Original Chapter by:
Corey L. M. Keyes
This definition embraces the idea that mental health is the presence of positive levels of feelings and psychosocial functioning and not simply the absence of mental illness (see also Jahoda, 1958; Smith, 1959; World Health Organization, 1948).
Languishing
The absence of mental health—a condition described as languishing—is more prevalent than major depression disorder. Languishing is defined as a state in which an individual is devoid of positive emotion toward life, is not functioning well psychologically or socially, and has not been depressed during the past year. In short, languishers are neither mentally ill nor mentally healthy. Languishing is a “disorder” that exists on the mental health continuum (see Keyes, 2002), constituting a life of quiet despair that parallels clinical accounts of patients who may describe their lives as “hollow” or “empty” (see, e.g., Cushman, 1990; Levy, 1984).
Languishing is an overlooked malady that is the counterpart to mental health.
Languishing is associated with poor emotional health, with high limitations of daily living, and with a high likelihood of a severe number (i.e., six or more) of lost days of work (because of mental health).
Mental Health
Mental health and mental illness are not opposite ends of a single continuum. Mental health should be viewed as a complete state consisting of two dimensions:
The Mental Illness Continuum
The Mental Health Continuum
Bibliography
Keyes, C. L. M. (2003). Complete mental health: An agenda for the 21st century. In C. L. M. Keyes & J. Haidt (Eds.), Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived.(pp. 293–312). Washington: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10594-013