Abstract
Recently, mental health and ill health have been reframed to be seen as a continuum from health to ill health, through the stages of being asymptomatic 'at risk', to experiencing 'mental distress', 'sub-syndromal symptoms' and finally 'mental disorders'. This new conceptualisation emphasised the importance of mental health promotion and prevention interventions, aimed at reducing the likelihood of future disorders with the general population or with people who are identified as being at risk of a disorder. This concept generated discussion on the distinction between prevention and treatment interventions, especially for those mental health conditions which lie between psychological distress and a formal psychiatric diagnosis. The present editorial aims to clarify the definition of promotion, prevention and treatment interventions delivered through a task-shifting approach according to a global mental health perspective.
Highlights
The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it the physical sequelae of the viral infection and rising levels of poverty, socioeconomic insecurity and physical and mental health problems worldwide
Mental health and ill health have been reframed to be seen as a continuum from health to ill health, through the stages of being asymptomatic ‘at risk’, to experiencing ‘mental distress’, ‘sub-syndromal symptoms’ and ‘mental disorders’ (Patel et al, 2018)
This new conceptualisation emphasised the importance of mental health promotion and prevention interventions, aimed at reducing the likelihood of future disorders with the general population or with people who are identified as being at risk of a disorder (Tol et al, 2015)
Summary
The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it the physical sequelae of the viral infection and rising levels of poverty, socioeconomic insecurity and physical and mental health problems worldwide. It is postulated that the SARS-CoV2 virus may have neurological/ neuropsychiatric impact on the brain (Holmes et al, 2020). With rising mental health needs, it becomes even more important to find an effective solution to providing universal mental healthcare. Strategies need to be rolled out to tackle the root social, economic, environmental and psychological causes of mental ill health to prevent mental disorders and promote wellbeing
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