1. MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health describes a level of psychological well-being, or an absence of a mental disorder.
From the perspective of 'positive psychology' or 'holism', mental health may include an
individual's ability to enjoy life, and create a balance between life activities and efforts to
achieve psychological resilience. Mental health can also be defined as an expression of emotions,
and as signifying a successful adaptation to a range of demands.
The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the
individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. It was
previously stated that there was no one "official" definition of mental health. Cultural
differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental
health" is defined. There are different types of mental health problems, some of which are
common, such as depression and anxiety disorders, and some not so common, such
as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Most recently, the field of global mental health has emerged, which has been defined as 'the area
of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving mental health and achieving
equity in mental health for all people worldwide'.
TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH
Depression
Is a mental disorder characterized by episodes of all-encompassing low mood accompanied by
low self-esteem and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. This cluster of
symptoms (syndrome) was named, described and classified as one of the mood disorders in the
1980 edition of the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual. The term
"depression" is ambiguous. It is often used to denote this syndrome but may refer to other mood
disorders or to lower mood states lacking clinical significance. Major depressive disorder is a
disabling condition that adversely affects a person's family, work or school life, sleeping and
eating habits, and general health. In the United States, around 3.4% of people with major
depression commit suicide, and up to 60% of people who commit suicide had depression or
another mood disorder.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of a type of common
psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive rumination, worrying,
uneasiness, apprehension and fear about future uncertainties either based on real or imagined
events, which may affect both physical and psychological health. There are numerous psychiatric

2. and medical syndromes which may mimic the symptoms of an anxiety disorder such
as hyperthyroidism which is frequently misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder.
Schizophrenia
Is a mental disorder characterized by a breakdown of thought processes and by poor emotional
responsiveness. Common symptoms include auditory hallucinations, paranoid or
bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant
social or occupational dysfunction. The onset of symptoms typically occurs in young adulthood,
with a global lifetime prevalence of about 0.3–0.7%. Diagnosis is based on observed behavior
and the patient's reported experiences.
Bipolar disorder
Is a psychiatric diagnosis for a mood disorder in which people experience disruptive mood
swings. These encompass a frenzied state known asmania (or hypomania) usually alternated
with symptoms of depression. Bipolar disorder is defined by the presence of one or more
episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more
depressive episodes.