essay introduction for mental health

Essay Editor

Mental Health Essay

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.

Recent articles

Aithor's new brand identity.

Hello Aithors! We're here to share some exciting news with you. We've given ourselves a makeover, and we're thrilled to unveil our new brand identity! Our brand has always been about making AI-writing a seamless and secure experience. But we wanted our brand to really represent what we're all about: ease of use, speed, innovation, reliability, and a bit of rebelliousness. So, we’ve updated our look! Our new logo is a visual metaphor that uniquely combines the concepts of undetectability and sc ...

Interface is now available in Portuguese and Spanish

Hey aithors! We're excited to share with you that our interface is now available in Portuguese and Spanish. With more than 500 million Spanish and more than 250 million Portuguese speakers, we believe that this new update will enhance the experience on our platform. Our team worked closely with native speakers to make sure the translations considered all the nuances and peculiarities of the languages. For us, it’s a great opportunity to make Aithor as accessible as possible for users across th ...

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

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.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Travelling Essay
Picnic Essay
Our Country Essay
My Parents Essay
Essay on Favourite Personality
Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
Essay on Knowledge is Power
Essay on Gurpurab
Essay on My Favourite Season
Essay on Types of Sports

Download the App

Mental Health - List of Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

This section is dedicated to argumentative and persuasive essays on mental health awareness in the United States. Mental illness and psychological problems are social issues that require a solution. A student can represent their point of view and perspective through an argumentative essay about mental health. What causes this problem and which is the solution would be perfect subjects for this type of paper.

It’s always a challenging task for students to reflect on illnesses, so to get a hint on how to start writing, you can look at the thesis statement and research paper samples on mental health on our website.

As often, start with a coherent introduction, outline, and title planning the structure of a paper. Consult research essay topics and argumentative topics if necessary.

Having studied all the samples, topics for ideas, and mental illness essay examples compose the main part, giving reasons for the mental diseases, ways to cure them, and arguments on why a mental illness should be considered a severe health problem.

Supply of Mental Health Insurance Coverage

Introduction Affordable medical care provisions offers the best services for mental health, this is after the introduction of the Affordable Care Act. The act requires that all individuals and employers subscribe to the insurance benefit plan. Purity in mental health acts like a rectifier of unfairness in the health insurance. However due to the increasing mental problems the total spending has increased, based on results from the health insurance companies (Schroeder, 2012). Another evidence has suggested and found it prudent […]

Mental Health Counseling

I am a mental health social worker at a mental health agency. My major role in the agency is to counsel the mentally ill clients. The counseling is as a result of the ideology that individuals with serious mental illness are examined to encounter a variety of barriers that are likely to impede their development in career. Competencies for the course The mental health counseling has different competencies that include having genuine interest in others. In this, one is required […]

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Particularly most of the trained nurses theatres a vital role in mental health depending on field of specialty. Hence, in this level my main concept of concern will be based psychiatric nurses with which have chosen to pursue for my masters level. Regardless of the education, I am ascertained by the specialization and exposure as it gives skills to handle some of the technical responsibilities with most of the patients. This practitioners serve primarily in the care of mental health […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Social Media and Mental Health

Technology. Are we better off with it or without it? Can we keep up with the problems that it causes? These are the questions that are on everyone’s mind, especially those of us who deal with adolescents. Those of us who basically grew up last century (1950 – 1980) saw a lot of changes in technology. Those changes for the most part were ones that made daily life better. The television, computers, the internet, and different parts of the medical […]

Mental Health and Obesity

The obesity rate in America is at an all-time high, and it seems there is no end in sight. Obesity not only affects adults, but children as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines obesity as “Weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height.” (CDC, 2016) Soccer not only improves physical health and lessens obesity, but also mental health. Working out at least once a day makes a person […]

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Children Development

Anyone can experience trauma at any time. The trauma can be caused by nature, human beings or by oneself. People endure much when they experience trauma and their ability to handle it can determine the level of the effect of the trauma and their long-term well-being. Reportedly, children are incredibly susceptible to trauma because their brain and coping skills are still developing. Thus, they often grapple with long terms effects of uncontrolled trauma. While childhood trauma may vary regarding pervasiveness […]

Mental Health Concerns for Children in Foster Care

Child maltreatment often results in removal from the parental home and increases the risk for behavioral health concerns. The foster care experience can further increase this risk. It is therefore wise to consider aspects of mental health for children in foster care including prevalence, risk, treatment, and policy recommendations. Keywords: child maltreatment, foster care, mental health, behavioral health, adverse childhood experiences Children who have experienced maltreatment are often placed in foster care. Not only does child maltreatment increase the risk […]

Veterans Mental Health Care

Mental health disparities affect a large amount of population across the United States. However, nobody is more affected by unstable mental health than those members of the military and their families. With the increase in the need for security in different areas of the world, military soldiers are deployed to assist in securing and protecting those areas. Often, these soldiers see combat and are affected in their mental state. Not only are the soldiers affected by the deployment, their families […]

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Development and Adulthood

It is no secret that experiencing childhood trauma can have many negative effects on an individual’s life both in childhood and adulthood. Trauma can include events such as physical or sexual abuse, surviving a serious car accident, witnessing a violent event, and more. As trauma is defined in the dictionary as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, it is no surprise that a disturbing event during childhood can have negative effects throughout an individual’s lifetime. However, this paper will dive […]

The Mental Health Stigma

Mental health holds no bias on who it targets, no matter your gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or country you reside in, you or someone you know can suffer from a mental health disorder. Regardless of how merciless mental disorders can be, there is still an overbearing stigma behind it all. Some say it doesn’t exist, others say you are “crazy” and most importantly it is not acceptable to talk about in schools or at work without fear of being […]

Mental Health Problem Solution

As many know, mental illness has affected many individuals for quite some time, affecting individuals from every age spectrum, and for some disorders, every recorded era. Many have developed different ways to treat their illness. Some help and some showed no progress. But why is it still so relevant, yet irrelevant, in our current society? Many know it exists, yet, they stay narrowly-minded fixated to only physiological health issues. Many theorize that it may be because of some medical field’s […]

Applied Behavior Analysis and its Effects on Autism

Abstract During my research i have found several studies that have been done to support the fact that Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) does in fact make a positive impact on children with Autism through discrete trials. It is based on the thought that when a child is rewarded for a positive behavior or correct social interaction the process will want to be repeated. Eventually one would phase out the reward. Dr Lovaas, who invented this method, has spent his career […]

How Cyberbullying Impact on Mental Health

Abstract Cyberbullying has been at an all time high since the invention of technology. With the use of cell phones and the internet it now easier then ever for adolescents to bully one another through text messages, social media, and through email. The internet it an extraordinary piece of technology but it can also be used to bully others. The majority of adolescents who bully through the internet or text messages don’t understand or know the dangers and how harmful […]

Soldier’s Mental Health in all Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front is a novel written by Erich Maria Remarque, and this book is based on the setting of World War 1. It explores the perspective of a German soldier named Paul Baumer going through his experience of being in the war and giving the readers the lens about the reality of war. The book also focuses on the soldiers’ feelings on the detachment from the civilian life they felt when returning home from the front. […]

The Impact of Friendships on a Woman’s Mental Health

Abstract Friendships are one of the most valuable relationships we have on this planet. I would almost say that we need it as much as we need food and water. Because God created us as relational creatures, we crave relationships with each other (Matthew 22:36-40 New International Version). We cannot survive without closeness to one another. In her article Roberto stated that “friendships are an important part of the informal social network of most older adults” (Roberto, 1997 p.1). There […]

The Negative Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

The rapid growth of social media began in the early 2000s and has not slowed down since. The most popular platforms include Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Facebook which all allow people to share photos and videos of themselves, their family and friends, their everyday activities, express their own views and opinions and connect in so many other ways. It has given a voice to anyone with access to a computer or phone and also helps enhance learning opportunities. But social […]

Drug Abuse – Destructive Pattern

Drug abuse is the destructive pattern of using substances that leads to uncounted problems and diseases in the human body. It is a physical and psychological term which takes dependence on human activities. Drugs create bad effects on human life like anxiety, impaired social relations, depression, hopelessness, rejection etc. Impaired social relations and suicide are considered the worst consequences of addiction. The drugs have negative consequences on one's life. If the addicts were able to see the reality of their […]

Mental Health in Schools

Gun safety and mental health concerns have been at battle for many years and have currently escalated with the rise in school shootings across the country. Research about what schools have done to prevent such travesties are interesting to note. Are zero tolerance policies really effective? Or do these issues stem beyond the trigger? Student and teacher protestors can be seen outside state capital and national buildings urging lawmakers to make changes to the policies regarding state and national gun […]

