Mental Health
The absence of psychiatric
disorders or traits. It can be
influenced by biological,
environmental, emotional and cultural factors. This term is highly variable in
definition, depending on time
and place.
Services related to the mental health
Comprehensive mental
health services, as generally defined under some national (or
state) laws and statutes, include: inpatient care, outpatient care,
day care and
other partial hospitalization and
emergency services;
specialized services for
the mental health of the
elderly; consultation and education
services and specialized programmes for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of
alcohol and drug abusers. They generally
include a variety of services provided to people of all ages, including counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric services, crisis
intervention and support groups. Issues
addressed include depression, grief, anxiety, and stress, as well as
severe mental illnesses.
Mental Illness
All forms of illness in which psychological, emotional or behavioral
disturbances are the dominating feature. The term is relative and variable
in different cultures, schools of thought and definitions. It includes a wide range of types and
severities.
Mental Impairment
A disorder characterized by the display of an intellectual defect, as
manifested by diminished cognitive, interpersonal, social and vocational
effectiveness and quantitatively evaluated by psychological examination and
assessment.
