A Handbook for the Study of Mental Health Social Contexts, Theories, and Systems

There are three ways to conceive of mental health. The pathogenic approach views mental health as the absence of mental illness. The salutogenic approach views mental health as the presence of positive emotional states and positive functioning. The third approach is the complete state model, which derives from the ancient word for health as being hale, meaning whole. This approach is exemplified in the World Health Organization's definition of health as a complete state, where mental health consists of the absence of mental illness and the presence of positive emotional states and positive functioning. This chapter reviews evidence supporting the complete state model, showing strong empirical support for the two continua model at the phenotypic and genotypic levels. Studies are reviewed making the case for promoting and protecting positive mental health to prevent mental illness and to improve overall psychosocial functioning of individuals and population health. So, is illness more serious than health? Is it enough to seek cures, treatment, and protection from disease and illness as the way toward achieving better mental health? The complete state model would answer “no” to both questions – why? What would it mean to focus on increasing population mental health, as opposed to reducing mental illness?