introduction for a mental health essay

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Mental Health Essay

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Introduction

Mental health, often overshadowed by its physical counterpart, is an intricate and essential aspect of human existence. It envelops our emotions, psychological state, and social well-being, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. With the complexities of modern life—constant connectivity, societal pressures, personal expectations, and the frenzied pace of technological advancements—mental well-being has become increasingly paramount. Historically, conversations around this topic have been hushed, shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. However, as the curtains of misconception slowly lift, we find ourselves in an era where discussions about mental health are not only welcomed but are also seen as vital. Recognizing and addressing the nuances of our mental state is not merely about managing disorders; it's about understanding the essence of who we are, how we process the world around us, and how we navigate the myriad challenges thrown our way. This essay aims to delve deep into the realm of mental health, shedding light on its importance, the potential consequences of neglect, and the spectrum of mental disorders that many face in silence.

Importance of Mental Health

Mental health plays a pivotal role in determining how individuals think, feel, and act. It influences our decision-making processes, stress management techniques, interpersonal relationships, and even our physical health. A well-tuned mental state boosts productivity, creativity, and the intrinsic sense of self-worth, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling life.

Negative Impact of Mental Health

Neglecting mental health, on the other hand, can lead to severe consequences. Reduced productivity, strained relationships, substance abuse, physical health issues like heart diseases, and even reduced life expectancy are just some of the repercussions of poor mental health. It not only affects the individual in question but also has a ripple effect on their community, workplace, and family.

Mental Disorders: Types and Prevalence

Mental disorders are varied and can range from anxiety and mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia.

Depression: Characterized by persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, and fatigue.
Anxiety Disorders: Encompass conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and specific phobias.
Schizophrenia: A complex disorder affecting a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.

The prevalence of these disorders has been on the rise, underscoring the need for comprehensive mental health initiatives and awareness campaigns.

Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance

Mental health is not merely the absence of disorders but encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Recognizing the signs of deteriorating mental health, like prolonged sadness, extreme mood fluctuations, or social withdrawal, is crucial. Understanding stems from awareness and education. Societal stigmas surrounding mental health have often deterred individuals from seeking help. Breaking these barriers, fostering open conversations, and ensuring access to mental health care are imperative steps.

Conclusion: Mental Health

Mental health, undeniably, is as significant as physical health, if not more. In an era where the stressors are myriad, from societal pressures to personal challenges, mental resilience and well-being are essential. Investing time and resources into mental health initiatives, and more importantly, nurturing a society that understands, respects, and prioritizes mental health is the need of the hour.

World Leaders: Several influential personalities, from celebrities to sports stars, have openly discussed their mental health challenges, shedding light on the universality of these issues and the importance of addressing them.
Workplaces: Progressive organizations are now incorporating mental health programs, recognizing the tangible benefits of a mentally healthy workforce, from increased productivity to enhanced creativity.
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges, witnessing the effects of stress and other mental health issues on students, are increasingly integrating counseling services and mental health education in their curriculum.

In weaving through the intricate tapestry of mental health, it becomes evident that it's an area that requires collective attention, understanding, and action.

Short Essay about Mental Health

Mental health, an integral facet of human well-being, shapes our emotions, decisions, and daily interactions. Just as one would care for a sprained ankle or a fever, our minds too require attention and nurture. In today's bustling world, mental well-being is often put on the back burner, overshadowed by the immediate demands of life. Yet, its impact is pervasive, influencing our productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Sadly, mental health issues have long been stigmatized, seen as a sign of weakness or dismissed as mere mood swings. However, they are as real and significant as any physical ailment. From anxiety to depression, these disorders have touched countless lives, often in silence due to societal taboos.

But change is on the horizon. As awareness grows, conversations are shifting from hushed whispers to open discussions, fostering understanding and support. Institutions, workplaces, and communities are increasingly acknowledging the importance of mental health, implementing programs, and offering resources.

In conclusion, mental health is not a peripheral concern but a central one, crucial to our holistic well-being. It's high time we prioritize it, eliminating stigma and fostering an environment where everyone feels supported in their mental health journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of a mental health essay?

Answer: The primary focus of a mental health essay is to delve into the intricacies of mental well-being, its significance in our daily lives, the various challenges people face, and the broader societal implications. It aims to shed light on both the psychological and emotional aspects of mental health, often emphasizing the importance of understanding, empathy, and proactive care.

How can writing an essay on mental health help raise awareness about its importance?

Answer: Writing an essay on mental health can effectively articulate the nuances and complexities of the topic, making it more accessible to a wider audience. By presenting facts, personal anecdotes, and research, the essay can demystify misconceptions, highlight the prevalence of mental health issues, and underscore the need for destigmatizing discussions around it. An impactful essay can ignite conversations, inspire action, and contribute to a more informed and empathetic society.

What are some common topics covered in a mental health essay?

Answer: Common topics in a mental health essay might include the definition and importance of mental health, the connection between mental and physical well-being, various mental disorders and their symptoms, societal stigmas and misconceptions, the impact of modern life on mental health, and the significance of therapy and counseling. It may also delve into personal experiences, case studies, and the broader societal implications of neglecting mental health.

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Mental Health Essay

Essay on Mental Health

According to WHO, there is no single 'official' definition of mental health. Mental health refers to a person's psychological, emotional, and social well-being; it influences what they feel and how they think, and behave. The state of cognitive and behavioural well-being is referred to as mental health. The term 'mental health' is also used to refer to the absence of mental disease.

Mental health means keeping our minds healthy. Mankind generally is more focused on keeping their physical body healthy. People tend to ignore the state of their minds. Human superiority over other animals lies in his superior mind. Man has been able to control life due to his highly developed brain. So, it becomes very important for a man to keep both his body and mind fit and healthy. Both physical and mental health are equally important for better performance and results.

Importance of Mental Health

An emotionally fit and stable person always feels vibrant and truly alive and can easily manage emotionally difficult situations. To be emotionally strong, one has to be physically fit too. Although mental health is a personal issue, what affects one person may or may not affect another; yet, several key elements lead to mental health issues.

Many emotional factors have a significant effect on our fitness level like depression, aggression, negative thinking, frustration, and fear, etc. A physically fit person is always in a good mood and can easily cope up with situations of distress and depression resulting in regular training contributing to a good physical fitness standard.

Mental fitness implies a state of psychological well-being. It denotes having a positive sense of how we feel, think, and act, which improves one’s ability to enjoy life. It contributes to one’s inner ability to be self-determined. It is a proactive, positive term and forsakes negative thoughts that may come to mind. The term mental fitness is increasingly being used by psychologists, mental health practitioners, schools, organisations, and the general population to denote logical thinking, clear comprehension, and reasoning ability.

Negative Impact of Mental Health

The way we physically fall sick, we can also fall sick mentally. Mental illness is the instability of one’s health, which includes changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviour. Mental illness can be caused due to stress or reaction to a certain incident. It could also arise due to genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, child abuse or trauma, social disadvantage, poor physical health condition, etc. Mental illness is curable. One can seek help from the experts in this particular area or can overcome this illness by positive thinking and changing their lifestyle.

Regular fitness exercises like morning walks, yoga, and meditation have proved to be great medicine for curing mental health. Besides this, it is imperative to have a good diet and enough sleep. A person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night on average. When someone is tired yet still can't sleep, it's a symptom that their mental health is unstable. Overworking oneself can sometimes result in not just physical tiredness but also significant mental exhaustion. As a result, people get insomnia (the inability to fall asleep). Anxiety is another indicator.

There are many symptoms of mental health issues that differ from person to person and among the different kinds of issues as well. For instance, panic attacks and racing thoughts are common side effects. As a result of this mental strain, a person may experience chest aches and breathing difficulties. Another sign of poor mental health is a lack of focus. It occurs when you have too much going on in your life at once, and you begin to make thoughtless mistakes, resulting in a loss of capacity to focus effectively. Another element is being on edge all of the time.

It's noticeable when you're quickly irritated by minor events or statements, become offended, and argue with your family, friends, or co-workers. It occurs as a result of a build-up of internal irritation. A sense of alienation from your loved ones might have a negative influence on your mental health. It makes you feel lonely and might even put you in a state of despair. You can prevent mental illness by taking care of yourself like calming your mind by listening to soft music, being more social, setting realistic goals for yourself, and taking care of your body.

Surround yourself with individuals who understand your circumstances and respect you as the unique individual that you are. This practice will assist you in dealing with the sickness successfully. Improve your mental health knowledge to receive the help you need to deal with the problem. To gain emotional support, connect with other people, family, and friends. Always remember to be grateful in life. Pursue a hobby or any other creative activity that you enjoy.

What does Experts say

Many health experts have stated that mental, social, and emotional health is an important part of overall fitness. Physical fitness is a combination of physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Emotional fitness has been recognized as the state in which the mind is capable of staying away from negative thoughts and can focus on creative and constructive tasks.

He should not overreact to situations. He should not get upset or disturbed by setbacks, which are parts of life. Those who do so are not emotionally fit though they may be physically strong and healthy. There are no gyms to set this right but yoga, meditation, and reading books, which tell us how to be emotionally strong, help to acquire emotional fitness.

Stress and depression can lead to a variety of serious health problems, including suicide in extreme situations. Being mentally healthy extends your life by allowing you to experience more joy and happiness. Mental health also improves our ability to think clearly and boosts our self-esteem. We may also connect spiritually with ourselves and serve as role models for others. We'd also be able to serve people without being a mental drain on them.

Mental sickness is becoming a growing issue in the 21st century. Not everyone receives the help that they need. Even though mental illness is common these days and can affect anyone, there is still a stigma attached to it. People are still reluctant to accept the illness of mind because of this stigma. They feel shame to acknowledge it and seek help from the doctors. It's important to remember that "mental health" and "mental sickness" are not interchangeable.

Mental health and mental illness are inextricably linked. Individuals with good mental health can develop mental illness, while those with no mental disease can have poor mental health. Mental illness does not imply that someone is insane, and it is not anything to be embarrassed by. Our society's perception of mental disease or disorder must shift. Mental health cannot be separated from physical health. They both are equally important for a person.

Our society needs to change its perception of mental illness or disorder. People have to remove the stigma attached to this illness and educate themselves about it. Only about 20% of adolescents and children with diagnosable mental health issues receive the therapy they need.

According to research conducted on adults, mental illness affects 19% of the adult population. Nearly one in every five children and adolescents on the globe has a mental illness. Depression, which affects 246 million people worldwide, is one of the leading causes of disability. If mental illness is not treated at the correct time then the consequences can be grave.

One of the essential roles of school and education is to protect boys’ and girls' mental health as teenagers are at a high risk of mental health issues. It can also impair the proper growth and development of various emotional and social skills in teenagers. Many factors can cause such problems in children. Feelings of inferiority and insecurity are the two key factors that have the greatest impact. As a result, they lose their independence and confidence, which can be avoided by encouraging the children to believe in themselves at all times.

To make people more aware of mental health, 10th October is observed as World Mental Health. The object of this day is to spread awareness about mental health issues around the world and make all efforts in the support of mental health.

The mind is one of the most powerful organs in the body, regulating the functioning of all other organs. When our minds are unstable, they affect the whole functioning of our bodies. Being both physically and emotionally fit is the key to success in all aspects of life. People should be aware of the consequences of mental illness and must give utmost importance to keeping the mind healthy like the way the physical body is kept healthy. Mental and physical health cannot be separated from each other. And only when both are balanced can we call a person perfectly healthy and well. So, it is crucial for everyone to work towards achieving a balance between mental and physical wellbeing and get the necessary help when either of them falters.

Mental Health Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on mental health.

Every year world mental health day is observed on October 10. It was started as an annual activity by the world federation for mental health by deputy secretary-general of UNO at that time. Mental health resources differ significantly from one country to another. While the developed countries in the western world provide mental health programs for all age groups. Also, there are third world countries they struggle to find the basic needs of the families. Thus, it becomes prudent that we are asked to focus on mental health importance for one day. The mental health essay is an insight into the importance of mental health in everyone’s life.

Mental Health

In the formidable years, this had no specific theme planned. The main aim was to promote and advocate the public on important issues. Also, in the first three years, one of the central activities done to help the day become special was the 2-hour telecast by the US information agency satellite system.

Mental health is not just a concept that refers to an individual’s psychological and emotional well being. Rather it’s a state of psychological and emotional well being where an individual is able to use their cognitive and emotional capabilities, meet the ordinary demand and functions in the society. According to WHO, there is no single ‘official’ definition of mental health.

Thus, there are many factors like cultural differences, competing professional theories, and subjective assessments that affect how mental health is defined. Also, there are many experts that agree that mental illness and mental health are not antonyms. So, in other words, when the recognized mental disorder is absent, it is not necessarily a sign of mental health.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

One way to think about mental health is to look at how effectively and successfully does a person acts. So, there are factors such as feeling competent, capable, able to handle the normal stress levels, maintaining satisfying relationships and also leading an independent life. Also, this includes recovering from difficult situations and being able to bounce back.

Important Benefits of Good Mental Health

Mental health is related to the personality as a whole of that person. Thus, the most important function of school and education is to safeguard the mental health of boys and girls. Physical fitness is not the only measure of good health alone. Rather it’s just a means of promoting mental as well as moral health of the child. The two main factors that affect the most are feeling of inferiority and insecurity. Thus, it affects the child the most. So, they lose self-initiative and confidence. This should be avoided and children should be constantly encouraged to believe in themselves.

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Essay on Mental Health

Students are often asked to write an essay on Mental Health in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Mental Health

Understanding mental health.

Mental health is as important as physical health. It refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.

The Importance of Mental Health

Good mental health allows us to handle stress, make choices, and relate to others. It’s crucial at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood.

Factors Affecting Mental Health

Many factors can impact mental health, including biological factors, life experiences, and family history of mental health issues.

Mental Health and Stigma

Unfortunately, there’s a stigma around mental health. People with mental health problems are often misunderstood and judged.

Mental Health Care

It’s important to seek help if you’re struggling with mental health. Therapy, medication, and self-care can all help improve mental health.

Also check:

Speech on Mental Health

250 Words Essay on Mental Health

Introduction.

Mental health, an often overlooked aspect of overall well-being, is as significant as physical health. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and act.

Mental health is integral to living a balanced, fulfilling life. It influences our ability to cope with stress, relate to others, and make decisions. In the college years, mental health is especially crucial as students deal with academic pressure, social changes, and the transition into adulthood.

Challenges to Mental Health in College

College students face unique mental health challenges. The pressure to perform academically, social anxiety, and the struggle to fit into new environments can all contribute to mental health issues. These can manifest as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and more.

The Role of Society and Institutions

Society and institutions play a substantial role in promoting mental health. By creating an environment that acknowledges mental health issues and provides support, we can help mitigate these challenges. Colleges should provide mental health resources and encourage students to seek help when needed.

Mental health is integral to our overall well-being. As we navigate through life, particularly during challenging college years, it’s essential to prioritize mental health, seek help when needed, and create environments that support mental wellness.

500 Words Essay on Mental Health

Mental health, a critical aspect of overall wellbeing, is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of modern life. It’s a broad term encompassing our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, influencing our handling of stress, relationships, and decisions.

