Book chapter
Social Determinants of Mental Health: A Critical Occupational Perspective
Occupational Therapy Practice in Mental Health: Models, Conditions, Interventions, and Recovery, pp.276-291
Bentham Science
10/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
Metrics
1 Record Views
Abstract
Living a healthy lifestyle is influenced by personal agency and societal structures, which contribute to a continuum of physical and mental health. The social determinants of mental health offer a perspective on how structural factors may influence a person's lifestyle. These determinants include the conditions in which people are born, live, grow up, and age, shaped by policy decisions and resource distribution within their communities and societies. These social, political, cultural, and economic conditions, along with spiritually problematic situations, may disrupt optimal mental health, increase the risk of mental disorders, and worsen outcomes among those affected. The concept of social inclusion holds great potential in the rights-based examination and redress of challenging social determinants of mental health. Further to this, the chapter proposes drawing on a critical occupational perspective as a paradigm shift from an individualistic medicalised view to a more collective and justice-oriented approach, challenging the taken-for-granted ways of participation and centering participation in meaningful occupations for all.
Details
- Title
- Social Determinants of Mental Health: A Critical Occupational Perspective
- Creators
- Clement Nhunzvi - Bond UniversityRoshan Galvaan - University of Cape Town
- Contributors
- Tawanda Machingura (Editor of compilation) - The University of Notre Dame Australia
- Publication Details
- Occupational Therapy Practice in Mental Health: Models, Conditions, Interventions, and Recovery, pp.276-291
- Publisher
- Bentham Science
- Number of pages
- 16
- Identifiers
- 991013376443402368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter