Introduction

Have you ever thought of mental health as the foundation of your well-being?  It’s like standing on solid ground when life throws curveballs at you. It is an integral component that helps us tackle life’s challenges, bolster our learning, thrive at work, and actively contribute to our communities. One should treat it as the backbone of our ability to make choices, build connections, and shape the world around us.

Mental health is not just about clinical disorders, it is much broader than that. It is about how we navigate through testing times, cope with stress, and handle the highs and lows of life. It encompasses everything from everyday struggles to dealing with serious issues that affect our normal functioning.

Understanding mental health is not just pivotal; it is essential for you, the well-being of our communities and even society as a whole. So let’s start prioritizing our mental health because it is not a privilege but a fundamental right.

What causes mental health problems?

Mental health problems can arise from a wide range of causes. It’s a possibility that for most people there is a complex combination of factors, even though different people may be affected by certain things more than others.

Below are the following factors that could result in poor mental health:

·         Childhood abuse, neglect, or trauma

·         Discrimination and Stigma

·         Loneliness or Social Isolation

·         Poverty or Debt

·         Job Dissatisfaction

·         Loss of job or unemployment

·         Bullying, abuse or domestic violence as an adult

While lifestyle factors like work, diet, and insufficient sleep can affect your mental health, it is important to look into additional factors if you face mental health challenges.

5 Facts about mental health  

1 in 5 young people (aged 13-18) might develop mental illness during their lifetime.

Depression is the leading cause of disability globally.

More than 1 in 4 adults living with serious mental illness struggle with substance abuse.

People with mental health issues are generally nonviolent. Merely 3-5% of violent acts can be attributed to people with a serious mental illness.

Due to stigma, many people don’t seek treatment for mental illness. Around 44% of adults with diagnosable mental illnesses receive treatment.

Does mental illness run in family?

Certain mental disorders tend to run in families. Some of the physical health conditions can be genetic, so can mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. If you have a close relative dealing with a mental disorder, you could be at a higher risk. Knowing which mental health disorders have strong genetic ties will help you assess the risk factors and create an action plan to support your mental wellness journey.

Here are some of the five mental disorders that run in families.

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a gathering of neurological disorders with severe developmental disability that hinder the ability to think, feel, interact with others and understand language. Parents of autistic children may experience high levels of stress and discomfort. Children with AHD may have complex needs that require considerable physical, emotional, and financial investment.

In one study it is found, that 70% of mothers and 40% of fathers of disabled children experience high levels of distress.  According to a Longdom Publishing study, mothers are more likely to experience high levels of distress. Engaging with supportive groups and participating in communal activities can be a great way for parents to alleviate stress and enhance their well-being.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Parenting is a hands on job, and ADHD adds to the challenges. You might opt for training sessions to help manage your child’s condition and reduce the stress it can bring. To make things easier, you can join a support group for families dealing with ADHD. You can consult with a local pediatrician to help you find training and support groups in your area.

If parents notice any signs of ADHD in their children, it is important to diagnose the condition as soon as possible. You might want to double-check your doctor and confirm if it is truly ADHD. If the doctor prescribes medication, you will need to watch out for any side effects and make sure the child gets the right dose.

Having a child with ADHD brings about its fair share of challenges. But this should be looked at as a positive learning experience, as families can come together in times of crisis and learn about empathy, creativity, sharing, and more.

Bipolar Disorder

It is important to understand the causes of bipolar disorder to help determine if you have developed it. There are several that are believed to cause bipolar disorder – genetics, environmental factors, physical illnesses, and substance abuse.

Genetic Factors: Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, genetic factors account for approximately 80% of the cause of this condition. Bipolar disorder is the most probable psychiatric disorder to be passed down from the family. If one parent has this disorder, there is a 10% chance that the child will develop the illness. If both parents have this disorder, there is a 40% chance that the child will develop the illness. Just because one family member has the illness, it does not mean that all family members will develop bipolar disorder.

Environmental Factors: Various environmental risk factors are believed to increase the risk of bipolar disorder. The following factors can be childhood adversity, substance use, older parents at birth, ethnic backgrounds, and some obstetric complications. The strength of these is influenced by many genetic and other non-genetic factors, with the level of influence varying from person to person. Stressful life events that occur during adulthood are defined as significant.

Physical illness: Bipolar disorder is often looked at as a psychological condition but the physical effects on family are often ignored. Family members and loved ones normally act as caregivers for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Due to extreme mood swings of bipolar individuals, the amount of healthcare they require can take a huge toll on the caregiver’s physical health. Family members acting as caregivers often exhibit signs of depression, engage in unhealthy diets, and often have poor sleep patterns. Due to the stressful nature of being a caregiver, the family members ignore their physical health.

Substance Abuse: Effects of substance abuse may frequently stretch beyond the nuclear family. Members of the victim can experience feelings of abandonment, anxiety, rage, fear, embarrassment, or guilt. This prompts them to ignore or cut ties with the person involved in substance abuse. The effects of drugs and alcohol addiction can be both short-term and long-term.