Mental health is as vital as physical health. It contributes to our cognitive functions, behavioral patterns, and emotional stability. Good mental health enhances our productivity, effectiveness, and ability to contribute to our community. Conversely, poor mental health can lead to severe complications like depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

Various factors contribute to mental health problems. Biological factors include genetics and brain chemistry. Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, can also play a role. Additionally, family history of mental health problems can make individuals more susceptible.

Stigma and Mental Health

Stigma is a significant barrier to mental health care. It can lead to discrimination and misunderstanding, discouraging individuals from seeking help. Education is crucial to dispel myths and stereotypes, fostering a more supportive and understanding society.

Mental Health in College Students

College students are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. They face unique challenges such as academic pressure, social struggles, and the stress of transitioning into adulthood. Colleges should prioritize mental health services, providing resources and support to students in need.

The Role of Therapy

Therapy is a powerful tool for managing mental health. It provides a safe space for individuals to express their feelings and learn coping strategies. Therapists can help identify underlying issues and develop personalized treatment plans.

Mental Health and Technology

Technology has revolutionized mental health care. Digital platforms provide access to therapy and self-help tools, making mental health resources more accessible. However, the overuse of technology can negatively impact mental health, highlighting the need for balance.

In conclusion, mental health is an integral part of our lives. It’s crucial to understand its importance, recognize the factors that affect it, and work towards reducing stigma. As society becomes more aware of mental health, we can hope for a future where mental health care is as mainstream and accepted as physical health care.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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The Importance of Mental Health

Elizabeth is a freelance health and wellness writer. She helps brands craft factual, yet relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences.

Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities.

Westend61 / Getty Images

Risk Factors for Poor Mental Health

Signs of mental health problems, benefits of good mental health, how to maintain mental health and well-being.

Your mental health is an important part of your well-being. This aspect of your welfare determines how you’re able to operate psychologically, emotionally, and socially among others.

Considering how much of a role your mental health plays in each aspect of your life, it's important to guard and improve psychological wellness using appropriate measures.

Because different circumstances can affect your mental health, we’ll be highlighting risk factors and signs that may indicate mental distress. But most importantly, we’ll dive into all of the benefits of having your mental health in its best shape.

Mental health is described as a state of well-being where a person is able to cope with the normal stresses of life. This state permits productive work output and allows for meaningful contributions to society.

However, different circumstances exist that may affect the ability to handle life’s curveballs. These factors may also disrupt daily activities, and the capacity to manage these changes.

The following factors, listed below, may affect mental well-being and could increase the risk of developing psychological disorders .

Childhood Abuse

When a child is subjected to physical assault, sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect while growing up, it can lead to severe mental and emotional distress.

Abuse increases the risk of developing mental disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or personality disorders.

Children who have been abused may eventually deal with alcohol and substance use issues. But beyond mental health challenges, child abuse may also lead to medical complications such as diabetes, stroke, and other forms of heart disease.

The Environment

A strong contributor to mental well-being is the state of a person’s usual environment . Adverse environmental circumstances can cause negative effects on psychological wellness.

For instance, weather conditions may influence an increase in suicide cases. Likewise, experiencing natural disasters firsthand can increase the chances of developing PTSD. In certain cases, air pollution may produce negative effects on depression symptoms.

In contrast, living in a positive social environment can provide protection against mental challenges.

Your biological makeup could determine the state of your well-being. A number of mental health disorders have been found to run in families and may be passed down to members.

These include conditions such as autism , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , bipolar disorder , depression , and schizophrenia .

Your lifestyle can also impact your mental health. Smoking, a poor diet , alcohol consumption , substance use , and risky sexual behavior may cause psychological harm. These behaviors have been linked to depression.

When mental health is compromised, it isn’t always apparent to the individual or those around them. However, there are certain warning signs to look out for, that may signify negative changes for the well-being. These include:

A switch in eating habits, whether over or undereating
A noticeable reduction in energy levels
Being more reclusive and shying away from others
Feeling persistent despair
Indulging in alcohol, tobacco, or other substances more than usual
Experiencing unexplained confusion, anger, guilt, or worry
Severe mood swings
Picking fights with family and friends
Hearing voices with no identifiable source
Thinking of self-harm or causing harm to others
Being unable to perform daily tasks with ease

Whether young or old, the importance of mental health for total well-being cannot be overstated. When psychological wellness is affected, it can cause negative behaviors that may not only affect personal health but can also compromise relationships with others.

Below are some of the benefits of good mental health.

A Stronger Ability to Cope With Life’s Stressors

When mental and emotional states are at peak levels, the challenges of life can be easier to overcome.

Where alcohol/drugs, isolation, tantrums, or fighting may have been adopted to manage relationship disputes, financial woes, work challenges, and other life issues—a stable mental state can encourage healthier coping mechanisms.

A Positive Self-Image

Mental health greatly correlates with personal feelings about oneself. Overall mental wellness plays a part in your self-esteem . Confidence can often be a good indicator of a healthy mental state.

A person whose mental health is flourishing is more likely to focus on the good in themselves. They will hone in on these qualities, and will generally have ambitions that strive for a healthy, happy life.

Healthier Relationships

If your mental health is in good standing, you might be more capable of providing your friends and family with quality time , affection , and support. When you're not in emotional distress, it can be easier to show up and support the people you care about.

Better Productivity

Dealing with depression or other mental health disorders can impact your productivity levels. If you feel mentally strong , it's more likely that you will be able to work more efficiently and provide higher quality work.

Higher Quality of Life

When mental well-being thrives, your quality of life may improve. This can give room for greater participation in community building. For example, you may begin volunteering in soup kitchens, at food drives, shelters, etc.

You might also pick up new hobbies , and make new acquaintances , and travel to new cities.

Because mental health is so important to general wellness, it’s important that you take care of your mental health.

To keep mental health in shape, a few introductions to and changes to lifestyle practices may be required. These include:

Taking up regular exercise
Prioritizing rest and sleep on a daily basis
Trying meditation
Learning coping skills for life challenges
Keeping in touch with loved ones
Maintaining a positive outlook on life

Another proven way to improve and maintain mental well-being is through the guidance of a professional. Talk therapy can teach you healthier ways to interact with others and coping mechanisms to try during difficult times.

Therapy can also help you address some of your own negative behaviors and provide you with the tools to make some changes in your own life.

A Word From Verywell

Your mental health state can have a profound impact on all areas of your life. If you're finding it difficult to address mental health concerns on your own, don't hesitate to seek help from a licensed therapist .

World Health Organization. Mental Health: Strengthening our Response .

Lippard ETC, Nemeroff CB. The Devastating Clinical Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect: Increased Disease Vulnerability and Poor Treatment Response in Mood Disorders . Am J Psychiatry . 2020;177(1):20-36. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19010020

Helbich M. Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial. Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2018;15(10):2207. Published 2018 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102207

National Institutes of Health. Common Genetic Factors Found in 5 Mental Disorders .

Zaman R, Hankir A, Jemni M. Lifestyle Factors and Mental Health . Psychiatr Danub . 2019;31(Suppl 3):217-220.

Medline Plus. What Is mental health? .

National Alliance on Mental Health. Why Self-Esteem Is Important for Mental Health .

By Elizabeth Plumptre Elizabeth is a freelance health and wellness writer. She helps brands craft factual, yet relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences.

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How to Write a Mental Health in College Students Essay

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Writing is a skill that takes time to build. Essays force you to practice research, critical thinking and communication skills – college is the perfect time for you to practice these. However, there’s only so much you can learn about writing through preparation. If you’ve been assigned an essay on mental health, you may not be sure where to begin. You might also wonder if you should choose mental health as a topic for a college paper. Here’s how to write a “mental health in college students” essay.

What Not to Do

If you’re trying to choose a topic for a college application essay, mental health is usually not the way to go. Your personal statement should show colleges why you’re the best candidate to attend their school. Because many students write about mental health , your essay may get lost in the crowd. In addition, your mental health journey is only a part of who you are.

It can be difficult for many students to write about personal mental struggles without seeming overdramatic. Unless mental health struggles have shaped your whole life, it’s best to discuss other topics. If you mention mental health, stay brief and matter-of-fact. Don’t let it become the whole point of your essay.

Review the Instructions

If you’re writing this essay for a college course, start by looking over the assignment instructions. Don’t just listen to what your teacher says – look up the assignment on the syllabus to see if you can find a rubric or other relevant information.

Highlight the important points to make sure you know what matters to your professor. The instructions are parameters you can operate in to create an essay you enjoy. Make sure you check word count, essay structure and review corrections on past essays. If you’re confused about something, don’t hesitate to ask your professor for clarification.

Do the Research

Regardless of what class you’re writing for, this is the kind of topic that requires hard numbers. You don’t want to make general claims about rates of student anxiety or mental illness – to be credible, you need specifics. Be careful with your wording to avoid all-or-nothing statements. Everyone experiences mental health differently.

Your professor may or may not allow you to pick the specific mental health topic you write about. However, you can ensure that your paper is well-researched and organized clearly. Before you start writing, create at least a basic outline showing the flow of ideas. This will make the writing phase much faster because you’ll always know what to say next.

Write It Out

Writer’s block often stems from perfectionism. This paper won’t be perfect the first time, so don’t worry about writing it perfectly! Start with an interesting line that gets your reader’s attention and make sure you have a clear thesis statement. Taken by itself, this sentence should describe the contents of your entire paper.

Build your paragraphs to the right word length by using specific examples. You should start each paragraph with a topic sentence that takes your reader one step in your paper’s argument. Then, describe a specific example that further explains this idea. You can find specific examples in your research or simply explain more about what you mean.

Edit Your Work

Editing is an important final step before you turn an essay in. It gives you an opportunity to look at your writing as a whole and ensure everything makes sense. If possible, you should set your first draft aside for a while before you reread it. This will help you see your work with fresh eyes so you can edit it.

Editing involves strengthening your paper’s organization, rewriting specific sentences and checking for errors. You should make major edits first and then do a final read-through to catch punctuation and spelling mistakes. It can be helpful to read your paper out loud or have a friend look it over as well.

One Key Takeaway for Writing a Mental Health in College Students Essay

Many students struggle with mental health while in school. Whatever topic you choose and however you organize your essay, make sure to write it with a sensitive tone. This topic is nuanced and shouldn’t be treated as a black-and-white issue. Write from an informed and compassionate point of view and offer your readers hope.

Use this guide to write an essay on mental health in college students that astounds and delights your professor. Putting in the work will build research and communication skills you’ll use for years – whether you’re a psychology major, a premed student or studying the arts at school.

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Expository Essay

Expository Essay About Mental Health

Learn to Write Expository Essay About Mental Health - Examples & Tips

What is an Expository Essay About Mental Health?

An expository essay is a type of academic writing that provides an explanation, description, or argument about a certain topic. It seeks to explain and clarify the subject matter for the readers.

The goal of this type of essay is not to share your opinion or persuade the readers, but rather to inform them.

An expository essay on mental health aims to discuss and inform about different aspects of mental health.

The term mental health can refer to various aspects, such as mental health issues, psychological resilience, emotional health, etc. So, the scope of an expository essay on mental health is quite broad depending on your topic.

Here is a video that explains what mental health means in simple words:

Essay About Mental Health Examples

If you are wondering what a good essay about mental health issues looks like, here are a few example essays to help you get started:

Expository Essay About Social Media And Mental Health

Expository Essay Example About Depression

Expository Essay About Mental Health Awareness

Importance of Mental Health Essay Example

Expository Essay About Mental Health Of Students

Need more expository writing samples? Check out our expository essay examples blog!

Expository Essay Topics About Mental Illness

Here is a list of topics about mental health to help you start.

How does mental health affect physical health in children and adolescents?
The role of stigma in mental health problems.
What are the basic principles of positive psychology?
How are physical & emotional health related?
How can mindfulness improve mental health condition?
What is the importance of world mental health day?
Technology's impact on modern mental health issues.
Understanding trauma-informed care and its importance.
The role of the media in creating stereotypes about mental health issues.
How do different cultures view mental health disorders?
Common misconceptions about mental health in the United States.

You can choose one of these topics, to begin with. Moreover, these topics will help you brainstorm your own topic as well.

You can check out our expository essay topics blog for a list of creative topic ideas.

How To Write an Essay About Mental Health

Now that you know what an expository essay on mental health is and have some topics to choose from, it’s time to start writing.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Choose Your Topic:

Brainstorm some ideas related to mental health. Try to pick a topic that interests you so that researching and writing about it will be easier for you.

Choosing a topic that is narrow enough to be covered within the word limit is also important. Moreover, make sure that the topic is not too complex for you to explain.

2. Conduct Research:

Once you have chosen your topic, it’s time to conduct extensive research.

A good expository essay should include facts, evidence, and other supporting information from reliable sources like journals, books, and articles. Make sure that you cite your sources properly.

3. Outline the Essay:

An outline will help you organize your ideas and create a clear structure for your essay. It is also an important step to ensure that all the necessary information is included in the essay.

In an expository essay outline , you should include the main points you want to discuss. Additionally, it should include the supporting evidence and arguments you gathered during the research.

4. Write the Introduction:

The introduction is the first part of your essay. It should include a hook to grab the reader’s attention and introduce the topic. Additionally, you should provide a brief overview of what will be discussed in the essay.

Finally, you should end your mental illness essay introduction with a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence that states the main idea of your essay.

5. Write the Body Paragraphs:

The body paragraphs are where you explain and expand on your main points. Each paragraph should include evidence to support your claims and a brief explanation of how the evidence is related to the topic.

Remember that each body paragraph should focus on one main point and be organized in a logical manner.

6. Write the Conclusion:

The conclusion is where you restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points of the essay. Additionally, you should provide a brief explanation of how these points support your thesis statement.

Finally, end your conclusion with a call to action or an insightful thought that encourages readers to learn more about mental health.

7. Edit and Proofread:

Once you are done writing the essay, it’s important to go through each sentence and look for mistakes.

Make sure that all grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are corrected. Additionally, make sure that the essay is well-structured and flows logically from one point to another.

Editing and proofreading can help you improve the quality of your work and ensure that all necessary information is included.

Following these steps will help you write a clear and well-researched expository essay on mental health.

Tips for Writing a Mental Health Essay

Writing about mental health requires more than a basic understanding of the subject. It is a sensitive and emerging topic, and new research is being produced every day. So, you need to be careful while proceeding with your essay.

Here are a few tips that can help you write a worthwhile essay on mental health:

Get Involved

Mental health essays often benefit greatly when written with personal insight or experience.

If you have any personal life experiences related to mental health, incorporate them into your essay to add more depth. Make your essay relatable to people’s daily life.

Focus on Solutions

When discussing a sensitive topic like mental health it’s important to focus on the solutions.

Consider suggesting ways people can manage their own mental wellness or outlining how families can support each other during difficult times.

Be Empathetic

While writing your essay try to put yourself in the reader’s shoes so that you present the information in a kind and sympathetic manner.

For many people, mental problems are a part of life. So avoid any language that could potentially be offensive or insensitive towards those who struggle with mental illness.

If you or someone you know is going through a rough time, feeling depressed, or thinking about self-harm, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit its website here. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org.

Wrapping it up,

Mental health is a complex and important issue, and writing an essay on it requires proper research, understanding, empathy, and focus. By following these steps and tips, you can write an effective essay on mental health that will be well-received by your readers.

Do you want a professional to write it for you instead? Don't worry, we've got your back.

