Concept of mental health and mental well-being, it's determinants and coping strategies

INTRODUCTION Over the years, besides the focus on mental disorders, the focus has shifted to mental health and well-being. In contrast to mental disorders, the concept of mental health and mental well-being is important for everyone in society. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease" (WHO, 2020).[1] Accordingly, it can be said that since the beginning the WHO has integrated the concept of well-being into its definition of health. Three core concepts crucial to enhancing health emerge from the definition of health as per the WHO.[2] Mental health is an intrinsic component of overall health, mental health encompasses more than just the absence of illness, and mental health is intricately intertwined with physical health and behavior. Defining mental health is crucial, but it is not necessarily required for its improvement. Value differences between countries, cultures, classes, and genders may appear to be too significant to allow for agreement on a definition. However, just as age and wealth have many diverse manifestations worldwide while maintaining a basic common-sense universal meaning, mental health can be defined without limiting its interpretation across cultures.[2] The WHO defines mental health as follows:A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to contribute to his or her community. It is a crucial element of health and well-being that supports both our individual and group capacity to decide, form connections, and influence the world we live in.[3]These WHO definitions differentiate between subjective happiness or life satisfaction (hedonic well-being) and positive psychological functioning (eudaimonic well-being).[4] The American Psychological Association describes the concept of mental health as follows:[5]Mental health is a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioural adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life.[5]While this definition represents significant progress in moving away from the conceptualization of mental health as the absence of mental illness, it raises several concerns and lends itself to potential misunderstandings by identifying positive feelings and positive functioning as key factors for mental health.[6] Researchers and health organizations acknowledged the difficulty in reaching a consensus on mental health due to cultural variations and sought to construct an inclusive definition while avoiding restrictive assertions. While it was commonly understood that mental health is more than the absence of mental disease, there was no universal agreement on equating mental health with well-being or functioning, resulting in a definition that includes a wide range of emotional states and "imperfect functioning."[6] The proposed new definition by Galderisi et al.[6] states that "Mental health is a dynamic state of internal equilibrium that enables individuals to use their abilities in harmony with the universal values of society. Basic cognitive and social skills; ability to recognize, express and modulate one's own emotions, as well as empathize with others; flexibility and ability to cope with adverse life events and function in social roles; and harmonious relationship between body and mind represent important components of mental health which contribute, to varying degrees, to the state of internal equilibrium." CONCEPT OF POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH It has been conceptualized as a positive emotion that leads to a feeling of happiness. The personality traits of people with positive mental health include psychological resources of self-esteem, mastery, and resilience, which is the capacity to cope with adversity and avoid a breakdown when confronted by stressors. Such people have the capacity to master their environments, and they have the ability to identify, confront, and solve problems. Mental health is clearly influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and political situations.[2] Mental health has intrinsic values, as described as follows.[2] Mental health is critical for an individual's well-being and functioning. Good mental health is a valuable resource for individuals, families, communities, and nations. Mental health, as an integral component of overall health, contributes to societal functions and has an impact on overall productivity. Everyone is concerned about mental health because it is generated in our daily lives in our homes, schools, workplaces, and leisure activities. Good mental health contributes to a society's social, human, and economic capital. Spirituality can contribute significantly to the development of mental health, and mental health influences spiritual life.[7] Culture and mental health Each culture has an impact on how people perceive and comprehend mental health. Understanding and sensitivity to culturally valued characteristics will boost the relevance and success of prospective treatments.[2] Race, ethnicity and genetic- its influence on mental health and mental well-being Race and ethnicity, along with genetic factors, play complex roles in shaping mental health and well-being. Social determinants linked to race and ethnicity can contribute to disparities in access to mental health care and resources, impacting mental well-being. Genetic factors influence vulnerability to certain conditions, but interactions with the environment and experiences are vital. For instance, the "diathesis-stress" model highlights how genetic predisposition interacts with stressors.