Mental health, as conceptualized through a decolonial lens by Vanessa Andreotti, transcends the simplistic understanding of individual psychological well-being and situates itself within the complex web of relational, cultural, and systemic contexts. It encompasses not only the internal equilibrium of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors but also acknowledges the impact of historical injustices, colonial legacies, and sociopolitical structures on individuals and communities. Central to this perspective is the recognition of the diversity of experiences and expressions of mental health, eschewing any universalist or Eurocentric norms. True mental health requires an integrative approach that fosters collective resilience, nurtures reciprocal relationships, and seeks restorative justice, while continuously interrogating power dynamics and privileging the voices of marginalized communities in the co-creation of more equitable and holistic frameworks of care.

See also: cognitive justice, human right, power relation, global change, health crisis