Socioeconomic factors, environmental stressors, substance abuse, violence, discrimination, and physical health issues can all contribute to mental health problems. Risk factors exist at multiple levels from individual to family to community, and include factors like poverty, poor nutrition, drugs, alcohol, lack of education, and unemployment. Protective factors that buffer against stress and promote well-being include social support networks, cognitive abilities, and access to resources. Signs of failing mental health include changes in mood, behavior, sleep, appetite, and energy levels as well as withdrawal, irrational thoughts, and suicidal thoughts or acts.

1. Factors Affecting Mental
Health

2. Activity
 List down 5 factors that can contribute to
mental health problems.
 List down 5 signs/symptoms of Failing
Mental Health

3. Factors that contribute to mental health
problem
 Mental health is determined by socio-
economic and environmental factors.
 The greater vulnerability of disadvantaged
people to mental health disorders may be
explained by such factors as the experience of
insecurity and hopelessness, rapid social
change, and the risks of violence and physical –
ill-health.

4.  Mental, social, and behavioral health problems may interact to
intensify their effects on behavior and well-being.
 Substance abuse, violence , and abuse of women and children
on the one hand, and health problems such as depression and
anxiety are more prevalent and more difficult to cope with in
conditions of high unemployment, low income, limited
education , stressful work conditions , gender discrimination,
social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, and human rights violation
(WHO, 2004).
Factors that contribute to mental health
problem

5. Factors that contribute to mental health
problem
 Risk factors can be biological or psychosocial.
 Risk factors cited for mental health problems include: drugs,
alcohol, lack of education, poor nutrition, poverty, racial
injustice and unemployment (WHO, 2004).
 These risk factors may exist within a person, his or her family or
social network, or the community/institutions that surround
him/her.

6. Factors that contribute to mental health
problem
 Risk factors occur in different contexts:
- perinatal influences,
- family relationships,
- schools and workplaces,
- interpersonal relationships,
- media influences,
- social and cultural activities,
- the physical health of the individual,
- the physical, social, economic “health of the community.
 These risk factors for mental health problems may also
contribute to the development of chronic non-communicable
diseases.

7. Factors that contribute to mental health
problem
 Protective factors buffers a person “in the face of adversity and
moderate… the impact of stress on social and emotional well-being.,
thereby reducing the likelihood disorders will develop” (CDHAC,
2000).
 Protective factors may be internal (e.g., temperament, cognitive
abilities) or external (e.g., social, economic or environmental
support).
 They enable the person to protect his or her emotional and social
well-being and cope with everyday life events (whether positive or
negative).
 Protective factors act as a buffer
-

8. Factors that contribute to mental health
problem
 Protective factors act as a buffer against stress and may be
drawn upon in dealing with stressful situations.
 Similar to risk factors, protective factors may contribute
both to the development of mental health problems and
NCDs.

9.  Cry a lot or find it hard to express
emotion.
 Behave in a calm, almost detached way.
 Be afraid to go out or to stay in.
 Have disturb sleep patterns.
 Experience difficulties with eating
and/or with their digestive processes.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor/ Failing
Mental Health

10. Signs and Symptoms of Poor/ Failing
Mental Health
 Experience headaches and muscular pain.
 Have no energy or become restless or
hyperactive.
 Have difficulty coping with everyday living.
 Hear, see, or smell things that others don’t.
 Become anxious, fearful or paranoid.

11. Signs and Symptoms of Poor/ Failing
Mental Health
 Feel their life is out of control or run by others.
 Experience serious mood swings.
 Become irritable, angry, threatening or violent.
 Have difficulty forming or maintaining
relationships.
 Experience continual low mood and/or low self-
esteem

12. Signs and Symptoms of Poor/ Failing
Mental Health
 Have low sex drive or other sexual difficulties.
 Withdraw from other people.
 Develop phobias or obsessions.
 Feel ashamed, embarrassed or guilty about
their problems.
 Exhibit inappropriate behavior.

13. Signs and Symptoms of Poor/ Failing
Mental Health
 Want to move house or move area.
 Take risks.
 Harm themselves deliberately or neglecting
themselves.
 Have suicidal thoughts. Attempt or complete.

14. Signs and Symptoms of Poor/ Failing
Mental Health
- Many symptoms are common to more than one
mental illness.
- Some of these symptoms may also be displayed by
individuals who experience bullying, harassment,
abuse or violence.
- Any change in a person’s usual normal behavior
may show that there is underlying mental health
problem.

16. Thank You!!!