Family bonding in peaceful and loving homes becomes strained due to drug and alcohol abuse. Trust begins to erode, relatives become more cautious if a relative abusing illicit substances acts with aggression or hides their disorder. The CDC reports that underage drinkers consume more drinks than their adult counterparts. At least 19% of individuals aged between 12 and 20 consume alcohol regularly.

Luckily, substance abuse is treatable. Family members can enter rehab to receive counseling and maintain relationships. Treatment providers can assess the condition and provide solutions to the afflicted family. Patients can heal with therapy, medication, and support from professionals.

Schizophrenia

Doctors are unable to diagnose the actual cause of schizophrenia. Research shows that a combination of genetics and environment can trigger the disease. Things like stressful events, exposure to toxins or viruses before birth, and trauma in early childhood can increase the risk. Scientists have found changes in brain chemistry and structure when a person has schizophrenia. Studies have also linked schizophrenia with loss of brain tissue. Loss of brain tissue may be related to the symptoms of the illness.

Research shows that 80% of the risk for schizophrenia lies in genes. If any person in your family has schizophrenia, you are more likely to contract it. If any parent or sibling has the disease, your chances go up by 10%. If an identical twin has it, the risk goes up by 50%. However, some people with schizophrenia have no history of it in their family. Scientists presume a genetic change in the person makes the condition more likely.

Doctors believe a multitude of genetic changes or mutations are likely to increase the risk of having this illness. Doctors are unsure about the genetic changes that lead to schizophrenia, or exactly which genes are involved. Some of the genes linked to schizophrenia affect brain development, while others are related to the immune system or inflammation. Inflammation is a response given by the immune system to stressors. It has been linked to the development of many physical and mental diseases.

A person with schizophrenia might have differences in brain structure and chemicals. Most of the risk comes from genes but the environment plays a role in causing this mental health condition. Problems the person endured in the womb or after birth, traumatic life events, or substance use might all be involved.

Mental health is a serious issue for families, especially for those living in rural or suburbs.

Does corporate life lead to mental health issues?

While corporate jobs can lead to career growth and financial stability, they can significantly impact mental health in complex ways. The demanding nature of these roles often leads to tight deadlines, high – performance expectations, and competitive environments, which can elevate stress and anxiety levels.

Employees may embark on their relentless pursuit of success but long working hours can disrupt work-life balance affecting relationships and leisure time. This imbalance can cause burnout, a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Despite the challenges, these jobs provide a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem boost, and job satisfaction.

The impact largely depends on work culture, individual circumstances, and availability of support both within and outside the workplace. It is a delicate balance, where the factors contributing to one’s professional success can be a source of mental strain.

Factors that can impact employees’ mental health

A mentally healthy work environment is essential for finding a role that suits an individual’s needs and personality. Lack of work-life balance, diversity, employee autonomy, and adequate staffing can adversely affect employees’ performance and mental health. It is impossible to avoid mental health risks, but understanding them will help an individual be more productive and meet performance goals on time.

Here are some of the factors highlighting mental health issues in the workplace

Proper work-life balance

The high-pressure jobs and grueling work hours can be mentally taxing. But, at the same time, employees who have a positive work-life balance are happier and more productive. Employees who achieve work-life balance are the ones who plan their tasks ahead of time and combine them with social activities. It is essential to find ways that work to improve your work-life balance and not get stressed out.

Employees who do not prioritize their mental health are at a greater risk of being unhappy, harming their co-workers, and exhibiting poor leadership qualities. For employees to adapt they must figure out what affects their mental health and find ways to solve it. Working late to meet deadlines is acceptable but is an indication of poor organizational abilities both on the part of employees and managers.

Workplace toxicity and politics

Unfortunately, workplace toxicity and politics are unavoidable. Coworkers who gossip, backbite, or refuse to own up to their mistakes can trigger feelings of retaliation. The resulting moral dilemmas are not only stressful but also prime factors affecting mental health. To avoid toxicity and politics, organizations should implement policies to prevent negativities and stressors that affect employees’ mental health.

In recent years, businesses have implemented a zero-tolerance policy, which means all policies are followed entirely and not partially. Perpetrators will be punished either by suspension or termination. It is best to be sensible and follow standard organizational policies to avoid workplace toxicity.

Lack of Recognition

Lack of recognition is another factor that affects mental health. Employees who are not recognized or appreciated for their efforts, end their relationship with the employer. Recognition and rewards encourage healthy competition amongst team members which in turn influences the team’s collective performance. Successful leaders understand that recognizing their employees’ contributions is crucial in creating a healthy workplace culture.

According to a research by the motivational speakers agency, 71% of executives feel motivated to work when their efforts are recognized and appreciated by the management. Like most people, employees want to feel valued, appreciated, and not treated as disposable utilities. Leaders who heap praise bring about positivity where employees feel engaged, productive, and comfortable.

Economic Insecurity

When a company is unable to generate profit, they find it difficult to pay salaries, this becomes a matter of grave concern for employees. Employees experience anxiety over layoffs and uncertainty. Working relationships get strained particularly when coworkers are laid off by the company. Hence, the management needs to have regular team meetings, communicate the progress of the organization, and update them about future goals. It is vital to inform workers about problems and potential risks to the company’s future as early as possible. This way, the tension and stress levels will be reduced in the workplace.

