The Importance of Positive Mental Health
Discuss About The Youth Perceptions Of Positive Mental Health.
Mental health includes psychological, social and emotional wellbeing. It affects how people feel, act and think and helps to determine how people handle stress, make choices and relate to other. If person suffers from mental illness, it affects their mood, behavior and thinking. Life experiences, biological factors, family history of mental illness are some of main factors that cause mental health problem (Smith, Segal, & Robinson, 2018).
Good health is not just being free from mental health disorders but it is also about experiencing positive sense of well-being. Positive mental health helps people to enjoy their life, believe in their capabilities, study and work effectively and efficiently, enjoy socializing and handle psychological stresses properly (Srivastava, 2011). Positive mental health prevents mental health disorders like anxiety, depression and other psychological issues.
According to World health organization, “Good health can be defined as a state where individual is mentally socially and physically healthy, rather than just being free from diseases or illness”. There are several social, psychological and behavioral factors that play important role to protect health of people and support good mental health. These factors help to decrease the risk factors that has negative affect on the mental health of people (Furber, Leach, Guy, & Segal, 2016). According to WHO, a risk factor is any exposure, attribute or characteristics that increases the chances of developing any injury or diseases. Lifestyle, occupation, negative environmental exposure, genetics, trauma, substance abuse, domestic or family violence, sexual abuse etc. are some factors that have negative impact on mental health of people (Risk and Protective Factors, 2015).
Positive mental health leads to have healthy lifestyles, higher education, employment, great work productivity, good physical health and income etc. According to National Mental Health Association there are several characteristics of good mental health which are as follows:
- People often feel good about themselves and are capable to make their own decisions.
- They feel comfortable around others.
- They respect others as well as themselves.
- They are not overwhelmed by any emotions like anger, jealousy, anxiety, fear, guilt etc.
- They can handle stress and accepts disappointments.
- They are confident and have ability to make adjustments according to the situations.
- They have problem solving abilities.
- They have several interests and lives a well-balanced rest, recreation and work life.
- They have high self-esteem and sense of contentment.
- By valuing themselves and avoiding any kind of self-criticisms. They should make time for their hobbies, favorite project and other activities which they enjoy.
- They need to take care of their body. People should eat heathy and nutritious food, engage themselves in physical exercise and get enough sleep ad most important is to avoid excess use of alcohol and tobacco.
- People should surround themselves with good people and should make strong social and family connections.
- They should learn to deal and mange stress by practicing good coping skills.
So, positive mental health is important for everyone a sit improves quality of life, supports and strengthens people’s ability and reduces the risks of several diseases etc.
The above case study clearly depicts the suffering of Samira after the sudden demise of her husband. Any individual mental health and well-being is not only influenced by their behavior or attitude but is also influenced by the factors or environment in which they live. All these factors constitute to either affect or protect the well being of the individual. These factors are described below:
Risk Factors for Mental Health Disorders
The culture of any individual defines the kind of treatment they seek and how they want them to be treated. People from different culture have different view or perception towards illness. In other words, the caste, creed, race, ethnicity, community or even country of the people decides their attitude towards illness (Leggett, Zarit, & Nguyen, 2012). The people understanding towards the origin and types of illness varies with culture and religion. For example: a people from Asian culture might not trust the treatment procedure of a Persian physician. Another factor responsible for affecting the mental health of an individual is social stigma (Terry, Praetorius, & Nordberg, 2016). For example: if a person is influenced by social stigma, then they won’t easily accept his illness and won’t stick to the treatment suggested by the doctors. Thus, it is very important to know and understand the cultural value and belief of the patient so that the patient cooperates during the treatment procedures.
As per this case study, Samira has been experiencing similar kind of issues as she belonged to different culture. It is also seen that, she is not revealing all the incidences of the past life of Syria, which could be vital to her diagnosis. She could have experienced discrimination from other Australian people due to the difference in culture and beliefs. She is even not trusting her doctor fully and all these are deteriorating her mental health.