MyPerfectWords.com provides pro essay writing service and can help you write the perfect mental health essay. Our team of expository essay writers has in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Our expository essay writing service will provide you with a well-written, high-quality essay that is sure to get you top grades.

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Introduction To Mental Health

Category Health
Subcategory Mental Health

In this essay, I will be describing how I have been developing my understanding of Mental Health Nursing over the course of the module Introduction to Mental Health, by discussing the different topics I have been researching and learning throughout this module to achieve my level of understanding. The key points I will be discussing are, the history of mental health, the definition of mental health and illness, the roles and responsibilities of the Mental Health Nurse, the quality skills of the Mental Health Nurse, different models of mental health and illness, recovery, and the stepped care model.

I am developing an understanding of Mental Health Nursing within this module by learning what mental health and mental illness are defined as, the history of mental health , the diverse range of roles and responsibilities of the Mental Health Nurse and the qualities required to fulfil these roles effectively, the process of recovery that considers the variety of models of mental health and illness that are used to achieve individual recovery, and the stepped care delivery model.

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The history of mental health began with the term keeper and attendants of the insane whose role it was to control and maintain the order of the inmates within the institutions that had been built to house them, to then the term nurse slowly being introduced. Asylums were then slowly becoming phased out largely due to overcrowding, with some of the patients being incarcerated due to lack of wealth or social status. Mental health then progressed to defining mental health as an actual illness, they then slowly started closing the institutes. As the institutes began to close, patients were then discharged back into the community, and home-based support was more widely introduced. (Nolan, 1993)

Mental illness is defined as a range of mental health conditions that may affect someone’s thoughts, emotions, moods and ability to relate to others and function daily. People with the same diagnosis will each have different experiences of the condition. (Bolton, 2008)

With consideration to the fact each individual may have a different experience of their condition, the recovery process for each person will vary, therefore the roles and responsibilities of the Mental Health Nurse will vary within the recovery process, as each individual has a different perception of what recovery may mean for them. The roles may be that of a carer, educator, custodian, therapist, advocate, role model, inspirer of hope, milieu manager, leader, researcher, assessor, advocate, supporter, listener, risk-taker or care coordinator. (Egan, 2010)

In order to fulfil these roles effectively, the Mental Health Nurse must have the professional quality skills to be able to assist within the recovery by having good listening skills, good communication, be professional, be understanding, show kindness, empathy, adaptability, sincerity, calmness, and the ability to think critically and creatively, good skills and knowledge, humour, to be a rational thinker, problem solver and many more. (Clifton et al., 2017)

The notion of recovery from mental health problems considers a variety of different models of mental health and illness, while some of these models don’t speak of recovery, they help us to better understand mental distress to aid in individual recovery.

The Humanistic model, that is also known as person-centred care, is where the practitioner works with the client to determine a better understanding of the issue, to help support the individual in finding what they believe the problem and solution maybe, rather than make assumptions of the individual. The person-centred approach is underpinned by the core values of empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence (Clifton et al., 2017)

The Biopsychosocial model investigates the biological, cognitive, psychological and social factors that may have an impact on an individual’s wellbeing, such as physical health, metabolic disorders and emotions, coping skills and social skills, peer groups, interpersonal relationships, trauma, grief and perceptions. These factors highlight the effects all these interactions may have on an individual’s health and wellbeing, rather than assume only one factor may be the cause. (Clifton et al., 2017)

The Stress Diathesis model outlines that stress levels, and each individual’s level of ability to cope with stress, may contribute or cause mental illness, which explains why some people may be exposed to the same level of stress but react differently to those stressors, and it is the Mental Health Nurses responsibility to try and help them find better ways to manage and cope with these stresses to aid in the recovery process. (Zubin and Spring, 1977)

The main principles within the recovery process are hope, and the ability to learn to understand their condition to be able to take back control of their lives, whether that be building resilience or social inclusion such as finding local support groups to be able to flourish rather than merely survive. (Repper and Perkins, 2003)

In order to structure and deliver these models and principles within mental health, we use the stepped care model, this is a model of service delivery, this is a system of delivering the care to the patient using the least resources but with the maximum effect and reach to patients, with the main principles of delivering the best care with minimum impact on the individual, and detecting the need for more or less intensive treatment, allowing them to step up, step down or step out of treatment if an alternative treatment may be more beneficial for them, step up could be a referral from a primary care team to the secondary care team, with each successive step up process being a more intensive treatment, step down such as from speciality care team to a secondary care team or to step off to self-care, telephone appointments or social inclusion interventions. (Firth, Barkham and Kellett, 2015)

In conclusion, mental health has advanced significantly over the history of nursing to achieve a diverse range of professional support, particularly advances towards support within the community, and that mental illness is defined as a range of mental health conditions. That everyone’s experience of mental health conditions will differ, even with the same diagnosis. To be able to support and treat those mental health conditions, the Mental Health Nurse has a variety of roles and responsibilities to fulfil and have the right professional qualities to achieve support and recovery. Recovery is individual, each person has a different perception of what recovery means for them and the way to achieve this. Mental Health Nurses must apply a variety of models to mental health conditions and illnesses, that looks at a person centred approach, the biology of the individual and the stress vulnerability of the individual, to discover the impact that these may have on their wellbeing, to support them towards their recovery process, and be able to take back control of their lives. A service delivery model, the stepped care model, is used to direct an individual to the right level of care within healthcare, where they can step up, step down or step out of the intensity of the care, with minimal impact on their lives.

I will take this learning forward in my nursing practice by maintaining a person-centred approach, and by applying the models of mental health and illness to everyone I am supporting to be able to achieve the best outcomes of recovery, and by remembering that each person has a different perception of what term recovery may mean for them.

Bolton, D. (2008). What is Mental Disorder: An Essay in Philosophy, Science and Values. United States: Oxford Press, p.Chapter 1.
Clifton, A., Hemingway, S., Felton, A. and Stacey, G. (2017). Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, p.Chapter 1.
Clifton, A., Hemingway, S., Felton, A. and Stacey, G. (2017). Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, p.Chapter 3.
Egan, G. (2010). The Skilled Helper. 9th ed. Linda Schreiber: Cengage, p.chapter 1.
Firth, N., Barkham, M. and Kellett, S. (2015). The clinical effectiveness of stepped care sysyems. Journal of Affective Disorders, [online] (170), pp.119-130. Available at: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jad
Medlineplus.gov. (2019). Mental Disorders: MedlinePlus. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/mentaldisorders.html
Nolan, P. (1993). A History of Mental Health Nursing. London: Stanley Thomas, pp.chapter 1, 1.2.
Repper, J. and Perkins, R. (2003). Social inclusion and recovery. Edinburgh: Baillière Tindall, pp.1-63.
Zubin, J. and Spring, B. (1977). Vulnerability- A new view of schizophrenia. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 86(2), pp.103-126.
Linzi Morgan 1904643

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Mental Health

Introduction, ebooks + books, suggested websites.

About Mental Health

Mental Health...

involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in

Productive activities (work, school, caregiving)
Healthy relationships
Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity

Mental Illness...

refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders — health conditions involving

Significant changes in thinking, emotion and/or behavior
Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities

Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking, communication, learning, resilience and self-esteem. Mental health is also key to relationships, personal and emotional well-being and contributing to community or society.

Many people who have a mental illness do not want to talk about it. But mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of! It is a medical condition, just like heart disease or diabetes. And mental health conditions are treatable. We are continually expanding our understanding of how the human brain works, and treatments are available to help people successfully manage mental health conditions.

Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of your age, gender, geography, income, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background or other aspect of cultural identity. While mental illness can occur at any age, three-fourths of all mental illness begins by age 24.

Mental illnesses take many forms. Some are mild and only interfere in limited ways with daily life, such as certain phobias (abnormal fears). Other mental health conditions are so severe that a person may need care in a hospital.

American Psychiatric Association

Image Credit: Pixabay

Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental Health and Youth
Mental Health in Prisons
Relationships, Familiy and Mental Health

Mental health disorders are among the most burdensome health concerns in the United States. Nearly 1 in 5 US adults aged 18 or older (18.3% or 44.7 million people) reported any mental illness in 2016.2 In addition, 71% of adults reported at least one symptom of stress, such as a headache or feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

Many people with mental health disorders also need care for other physical health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and disorders that affect muscles, bones, and joints.The costs for treating people with both mental health disorders and other physical conditions are 2 to 3 times higher than for those without co-occurring illnesses.9By combining medical and behavioral health care services, the United States could save $37.6 billion to $67.8 billion a year.

About 63% of Americans are part of the US labor force.The workplace can be a key location for activities designed to improve well-being among adults. Workplace wellness programs can identify those at risk and connect them to treatment and put in place supports to help people reduce and manage stress. By addressing mental health issues in the workplace, employers can reduce health care costs for their businesses and employees.

Poor mental health and stress can negatively affect employees:

Job performance and productivity.
Engagement with one’s work.
Communication with coworkers.
Physical capability and daily functioning.

Mental illnesses such as depression are associated with higher rates of disability and unemployment.

Depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time.
Only 57% of employees who report moderate depression and 40% of those who report severe depression receive treatment to control depression symptoms.

Even after taking other health risks—like smoking and obesity—into account, employees at high risk of depression had the highest health care costs during the 3 years after an initial health risk assessment.

Centers for Disease Control

A healthy mind is as important to a child’s development as a healthy body. One in five children have a diagnosable mental health condition, yet only 20% of those children receive the help they need. Mental health plays a critical role in shaping a child’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

The world can be a scary place. Anxiety and depression in teens is on the rise. Understanding and caring for our children’s mental health while they are young can help them realize their potential and reduce the risk of developing mental health problems.Many children are significantly impacted not only by world events and catastrophes, but also by daily occurrences and life circumstances. The start of school, the news on television, the influx of social media, the death of a friend or grandparent, natural disasters, contentious politics, or even just a bad day at school can affect our children more than we realize.In these unsettling times, it is more important than ever to know how to talk to your children about difficult topics and engage with them in a way that promotes positive mental health.

Research shows that children’s brains develop well into their mid-20’s. It is important to know that children’s emotions and behaviors CAN BE signs that they are struggling with their mental health, which can happen for a multitude of reasons or for no apparent reason at all.

In fact, some thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can actually be symptoms of diagnosable emotional, mental, or behavioral health disorders that warrant intervention and treatment by a professional. The problem is that it can be difficult to know the difference between signs of concern and typical phases or stages of development. While not all mental health struggles will lead to a diagnosis, that should not be a deterrent to seek help and treatment. When a child shows symptoms of a physical illness, whether it is a sore throat or a broken arm, parents do not hesitate to seek treatment. In the same way, parents should not be ashamed to seek treatment when symptoms of mental health struggles arise.

Resilience, a component of emotional intelligence, can foster good mental health. The key is to help children build and increase their resilience as they encounter challenges in life by helping them acknowledge and move through difficult and painful feelings and sensations. Science now shows that emotional intelligence enhances young minds and their capacity to integrate skills, attitudes, and behaviors effectively and ethically into daily tasks and challenges. While we may think we are protecting our children by avoiding unpleasant subjects, teaching them emotional intelligence, how to recognize, understand and deal with their emotions, builds resilience and is one of the most important skill sets needed for lifelong happiness and success.

The Youth Mental Health Project

According to Thomas Fagan, PhD, professor emeritus at Nova Southeastern University in Florida and a former administrator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, despite improvements over the past 30 years, the correctional system continues to struggle to meet the vast needs of the increasing number of inmates with mental health conditions.

About 37 percent of people in prison have a history of mental health problems, according to a 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Justice. More than 24 percent have been previously diagnosed with major depressive order, 17 percent with bipolar disorder, 13 percent with a personality disorder and 12 percent with post-traumatic stress disorder. The numbers are even higher for people in jail, where one-third have been previously diagnosed with major depressive disorder and almost one-quarter with bipolar disorder.

Once in jail, many individuals don't receive the treatment they need and end up getting worse, not better. They stay longer than their counterparts without mental illness. They are at risk of victimization and often their mental health conditions get worse.

“We lock up people with mental health problems when we should really be treating these people in the community,” says Fagan. “In the absence of that, prisons and jails become de facto treatment centers" and as a result, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers have become essential mental health providers in correctional settings.

After leaving jail, the majority of inmates no longer have access to needed healthcare and benefits. A criminal record often makes it hard for individuals to get a job or housing. Many individuals, especially without access to mental health services and supports, wind up homeless, in emergency rooms and often re-arrested. At least 83% of jail inmates with a mental illness did not have access to needed treatment.

Jailing people with mental illness creates huge burdens on law enforcement, corrections and state and local budgets. It does not protect public safety. And people who could be helped are being ignored.

Hopefully, by implementing various types of prison reform measures, criminal justice leaders, county and state leaders and mental health professionals we can help people with mental illness get the support and services they need to stay out of jail.

American Psychological Association

Family relationships can substantially affect mental health, behavior and even physical health. Numerous studies have shown that social relationships, particularly family relationships, can have both long- and short-term effects on one's mental health. Depending on the nature of these relationships, mental health can be enhanced or impacted negatively.

When family relationships are stable and supportive, a person suffering from mental health issues or disorders may be more responsive to treatment. Companionship, emotional support and often even economic support can have a positive impact on someone coping with a mental health problem.

While some who suffer from mental health issues may require intense familial support, others may simply need help with transportation to get to treatment or the day-to-day companionship that most people require in times of need.

An increasing body of research demonstrates that negative family relationships can cause stress, impact mental health and even cause physical symptoms. Research has demonstrated that non-supportive families can detract from someone's mental health and or cause a mental illness to worsen.

Most of the care that mental health sufferers often rely on is from family, so when family members deny this support, the recovery process can be negatively affected.

If your family is impacting your mental health in a negative way, you may wish to make an appointment with a therapist or counselor in order to get help for your symptoms and learn strategies for coping with family problems.

The state of your mental health is not typically a choice, but you can choose to seek help. If your family is not supportive, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider who can help you understand your options so you can get the vital help you need.

Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center

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Discover eBook collections or find print books/materials through the catalog for each campus:

Promotes the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

Mental Health America

MHA is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all.

NAMI Nebraska

A statewide nonprofit organization that provides education and support to those whose lives are touched by mental illness. (Includes Helpline resources.)

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)

The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

National Institute of Mental Health

The lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

10 Mental Illness Signs You Should Not Ignore

Mental illness, also known as mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health problems that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior for a sustained period of time. Depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors are examples of mental illnesses that can have a long-lasting impact on you. Are you wondering if your mental health is deteriorating? Do you remember the last time you felt sad, anxious, or scared that you were somehow “off”? As a disclaimer, do not use this video to self diagnose. These are more like warning signs that you should not ignore. Use them as a guide when talking to a professional when explaining how you are feeling.

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2023 1:51 PM
URL: https://libguides.cccneb.edu/mentalhealth

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Writing an Essay on the Mental Health?

Table of Contents

Mental health is a serious topic to write on, as it affects many people’s lives around us. It is a sensitive topic as well, but having more attention on mental health problems helps people with disorders. Because of this, you’d want to write the best paper on this topic as you can. This will have the most impact for individuals that need it.

However, if you don’t have a good intro for your essay, no one is going to read it until the end. That’s why, in today’s post, we’ll look at how you can write an introduction for a mental health essay . If this sounds exactly like something you were looking for, then dig in!

