Chapter 1 - Glossary

Question 1

Deinstitutionalization

Answer 1

Plans by governments to decrease the use of psychiatric hospitals and replace them with community-based treatment.

Question 2

Disability Adjusted Life Years

DALY

Answer 2

A combined measure of disability and premature mortality. Calculated by adding years lived with disability and years of life lost.

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

The study of the distribution of health and illness of populations.

Question 4

Incidence

Answer 4

The proportion of people who have a new case of the condition being studied.

Question 5

Mental health
(WHO definition)

Answer 5

A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of every day life.

Question 6

Mental status examination

Answer 6

A series of observations, structured questions, and tests undertaken by health professional to evaluate a person’s mental health.

Question 7

Years of Lost Life

YLL

Answer 7

A measure of the number of years of life lost due to premature mortality (death) in the population.

Question 8

Years Lived with Disability

YLD

Answer 8

The number of years of life accompanied by disability due to a disease or injury.

Question 9

Ratings of mental health must rely on:

Answer 9

Observations, historical information, and inference.

Question 10

Mental Health infers various capacities including the ability to:
(Canadian Senate’s standing committee report on mental health)

Answer 10

• Understand oneself and one’s life;
• Relate to other people and respond to one’s environment;
• Experience pleasure and enjoyment;
• Handle stress in withstand discomfort;
• Evaluate challenges and problems;
• Pursue goals and interests;
• Explore choices and make decisions.

Question 11

Mental health is associated with:

Canadian Senate’s standing committee report on mental health

Answer 11

• Positive self-esteem,
• Happiness,
• Interest in life,
• Work satisfaction,
• Mastery and a sense of coherence.

Question 12

Good mental health enables individuals to:

Canadian Senate’s standing committee report on mental health

Answer 12

Realize their potential and contribute to society.

Question 13

An examination of an individual’s mental health begins by observing:

Answer 13

• Behaviour,
• Psychomotor activity,
• Speech,
• General demeanour.

Question 14

Transient states of mind across the lifespan maybe influenced by various factors including:

Answer 14

• Environment
• Stressors
• Significant life events
• Substance use

Question 15

Burden of disease

Answer 15

The impact of a health problem in an area measured by financial cost, mortality, morbidity, or other indicators.

Question 16

“Mental health” literally means:

Answer 16

Health of the mind.

Question 17

Construct

Answer 17

A concept for which there is not a single observable referent and cannot be directly observed.

Question 18

Examples of constructs:

Answer 18

The mind, intelligence, love, fear.

Question 19

Factors that influence mental health and mental illness:

Answer 19

Biology, psychology, environment, family and childhood, culture, politics and economy.

Question 20

From the perspective of the physical sciences, emphasis is on:

Answer 20

Functions of the brain, neurotransmitters, endocrine system (adrenaline, estrogen, testosterone), genetic influences, pharmaceutical agents.

Question 21

From the social sciences perspectives focus on:

Answer 21

Family life, culture, society, and political and economic environments.

Question 22

Relying on one perspective of mental health leads to:

Answer 22

Reductionist thinking.

Question 23

Types of mental health services and support systems:

Answer 23

Counseling, psychotherapy, emergency and hospital-based psychiatric treatment services, social services, public health indicatives promoting good mental health.

Question 24

Traditional practices that are relevant to mental health and spirituality among Canadians aboriginal peoples include:

Answer 24

Ritual chants, ceremonial dances, drumming, ritual journeys, communal sweats, and other spiritual rites.

Question 25

Residential asylums

Answer 25

Large hospital like facilities in which the mentally ill were treated. Purpose was to provide safe settings for physical and spiritual care to shield individuals from the harm and peril that commonly befell people with mental illnesses. Segregated the mentally ill from the general public.

Question 26

Policy of institutionalization led to large asylums across Canada during what time period?

Answer 26

Mid to late 1800s and continuing until the 1960s.