What is mental health?

D Bhugra, A Till, N Sartorius

Abstract

Mental health does not exist on its own. It is an integral and essential part of overall health, which can be defined in at least three ways – as the absence of disease, as a state of the organism that allows the full performance of all its functions or as a state of balance within oneself and between oneself and one’s physical and social environment (Sartorius, 2002). Which of these three definitions is used depends on the level to which the basic health needs are satisfied. These needs include food, shelter, survival, protection, society, social support, and freedom from pain, environmental hazards, unnecessary stress and from any part of exploitation (Maslow, 1968).

Relevance to scouting

Scouting globally has made well-being and mental health a strategic priority (e.g., safety and well-being in the Strategy for Scouting 2024–2033). Mental health is understood not only as the absence of illness but as a state of balance and integration with one’s social and environmental context. This broader perspective allows Scout leaders to embed preventive, holistic approaches to mental wellness across programming, rather than focusing solely on crisis response. By adopting such integrative strategies, Scouts can better support young people’s resilience in increasingly complex social, emotional, and environmental landscapes.