Examples of Introduction for a Mental Health Essay

person holding white printer paper with a smiley face over their lips.

Mental health is essential and incorporated into overall health. A person’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being all fall under the mental health category. A person’s ability to be productive in activities, have fulfilling relationships with others, and handle and overcome adversity depends on good mental health.

Every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood, requires good mental health. An individual may encounter a mental health problem at any time. This alters their attitude and behavior and how they think, perceive the world, and approach difficulties.

Example #2 Introduction for a Mental Health Essay

Mental health also refers to the state of well-being in which they can use their emotional and cognitive skills in daily life. People with good mental health can make a positive contribution to society. Mental health is crucial in every stage of life, from childhood through adolescence and adulthood. As such, we as a society, should increase investment for mental health care for people in need today!

The state of someone’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being is referred to as their mental health. When a person is exposed to various situations, their mental health has an impact on their emotions, feelings, thoughts, and sections. A person’s response to stress and other social circumstances is also a function of their mental health. Generally speaking, a person’s mental health has an impact on their ability to relate to, comprehend, and engage with others. Therefore, a person’s mental health issues can affect their social skills, feelings, moods, and respond to circumstances. When faced with various problems, a person experiencing mental health problems may exhibit multiple behaviors.

In the course of their lives, more than half of all Americans will receive a mental illness diagnosis. The assistance they require won’t, however, be given to everyone. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only 40% of adults and 50% of youth receive the necessary medical care. Even though mental illness is widespread and can affect anyone, it still carries a lot of stigmas. The stigma makes people reluctant to seek help and ashamed of doing so. Although there has been significant progress in accepting and understanding mental illnesses, more can and should still be done.

There is no distinction to be made between physical and mental illnesses. I think they go hand in hand. The person cannot distinguish the two because of how closely knit and connected the entire body is. The brain is a separate body part susceptible to injury. When the brain is sick, the problem doesn’t just affect the brain; it also affects the rest of the body and general well-being. People with mental illnesses frequently engage in risky behaviors like substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide. Mental illness comes with a stigma. Because of this, many people choose to conceal their suffering instead of seeking the treatment they require.

Do you have the thought of writing an essay on the topic of mental health is in the back of your mind. In that case, there are plenty of sources available for all time periods and for many of different opinions and ideas. Using these sources should be able to give you a head start on writing an essay with ease .

Don’t forget that you can use the help of technology in this case as well! Essay intro generator tools, like the one we have at INK, can help you immensely. Type in the input and have a great intro just like that!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, can i write about mental health in my college essay.

Hi all! I'm considering writing about my experiences with mental health in my college essay, but I'm not sure if it's an appropriate topic. Do you think discussing mental health issues could be seen as too personal or negative?

Hello! Writing about your experiences with mental health can be a powerful and meaningful topic for a college essay, as long as you approach it carefully. Colleges appreciate when students are open and honest about their personal experiences, as it shows resilience and personal growth.

It's important to focus on how you've overcome the challenges related to mental health and what you've learned from the experience. However, you should avoid going into excessive detail about the specific mental health issues or sharing anything too dark or distressing.

For example, my child wrote about their journey with anxiety and how it led them to participate in mindfulness and meditation practices. This allowed them to showcase their growth and newfound coping mechanisms. Be sure to emphasize the positive aspects of your journey, and how it has shaped you into who you are today. Good luck with your essay!

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Mental Health Essay Topics with Outline & Examples

Published by Ellie Cross at April 5th, 2022 , Revised On January 3, 2024

Mental health studies are a discipline that looks into various mental illnesses to see how they affect people, their causes, and what we can do about them. On the other hand, selecting the right topic for an argumentative essay is crucial to addressing a specific mental health issue. In other words, mental health essay topics have equal importance as the idea of mental health itself.

Students who have a real passion for any particular area of mental health should spend considerable time searching and finding the right topic for their essays.

This article presents many good mental health essay topics for your argumentative essay that you can use right away. These unique ideas will make it easier for students to address unique mental health issues through their arguments.

Mental Health Essay Topics to Write About

Everyone is affected by a mental illness at some stage in their lives. So how do you explain what other people in the world are going through without feeling their pain, emotions and anxiety? The success of your argumentative essay largely depends on the quality and uniqueness of the topic. Here are some exciting and intriguing mental health essay topics you can consider:

The relationship between obesity and mental health
The relationship between teenagers and self-harm
How does a returning soldier deal with his mental health problems?
The causes of post-traumatic stress disorder in soldiers and its treatment
What does anorexia nervosa mean?
It is recognising and addressing indicators of a loved one’s mental health.
What do you think about people who have “dark” thoughts?
What does ADHD mean, and what factors may play a role in its development?
An analysis of gender with most of the mental health problems
The possible treatment options for obsessive-compulsive disorder
The most common mental disorders in geriatric people
The treatments that are used most frequently in depressed patients
Identifying the main influences on brain screening
The impact of depression on overall mental wellbeing
Differences between anxiety disorders and key protective factors for mental health
Do video games have an impact on a person’s mental health?
How does music affect mental health?
How do graphic images affect mental health?
The effects of obsessive-compulsive disorder on human activity
How to identify mental illness
What makes you feel anxious?
How can stress cause depression?
What are anxieties, and why do people fear everyday objects?
Examine the mental health of Holocaust survivors.
Postpartum depression is a real problem.
What are the benefits of a cognitive health crisis?
How does poverty affect mental health?
The importance of improving psychological and emotional health
Common mental health problems of women and men
What role do school programs play in addressing mental health?

Grave Mental Health Essay Topics

You may also write about some more serious mental health topics. However, acing a mental health essay on a grave mental health issue will require you to relate your content to people’s real-life experiences and start accumulating arguments to support your claims. Here are some interesting but super specific mental health essay topics.

Identify and discuss the role of physiotherapy in maintaining mental health.
Sigmund Freud’s contributions to mental health
What role does parenting stress play in depression?
The influence of nightmares on depression
The contribution of insomnia to depression
Is it possible to keep the brain healthy to protect its health?
Is it possible to forget painful memories?
What educational credentials are required to practice psychiatry?
What role do horror films play in anxiety?
Why do people watch scary films?
Discuss the relationship between mental health and therapy
What measures are taken to treat mental health problems in the UK?
Why are so many artists mentally ill?
Do you think that living in the limelight causes mental illness?
Discuss COVID-19 and mental health.
How can you tell if someone is suffering from anxiety?
An unintended consequence of online learning
The impact of divorce on children’s mental health
Why dropping out can harm a student’s mental health
There is a link between physical violence and mental illness. Discuss

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Topics on Mental Illness Argumentative Essay

Writing about a mental illness in your essay will require you to have an in-depth understanding of the illness you will investigate. If you pursue one of those in-depth mental health topics, you can surely impress your professor. TV shows that can benefit people with mental illnesses
In the LGBTQ community, mental illness is common.
Why are the people of the black community facing more mental illness?
How can child abuse lead to mental illness?
How is substance abuse related to mental illness?
What are coping mechanisms most prevalent in mental illness?
What is the impact of trauma on mental health?
School-based programs to support students with mental health problems will be considered.
What is the most common mental illness faced by raped victims? Discuss each of them.
How lack of confidence can affect mental health
Discuss the most recent developments in the field of clinical depression
Anxiety caused by sexual assault in the metaverse
How does anxiety affect the ability to cope with your daily life activities?
Does women’s mental health matter in the nation?
What are the most common mental illnesses faced by children?
How can mental health be promoted at colleges and universities?
How did music come to be associated with mental health?
Mental health and its connection with peer groups
How images of homeless people can affect a person’s mental health
How can people on low incomes receive mental health care?
The value of forgiveness for mental health
Name and explain why one of the countries in the world has the highest rate of mental illness.
The role of society in mental health problems
Can a change of environment improve mental wellbeing?
How can love help people who have a mental illness, and how can it not?

Good Essay Topics on Mental Health

The role of extremists in the deterioration of mental health care in their holy places
What happens when parents ignore their children, and how does it affect their mental health?
The difference between religious counselling and professional counselling
What does it mean to be anti-social, and how can you change or support someone who is?
Recognise and explain the role of chronic stress and anxiety disorders in long-term loneliness. Discuss the impact of remote working on mental health and how to manage it.
Talk about ways to deal with unhappy feelings to avoid slipping into chronic mental health problems.
How can you tell if a person’s mental health is okay?
How can you empower a handicapped person to pursue their goals without becoming depressed because of physical limitations?
How can the general public best respond to someone suffering from a mental illness?

Cause-Effect Essay Topics on Mental Health

What role does physical health play in maintaining mental health?
The effects of post-traumatic stress disorder are severe. Explain why?
Does emotional stress affect the immune system?
How can break-ups help or hurt your mental health?
How does early retirement affect or worsen mental health?
What can a child do if they are diagnosed with schizophrenia, and how can they be helped?
What are some of the potentially harmful behaviours that can exacerbate mental illness?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Mental Health

People who are mentally ill are not religious. Argue on this perception
Religion has both negative and positive influences on an individual’s mental health
Anxiety is influenced by discrimination
Depression can also be caused by self-awareness
There are five reasons why mental illness is so prevalent
Depression is a common problem among young people and is never taken seriously
Suicide is a result of ignoring mental illness at its early stages. Argue

So now, when you have an opportunity to dazzle your teachers by working on these unique mental health essay topics, you must also know about the basic structure of a mental health essay. We have created a brief outline for you guys to understand the structure before delving into the topics.

Outline of the Essay

It would be best to write down what you want to cover in your essay after conducting your research on a topic. Do not forget to find and review different academic sources when writing a mental health essay.

Mental Health Essay Introduction

Your essay must have a hook that attracts the reader. Next, you need to establish a thesis statement to show you understand the significance of the topic you are exploring. You can also use your introduction to tell a story or share an experience.

Use proverbs, statistics, or anything that you feel is relevant to your topic in an introduction. Before concluding your introduction, give background information about your essay so that the reader knows what it is about.

The body is divided into paragraphs that support your thesis with evidence and arguments. In general, the body should consist of five paragraphs . However, each sentence must contain a topic sentence linked to independent thought on the topic of mental health. You can also write each sentence with a definite purpose, convincing arguments, supporting details, and examples.

The conclusion sums up the content that you have presented in your essay. You can include a statement of your thesis at the end of your conclusion, and you can even ask a rhetorical question about the future of mental health. However, it would help if you did not make any new arguments in conclusion.

Important Tips when Writing Mental Health Essay

Present sufficient knowledge of the actual topic
Know the difference between mental health/illness and emotions
A generalisation of the term “Mentally Ill” should be avoided
Use neutral terms, be precise in your arguments/claims
Emphasis on the treatment and positive vibes through your content
Get professional assistance if you struggle with your medical or nursing essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write an excellent essay on mental health.

To write an excellent essay on mental health, research the topic thoroughly, provide personal insights, use a clear structure, support your arguments with evidence, and offer practical solutions. Prioritize empathy and awareness throughout.

Anxious Parents Are the Ones Who Need Help

An illustration of a college campus where parents look distressed about their children while the children seem fine.

By Mathilde Ross

Dr. Ross is a senior staff psychiatrist at Boston University Health Services.

This month, across the country, a new cohort of students is being accepted into colleges. And, if recent trends continue, the start of the new school year will kick off another record-breaking season for anxiety on campus.

I’m talking about the parents. The kids are mostly fine.

Let me explain. Most emotions, even unpleasant ones, are normal. But the word is out about increasing rates of mental health problems on campus, and that’s got parents worrying. Fair enough. The statistics are startling — in 2022, nearly 14 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds reported having serious thoughts about suicide.

But parents are allowing their anxiety to take over, and it’s not helping anyone, least of all their children. If a child calls home too much, there must be a crisis! And if a child calls too little, there must be a crisis! Either way, the panicked parent picks up the phone and calls the college counseling center to talk to someone like me.

I am a psychiatrist who has worked at a major university’s mental health clinic for 16 years. Much of next year’s freshman class was born the year before I started working here. Technically, my job is to keep my door open and help students through crises, big and small. But I have also developed a comprehensive approach to the assessment and treatment of anxious parents.

The typical call from a parent begins like this: “I think my son/daughter is suffering from anxiety.” My typical reply is: “Anxiety in this setting is usually normal, because major life transitions like living away from home for the first time are commonly associated with elevated anxiety.” Parents used to be satisfied with this kind of answer, thanked me, hung up, called their children and encouraged them to think long-term: “This too shall pass.” And most everyone carried on.

But these days this kind of thinking just convinces parents that I don’t know what I’m talking about. In the circular logic of mental health awareness, a clinician’s reassurance that situational anxiety is most likely normal and time-limited leads a parent to believe that the clinician may be missing a serious mental health condition.

Today’s parents are suffering from anxiety about anxiety, which is actually much more serious than anxiety. It’s self-fulfilling and not easily soothed by logic or evidence, such as the knowledge that most everyone adjusts to college just fine.

Anxiety about anxiety has gotten so bad that some parents actually worry if their student isn’t anxious. This puts a lot of pressure on unanxious students — it creates anxiety about anxiety about anxiety. (This happens all the time. Well-meaning parents tell their kid to make an appointment with our office to make sure their adjustment to college is going OK.) If the student says she’s fine, the parents worry that she isn’t being forthright. This is the conundrum of anxiety about anxiety — there’s really no easy way to combat it.

But I do have some advice for parents. The first thing I’d like to say, and I mean it in the kindest possible way, is: Get a grip.

As for your kids, I would like to help you with some age-appropriate remedies. If your child calls during the first weeks of college feeling anxious, consider saying any of the following: You’ll get through this; this is normal; we’ll laugh about this phone call at Thanksgiving. Or, say anything that was helpful to you the last time you started something new. Alternatively, you could say nothing. Just listening really helps. It’s the entire basis of my profession.

If the anxiety is connected to academic performance — for instance, if your child is having difficulty following the professor and thinks everyone in class is smarter — consider saying, “Do the reading.” Several times a semester, a student I’ve counseled tells me he or she discovered the secret to college: Show up for class prepared! This is often whispered rather sheepishly, even though my office is private.

Anxiety about oral presentations is also quite common. You know what I tell students? “Rehearse your speech.” Parents, you can say things like this, too. Practice it: “Son, you wouldn’t believe how helpful practice is.”

I can prepare you for advanced topics, too. Let’s say your child is exhausted and having trouble waking up for class; he thinks he has a medical problem or maybe a sleep disorder. Consider telling him to go to bed earlier. Common sense is still allowed.

What if a roommate is too loud or too quiet, too messy or too neat? Advise your kid to talk to the roommate, to take the conversation to the problem’s source.

If your child is worrying about something more serious, like failing out of college: This is quite common in the first few weeks on campus. Truth be told, failing all of one’s classes and being expelled as a result, all within the first semester, is essentially impossible and is particularly rare among those students who are worrying about it. The administrative process simply doesn’t happen that fast. Besides, you haven’t paid enough tuition yet.

I’m making my job sound easy, and it’s not. I’m making kids sound simple, and they’re not. They are my life’s work. Some kids walk through my door in serious pain. But most don’t. Most just need a responsible adult to show them the way. And most of what I do can be handled by any adult who has been through a thing or two, which is to say, any parent.

