by Sun Meilan

Created on: August 29, 2010

Your mental health is very important to your overall well-being. Without good mental health, you will find it hard to get through your everyday life and, if mental health issues are left untreated, you could find yourself in serious danger. It is often impossible to pinpoint exactly what has caused a mental health issue, but there are undoubtedly some factors that are more likely than others to influence mental health. 

*Childhood experiences

The way you grow up can have a huge influence on your mental health later in life, often subconsciously. You may have been abused, or it may have been less obvious trauma, such as minor bullying or feeling unloved, but you may struggle, as a result, to build lasting relationships in your adult life and could end up suffering with mental health issues. Getting the correct treatment at the right time is vital to ensure that this doesn't happen. 

*Traumatic experiences

Life throws many things at us that we don't expect or want. This could be the death of a loved one, a life-changing injury or illness, a rape or attack or a split from a partner. Sometimes the event may not even seem all that traumatic to others, but the point is that it is traumatic for you and, if not dealt with in a sensible way, it can have lasting repercussions for mental health. We all have baggage, but some are more sensitive than others. 

*Confidence

Some people manage to sail through life, seemingly without a care in the world. Others find every day a struggle because they don't have the confidence to realise that they don't need to please every single person around them. This can be incredibly draining and can lead to enormous stress over time, particularly if they don't find ways of coping with this lack of confidence. Learning to be happy in your own skin is vital for good mental health. 

*Environment

The environment that we find ourselves in on a regular basis is important to our mental health. If you live in a place where you don't feel comfortable and safe, or your workplace is constantly stressful or bullying is a constant problem, then you will find your mindset affected. Over a long period of time, this could turn to depression, burnout or contribution towards other mental health illnesses. Finding an environment in which you are safe and happy is very important to well-being. 

*Relationships

No man is an island; we all need to make and maintain relationships with other people. Unfortunately, sometimes these relationships

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