When considering mental health, it must be noted that there are several impactors at play. But, the question is, do environmental factors play a part in mental health? Quite simply, the answer is yes. But what exactly constitutes the environmental factors we are referring to here? For more information about this and other important issues that can impact the condition of our mental state, just keep reading.
Learning About Mental Health: Formal Education
If you're interested in learning about mental health, as well as the factors that can affect it, it can be extremely beneficial to seek a formal education on the subject. For example, you could choose to complete a Master of Mental Health at your preferred university or tertiary education facility of choice.
As part of this particular postgraduate degree, you will uncover key learning outcomes such as how to obtain the skills, knowledge and techniques to become a holistically-minded, versatile and well-rounded mental healthcare professional who can perform in a wide variety of mental healthcare support roles. You will also learn how to develop an evidence-based approach to mental health care and support, as well as gain a current and contemporary understanding of the recent trends that are emerging in mental health care. In addition to this, you will how to apply real-world skills that are transferable and applicable to both private practice and hospital settings.
Of course, a Master of Mental Health is just one of the many formal qualifications that exist around mental health care. If you are not yet at the postgraduate study level, you may prefer to first pursue a broader undergraduate qualification in either psychology or counselling. Importantly, these types of undergraduate degrees can lay the foundations for further postgraduate study, or even, lead the way to a successful career as a professional clinical psychologist, counsellor, or social worker. Of course, regardless of what pathway you choose to pursue - whether it is vocational, or academic - by completing a tertiary degree, you will have gained invaluable knowledge about the world of mental health, and the factors and issues that can have an impact on our mental condition.
Mental Health Impactors: What Are Some Known Factors?
Critically, mental health can be impacted by both internal and external factors. Some of these include:
External Factors That Can Impact Mental Health
Physical Environment
Studies have shown that our physical environment can have a dramatic effect on our mental health. This includes elements such as the visual aesthetic of the environment, and its sensory elements (such as lighting, for example), as well as how safe an individual feels in a space.
Poor Nutrition
An unbalanced diet that lacks essential nutrients required for brain function can also contribute to poor mental health. As such, we must be making healthy, nourishing food choices for optimal mental health.
Sleep Deprivation
Adequate sleep is vital for a positive mental state. Our sleeping habits can have a massive impact on our mood, focus, and ability to think and concentrate properly. If we're not getting enough sleep, our overall quality of life - and our mental health - can be hugely affected.
Substance Abuse
Finally, substance abuse can have a drastic impact on our mental state. Indeed, drugs and alcohol have been found to have an extremely negative effect on mental health. Critically, they have also been shown to act as depressants.
Internal Factors That Can Impact Mental Health
Genetic Pre-disposition to Mental Illness or Mood Disorders
If you are genetically predisposed to a mental illness or mood disorder, this is an example of an internal factor that can impact your mental health. Crucially, while this cannot be avoided in many cases, there is treatment out there. For instance, options for medication, counselling and psychiatric support are available to mentally ill patients, or individuals suffering from mood disorders such as schizophrenia or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder).
Internalised Trauma Responses or Social Anxiety
For individuals who have experienced a traumatic incident in their lives, their internalised trauma response can massively impact their mental health. For example, they may be suffering from social anxiety, or even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as a result of the incident. War veterans in particular have been known to experience symptoms of PTSD following their service rounds, which can have a long-term impact on their mental condition and quality of life.
Healing The Mind: How to Improve Your Mental Health
Fortunately, if you suffer from mental illness, there are dedicated ways to improve your mental and emotional health. Some of these methods include maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle that incorporates a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and good sleeping habits. If you need professional help, you can take active steps to monitor and improve your mental condition by scheduling appointments with a registered psychologist, counsellor or therapist, who can teach you strategies to make you feel more in control, happier, and more positive in life. One of these strategies is to learn about mindfulness. This is essentially the practice of being present and grateful and enjoying life's small pleasures.
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So, can external factors impact our mental health? The answer is, resoundingly yes.
External impactors such as physical environment, nutrition, sleep, and substance abuse can have a massive effect on how we feel mentally. If we neglect to take care of ourselves and our health, there is a noticeable flow-on effect on our mental state.
That is not to say that external factors are solely to blame for poor mental health. There can also be several internal impactors at play - such as genetic predisposition to mental illness, for example. Of course, until an individual is diagnosed with a mental illness or mood disorder, it can be hard to identify why their mental condition is declining. Also, as well as being genetic, a mental illness can develop as a trauma response.
The good news? There is care out there for individuals in need. And the more we learn about the treatment and care of individuals with mental illnesses, the better hope there is to make healing changes in our society.
