MH Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness

Definition of Mental Health

• Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community.

Traits of Mental Health

• Resilience is a key trait of mental health that enables individuals to bounce back from adversity.

Role of Resilience in Mental Illness

• Resilience plays a role in preventing or reducing the impact of mental illness by helping individuals to cope with stress and adversity.

Cultural Influence on Mental Illness

• Culture influences the view of mental illnesses, with different cultures having varying perceptions and attitudes towards mental health issues.

Mental Health Issues in the United States

• The United States is facing a mental health crisis, with a significant number of individuals affected by mental health issues.

Prevalence of Mental Health Issues

• According to 2014 data, approximately 18.1% of adults in the U.S. were reported to be affected by mental health issues.
• The prevalence of major depressive disorder in the U.S. over 12 months is around 8.3%.

Essential Factors for Recovery

• Social support is an essential factor for recovery from mental health issues.

Diathesis-Stress Model

• The Diathesis-Stress model proposes that the interaction between a person's predisposition (diathesis) and stress contributes to the development of most psychiatric disorders.

Legislation for Mental Health

• The Mental Health Parity Act requires insurance companies to provide equal treatment coverage for psychiatric disorders.

Epidemiology of Mental Disorders

• Epidemiology of mental disorders studies the distribution, patterns, and determinants of mental health issues in populations.

Lifetime Risk of Major Depressive Disorder

• The lifetime risk for major depressive disorder is approximately 16.2%.

Adolescents and Young Adults with Depression

• A conservative estimate suggests that around 25% of adolescents and young adults experience at least one major depressive episode.

Examples of Serious Mental Disorders

• Schizophrenia is an example of a serious mental disorder.

Resilience and Competence

• Resilience and competence help individuals to overcome adversity and achieve positive outcomes.

Mental Health Parity Act

• The Mental Health Parity Act aims to achieve equal treatment coverage for mental health issues and substance abuse disorders.

Explore the continuum of mental health and illness, the role of resilience, and the influence of culture on mental illnesses. Understand the concept of mental health as a state of emotional, psychological, and social wellness.