Why Mental Health?

Mental health has intrinsic and instrumental value, helping us to connect, function, cope and thrive

We define mental health as an integral part of our general health and well-being and as a basic human right.

We define mental health as an integral part of our general health and well-being and as a basic human right.

– Mental health has intrinsic and instrumental value and is integral to our general well-being

– How we experience mental health changes over the course of our lives.

– Everyone has a right to mental health.

– Mental health is relevant to many sectors and stakeholders.

– Mental health is determined by a complexinterplay of individual, social and structural stresses and vulnerabilities.

– Global threats to mental health today include: economic and social inequalities; public health emergencies (including COVID-19); humanitarian emergencies (including conflict and forced displacement); and the climate crisis.

Mental health is intrinsic and instrumental to the lives of all people. It influences how we think, feel and act. It underpins our ability to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is also a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development. It is a part of us, all the time, even when we are not thinking about it.

Our mental health is as important as our physical health. When we have mental health we can cope with the stresses of life, realize our own abilities, learn and work well and contribute actively to our communities.

Conversely, when our mental health is impaired, and we lack access to appropriate support,
our well-being can worsen. A wide range of mental health conditions can disturb our thoughts and feelings, change our behaviours, compromise our physical health and disrupt our relationships, education or livelihoods