The World Health Organisation works from a positive holistic definition of health:
Mental health is an essential part of every person’s well-being, therefore:
“Mental well-being, like physical health, is a resource we need to promote and protect”
Friedli 2003
The mental well-being of individuals is also closely connected with the health of our society:
Mental distress knows no boundaries
It may impact on any person at any time, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, class or any other social status. It can affect anyone who has experienced issues such as:
- work stress/exam pressure
- unemployment
- poverty
- abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, financial)
- domestic violence
- alcohol/drug dependency
- fear
- discrimination: racism, sexism, homophobia, class, age, disability, learning difficulties
- homelessness/exclusion
- violence
- loneliness/bereavement