Journey Into Global Mental Health
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DEFINING "HEALTH"
Health is medically defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” 1
WHAT IS "MENTAL HEALTH"
Mental health is defined as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community". 2
DISTINGUISHING "GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH" FROM "MENTAL HEALTH".
Global mental health is recognized as "the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving mental health and achieving equity in mental health for all people worldwide". 3 We advocate that all people should have a deep understanding of "Global Mental Health" through continued research of its pro's and con's in practice worldwide down to its regionally specific effects as it may apply to each individual. Use of the word "Global", to the masses, loosely implies something for all or something that affects us all and such effects should be fully understood.
USING THE TERM:
If we use the term "Global mental health" on this site and or at any time it is in the context of a reminder to a calling for a greater reality of the overall social mental health welfare of all people around the globe. The WHO (World Health Organization) stresses that a comprehensive definition of "mental health" itself should extend beyond the absence or presence of diagnosable psychological disorders to also include “subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence and recognition of the ability to realize one’s intellectual and emotional potential”. 4 When we use the term "Global Mental Health", such use is towards a common ground need for more recognition and support to this cause to be recognized as one of all classes upper, lower and middle status. However, special care is needed, emphasized and must be afforded to those of charitable classes and of developing nations.
Mental health advocates internationally have stressed a sharp need for re-evaluating treatment practices to prevent human rights violations as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) 5 As nations seek solutions in addressing the mental health needs of their citizens we recognize their good-faith efforts and continue to stand with the rationale that the human rights of all people and intent for trying to provide relief be balanced and or always leaning towards the people's right to health if the ultimate goal is assurance of the protected interests of the people of every nation. See more
A NEED FOR DISTINCTIONS
In the quest for a greater reality of mental health for all people we believe a basic culture of compassion in addressing Global Mental Health should at a minimum encompass the following:
1 The compassionate care and support of those afflicted by disorders and disabilities who have suffered and that suffering has eroded a reasonable expectation of a healthy mental quality of life due to social imbalance.
2 Consciousness of environmental conditions that as a result has provoked or induced disorders and disabilities suffered by people globally which have eroded a reasonable expectation of a healthy mental quality of life.
3 Accountability for disorders and or disabilities suffered by people globally that although have been characterized as "naturally occurring" through genetics but in actuality it was the result of a manifested preexisting climate which promulgated the genetic deficiency and as a result has provoked or induced disorders and disabilities suffered by people which have eroded a reasonable expectation of a healthy mental quality of life.
Moving ahead
We must continue to apprise those who are uninformed of the ongoing fight for a shared mentally healthy quality of life and stand in opposition to those who seek to be indifferent, enable, perpetuate and or directly or indirectly subject others to live in or under in remorseless physical and mental conditions contrary to that of a culture and society that seeks higher standards of existence for all through the greater care and support of our universal right to health and that right includes a right to mental health.
Reference notes -
1. Sartorius N. The meanings of health and its promotion. Croat Med J. August 2006. 47 662–664.
World Health Organization. WHO definition of Health, Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19–22 June 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. In Grad, Frank P. (2002). "The Preamble of the Constitution of the World Health Organization". Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 80 (12): 982.
2. "Mental Health: a state of well-being" World Health Organization. August 2014.
3. Patel, V. ; Prince, M. (2010). "Global mental health: A new global health field comes of age". JAMA. 303 (19): 1976–7. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.616. PMC 3432444Freely accessible. PMID 20483977.
4. “Investing in Mental Health”. World Health Organization. 2003.
5. "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights". un.org.