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.
Our articles on the same topic
Take a look at our other content on youth mental health, schizophrenia, OCD and eating disorders. Enjoy your reading!
Freeing yourself from OCD: a difficult but possible path
OCD is one of the most common mental disorders, it plunges sufferers into a constant inner struggle. Behind these mechanisms, lives are turned upside down, like that of one patient, who talks about her daily life and her therapy. Her account is informed by the expertise of Dr. Nicolas Gouiller, coordinating psychiatrist at the Lyon Lumière clinic.
Deconstructing prejudices about schizophrenia
There are many preconceptions about this illness. With Dr Sleurs, a psychiatrist at the Orgemont clinic (France), let’s try to deconstruct them to better understand the complexity of the factors and symptoms of this illness, which is little known to the general public.
Mental disorders: the hidden face of connected teenagers
According to data from the WHO, 1 teenager in 7 suffers from a mental disorder worldwide. What practical solutions could improve the well-being of young people? Answers from Dr Frédéric Kochman, child psychiatrist and coordinator of the Lautréamont clinic in Loos (northern France).
Young people's mental health: schools on the front line
According to a survey conducted in France in 2022, the well-being of students is deteriorating over the years, and this deterioration is even more pronounced at high school. Nearly 1 in 4 high school students say they have had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months, and more than 1 in 10 have attempted suicide at least once in their lives. Explanations from Patrice Huerre, psychiatrist.
The mental health of young people: wanna talk about it?
An alarming fact: mental illness and psychological disorders affect almost 1/5 of the French population, i.e. 13 million people. Let's take a closer look at children and teenagers...
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
- OCD
- 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.
To find out more...
Continue reading with our other content on the same theme!
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.