[8] These intertwined factors underscore the need for culturally sensitive care and a comprehensive understanding of mental health influences. Culture significantly shapes perceptions of well-being, influencing emotional expression, social support systems, and coping strategies, ultimately impacting an individual's mental well-being. Mental health and social capital The idea of "social capital" has been central to the recent renaissance in thinking about social connectivity and health promotion. According to Putnam (1995), social capital "refers to features of social organization such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit."[9] Social capital is also impacted by economic and social conditions. Research over the previous two decades has shown relationships between social capital and economic development and the efficiency of human service systems and neighborhood improvement.[2] According to Woolcock (1998), having more social capital can protect individuals from social isolation, create a sense of social security, lower crime, enhance education and societal functioning, and enhance job performance.[10] There are continuous research and discussion on the connections between social capital, physical health, and mental health and the viability of promoting mental health to boost social capital. The strength of social capital lies in its capacity to view the world from a fresh perspective, considering both environmental and social factors and associated social groups. In contrast to aggregated individual health outcomes, this perspective on networks of people interacting with their environments offers the potential to explain a wider range of collective outcomes.[2] Mental well-being The concept of mental well-being has developed over time in response to advances in domains, such as psychology, medicine, sociology, and public health. Initially, a focus on mental illness, with an emphasis on diagnosing and treating problems, typically overshadowed mental well-being. However, in recent decades, there has been a paradigm shift toward a more holistic and positive perspective on mental health. However, the term "mental well-being" can be ambiguous at times, as it may or may not indicate the absence of mental illness or distress. Well-being has been highlighted as an indicator of national prosperity and has been associated with enhanced physical and mental health.[3] Mental well-being is characterized by the following: Optimal physical and behavioral health Life's purpose Active participation in enjoyable work and play Pleasant relationships Contentment Mental health and mental well-being are different phenomena. Ill mental health or mental disorders are characterized by abnormal psychological patterns, emotional distress, and impaired functioning. The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007 showed that mental well-being has relatively independent associations with symptoms of mental illness.[11] It is possible for mental well-being to persist even when experiencing mental suffering.[11] The determinants and variations of mental well-being among individuals with mental health issues are less studied and understood compared with those without such problems.[11] Mental well-being can fluctuate with the phases of mental illnesses, which often involve relapses and remissions. The number, frequency, and duration of relapses may influence the variation in mental well-being.[11] Defining well-being is crucial for understanding and discussing mental health and public mental health, but it has been the subject of much debate and some controversy in recent years. Well-being falls outside the medical model of health, as it is not a diagnostic entity. It is widely recognized that subjective well-being differs significantly among individuals, as well as the factors that influence it.[12] Mental well-being aligns closely with the WHO's comprehensive and positive definition of health and with the positive psychology approach promoted by Seligman. A similar approach to defining mental well-being is used by faculties of public health in the UK.[12] Seligman's proposed PERMA model of psychological well-being as mention in Figure 1.[13]Figure 1: Five core elements of psychological well-being Seligman's PERMA model[ 13 ]Social inclusion and well-being Wellness is inextricably linked to social elements that can either support or obstruct social inclusion. It is obvious that a variety of obstacles, such as trauma, poverty, unemployment, and other bad social situations, can all have a substantial impact on the onset of behavioral health issues in individuals. These issues not only have an impact on people's mental and emotional well-being, but they can also lead to a larger marginalization of people, limiting their access to critical social resources, such as education, economic opportunities, leisure activities, cultural involvement, and healthcare services. Recognizing this, it becomes critical for us as a society to actively participate in the process of building vibrant, holistic, and inclusive communities. We can try to close the gaps generated by these by creating an environment that appreciates and prioritizes