Mental health is the ability to manage emotions and thoughts in healthy ways. It includes being aware of and coping with stress, developing healthy relationships, getting enough sleep and practicing good self-care. It also means being able to access treatment and support services. People with mental illness can get help from talking therapy, or from medications that boost feel-good chemicals in the brain, reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels.
Mental disorders contribute to morbidity, disability and premature death worldwide and are often untreated or under-treated. Stigma, discrimination and lack of resources exacerbate the burden, particularly in low-income countries.
Many factors influence a person’s mental health, including genetic predisposition, life events and social circumstances. These are known as the determinants of mental health. For example, childhood traumas can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, poverty, lack of affordable housing and limited access to medical care can increase the risk for mental health problems.
People from all backgrounds, ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses are affected by stigma associated with mental illness and have differing attitudes towards seeking treatment. Some communities have a high prevalence of mental health disorders and poorer quality of care due to a combination of cultural and structural barriers, such as language and documentation issues or a lack of understanding of the healthcare system, which ultimately results in low accessibility to quality treatment. WHO is working with countries to strengthen promotion and prevention activities that address these underlying determinants, and to promote multisectoral collaboration.