We are losing our mental health
In recent years, talking about mental health has become a public health priority topic . As in most countries, in the last decade mental health has declined in Spain, with a B worsening after the COVID-19 pandemic. But it is youth in particular who have been especially affected, as the incidence of mental health problems among 15-24 year olds has doubled in most countries in recent years. And this fact is accompanied by the seriousness of an increase in suicide in adolescence; being the second leading cause of death among young people in Europe. An irreversible solution that is presented for many as the only way out in the face of suffering that is becoming unbearable. Unfortunately, this outcome is also alarming among our elders due to loneliness.

Voices advocating for their care are added.
This concern has been echoed in numerous media, scientific communities, and has even finally seen the light of day in the political diary at the national level (new Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2024) and greater support at the global level (revision and extension of the comprehensive Mental Health Plan 2013-2030 proposed by the WHO). However, despite the fact that there are more and more efforts aimed at solving the great crossroads facing our mental health, the general bet is still marked by a clear approach "pathologicist"; (disease-oriented) and circumscribed in a generic model health care, instead of revitalizing the so forgotten model community mental health . Today, on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day, this issue leads us to ask ourselves what we are considering as mental health?

A salutogenic view
From a salutogenic approach (that which generates health) all people, at subject of health, find ourselves in what Eriksson and Lindström (2008) called "the river of life"; a continuous process in which we move towards and away from health throughout the course of life. In this analogy, the river is full of risks and resources that either protect or endanger our well-being.

If, like result of the stressors and circumstances surrounding our lives, we get into the current of this river, it becomes deeper and deeper, and we may find it difficult to find a foothold to stay afloat. From here we may find it difficult to maintain a clear view of our own status and we may well need someone to help us rise to the surface again. But if this financial aid is not available and/or we do not find enough resources to keep swimming, our chances of getting caught in the undercurrents or ending up in a fatal outcome are increased. Therefore, what determines whether we sink or stay afloat, to a large extent, is our ability to swim and meet the challenges we encounter in the course of the river, but also the availability of the adequate support resources we will need in this process.

Resources that generate mental health
These resources (the so-called health assets) will be determined by factors such as the political, socioeconomic and cultural context, accessibility to Education, work, access to health services, the family system, gender, age or our sense of belonging and network of social support. In final, they will depend on the conditions (social determinants) in which we live, work, enjoy and age, and thus predispose us to good or bad health or risk of disease.

When we talk about the availability of resources, we cannot only refer to those at the individual level, but we must pay special attention to all those at the social, family and community level, which complement the former and give us strength and drive to swim towards wellbeing. It is crucial, therefore, to ensure the availability of these health assets under an equity perspective, in which we ensure equal opportunities and accessibility for all people to be able to make use of them. It is of little, or very little, use if we offer health services oriented to the psychological financial aid in the population, if the neighborhoods themselves do not offer resources where the person can develop in their daily life within an inclusive, safe and committed to their mental wellbeing environment. 

Creating favorable conditions for mental wellbeing
Mental health promotion is about creating favorable conditions and ensuring health resources so that mental wellness can occur. For all people, regardless of where they are in the river at any given time, or whether they are young or old, or have a physical or mental health problem. When we focus on levels of wellness, we know that even those suffering from mental illness can experience wellness in many other ways, while at the same time helping to reduce their symptoms, promote their recovery, and even save major health and social costs. 

For this reason, it is essential that we have a thorough knowledge of our context, the resources offered or not by our community, our ties and our personal resources (emotional intelligence, self-care, sense of coherence, network of social support, spirituality, project of life, etc.). So that, from there, we can identify and understand what protective and risk factors we have to face the vital stressors that, undoubtedly, at one time or another, all of us will have to face.

As today's slogan invites us to reflect, we have the right to grow in wellbeing, in inclusive, nurturing communities, and to be able to empower people from their precious childhood; to move towards the upper end of the river. It will be from there that we can swim calmly and be truly innovative, creative, altruistic, productive and resilient. But to achieve this, we need to advocate for the promotion of mental health within public health, for the implementation of mental health in all policies and for clear intersectoral action for its promotion.

A commitment from nursing to community mental health
Nursing in general, and mental health nursing in particular, has a clear responsibility in subject to promote mental health. That is why, as a mental health nurse, researcher and professor, I keep a strong commitment staff and professional with this approach, and I contribute to department of Community and Maternal-Child Nursing of the School of Nursing (University of Navarra) in the progress of the area of mental health. In this area we are working to build projects that respond to a clear framework of mental health promotion that goes from the individual, family and community to its political commitment.