well-being. MENTAL WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE Mental well-being refers to a positive state of emotional, psychological, and social health, characterized by a sense of contentment, resilience, and the ability to effectively cope with life's challenges. It encompasses positive emotions, a sense of purpose, and the capacity to engage in fulfilling relationships and activities. Quality of life, however, is a broader concept that encompasses various domains of an individual's life, including physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, environment, and personal goals. It reflects an individual's overall satisfaction with their life circumstances and their perceived ability to pursue their aspirations. Mental well-being is a key component of overall quality of life (QoL), as positive mental health contributes significantly to an individual's perception of their life's value and fulfillment. Although there are many methods for defining mental well-being, such as dimensional categorization as shown in Figure 2, mental well-being is thought to have both subjective and objective components.[12]Figure 2: Objective and subjective dimensions of mental well-beingAlthough the concept of QoL has been now used for more than half a century, there still needs to be more consensus on the definition of QoL. As per the WHO, QoL is defined as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and about their goals, expectations, standards and concerns".[14] It is further clarified that QoL refers to a subjective assessment rooted in the person's cultural, social, and environmental context. Besides this, there are other definitions of QoL too. Wenger et al.[15] defined QoL as "an individual's perceptions of his or her functioning and well-being in different domains of life." Another definition that only focuses on positive aspects of life defines QoL as "The essential characteristics of life, which in the general public is often interpreted as the positive values of life, or the good parts of life, or the total existence of an individual, group or society".[16] Although it is emphasized that QoL is more of a subjective judgment, some of the researchers have argued that QoL is determined by a host of objective parameters and, accordingly, define QoL as "an overall general well-being that comprises objective descriptors and subjective evaluations of physical, material, social, and emotional well-being together with the extent of personal development and purposeful activity, all weighted by a personal set of values".[17] There have been some efforts to distinguish QoL from other related concepts, especially in the context of health and diseases. QoL differs from symptoms of an illness or disability arising from the illness. In the context of any illness, QoL should be understood as the perceived effect of the illness by the person on their life (WHO, 2020). QoL also should not be understood as the same or similar to lifestyle, life satisfaction, mental state, or well-being. QoL is understood as the perception of the individual about their life, whereas "well-being" is more of an indication of positive emotions and satisfaction or contentment, with a lack of long-standing and persistent negative emotions. QoL also should not be equated with the standard of life, which is determined by wealth or material goods.[18] NEUROBIOLOGY OF MENTAL WELL-BEING The concept of mental well-being has several dimensions and includes a variety of cognitive, emotional, and social components. It refers to a state involving complete psychological and emotional well-being that is defined by pleasant emotions, efficient functioning, and a feeling of fulfillment in life. A complex combination of neuronal circuits, neurotransmitters, hormones, and brain areas underlies the neurobiology of mental health. Here are some significant neurobiological aspects of mental well-being listed in Table 1.Table 1: Various hypotheses of the neurobiological model of well-beingRelationship between mental health and well-being The relationship between mental health and well-being can be viewed from two perspectives: the dual continuum model and the single continuum model.[12] The dual continuum model sees mental health and well-being as separate but related, allowing for high well-being despite a mental illness diagnosis. The single continuum model integrates mental well-being into mental health on a spectrum, suggesting that improving overall population well-being can reduce mental illness prevalence. Although evidence supports a single continuum model for common mental health disorders, controversies persist in promoting mental health and measuring population well-being, particularly for severe and enduring mental illness. Mental health is a vital aspect of human life, affecting individuals, society, and culture. It contributes to well-being, productivity, and prosperity at both individual and societal levels. Being an inseparable part of general health, mental well-being is crucial for proper functioning in society and impacts various aspects of life. Positive mental health brings about significant social, human, and economic benefits, fostering growth and development in every society. Measuring mental well-being Measuring mental well-being is critical for gaining a better understanding of people's psychological health and general QoL. It