Mental health is an important component of our overall physical and emotional health. It affects our cognitive functioning, perception, and behavior. It determines how we deal with stress, form relationships, and make decisions. We all have our own definition of mental health and there is a wide variety of factors that influence our mental health.
Several factors increase your risk of poor mental health. Being female increases your risk by almost four times, as does having a low economic status. Adverse childhood experiences, such as child abuse or loss of a parent, can negatively affect a child’s health. Such experiences can increase a child’s risk for psychotic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Genetics also play a role, and certain genes may put a person at higher risk for certain mental health conditions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), emotional mental disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Research shows that 37% of healthy life years are lost to untreated neuropsychiatric disorders. Low-income countries are particularly vulnerable, as they lack the resources to provide effective treatment. But even economically privileged societies have priorities that can interfere with effective mental health care.
A person’s mental health includes the emotional, social, and cognitive aspects of their life. It determines their ability to cope with stress, develop relationships, and make decisions. Mental health affects our behavior and relationships, so it’s important to make sure we maintain a positive state of mind. There are many ways to improve your mental health.
Basic cognitive skills and social skills are also a significant part of mental health. These skills include attention, memory, and problem solving, as well as communicating and interacting with others. These skills are interdependent and help us function in our environment. They help us to cope with the daily challenges of our lives. If we do not develop these skills, we are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders.
Fortunately, mental health is highly treatable. When it is handled properly, a person can return to meaningful roles in life. The best way to ensure a positive mental health outcome is to get help early. You can even take an active role in your own recovery. You should also learn to identify the signs of mental illness and seek treatment.
Symptoms of mental illness vary from person to person. Children’s symptoms are different from those of adults, so they should seek help sooner rather than later. However, children have limited ways to express their feelings. Fortunately, there are resources available that help prevent mental illness in children. In some cases, a thyroid disorder can also affect mental health.
In the United States, suicide is the leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults. Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of Americans and typically appears in men and women in their late teens and early 20s. There are also a variety of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Finally, there are several types of phobias, such as social phobia.