Living a healthy lifestyle is influenced by personal agency and societal
structures, which contribute to a continuum of physical and mental health. The social
determinants of mental health offer a perspective on how structural factors may
influence a person's lifestyle. These determinants include the conditions in which
people are born, live, grow up, and age, shaped by policy decisions and resource
distribution within their communities and societies. These social, political, cultural, and
economic conditions, along with spiritually problematic situations, may disrupt optimal
mental health, increase the risk of mental disorders, and worsen outcomes among those
affected. The concept of social inclusion holds great potential in the rights-based
examination and redress of challenging social determinants of mental health. Further to
this, the chapter proposes drawing on a critical occupational perspective as a paradigm
shift from an individualistic medicalised view to a more collective and justice-oriented
approach, challenging the taken-for-granted ways of participation and centering
participation in meaningful occupations for all.
Keywords: Africa, Disability, HIV/AIDS, Mental health, Occupation, Occupational justice, Occupational perspective, Poverty, Social determinants, Social exclusion, Social inclusion.