entails evaluating a variety of factors, such as good emotions, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. Researchers and policymakers obtain vital insights into mental health promotion and intervention initiatives by investigating these variables. Effective assessment methods aid in the identification of areas for improvement and in assisting individuals in their pursuit of optimal well-being. Table 2 shows the scales used in measuring mental well-being.Table 2: Scales for assessment of well-beingMeasurement of Well-being and Quality of life: Different instruments have been developed to assess well-being over the years. As well-being is subjective, most of the instruments used to evaluate well-being are self-reported. The length of these instruments varies from a single-item global life satisfaction question to multiple-item scales assessing different components of well-being. Some of the available scales are listed in Table 2. Among all these scales, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index is possibly the only scale available in about 30 languages, although not in any of the Indian languages. The various available QoL instruments can be broadly divided into generic QoL instruments and those that are disease-specific. Some of the standard generic QoL instruments include World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Instrument (WHOQOL-100), World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (MOS SF-36), EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Visual Analogue Scale EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Studies involving patients with various physical illnesses suggest impairment in QoL. Some of the QoL scales developed by the WHO specifically focus on spirituality, religiousness, and personal beliefs (SRPB), and accordingly, the scale is known as WHOQOL-SRPB. Among the various scales of QoL, WHOQOL-BREF[20] and WHOQOL-SRPB[21] have been validated in Hindi in India. A comprehensive understanding of mental health and well-being necessitates a detailed exploration of the various determinants that influence both individual well-being and societal outcomes, as highlighted in the preceding discussion. DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING The relationship between well-being and mental health problems is interrelated. When well-being is high, the likelihood of experiencing mental illness decreases, whereas poor mental health diminishes overall well-being. Studies indicate that individuals with mental health problems constitute the largest proportion of those with low levels of well-being. Consequently, prioritizing the promotion of well-being is crucial both for preventing mental illness and facilitating recovery from mental health issues. Higher levels of well-being have numerous favorable effects, including enhanced educational achievements, adoption of healthier lifestyles, and a decrease in risky behaviors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and substance abuse. Additionally, high well-being is associated with increased productivity and reduced levels of crime, violence, and antisocial behavior.[22] Factors that contribute to good mental health and well-being may vary from those that contribute to poor mental health. Several risk factors increase the chances of experiencing mental health issues or poor well-being throughout one's life. Conversely, protective factors have been identified to promote positive mental health. It is important to note that the determinants of mental well-being may differ from the determinants of mental ill health.[22-25] The determinants of mental ill health vary throughout a person's life, but the evidence shows that most mental health issues develop before adulthood. Research suggests that even a small improvement in well-being can help reduce the risk of mental health problems and support individuals in flourishing. Different determinants of mental health and well-being are presented in Figure 3.[26,27]Figure 3: Determinants of mental health and mental well-beingMental illness-related determinants arise from complex interplays and vary across the lifespan. These factors intertwine, impacting mental health risk and resilience. Figure 4 illustrates the determinants of poor mental health.Figure 4: Determinants of ill mental healthAn individual's entire mental well-being is influenced by a variety of variables, which also influence mental health. These factors cover the biological, psychological, social, and environmental domains, and they are complex and linked. Table 3 shows various determinants of mental health and well-being.Table 3: Determinants of mental health and well-being[ 23-29 ]Protective factors The concept of protective factors relates to conditions that enhance people's ability to withstand and overcome risk factors and disorders. Protective factors are defined as factors that modify, eliminate, or alter an individual's response to environmental hazards that predispose them to negative outcomes. These protective factors are closely associated with positive mental health.