Effects of good and bad mental health

What makes a healthy community?

Strong mental health among community members promotes a strong and healthy community. Good mental health is more than just the absence of a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. A person who is mentally healthy has a state of well-being in which he or she realizes his or her own abilities. They are able to cope with life's normal stresses. They can work regularly and productively. They are able to make a contribution to their community. Good mental health, therefore, is the foundation for an individual's and a community's effective functioning and well-being.

According to the W.H.O 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year. Also, it is estimated that approximately 450 million people worldwide have a mental health problem.

Positive mental health is linked to range of development outcomes, including better health status, higher educational achievement, enhanced productivity and earnings, improved interpersonal relationships, better parenting, closer social connections and improved quality of life. Overall positive mental health affects the community in many ways, and people with good mental health make good contributions to the community.
Poor mental health impedes an individual's capacity to realize their potential, work productively, and make a contribute to their community.