Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected by complex pathways. How we experience and respond to stress, toxic stress, trauma and adverse childhood experiences can impact our vulnerability to and resilience in the face of both chronic and infectious disease. Interventions to improve mental health and well-being may increase individual resilience, improve problem-solving skills and enhance social connection and cohesion.
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Spotlight
Opportunity to Promote Public Health for Workers Exposed to Extreme Heat
Healing Across Generations: Addressing the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma Through Policy Interventions
Public Health Law Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Human Health Impacts of Climate Change
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A Closer Look at Mental Health and Well-Being
Historically, mental health has been viewed as primarily a matter of individual health. Just as we have come to understand the role of social, economic and environmental factors in physical health, there is growing awareness of the social determinants of mental health. Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected by complex pathways. How we experience and respond to stress, toxic stress, trauma and adverse childhood experiences can impact our vulnerability to and resilience in the face of both chronic and infectious disease. Communities across the nation have identified mental health as an unmet need and a high priority during the community health needs assessment process. Interventions to improve mental health and well-being may increase individual resilience, improve problem-solving skills and enhance social connection and cohesion.
Law and policy interventions, including access to care, screenings, and education and stigma reduction can help promote mental health and well-being.
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