[24] At the individual level, various factors have been identified as protective throughout different stages of life. These include factors, such as higher intelligence, a temperament that is easy to manage, and the presence of supportive adults. In late adolescence, resilience is linked to positive interpersonal relationships and a strong sense of self. Social protective factors play a significant role as well. Numerous studies examining the structural aspects of social capital have found a statistically significant correlation between low social capital measures and poor mental health outcomes.[24] Social capital refers to the resources available to individuals and society through social relationships, including features, such as civic participation, norms of reciprocity, and trust in others, which facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit. The combined impact of various risk factors, along with the absence of protective factors, and the complex interplay between them, contributes to an increased vulnerability that can lead to mental ill health and eventually diagnosed mental disorders. The field of preventive science has substantially developed over a period, drawing contributions from the social, biological, and neurological sciences. These interdisciplinary efforts have provided insights into the role of both risk and protective factors in the developmental pathways to mental health. Strategies must be aimed at promoting positive mental health by strengthening the factors that provide protection throughout all stages of life. A collective approach that targets the entire population and encompasses a wide range of activities to foster positive mental health must be emphasized. COPING STRATEGIES To lower risks, foster resilience, and create environments that are supportive of mental health, promotion, and prevention interventions, first the individual, societal, and structural determinants of mental health are identified. Interventions may be created for single people, particular groups, or entire communities. Promotion and prevention initiatives should encompass the education, labor, justice, transportation, environment, housing, and welfare sectors, as changing the determinants of mental health frequently requires action beyond the health sector. Here, we discuss the psychological aspects of care and coping in relation to mental health and well-being.[2] Coping Coping has various definitions, and it is considered a psychological tool to deal with various external and internal stressful situations. Coping is defined as follows: The thoughts and behaviors mobilized to manage internal and external stressful situations.[28] Unconscious or conscious way of dealing with stress[30] Activities of which the person is aware to reduce stressful events or situations—for example, deliberately avoiding further stressors[31] Coping strategies are voluntary mobilization of acts, whereas defense mechanisms are subconscious or unconscious responses to reduce stress.[31] Coping strategies help to deal with stressful situations and may lead to emotional and somatic responses. Coping skills do not necessarily remove stress or eradicate challenges, such as mental illness, but they go a long way toward helping people function well despite challenges. People can use their own personal coping skills to take charge of their thoughts, feelings, and actions, and when they do, they find that they experience mental health and even begin to thrive. Coping can be broadly classified as follows:[31] Reactive coping (a reaction following the stressor): Excel in stable environments because they are more routine, rigid, and less reactive to stressors. Proactive coping (aiming to neutralize future stressors): Perform better in a more variable environment. COPING STYLE AND COPING RESPONSE Coping style is a relatively stable trait of behavior, and it differs from coping response, which is more specific to a particular event. Different people react to stress with different coping styles, and sometimes person can modify his or her coping style as a response to stress.[32] Coping style[33] While dealing with difficult circumstances, some individuals could be motivated to solve the issue right away, while others would wish to avoid it altogether. Although there is not a single best way to deal with stress, it is crucial to be aware of different ways to cope. Active Coping It is dealing with the stressor directly. An active coping strategy is an effort to deal with the stressor and try to lessen its impact on you, whether you choose to focus on the issue at hand (problem-focused) or how your emotions are about the situation (emotion-focused). Avoidant Coping It entails avoiding the scenario that is causing a stress response or completely dismissing our feelings about the stressor. APPROACHES USED TO COPE The mechanisms we use to cope may be called approaches or techniques for how we implement our coping skills. Typically, we utilize cognitive and behavioral approaches to cope.[34] Cognitive coping strategies are those that involve thinking. Behavioral coping strategies are action-based. Emotion-focused and problem-focused coping styles are the two primary coping mechanisms identified by most of the coping literature. Algorani and Gupta (2021),[31] in contrast, add meaning-focused and social coping, often known as support-seeking methods of coping, to the initial two styles to create four key coping categories. A fifth coping method, termed avoidance-focused, is mentioned by Meyerson et al. (2022).[35] Different coping styles are explained in Table 4.