ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH

PERSPECTIVE AND MODELS IN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

SUBMITTED BY

MARIA FIDA

S23-0064

SUBMITTE TO

DR. ANDLEEB AKHTAR

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF HARIPUR
 ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the
stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their
community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our
individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the
world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal,
community and socio-economic development. Mental health is more than the absence of
mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently
from one person to the next, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress and
potentially very different social and clinical outcomes (WHO, 2022).

Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as

well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning,
or risk of self-harm. People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience
lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case (WHO,
2022).

Aspects of Mental Health Related to Environment

In some cases, environmental factors impact mental wellness by changing brain

structure and function. Research on children supports this, noting that children raised in
adverse environments tend to have hindered brain development, increasing their risk of
memory issues, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems (Bick & Nelson, 2016).

Environmental factors can also affect our mental health in the way they impact us
psychologically. Your environment might raise or lower your stress levels, for instance.
This can change your mental wellness overall, either serving to protect your
psychological health or opening the door for mental illness to set in (Helbich, 2018).

1. Home Environment
 The home environment includes more than just your physical dwelling. “Our
environment is a combination of both physical factors such as where you live and the
people around you," says Rachelle Scott, MD, medical director of psychiatry at Eden
Health, "both in your home but also on a wider community scale.” Home-based
environmental factors that can have a significant impact on mental health include:

 Climate
This includes the general temperatures where you live, the amount of sunlight you
get, and your exposure to natural disasters. Climate change is also connected with greater
mental health issues. The rising temperatures are associated with higher rates of
aggression and violent suicides, for instance, with an increased frequency of disasters
contributing to the development of depression, adjustment disorder, and post-traumatic
stress disorder (Padhy et al., 2015).
 Crime levels
If you live in an area with a lot of crime, you may feel the impacts mentally.
Crime levels tend to affect females more strongly, increasing their risk of depression and
anxiety (Dustmann & Fasani, 2014).
 Environmental Racism
Environmental racism is defined as racial discrimination in environmental policy-
making. It has been implicated as an important environmental factor that affects the
mental health of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals and
communities (Washington, 2019).
 Pollution

Scott indicates that research shows increased rates of depression in more polluted
areas. A 2019 review supports this, also indicating that long-term exposure to air
pollution can increase one's risk of anxiety while even short-term exposure can increase
suicide risk (Braithwaite et al., 2019).

 Presence of Toxins inside the Home.

 This includes both cleaning products and mold. “The effect of mold, if present, in
the home and higher rates of asthma as a result of increased pollutants themselves can
also excrete mental health issues,” says Scott (Braithwaite et al., 2019).

 Poverty
The social stress, stigma, and trauma of living in poverty can negatively impact
the mental health of both children and adults which, in turn, can lead to employment
issues and fragmented relationships (Knifton & Inglis, 2020).
2. Work Environment and Mental Health

Our work environment plays a significant role in our mental health. Several
workplace factors can contribute to the development of mental health issues such as
depression and anxiety, some of which include (Harvey et al., 2017).
 Having a high-demand job
 High stress in your specific role
 Experiencing workplace bullying
 Imbalance of effort vs. rewards
 Low relational and procedural justice
 Low social support in the workplace
 Not feeling valued or respected
 Not having control over your job

3. School Environment and Mental Health

Children, adolescents, and college students often spend a lot of their days learning
in class, studying, or completing homework assignments. The environment in which they
do these activities can impact their mental health. School-based environmental factors
that can positively affect a student's mental well-being include (Schulte-Körne, 2016).
 Having a sense of belonging
 Feeling connected to the school (e.g., "I am happy to be a part of this school!")
 Feeling safe at school, both emotionally and physically
 Presence of a school-based support system, including teachers, school social workers,
and school psychologists
Factors that can have a negative effect on a student's mental health are:
 Being bullied
 Lack of access to instruction manuals
 Teachers not understanding how to deal with students who have mental health issues
due to poor instruction or training
 Unclear or unfocused academic objectives (Schulte-Körne, 2016)

Aspects of Mental Health That Related to Individual

While mental health is undoubtedly influenced by various environmental factors,

there are several aspects of mental health that are more focused on individual factors and
internal processes rather than external environmental factors. These aspects primarily
relate to an individual's psychological and emotional well-being:

1. Genetics and Biological Factors

Some aspects of mental health, such as genetic predispositions and neurological

factors, are largely independent of the environment. Genetic factors can play a significant
role in the development of certain mental health conditions.

