El Mito de la Salud Mental: Una Aproximación a la Naturaleza Pseudocientífica del Concepto

Abstract

The term "mental health" is widely used across various disciplines, including psychology, social work, and public health. However, its scientific foundation remains unclear. Therefore, this paper aims to critically analyze the concept and assess its potential shortcomings as a scientific construct. To achieve this, we will first propose demarcation criteria and then analyze the official definition. This analysis will identify several limitations: (1) The concept of mental health may not provide a viable analytical object for scientific practice, (2) It can be confused with multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary analytical objects, (3) It might imply a lack of understanding of established scientific knowledge in psychology, (4) The associated general narrative can lead to significant practical or intervention issues when addressing social problems. In conclusion, current practices surrounding mental health may exhibit characteristics of pseudoscience in various ways. This paper proposes a more rigorous approach to public issues, strictly grounded in scientific knowledge.