I worry that the current obsession with mental health awareness is disempowering parents from helping their adult children handle ordinary things. People are increasingly fearful that any normal emotion is a sign of something serious. But if you send your adult children to a mental health professional at the first sign of distress, you deprive yourself of the opportunity to strengthen your relationship with them. This is the beginning of their adult relationship with you. Show them the way.

The transition to college is full of excitement and its cousin, anxiety. I enjoy shepherding young people through this rite of passage. Parents should try enjoying it, too.

Mathilde Ross is a senior staff psychiatrist at Boston University Health Services.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Health Care

The Menstrual Mood Disorder You’ve Never Heard About

A young woman suffers from abdominal pain

E ver since she was a teenager, Tanya knew her mood swings were a problem. She had periodic bouts of anger and depression that left her wanting to die. Her life was a roller coaster of highs and lows but doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Five years ago, she decided she’d had enough. She wanted to end her life.

Tanya managed to talk herself out of it and instead did some googling. She stumbled across a website about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a menstrual mood disorder, that impacts roughly 3 to 8% of menstruators. PMDD means having severe and debilitating mood swings right around one’s period. Around a third of people with PMDD have attempted suicide, and over 70% have regular suicidal ideation .

“It just hit me,” Tanya told me. “I went through my life and so many moments made sense.” She called her doctor the next day. He sent her to get tested for diabetes.

Tanya finally managed to get a PMDD diagnosis in 2019 at the age of 26, but she was haunted by the question: Why had she never heard of PMDD before and why was it so hard to get a diagnosis?

Although research shows suicidal ideation is linked to specific times during the menstrual cycle, today most people still haven’t heard of PMDD, including doctors. According to a 2022 survey of PMDD patients, over a third said their general practitioners had no knowledge of premenstrual disorders, and about 40% said their mental-health-care providers had no knowledge of premenstrual disorders. But PMDD has been around since periods have been around and we’ve known about it for nearly a century.

So why aren’t we getting people the help they need? The answer, as history shows, is more complicated than we think.

While the menstrual cycle has been notoriously understudied, the first papers on PMDD appeared in 1930s. In the 1950s British physician Dr. Katrina Dalton began studying PMDD —or “premenstrual syndrome” as she called it, and opened a clinic in London . Still, PMDD mostly flew under the radar until 1980, when Dalton served as a medical expert for three women accused of crime. During the trials Dalton showed that the women committed the crimes right before their period, and that their symptoms disappeared with treatment. She was able to get them a reduced sentence.

Overnight there was a media boom around PMS. The magazine Glamour even polled readers about the validity of using PMS as a legal defense: (24% were for, 71% against, and 5% unsure). As a result, the growing awareness around PMS bled over to the medical community. In 1984 psychiatrist Robert Spitzer proposed PMS should be added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the handbook used by doctors to diagnosis mental health problems. Spitzer was the chair of the committee revising the third version of the DSM, and he’d been getting several invites to conferences about PMS. Adding PMS to the DSM meant that the medical community was recognizing it as a formal disorder that could be diagnosed and treated.

Read More: 5 Foods That Ease PMS Symptoms

However, experts were divided on where to draw the line between PMDD (the severe, debilitating mood swings) and PMS (garden variety grumpiness and irritability). When the Washington Post asked experts about the prevalence of PMS in 1984, estimates ranged from 3% to 90% of women . In a sense, both of these estimates were true: only a few people have severe symptoms, but up to 90% of people do have mild symptoms before their period. It became clear that experts were conflating PMDD and PMS and this was reflected in popular culture. Suddenly, anyone who had a period was seen as unstable. Products with sexist jokes abounded, such as greeting cards that read “What’s the difference between a woman with PMS and a terrorist? Answer: You can negotiate with a terrorist.”

Controversy erupted. A group of feminists spearheaded a campaign to stop PMDD’s inclusion in the DSM. They argued that including PMDD would be tantamount to calling menstruation a mental illness. Much of their reaction was rooted in the atmosphere of the ‘70s and ‘80s as women were fighting for gender equality on several fronts from work to reproductive rights. In the 1970s, for the first time, over half of women were working outside the home. The Supreme Court ruled to protect the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade. However, this equality was also precarious and under threat—conservatives defeated the Equal Rights Amendment which would have prohibited gender discrimination. For feminists, PMDD and the sexist jokes it generated seemed to be another attempt to discredit women and chip away at the progress feminists had made for women’s rights.

One of PMDD’s major critics, Dr. Joan Chrisler, attended a lecture in the 1970s, early on in her career on why there were no great women artists or novelists. The conclusion: women’s creativity declines when they are menstruating. This inspired Chrisler to devote her career to fighting menstrual stigma. In an era rife with sexism, adding PMDD to the DSM set off alarm bells.

Read More: A History of How Employers Have Addressed Women’s Periods

To further complicate matters, in the early 2000s, drug manufacturer Eli Lilly stuck its finger in the pie. Eli Lilly’s patent on its blockbuster drug Prozac, which treated depression, was set to expire and it’s share prices had tanked. The company desperately needed a new market that would buy Prozac.

Eli Lilly landed on PMDD as their next likely market. Early studies already suggested that Prozac could treat PMDD, but the problem was that experts were still debating whether PMDD belonged in the DSM as an official diagnosis at all. Undaunted, Eli Lilly embarked on a massive campaign to market Prozac to people with PMDD. It sponsored a round table discussion on Prozac’s effectiveness for PMDD, which found that at least 60% of patients with PMDD respond to antidepressants. It repackaged Prozac as “Serafem” a play on the word “seraphim”, the angels who guard the throne of God. If that wasn’t enough to drive home the point, they changed Prozac’s green and yellow pills to pink and purple. Finally, they rolled out a series of ads that suggested any woman who was feeling grumpy should consider medication. The ads didn’t distinguish between PMDD and PMS. Rather, they imply any sign of irritability in women should be treated.

This unleashed another wave of furor. Feminists were insulted—and rightfully so. The last thing the women’s movement needed was a drug companies suggesting a woman’s anger is a mental health condition. The media had a field day writing about drug companies “inventing” new diseases and marketing drugs without diagnoses. (Tragically, Prozac actually works on PMDD. Studies have found SSRIs like Prozac can relieve PMDD symptoms in up to twelve hours, even though it takes weeks to work for anxiety and depression.)

In some ways the feminists lost their battle. PMDD eventually did become a diagnosis in the DSM in 2013, nearly three decades after it’d been first debated in the ‘80s. In other ways, they won the war. Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, a premenstrual mood disorder researcher at the University of Illinois Chicago, estimates that the backlash around PMDD set care back by 10 to 15 years. She pointed out there’s been a chilling effect on the conversation around the link between menstruation and mood. Doctors are afraid to bring it up, because they don’t want patients to think they are sexist.

Yet, in reality, the biggest victims of the fight over PMDD’s existence are people who have PMDD and the people who love them. Today, thousands of people still suffer because they don’t know they have PMDD.

Tanya’s PMDD diagnosis changed her life. While she elected not to try medication, the diagnosis alone helped her understand her breakdowns, and helped her explain what was going on to family and friends. She decided to train in psychotherapy so she can help other people understand PMDD. “My tutor has been a counselor for 10 years and still hasn’t heard of PMDD,” she said. “I want to help people work through this pain.”

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Mental Health Promotion

Categories: Health Promotion Universal Health Care

About this sample

Words: 1628 |

Published: Jun 5, 2019

Words: 1628 | Pages: 4 | 9 min read

Mental health essay outline, mental health essay example, introduction.

Definition of mental health according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
Importance of a support system for mental well-being

Nurses' Role in Maintaining Mental Well-being

The need for nurses to maintain holistic fitness for quality patient care
Resilience as a key attribute for nurses
The impact of psychosocial and environmental factors on mental health

Challenges Faced by Nurses

The stress and challenges of working in healthcare settings
Shift work disorder and its consequences
The prevalence of bullying in the healthcare industry

Strategies and Policies for Promoting Mental Health

Policies and guidelines for minimizing shift work disorder
Measures to prevent workplace bullying
The role of support systems for nurses' mental health
The importance of mental well-being for nurses
The need for policies and support systems to promote mental health in the healthcare industry

Works Cited:

Carr, E.H. (1961). What is history? Penguin Books.
Clark, T. (2007). The importance of understanding history. Learning Solutions Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/331/the-importance-of-understanding-history
Johnson, P. (1999). A history of the American people. Harper Perennial.
Lerner, G. (1993). Learning disabilities: theories, diagnosis, and teaching strategies. Houghton Mifflin.
Loewen, J. (1995). Lies my teacher told me: Everything your American history textbook got wrong. The New Press.
MacMillan, M. (2013). The uses and abuses of history. Profile Books.
McNeill, W.H. (1985). Mythistory and other essays. University of Chicago Press.
Pomeroy, S.B., Burstein, S.M., Donlan, W., Roberts, J.T., & Tandy, D.W. (2004). Ancient Greece: A political, social, and cultural history. Oxford University Press.
Rosenzweig, R., & Thelen, D. (1998). The presence of the past: Popular uses of history in American life. Columbia University Press.
Wineburg, S. (2001). Historical thinking and other unnatural acts: Charting the future of teaching the past. Temple University Press.

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2031-837X Rouwida ElKhalil 1 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2315-7479 Mohamad AlMekkawi 2 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6188-8870 Matt O'Connor 3 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8781-5098 Moustafa Sherif 1 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7360-7693 Emad Masuadi 1 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5292-8212 Luai A Ahmed 1 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6102-0353 Rami H Al-Rifai 1 ,
http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0975-4839 Messaouda Belfakir 1 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6115-1820 Rasha Bayoumi 4 ,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7151-2175 Iffat Elbarazi 1
1 Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences , United Arab Emirates University, PO.Box:15551 , Al Ain , Abu Dhabi , UAE
2 Nursing Department , Fatima College of Health Sciences , AlAin , UAE
3 ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia
4 School of Psychology , University of Birmingham Dubai , Dubai , UAE
Correspondence to Dr Iffat Elbarazi; ielbarazi{at}uaeu.ac.ae

Introduction Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is important for improving mental health and reducing inequities in treatment. The Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) is a valid and reliable assessment tool for MHL. This systematic review will examine and compare the measurement properties of the MHLS in different languages, enabling academics, clinicians and policymakers to make informed judgements regarding its use in assessments.

Methods and analysis The review will adhere to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis and will be presented following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 checklist. The review will be conducted in four stages, including an initial search confined to PubMed, a search of electronic scientific databases PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, MEDLINE, Embase (Elsevier), PubMed (NLM) and ERIC, an examination of the reference lists of all papers to locate relevant publications and finally contacting the MHLS original author to identify validation studies that the searches will not retrieve. These phases will assist us in locating studies that evaluate the measurement properties of MHLS across various populations, demographics and contexts. The search will focus on articles published in English between May 2015 and December 2023. The methodological quality of the studies will be evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist, and a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data synthesis will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval is not required. The publication will be in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

PROSPERO registration number CRD42023430924.

MENTAL HEALTH
Patient Reported Outcome Measures
Psychometrics
Systematic Review
Health Literacy

This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ .

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081394

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Strengths and limitations of this study

This review evaluates Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) measurement properties across languages, stressing diverse MHL assessments.

It adheres to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual and COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology and follows Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines.

Limited by a temporal gap post 2018 due to MHLS development in 2015.

Limited by exclusion of non-English papers.

Challenges in meta-analyses are anticipated, given study heterogeneity.

Introduction

Mental health is an integral part of overall health and well-being. Global rates of mental disorders are significant, with depression alone affecting over 280 million people. 1 Personal health literacy (HL) is defined as ‘the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others’. 2 Mental HL (MHL), a derivative from and component of HL, 3 is defined as the ‘knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention’. 4 Jorm elaborated on the original definition of MHL to encompass the following: understanding ways to prevent mental illness, recognising early signs and symptoms of mental illness, being aware of various help-seeking choices and treatments, awareness regarding methods of self-help and mental health first aid skills to help and support people who have mental illness. 5 Accordingly, MHL consists of the following attributes: the ability to identify specific disorders, knowledge of how to obtain mental health information, knowledge of risk factors and causes, self-care methods and available professional assistance, and attitudes that encourage recognition and proper seeking of support. 4 Research regarding MHL has covered a wide range of topics, including stigma, help-seeking behaviours and the mental health difficulties experienced by different vulnerable groups. 6 Therefore, MHL plays a crucial role in enhancing individuals’ mental well-being by helping them identify their symptoms, find available resources, and obtain the necessary support. 7 8

Using validated instruments to assess MHL is vital for developing successful strategies to promote mental health. These instruments can also assist academics and policymakers in identifying knowledge gaps in MHL and designing culturally appropriate solutions tailored to various individual and community needs. 9 Developing an MHL instrument requires having a clear operational definition of the construct. 3 10 Historically, this construct has been evaluated using two approaches, namely the Vignette Approach and the Scale-based Measurements. 11 The Vignette Approach is described as ‘stories about individuals and situations which refer to important points in the study of perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes’. 12 This approach has limitations, such as the inability to compare items within the scale, understand the differences between MHL components, and track improvement over time. Scale-based measurements, also called patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), are ‘measurement instruments that patients complete to provide information on aspects of their health status that are relevant to their quality of life, including symptoms, functionality, and physical, mental and social health’. 13

Following a systematic assessment of MHL instruments in 2014, O’Connor and Casey designed the Mental Health Litercy Scale (MHLS) to address these limitations and to produce a valid and reliable assessment tool for MHL. 11 The rigour with which the MHLS was developed and its subsequent psychometric properties have made it the most reliable and validated instrument for assessing MHL. 14 The scale showed adequate content and structural validity, good test–retest reliability and internal consistency (α=0.873). 11 In addition, the MHLS is the only available instrument to measure all aspects of MHL. 15

The MHLS is a unidimensional measurement scale with 35 items and 6 attributes based on Jorm’s six MHL attributes. 4 The scale items were generated using a combination of adaption of existing MHL items, descriptors from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR21, national and international data, and the clinical experience of the authors and their clinical panel who advised the item generation. The scale score ranges from 35 to 160, with a higher score implying a higher level of MHL. The scale has the following sections: Recognition of Disorders (8 items measured on a 4-point Likert scale), Knowledge of Risk Factors and Causes (2 items measured on a 4-point Likert scale), Self-Treatment Knowledge (2 items measured on a 4-point Likert scale), Knowledge of Professional Help Available (3 items measured on a 4-point Likert scale), Knowledge of How to Seek Mental Health Information (4 items measured on a 5-point Likert-scale) and Attitudes that Promote Recognition and Appropriate Help-Seeking (16 items measured on a 5-point Likert scale), with items 10, 12, 15 and 20–28 as reverse-scored items. 11

The scale has been used in various cultural and language contexts, making it a valuable instrument for cross-cultural research studies. 16 Modification and cultural adaptation of research instruments have numerous advantages over creating new ones. It permits comparisons of research outcomes from different cultures, facilitating international scientific collaboration and reducing costs and time. 17 18 According to Arafat et al , 17 cross-cultural validation involves translation, adaption, measurement of reliability (repeatability and internal consistency), evaluation of validity (content validity, face validity, construct validity and criterion validity) and responsiveness.