Mental Health of Teens and the Catcher in the Rye

What people never understand is that depression isn't about the outside; it's about the inside, a quote asserted by Jasmine Warga. Associating with the black cloud of depression by concealing one's true feelings is the way many people were brought up by. Depression has a way of silently striking a person, similar to the way it overtook Holden Caulfield, in the book The Catcher in the Rye (genre: literary realism), written by J.D Salinger. Although Holden Caulfield was never clearly […]

Mental Health and Social Media

On June 14th, 2017, 12-year-old Mallory Grossman took her life away after being told to kill herself on Snapchat. A girl who was extremely involved, bright, and enthusiastic, was completely tormented by bullies online. It all started at school, but she could never escape the bullying once she got home and hopped on social media. They sent the 12-year-old mean messages through posts on Instagram and Snapchat, calling her “fat”, “a loser”, and even more cruel, proposing her to kill […]

The Dark Side of Adoption: Mental Health in Adoptees

To an outsider, the idea of adoption may seem as a very fruitful endeavor – the birth family gets spared of the financial and time-consuming burden that can come with having another child while the said adoptee gets placed into a more stable environment, with a family who can provide for them in ways the birth family cannot. While on paper this ideology might ring with a perfect tune, to those who have lived as adoptees know the tone to […]

The Brain of a Psycopath

Psychopathy refers to a complex condition that encompasses affective and interpersonal traits like lack of behavior control, guilt, remorse, lack of empathy promiscuity and glibness (Kiehl). A lot is known about psychopathy assessment however, little is known about the associated brain disturbances. It's a severe mental disorder and believed to affect about 1% of global population (Kiehl). This paper discusses three areas of psychopaths brain including amygdala, the prefrontal cortex and extended paralimbic structures. Psychopaths have minimal activity both in […]

Exercise Benefits for Physical and Mental Health

Everyone knows that exercise helps your physical health and can help you lose weight, but is that the most important part of exercise? The more research that is done on overall health we are finding that exercise doesn’t just help your physical health, but also can help release stress, help your immune system, improve mental health, and help impact the body in almost every way. There is more to it than just going out and running or lifting weights and […]

Importance of Mental Health

What is Mental Health? According to(mentalhealth.gov) “mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being, which affects how we think, feel, act, relate to others and handle stress and everyone is affected by it.” In life, you are faced with countless challenges and some being more extreme than the other. For example, dealing with the loss of a loved one now, although that's something very hard to deal with eventually people with bounce back and cope overtime but sadly some […]

Domestic Violence and Women’s Mental Health

Domestic violence occurs worldwide irrespective of culture, geographical and historical period. There are many factors that cause or lead to domestic violence and they are: Unmet role expectations. Unmet role expectations on the part of the wife or husband could lead to domestic violence in the family. If women fail to fulfil basic domestic responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, managing household budgets and taking care of child, it often leads to domestic violence. Child care was a source of argument […]

Marijuana Mental Health Depression

Within the past five years there has been an increase in availability for marijuana and an increase in attitudes for marijuana. 20 states have legalized marijuana for medical use (NORML). 8 states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use (NORML). Fifty-seven percent of American adults support the legalization, and 69% of American adults believe alcohol is more harmful to your health than marijuana (pewsearch.org). Due to the increased interest of marijuana, it has raised some questions especially concerning mental […]

The Unfamiliar Childhood Disorder – Reactive Attachment Disorder

The purpose of this paper is that a study was conducted for the diagnosis of Reactive attachment dsorder (RAD). This study was assessed with using the Relationships Problem Questionnaire (RPQ) and Reactive Attachment Disorder – Checklist (RAD-C). Chronbach's alpha of was used to test inter-rater, reliability and test-retest reliability (Thrall, Hall, Golden, & Sheaffer, 2009). There were fifty-three parents and caregivers who participated in the study. The first group were composed of children and adolescents who had former diagnoses of […]

Mental Health Screenings and the Effect on Gun Violence

Historically speaking, guns were used for hunting and for protection. In the late 1700's, the Revolutionary War began from Britain's pursuit to take away the colonists weaponry and oppress them. Lexington and Concord was the beginning of the fight for freedom. When Britain surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, the colonists had won their independence. The first constitution called the Articles of Confederation was ratified by all thirteen colonies in 1781 and was in place until 1789 when the U.S Constitution […]

Crime and Punishment: Women Mental Health in Prison

An unsafe living environment is a risk factor for many future crimes, as young women who run away from home to avoid abuse are more likely to get involved in drug distribution, prostitution and property crime (DeHart, 2008). Drug distribution, prostitution and property crime (such as robbery and theft) become their only source of fast and reliable income while substance abuse is an unfortunate and tragic by-product of the drug trade, as many women self-medicate in an attempt to cope […]

Schizophrenia: Mind and Mental Health

Psychological clarity is something that everyone strives for. A mind that is free from abundant clutter and jumbled thoughts that bring on stress and negativity. Everyone wants a mind that is able to recognize what is presented to it. A reliable psyche that is free from hallucinations and unwanted paranoia. Even though clarity can be achieved, certain illnesses can hinder individuals from reaching it. There are a multitude of disorders that affect the mind in more ways than one. The […]

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.

College Prep
Study Skills
Career & Continuing Ed
Online Learning
Student Life
Study Abroad
Sponsorships
Scholarships
Student Group Shoutout
Latest in Learning
Success This Semester
Educators Making an Impact
Education News

How to Write a Mental Health in College Students Essay

We are a reader-supported education publication. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission to help us keep providing content.

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.

Get the latest updates in learning, teaching and everything in between! Whether you're a student or an educator, we offer the inspiration you need to fuel your classroom experience.

Join Our Newsletter

Ginger Abbot is the writer, founder and Editor-in-Chief behind Classrooms. Through her work, she hopes to inspire students, grads, and educators on their own journey through learning. Find her professional portfolio here: https://classrooms.com/professional-portfolio-of-ginger-abbot/

Search Classrooms.com

Browse by category.

Educating 98
Experience 106
Higher Learning Highlights 11
Learning 237
Student Funding 32

Latest News

How to Get Local Business Sponsorship for School Events

What Is the Future of IoT in Education?

The Complete Guide to FAFSA for Law School

5 Major Issues in Education Today

Does Withdrawing From a Class Look Bad?

What Companies Do Sponsorships for Student Groups?

Keep up with the latest in learning, more to learn.

Why Is English Such a Good Major?

how to change your major in five easy steps

How to Change Your Major: 5 Easy Steps

What Master’s Programs Can I Pursue With an English Degree?

A Guide to Understanding Total Credit Hours On a Transcript

Home Essay Examples Health Mental Health

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.

Our writers can write you a new plagiarism-free essay on any topic

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

We have 98 writers available online to start working on your essay just NOW!

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

Explore library databases .

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: Apr 11, 2024 10:54 AM
URL: https://libguides.cccneb.edu/mentalhealth

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Health Promotion — Mental Health Promotion

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.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

Expert in: Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

4 pages / 1991 words

3 pages / 1486 words

5 pages / 2332 words

2 pages / 799 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Health Promotion

Health is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Over the years, various models have been proposed to understand and assess health from different perspectives. One [...]

New Jersey, known as the Garden State, is a diverse and vibrant state located on the East Coast of the United States. With its close proximity to major cities like New York and Philadelphia, as well as its beautiful beaches and [...]

The Rockport Walking Test is a widely used method for assessing cardiovascular fitness in individuals. It involves walking a mile at a brisk pace while heart rate is monitored before and after the test. This test is particularly [...]

Nutrition, an integral part of human survival, is the science that deals with the essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. Over the past decades, the awareness of nutrition has increased considerably, making [...]

There’s nothing better than taking a long, hot shower at the end of a tiring workday. After all, this is one way to relieve stress after a long day at work. For a lot of people, having an effective and efficient water heating [...]

Community health nurses play a vital role in the health and well-being of a community (Stanhope, Lancaster, Jakubec, & Pike-MacDonald, 2017). Thorough analysis of a community is foundational work done by the community health [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Publications
Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

Advanced Search
Journal List
Front Psychiatry

Mental Health Prevention and Promotion—A Narrative Review

Associated data.

