ABSTRACT
The literature reflects a contested view of the concept mental health. What we ‘know about’ mental health can be translated within the definitions, models, elements of and criteria for mental health and within the language used to discuss ‘mental health’ itself. Although it is acknowledged these differing ways of knowing about mental health do not exist in isolation from one another they can offer a clear systematic and logical approach to reviewing the concept mental health. In doing this, however, it is clear that there is no common consensus as to what is meant by ‘mental health’. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present an overview of these differing ways of knowing about mental health and to critically discuss the implications of having a contested concept.
