Natural and applied sciences, such as biology, chemistry, or medicine, are concerned with the research process to understand the physical world and environment. The lens of the sciences is characterized by the methods of observation, hypothesis verification, and experimentation conducted with the goal of obtaining reliable and practical data. Thus, the human body might be considered by natural/applied scientists as a set of interconnected and interdependent systems supporting the harmonious union of physical and mental health. The problem of psychological wellness can provide a social commentary through the natural and applied sciences. The researchers may focus their work on psychological anxiety or discuss the stress of social isolation and the effects of discrimination on mental and physical health (Qiu et al., 2020). The contextual approach of natural/applied scientists and the social commentary included in their work inform the general public on the issue. The topic of mental wellness is one of the current issues in the sciences because the disciplines aim to find effective ways of restoring mental well-being.
Researchers in medicine, chemistry, and biology are concerned with developing effective strategies for maintaining and improving mental well-being in two major ways. Firstly, natural and applied scientists examine a link between existing problems and potential solutions to develop actionable plans. For instance, Bratman et al. (2019) use an ecosystem perspective and suggest that the natural environment can improve a person’s mental health and quality of life. The experts claim that practical measures, such as climate stabilization efforts, flood protection, and water purification, should become the priority of governmental decision-making for enhancing the psychological well-being of their citizens. The researchers examine the problem and conclude that mental wellness can alleviate the burden of cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, decreasing the quality of life, causing disability, and increasing mortality.
Secondly, science can enhance the understanding and raise awareness of the issue by investigating different institutions or social actors. For example, the research by Qiu et al. (2020) reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affects mental wellness and causes psychological anxiety. The medical experts address the issue of psychological health and recommend the measurement of mental state and online interventions (professional guidance, meditation, emotional self-regulation) to adequately respond to the emergency event. Furthermore, web- and community-based dissemination of evidence-based wellness content (posters, mobile messages, videos) can improve the social bond and inform people about emergency interventions (Qiu et al., 2020). Therefore, the discoveries made by natural and applied scientists provide practical measures to approach mental wellness and resolve associated issues.
References
Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., … Daily, G. C. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7), 1–14.
Qiu, J. Y., Zhou, D. S., Liu, J., & Yuan, T. F. (2020). Mental wellness system for COVID-19. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 87, 51–52.