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 don't go according to plan and they can develop into something very toxic. Out of fear of loneliness or duty, people hang on to the toxic relationship when really it should be let go. The stress and lack of confidence that this causes is bound to affect mental health in one way or another.
*Genetics
Studies have shown that we can inherit the genes that lead to some forms of mental illness, especially schizophrenia and manic depression, although there are plenty of people who argue that mental illness is nurtured, not inherited. Whatever the truth, it does possible that someone who lives with a family member with mental health issues could pick up the symptoms, whether inherited or nurtured, so anyone with family members with mental health issues could be more at risk.
*Addiction
Many people deal with their problems by self-medicating, using either drugs or alcohol to block out the pain. However, this generally results in the person suffering even more severely once the high has passed. There are arguments about whether it is the mental health problem that causes the addiction, or the addiction that causes the mental health problem; either way, addiction could easily contribute to depression and other mental health issues.
*Treatment
No-one should have to suffer from a mental health problem without help. This could come in the form of medication or counselling. However, the wrong treatment, or delayed treatment, can cause even more problems. Sufferers should always be as honest with their doctors as possible to ensure that the best possible treatment regime is organised and if it doesn't work, then a return visit or second opinion is necessary.
No one person will be affected in the same way and it will probably be a combination of factors that influences your mental health. However, the above factors are some of the more common ones mentioned. Of course, anyone with suspected mental health issues should seek advice from a practitioner, rather than rely on advice found on the Internet.