learns maladaptive strategies as a response to new situations. > Social Biology, psychology, and society all affect a person’s mental health. The influence of societal norms is important to the adaptive or maladaptive behavior of the individual. ~ Psychosocial (Social learning model) Researchers in this area study the relationship between a person’s thoughts (psychological) and their social behavior. This includes the meaning a person gives to their psychological processes. According to Bandura, people learn through observation and modeling of othe people's behavior (McLeod, vo ~ Biopsychosocial a @© <4iss | 02Ke/s@ Ball GB 79 > Biopsychosocial The interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors explains mental illness. This depends on the person and their environment. Methods The diagnosis and treatment of mental illness vary, but many therapists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This tool provides clear definitions and criteria for more than 265 disorders. Diagnosis usually includes a physical exam, including lab tests, and a psychological evaluation (Mayo Clinic, n.d.a). There are approximately 20 classes of mental illness covering everything from neurodevelopmental to paraphilic disorders.18:5 | 0.0KE/s Bull GB 79 Some treatment methods are medications, psychotherapy, brain-stimulation, hospital and residential treatment programs, and substance misuse treatment. There are three ways to experience therapeutic intervention. Sometimes therapists use a combination of these. Each environment stresses confidentiality and the creation of a safe space for people to share. + Individual/one-to-one This is a one-one session with a trained counselor. Depending on the type of therapy used, these sessions can continue for months or years. > Group People with similar challenges work together with a trained counselor, The goals are to talk about issues share knowledge, and solutions. a (OC) <4tgae | 02KE/s@ Beall GD 49 > Family therapy This method involves helping a family improve their communication. Through the guidance of a licensed therapist, they learn conflict resolution techniques. Not every family member necessarily participates, and it is often short term. Recommended read: Conflict Resolution Training: 18 Best Courses and Master's Degrees Cenaiste | oaKe/s@ Ball GB 79 Mental Health Counseling Theories There are five schools of thought that attempt to explain mental health. Many therapists and counselors operate from one or two of these. Theories guide the services and interactions therapists have with their clients. This is important to know because it can affect how well you and your therapist “click.” The five schools of thought are: 1. Behaviorism Behavior is a result of life experiences, not the unconscious mind. We learn through our experiences with our environment. This approach is all about conditioning. It is present focused. 2. Biologicalsete | ooKe/s Bull GD 79: This is a medical model of treating mental disorders. The idea is that something physical is the cause of mental illness. Symptoms are “outward signs of the inner physical disorder” (McLeod, 2018). 3. Psychodynamic Like behaviorism, psychodynamic therapists view behavior as a result of experiences. One of the differences, though is that psychodynamic therapists focus on past experiences. They assert that unconscious forces drive people's behavior. The client and therapist revisit explored ground to achieve more understanding. This therapeutic process can take many years. 4. Cognitive The emphasis of this theory is on thinking, not doing. A feedback ogg exists between the person's assumptions and attitudes, their a © <see | 0.0KE/s Boul GD 79: resulting perceptions, and the conclusions drawn from them (Grace College, n.d.). These therapists work to assist a person to change their thoughts. Doing this leads to a change in feelings and behavior. 5. Humanistic This approach is characterized by three different therapies that can help people achieve their highest potential. 1. Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, allows the client to investigate who they are at their core. The therapist creates an environment of empathy, acceptance, and genuineness. This encourages the client in their self-exploration. 2. Gestalt therapy, created by B Frederick Perls, is present focused and involves role-nlav. a @© <4sgae | oaKE/s@ Biull GD 79: 3. Existential therapy techniques are about ownership of one’s life, including all its mishaps. The responsibility of one’s life is one’s own. It is easy to understand how a therapist influenced by one of these theories might interact with a client. Positive psychology practitioners, for example, primarily follow humanistic theories. One would expect these therapists to be empathetic and stress ownership and responsibility. The sessions are likely to include a healthy dose of self-exploration, especially related to developing strengths. A List of Popular Mental Health Theoriessae | 00KE/s @ Bull GD 79 Every theory of mental health comes from one of the above five areas or a combination of them. Here is a brief overview of theories derived from those broader categories. Network theory explains that “mental disorders arise from direct interactions between symptoms” (Borsboom, 2017). Biological, psychological, and societal influences facilitate connections between psychopathological symptoms. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on assisting the person in changing destructive thoughts and behaviors. It is a type of psychotherapy that helps a client to quickly identify and manage problems. The approach is goal oriented and often involves homework. The homework helps to reinforce the ii person sessions, It is the “gold standard in the psychotherapy field” (David et al., a (OC) <41246 | o2Knes@ @ Biull GD 0s 2018). Operant conditioning is still a popular approach. Whether used by therapists or physical trainers, it involves identifying the cue-routine-reward pattern. The goal is to change the person’s behavior by changing the routine and sometimes the reward. It is often used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder through exposure therapy. Exposure therapy allows the person to engage with the source of their anxiety in a safe space. The goal is to slowly, and incrementally, increase the person's exposure to their fear. There are several variations of exposure therapy (American Psychological Association, n.d.). It is useful in the treatment of: > Phobias > Panic disorder a @© <4s226 | oases @ Bull GD 20s > Social anxiety disorder > Obsessive-compulsive disorder » Post-traumatic stress disorder > Generalized anxiety disorder Classical conditioning also remains a popular treatment for phobias through the use of systematic desensitization. This is a variant of exposure therapy (Grace College, 2016). 2) VIDEO _ Carl Rogers on person-centered therapy videoiste | osKe/s Biull GD eo Popular Mental Health Theories on Wellbeing The Self-Determination Theory of motivation (SDT), and more specifically, the Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT) posit that autonomy, competence, and relatedness are the primary supports for wellbeing and optimal functioning (Center for Self-Determination Theory, n.d.) If anyone of these is faulty, then the person's wellbeing decreases. Intrinsic motivation increases through the satisfaction of having these needs met (read more about intrinsic coaching here). The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions (Fredrickson, 1998, 2000) changed the discussion around emotions. Many of the psychological theories and research before this dealt with negative affect. These are emotions like anger, fear, sadness, guilt, and shame (Stringer, 2013).tet6 | orke/s@ @B Bull GD 20s Fredrickson argued that negative emotions create a sort of tunnel vision. Positive affect widens one’s perspective. Positive emotions like awe, joy, and gratitude expand one’s experience within the environment. The theory doesn’t advocate ignoring negative emotions. Instead, it discusses the ramifications of continuing to ignore positive ones. The focus of the PERMA theory of wellbeing (Seligman, 2011) is helping people to thrive. It promotes building skills that allow one to flourish (Positive Psychology Center, n.d.). Many contemporary theories attempt to help a person reduce suffering. The PERMA theory of wellbeing states that wellbeing consists of five elements: 1. Positive emotion These emotions increase our hedonic happiness. B 2. Engagement This is the flow that Mihaly a @© <4sene | ooKe/s@ @ Beall GD £05 Csikszentmihalyi discussed. Being engrossed in one’s pursuit is the reward. 3. Relationships Support is critical to our survival and emotional wellbeing. 4. Meaning Serving or working in a capacity that contributes to something larger than ourselves gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. 5. Achievement We enjoy pursuing accomplishments for the sake of doing so. Each of these contributes in varying degrees to a person's ability to flourish. Positive psychology therapists and coaches often use this as a backdrop for their sessions. 17 Positive Psychology a @© <4