"State of well-being in which the individual realises his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community" is how the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines it. It also influences an individual's coping mechanisms, social interactions, and decision-making abilities. Subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependency, and realising one's own intellectual and emotional potential are all considered aspects of mental health. From the standpoints of holism or positive psychology, a person's capacity to find balance between their pursuit of psychological resilience and their enjoyment of life can be considered indicator of their mental health. What is meant by "mental health" depends on a variety of factors, including professional theories that conflict, personal philosophy, subjective evaluations, and cultural variances. Irritation during sleep, low energy, anorexia, suicidal thoughts, self-isolation (though introversion and isolation aren't always bad), and frequent dozing off are some early indicators of mental health issues. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, mental health is the ability of a person to feel, think, and behave in ways that improve their quality of life while honouring their social, cultural, and personal limits. Any of these impairments increases the chance of mental illnesses or disorders, which are a part of mental health. Anxiety and sadness were the most prevalent mental illnesses affecting 970 million individuals globally in 2019. Over time, there has been a notable increase in the number of individuals experiencing mental health illnesses. Numerous lifestyle factors, including food, exercise, stress, substance usage, and social interactions and relationships, are linked to mental health. Using therapies like therapy, counselling, and medication, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, licenced professional clinical counsellors, and family doctors can assist in managing mental illness. Mental disorders are medical problems that impact and modify behaviour linked to suffering or impaired functioning, emotional reactions, and cognitive functioning. The international standard for diagnosing, treating, studying, and reporting different mental diseases is ICD-11. The DSM-5 is the mental disorder classification system used in the United States.

Mental health issues can be caused by a variety of causes, including genetics, biology, experiences in life (such as abuse or psychological trauma), and a family history of mental health issues.

Biological factor

The majority of scientists, according to the National Institute of Health Curriculum Supplement Series book, think that alterations in neurotransmitters might lead to mental disorders. The problem is thoroughly addressed in the section "The Biology of Mental Illnesses," where it is said that "...schizophrenia patients may have disruptions in the neurotransmitters dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine."

Demographics factor

There are several demographic factors that can raise the likelihood and severity of mental diseases, including gender, age, ethnicity, life expectancy, longevity, population density, and variety within the community. Research now available indicates that women are associated with a higher risk of depression at various stages of life, starting in adolescence in various settings. For instance, women are more likely than men to experience anxiety, eating disorders, and substance misuse, as well as behavioural and developmental problems.

It has been demonstrated that unemployment negatively impacts a person's emotional health, sense of self, and general mental health. It has been demonstrated that rising unemployment significantly affects mental health, especially depressive illnesses. When analysing the causes of mental health issues in any population study, this is a crucial factor to take into account. A 2009 meta-analysis by Paul and Moser found that low unemployment protections combined with substantial income inequality lead to worse outcomes for the mental health of the unemployed.

• Stress

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health talks about how stress is a natural component of living on a daily basis. Stress in moderation promotes productivity, helps individuals prepare for presentations, helps people meet deadlines, and helps people arrive on time for significant events. On the other hand, chronic stress can be detrimental. The likelihood of both physical and mental health issues rises when stress becomes excessive and persistent." In addition, certain research has revealed that language can actually be harmful to people and worsen mental health.

• Poverty

Four scientists conducted a psychological study at the first-ever Convention of Psychological Science. According to the findings, those who have financial security or who belong to the lower socioeconomic status (SES) group typically do worse cognitively as a result of pressure from outside sources. According to the research, mental problems are caused by stressors like exposure to criminal activity, discrimination, low income, and inadequate health care.

Additionally, children raised in impoverished environments exhibit slower cognitive processing, according to this study. Research indicates that youngsters do better when cared for by their parents and that they typically start speaking at a younger age. It is observed that children in impoverished households tend to lag behind in some cognitive capacities compared to other ordinary families, which makes sense given that childhood poverty is more detrimental than adult poverty.

Environmental factor

There is evidence that climate change has an impact on people's mental health and wellness. This is particularly true for individuals who are already at risk of major mental illness and for vulnerable populations. These effects can occur through three main channels: directly, indirectly, or through consciousness. Conditions linked to stress brought on by exposure to extreme weather occurrences are included in the direct pathway. Among these is PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Research has connected a number of climate-related exposures to mental health. Heat, humidity, rain, drought, wildfires, and floods are a few of these. The interruption of social and economic activities can be the indirect pathway. One instance would be if a farmland region lost some of its ability to generate food. The third route may involve people who are not otherwise impacted by climate change simply being aware of its threat.

Even with these encouraging developments, there is still more to be done to address the growing problem of mental health. It is imperative that we never stop raising awareness of mental illness among ourselves and others, fighting for improved access to care, and offering support to people who are experiencing mental health issues. Together, we can build a society that is more understanding and encouraging to everyone dealing with mental health issues.

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