The World Health Organization (WHO) describes ‘health’ as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO [284]). Thus, it is important for nurses to be able to address biological, psychological and social factors influencing a patient's health. This is a difficult task when viewed in the context of limited resources. However, a nurse can use their relationship with their patients to offer compassion and curiosity about psychosocial wellbeing alongside technical care. This type of relationship has benefits for staff (e.g. improved job satisfaction) and patients (e.g. increased trust and confidence in healthcare staff), which can save time in the long run (Wiechula et al. [288]).

The WHO's definition of health embraces the biopsychosocial model, rather than a purely biological, or medical, view. This perspective on health has implications for language that are particularly pertinent in the field of psychological wellbeing (Figure 5.8). For example, the phrase ‘mental illness’ implies a biological aetiology such as a disease, whereas ‘mental health problem’ opens up the possibility of a broad range of biopsychosocial factors (e.g. health, thinking styles, loss, unemployment and financial difficulties, and relationships) in the cause and/or maintenance of psychological difficulties. Beliefs about the aetiology of psychological difficulties have significant implications for their treatment (i.e. medication, psychological therapy and/or social interventions).