[31,33]Table 4: Different coping styles and their description[ 31 , 33 ]COPING MECHANISM TYPES Coping mechanisms can be categorized into maladaptive and adaptive strategies. Maladaptive coping is based on the avoidance of external or internal stimuli. In contrast, adaptive coping strategies match the stressor and aim to reduce emotional distress. It is important to note that emotional, problematic, significant, social, and avoidant styles can be maladaptive and ineffective or adaptive and effective, depending on the outcome. Table 5[32,36] shows coping mechanism types and their examples.Table 5: Types of coping mechanisms[ 32 , 36 ]Numerous coping techniques are effective in some circumstances. A problem-focused strategy may be the most advantageous, according to some studies, while other studies consistently show that some coping techniques have negative effects.[32] Maladaptive coping is the term used to describe coping strategies that are linked to poor mental health outcomes and greater levels of psychopathology symptoms. Disengagement, avoidance, and emotional restraint are a few of these.[36,37] The medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens and serotonergic and dopaminergic inputs play a role in the physiology of various coping mechanisms.[38] The neuropeptides, such as oxytocin and vasopressin, also play a significant role in coping mechanisms. However, neuroendocrinology that involved plasma catecholamine levels, corticosteroids, and the activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis was unlikely to have a direct causal association with a person's coping style.[39] What different coping styles are used in healthy and unhealthy ways is described in Table 6.[40]Table 6: Different coping styles in relation to healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms[ 40 ]MEASURING COPING RESPONSE Identifying and measuring coping responses are crucial for understanding how individuals cope with stressors. Resilience and emotional well-being depend heavily on coping mechanisms. To promote positive mental health outcomes, we can obtain valuable insight into the coping strategies people employ through validated scales and inventories. Table 7[41] shows different coping scales and their brief description, and Figure 5 describes different coping scales available for different age groups.Figure 5: Different coping scales available for the indian populations across different age groupsTable 7: Coping scales[ 41 ]Various coping scales and coping Behavior Assessment Scale have been adapted and validated in the Indian context. These include Coping Behavior Assessment Scale.[42] The coping scale specifically focuses on religious coping, that is, brief religious coping.[19] Ways of coping checklist has also been translated into Hindi and some of its psychometric properties have been assessed.[43] The stress coping strategies scale is also available in Hindi.[44] All the scales mentioned above have been validated by respective authors and can be obtained from them by personal communication. A variety of techniques are used by people as coping mechanisms to deal with stress, difficulties, and emotional pain. These pursuits are numerous and individual, as people frequently find comfort and satisfaction in a variety of ways. Coping strategies give people the tools they need to deal with life's ups and downs, from exercising and engaging in creative hobbies to getting social support and meditating. People can develop resilience and advance their mental health by adopting these various coping methods in their daily life. Coping can include various activities, but Table 8[45] shows a few examples of coping activities.Table 8: Coping activities examples[ 45 ]Coping in the Indian Context Spirituality is a widely accepted idea as coping in the Indian population. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, people often used religious coping to deal with their routine day-to-day stress.[46] It entails faith and obedience to an all-powerful entity known as God, who rules over the universe and man's fate. It entails how people fulfill what they believe to be the purpose of their existence, as well as a search for the meaning of life and a sense of connectedness to the cosmos. The universality of spirituality transcends religion and culture. At the same time, spirituality is highly personal and unique to everyone. It is a holy domain of human experience. Love, honesty, patience, tolerance, compassion, a sense of detachment, faith, and hope are all attributes that spirituality fosters in man. Recently, there have been some reports indicating that several places. There have recently been some reports indicating that certain parts of the brain, primarily the nondominant one, are engaged in the appreciation and fulfillment of spiritual values and experiences. Religion and spirituality[47,48] Religion is spirituality institutionalized. As a result, there exist numerous religions, each with its own set of beliefs, practices, and teachings. They have several community-based worship programs. All of these religions have one thing in common: spirituality. Religions may lose their spirituality when they become oppressive institutions rather than agents of benevolence, peace, and harmony. They have the potential to divide rather than unite. History will tell us that this has happened on occasion. It is stated that more blood has been shed in the name of religion than in any