What is positive mental health?
The concept of positive mental health refers to the positive continuum of mental health, also called mental wellbeing. Positive mental health can be understood as wellbeing across different domains: emotional wellbeing (feelings), psychological wellbeing (positive functioning), social wellbeing (relationships with others and society), physical wellbeing (physical health and fitness), and spiritual wellbeing (a sense of meaning in life).
Dimensions of positive mental health therefore include, for example, resilience – the ability to cope with adversity, a sense of hope and coping, experiences of happiness, positive relationships, feelings of competence and meaningfulness, and satisfaction with oneself.
Measuring positive mental health
Positive mental health is measured using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). The scale has two versions: the full 14-item version (WEMWBS) and a short 7-item version (SWEMWBS). The short version is currently used in national population surveys. Both scales have been translated into Finnish and Swedish using a double-translation process.
Permission to use the scale must be obtained from the University of Warwick (use of the scale is free of charge for non-commercial purposes). The licence application form is available via the following link.
Non-Commercial Registration Form (The University of Warwick)
Once permission has been granted by the University of Warwick, the scale questionnaires and guidance can be obtained from THL’s mental health team.
