Health is our basic value - the base of our existence. In our accelerated world, we have to pay more attention to our mental health, since we are tending to ignore our mental needs and natural desire for well-being. While preserving mental health emphasising prevention is as important, as an individual- and social intentions of efficient healing. Creating optimal individual, environmental and social conditions are equally important, starting from a livable residential environment through positive working place conditions to well#functioning social support. The history of mental health and ill-health indicates clearly that mental imbalance was a significant individual and social problem all the time, which was differently realized and tried to manage - with less or more success. However, the more and more humane and indulgent forms of treatments and cures indicate that we understood the problem as the suffering of fellows is ours too. Thus, supporting professionals have to do the most they can to ease the suffering of both physically and mentally ill patients. Earlier this practice was served by the principle of moral treatment, later on by the mental hygiene movement, and nowadays it is served by actions of great world organisations, that are united in a worldwide collaboration beyond all country borders by the global mental health movement.  Kulcsszavak: mentális egészség, mentális betegség, pszichiátria, mentális egészség mozgalmak, egészségszociológia, hátrányos helyzet