Preserving mental health, a necessity for everyone
Mental health is a state of psychological, emotional and cognitive well-being that is inseparable from good health. Certain factors, such as age, life's trials and psychological disorders, can undermine this state. emeis is a healthcare provider serving people with all kinds of vulnerabilities, helping you to better understand mental health.
Understanding the importance of mental health
Mental health is what enables us to make rational, informed decisions while coping with the ups and downs of life. Mental health is therefore a vital component of overall good health.
"Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables us to cope with the stresses of life, to fulfil our potential, to learn and work well, and to contribute to the life of the community". Definition by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
Mental health, beyond the absence of disorders
It is important to understand that mental health is not simply the absence of mental disorders, and that this notion takes several forms.
The 3 aspects of mental health :
- Positive mental health: this covers well-being, personal fulfilment, psychological resources and the individual's ability to act in their social roles.
- Reactive psychological distress: this is induced by stressful situations and existential difficulties such as bereavement, failure in relationships or at school.
- Psychiatric disorders of varying duration: these are more or less severe and/or disabling and are based on diagnostic classifications that refer to criteria and targeted therapeutic actions. These disorders require medical treatment.
25%
of the world's population is affected by a mental disorder at some point in their lives (WHO)
Ranked 3rd
This is the position of mental disorders among the most common illnesses after cancer and cardiovascular disease (WHO)
13%
of adolescents worldwide are said to have a mental health problem (2020 - UNICEF)
300 million
people worldwide are affected by depression (FondaMental Foundation)
Coping with mental disorders
Understanding the factors affecting mental health
Multiple individual, social and structural factors can combine to protect or compromise an individual's mental health.
Risks can arise at any stage of life, but those that occur during critical periods of development, particularly in early childhood, are particularly damaging.
The factors that can affect mental health are:
- individual psychological and/or biological factors.
- exposure to adverse social, economic, geopolitical and environmental circumstances.
- local threats increase the risk to individuals, families and communities.
- global threats to populations as a whole, including economic recessions, epidemic outbreaks, humanitarian emergencies and climate change.
Recognising mental health disorders for better treatment
Mental disorders can take many forms and express themselves differently depending on a person's personality, sensitivity, predisposition or general state of health.
When one of these disorders is detected, mental health is impaired and needs to be supported:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Psychotraumatic disorder
- TOC
- Schizophrenia
- Eating disorders
- Addictive disorders
- Sleep-wake disturbances
- Personality disorders
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
Responding to mental health problems
In adults
When it is clear that mental health is impaired, several solutions of increasing intensity need to be put in place.
- Restore a healthy lifestyle as quickly as possible. The people around you, the nursing staff, your family and your colleagues are all vital support in establishing this balance over the long term.
- Consult a psychotherapist or call on other health professionals to refer you to appropriate care.
- Consider full or partial care in a specialised establishment adapted to each individual's situation.
In children and adolescents
Children and teenagers live their emotions intensely and when upheaval occurs in their lives they may need help to manage their mental health. Close friends, family and members of the educational team are the first to be able to identify the risks of impairment and deal with them.
- Spotting warning signals and changes in behaviour.
- Consult a psychotherapist or healthcare professional who can guide the child or teenager towards the support best suited to their age, needs and environment.
- Examine the possibilities of care in a specialised establishment. The location, duration and type of care are determining factors.
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Our mental health clinics
Our psychiatric clinics provide support and treatment using a combination of different approaches to help patients regain their psychological and emotional balance and a healthy lifestyle.