Nevertheless, this study aims to critically examine, summarise and compare the measurement properties of all language versions of the MHLS by systematically examining the methodological quality and findings of the available publications. While the MHLS has been culturally adapted and translated into numerous languages, comprehensive reviews of the adapted versions are lacking, leaving minimal evidence regarding their measurement properties. 16 19 This systematic review is important to researchers aiming to measure MHL in diverse settings as it evaluates and compares the measurement properties of all language versions of the MHLS. The objective is to provide new insights into the measurement properties of the MHLS across different language versions. The findings of this review will be valuable for academics, clinicians and policymakers to enhance their understanding of the MHLS’s reliability and validity in various cultural and language contexts. Furthermore, this review will contribute to the theoretical framework surrounding MHLS validation, guide future research initiatives and facilitate collaborations with researchers and publications in the field of MHLS validation.

The objectives of this study are:

To summarise the used adaptation/validation processes employed in MHLS validation studies,

To assess the methodological quality of the measurement properties of the MHLS across several language versions

To compare and synthesise the findings of studies that examined the measurement properties of the MHLS in different language versions, such as its reliability, validity and responsiveness, by qualitatively summarising or quantitatively pooling the results.

This systematic review will be conducted between September 2023 and December 2023. This protocol adheres to items outlined under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. 20 The proposed systematic review will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis (Chapter 12: Systematic Reviews of Measurement Properties) 21 and the COSMIN methodology for systematic reviews of PROMs. 22 The results will be presented according to PRISMA 2020. 23 The systematic review methodology is summarised in figure 1 . The study is registered at PROSPERO.

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Systematic review methodology summary. MHLS, Mental Health Literacy Scale. SD, Standard Deviation.

Patient and public involvement

Search strategy.

The review will begin with forming a research team of individuals with content and methodological competencies. 24 The team will advise on the overarching research question and the entire study protocol, including identifying the search terms and databases. The review will be conducted in four stages per the JBI Standards. 21

In the first stage, an initial search of the PubMed database will be done using a sensitive search filter 25 to find studies on the measurement properties of MHLS (see online supplemental file 1A ). The initial search will follow ‘ Filter 1: Sensitive search filter for measurement properties ’, which guarantees 97.4% sensitive and 4.4% precise results ( table 1 ). In the second stage, we will search the electronic scientific databases PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, MEDLINE, Embase (Elsevier), PubMed (NLM) and ERIC using the final Boolean expression created in the previous phase (see online supplemental file 1B ). In the third stage, the reference lists of all papers included in the second stage will be examined, and more relevant publications will be located and incorporated into this study. In the final stage, the MHLS creators will be contacted to identify validation studies not retrieved in the previous searches.

Supplemental material

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Systematic review search strategy

We have already identified the search filters (see online supplemental file 1A ). These were combined with phrases searched for the concept of interest (Mental Health Literacy) ‘AND’ the measuring instrument of interest (MHLS). However, no population search was added because there were no population type, age or setting restrictions. These searches were paired with the measurement properties search filter to locate all studies on the MHLS measurement properties that assess MHL in all populations. For a more thorough search, we used the sensitive filter. The exclusion filter was used to eliminate records from the search, such as case studies and animal studies.

Study screening and selection

The screening and selection approach will be summarised using the PRISMA flowchart. 23 Our review question and inclusion criteria are framed using the PICO (Population, Instruments, Construct, Outcomes) method. 21 Eligibility criteria, as shown in table 2 , are as follows: (1) Participants: The review will consider studies that validate the MHLS in any population (eg, community representation, students, perinatal patients or health professionals) without restricting participants’ age group; Context : The review will consider all primary research that validated the MHLS in all global settings (ie, as acute care, primary healthcare, or the community); (2) Instrument and Construct: The review will focus solely on O’Connor and Casey MHLS; 11 (3) Outcomes: Measurement properties (reliability, validity and responsiveness) of adapted MHLS will be assessed and reported based on the individual study as in table 3 21 ; (4) Types of Sources : The review will consider primarily published designs empirically validating the MHLS, including translation and cultural adaptation, reliability and validity testing using various statistical analyses. 17 The aim of the included studies should be the evaluation of one or more measurement properties. 22 This review will exclude studies that only use the MHLS as an outcome measure; (5) Language: Only English papers published will be eligible for review. Non-English publications will be excluded during the screening phase; (6) Date: Since the MHLS was created in 2015, only studies published between 2015 and 2022 will be considered.

Systematic review inclusion and exclusion criteria

Systematic review outcomes: measurement properties

The retrieved literature will be imported into Covidence. The publications will be screened in two steps: The title and abstract will be reviewed, and then the full text will be examined. Two reviewers (RE and MA) will independently examine retrieved abstracts using this review’s previously specified eligibility criteria. The author of MHLS will be contacted to identify additional studies, and citations will be searched for additional articles. Covidence will be used to identify and delete the duplicates. The two reviewers will meet at the beginning, midpoint and end of the abstract review process to discuss concerns and uncertainties relating to study selection and, if necessary, alter the search approach. Another two researchers (RE and MB) will independently review the full manuscripts. A third reviewer (IE) will make the final judgement when there is disagreement over research inclusion. With IE and MA having been experienced professionals and scholars in the field of public health and RE and MB being doctoral candidates in public health, this group is an optimal team to select and review articles for this study. EM will provide methodological guidance to the research team. The systematic review will document and report the reasons for excluding full-text papers that do not match the inclusion criteria. Finally, reviewed articles will be retained for synthesis.

Data charting

Using the Microsoft Excel 365 spreadsheet template that the reviewers adapted from the COSMIN website, 26 two independent reviewers will perform the data extraction and the methodological quality assessment of full-text articles that meet the inclusion criteria. Before beginning the review, we will conduct calibration exercises, such as piloting the forms on two studies, to ensure consistency among reviewers. 26 The data charting instruments (see online supplemental file 1C ) were adapted from the COSMIN methodology for systematic reviews of the user manual (PROMs). 22 Disagreements between the reviewers will be handled through discussion or with the assistance of a third reviewer. We will contact the authors of the study to resolve any uncertainties. The three focus areas, namely, the validation/adaptation process, risk of bias assessment and measurement properties evaluation, will guide our data ‘charting’. We will chart data by publication year, instrument administration (country, target language, setting), included sample characteristics (population group, age mean (SD), gender (% female), sample size and calculation), number of missing data, response rates, interpretability (distribution (skewness and/or kurtosis), percentage of missing items, percentage of missing total scores, floor and ceiling effects), feasibility (completion time, patient’s comprehensibility and type and ease of administration), MHLS score, and reported MHLS item modifications.

Assessment of risk of bias

We will determine the quality of the measurement properties by using the COSMIN Risk of Bias (RoB) checklist, which will be filled out to evaluate the methodological quality of each study or the risk of bias in the study’s findings. The following nine boxes from the checklist will be used: PROM development, Content validity, Structural validity, Internal consistency, Cross‐cultural validity/Measurement invariance, Reliability, Measurement error, Criterion validity, Hypothesis testing for construct validity and Responsiveness. Only the boxes for the measurement properties reviewed in the article will be evaluated using the RoB, which should be used as a modular tool. 27 Quality rating options for Items under each box are ‘very good’, ‘adequate’, ‘doubtful’, ‘inadequate’, or ‘Not Applicable’. To establish the overall quality of a study, the lowest rating of any standard in the box will be used (ie, ‘the worst score counts’ principle). For example, if one item in a box is scored as ‘inadequate’ for a reliability study, the total methodological quality of that reliability research is graded as ‘inadequate’. The translation process methodological quality will be determined by using the COSMIN Study Design checklist that provides standards for translating an existing PROM in the box Translation process. 28

Evaluation of measurement properties

The results of measurement properties will be rated based on the criteria presented in table 4 . Ratings will vary from positive (+), negative (−) and indeterminate ratings (?) according to individual study measurement property results. 22 As mentioned, the content validity rating criteria results were based on the COSMIN methodology guidelines for assessing the PROMs User Manual 22 content validity. 29 Specific MHLS hypotheses for ‘Hypothesis Testing for Construct Validity’ and ‘Responsiveness’ were developed ( online supplemental file 1D ).

Quality criteria for measurement properties

Data synthesis and levels of evidence

The results will either be quantitatively or qualitatively combined. We will present these pooled or summarised results per measurement property (see online supplemental file 1C ), together with a grade for the quality of the evidence (high, moderate, low or very low) and a rating of the pooled or summarised results ( +/−/ ?).

Quantitative pooling of the results

In case of availability of more than two investigations per measurement property and language version, meta-analyses will be conducted, and the findings will be statistically pooled. Calculating weighted averages (depending on the number of participants participating in each research) and 95% CIs will yield pooled estimates of measurement properties. For assessing test–retest reliability, one can calculate weighted mean intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and 95% CIs using a standard generic inverse variance random effects model. 30 ICC values can be combined based on estimates obtained from a Fisher transformation, z=0.5 × ln ((1+ICC)/(1−ICC)), which has an approximate variance of (Var(z) = 1/(N−3)), where N is the sample size. 31 For evaluating construct validity, we will aggregate all correlations between a (PROM) and other PROMs that measure a similar construct. Meanwhile, Cronbach’s alpha will be reported as weighted means. To conduct meta-analyses, we will be consulting a statistician.

Qualitative summary of the result

If it is impossible to pool the results statistically, the results of each measurement property will be summed up qualitatively. For example, we will provide the range (lowest and highest) of Cronbach’s alpha values found for internal consistency, the percentage of confirmed hypotheses for construct validity or the range of each model fit parameter on a consistently found factor structure in structural validity studies.

Applying measurement properties criteria to the pooled or summarised results

The pooled or summarised result per measurement property per language version of MHLS will again be rated using the same quality standards for good measurement properties ( table 4 ). The overall assessment of the combined or summed outcome may be positive (+), negative (−) or indeterminate rating (?). The ratings will be provided in the summary of findings tables (see online supplemental file 1C ).

Using the GRADE approach, which is a systematic approach to rating the certainty of evidence in systematic reviews, the following four factors will be considered when evaluating measurement properties to determine the quality of the evidence in this systematic review ( table 5 ): (1) risk of bias (ie, quality of the studies’ methodology), (2) inconsistency (ie, unexplained, inconsistent results across studies), (3) imprecision (ie, the total sample size of the available studies) and (4) indirectness (ie, evidence from different populations than the population of interest in the review). 22

Definitions of quality levels

Data presentation

The data gathered from the included papers will be presented in a tabular format, with the table reporting essential findings relevant to the review topic. The tabulated data will accompany a narrative summary describing how the results relate to the review objective and question.

MHL is essential for enhancing mental health and decreasing treatment disparities. It helps healthcare professionals comprehend the educational requirements for mental health among patients and communities. Additionally, it assists individuals in understanding their symptoms, locating relevant resources and receiving appropriate healthcare assistance. 8 Improving and maintaining healthcare provision is a challenge for practitioners and policymakers. Also, patients possess distinct perspectives on healthcare quality; however, their potential for measuring it remains untapped. 13 This systematic review provides a unique insight into the measurement properties of the MHLS in a cross-cultural context. The review uses a rigorous approach to summarise the evidence on MHLS reliability and validity and to assess bias and heterogeneity in the results. It will provide academics, clinicians and policymakers with needed evidence to adopt the MHLS in their research or practice based on its reliability and validity levels and will guide them in selecting the most appropriate version for their specific context. In addition, it will assist in assessing the consistency of results across different populations, settings, and study designs.

Furthermore, the review will provide a robust model and a transparent review of measurement properties using COSMIN guidelines. 21 As such, a notable strength of this review is that it analyses the measurement properties of all language versions of the MHLS, emphasising the importance of researchers measuring MHL in various settings. Additionally, the review will adhere to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (Chapter 12: Systematic reviews of measurement properties) 21 and the COSMIN methodology for systematic reviews of PROMs user manual 22 and will be reported according to the PRISMA guideline. 23 23 However, this systematic review will be limited by the temporal discrepancy between the MHLS development in 2015 and the available resources for measuring properties’ quality evaluation, which existed after 2018. In addition, excluding non-English papers due to logistical constraints could be a limitation. We anticipate that the heterogeneity of the studies will impact the ability to do meta-analyses.

Ethics statements

Patient consent for publication.

Not applicable.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr Zufishan Alam for assistance in problem-solving data search issues.

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Supplementary materials

Supplementary data.

This web only file has been produced by the BMJ Publishing Group from an electronic file supplied by the author(s) and has not been edited for content.

Data supplement 1

Twitter @iffatelbarazi

Contributors RE, IE, EM and MA conceived the concept and design of the study. MS and RE collaborated on developing the search strategy. RE, MA, IE and MS will complete the literature review. RE, MB and EM will perform data extraction and provided their statistical expertise. MO‘C will provide expert advice on the Mental Health Literacy Scale, methodology plan and manuscript drafting and editing, but he will not be involved in data charting, risk of bias assessment or data synthesis. RE drafted the initial version of this manuscript and will also compose the final systematic review. LAA, RHA-R and RB contributed to the additional text and revisions. MA and IE reviewed and supervised the work on the manuscript. All authors examined and approved the submitted version.

Funding The United Arab Emirates University provided publication funds for this article, and the award/grant number is noted as ‘Not Applicable’.

Competing interests MO’C is among the MHLS’s authors. The authors do not disclose any additional potential conflicts of interest.

Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.

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Published: 12 December 2023

Examining the role of community resilience and social capital on mental health in public health emergency and disaster response: a scoping review

C. E. Hall 1 , 2 ,
H. Wehling 1 ,
J. Stansfield 3 ,
J. South 3 ,
S. K. Brooks 2 ,
N. Greenberg 2 , 4 ,
R. Amlôt 1 &
D. Weston 1

BMC Public Health volume 23 , Article number: 2482 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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The ability of the public to remain psychologically resilient in the face of public health emergencies and disasters (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) is a key factor in the effectiveness of a national response to such events. Community resilience and social capital are often perceived as beneficial and ensuring that a community is socially and psychologically resilient may aid emergency response and recovery. This review presents a synthesis of literature which answers the following research questions: How are community resilience and social capital quantified in research?; What is the impact of community resilience on mental wellbeing?; What is the impact of infectious disease outbreaks, disasters and emergencies on community resilience and social capital?; and, What types of interventions enhance community resilience and social capital?

A scoping review procedure was followed. Searches were run across Medline, PsycInfo, and EMBASE, with search terms covering both community resilience and social capital, public health emergencies, and mental health. 26 papers met the inclusion criteria.

The majority of retained papers originated in the USA, used a survey methodology to collect data, and involved a natural disaster. There was no common method for measuring community resilience or social capital. The association between community resilience and social capital with mental health was regarded as positive in most cases. However, we found that community resilience, and social capital, were initially negatively impacted by public health emergencies and enhanced by social group activities.

Several key recommendations are proposed based on the outcomes from the review, which include: the need for a standardised and validated approach to measuring both community resilience and social capital; that there should be enhanced effort to improve preparedness to public health emergencies in communities by gauging current levels of community resilience and social capital; that community resilience and social capital should be bolstered if areas are at risk of disasters or public health emergencies; the need to ensure that suitable short-term support is provided to communities with high resilience in the immediate aftermath of a public health emergency or disaster; the importance of conducting robust evaluation of community resilience initiatives deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peer Review reports

For the general population, public health emergencies and disasters (e.g., natural disasters; infectious disease outbreaks; Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear incidents) can give rise to a plethora of negative outcomes relating to both health (e.g. increased mental health problems [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]) and the economy (e.g., increased unemployment and decreased levels of tourism [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]). COVID-19 is a current, and ongoing, example of a public health emergency which has affected over 421 million individuals worldwide [ 7 ]. The long term implications of COVID-19 are not yet known, but there are likely to be repercussions for physical health, mental health, and other non-health related outcomes for a substantial time to come [ 8 , 9 ]. As a result, it is critical to establish methods which may inform approaches to alleviate the longer-term negative consequences that are likely to emerge in the aftermath of both COVID-19 and any future public health emergency.

