What Mental Health Is & Why It Matters
What is mental health? Simply put, it is the component of health that deals with the mente or mind. However, mental health is a very broad, holistic, and sometimes vague topic. The rational mind is not the only component of mental health, or else emotions would not have such a prominent place in mental health discussions. Additionally, the mind and emotions are deeply connected to the physical brain. Furthermore, the terms mental health and behavioral health are often used interchangeably. One’s actions and behaviors are also a component of what is meant by mental health.
As we can see, mental health is a very full word that encompasses behaviorism (as a field not as a philosophy), neuroscience (and, therefore, everything that affects the brain), the emotions, and the rational mind. Really, mental health is just health. It is both vague and all-encompassing. There really is no clear delineation between the psyche (the Greek word counselors and psychologists use to mean mind or soul or self) and the soma (Greek for body). Of course, there is a division. My hand is not my mind. However, when I think a negative thought is it a result of faithlessness, past trauma, or an unhealthy brain? Perhaps all three? The spiritual, psychological, and physiological are inseparable in a way comparable to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
A working definition of mental health may be stated as such: Mental health is the perspective of health that looks first at the non-physical components of man, the spirit, soul, and mind, while being informed about the physical processes that affect the non-physical. This definition is concise, nonetheless, the term mental health is misnomer. Clearly, mental health involved spiritual and physical healths. I am tempted to relabel mental health as “Holistic Non-Physical Health.”
Mental health is important to study because it is the juxtaposition of philosophy and science. Therefore, values and worldview heavily impact the study. A Christian theory of mental health can be almost completely contrary to a secular humanist approach. Secondly, mental health is important because the study of psychology has transformed into a cultural phenomenon. Businesses, churches, schools, and even the government all talk about and at least pay lip-service the importance of it. Mental health considerations impact our laws and courtrooms, and they impact how lawmakers propose bills (ex. abortion for mental health reasons). Most obviously, mental health is important because every human has a mind (even though some seem to choose to keep it perpetually turned off). Everyone has mental, emotional, and behavioral issues and concerns. Finally, mental health is important to study because the Scriptures have much to say on the matters of thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Mental health study truly is an exercise in theology, philosophy, and science (note the order). The subjects of counseling and psychology are often very controversial issues amongst conservatives and Christians.
Mitchell D. Cochran is from Midland, Texas and is a graduate of Lubbock Christian University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Mitchell currently resides in Lubbock, Texas with his wife Katherine.