Extant literature has established the effectiveness of various mental health promotion and prevention strategies, including novel interventions. However, comprehensive literature encompassing all these aspects and challenges and opportunities in implementing such interventions in different settings is still lacking. Therefore, in the current review, we aimed to synthesize existing literature on various mental health promotion and prevention interventions and their effectiveness. Additionally, we intend to highlight various novel approaches to mental health care and their implications across different resource settings and provide future directions. The review highlights the (1) concept of preventive psychiatry, including various mental health promotions and prevention approaches, (2) current level of evidence of various mental health preventive interventions, including the novel interventions, and (3) challenges and opportunities in implementing concepts of preventive psychiatry and related interventions across the settings. Although preventive psychiatry is a well-known concept, it is a poorly utilized public health strategy to address the population's mental health needs. It has wide-ranging implications for the wellbeing of society and individuals, including those suffering from chronic medical problems. The researchers and policymakers are increasingly realizing the potential of preventive psychiatry; however, its implementation is poor in low-resource settings. Utilizing novel interventions, such as mobile-and-internet-based interventions and blended and stepped-care models of care can address the vast mental health need of the population. Additionally, it provides mental health services in a less-stigmatizing and easily accessible, and flexible manner. Furthermore, employing decision support systems/algorithms for patient management and personalized care and utilizing the digital platform for the non-specialists' training in mental health care are valuable additions to the existing mental health support system. However, more research concerning this is required worldwide, especially in the low-and-middle-income countries.

Introduction

Mental disorder has been recognized as a significant public health concern and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, particularly with the loss of productive years of the sufferer's life ( 1 ). The Global Burden of Disease report (2019) highlights an increase, from around 80 million to over 125 million, in the worldwide number of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) attributable to mental disorders. With this surge, mental disorders have moved into the top 10 significant causes of DALYs worldwide over the last three decades ( 2 ). Furthermore, this data does not include substance use disorders (SUDs), which, if included, would increase the estimated burden manifolds. Moreover, if the caregiver-related burden is accounted for, this figure would be much higher. Individual, social, cultural, political, and economic issues are critical mental wellbeing determinants. An increasing burden of mental diseases can, in turn, contribute to deterioration in physical health and poorer social and economic growth of a country ( 3 ). Mental health expenditure is roughly 3–4% of their Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) in developed regions of the world; however, the figure is abysmally low in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) ( 4 ). Untreated mental health and behavioral problems in childhood and adolescents, in particular, have profound long-term social and economic adverse consequences, including increased contact with the criminal justice system, lower employment rate and lesser wages among those employed, and interpersonal difficulties ( 5 – 8 ).

Need for Mental Health (MH) Prevention

Longitudinal studies suggest that individuals with a lower level of positive wellbeing are more likely to acquire mental illness ( 9 ). Conversely, factors that promote positive wellbeing and resilience among individuals are critical in preventing mental illnesses and better outcomes among those with mental illness ( 10 , 11 ). For example, in patients with depressive disorders, higher premorbid resilience is associated with earlier responses ( 12 ). On the contrary, patients with bipolar affective- and recurrent depressive disorders who have a lower premorbid quality of life are at higher risk of relapses ( 13 ).

Recently there has been an increased emphasis on the need to promote wellbeing and positive mental health in preventing the development of mental disorders, for poor mental health has significant social and economic implications ( 14 – 16 ). Research also suggests that mental health promotion and preventative measures are cost-effective in preventing or reducing mental illness-related morbidity, both at the society and individual level ( 17 ).

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity,” there has been little effort at the global level or stagnation in implementing effective mental health services ( 18 ). Moreover, when it comes to the research on mental health (vis-a-viz physical health), promotive and preventive mental health aspects have received less attention vis-a-viz physical health. Instead, greater emphasis has been given to the illness aspect, such as research on psychopathology, mental disorders, and treatment ( 19 , 20 ). Often, physicians and psychiatrists are unfamiliar with various concepts, approaches, and interventions directed toward mental health promotion and prevention ( 11 , 21 ).

Prevention and promotion of mental health are essential, notably in reducing the growing magnitude of mental illnesses. However, while health promotion and disease prevention are universally regarded concepts in public health, their strategic application for mental health promotion and prevention are often elusive. Furthermore, given the evidence of substantial links between psychological and physical health, the non-incorporation of preventive mental health services is deplorable and has serious ramifications. Therefore, policymakers and health practitioners must be sensitized about linkages between mental- and physical health to effectively implement various mental health promotive and preventive interventions, including in individuals with chronic physical illnesses ( 18 ).

The magnitude of the mental health problems can be gauged by the fact that about 10–20% of young individuals worldwide experience depression ( 22 ). As described above, poor mental health during childhood is associated with adverse health (e.g., substance use and abuse), social (e.g., delinquency), academic (e.g., school failure), and economic (high risk of poverty) adverse outcomes in adulthood ( 23 ). Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for setting the ground for physical growth and mental wellbeing ( 22 ). Therefore, interventions promoting positive psychology empower youth with the life skills and opportunities to reach their full potential and cope with life's challenges. Comprehensive mental health interventions involving families, schools, and communities have resulted in positive physical and psychological health outcomes. However, the data is limited to high-income countries (HICs) ( 24 – 28 ).

In contrast, in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) that bear the greatest brunt of mental health problems, including massive, coupled with a high treatment gap, such interventions remained neglected in public health ( 29 , 30 ). This issue warrants prompt attention, particularly when global development strategies such as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) realize the importance of mental health ( 31 ). Furthermore, studies have consistently reported that people with socioeconomic disadvantages are at a higher risk of mental illness and associated adverse outcomes; partly, it is attributed to the inequitable distribution of mental health services ( 32 – 35 ).

Scope of Mental Health Promotion and Prevention in the Current Situation

Literature provides considerable evidence on the effectiveness of various preventive mental health interventions targeting risk and protective factors for various mental illnesses ( 18 , 36 – 42 ). There is also modest evidence of the effectiveness of programs focusing on early identification and intervention for severe mental diseases (e.g., schizophrenia and psychotic illness, and bipolar affective disorders) as well as common mental disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders) ( 43 – 46 ). These preventive measures have also been evaluated for their cost-effectiveness with promising findings. In addition, novel interventions such as digital-based interventions and novel therapies (e.g., adventure therapy, community pharmacy program, and Home-based Nurse family partnership program) to address the mental health problems have yielded positive results. Likewise, data is emerging from LMICs, showing at least moderate evidence of mental health promotion intervention effectiveness. However, most of the available literature and intervention is restricted mainly to the HICs ( 47 ). Therefore, their replicability in LMICs needs to be established and, also, there is a need to develop locally suited interventions.

Fortunately, there has been considerable progress in preventive psychiatry over recent decades, including research on it. In the light of these advances, there is an accelerated interest among researchers, clinicians, governments, and policymakers to harness the potentialities of the preventive strategies to improve the availability, accessibility, and utility of such services for the community.

The Concept of Preventive Psychiatry

Origins of preventive psychiatry.

The history of preventive psychiatry can be traced back to the early 1900's with the foundation of the national mental health association (erstwhile mental health association), the committee on mental hygiene in New York, and the mental health hygiene movement ( 48 ). The latter emphasized the need for physicians to develop empathy and recognize and treat mental illness early, leading to greater awareness about mental health prevention ( 49 ). Despite that, preventive psychiatry remained an alien concept for many, including mental health professionals, particularly when the etiology of most psychiatric disorders was either unknown or poorly understood. However, recent advances in our understanding of the phenomena underlying psychiatric disorders and availability of the neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques concerning mental illness and its prognosis has again brought the preventive psychiatry in the forefront ( 1 ).

Levels of Prevention

The literal meaning of “prevention” is “the act of preventing something from happening” ( 50 ); the entity being prevented can range from the risk factors of the development of the illness, the onset of illness, or the recurrence of the illness or associated disability. The concept of prevention emerged primarily from infectious diseases; measures like mass vaccination and sanitation promotion have helped prevent the development of the diseases and subsequent fatalities. The original preventive model proposed by the Commission on Chronic Illness in 1957 included primary, secondary, and tertiary preventions ( 48 ).

The Concept of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention

The stages of prevention target distinct aspects of the illness's natural course; the primary prevention acts at the stage of pre-pathogenesis, that is, when the disease is yet to occur, whereas the secondary and tertiary prevention target the phase after the onset of the disease ( 51 ). Primary prevention includes health promotion and specific protection, while secondary and tertairy preventions include early diagnosis and treatment and measures to decrease disability and rehabilitation, respectively ( 51 ) ( Figure 1 ).

