Factors Affecting Mental Health and Protective Factors for Regaining Mental Health

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1.
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.
People with mental illness can regain or boost their mental health by following ways:
 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.
2.
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:
Cultural factors:
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.
Environmental factors:
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.