Mental well-being is an integral part of health and is defined as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his/her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his/her community". Mental well-being provides the substrate for positive emotions, thoughts, perceptions, cognitions, communications and behaviours. Mental well-being is therefore not only desirable in itself but is also a resource for generation, protection and accumulation of human, physical, natural and social capital.

Mental health is determined by a complex and diverse interaction of biological, social, psychological and structural determinants of health, conferring differential resilience or vulnerabilities to develop disorders and disabilities. The regional strategy on mental health recognizing the importance of intersectoral, coordinated action to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders provides a template for action across the range of sectors to realize this.

Related link

Regional framework to scale up action on mental health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [62.5kb]