The definition of resilience often differs within the literature, but ultimately resilience is considered a dynamic process of adaptation. It is related to processes and capabilities at the individual, community and system level that result in good health and social outcomes, in spite of negative events, serious threats and hazards [ 10 ]. Furthermore, Ziglio [ 10 ] refers to four key types of resilience capacity: adaptive, the ability to withstand and adjust to unfavourable conditions and shocks; absorptive, the ability to withstand but also to recover and manage using available assets and skills; anticipatory, the ability to predict and minimize vulnerability; and transformative, transformative change so that systems better cope with new conditions.

There is no one settled definition of community resilience (CR). However, it generally relates to the ability of a community to withstand, adapt and permit growth in adverse circumstances due to social structures, networks and interdependencies within the community [ 11 ]. Social capital (SC) is considered a major determinant of CR [ 12 , 13 ], and reflects strength of a social network, community reciprocity, and trust in people and institutions [ 14 ]. These aspects of community are usually conceptualised primarily as protective factors that enable communities to cope and adapt collectively to threats. SC is often broken down into further categories [ 15 ], for example: cognitive SC (i.e. perceptions of community relations, such as trust, mutual help and attachment) and structural SC (i.e. what actually happens within the community, such as participation, socialising) [ 16 ]; or, bonding SC (i.e. connections among individuals who are emotionally close, and result in bonds to a particular group [ 17 ]) and bridging SC (i.e. acquaintances or individuals loosely connected that span different social groups [ 18 ]). Generally, CR is perceived to be primarily beneficial for multiple reasons (e.g. increased social support [ 18 , 19 ], protection of mental health [ 20 , 21 ]), and strengthening community resilience is a stated health goal of the World Health Organisation [ 22 ] when aiming to alleviate health inequalities and protect wellbeing. This is also reflected by organisations such as Public Health England (now split into the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) [ 23 ] and more recently, CR has been targeted through the endorsement of Community Champions (who are volunteers trained to support and to help improve health and wellbeing. Community Champions also reflect their local communities in terms of population demographics for example age, ethnicity and gender) as part of the COVID-19 response in the UK (e.g. [ 24 , 25 ]).

Despite the vested interest in bolstering communities, the research base establishing: how to understand and measure CR and SC; the effect of CR and SC, both during and following a public health emergency (such as the COVID-19 pandemic); and which types of CR or SC are the most effective to engage, is relatively small. Given the importance of ensuring resilience against, and swift recovery from, public health emergencies, it is critically important to establish and understand the evidence base for these approaches. As a result, the current review sought to answer the following research questions: (1) How are CR and SC quantified in research?; (2) What is the impact of community resilience on mental wellbeing?; (3) What is the impact of infectious disease outbreaks, disasters and emergencies on community resilience and social capital?; and, (4) What types of interventions enhance community resilience and social capital?

By collating research in order to answer these research questions, the authors have been able to propose several key recommendations that could be used to both enhance and evaluate CR and SC effectively to facilitate the long-term recovery from COVID-19, and also to inform the use of CR and SC in any future public health disasters and emergencies.

A scoping review methodology was followed due to the ease of summarising literature on a given topic for policy makers and practitioners [ 26 ], and is detailed in the following sections.

Identification of relevant studies

An initial search strategy was developed by authors CH and DW and included terms which related to: CR and SC, given the absence of a consistent definition of CR, and the link between CR and SC, the review focuses on both CR and SC to identify as much relevant literature as possible (adapted for purpose from Annex 1: [ 27 ], as well as through consultation with review commissioners); public health emergencies and disasters [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], and psychological wellbeing and recovery (derived a priori from literature). To ensure a focus on both public health and psychological research, the final search was carried across Medline, PsycInfo, and EMBASE using OVID. The final search took place on the 18th of May 2020, the search strategy used for all three databases can be found in Supplementary file 1 .

Selection criteria

The inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed alongside the search strategy. Initially the criteria were relatively inclusive and were subject to iterative development to reflect the authors’ familiarisation with the literature. For example, the decision was taken to exclude research which focused exclusively on social support and did not mention communities as an initial title/abstract search suggested that the majority of this literature did not meet the requirements of our research question.

The full and final inclusion and exclusion criteria used can be found in Supplementary file 2 . In summary, authors decided to focus on the general population (i.e., non-specialist, e.g. non-healthcare worker or government official) to allow the review to remain community focused. The research must also have assessed the impact of CR and/or SC on mental health and wellbeing, resilience, and recovery during and following public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks which affect communities (to ensure the research is relevant to the review aims), have conducted primary research, and have a full text available or provided by the first author when contacted.

Charting the data

All papers were first title and abstract screened by CH or DW. Papers then were full text reviewed by CH to ensure each paper met the required eligibility criteria, if unsure about a paper it was also full text reviewed by DW. All papers that were retained post full-text review were subjected to a standardised data extraction procedure. A table was made for the purpose of extracting the following data: title, authors, origin, year of publication, study design, aim, disaster type, sample size and characteristics, variables examined, results, restrictions/limitations, and recommendations. Supplementary file 3 details the charting the data process.

Analytical method

Data was synthesised using a Framework approach [ 32 ], a common method for analysing qualitative research. This method was chosen as it was originally used for large-scale social policy research [ 33 ] as it seeks to identify: what works, for whom, in what conditions, and why [ 34 ]. This approach is also useful for identifying commonalities and differences in qualitative data and potential relationships between different parts of the data [ 33 ]. An a priori framework was established by CH and DW. Extracted data was synthesised in relation to each research question, and the process was iterative to ensure maximum saturation using the available data.

Study selection

The final search strategy yielded 3584 records. Following the removal of duplicates, 2191 records remained and were included in title and abstract screening. A PRISMA flow diagram is presented in Fig. 1 .

PRISMA flow diagram

At the title and abstract screening stage, the process became more iterative as the inclusion criteria were developed and refined. For the first iteration of screening, CH or DW sorted all records into ‘include,’ ‘exclude,’ and ‘unsure’. All ‘unsure’ papers were re-assessed by CH, and a random selection of ~ 20% of these were also assessed by DW. Where there was disagreement between authors the records were retained, and full text screened. The remaining papers were reviewed by CH, and all records were categorised into ‘include’ and ‘exclude’. Following full-text screening, 26 papers were retained for use in the review.

Study characteristics

This section of the review addresses study characteristics of those which met the inclusion criteria, which comprises: date of publication, country of origin, study design, study location, disaster, and variables examined.

Date of publication

Publication dates across the 26 papers spanned from 2008 to 2020 (see Fig. 2 ). The number of papers published was relatively low and consistent across this timescale (i.e. 1–2 per year, except 2010 and 2013 when none were published) up until 2017 where the number of papers peaked at 5. From 2017 to 2020 there were 15 papers published in total. The amount of papers published in recent years suggests a shift in research and interest towards CR and SC in a disaster/ public health emergency context.

Graph to show retained papers date of publication

Country of origin

The locations of the first authors’ institutes at the time of publication were extracted to provide a geographical spread of the retained papers. The majority originated from the USA [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], followed by China [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], Japan [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ], Australia [ 51 , 52 , 53 ], The Netherlands [ 54 , 55 ], New Zealand [ 56 ], Peru [ 57 ], Iran [ 58 ], Austria [ 59 ], and Croatia [ 60 ].

There were multiple methodological approaches carried out across retained papers. The most common formats included surveys or questionnaires [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 42 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 59 ], followed by interviews [ 39 , 40 , 43 , 51 , 52 , 60 ]. Four papers used both surveys and interviews [ 35 , 41 , 45 , 58 ], and two papers conducted data analysis (one using open access data from a Social Survey [ 44 ] and one using a Primary Health Organisations Register [ 56 ]).

Study location

The majority of the studies were carried out in Japan [ 36 , 42 , 44 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ], followed by the USA [ 35 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], China [ 43 , 45 , 46 , 53 ], Australia [ 51 , 52 ], and the UK [ 54 , 55 ]. The remaining studies were carried out in Croatia [ 60 ], Peru [ 57 ], Austria [ 59 ], New Zealand [ 56 ] and Iran [ 58 ].

Multiple different types of disaster were researched across the retained papers. Earthquakes were the most common type of disaster examined [ 45 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 58 ], followed by research which assessed the impact of two disastrous events which had happened in the same area (e.g. Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in Mississippi, and the Great East Japan earthquake and Tsunami; [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 42 , 44 , 48 ]). Other disaster types included: flooding [ 51 , 54 , 55 , 59 , 60 ], hurricanes [ 35 , 39 , 41 ], infectious disease outbreaks [ 43 , 46 ], oil spillage [ 40 ], and drought [ 52 ].

Variables of interest examined

Across the 26 retained papers: eight referred to examining the impact of SC [ 35 , 37 , 39 , 41 , 46 , 49 , 55 , 60 ]; eight examined the impact of cognitive and structural SC as separate entities [ 40 , 42 , 45 , 48 , 50 , 54 , 57 , 59 ]; one examined bridging and bonding SC as separate entities [ 58 ]; two examined the impact of CR [ 38 , 56 ]; and two employed a qualitative methodology but drew findings in relation to bonding and bridging SC, and SC generally [ 51 , 52 ]. Additionally, five papers examined the impact of the following variables: ‘community social cohesion’ [ 36 ], ‘neighbourhood connectedness’ [ 44 ], ‘social support at the community level’ [ 47 ], ‘community connectedness’ [ 43 ] and ‘sense of community’ [ 53 ]. Table 1 provides additional details on this.

How is CR and SC measured or quantified in research?

The measures used to examine CR and SC are presented Table 1 . It is apparent that there is no uniformity in how SC or CR is measured across the research. Multiple measures are used throughout the retained studies, and nearly all are unique. Additionally, SC was examined at multiple different levels (e.g. cognitive and structural, bonding and bridging), and in multiple different forms (e.g. community connectedness, community cohesion).

What is the association between CR and SC on mental wellbeing?

To best compare research, the following section reports on CR, and facets of SC separately. Please see Supplementary file 4 for additional information on retained papers methods of measuring mental wellbeing.

Community resilience

CR relates to the ability of a community to withstand, adapt and permit growth in adverse circumstances due to social structures, networks and interdependencies within the community [ 11 ].

The impact of CR on mental wellbeing was consistently positive. For example, research indicated that there was a positive association between CR and number of common mental health (i.e. anxiety and mood) treatments post-disaster [ 56 ]. Similarly, other research suggests that CR is positively related to psychological resilience, which is inversely related to depressive symptoms) [ 37 ]. The same research also concluded that CR is protective of psychological resilience and is therefore protective of depressive symptoms [ 37 ].

Social capital

SC reflects the strength of a social network, community reciprocity, and trust in people and institutions [ 14 ]. These aspects of community are usually conceptualised primarily as protective factors that enable communities to cope and adapt collectively to threats.

There were inconsistencies across research which examined the impact of abstract SC (i.e. not refined into bonding/bridging or structural/cognitive) on mental wellbeing. However, for the majority of cases, research deems SC to be beneficial. For example, research has concluded that, SC is protective against post-traumatic stress disorder [ 55 ], anxiety [ 46 ], psychological distress [ 50 ], and stress [ 46 ]. Additionally, SC has been found to facilitate post-traumatic growth [ 38 ], and also to be useful to be drawn upon in times of stress [ 52 ], both of which could be protective of mental health. Similarly, research has also found that emotional recovery following a disaster is more difficult for those who report to have low levels of SC [ 51 ].

Conversely, however, research has also concluded that when other situational factors (e.g. personal resources) were controlled for, a positive relationship between community resources and life satisfaction was no longer significant [ 60 ]. Furthermore, some research has concluded that a high level of SC can result in a community facing greater stress immediately post disaster. Indeed, one retained paper found that high levels of SC correlate with higher levels of post-traumatic stress immediately following a disaster [ 39 ]. However, in the later stages following a disaster, this relationship can reverse, with SC subsequently providing an aid to recovery [ 41 ]. By way of explanation, some researchers have suggested that communities with stronger SC carry the greatest load in terms of helping others (i.e. family, friends and neighbours) as well as themselves immediately following the disaster, but then as time passes the communities recover at a faster rate as they are able to rely on their social networks for support [ 41 ].

Cognitive and structural social capital

Cognitive SC refers to perceptions of community relations, such as trust, mutual help and attachment, and structural SC refers to what actually happens within the community, such as participation, socialising [ 16 ].

Cognitive SC has been found to be protective [ 49 ] against PTSD [ 54 , 57 ], depression [ 40 , 54 ]) mild mood disorder; [ 48 ]), anxiety [ 48 , 54 ] and increase self-efficacy [ 59 ].

For structural SC, research is again inconsistent. On the one hand, structural SC has been found to: increase perceived self-efficacy, be protective of depression [ 40 ], buffer the impact of housing damage on cognitive decline [ 42 ] and provide support during disasters and over the recovery period [ 59 ]. However, on the other hand, it has been found to have no association with PTSD [ 54 , 57 ] or depression, and is also associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety [ 54 ]. Similarly, it is also suggested by additional research that structural SC can harm women’s mental health, either due to the pressure of expectations to help and support others or feelings of isolation [ 49 ].

Bonding and bridging social capital

Bonding SC refers to connections among individuals who are emotionally close, and result in bonds to a particular group [ 17 ], and bridging SC refers to acquaintances or individuals loosely connected that span different social groups [ 18 ].

One research study concluded that both bonding and bridging SC were protective against post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms [ 58 ]. Bridging capital was deemed to be around twice as effective in buffering against post-traumatic stress disorder than bonding SC [ 58 ].

Other community variables

Community social cohesion was significantly associated with a lower risk of post-traumatic stress disorder symptom development [ 35 ], and this was apparent even whilst controlling for depressive symptoms at baseline and disaster impact variables (e.g. loss of family member or housing damage) [ 36 ]. Similarly, sense of community, community connectedness, social support at the community level and neighbourhood connectedness all provided protective benefits for a range of mental health, wellbeing and recovery variables, including: depression [ 53 ], subjective wellbeing (in older adults only) [ 43 ], psychological distress [ 47 ], happiness [ 44 ] and life satisfaction [ 53 ].

Research has also concluded that community level social support is protective against mild mood and anxiety disorder, but only for individuals who have had no previous disaster experience [ 48 ]. Additionally, a study which separated SC into social cohesion and social participation concluded that at a community level, social cohesion is protective against depression [ 49 ] whereas social participation at community level is associated with an increased risk of depression amongst women [ 49 ].

What is the impact of Infectious disease outbreaks / disasters and emergencies on community resilience?

From a cross-sectional perspective, research has indicated that disasters and emergencies can have a negative effect on certain types of SC. Specifically, cognitive SC has been found to be impacted by disaster impact, whereas structural SC has gone unaffected [ 45 ]. Disaster impact has also been shown to have a negative effect on community relationships more generally [ 52 ].