The environment or surrounding in which an individual life has significant impact on his health, family, relationship including the available services and facilities (Clark, n.d.). The socio-cultural and geopolitical surrounding also impacts the individual’s behavior or practices, existing cultural beliefs of the community and the policies formed at local or national level. It may increase the instances of suicides or substance abuse as per the surrounding in which an individual resides. The other environmental factors that could affect an individual mental health are: discrimination on the basis of caste, religion etc.; inequality on the basis of gender or age and conflict.
All these factors might affect or protect an individual mental health. In reference to the case study, Samira has experienced several incidences of violence and threats during her stay in Syria which has influenced her mental and physical health. The call from the school regarding the behavior of her 9-year-old son also increased her stress. After the demise of her husband, she might have been facing several financial and monetary issues to take care of her medical costs, school and household expenses.
Factors Affecting Samira’s Mental Health
Any individual having mental issues need emotional and moral support from their closed ones. In reference to this case study, Samira is not having any kind of support after the sudden demise of her husband. Instead of any support, she has now a big responsibility to take care of her 3 children all by herself. Even her parents and siblings can’t come to Australia due to ongoing conflict in Syria. She is bound to live her life alone in grief and loneliness. Now she also doesn’t have any kind of financial and economic support.
It is difficult for Samira to adapt in this situation that lead to increase in metal stress. So, there should be proper medical health facilities that provides culture and need based treatment, mental welfare programmes for vulnerable people like her which will help her to cope with the current issues. There should be more community-based activities that helps such vulnerable people to understand and cope with the mental health issues.
Risk factors are the attributes, characteristics or determinants that increases the possibility of developing health issues or disease (Risk & Protective Factors, n.d.). According to this case study, after the unexpected and sudden death of Samira’s husband, she is experiencing various problems like she is finding difficult to live in Sydney, feeling lonely, suffering from health issues like tiredness, breathlessness, lack of energy etc. According to her she might be experiencing mental health issues as her initial physical health screening did not indicate any kind of medical issues. There are many social, psychological, cultural, biological and environmental risk factors that affects the mental health of people.
- Psychological trauma which can be physical, emotional or sexual abuse early loss of loved ones like parents, spouse(Protective and Risk Factors, n.d.).
- Neglect
- Poor ability to connect or socialize with others
- Negative thoughts
- Major change in life events
- Unemployment
- Financial problems
- Low socio-economic status
- Inequalities or discrimination
- Poverty
- Domestic or family violence
- Death of loved ones
- Divorce or separation spouse or partner
- Feeling loneliness, inadequate, anxious, angry and low self esteem
- Changing place or job
- Dysfunctional or troubled family
- Cultural or social expectations
- Substance abuse by parents or other family members
- Removal from social and family support
- Genetics
- Chronic disease
- Prenatal damage
- Poor nutrition
- Exposure to toxins
- Brain injury etc.
Loss of her husband: Samira had lost her husband three months ago only, which is the main cause of Samira’s poor health condition. Loosing life partner is a traumatic experience that leaves people emotionally unstable and vulnerable (Social determinants of mental health, 2014). Due to death of her husband, Samira might be experiencing psychological distress which is one of the main cause of mental illness.
Samira has tree children and after demise of her spouse, she has to take care of them all by herself. One of her son is showing unusual and aggressive behavior with his friends and teachers which is another stressful situation for her which is a risk factor of mental illness.
Negative thoughts:
She is having negative thoughts about having breast cancer which also affects individual’s mental health.
Psychological Factors Affecting Mental Health
As Samira is from Syria and had moved to Australia, she might be having difficulties to adjust in totally different culture of Australia. Huge cultural difference also acts as a major stress factor that affects individual’s mental health. She is also not able to connect with her health care worker as she did not disclose complete incident of violence that she had faced while living in Syria which could be because of cultural difference and mistrust. So, this lack of emotional connect also increases stress in her life.
