Beyond Surviving to Thriving: The Case for a 'Compassion towards Thriving' Approach in Public Mental Health Ethics

Bielby, Phil

Abstract

In this article, I argue for a novel understanding of compassion - what I call a 'compassion towards thriving' approach - to inform public mental health ethics. The argument is developed through two main parts. In the first part, I develop an account of compassion towards thriving that builds upon Martha Nussbaum's philosophical work on compassion. This account expands the ambit of compassion from a focus on the alleviation of existing suffering to the prevention of potential future suffering through the facilitation of personal growth based on a 'psychosocial' understanding of mental health. In the second part of the article, I discuss the aims of public mental health and examine compassion towards thriving's normative synergies with existing approaches in public health ethics. I explain how compassion towards thriving supports a vision of public health ethics which is concerned with solidarity, social justice and flourishing. I then apply this compassion towards thriving approach to evaluate the 'Every Mind Matters' public mental health campaign in England, highlighting its affinities with the ethos of the campaign. I also identify and explain two ways in which the application of a compassion towards thriving approach could enhance its delivery.

Citation

Bielby, P. (2021). Beyond Surviving to Thriving: The Case for a 'Compassion towards Thriving' Approach in Public Mental Health Ethics. Public Health Ethics, 14(3), 298-316. https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phab023

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 26, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Aug 19, 2021
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 21, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 20, 2023
• Journal: Public Health Ethics
• Print ISSN: 1754-9973
• Electronic ISSN: 1754-9981
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: phab023
• Pages: 298-316
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phab023
• Keywords: Health Policy; Issues, ethics and legal aspects
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3825717