Micromanagement

Micromanagement not only affects employees’ mental health but also hinders performance at the workplace. If the manager is no longer confident in the employee’s capabilities he feels the need to control the employee’s work and decision-making to an extreme extent. Micromanagement is not just a lack of trust but also a lack of communication, leadership, and employee engagement. They dismiss observations and solutions from efficient employees. This poses a threat to innovation and long-term financial success. An employee who is down is down in confidence will doubt his ability to perform or solve a problem at work.

Workplace mental health risk factors are one of the main concerns affecting employer-employee relationships. Many employees suffer from occupational stress and various anxiety disorders or depression due to work pressure and unsatisfactory work conditions. It can psychologically affect the state of mind of an individual, hinder their ability to work, and reduce productivity.

Does social media take a toll on mental health?

We humans are social creatures.  While most of us enjoy building connections on social media, excessive use can trigger feelings of addiction, isolation, anxiety, depression, and FOMO. Being socially connected can boost self-worth, provide comfort and joy, prevent loneliness, and add vitality to your life. On the flip side, a lack of strong social connections can do great harm to your mental and emotional well-being.

In today’s world, most of us use social media platforms like Facebook, X, Snapchat, Instagram, and more to connect. While social media has its benefits, it is important to remember that it can never replace real-world human connection.

Having a one-on-one interaction in person can trigger the hormones that alleviate stress and make you feel healthy, happy, and positive. Unfortunately, the technology that brings people closer can sometimes push you into isolation and aggravate mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. If you spend too much time on social media feelings of sadness, dissatisfaction, frustration, or loneliness will impact your life. This is a clear indication for you to monitor your online habits and find a healthier balance.

Pros and Cons of Social Media

Pros

Even though virtual interaction does not have any psychological benefits, there are plenty of ways to help you stay connected and support your well-being.

Social Media enables you to:

• Communicate and keep in touch with friends and family around the world
• Make new friends, join communities, and network with people who have similar ambitions
• Support worthwhile causes and raise awareness of important issues
• Reach out to people in times of distress and offer emotional support.
• Explore an outlet for creativity and self-expression.
• Discover reliable sources of learning and information.

Cons

Multiple studies have found that excessive social media usage can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

Here are some of the negative experiences with social media.

• Fear of missing out (FOMO) and social media addiction: FOMO has been around long before the arrival of social media. Sites such as Facebook and Instagram expose you to people living better and more exciting lives than you. This tends to worsen your insecurity. The fear of not experiencing certain opportunities can affect your self-esteem, provoke anxiety and increase dependency on social media. Constantly consuming social media content can increase the feelings of FOMO.

• Depression and Anxiety: Constant exposure to organized images and people of status can lead to comparison and inadequacy. The inability to refrain from social media may aggravate one’s insecurity. Prioritizing social media over in-person relationships can increase the risk of developing mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Having a face-to-face conversation can be mentally healthy. Nothing reduces stress and boosts your mood like eye-to-eye contact with someone who cares about you.

• Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying amongst adolescents varies worldwide, the number ranges from 10% to a staggering 70% in many studies. Social Media provides a platform for cyberbullying. The nasty and distasteful remarks can lead to severe psychological scarring. Victims of cyberbullying develop feelings of depression, low self-esteem, and even suicidal thoughts. The best way to prevent this is to be a pillar of emotional support.

If you know someone who is being cyberbullied, encourage them to speak up and if the situation persists report the issue to the higher authorities. Blocking is one of the most effective ways to tackle cyberbullying. Victims should remember that bullies are shallow individuals who are often live unhappy lives. The more attention you give, the more control they have over you. Give no response to bullies and they will lose interest in you.

Conclusion

Mental health is equally important as physical health, yet it is often ignored or misunderstood. The main reason behind this is that it is harder to recognize mental illness than physical illness. Prioritizing mental health is not just a personal responsibility but also a societal obligation. By encouraging compassionate support systems and promoting access to resources, we can break down the stigma and empower individuals to seek the help they need. Together, we can create a future where mental health will be given equal importance as physical health.

FAQs

1. Do video games affect mental health?

Video games can have both a positive and negative impact on mental health. Video games can be a great way to reduce stress, build social connections, and improve cognitive abilities. Excessive gaming can affect personal relationships, decrease productivity, and sometimes trigger feelings of aggression. A fine balance between other activities and responsibilities can keep your gaming habits in check.

• Does smoking trigger mental health issues?

Yes, smoking can trigger mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco products can affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain, which can lead to changes in mood and cognition. Hence, smoking is linked to various mental health challenges.

• Can scolding affect mental health?

Scolding not only affects mental health but also causes feelings of stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. In some cases, it can have a long-term impact, depending on the intensity.

• If the support system does not help, who to confide in?

If your support system is of no help, try reaching out to a close friend, a therapist, or even a mentor who will understand you and make you feel comfortable.