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is fpsyt-13-898009-g0001.jpg

The concept of primary and secondary prevention [adopted from prevention: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary by Bauman et al. ( 51 )].

The primary prevention targets those individuals vulnerable to developing mental disorders and their consequences because of their bio-psycho-social attributes. Therefore, it can be viewed as an intervention to prevent an illness, thereby preventing mental health morbidity and potential social and economic adversities. The preventive strategies under it usually target the general population or individuals at risk. Secondary and tertiary prevention targets those who have already developed the illness, aiming to reduce impairment and morbidity as soon as possible. However, these measures usually occur in a person who has already developed an illness, therefore facing related suffering, hence may not always be successful in curing or managing the illness. Thus, secondary and tertiary prevention measures target the already exposed or diagnosed individuals.

The Concept of Universal, Selective, and Indicated Prevention

The classification of health prevention based on primary/secondary/tertiary prevention is limited in being highly centered on the etiology of the illness; it does not consider the interaction between underlying etiology and risk factors of an illness. Gordon proposed another model of prevention that focuses on the degree of risk an individual is at, and accordingly, the intensity of intervention is determined. He has classified it into universal, selective, and indicated prevention. A universal preventive strategy targets the whole population irrespective of individual risk (e.g., maintaining healthy, psychoactive substance-free lifestyles); selective prevention is targeted to those at a higher risk than the general population (socio-economically disadvantaged population, e.g., migrants, a victim of a disaster, destitute, etc.). The indicated prevention aims at those who have established risk factors and are at a high risk of getting the disease (e.g., family history of psychiatric illness, history of substance use, certain personality types, etc.). Nevertheless, on the other hand, these two classifications (the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention; and universal, selective, and indicated prevention) have been intended for and are more appropriate for physical illnesses with a clear etiology or risk factors ( 48 ).

In 1994, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Prevention of Mental Disorders proposed a new paradigm that classified primary preventive measures for mental illnesses into three categories. These are indicated, selected, and universal preventive interventions (refer Figure 2 ). According to this paradigm, primary prevention was limited to interventions done before the onset of the mental illness ( 48 ). In contrast, secondary and tertiary prevention encompasses treatment and maintenance measures ( Figure 2 ).

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is fpsyt-13-898009-g0002.jpg

The interventions for mental illness as classified by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Prevention of Mental Disorders [adopted from Mrazek and Haggerty ( 48 )].

Although the boundaries between prevention and treatment are often more overlapping than being exclusive, the new paradigm can be used to avoid confusion stemming from the common belief that prevention can take place at all parts of mental health management ( 48 ). The onset of mental illnesses can be prevented by risk reduction interventions, which can involve reducing risk factors in an individual and strengthening protective elements in them. It aims to target modifiable factors, both risk, and protective factors, associated with the development of the illness through various general and specific interventions. These interventions can work across the lifespan. The benefits are not restricted to reduction or delay in the onset of illness but also in terms of severity or duration of illness ( 48 ).On the spectrum of mental health interventions, universal preventive interventions are directed at the whole population without identifiable risk factors. The interventions are beneficial for the general population or sub-groups. Prenatal care and childhood vaccination are examples of preventative measures that have benefited both physical and mental health. Selective preventive mental health interventions are directed at people or a subgroup with a significantly higher risk of developing mental disorders than the general population. Risk groups are those who, because of their vulnerabilities, are at higher risk of developing mental illnesses, e.g., infants with low-birth-weight (LBW), vulnerable children with learning difficulties or victims of maltreatment, elderlies, etc. Specific interventions are home visits and new-born day care facilities for LBW infants, preschool programs for all children living in resource-deprived areas, support groups for vulnerable elderlies, etc. Indicated preventive interventions focus on high-risk individuals who have developed minor but observable signs or symptoms of mental disorder or genetic risk factors for mental illness. However, they have not fulfilled the criteria of a diagnosable mental disorder. For instance, the parent-child interaction training program is an indicated prevention strategy that offers support to children whose parents have recognized them as having behavioral difficulties.

The overall objective of mental health promotion and prevention is to reduce the incidence of new cases, additionally delaying the emergence of mental illness. However, promotion and prevention in mental health complement each other rather than being mutually exclusive. Moreover, combining these two within the overall public health framework reduces stigma, increases cost-effectiveness, and provides multiple positive outcomes ( 18 ).

How Prevention in Psychiatry Differs From Other Medical Disorders

Compared to physical illnesses, diagnosing a mental illness is more challenging, particularly when there is still a lack of objective assessment methods, including diagnostic tools and biomarkers. Therefore, the diagnosis of mental disorders is heavily influenced by the assessors' theoretical perspectives and subjectivity. Moreover, mental illnesses can still be considered despite an individual not fulfilling the proper diagnostic criteria led down in classificatory systems, but there is detectable dysfunction. Furthermore, the precise timing of disorder initiation or transition from subclinical to clinical condition is often uncertain and inconclusive ( 48 ). Therefore, prevention strategies are well-delineated and clear in the case of physical disorders while it's still less prevalent in mental health parlance.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts

The terms mental health, health promotion, and prevention have been differently defined and interpreted. It is further complicated by overlapping boundaries of the concept of promotion and prevention. Some commonly used terms in mental health prevention have been tabulated ( Table 1 ) ( 18 ).

Commonly used terms in mental health prevention.

Mental Health Promotion and Protection

The term “mental health promotion” also has definitional challenges as it signifies different things to different individuals. For some, it means the treatment of mental illness; for others, it means preventing the occurrence of mental illness; while for others, it means increasing the ability to manage frustration, stress, and difficulties by strengthening one's resilience and coping abilities ( 54 ). It involves promoting the value of mental health and improving the coping capacities of individuals rather than amelioration of symptoms and deficits.

Mental health promotion is a broad concept that encompasses the entire population, and it advocates for a strengths-based approach and tries to address the broader determinants of mental health. The objective is to eliminate health inequalities via empowerment, collaboration, and participation. There is mounting evidence that mental health promotion interventions improve mental health, lower the risk of developing mental disorders ( 48 , 55 , 56 ) and have socioeconomic benefits ( 24 ). In addition, it strives to increase an individual's capacity for psychosocial wellbeing and adversity adaptation ( 11 ).

However, the concepts of mental health promotion, protection, and prevention are intrinsically linked and intertwined. Furthermore, most mental diseases result from complex interaction risk and protective factors instead of a definite etiology. Facilitating the development and timely attainment of developmental milestones across an individual's lifespan is critical for positive mental health ( 57 ). Although mental health promotion and prevention are essential aspects of public health with wide-ranging benefits, their feasibility and implementation are marred by financial and resource constraints. The lack of cost-effectiveness studies, particularly from the LMICs, further restricts its full realization ( 47 , 58 , 59 ).

Despite the significance of the topic and a considerable amount of literature on it, a comprehensive review is still lacking that would cover the concept of mental health promotion and prevention and simultaneously discusses various interventions, including the novel techniques delivered across the lifespan, in different settings, and level of prevention. Therefore, this review aims to analyze the existing literature on various mental health promotion and prevention-based interventions and their effectiveness. Furthermore, its attempts to highlight the implications of such intervention in low-resource settings and provides future directions. Such literature would add to the existing literature on mental health promotion and prevention research and provide key insights into the effectiveness of such interventions and their feasibility and replicability in various settings.

Methodology

For the current review, key terms like “mental health promotion,” OR “protection,” OR “prevention,” OR “mitigation” were used to search relevant literature on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane library databases, considering a time period between 2000 to 2019 ( Supplementary Material 1 ). However, we have restricted our search till 2019 for non-original articles (reviews, commentaries, viewpoints, etc.), assuming that it would also cover most of the original articles published until then. Additionally, we included original papers from the last 5 years (2016–2021) so that they do not get missed out if not covered under any published review. The time restriction of 2019 for non-original articles was applied to exclude papers published during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as the latter was a significant event, bringing about substantial change and hence, it warranted a different approach to cater to the MH needs of the population, including MH prevention measures. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the flooding of novel interventions for mental health prevention and promotion, specifically targeting the pandemic and its consequences, which, if included, could have biased the findings of the current review on various MH promotion and prevention interventions.

A time frame of about 20 years was taken to see the effectiveness of various MH promotion and protection interventions as it would take substantial time to be appreciated in real-world situations. Therefore, the current paper has put greater reliance on the review articles published during the last two decades, assuming that it would cover most of the original articles published until then.

