FC2 M2022apccp044 Q3
FC2 M2022apccp044 Q3
FC2 M2022apccp044 Q3
M2022APCCP044
Shravanthi Padmanaban
Question 3)
WHO defines mental health as “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.” The definition represents immense progress and starkly contrasts with
viewpoints that consider mental health as the sheer absence of disorders.
Mental well-being and illness, thus, exist on a spectrum. More importantly, the person’s
position in this spectrum is fluid by the minute. A person who hears about the death of her
spouse is no longer in the mental state she was a few seconds ago. Likewise, a person
whose depressive episode remitted is no longer in the state he previously was.
Defining mental health as such a dynamic process has many implications. What though is
pivotal is the notion that people can be moved along the continuum. The closer the person
is to the thriving state of mental health, the lesser the resources he needs and the closer he
is to crisis, the more support he might need. Resources can range from a mere hug to
therapy and antipsychotic pills.
Along with its severity, duration of a mental illness also becomes relevant. Seeking therapy
or meeting a psychiatrist is vital in prolonged or severe cases, whereas states of languishing
(Keyes, 2002) can be managed in the shorter runs by oneself.
The measures mentioned above are extensive. Some represent lifestyle choices while others
are more sporadic engagements. It truly comes down to the person to identify what will be,
at that time, beneficial to their mental wellbeing.
Caring for your mental health is like bringing up a pet – it requires patience, care, energy,
time and love. But then, it is just as rewarding. What’s better than coming home to bow-
wow?
References:
World Health Organization. (2020). Doing what matters in times of stress: an illustrated
guide.
Keyes, C. L. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life.
Journal of health and social behavior, 207-222.
O'Reilly, G. A., Cook, L., Spruijt‐Metz, D., & Black, D. S. (2014). Mindfulness‐based
interventions for obesity‐related eating behaviours: a literature review. Obesity
reviews, 15(6), 453-461.
Saakvitne, K. W., & Pearlman, L. A. (1996). Transforming the pain: A workbook on vicarious
traumatization. WW Norton & Co.
Shapiro, S. L., Bootzin, R. R., Figueredo, A. J., Lopez, A. M., & Schwartz, G. E. (2003). The
efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction in the treatment of sleep disturbance
in women with breast cancer: an exploratory study. Journal of psychosomatic
research, 54(1), 85-91.
Travis, J. W. (1972). The wellness/illness continuum. Mill Valley, CA: J.W. Travis.
World Health Organization. (2005). Promoting mental health: Concepts, emerging evidence,
practice. Geneva: WHO.