The World Health Organisation (2014) defines mental health as ‘a unified state of mental, physical and social well-being, where a person can achieve their potential, is able to effectively contribute to the community, and can handle the stresses of normal life’.
Enjoying good mental health and wellbeing helps us to deal with the stresses of everyday life.
However, 1 in 4 people are affected by a mental health problem in any year.
Finding out more about some of the mental health problems people might face could help you to feel more confident when trying to support yourself or someone else.
Mental health problems
There are a variety of mental health problems that a person could experience. For instance:
Anxiety disorders happen when someone has feelings of anxiety that are very strong or last for a long time. Find out more about anxiety disorders and read blogs about anxiety.
Depression is characterised by the persistence of feelings of sadness or misery. Find out more about depression and read blogs and personal stories.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by the experience of swings between a low mood and a high, manic mood, usually with more normal phases in between. Find out more about bipolar disorder and read blogs and personal stories.
Eating disorders can occur when someone has a difficult and unhealthy relationship with food, and often co-exist with depression or anxiety disorders. Find out more about eating disorders and read blogs and personal stories.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder where unwanted thoughts, urges and repetitive activities become an obstacle to the person's ability to live life as they want. Find out more about obsessive-compulsive disorder and read personal stories.
Personality disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) occur when a person's personality traits cause regular, long-term problems in the way they cope with life. Find out more about personality disorders and read personal stories.
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that occurs when the parts of the brain that are responsible for emotion and sensation stop functioning properly. Find out more about schizophrenia and read personal stories.
Wellbeing
The World Health Organisation’s definition of mental health moves beyond simply the absence of mental illness, but includes the presence of emotional, psychological and social wellbeing.
People who enjoy high levels of wellbeing are described as flourishing. In this context, flourishing means that the person enjoys feelings of happiness, contentment and curiosity and can engage fully with what is going on around them. Flourishing also means functioning well in the world; the person experiences positive relationships, has some control over their life, and has a sense of purpose.
People who enjoy high levels of wellbeing are described as flourishing. In this context, flourishing means that the person enjoys feelings of happiness, contentment and curiosity and can engage fully with what is going on around them. Flourishing also means functioning well in the world; the person experiences positive relationships, has some control over their life, and has a sense of purpose.
The Mental Capital and Wellbeing project identified the drivers to wellbeing, and the New Economics Foundation (NEF) named the Five Ways to Wellbeing to communicate these: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.
Find out more
The Centre for Wellbeing provides further information on mental health and wellbeing. Support is free and confidential and ranges from a consultation with a counsellor, to referral to appropriate outside agencies, through to liaison and coordination of individuals with severe and enduring mental health issues.
Chaplaincy: the University has a team of multi-faith chaplains who are happy to listen and support students and staff. You can visit them in person at The Roundhouse - faith and reflection centre for prayer, meditation and contemplation (open weekdays, 8am–6pm) or email chaplaincy@surrey.ac.uk.
Time to Change is a growing movement that exists to transform how we all think and act about mental health problems.
Time to Change is a growing movement that exists to transform how we all think and act about mental health problems.
Rethink Mental illness provides further information on the types of mental health problems people might face.
Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity. They empower students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.
Students Against Depression is a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.
Mental Health Foundation: their mission is to help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health.