The above search yielded 320 records: 225 articles from Google scholar, 59 articles from PubMed, and 36 articles from the Cochrane database flow-diagram of records screening. All the records were title/abstract screened by all the authors to establish the suitability of those records for the current review; a bibliographic- and gray literature search was also performed. In case of any doubts or differences in opinion, it was resolved by mutual discussion. Only those articles directly related to mental health promotion, primary prevention, and related interventions were included in the current review. In contrast, records that discussed any specific conditions/disorders (post-traumatic stress disorders, suicide, depression, etc.), specific intervention (e.g., specific suicide prevention intervention) that too for a particular population (e.g., disaster victims) lack generalizability in terms of mental health promotion or prevention, those not available in the English language, and whose full text was unavailable were excluded. The findings of the review were described narratively.

Interventions for Mental Health Promotion and Prevention and Their Evidence

Various interventions have been designed for mental health promotion and prevention. They are delivered and evaluated across the regions (high-income countries to low-resource settings, including disaster-affiliated regions of the world), settings (community-based, school-based, family-based, or individualized); utilized different psychological constructs and therapies (cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral interventions, coping skills training, interpersonal therapies, general health education, etc.); and delivered by different professionals/facilitators (school-teachers, mental health professionals or paraprofessionals, peers, etc.). The details of the studies, interventions used, and outcomes have been provided in Supplementary Table 1 . Below we provide the synthesized findings of the available research.

The majority of the available studies were quantitative and experimental. Randomized controlled trials comprised a sizeable proportion of the studies; others were quasi-experimental studies and, a few, qualitative studies. The studies primarily focussed on school students or the younger population, while others were explicitly concerned with the mental health of young females ( 60 ). Newer data is emerging on mental health promotion and prevention interventions for elderlies (e.g., dementia) ( 61 ). The majority of the research had taken a broad approach to mental health promotion ( 62 ). However, some studies have focused on universal prevention ( 63 , 64 ) or selective prevention ( 65 – 68 ). For instance, the Resourceful Adolescent Program (RAPA) was implemented across the schools and has utilized cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapies and reported a significant improvement in depressive symptoms. Some of the interventions were directed at enhancing an individual's characteristics like resilience, behavior regulation, and coping skills (ZIPPY's Friends) ( 69 ), while others have focused on the promotion of social and emotional competencies among the school children and attempted to reduce the gap in such competencies across the socio-economic classes (“Up” program) ( 70 ) or utilized expressive abilities of the war-affected children (Writing for Recover (WfR) intervention) ( 71 ) to bring about an improvement in their psychological problems (a type of selective prevention) ( 62 ) or harnessing the potential of Art, in the community-based intervention, to improve self-efficacy, thus preventing mental disorders (MAD about Art program) ( 72 ). Yet, others have focused on strengthening family ( 60 , 73 ), community relationships ( 62 ), and targeting modifiable risk factors across the life course to prevent dementia among the elderlies and also to support the carers of such patients ( 61 ).

Furthermore, more of the studies were conducted and evaluated in the developed parts of the world, while emerging economies, as anticipated, far lagged in such interventions or related research. The interventions that are specifically adapted for local resources, such as school-based programs involving paraprofessionals and teachers in the delivery of mental health interventions, were shown to be more effective ( 62 , 74 ). Likewise, tailored approaches for low-resource settings such as LMICs may also be more effective ( 63 ). Some of these studies also highlight the beneficial role of a multi-dimensional approach ( 68 , 75 ) and interventions targeting early lifespan ( 76 , 77 ).

Newer Insights: How to Harness Digital Technology and Novel Methods of MH Promotion and Protection

With the advent of digital technology and simultaneous traction on mental health promotion and prevention interventions, preventive psychiatrists and public health experts have developed novel techniques to deliver mental health promotive and preventive interventions. These encompass different settings (e.g., school, home, workplace, the community at large, etc.) and levels of prevention (universal, selective, indicated) ( 78 – 80 ).

The advanced technologies and novel interventions have broadened the scope of MH promotion and prevention, such as addressing the mental health issues of individuals with chronic medical illness ( 81 , 82 ), severe mental disorders ( 83 ), children and adolescents with mental health problems, and geriatric population ( 78 ). Further, it has increased the accessibility and acceptability of such interventions in a non-stigmatizing and tailored manner. Moreover, they can be integrated into the routine life of the individuals.

For instance, Internet-and Mobile-based interventions (IMIs) have been utilized to monitor health behavior as a form of MH prevention and a stand-alone self-help intervention. Moreover, the blended approach has expanded the scope of MH promotive and preventive interventions such as face-to-face interventions coupled with remote therapies. Simultaneously, it has given way to the stepped-care (step down or step-up care) approach of treatment and its continuation ( 79 ). Also, being more interactive and engaging is particularly useful for the youth.

The blended model of care has utilized IMIs to a varying degree and at various stages of the psychological interventions. This includes IMIs as a supplementary approach to the face-to-face-interventions (FTFI), FTFI augmented by behavior intervention technologies (BITs), BITs augmented by remote human support, and fully automated BITs ( 84 ).

The stepped care model of mental health promotion and prevention strategies includes a stepped-up approach, wherein BITs are utilized to manage the prodromal symptoms, thereby preventing the onset of the full-blown episode. In the Stepped-down approach, the more intensive treatments (in-patient or out-patient based interventions) are followed and supplemented with the BITs to prevent relapse of the mental illness, such as for previously admitted patients with depression or substance use disorders ( 85 , 86 ).

Similarly, the latest research has developed newer interventions for strengthening the psychological resilience of the public or at-risk individuals, which can be delivered at the level of the home, such as, e.g., nurse family partnership program (to provide support to the young and vulnerable mothers and prevent childhood maltreatment) ( 87 ); family healing together program aimed at improving the mental health of the family members living with persons with mental illness (PwMI) ( 88 ). In addition, various novel interventions for MH promotion and prevention have been highlighted in the Table 2 .

Depiction of various novel mental health promotion and prevention strategies.

a/w, associated with; A-V, audio-visual; b/w, between; CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; CES-Dep., Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale; CG, control group; FU, follow-up; GAD, generalized anxiety disorders-7; IA, intervention arm; HCWs, Health Care Workers; LMIC, low and middle-income countries; MDD, major depressive disorders; mgt, management; MH, mental health; MHP, mental health professional; MINI, mini neuropsychiatric interview; NNT, number needed to treat; PHQ-9, patient health questionnaire; TAU, treatment as usual .

Furthermore, school/educational institutes-based interventions such as school-Mental Health Magazines to increase mental health literacy among the teachers and students have been developed ( 80 ). In addition, workplace mental health promotional activities have targeted the administrators, e.g., guided “e-learning” for the managers that have shown to decrease the mental health problems of the employees ( 102 ).

Likewise, digital technologies have also been harnessed in strengthening community mental health promotive/preventive services, such as the mental health first aid (MHFA) Books on Prescription initiative in New Zealand provided information and self-help tools through library networks and trained book “prescribers,” particularly in rural and remote areas ( 103 ).

Apart from the common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders in the childhood/adolescents, novel interventions have been utilized to prevent the development of or management of medical, including preventing premature mortality and psychological issues among the individuals with severe mental illnesses (SMIs), e.g., Lets' talk about tobacco-web based intervention and motivational interviewing to prevent tobacco use, weight reduction measures, and promotion of healthy lifestyles (exercise, sleep, and balanced diets) through individualized devices, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disorders ( 83 ). Similarly, efforts have been made to improve such individuals' coping skills and employment chances through the WorkingWell mobile application in the US ( 104 ).

Apart from the digital-based interventions, newer, non-digital-based interventions have also been utilized to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders among individuals with chronic medical conditions. One such approach in adventure therapy aims to support and strengthen the multi-dimensional aspects of self. It includes the physical, emotional or cognitive, social, spiritual, psychological, or developmental rehabilitation of the children and adolescents with cancer. Moreover, it is delivered in the natural environment outside the hospital premises, shifting the focus from the illness model to the wellness model ( 81 ). Another strength of this intervention is it can be delivered by the nurses and facilitate peer support and teamwork.

Another novel approach to MH prevention is gut-microbiota and dietary interventions. Such interventions have been explored with promising results for the early developmental disorders (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Autism spectrum disorders, etc.) ( 105 ). It works under the framework of the shared vulnerability model for common mental disorders and other non-communicable diseases and harnesses the neuroplasticity potential of the developing brain. Dietary and lifestyle modifications have been recommended for major depressive disorders by the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Australia ( 106 ). As most childhood mental and physical disorders are determined at the level of the in-utero and early after the birth period, targeting maternal nutrition is another vital strategy. The utility has been expanded from maternal nutrition to women of childbearing age. The various novel mental health promotion and prevention strategies are shown in Table 2 .

