What is psychology?
Science aimed at understanding the structure and functioning of mental activity and the behaviors associated with it.
What is mental health?
En fait, la santé mentale ou psychique est une recherche d'un équilibre. Ce n'est pas une vie sans problème et sans maladie, mais plutôt une vie où l’être humain peut le plus possible évoluer et vivre avec.
Mental health can, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), be considered as " a state of well-being in which a person can achieve their full potential, overcome the normal stresses of life, perform productive work and contribute to the life of their community " (Becker et al., 2004; WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2019).
This state results from a complex process largely influenced by the context (environment, economic situation, etc.) but also by personal characteristics (genetic heritage, what our parents passed on to us, our life history, etc.).
We can take action on our mental health, in particular, by:
remaining active
learning new things
asking for help
practicing creative activities
staying in touch with friends
...
What can a psychologist do for mental health?
Un-e psychologue peut soutenir ce processus en :
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utilisant ses connaissances sur le fonctionnement psychique (sciences cognitives, neuropsychologie, neurosciences,...)
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donnant des informations sur comment fonctionne le cerveau lorsqu'il apprend
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transmettant ses connaissances sur la santé mentale (psycho-education,..)
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travaillant sur les éléments favorisant la résilience et le rétablissement en santé mentale (psychologie positive, salutogenèse,..)
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se servant des outils spécifiques développés par des psychologues (tests, ...)
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.... et tant d'autres choses.
Are all psychologists psychotherapists or neuropsychologists?
To become a psychologist in Switzerland, you must have completed a university course (in the majority of cases) or a university of applied sciences (only one school in Switzerland offers this course).
This course does not allow for follow-up in psychotherapy or neuropsychology. For this, the psychologist must complete postgraduate training after basic training in psychology (Psychology Act, https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2012/268/fr )