In 2013, it was estimated that 58 million American adults suffered a diagnosable mental health issue (Mantel 1).  That is one in every four adults. If one is not personally impacted by a mental health issue, odds are, a close friend or family member is.  The prevalence of mental health disorders is underappreciated and likely will rise over time. The mainstream media may glamorize disorders but does not give an accurate representation.  To make matters more confusing, many people come with their own biases and notions, based on limited experience with the problem. Opinions on mental health disorders taint the concept and definition of mental health.  Although the issues surrounding mental health disorders can be debated, the true definition of mental health (with no personal bias) is the condition of one’s physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being.

Mental health begins with the physical state of one’s brain.  At the simplest level, neurons work together through an immense network of connections, referred to as synapses.  The normal function requires precisely controlled levels of neurotransmitter chemicals and receptors. Together, millions of synapses and neurons work in synergy to develop an individual’s mind.  Thus, neuroscience becomes psychology. Proper mental health begins with the proper functioning of these neurons and synapses. Any imbalance in these microscopic elements can lead to psychiatric disease, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and psychosis.  Each of the listed disorders begins with the physical malfunction of some part of the brain and its cells. There are numerous others, all of which can be controlled to some degree with medications and consultations with certified psychologists and psychiatrists. Often, these physical and psychological aspects of mental health can lead to the emotional component.

One who has a poor state of mental health is likely to develop a low sense of self-image, self-confidence, and self-esteem.  However, some people with normally functioning physical components can suffer similarly. Those three things make up the core of one’s emotional being and directly impact how one feels about ourselves and others.  For example, someone who feels as if he/she has been successful throughout life and therefore has great senses of esteem, image, and confidence, is likely to feel happy and content. On the other hand, one who has no confidence or esteem would be associated with feelings of despair and misery.  Such a person is more likely to have a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety. Thus, mental health depends on both physical and emotional factors, but these factors can be independent of each other.

Although emotions can be involved in some perspectives of mental health, mental health is still a concrete phrase since the true definition can’t be impacted by bias.  The connotations of “mental health,” however, can be impacted by emotions. A psychologist who deals with children may classify mental health with words such as sad, harmful, issue, significant, common, and widespread.  In contrast, someone whose child suffers from a mental health issue such as bipolar disorder may use words such as deadly or life-changing to describe mental health. Different definitions of mental health can be formed based on how one perceived this issue, but it will always connect back to the state of one’s physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being.

Social well-being is also significant to the definition of mental health.  Social refers to the relationships one has to society and the individuals within that society.  These relationships are vital to a strong sense of mental health. Obviously, one who is detached from society and has no strong interpersonal relationships may be more likely to develop a mental health issue.  For example, a person who doesn’t tend to leave their home unless they absolutely have to, probably has a form of anxiety or depression. Having the ability to release internal stresses through communication with others seems to be an important mechanism for maintaining mental health.  Absent of such outlets, an isolated individual may be more subject to mental health impairment. Eventually, all of these feelings and thoughts will become unmanageable and will create more feelings regarding poor self-image, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

Other people in a society will be affected by the mental health of others.  Specifically, family members and others who are close to a victim of mental health issues are impacted.  Parents of a child suffering from bipolar disorder typically have to significantly alter their lives to accommodate their child’s mental health issue.  For example, one parent may have to quit his/her job in order to provide their child with the extra support they need via doctors’ appointments. This family will now be spending more money on appointments and treatment options and making less money than before.  This creates a problem in the greater spectrum that deals with the economic status in society. Although it’s not directly related, mental health can lead to greater societal problems. Although it is cruel to say it, a society with more mental health disorders may be impaired compared to one with less.  As a result, everyone is, in some way, affected by mental health. This is another reason why more awareness needs to be brought towards mental health issues.

In sum, the definition of mental health can be split up into three main groups: one’s emotional well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being.  Each of the three categories has ties to the others, eventually leading to bigger implications in society as a whole. This definition regarding mental health needs to be acknowledged and understood by all in order to prevent and possibly eliminate the discrepancy.

Works Cited

Davis, Maryann, and Michelle R. Munson. “Youth and Young Adult Mental Health:

Interventions, Services, Systems, and Rehabilitation.” Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal,

vol. 41, no. 4, Dec. 2018, pp. 253–257. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1037/prj0000338.

Mantel, Barbara. “Mental Health Policy.” CQ Researcher, 10 May 2013, pp. 425-48,   

library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2013051000.