“Mental health is defined 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.” 

-World Health Organization, 2005

 

There are social determinants of mental health that need to be in place to support mental health and these interface with social (friends, family and social networks) and community well-being (safety and equity in resources).  These determinants include the following:

  • Emotional well-being
    • such as perceived life satisfaction, happiness, peacefulness.
  • Psychological well-being
    • such as self-acceptance, personal growth including openness to new experiences, optimism, hopefulness, purpose in life, control of one’s environment, spirituality, self-direction, and positive relationships.
  • Social well-being
    • social acceptance, beliefs in the potential of people and society as a whole, personal self-worth and usefulness to society, sense of community.

-Corey Keyes, 2002                                                         

-Centers For Disease Control and Prevention