Are mental illnesses and mental health connected? Are they polar opposites? How often do we deviate from mentally healthy to mentally ill?
The mental continuum is a scale by which one can determine how far one has deviated from societal standards of normality, in terms of mental state. According to Gordan Allport’s studies on the mental health continuum, mental health and mental illness aren’t separate constructs - but opposing ends of a scale.
In his studies, Allport outlines three factors that determine the optimal functioning of a fully developed individual. (i) Having a variety of interests + the zeal to pursue them, (ii) (Possessing of) The ability to accomplish daily responsibilities, including self care, and (iii) A mature insight into external and internal worlds. Manifesting these three factors leads to a state of mental health, while failure to do so indicates a deviation from the mental health end of the spectrum.
The mental health continuum can be divided into three areas/zones. The first one is the health zone. People in this zone are generally happy, stable and emotionally balanced. The second zone is the problem zone. People here start showing difficulties in coping, instabilities, but are still able to perform daily tasks. The third zone, or the disorder zone exhibits disorders resulting in overload of stress, and changes in behavior.
The MHC projects our psyche, behavior, and actions onto a linear scale - showing us the progression between different stages of mental health. This scale can be used to identify and track changes in behavior, recognize symptoms of psychological disorders, and also suggest when it might be time to seek professional help. It is important to note that people move from one end of the scale to the other regularly, depending on changes in their internal and external worlds.
Using this scale to better understand our mental state will help us ask for help when required, and take accountability and action to drive ourselves to a positive, healthier version of us.
Sources : Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury, BA. “What Is the Mental Health Continuum Model?” PositivePsychology.com, 1 July 2022, https://positivepsychology.com/mental-health-continuum-model/.
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