MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY AND ACTIVE PREVENTION: EMERGENT CONCEPTS IN THE SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY AND ACTIVE PREVENTION: EMERGENT CONCEPTS IN THE SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL HEALTH

Summary/Abstract: Mental Health Literacy (MHL) and Active Prevention represent essential and, I would say, emergent pillars in the contemporary landscape of mental health sociology. This article explores the genesis, evolution, and sociological relevance of these two concepts, anchoring them in fundamental debates such as medicalization, labeling, and stigmatization. From Jorm’s initial definition of MHL as a vital personal resource, to its fundamental role in promoting preventive behaviors, understanding and applying these concepts are indispensable for addressing inequalities in mental health. The multi-ethnic and multicultural context of Dobrogea also serves as an illustrative example, showing how social determinants shape both MHL and the capacity for preventive action. Therefore, this article argues that a deepened sociological perspective, which integrates the social dynamics of illness with individual and collective capacity to act proactively, is essential for building healthier and more inclusive societies.

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