Quale “salute mentale”? Significati, usi, contesti

In the last few decades philosophy of science has shown an increasing interest in psychiatry and mental health sciences, their features as disciplinary fields, and the nature of their object of investigation. The article focuses on the notion of mental health, which, far from being uncontroversial, can be analysed from a number of different standpoints. The definition chosen in a given context strongly affects both research trends and public health policies related to mental illness’ treatment and management. The paper argues that a careful evaluation of the state of mental health care services should take into proper account the definition of mental health used, and analyze whether or not adopted clinical and prevention strategies are consistent with it.