For decades, psychologists have agreed that mental health is more than the absence of mental illness.
However, defining positive mental health has remained challenging, with different theories emphasizing well-being, resilience, meaning, self-determination, and social connection.
Although these perspectives overlap, inconsistent terminology and measures have made research difficult to compare and findings harder to apply in practice.
In 2025, 122 experts reached consensus on the core dimensions of positive mental health, creating the first shared taxonomy (Iasiello et al., 2026).
This article explains the taxonomy, outlines its key dimensions, and explores how practitioners can use it to assess and foster lasting mental well-being in their clients.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our five positive psychology tools for free. These engaging, science-based exercises will help you effectively deal with difficult circumstances and give you the tools to improve the resilience of your clients, students, or employees.
However, defining positive mental health has remained challenging, with different theories emphasizing well-being, resilience, meaning, self-determination, and social connection.
Although these perspectives overlap, inconsistent terminology and measures have made research difficult to compare and findings harder to apply in practice.
In 2025, 122 experts reached consensus on the core dimensions of positive mental health, creating the first shared taxonomy (Iasiello et al., 2026).
This article explains the taxonomy, outlines its key dimensions, and explores how practitioners can use it to assess and foster lasting mental well-being in their clients.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our five positive psychology tools for free. These engaging, science-based exercises will help you effectively deal with difficult circumstances and give you the tools to improve the resilience of your clients, students, or employees.
