Which organization gave the following definition of mental health? 'A state of well being, in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community'?

1. A

   Mental Health Foundation

2. B

   World Health Organization

3. C

   American Psychological Association

4. D

   World Federation for Mental Health

Appeared in: UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Explanation

• The quoted text is the official and globally recognized definition of mental health provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• This definition is foundational because it frames mental health as a positive state of well-being, not merely the absence of a mental disorder.
• It emphasizes key functional aspects: realizing potential, coping with stress, being productive, and contributing to the community.
• As the leading international public health agency, the WHO's definitions serve as a standard for member states and health professionals worldwide.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The Mental Health Foundation is a UK-based charity focused on research and advocacy. It does not have the global authority to issue such a foundational definition and typically aligns with WHO standards.
• Option C: The American Psychological Association (APA) is a professional organization for psychologists, primarily in the U.S. While influential, it is not the source of this specific international definition of mental health.
• Option D: The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is a non-governmental advocacy organization. Its primary role is to promote awareness and advocate for mental health, for instance, by organizing World Mental Health Day, not to establish official global health definitions.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Mental Health by the World Health Organization as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Nurses use this holistic WHO definition to conduct comprehensive patient assessments, looking beyond symptoms to evaluate a patient's overall functioning and quality of life.
• This framework guides patient education, helping nurses teach coping strategies, resilience-building techniques, and the importance of social engagement for maintaining mental health.
• Understanding this definition helps nurses advocate for policies and environments in hospitals and communities that support mental well-being, not just treat illness.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the question type. This is a factual recall question asking for the source of a specific, well-known definition.
• Read the quoted definition carefully. Recognize its key themes: potential, stress, productivity, and community contribution. This is the most widely cited definition of mental health.
• Consider the roles of the organizations listed in the options. Differentiate between a global governing health body, a national professional association, and advocacy groups.
• Associate major, globally-accepted health definitions with the primary international public health authority, which is the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Eliminate the other options based on their roles: the APA is primarily US-focused, while the Mental Health Foundation and WFMH are advocacy/charity organizations, not standard-setting bodies.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Definition of Mental Health by the World Health Organization
• Stem keywords: mental health, definition, state of well being, realises potential, cope with normal stresses
• Lead-in keywords: Which organization
• Clinical cues: The care setting changes urgency, monitoring level, and the expected nursing action.

Question ID

QTfVHj1OeJDBVSAh8fqx8L

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 2776-2778, 2775-2777

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 15233-15235