Newer research is emerging that has utilized the digital platform for training non-specialists in diagnosis and managing individuals with mental health problems, such as Atmiyata Intervention and The SMART MH Project in India, and The Allillanchu Project in Peru, to name a few ( 99 ). Such frameworks facilitate task-sharing by the non-specialist and help in reducing the treatment gap in these countries. Likewise, digital algorithms or decision support systems have been developed to make mental health services more transparent, personalized, outcome-driven, collaborative, and integrative; one such example is DocuMental, a clinical decision support system (DSS). Similarly, frameworks like i-PROACH, a cloud-based intelligent platform for research outcome assessment and care in mental health, have expanded the scope of the mental health support system, including promoting research in mental health ( 100 ). In addition, COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in wider dissemination of the applications based on the evidence-based psycho-social interventions such as National Health Service's (NHS's) Mind app and Headspace (teaching meditation via a website or a phone application) that have utilized mindfulness-based practices to address the psychological problems of the population ( 101 ).

Challenges in Implementing Novel MH Promotion and Prevention Strategies

Although novel interventions, particularly internet and mobile-based interventions (IMIs), are effective models for MH promotion and prevention, their cost-effectiveness requires further exploration. Moreover, their feasibility and acceptability in LMICs could be challenging. Some of these could be attributed to poor digital literacy, digital/network-related limitations, privacy issues, and society's preparedness to implement these interventions.

These interventions need to be customized and adapted according to local needs and context, for which implementation and evaluative research are warranted. In addition, the infusion of more human and financial resources for such activities is required. Some reports highlight that many of these interventions do not align with the preferences and use the pattern of the service utilizers. For instance, one explorative research on mental health app-based interventions targeting youth found that despite the burgeoning applications, they are not aligned with the youth's media preferences and learning patterns. They are less interactive, have fewer audio-visual displays, are not youth-specific, are less dynamic, and are a single touch app ( 107 ).

Furthermore, such novel interventions usually come with high costs. In low-resource settings where service utilizers have limited finances, their willingness to use such services may be doubtful. Moreover, insurance companies, including those in high-income countries (HICs), may not be willing to fund such novel interventions, which restricts the accessibility and availability of interventions.

Research points to the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating such novel interventions in routine services such as school, community, primary care, or settings, e.g., in low-resource settings, the resource persons like teachers, community health workers, and primary care physicians are already overburdened. Therefore, their willingness to take up additional tasks may raise skepticism. Moreover, the attitudinal barrier to moving from the traditional service delivery model to the novel methods may also impede.

Considering the low MH budget and less priority on the MH prevention and promotion activities in most low-resource settings, the uptake of such interventions in the public health framework may be lesser despite the latter's proven high cost-effectiveness. In contrast, policymakers may be more inclined to invest in the therapeutic aspects of MH.

Such interventions open avenues for personalized and precision medicine/health care vs. the traditional model of MH promotion and preventive interventions ( 108 , 109 ). For instance, multivariate prediction algorithms with methods of machine learning and incorporating biological research, such as genetics, may help in devising tailored, particularly for selected and indicated prevention, interventions for depression, suicide, relapse prevention, etc. ( 79 ). Therefore, more research in this area is warranted.

To be more clinically relevant, greater biological research in MH prevention is required to identify those at higher risk of developing given mental disorders due to the existing risk factors/prominent stress ( 110 ). For instance, researchers have utilized the transcriptional approach to identify a biological fingerprint for susceptibility (denoting abnormal early stress response) to develop post-traumatic stress disorders among the psychological trauma survivors by analyzing the expression of the Peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression profiles ( 111 ). Identifying such biological markers would help target at-risk individuals through tailored and intensive interventions as a form of selected prevention.

Similarly, such novel interventions can help in targeting the underlying risk such as substance use, poor stress management, family history, personality traits, etc. and protective factors, e.g., positive coping techniques, social support, resilience, etc., that influences the given MH outcome ( 79 ). Therefore, again, it opens the scope of tailored interventions rather than a one-size-fits-all model of selective and indicated prevention for various MH conditions.

Furthermore, such interventions can be more accessible for the hard-to-reach populations and those with significant mental health stigma. Finally, they play a huge role in ensuring the continuity of care, particularly when community-based MH services are either limited or not available. For instance, IMIs can maintain the improvement of symptoms among individuals previously managed in-patient, such as for suicide, SUDs, etc., or receive intensive treatment like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for depression or anxiety, thereby helping relapse prevention ( 86 , 112 ). Hence, such modules need to be developed and tested in low-resource settings.

IMIs (and other novel interventions) being less stigmatizing and easily accessible, provide a platform to engage individuals with chronic medical problems, e.g., epilepsy, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc., and non-mental health professionals, thereby making it more relevant and appealing for them.

Lastly, research on prevention-interventions needs to be more robust to adjust for the pre-intervention matching, high attrition rate, studying the characteristics of treatment completers vs. dropouts, and utilizing the intention-to-treat analysis to gauge the effect of such novel interventions ( 78 ).

Recommendations for Low-and-Middle-Income Countries

Although there is growing research on the effectiveness and utility of mental health promotion/prevention interventions across the lifespan and settings, low-resource settings suffer from specific limitations that restrict the full realization of such public health strategies, including implementing the novel intervention. To overcome these challenges, some of the potential solutions/recommendations are as follows:

The mental health literacy of the population should be enhanced through information, education, and communication (IEC) activities. In addition, these activities should reduce stigma related to mental problems, early identification, and help-seeking for mental health-related issues.
Involving teachers, workplace managers, community leaders, non-mental health professionals, and allied health staff in mental health promotion and prevention is crucial.
Mental health concepts and related promotion and prevention should be incorporated into the education curriculum, particularly at the medical undergraduate level.
Training non-specialists such as community health workers on mental health-related issues across an individual's life course and intervening would be an effective strategy.
Collaborating with specialists from other disciplines, including complementary and alternative medicines, would be crucial. A provision of an integrated health system would help in increasing awareness, early identification, and prompt intervention for at-risk individuals.
Low-resource settings need to develop mental health promotion interventions such as community-and school-based interventions, as these would be more culturally relevant, acceptable, and scalable.
Utilizing a digital platform for scaling mental health services (e.g., telepsychiatry services to at-risk populations) and training the key individuals in the community would be a cost-effective framework that must be explored.
Infusion of higher financial and human resources in this area would be a critical step, as, without adequate resources, research, service development, and implementation would be challenging.
It would also be helpful to identify vulnerable populations and intervene in them to prevent the development of clinical psychiatric disorders.
Lastly, involving individuals with lived experiences at the level of mental health planning, intervention development, and delivery would be cost-effective.

Clinicians, researchers, public health experts, and policymakers have increasingly realized mental health promotion and prevention. Investment in Preventive psychiatry appears to be essential considering the substantial burden of mental and neurological disorders and the significant treatment gap. Literature suggests that MH promotive and preventive interventions are feasible and effective across the lifespan and settings. Moreover, various novel interventions (e.g., internet-and mobile-based interventions, new therapies) have been developed worldwide and proven effective for mental health promotion and prevention; such interventions are limited mainly to HICs.

Despite the significance of preventive psychiatry in the current world and having a wide-ranging implication for the wellbeing of society and individuals, including those suffering from chronic medical problems, it is a poorly utilized public health field to address the population's mental health needs. Lately, researchers and policymakers have realized the untapped potentialities of preventive psychiatry. However, its implementation in low-resource settings is still in infancy and marred by several challenges. The utilization of novel interventions, such as digital-based interventions, and blended and stepped-care models of care, can address the enormous mental health need of the population. Additionally, it provides mental health services in a less-stigmatizing and easily accessible, and flexible manner. More research concerning this is required from the LMICs.

Author Contributions

VS, AK, and SG: methodology, literature search, manuscript preparation, and manuscript review. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary Material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.898009/full#supplementary-material

Log in using your username and password

Search More Search for this keyword Advanced search
Latest content
For authors
Browse by collection
BMJ Journals More You are viewing from: Google Indexer

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

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request permissions.

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

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.

Download figure
Open in new tab
Download powerpoint

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

View inline

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.

