concept of mental health

1. Concept of Mental
Health
By: Pritika Srivastav

2. Introduction
Definition of mental Health
• Meninger defined mental health as the adjustment of human
being to the world & to each other with the maximum of
effectiveness and happiness. The chief characteristic of mental
health is the adjustment.
• The American psychiatric association (APA) (2003) defines mental
health as ... the successful performance of mental functions
shown by productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other
People, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with
adversity.

3. Mental Illness
In the DSM-IV given by the American psychiatric association in 2000,
mental illness was defined as follows:
• Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion,
thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses can be
associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or
family activities.
• A mental disorder should be a manifestation of behavioural,
psychological and / or biological dysfunction in that person.
• So, psychiatric disorder is defined as clinically significant psychological
or behavioural syndrome that causes significant distress, disability or
loss of freedom and socially deviant behaviour to a stressful life even

4. • Psychiatric disorder is defined as a disturbance of
(i) cognition (though)
(ii) conation (action)
(iii) affect
on any disequilibrium between the three. - Niraj Ahuja (1994)

5. Normality and
Abnormality
• The term 'normal' seems to be derived from the word "norma" which
means a "carpenter" square or rule. A norm therefore became a rule,
pattern or standard.
• Normality refers to behavior that is typical or expected within a given
population. It is the state of being within the range of what is considered
usual or standard. Normal behavior is characterized by being adaptive,
functional, and socially acceptable. It is behavior that allows individuals to
function effectively within their environment and to meet the demands of
their everyday life.
• The term "abnormal" with its prefix "ab" (away from) thus came to signify
the deviance or variation from the normal.

6. • Abnormality, on the other hand, refers to behavior that deviates from
what is considered normal or expected within a given population. It is
behavior that is atypical, dysfunctional, and socially unacceptable.
Abnormal behavior is characterized by causing distress to the individual
or others, impairing the individual's ability to function effectively within
their environment, and interfering with the individual's ability to meet the
demands of their everyday life.

7. Concept of Mental
Health
Based on Criteria Based on Model
Based on
Characteristics
Concept of Mental Health

8. Based on Criteria
• Six indicators of mental health
• Normality and abnormality criteria

9. Six indicators of mental health
Maria Jahoda (1958) has identified a list of 6 indicators that she
suggests are a reflection of mental health.
• A Positive attitude towards self.
• Growth, Development and the ability to achieve
• Self-actualization (according to age).
• Integration.
• Autonomy.
• Perception of Reality.
• Environmental mastery.

10. • A positive attitude towards self:
This includes an objective view of self, including knowledge and
acceptance of strengths and limitations. The individual feels a strong
sense of personal identity and security within the environment.
• Growth, development and the ability for self-actualization:
This indicator correlates whether the individual successfully achieves
the tasks associated with each level of development.
• Integration:
Integration includes the ability to adaptively respond to the
environment and the development of a philosophy of life, both of
which help the individual maintain anxiety at a manageable level in
response to stressful situations.

11. • Autonomy:
Refers to the individual's ability to perform in an independent self-
directed manner; the individual makes choices and accepts
responsibility for the outcomes.
• Perception of reality:
This includes perception of the environment without distortion as well
as the capacity for empathy and social sensitivity, a respect and
concern for the wants and needs of others.
• Environmental mastery:
This indicator suggests that the individual has achieved a satisfactory
role within the group, society and environment. He is able to love and
accept the love of others.

12. Normality and Abnormality
Criteria

13. Descriptive
Criteria
• Statistical Criteria:
According to this criterion, 'average' is normal. A person is abnormal
when he or she deviates from the 'average'.
E.g.: Average height & weight

14. • Non Statistical Criteria
• Ethical (or) moral criteria: For being taken as normal, the behaviour
should be appropriate and desirable from the view point or ethics or
normality.
• Criteria for social conformity: Those who conform to societal norms
are considered normal and those who do not care for them are
labeled abnormal.
• Criterion of ideal or perfection:Normal behaviour is equated with
perfect or ideal behaviour. Others called Abnormal behaviour.
• Legal Criterion: A law abiding citizen is normal but the one who
violates the law is labeled abnormal.

15. Explanatory
Criteria
• Pathological or Medical Criterion: It is based upon a behaviour that
depends on the functioning of the nervous system. In this way, all
abnormal people are affected by some mental illness or disease.
• Psychological criterion: Psychological functioning, whether defective
or normal - is the deciding factor of abnormal/normal behaviour →
Higher mental functioning- According to the environment.
• Adjustment Criterion: A person is said to be normal or abnormal to
the extent he feels adjusted or maladjusted with themselves and
their environment. The normal people always integrate or adjust their
needs, motive, interest and other cognitive aspects with those but
abnormal people not integrated.

16. Based on Models
1. Medical models
2. Statistical model
3. Utopian model
4. Subjective model
5. Social model
6. Process model
7. Continuum model

17. • Medical Model: Normal mental health is conceptualized as absence of
disease or psycho pathology
• Statistical Model: Statistically normal mental health falls within 2
standard deviation (SDs) of the normal distribution curve.
• Utopian Model:In this model, the focus in defining normality is on
"Optimal Functioning".
• Subjective Model(Individual):Here, says that absence disability or
distress or help-seeking behaviour thereof (i.e.) individual not
affected by any disturbance through a causes.

18. • Social Model: Normalcy believes that a normal person is expected to
behave in socially permissive behaviour.
• Process Model: Normalcy is a dynamic and changing process rather
than as a static concept. Along with this combined with any other
model mentioned here.
• Continuum Model: Normality and abnormality as falling at the two
ends of a continuum, rather than being disparate entities.

19. Based on Characteristics
• Characteristics of a mentally healthy individual:
• Has the ability to make adjustments.
• He solves his problems.
• Decision making
• Has a sense of personal worth
• Has a philosophy of living. Develop a capacity to tolerate
frustrations.
• Shows emotional maturity. Enjoyment of play, leisure, and spare time
activities.
• Finds satisfaction
• He feels secure in a group The person has a variety of interests and
generally.
• Lives a well-balanced life of work, rest and recreation.

20. Characteristics of mental illness
Abnormal means 'away from the normal'. The terms used in abnormality will
include:
• Abnormal as deviation from societal norms.
• Abnormal as maladaptive.
• Abnormal behaviour.
• Maladaptive behaviour.
• Emotional disturbance.
• Behavioural problems.