Growing up, your people were most likely guided to take care of their bodies for optimum health. Diet, exercise, and adequate nutrition are what most of us strive to achieve. However, mental well-being which is just as important, if not more so (unfortunately), is largely undervalued. Good mental health allows an individual to be socially happy, productive able to deal with the daily stresses of life.

Sadly, mental health issues are slowly becoming commonplace and it is imperative to understand the causes if we are to efficiently deal with and find appropriate coping measures. Common mental health issues range from depression, phobias, anxiety, and OCD; whereas more severe mental health problems include bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. The latter often require longer-term treatments.

With one in every four people being statistically proven to suffer from mental health disorders in any given year, it is imperative that we collaborate for innovative solutions.

What are the causes of mental health conditions?

Let’s start at the beginning. Contrary to common misperceptions, mental health is not solely linked to genes or a chemical imbalance in the brain. Though genetics may play a small role in mental wellbeing, most mental health problems are usually a combination of psychological, biological, and environmental factors as noted by several population-based mental health management groups.

These may include your family history, childhood, and life experiences such as a history of domestic or other abuse, a brain injury, or a serious medical illness like cancer. It could also be loneliness or the lack of a social circle, biological factors like a chemical imbalance in the brain, the abuse of drugs and alcohol addiction, or a child’s indirect exposure to toxic chemicals while in the mother’s womb.

It is very pertinent to note that mental health problems should not be equated to character or personality flaws. Unlike sometimes perceived, it is not the effect of being careless or lazy.

Psychological factors affecting mental health

These factors include childhood trauma like various abuse or loss of a loved one such as a parent. It also includes neglect and the difficulty to socialize and relate to people around you.

Biological factors affecting mental health

Some mental sicknesses stem from the poor functioning of the brain’s nerve cell circuits. Other factors include genetics where susceptibility to mental illnesses is passed on between generations. Outside factors like abuse, stress, or a traumatic experience can then trigger the mental health condition.

Some other biological factors affecting mental health are brain injuries, poor nutrition, exposure to environmental toxins, substance and drug abuse, and prenatal brain damage which could lead to autism spectrum disorder.

There are also some infections that have been proven to cause brain damage and lead to the onset or worsening of mental illness. For instance, the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder caused by the streptococcus bacteria is seen to cause OCD in children.

Environmental factors affecting mental health

Environmental stressors which can trigger mental sickness in a person already susceptible to it include a broken family, dealing with loss and grief like the death of a family member, loss of the familiar such as moving jobs or schools, and social expectations to conform to certain norms.

These can lead to feelings of sadness, loneliness, anger, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Some of the disorders associated with these factors are eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.

Diagnosis of medical health problems and subsequent treatments

In order to accurately diagnose the specific condition that the patient suffers from, and to what degree, a medical history report is called for. A physical exam and a psychological evaluation may be conducted, and sometimes lab tests could be prescribed, especially if there is an underlying medical condition noted.

Depending on the severity of the individual’s mental health issue, unique therapy or a treatment plan is drawn up. This could include medications, education on the condition, and a social support system.

For more intensive treatments where there is a risk of self-harm or harm to others, a psychiatric hospital may be advocated where counseling sessions take place with medical staff in attendance.

Besides outside help, there are several mental health self-help treatments that can keep one’s mind more clutter-free, peaceful, and stress-free.

Here are some others:

• Eating a balanced diet. Some mineral deficiencies, like lack of vitamin B12, can cause low moods.
• Sleeping well allows the regulation of chemicals in the brain which help manage our emotions and moods.
• Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes helps improve concentration and reduce undue anxiety. Too much alcohol consumption can lead to a thiamine deficiency which can lead to memory and coordination problems. Smoking can make one anxious and irritable. Drugs can cause anxiety, mood swings, paranoia, and even schizophrenia.
• Getting sufficient sunlight every day helps the brain to release chemicals like serotonin which improve moods.
• Exercising daily can help eliminate stress, anxiety, and laziness.
• Doing what makes you happy is greatly beneficial to mental health. Any hobbies can do the trick, like music, cooking or painting. Living in the moment is highly recommended.
• Coping with daily stresses by writing them down and making tasks more manageable.
• Socializing and volunteering for various charitable events can help increase self-esteem and offer a sense of contribution to society.

Mental wellbeing support is the order of the day but it needs to be a community effort to achieve a paradigm shift in the perception of mental health, its repercussions on society, and the steps we can all take to affect change.