Mental health
Mental well-being is an integral part of health and is defined as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his/her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his/her community". Mental well-being provides the substrate for positive emotions, thoughts, perceptions, cognitions, communications and behaviours. Mental well-being is therefore not only desirable in itself but is also a resource for generation, protection and accumulation of human, physical, natural and social capital.
Mental health is determined by a complex and diverse interaction of biological, social, psychological and structural determinants of health, conferring differential resilience or vulnerabilities to develop disorders and disabilities. The regional strategy on mental health recognizing the importance of intersectoral, coordinated action to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders provides a template for action across the range of sectors to realize this.
Related link
Regional framework to scale up action on mental health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [62.5kb]
Information resources
Recent publications
Establishing a national substance use treatment information system: A step-by-step guide [pdf 1.4Mb]
Integrating mental health into primary care: a global perspective [pdf 3.80Mb]
Mental Health Atlas 2011 [pdf 6.78Mb]
Policy documents
Regional framework to scale up action on mental health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [65.5kb]
Strategy for mental health and substance abuse in the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2012–2016 [pdf 52kb] | Arabic [pdf 52kB] l French [pdf 52kb]
Technical paper Maternal, child and adolescent mental health: challenges and strategic directions 2010–2015 [pdf 88kb] | Arabic [pdf 88kB] l French [pdf 88kb]
Links
American Psychiatric Association
National Institute of Mental Health
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Related topics
Psychosis, including schizophrenia
Related programmes
Emergency preparedness and humanitarian action
Gender, health and development
Violence, injuries and disability
Collaborating centres
WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Psychiatric Centre, Ibn Rushd University
WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health
WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research, Training and Substance Abuse