Six essentials of positive mental health

Last month, the first study to achieve international consensus on what constitutes positive mental health was published in Nature Mental Health. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to promote mental wellness, I thought it would be valuable to share some findings from this study with you.

The authors surveyed 122 global experts across 11 disciplines relevant to positive mental health, including economics, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, public health, sociology, and theology. With feedback from the global experts, the authors have defined positive mental health as follows:

“Positive mental health is a personal and subjective experience, where we are content with our lives, feel good, function well, and view ourselves favorably. Our level of positive mental health can vary over time and is influenced by the way we adapt to the problems and opportunities we face. It’s impacted by many factors such as our environment, life experiences, cultural background, biology, and behaviors. Many people have some level of positive mental health, and we can improve it by taking action using a variety of means, even when we experience a mental health condition.” 

The authors achieved agreement (75%+ consensus) on 19 dimensions, with near‑unanimous agreement (90%+ consensus) on six dimensions that are essential to positive mental health. This consensus provides a unified framework for promoting and measuring mental well-being, helping to align research, practice, and policy worldwide.

The six dimensions that achieved exceptional consensus (exceeding 90% agreement among experts) as either essential or important for positive mental health are as follows:

1. Meaning and purpose – feeling life is worthwhile and goal‑directed
2. Life satisfaction – overall evaluation that your life is good
3. Self‑acceptance – positive and non-judgmental view of self
4. Connection – close, caring relationships with others
5. Autonomy – feeling in control of choices and self‑expression
6. Happiness – frequent positive mood and cheerfulness

The 19 dimensions that are considered either an outcome or a driver of positive mental health are as follows:

1. Acceptance                                                       11. Fun
2. Achievement                                                     12. Happiness
3. Activities and functioning                                  13. Life satisfaction
4. Autonomy                                                          14. Meaning and purpose
5. Belonging                                                          15. Optimism 
6. Calmness                                                          16. Safety
7. Competence                                                      17. Self-acceptance
8. Connection                                                        18. Self-congruence
9. Development                                                     19. Vitality
10. Engagement 

According to the primary author, Dr. Matthew Iasiello, “Positive mental health is less about feeling good all the time, and more about having the right combination of factors to cope, live well, and experience life as meaningful. When people can better recognize which parts of their well-being are strong, and which might need support, it gives them a clearer sense of where to focus their efforts”

I welcome your comments and questions — please send them to me at

[email protected].