World Health Orgainsation
Healthy People 2030
Kutcher S ,
Korten AE ,
Jacomb PA , et al
Bennett H ,
World Health Organisation
Spiker DA ,
O’Connor M ,
Sawatzky R , et al
Balula Chaves C ,
Sequeira C ,
Carvalho Duarte J , et al
Montagni I ,
González Caballero JL
Lavrič M , et al
Arafat SMY ,
Chowdhury HR ,
Qusar MS , et al
Speksnijder CM ,
Koppenaal T ,
Knottnerus JA , et al
Shamseer L ,
Clarke M , et al
Aromataris E ,
Prinsen CAC ,
Mokkink LB ,
Bouter LM , et al
McKenzie JE ,
Bossuyt PM , et al
Lockwood C ,
Dos Santos KB ,
Terwee CB ,
Jansma EP ,
Riphagen II , et al
Büchter RB ,
de Vet HCW ,
Prinsen CAC , et al
Prinsen CA ,
Patrick DL , et al
Prinsen C ,
Chiarotto A , et al
DerSimonian R ,
Collins NJ ,
Christensen R , et al
Babin BJ , et al

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.

Read the full text or download the PDF:

Share full article

Supported by

Guest Essay

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 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 .

Skip to main content
Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Your Health
Treatments & Tests
Health Inc.
Public Health

Mental health care is hard to find, especially for people with Medicare or Medicaid

Rhitu Chatterjee

A woman stands in the middle of a dark maze. Lights guide the way for her. It illustrates the concept of standing in front of a challenge and finding the right solution to move on.

With rates of suicide and opioid deaths rising in the past decade and children's mental health declared a national emergency , the United States faces an unprecedented mental health crisis. But access to mental health care for a significant portion of Americans — including some of the most vulnerable populations — is extremely limited, according to a new government report released Wednesday.

The report, from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, finds that Medicare and Medicaid have a dire shortage of mental health care providers.

The report looked at 20 counties with people on Medicaid, traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, which together serve more than 130 million enrollees — more than 40% of the U.S. population, says Meridith Seife , the deputy regional inspector general and the lead author of the report.

Medicaid serves people on low incomes, and Medicare is mainly for people 65 years or older and those who are younger with chronic disabilities.

The report found fewer than five active mental health care providers for every 1,000 enrollees. On average, Medicare Advantage has 4.7 providers per 1,000 enrollees, whereas traditional Medicare has 2.9 providers and Medicaid has 3.1 providers for the same number of enrollees. Some counties fare even worse, with not even a single provider for every 1,000 enrollees.

"When you have so few providers available to see this many enrollees, patients start running into significant problems finding care," says Seife.

The findings are especially troubling given the level of need for mental health care in this population, she says.

"On Medicare, you have 1 in 4 Medicare enrollees who are living with a mental illness," she says. "Yet less than half of those people are receiving treatment."

Among people on Medicaid, 1 in 3 have a mental illness, and 1 in 5 have a substance use disorder. "So the need is tremendous."

The results are "scary" but "not very surprising," says Deborah Steinberg , senior health policy attorney at the nonprofit Legal Action Center. "We know that people in Medicare and Medicaid are often underserved populations, and this is especially true for mental health and substance use disorder care."

Among those individuals able to find and connect with a provider, many see their provider several times a year, according to the report. And many have to drive a long way for their appointments.

"We have roughly 1 in 4 patients that had to travel more than an hour to their appointments, and 1 in 10 had to travel more than an hour and a half each way," notes Seife. Some patients traveled two hours each way for mental health care, she says.

Mental illnesses and substance use disorders are chronic conditions that people need ongoing care for, says Steinberg. "And when they have to travel an hour, more than an hour, for an appointment throughout the year, that becomes unreasonable. It becomes untenable."

"We know that behavioral health workforce shortages are widespread," says Heather Saunders , a senior research manager on the Medicaid team at KFF, the health policy research organization. "This is across all payers, all populations, with about half of the U.S. population living in a workforce shortage."

But as the report found, that's not the whole story for Medicare and Medicaid. Only about a third of mental health care providers in the counties studied see Medicare and Medicaid patients. That means a majority of the workforce doesn't participate in these programs.

This has been well documented in Medicaid, notes Saunders. "Only a fraction" of providers in provider directories see Medicaid patients, she says. "And when they do see Medicaid patients, they often only see a few."

Lower reimbursement rates and a high administrative burden prevent more providers from participating in Medicaid and Medicare, the report notes.

"In the Medicare program, they set a physician fee rate," explains Steinberg. "Then for certain providers, which includes clinical social workers, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, they get reimbursed at 75% of that rate."

Medicaid reimbursements for psychiatric services are even lower when compared with Medicare , says Ellen Weber , senior vice president for health initiatives at the Legal Action Center.

"They're baking in those discriminatory standards when they are setting those rates," says Steinberg.

The new report recommends that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) take steps to increase payments to providers and lower administrative requirements. In a statement, CMS said it has responded to those recommendations within the report.

According to research by Saunders and her colleagues at KFF, many states have already started to take action on these fronts to improve participation in Medicaid.

Several have upped their payments to mental health providers. "But the scale of those increases ranged widely across states," says Saunders, "with some states limiting the increase to one provider type or one type of service, but other states having rate increases that were more across the board."

Some states have also tried to simplify and streamline paperwork, she adds. "Making it less complex, making it easier to understand," says Saunders.

But it's too soon to know whether those efforts have made a significant impact on improving access to providers.

CMS has also taken steps to address provider shortages, says Steinberg.

"CMS has tried to increase some of the reimbursement rates without actually fixing that structural problem," says Steinberg. "Trying to add a little bit here and there, but it's not enough, especially when they're only adding a percent to the total rate. It's a really small increase."

The agency has also started covering treatments and providers it didn't use to cover before.

"In 2020, Medicare started covering opioid treatment programs, which is where a lot of folks can go to get medications for their substance use disorder," says Steinberg.

And starting this year, Medicare also covers "mental health counselors, which includes addiction counselors, as well as marriage and family therapists," she adds.

While noteworthy and important, a lot more needs to be done, says Steinberg. "For example, in the substance use disorder space, a lot of addiction counselors do not have a master's degree. And that's one of their requirements to be a counselor in the Medicare program right now."

Removing those stringent requirements and adding other kinds of providers, like peer support specialists, is key to improving access. And the cost of not accessing care is high, she adds.

"Over the past two decades, [in] the older adult population, the number of overdose deaths has increased fourfold — quadrupled," says Steinberg. "So this is affecting people. It is causing deaths. It is causing people to go to the hospital. It increases [health care] costs."

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
mental health

From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Technical Assistance Center, also known as SAMHSA DTAC, this podcast covers disaster behavioral health, or mental health and substance use-related issues and where they intersect with disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

Navigating Uncertainty: Best Practices in Disaster Behavioral Health Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

5.0 • 1 Rating
APR 10, 2024

Episode 3: Response

SAMHSA DTAC talks with Roger Williams, owner of Hands On Interpreting, LLC, a private practice specializing in consulting and training related to the needs of deaf adults in the mental health system and former Executive Director of the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center employed by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Discussion covers best practices for meeting the disaster response needs of the whole community and all of its languages, using data in support of DEIA in disaster behavioral health, and how areas experiencing disaster can ensure they are reaching special populations and addressing their needs.

APR 9, 2024

Episode 2: Preparedness

SAMHSA DTAC speaks with Curtis Brown, former Chief Deputy State Coordinator of Emergency Management at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, current Visiting Senior Practitioner in Residence at Virginia Commonwealth University, and co-founder of the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management. DTAC and Brown discuss how to engage historically marginalized communities in disaster planning, the role of cultural and linguistic factors in disaster behavioral health preparedness, and how to use technology to promote DEIA in disaster behavioral health.

APR 3, 2024

Episode 1: Introduction and Background with Dr. Carla S. Perkins

SAMHSA DTAC talks with Dr. Carla S. Perkins, Founder and CEO of Abounding Joy Counseling and Wellness Services in Indiana, about key concepts and definitions, including the components of DEIA, cultural competence, historical trauma, and racial disparities, as well as the importance of building DEIA into doctrines and guidelines for disaster behavioral health.

Customer Reviews

Top podcasts in government.

WBZ-TV anchor leaves his dream job, and pens an essay about it

Liam martin explains his decision in boston magazine essay.

Liam Martin just left WBZ-TV to join a marketing and communications firm.

Liam Martin just walked away from his dream job: TV anchor, at WBZ-TV . Not only did he walk away, Martin decided to publish why he did it, with a Boston magazine essay .

In that essay, Martin details his own emotional struggles, not to mention the physical challenge of waking up at 2:15 a.m. for the morning shift. He previously worked an evening shift, but that meant barely seeing his two young children. The move to the morning shift meant he was often too tired to be truly present for them.