Due to conflict in Syria she and her family experienced many threatened violence and incidents of violence. Exposure to such situations is very traumatic and stressful that could lead to mental or behavioral disorders.
Samira is having difficulties as she is living alone with her three kids. She is feeling lonely and missing her family and siblings who lives in Syria. In this difficult situation she needs love, affection and emotional support from her family which she is missing in Sydney. This situation has made her emotionally unstable and vulnerable which is one of the risk factors.
As Samira is originally from Syria she might be facing several discrimination and inequalities on the basis of gender, race, religion, community, ethnicity. She is immigrant from Syria which makes her one of vulnerable people in Australia because of which she might be experiencing several issues to access basic facilities like health care provided by government. These issues also act as a psychological distress that affects mental health.
Similarly, there are several other risk factors like unemployment, being in a career role, lack of family and financial support etc. which might be an additional distress in her life.
Protective factors are attributes or conditions like strengths, skills, coping strategies, supports or resources in people, communities, families or societies that help individual to deal with stressful situation more effectively and eliminate risk factors in families and societies health (Hall, McKinstry, Hyett, 2016). It decreases the possibility of poor mental health or when the risk factors are present. They are the assets or strength which help people to manage mental health and be resilient. Protective factors help individual to regain or have good mental health. These factors include:
- Capability to share problems with family friends
- Ability of self-regulation and secure attachment
- Good communication and language skills
- Ability to cope with problems
- Protection from fear and harm
- Sufficient socioeconomic resources
- Reliable support
- High self-esteem
- Presence of spirituality beliefs
- Skills for future planning
- Involvement in physical and social activities
Those people who are at high risk of psychological distress, needs love, affection, constant care and support from loved ones and also needs appropriate medical treatment (Vagi, Rothman, & Latzman, 2013). These factors reduce risk factors by enhancing health and well-being. It gives individual resilience in the face of moderate and adversity the influence of psychological distress and temporary symptoms on emotional and social well-being by reducing the chances of illness. Protective factors enhance the quality of life of people.
Social Factors Affecting Mental Health
There are few skills that helps to increase positive outcomes which includes regulation of actions and emotion, ability to interact effectively with others and capacity to proactively respond to stressful situations (Carr, 2012).
Protective factors that can help Samira to regain mental health and well-being are described below at different levels:
There are several protective factors at individual level which helps to boost her mental health:
- By changing her lifestyle and learning skills to manage stress could help her regain positive menta health.
- Socializing with others like by making friends, attending social events etc.
- Increasing confidence level and self-esteem.
- She needs to improve her physical health as she feels weakness, tired and breathlessness. So, she needs to involve herself in physical exercise and meditation to relax her mind.
- As she worries about having breast cancer, getting proper physical assessment might reduce her stress level and negative thoughts of having breast cancer.
For effective and efficient way to regain good mental health is to work at individual level first. Samira needs to work on her communication skills, low self-esteem, mental stress so that she could gain her confidence and health care providers should educate her the ways to develop positive mental health and problem-solving skills.
Everyone needs support and care of their family members and friends after loss of their loved ones. As Samira is living away from her parents and siblings in Australia, after death of her husband she is feeling lonely and hopefulness. So, reuniting with her parents and siblings will help her to overcome sorrow and grief. Also spending more time with her children and solving issues of one of her son will decrease her stress and improve her mental health.
Samira is feeling difficulty to adjust in Sydney all by herself after sudden death of her husband. She is emotionally unstable so she needs social support which might improve her mental health condition. Making friends and meeting other families of her own community will also help her as she can relate to those people because of same culture, norms and beliefs.
References
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Terry, L. F., Praetorius, R. T., & Nordberg, A. (2016). Environmental influences on services for and mental health of incarcerated populations: A review. Journal of Social Work , 18(1), 46-65. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017316651999
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