childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect. social isolation or loneliness. experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism. social disadvantage, poverty or debt.
Our bodies and minds are not separate, so it's not surprising that mental ill health can affect your body. Depression can come with headaches, fatigue and digestive problems, and anxiety can create an upset stomach, for example. Other symptoms can include insomnia, restlessness and difficulty concentrating.
Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder. While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s.
Lack of awareness, social stigma, cost, and limited access are some of the most prominent factors standing in the way of people pursuing mental health treatment. Let's take a closer look at how these obstacles impact access to much-needed mental health treatment and resources.
What causes mental illness? Adverse Childhood Experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)
Individuals with a history of trauma and abuse, particularly during early childhood, may be at greater risk of developing depression. Those who've experienced childhood trauma also seem to be more likely to experience treatment-resistant depression in adulthood.
Determinants of mental health
Individual psychological and biological factors such as emotional skills, substance use and genetics can make people more vulnerable to mental health problems.
Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.
Physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual and other interrelated factors contribute to mental health, and there are inseparable links between mental and physical health.
Social factors that can influence mental health include race, class, gender, religion, family and peer networks. Our age and stage, and the social roles we have at any time in our life all contribute to this.
These can include genetic factors (family history of mental illness), environmental factors (exposure to trauma or abuse), and stress (from schools or family issues). It's important to note that not all children who experience these factors will go on to develop mental health issues.
Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic. Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems.
Three main types of environmental factors that affect mental health are: Physical factors, such as pollution, working conditions, and weather conditions. Social factors, such as abuse, poor support, and toxic relationships. Other factors, such as lack of stimulation, lack of green outdoor spaces, and messy environments.
Mental disorders are the result of both genetic and environmental factors. There is no single genetic switch that when flipped causes a mental disorder. Consequently, it is difficult for doctors to determine a person's risk of inheriting a mental disorder or passing on the disorder to their children.
The importance of socioeconomic factors for mental health
Experience of socioeconomic disadvantage, including unemployment, low income, poverty, debt and poor housing, is consistently associated with poorer mental health (Silva et al., 2016; Elliott, 2016; Platt et al., 2017; Friedli, 2009, Rogers and Pilgrim, 2010).
Non-Hispanic white adults (11.2%) were most likely and non-Hispanic Asian adults (4.8%) were least likely to have received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional compared with the other race and Hispanic-origin groups.
Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry. Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse. Family history of mental health problems. Your lifestyle, such as diet, physical activity, and substance use.
Difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence or adulthood are a common trigger for anxiety problems. Going through stress and trauma when you're very young is likely to have a particularly big impact. Experiences which can trigger anxiety problems include things like: physical or emotional abuse.