other. Examples include medieval European holy wars, as well as modern-day religious-based terrorism and conflicts. We must remember that religious organizations are designed to assist us in practicing spirituality in our daily lives. They require periodic revivals to establish spirituality. Common spiritual practices for psychological health and well-being[47] Practicing meditation, mindfulness, prayer, and profound introspection. Spending time reading for reflection (literature, poetry, or scripture). Singing or playing sacred music. Being a part of a religious tradition. Participating in religious ceremonies, rituals, symbolic activities, or worship. Participating in pilgrimages or retreats. Following a fasting regimen or other lifestyle habits. Spending time outside admiring nature. Enjoy being creative, such as through painting, sculpture, cooking, gardening, and so on. Be of assistance to others. Steps for improving spiritual well-being[47] As you take steps to promote a good mental state, make sure you also take care of your spiritual health. Different tactics work for different people in different ways. You should do whatever makes you most at ease and pleased. Some suggestions for improving your spiritual health include the following: Determine what makes you feel at peace, cherished, strong, and connected. Devote a portion of your day to community service. Read motivational books. Consider meditating. Go for a walk outside. Pray, either alone or in a group. Inclusion of yoga in daily living. Participate in your preferred sport. Schedule some alone (leisure) time for yourself. Spirituality: Key points Spirituality has been characterized as an expression of transcending means of realizing human potential. Spirituality is a known psychological phenomenon that differs from religiosity and is applicable across cultures. Significant study evidence suggests that spirituality is crucial in the treatment of psychological problems. Spirituality: positive impact. Spirituality can help your mental health in a variety of ways: You might have a stronger feeling of purpose, tranquility, hope, and meaning. You may feel more confident, self-esteem, and self-control. It can assist you in making sense of your life events. When you are sick, it can help you feel stronger and recover faster. Those who belong to a spiritual community may receive additional help. You may work on improving your relationships with yourself and others. Many people suffering from mental illnesses find hope by speaking with a religious or spiritual leader. Some mental diseases might be characterized as moments when people doubt their worth or purpose in a way that makes them feel depressed. Incorporating spirituality into the therapy of mental health issues can be incredibly beneficial. Spirituality: Negative impact Some people may exploit emotionally sensitive people by claiming to encourage their spirituality. When emotionally susceptible, one is more likely to be persuaded to engage in risky behavior. Measuring spirituality as a coping mechanism for mental well-being can be a complex task, as both spirituality and mental well-being are multifaceted concepts that can vary greatly from person to person. Several standardized scales and questionnaires have been developed to measure spirituality and its relationship with mental well-being. Examples include the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness or Spirituality (BMMRS), the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp). These scales typically consist of items that assess beliefs, practices, and experiences related to spirituality, as well as their impact on mental health. Table 9 shows a few examples of scales available for measuring spirituality in reference to mental well-being.Table 9: Few examples of spirituality scales in the Indian populationAmong these scales, WHOQOL-SRPB[21] has been validated in Hindi in India. Certain scales, such as Central Religiosity Scale and Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), have been adapted and validated in Hindi.[19,49] SUMMARY We explore various facets of mental health and well-being in this article. The study thoroughly examines the ideas of mental health and mental well-being, emphasizing the role that good mental health plays in promoting general wellness. The article dives into the complex concept of mental health, highlighting its benefits and how it enhances a person's QoL. The topic of measuring mental well-being is covered, putting light on the various tools and techniques used to rate and quantify this crucial aspect of humanity. The identification of variables that affect mental health and well-being is one of the main focuses of this study. The work emphasizes how biological, psychological, social, and environmental elements interact in complex ways to collectively determine a person's mental state. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the holistic approach required to promote and maintain optimal mental health. Each individual employs a different coping strategy to deal with challenges and stressors. In our article, we explore and discuss various coping styles. In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive understanding of mental health and well-being, illustrating its conceptual foundations, determinants, and coping mechanisms. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.