GC: n
S: CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm (last access: 28 December 2023); APA – https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health (last access: 28 December 2023)
N: 1. – mental (adj): “in, of, or pertaining to the mind; characteristic of the intellect,” from Late Latin mentalis “of the mind,” from Latin mens (genitive mentis) “mind,” from PIE root men- “to think.”
In Middle English, also “of the soul, spiritual.” From 1520s as “done or performed in the mind.” Meaning “crazy, deranged” is by 1927, probably from combinations such as mental patient (1859); mental hospital (1891). Mental health is attested by 1803; mental illness by 1819; mental retardation by 1904.
– health (n): Old English hælþ “wholeness, a being whole, sound or well,” from Proto-Germanic *hailitho, from PIE *kailo- “whole, uninjured, of good omen” (cognates: Old English hal “hale, whole;” Old Norse heill “healthy;” Old English halig, Old Norse helge “holy, sacred;” Old English hælan “to heal”). With Proto-Germanic abstract noun suffix *-itho (see -th (2)). Of physical health in Middle English, but also “prosperity, happiness, welfare; preservation, safety.”
2. State of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, and contribute to their community.
3. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It is experienced differently from one person to the next.
There are risks and protective factors that affect mental health.
Some risks are poverty, violence, inequality, bullying, environmental deprivation.
Some protective factors that strengthen resilience are positive social interactions, quality education, decent work, safe neighbourhoods.
Mental health promotion and prevention help reduce risks, build resilience and establish supportive environments for mental health.
4. Must not be confused with “mental illness”. According to CDC, mental illness refers to the conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behaviour.
Mental health implies the absence of illness or disorder.
5. Psychology: [The term “mental health” means] a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Syn.: psychological health.
6. Although the terms “mental health” and “psychological health” are considered synonyms in the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, in some contexts, one may be preferred over the other. For example, the term “mental health” could be used in a medical context and the term “psychological health” in a context about the promotion of health.
mental health; M Health: designations officially approved by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces.
7. Collocations:
- Adj. + noun: bad, declining, delicate, excellent, fragile, good, poor.
- Noun + noun: centre, professional, visitor, worker.
- Verb + noun: damage, enjoy, harm, have, improve, look after, maintain, promote, recover, regain, risk, ruin, undermine.
8. Cultural Interrelation: We can mention the book Mental Health Across the Lifespan A Handbook (2016) by Mary Steen and Michael Thomas.
S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=mental+health, https://www.etymonline.com/word/*men-#etymonline_v_52585 (last access: 13 January 2024) 2&3. WHO – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response (last access: 28 December 2023). 4. MLH – https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/mental-health-mental-illness (last access: 28 December 2023). 5. GDT – https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/fiche-gdt/fiche/26532279/sante-mentale (last access: 13 January 2024). 6. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=SANTE+MENTALE&index=alt&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 12 January 2024). 7. OD- https://www.freecollocation.com/search?word=health (last access: 28 December 2023). 8. GB – https://www.google.es/books/edition/Mental_Health_Across_the_Lifespan/sQepCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=mental+health&printsec=frontcover (last access: 28 December 2023)
SYN:
S:
CR: anxiety, bullying, disease, disorder, health, medicine, mobbing, poverty, violence, vulnerability.