So he left the news business completely, joining former NBCUniversal newscaster Jackie Bruno as a partner in her PR and communications business, Newsmaker Marketing , along with third partner Rachel Robbins , formerly with Greenough Communications . (Bruno penned a similarly themed essay for Boston magazine a year ago.)

Martin decided to write it in part because men often don’t feel comfortable talking about mental health issues or the struggles of balancing family and work. The response, he said, has been overwhelming.

He still gets to tell stories, but in a different way. For example, he just spent a day in New Hampshire working on a documentary-style video about Cyclyx , a plastics recycling company.

Martin misses the rush of the newsroom. But he’s also glad to no longer be in it.

“I miss the people at WBZ-TV,” Martin said. “I do not miss having to be in the know all the time about everything.”

This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column, which runs in print every Tuesday.

Jon Chesto can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @jonchesto .

IMAGES

Short Essay On The Importance of Mental Health
Essay on the Mental Health
Essay on the Importance of Health
Mental Health Narrative Essay
Mental Health Essay
Mental health essay

VIDEO

Mental Health Awareness
Essay on mental health in English|Mental Health Awareness|
Introduction: Mental Health Professional
Understanding Mental Health
INTRODUCTION: MENTAL PREPARATION
E-Learning Series, Yoga & Psychotherapy, Unit

COMMENTS

Essay on 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.
Mental Health Essay for Students in English
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.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Introduction. Mental health is very important at every stage of our life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and even until we get old. ... highlighting the importance of seeking help and breaking the stigma around mental health. The essay's sentence structure and grammar are well constructed, making it easy to follow and ...
Mental Health Essay for Students and Children
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 ...
Mental Health Essay: Importance, Stigma, and Solutions
Introduction to Mental Health. Understanding, Addressing, and Embracing Mental Health. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, mental health has emerged as a crucial facet of overall well-being. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of mental health since it has a direct effect on people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Mental Health Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas
378 essay samples found. This section is dedicated to argumentative and persuasive essays on mental health awareness in the United States. Mental illness and psychological problems are social issues that require a solution. A student can represent their point of view and perspective through an argumentative essay about mental health.
PDF Starting to Think About Mental Health
Mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being and impacts how we think, feel, and behave. It plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life. Everyone has mental health, and it deserves your attention just as much as your physical health does.
The Importance of Mental Health
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.
PDF An introduction to mental health problems
person. The common mental health problems often present as physical complaints - aches and pains or tiredness without any obvious physical cause, sexual problems and excessive alcohol drinking. 3. Mental health problems can affect a person at any time in their life, from early childhood to old age. Most mental health problems begin
How to Write a Mental Health in College Students Essay
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 ...
Introduction To Mental Health: Essay Example, 1355 words
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)
Introduction
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 ...
Mental Health Essay
February 12, 2024 by Prasanna. Mental Health Essay: Mental Health includes one's psychological, emotional and social well-being - one's mental health affects how they think, feel and act. It also helps in determining how one handles stress, makes choices and relates to others. Mental health can affect one's daily life activities ...
PDF Understanding mental health problems
What are mental health problems? In many ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it. Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. But if you go through a period of poor mental health
Mental Health Argumentative Essay Examples & Topics
Mental health essay topics listed in this category focus on: forms of mental illness, mental illness as a social issue (especially considering its increasing rates), stigmatization of people affected by it in different cultures, examples, and representation of mental illness in literature and pop culture, correlation with other aspects/ phenomena (e.g. drug addiction), current and past ...
Mental health
It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders.
Mental Health Promotion: [Essay Example], 1628 words
Mental health, as described by World Health Organization (WHO, 2014), is a state of sound mind in which a person knows his or her capabilities, ability to handle stress in day to day basis, able to work effectively and relate to others and be involved in the community. Moreover, a good support system such as friends, family, community and ...
Mental Health Prevention and Promotion—A Narrative Review
Introduction. Mental disorder has been recognized as a significant public health concern and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, particularly with the loss of productive years of the sufferer's life ().The Global Burden of Disease report (2019) highlights an increase, from around 80 million to over 125 million, in the worldwide number of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs ...
PDF An Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Many mental health problems have origins in childhood (Dogra et al., 2009). Half of lifetime mental health problems (excluding dementia) begin to emerge by age 14 and three-quarters by the mid-twenties (Department of Health, 2011a). The preva-lence of many childhood mental health disorders has increased in the western world
Measurement properties of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS
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 ...
Opinion
Guest Essay. What Martin Luther King Jr. Knew About Crime and Mental Illness. April 13, 2024. ... One mental health court found that it reduced the likelihood of rearrest by 46 percent.
Opinion
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 ...
Mental health care is hard to find, especially if you have ...
A report from the Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general finds a dire shortage of mental health care providers in Medicaid and Medicare, which together serve some 40% of Americans.
‎Navigating Uncertainty: Best Practices in Disaster Behavioral Health
SAMHSA DTAC talks with Roger Williams, owner of Hands On Interpreting, LLC, a private practice specializing in consulting and training related to the needs of deaf adults in the mental health system and former Executive Director of the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center employed by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.
Moscow Metro: Atlantic photo essay
A visit to Russia is my to-do list. Great people & culture. [ Reply To This Message ] [ Share Thread on Facebook ] [ Start a New Thread ] [ Back to Thread List ]
WBZ anchor chooses a different route
In that essay, Martin details his own emotional struggles, not to mention the physical challenge of waking up at 2:15 a.m. for the morning shift. He previously worked an evening shift, but that ...
Osenniy Bul'var
Reviews of health food store Jagannath - Osenniy Bul'var in Moscow, Russia 'Located very close to the metro. Much bigger inside than it looks on the outside. Check the photos to see all the things available. Vegan cheese and fake hams,'
Health Becomes a Festival
Moscow's inaugural festival aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle among the city's residents is to take place in Park Krasnaya Presnya over the weekend of May 18 and 19. The festival "Zdorovaya ...

Mental Health Essay

Introduction

Importance of Mental Health

Negative Impact of Mental Health

Mental Disorders: Types and Prevalence

Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance

Conclusion: Mental Health

Short Essay about Mental Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Recent articles

Interface is now available in Portuguese and Spanish

Essay on Mental Health

Importance of Mental Health

Negative Impact of Mental Health

What does Experts say

Mental Health Essay for Students and Children

Mental Health

Important Benefits of Good Mental Health

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Download the App

Mental Health - List of Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Supply of Mental Health Insurance Coverage

Mental Health Counseling

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Social Media and Mental Health

Mental Health and Obesity

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Children Development

Mental Health Concerns for Children in Foster Care

Veterans Mental Health Care

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Development and Adulthood

The Mental Health Stigma

Mental Health Problem Solution

Applied Behavior Analysis and its Effects on Autism

How Cyberbullying Impact on Mental Health

Soldier’s Mental Health in all Quiet on the Western Front

The Impact of Friendships on a Woman’s Mental Health

The Negative Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Drug Abuse – Destructive Pattern

Mental Health in Schools

Mental Health of Teens and the Catcher in the Rye

Mental Health and Social Media

The Dark Side of Adoption: Mental Health in Adoptees

The Brain of a Psycopath

Exercise Benefits for Physical and Mental Health

Importance of Mental Health

Domestic Violence and Women’s Mental Health

Marijuana Mental Health Depression

The Unfamiliar Childhood Disorder – Reactive Attachment Disorder

Mental Health Screenings and the Effect on Gun Violence

Crime and Punishment: Women Mental Health in Prison

Schizophrenia: Mind and Mental Health

Related topic

The Importance of Mental Health

Risk Factors for Poor Mental Health

Childhood Abuse

The Environment

A Stronger Ability to Cope With Life’s Stressors

A Positive Self-Image

Healthier Relationships

Better Productivity

Higher Quality of Life

A Word From Verywell

How to Write a Mental Health in College Students Essay

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

Search Classrooms.com

Latest News

How to Get Local Business Sponsorship for School Events

What Is the Future of IoT in Education?

The Complete Guide to FAFSA for Law School

5 Major Issues in Education Today

Does Withdrawing From a Class Look Bad?

What Companies Do Sponsorships for Student Groups?

Why Is English Such a Good Major?

How to Change Your Major: 5 Easy Steps

What Master’s Programs Can I Pursue With an English Degree?

A Guide to Understanding Total Credit Hours On a Transcript

Introduction To Mental Health

Related Topics

Mental Health