2. Personality Traits

An individual's personality traits, such as introversion/extroversion, neuroticism,

and conscientiousness, can influence their mental health. These traits are relatively stable
over time and have a substantial impact on how individuals perceive and respond to the
world.

3. Cognitive Processes

Mental health is closely linked to an individual's thought patterns, beliefs, and

cognitive processes. Cognitive distortions, irrational thinking, and maladaptive cognitive
patterns can contribute to mental health issues, and these processes are internal to the
individual.

4. Emotional Regulation
 The ability to regulate one's emotions and cope with emotional challenges is a
critical aspect of mental health. This skill is influenced by internal processes like
emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and coping strategies.

5. Self-Esteem and Self-Concept

How individuals perceive and value themselves is primarily an internal process.

A healthy self-esteem and self-concept can positively impact mental health, while low
self-esteem can contribute to issues like depression and anxiety.

6. Innate Resilience

Some individuals exhibit greater innate resilience to adversity and stress. This
resilience is not solely determined by external factors but can be influenced by an
individual's internal coping mechanisms and personal characteristics.

7. Neurochemical Imbalances

Chemical imbalances in the brain, such as neurotransmitter irregularities, can

contribute to mental health conditions. These imbalances are often influenced by genetics
and may require medical treatment.

8. Intrapersonal Relationships

The way individuals relate to themselves, their self-talk, and their internal
dialogues can impact their mental health. Self-compassion and self-criticism are
examples of intrapersonal relationship dynamics.

9. Innate Talents and Skills

The presence or absence of specific talents, skills, and strengths can affect an
individual's sense of purpose and well-being. These are often inherent traits that are not
entirely shaped by the environment.

10. Personal Beliefs and Values

 An individual's core beliefs and values, including their moral and ethical
principles, can shape their mental health. Conflicts between personal values and external
expectations can be a source of internal stress.

It's important to note that the distinction between internal and external factors
influencing mental health is not always clear-cut. These aspects are interrelated, and
environmental factors can influence internal processes to some extent. Additionally,
effective mental health promotion and treatment often involve addressing both internal
and external factors. Overall, a holistic approach to mental health considers the complex
interplay between an individual's inner world and their external environment.

References
Bick, J., & Nelson, C.A. (2016). Early adverse experiences and the developing brain.
Neuro psychopharmacology, 41, 177-196. DOI:10.1038/npp.2015.252

Braithwaite, I., Zhang, S., Kirkbride, J.B., Osborn, D.P.J., & Hayes, J.F. (2019). Air
pollution (particulate matter) exposure and associations with depression, anxiety,
bipolar, psychosis and suicide risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Environmental Health Perspective, 127(12), 126002. DOI:10.1289/EHP4595

Dustmann, C., & Fasani, F. (2014). The effect of local area crime on mental health. The
Economic Journal, 126(593),978-1017. DOI:10.1111/ecoj.12205

Helbich, M. (2018). Mental health and environmental exposures: An editorial.

International Journal of Environment Research on Public Health, 15(10), 2207.
DOI:10.3390/ijerph15102207

Harvey, S.B., Modini, M., Joyce, S, et al. (2017). Can work make you mentally ill? A
systematic meta-review of work-related risk factors for common mental health
problems. Occupation Environment Medicine, 74(4), 301-310.
DOI:10.1136/oemed-2016-104015

Knifton, L., & Inglis, G. (2020). Poverty and mental health: policy, practice and research
implications. BJ Psych Bulletin, 44(5), 193-196. DOI:10.1192/bjb.2020.78

National Counseling Psychotherapy Society. (2023). How your environment affects your
mental health. https://nationalcounsellingsociety.org/blog/posts/how-your-
environment-affects-your-mental-health.

Padhy, S.K., Sarkar, S., Panigrahi, M., & Paul, S. (2015). Mental health effects of climate
change. Indian Journal of Occupational Environment Medicine, 19(1),3-7.
DOI:10.4103/0019-5278.156997

Schulte-Körne, G. (2016). Mental health problems in a school setting in children and

adolescents. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 113(11), 183-190. DOI:10.3238/
arztebl.2016.0183
World Health Organization. (2022, June 17). Mental Health. https://www.who.int/news-
room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

Washington, H. A. (2019). A terrible thing to waste : environmental racism and its assault
on the american mind (First). Little Brown Spark.
https://www.worldcat.org/title/terrible-thing-to-waste-environmental-racism-and-
its-assault-on-the-american-mind/oclc/1110105611