Mental health is a core component of psychological wellbeing, and hence everyday life, and is as important as physical health. The two issues are interlinked; poor physical health may increase the likelihood of developing poor mental health, and poor mental health may increase risks of developing or not recovering from serious physical health problems (see health and health related behaviours). Whilst good mental health is a key factor in successful psychological and social functioning, poor mental health has been associated with poor socio-economic status, poor education and poor opportunities for employment, and a host of inequalities, some of which fall under the umbrella term 'social exclusion' (see socio-demographic factors and the Social Exclusion Unit's report on mental health).

The term 'mental health problem' can be used to describe the full range of mental health issues, from common experiences such as 'feeling depressed' to more severe clinical symptoms such as 'clinical depression' and enduring problems such as schizophrenia. In these pages the term 'mental health problem' has been used to refer to 'mental illness' i.e. diagnosed and/or clinical levels of mental health problems.

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Mental health problems have traditionally been divided in several ways:

A number of diagnostic and classification frameworks have been developed to support the identification of mental health problems. The most common being the World Health Organisation's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (version 10 is known as the ICD-10) (2) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (version 4 revised, DSM-IV-TR) by the American Psychiatric Association (3). These frameworks classify mental health problems in a number of families or categories. For more detailed information on definitions of mental health problem categories and disorders see Mental health glossary (under construction).

Terminology for mental health problems varies considerably across professions and cultures, according to prevailing attitudes towards mental health and current understanding. The following terms have been used on this website.

Common mental health problems include problems such as anxiety, depression, phobias, obsessive compulsive and panic disorders.

Severe and enduring mental health problems include those mental health problems such as psychotic disorders (including schizophrenia) and bipolar affective disorder (manic depression).

Personality disorder is defined as 'an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviours that deviates markedly from the expectation of the individual's culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time and leads to distress or impairment' (3). The term 'dangerous and severe personality disorder' does not exist as a clinical diagnosis in the ICD-10 or DSM-IV-TR at this time.

For more information on specific mental health problems and issues around diagnosis and terminology see the Mental Health Foundation's factsheets on terminology and mental illness. For information on severe mental health problems (such as psychosis and schizophrenia) also see the report Understanding Mental Illness.

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Mental health problems has been a key area for action for the Government throughout the 1990s, the result of which has been increased funding for mental health services (see the NHS plan), the development of standards (see the National Service Frameworks), and the setting of targets for suicide reduction (see the Public Service Agreements). Links to these reports are provided below or visit the Our Healthier Nation website and the Department of Health Mental Health pages.

In 2004, the Social Exclusion Unit concluded its inquiry into the exclusion of people with mental health problems, producing an action plan to challenge stigma and discrimination and to improve opportunities and outcomes for this group. For further information see the Social Exclusion Unit's report on mental health.

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North East Public Health Observatory (NEPHO) is the lead observatory on mental health for the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO). They have undertaken a scoping study of what mental health data is available. (For further information see the NEPHO website.)

The LHO is developing a London Mental Health Intelligence Programme with the London Development Centre (National Institute for Mental Health in England) to improve access to, and the availability of data and information on the mental health of Londoners.

Date	Title	Format	View
30 Nov 2008	Mental health needs assessment of the Somali population of Tower Hamlets: final report and action plan
19 Jun 2007	Mental health indications report: London summary. Press release
28 Mar 2007	Commissioning for equity. Equal access, equal care? Can London deliver the race equality action plan for mental health? Executive summary
28 Mar 2007	Commissioning for equity. Equal access, equal care? Main report
17 Aug 2006	Choosing health. Supporting the physical needs of people with severe mental illness: commissioning framework
1 Nov 2005	Mental Health In London: What are the Special Issues
19 Oct 2005	Making it possible: improving mental health and well-being in England
13 Jun 2005	Mental Health and Social Exclusion: Social Exclusion Report
13 Jun 2005	Mental Health and Social Exclusion: Social Exclusion Report Summary
13 Jun 2005	Modernising mental health services: Safe sound and supportive
13 Jun 2005	National service framework for children, young people and maternity services
13 Jun 2005	National service framework for Long Term Conditions
13 Jun 2005	National service framework for mental health
13 Jun 2005	National service framework for Mental Health - Five Years On
13 Jun 2005	National service framework for older people
13 Jun 2005	National suicide prevention strategy
13 Jun 2005	Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation. Executive summary
13 Jun 2005	Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation. Full report
13 Jun 2005	The Government's Spending Review (2004) and Public Service Agreements (PSA)
13 Jun 2005	The NHS Plan: a plan for investment, a plan for reform
13 Jun 2005	Understanding mental illness: Recent advances in understanding mental illness and psychotic experiences
10 Jun 2005	Deliverying race equality in mental health care
7 Apr 2005	The National Service Framework for Mental Health - Five Years On
19 Nov 2004	London Health Observatory Briefing - Autumn 2004
1 Feb 2004	NEPHO occasional paper: Scoping Study of Mental Health Data (Summary)

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1. The Mental Health Foundation (2003) Mental Health Problems, a factsheet Mental Health Foundation: London (available on line).
2. World Health Organisation (1993) The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth revision Volume 1, WHO: Geneva.
3. American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), APA: Washington DC.

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• The American Psychiatric Association
  1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209-3901
• Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO)
  APHO is the network of 10 Public Health Observatories across England and Wales
• North East Public Health Observatory (NEPHO)
  Is the APHO lead for mental health
• Centre for Public Mental Health
  Durham University, Elvet Riverside II, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3JT
• Department of health
  Mental health web-page. Includes links to relevant policy publications.
• London Development Centre
  11-13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN Tel: 020 7307 2431 Fax: 020 7307 2432
• London Mental Health Research and Development (LoMHR&D) Virtual Institute
  A virtual research and development institute bringing together professionals from a variety of sectors working in mental health in London.
• The Mental Health Foundation
  UK Office, 7th Floor, 83 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0HW. Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7802 0300. Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7802 0301.
• National Electronic Library for Mental Health
  Part of the National electronic Library for Health. Provides information and evidence on mental health.
• National Institute of Mental Health in England (NIMHE)
  Supports local communities to improve mental health and the quality of services for people experiencing mental health problems. Also see the NIMHE regional centre for London, the London Development Centre for Mental Health.
• Our Healthier Nation
  Government website for the Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation report. To view mental health information select National Priorities.
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
  17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG Tel: 020 7235 2351Fax: 020 7245 1231
• The Social Exclusion Unit, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
  The mental health pages of the Social Exclusion Unit, including access to publications.
• World Heath Organisation
  The mental health site of the Who Health Organisation. Also see mental health information under Health Topics.

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