Definition of mental health

The term "mental health" emerged in the late 19th century as a way to describe the state of emotional and psychological well-being of an individual. Prior to this, people with mental health conditions were often referred to as "lunatics" or "insane," implying that they were living in a state of perpetual madness. The concept of mental health as we know it today is deeply rooted in the history of psychiatry. In the late 1800s, a movement known as the "Moral Treatment" emerged, which argued that mental health conditions could be effectively treated through compassionate care, rather than restraint and isolation. This approach was later built upon by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, who coined the term "dementia praecox" to describe a group of mental health conditions that we now refer to as "schizophrenia." Throughout the early 20th century, the concept of mental health gained traction, as mental health professionals began to understand that many mental health conditions were not due to moral weakness or character flaws, but instead were biological and psychological in nature. The first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association in 1952, further solidified the concept of mental health as a medical and scientific field. Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a "state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to their community." This definition reflects the shift in understanding that has occurred over the past century, as we recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that mental health conditions are a common and treatable part of the human experience.