Additionally, of the eight studies which collected data at multiple time points [ 35 , 36 , 41 , 42 , 47 , 49 , 56 , 60 ], three reported the effect of a disaster on the level of SC within a community [ 40 , 42 , 49 ]. All three of these studies concluded that disasters may have a negative impact on the levels of SC within a community. The first study found that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill had a negative effect on SC and social support, and this in turn explained an overall increase in the levels of depression within the community [ 40 ]. A possible explanation for the negative effect lays in ‘corrosive communities’, known for increased social conflict and reduced social support, that are sometimes created following oil spills [ 40 ]. It is proposed that corrosive communities often emerge due to a loss of natural resources that bring social groups together (e.g., for recreational activities), as well as social disparity (e.g., due to unequal distribution of economic impact) becoming apparent in the community following disaster [ 40 ]. The second study found that SC (in the form of social cohesion, informal socialising and social participation) decreased after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan; it was suggested that this change correlated with incidence of cognitive decline [ 42 ]. However, the third study reported more mixed effects based on physical circumstances of the communities’ natural environment: Following an earthquake, those who lived in mountainous areas with an initial high level of pre-community SC saw a decrease in SC post disaster [ 49 ]. However, communities in flat areas (which were home to younger residents and had a higher population density) saw an increase in SC [ 49 ]. It was proposed that this difference could be due to the need for those who lived in mountainous areas to seek prolonged refuge due to subsequent landslides [ 49 ].

What types of intervention enhance CR and SC and protect survivors?

There were mixed effects across the 26 retained papers when examining the effect of CR and SC on mental wellbeing. However, there is evidence that an increase in SC [ 56 , 57 ], with a focus on cognitive SC [ 57 ], namely by: building social networks [ 45 , 51 , 53 ], enhancing feelings of social cohesion [ 35 , 36 ] and promoting a sense of community [ 53 ], can result in an increase in CR and potentially protect survivors’ wellbeing and mental health following a disaster. An increase in SC may also aid in decreasing the need for individual psychological interventions in the aftermath of a disaster [ 55 ]. As a result, recommendations and suggested methods to bolster CR and SC from the retained papers have been extracted and separated into general methods, preparedness and policy level implementation.

General methods

Suggested methods to build SC included organising recreational activity-based groups [ 44 ] to broaden [ 51 , 53 ] and preserve current social networks [ 42 ], introducing initiatives to increase social cohesion and trust [ 51 ], and volunteering to increase the number of social ties between residents [ 59 ]. Research also notes that it is important to take a ‘no one left behind approach’ when organising recreational and social community events, as failure to do so could induce feelings of isolation for some members of the community [ 49 ]. Furthermore, gender differences should also be considered as research indicates that males and females may react differently to community level SC (as evidence suggests males are instead more impacted by individual level SC; in comparison to women who have larger and more diverse social networks [ 49 ]). Therefore, interventions which aim to raise community level social participation, with the aim of expanding social connections and gaining support, may be beneficial [ 42 , 47 ].

Preparedness

In order to prepare for disasters, it may be beneficial to introduce community-targeted methods or interventions to increase levels of SC and CR as these may aid in ameliorating the consequences of a public health emergency or disaster [ 57 ]. To indicate which communities have low levels of SC, one study suggests implementing a 3-item scale of social cohesion to map areas and target interventions [ 42 ].

It is important to consider that communities with a high level of SC may have a lower level of risk perception, due to the established connections and supportive network they have with those around them [ 61 ]. However, for the purpose of preparedness, this is not ideal as perception of risk is a key factor when seeking to encourage behavioural adherence. This could be overcome by introducing communication strategies which emphasise the necessity of social support, but also highlights the need for additional measures to reduce residual risk [ 59 ]. Furthermore, support in the form of financial assistance to foster current community initiatives may prove beneficial to rural areas, for example through the use of an asset-based community development framework [ 52 ].

Policy level

At a policy level, the included papers suggest a range of ways that CR and SC could be bolstered and used. These include: providing financial support for community initiatives and collective coping strategies, (e.g. using asset-based community development [ 52 ]); ensuring policies for long-term recovery focus on community sustainable development (e.g. community festival and community centre activities) [ 44 ]; and development of a network amongst cooperative corporations formed for reconstruction and to organise self-help recovery sessions among residents of adjacent areas [ 58 ].

This scoping review sought to synthesise literature concerning the role of SC and CR during public health emergencies and disasters. Specifically, in this review we have examined: the methods used to measure CR and SC; the impact of CR and SC on mental wellbeing during disasters and emergencies; the impact of disasters and emergencies on CR and SC; and the types of interventions which can be used to enhance CR. To do this, data was extracted from 26 peer-reviewed journal articles. From this synthesis, several key themes have been identified, which can be used to develop guidelines and recommendations for deploying CR and SC in a public health emergency or disaster context. These key themes and resulting recommendations are summarised below.

Firstly, this review established that there is no consistent or standardised approach to measuring CR or SC within the general population. This finding is consistent with a review conducted by the World Health Organization which concludes that despite there being a number of frameworks that contain indicators across different determinants of health, there is a lack of consensus on priority areas for measurement and no widely accepted indicator [ 27 ]. As a result, there are many measures of CR and SC apparent within the literature (e.g., [ 62 , 63 ]), an example of a developed and validated measure is provided by Sherrieb, Norris and Galea [ 64 ]. Similarly, the definitions of CR and SC differ widely between researchers, which created a barrier to comparing and summarising information. Therefore, future research could seek to compare various interpretations of CR and to identify any overlapping concepts. However, a previous systemic review conducted by Patel et al. (2017) concludes that there are nine core elements of CR (local knowledge, community networks and relationships, communication, health, governance and leadership, resources, economic investment, preparedness, and mental outlook), with 19 further sub-elements therein [ 30 ]. Therefore, as CR is a multi-dimensional construct, the implications from the findings are that multiple aspects of social infrastructure may need to be considered.

Secondly, our synthesis of research concerning the role of CR and SC for ensuring mental health and wellbeing during, or following, a public health emergency or disaster revealed mixed effects. Much of the research indicates either a generally protective effect on mental health and wellbeing, or no effect; however, the literature demonstrates some potential for a high level of CR/SC to backfire and result in a negative effect for populations during, or following, a public health emergency or disaster. Considered together, our synthesis indicates that cognitive SC is the only facet of SC which was perceived as universally protective across all retained papers. This is consistent with a systematic review which also concludes that: (a) community level cognitive SC is associated with a lower risk of common mental disorders, while; (b) community level structural SC had inconsistent effects [ 65 ].

Further examination of additional data extracted from studies which found that CR/SC had a negative effect on mental health and wellbeing revealed no commonalities that might explain these effects (Please see Supplementary file 5 for additional information)

One potential explanation may come from a retained paper which found that high levels of SC result in an increase in stress level immediately post disaster [ 41 ]. This was suggested to be due to individuals having greater burdens due to wishing to help and support their wide networks as well as themselves. However, as time passes the levels of SC allow the community to come together and recover at a faster rate [ 41 ]. As this was the only retained paper which produced this finding, it would be beneficial for future research to examine boundary conditions for the positive effects of CR/SC; that is, to explore circumstances under which CR/SC may be more likely to put communities at greater risk. This further research should also include additional longitudinal research to validate the conclusions drawn by [ 41 ] as resilience is a dynamic process of adaption.

Thirdly, disasters and emergencies were generally found to have a negative effect on levels of SC. One retained paper found a mixed effect of SC in relation to an earthquake, however this paper separated participants by area in which they lived (i.e., mountainous vs. flat), which explains this inconsistent effect [ 49 ]. Dangerous areas (i.e. mountainous) saw a decrease in community SC in comparison to safer areas following the earthquake (an effect the authors attributed to the need to seek prolonged refuge), whereas participants from the safer areas (which are home to younger residents with a higher population density) saw an increase in SC [ 49 ]. This is consistent with the idea that being able to participate socially is a key element of SC [ 12 ]. Overall, however, this was the only retained paper which produced a variable finding in relation to the effect of disaster on levels of CR/SC.

Finally, research identified through our synthesis promotes the idea of bolstering SC (particularly cognitive SC) and cohesion in communities likely to be affected by disaster to improve levels of CR. This finding provides further understanding of the relationship between CR and SC; an association that has been reported in various articles seeking to provide conceptual frameworks (e.g., [ 66 , 67 ]) as well as indicator/measurement frameworks [ 27 ]. Therefore, this could be done by creating and promoting initiatives which foster SC and create bonds within the community. Papers included in the current review suggest that recreational-based activity groups and volunteering are potential methods for fostering SC and creating community bonds [ 44 , 51 , 59 ]. Similarly, further research demonstrates that feelings of social cohesion are enhanced by general social activities (e.g. fairs and parades [ 18 ]). Also, actively encouraging activities, programs and interventions which enhance connectedness and SC have been reported to be desirable to increase CR [ 68 ]. This suggestion is supported by a recent scoping review of literature [ 67 ] examined community champion approaches for the COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery and established that creating and promoting SC focused initiatives within the community during pandemic response is highly beneficial [ 67 ]. In terms of preparedness, research states that it may be beneficial for levels of SC and CR in communities at risk to be assessed, to allow targeted interventions where the population may be at most risk following an incident [ 42 , 44 ]. Additionally, from a more critical perspective, we acknowledge that ‘resilience’ can often be perceived as a focus on individual capacity to adapt to adversity rather than changing or mitigating the causes of adverse conditions [ 69 , 70 ]. Therefore, CR requires an integrated system approach across individual, community and structural levels [ 17 ]. Also, it is important that community members are engaged in defining and agreeing how community resilience is measured [ 27 ] rather than it being imposed by system leads or decision-makers.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, is it expected that there will be long-term repercussions both from an economic [ 8 ] and a mental health perspective [ 71 ]. Furthermore, the findings from this review suggest that although those in areas with high levels of SC may be negatively affected in the acute stage, as time passes, they have potential to rebound at a faster rate than those with lower levels of SC. Ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of current initiatives as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses into a recovery phase will be invaluable for supplementing the evidence base identified through this review.

Recommendations

As a result of this review, a number of recommendations are suggested for policy and practice during public health emergencies and recovery.

Future research should seek to establish a standardised and validated approach to measuring and defining CR and SC within communities. There are ongoing efforts in this area, for example [ 72 ]. Additionally, community members should be involved in the process of defining how CR is measured.

There should be an enhanced effort to improve preparedness for public health emergencies and disasters in local communities by gauging current levels of SC and CR within communities using a standardised measure. This approach could support specific targeting of populations with low levels of CR/SC in case of a disaster or public health emergency, whilst also allowing for consideration of support for those with high levels of CR (as these populations can be heavily impacted initially following a disaster). By distinguishing levels of SC and CR, tailored community-centred approaches could be implemented, such as those listed in a guide released by PHE in 2015 [ 73 ].

CR and SC (specifically cognitive SC) should be bolstered if communities are at risk of experiencing a disaster or public health emergency. This can be achieved by using interventions which aim to increase a sense of community and create new social ties (e.g., recreational group activities, volunteering). Additionally, when aiming to achieve this, it is important to be mindful of the risk of increased levels of CR/SC to backfire, as well as seeking to advocate an integrated system approach across individual, community and structural levels.

It is necessary to be aware that although communities with high existing levels of resilience / SC may experience short-term negative consequences following a disaster, over time these communities might be able to recover at a faster rate. It is therefore important to ensure that suitable short-term support is provided to these communities in the immediate aftermath of a public health emergency or disaster.

Robust evaluation of the community resilience initiatives deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic response is essential to inform the evidence base concerning the effectiveness of CR/ SC. These evaluations should continue through the response phase and into the recovery phase to help develop our understanding of the long-term consequences of such interventions.

Limitations

Despite this review being the first in this specific topic area, there are limitations that must be considered. Firstly, it is necessary to note that communities are generally highly diverse and the term ‘community’ in academic literature is a subject of much debate (see: [ 74 ]), therefore this must be considered when comparing and collating research involving communities. Additionally, the measures of CR and SC differ substantially across research, including across the 26 retained papers used in the current review. This makes the act of comparing and collating research findings very difficult. This issue is highlighted as a key outcome from this review, and suggestions for how to overcome this in future research are provided. Additionally, we acknowledge that there will be a relationship between CR & SC even where studies measure only at individual or community level. A review [ 75 ] on articulating a hypothesis of the link to health inequalities suggests that wider structural determinants of health need to be accounted for. Secondly, despite the final search strategy encompassing terms for both CR and SC, only one retained paper directly measured CR; thus, making the research findings more relevant to SC. Future research could seek to focus on CR to allow for a comparison of findings. Thirdly, the review was conducted early in the COVID-19 pandemic and so does not include more recent publications focusing on resilience specifically in the context of COVID-19. Regardless of this fact, the synthesis of, and recommendations drawn from, the reviewed studies are agnostic to time and specific incident and contain critical elements necessary to address as the pandemic moves from response to recovery. Further research should review the effectiveness of specific interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic for collation in a subsequent update to this current paper. Fourthly, the current review synthesises findings from countries with individualistic and collectivistic cultures, which may account for some variation in the findings. Lastly, despite choosing a scoping review method for ease of synthesising a wide literature base for use by public health emergency researchers in a relatively tight timeframe, there are disadvantages of a scoping review approach to consider: (1) quality appraisal of retained studies was not carried out; (2) due to the broad nature of a scoping review, more refined and targeted reviews of literature (e.g., systematic reviews) may be able to provide more detailed research outcomes. Therefore, future research should seek to use alternative methods (e.g., empirical research, systematic reviews of literature) to add to the evidence base on CR and SC impact and use in public health practice.

This review sought to establish: (1) How CR and SC are quantified in research?; (2) The impact of community resilience on mental wellbeing?; (3) The impact of infectious disease outbreaks, disasters and emergencies on community resilience and social capital?; and, (4) What types of interventions enhance community resilience and social capital?. The chosen search strategy yielded 26 relevant papers from which we were able extract information relating to the aims of this review.

Results from the review revealed that CR and SC are not measured consistently across research. The impact of CR / SC on mental health and wellbeing during emergencies and disasters is mixed (with some potential for backlash), however the literature does identify cognitive SC as particularly protective. Although only a small number of papers compared CR or SC before and after a disaster, the findings were relatively consistent: SC or CR is negatively impacted by a disaster. Methods suggested to bolster SC in communities were centred around social activities, such as recreational group activities and volunteering. Recommendations for both research and practice (with a particular focus on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic) are also presented.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

Social Capital

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This study was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response, a partnership between Public Health England, King’s College London and the University of East Anglia. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR, Public Health England, the UK Health Security Agency or the Department of Health and Social Care [Grant number: NIHR20008900]. Part of this work has been funded by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, as part of a Collaborative Agreement with Leeds Beckett University.

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DW, JSo and JSt had the main idea for the review. The search strategy and eligibility criteria were devised by CH, DW, JSo and JSt. CH conducted the database searches. CH and DW conducted duplicate, title and abstract and full text screening in accordance with inclusion criteria. CH conducted data extraction, CH and DW carried out the analysis and drafted the initial manuscript. All authors provided critical revision of intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript.

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Hall, C.E., Wehling, H., Stansfield, J. et al. Examining the role of community resilience and social capital on mental health in public health emergency and disaster response: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 23 , 2482 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17242-x

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