Mental Health New Definition

Mental Health Definition

What is mental health? A new definition to better understand the construction of problems

Mental health is for every human being an individual self-concept of well-being in a given life. That’s why mental health cannot be determined by a common definition in a book or in general psychiatry. In this article, you will learn that the question about a general definition of mental health will lead to new questions – and then to new answers.

What does not mean mental health?

In reality, Mental health does not mean “a life without problems”. Every person faces issues, concerns, anger, and anxiety as normal parts of all-day life. So, the complete absence of problems has nothing in common with life.

What is the WHO-Definition of health and mental health?

The WHO-Definition of overall human health starts with the sentence “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Health Definition WHO 2023 © Screenshot: Google

On a more detailed page about mental health is to read: “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”

Mental Health Definition WHO 2023 © Screenshot Google

One of the most popular sources of health definitions: WHO

The World Health Organization WHO is to be found on top of the Google Search Results, because of many backlinks from worldwide web pages. The name Health Organization underlines the importance of the Organization in the public view. But this is still not any proof that the WHO definitions of health are true in the sense of differentiating and completeness.

Why is the WHO-Definition of health problematic?

• The WHO-Definition leads to the illusion that permanent mental well-being is possible in general.
• This illusion leads to the demand for permanent well-being.
• The demand for permanent well-being brings the conclusion that every human person is not healthy in some details.
• If a person with intrusive thoughts tries to erase them to get “complete mental well-being”, she will construct a problem.
• So, in the WHO-Definition, mankind is permanently ill.

Why is the idea of complete mental well-being bad for mental health?

The idea of complete mental well-being has unwanted impacts: unrealistic expectations, stunted growth, reduced resilience, avoidance behavior, increased anxiety, dependency, reduced problem-solving skills, distorted reality perception, decreased satisfaction, emotional suppression, lack of preparedness, and reduced empathy.

• Unrealistic expectations by a mental health definition of general well-being: A healthy life is inherently filled with challenges and setbacks. Demanding a life without problems sets unrealistic expectations. These expectations will lead to chronic disappointment and feelings of inadequacy: “Why am I not able to succeed in being completely mentally well?”
• Stunted growth: Problems and challenges are opportunities for personal growth. They lead to resilience, problem-solving, and coping skills. Without them, personal development will be stunted. So, the idea of permanent mental well-being is contra productive, because it would let man avoid challenges.
• Less resilience: Facing and overcoming challenges builds resilience. If one expects a life without problems, they may not develop the necessary resilience to cope with inevitable difficulties.
• Avoidance behavior: A demand for a problem-free life can lead to avoidance behaviors, where individuals might avoid situations or experiences that could potentially lead to problems, thereby limiting their life experiences. You strengthen the issues you want to avoid because you give them focus.
• Increased anxiety: The constant pursuit of a problem-free existence can increase anxiety levels. The fear of potential problems can become overwhelming.
• Dependency on permanent problem solution: A person with the belief that there shouldn’t be unsolved problems can become addicted to the idea of permanently solving even minor issues. On the other hand, this focus will lead to growing problems. The more one concentrates on the unwanted phenomena, the more they grow.
• Reduced problem-solving skills: Problems help grow problem-solving skills. Without them, these skills atrophy, leaving a person ill-equipped to handle future challenges. In bodybuilding, the muscles grow from micro-traumas and the natural repair operations with proteins; in the psyche, the daily errors, disappointments, and misunderstandings (also traumas) lead to personal growth.
• Distorted reality perception: Continually seeking a life without problems distorts one’s perception of reality, leading to a skewed understanding of the world and one’s place in it.
• Decreased satisfaction: Overcoming challenges can lead to feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction. Without challenges or by avoiding them, these feelings might be rare, leading to a less fulfilling life.
• Emotional suppression: In the quest for a problem-free life, individuals suppress negative emotions or deny their feelings. This is harmful in the long run.
• Lack of preparedness: If somebody is not accustomed to facing problems, he might be ill-prepared when significant challenges arise, leading to overwhelming stress and potential mental health crises.
• Reduced empathy: Understanding and empathizing with others often come from shared experiences, including challenges and problems. Without facing problems, one’s ability to empathize might be diminished.

As you see, the definition of mental wealth leads to questions.

Why is problem-seeking a sign of a healthy brain?

A healthy brain will do anything to protect the human being it is living in. That’s why one natural function of the brain is the permanent comparison between a set-point and a
feedback. If the feedback differs from the set-point, the brain tries to correct. It gives a physical arousal, such as back pain, to make the person aware of something missing. That’s why permanent problem-seeking (in order to recognize and avoid any problem) is a healthy routine … and: it is unpleasant.

Why is the natural negative feedback of the brain unpleasant?

Negative feedback is unpleasant in order to make it remarkable. If there would be no pain connected to disappointment, the person would not care about it.

What can you do to support your mental health?

1. Decide that all your mental feedback is healthy
2. Discover that it’s the way you name and treat the feedback will cause problems or a healthy self-description
3. Accept that your brain permanently gives you feedback on everything: Good enough? Safe? Tasty? Known or unknown? Dangerous? Eatable? A healthy brain all day (and while sleeping all night) long ensures itself if the environment is safe.

Conclusion on mental health in 2 sentences

The first proof of mental well-being: Mental health is the state of being conscious that man has a controlling brain. The second proof is: Mental health is based on the willingness to live in a state of ambivalence between high levels of well-being and satisfaction with lower levels of well-being, knowing there is a permanent micro-change between different mental and emotional states.

Now, go to a tiny and mighty impulse in depression that can change your situation.

Are there books out about this new definition of mental health?

Yes, here you can find a definition of the best self-help e-books – and for whom they may be the best.