What is health? It is overall physical, social, spiritual and intellectual well-being, ‘and it can be negatively as well as positively defined’ (Michael Bury 2005) There are another two aspects, mental / emotional and environmental health. These two elements of health are highly discussed by everyone and will be examined in this essay, too. Firstly, will be appraised mental and emotional health. A lot of people are intimidated by the term ‘mental illness’, without realising that 1 in six British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental and emotional health problem. It is a disorder that no one is safe from. Sometimes a little unsuspected trigger for our emotions can bring up an illness.
The Office for National Statistics (2001) reported that, mixed anxiety and depression are the most common mental disorder in Britain. The recovery from mental disorder can vary from person to person ,but good, close relationship will make it substantially easier to get better, because ‘Humans are social creatures with emotional needs for relationships and positive connections to others…'(helpguide.org). Even tough, mental and emotional health illness can affect any of us, there are little, but important, actions to take to help avoid disorder. Having a sufficient rest, a good nutrition, being active in fresh air will be beneficially good not only for physical health but emotional, too.
However, being mentally and emotionally healthy does not mean never having distressing times and experiencing bed emotions, but it will give an ability to bounce from adversity, stress and stay concentrated. The mentally and emotionally healthy people can balance between work and play, or rest and activity, are able to learn new things and have healthy relationships with others (ibid) Second outlook is on environmental health. It has never been such a big issue until now. People are more aware of it then ever and try to improve it every single day. Nevertheless, not a lot of people know how exactly this issue big is and how important is for present and future generations.
According to World health Organization ‘Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviours’. It is essential to live in clean environment for human’s health and well-being, but it is not easy to achieve it. The one factor that keeps steadily increasing is Air pollution, with major four factors, that includes: growing industrialization, increasing traffic, rapid economic development, and higher levels of energy consumption (Encyclopaedia, 1998). Although, air pollution is one of the crucial factors for environmental health that skilled professionals have to face, there are other aspects, too.
On top of that, Environmental Health professionals are dealing with toxic chemicals and radioactive wastes, depletion of ozone layer and global warming, toward preventing diseases (Dade W Moeller, 2005; WHO). Despite the fact all these factors have impact on human’s health, their also worsening natural hazards, such as storm, fire and landslides, and making threats even more dangerous (European Environment Agency) In conclusion, this essay was brief information about two aspects of health: mental/ emotional and environmental. Yet, health is much more than that. As the World Health Organization define ‘Health is a state of complete mental, physical and emotional well-being and not just the absence of disease’
Reference
Books: Michael Bury, (2005) Health and Illness, Cambridge, Polity Press. Jeanne Mager Stellman, (1998), Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety, 4th edition, Volume II, Geneva, International Labour Office. Dade W. Moeller, (2005) Environmental health, 3rd edition, United States of America, President and Fellows of Harvard College.
Web Pages: The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001), Statistics on Mental Health, http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk