Psychology (9218) | Mental health

🧠 Mental Health: Understanding Ourselves and Our Social World

Hello future Psychologists! Welcome to one of the most important and relevant chapters in our course: Mental Health.

Don't worry if this topic feels a bit heavy—we will break down complex ideas into simple, clear steps. Since this chapter falls under the "Social Context and Behaviour" section, we will focus specifically on how our environment, relationships, and society affect our mental well-being.

Why is this chapter important? Understanding mental health helps us support ourselves and others, challenge social stereotypes, and grasp how psychological principles are applied in real life.

Section 1: Defining Mental Health and Mental Illness

What is Mental Health?

Mental health isn't just the absence of illness; it’s about feeling able to cope with the normal stresses of life, working productively, and contributing to your community.

• Mental Health: A state of well-being where a person realises their own abilities, can cope with normal life stresses, and can work fruitfully.
• Mental Illness (or Disorder): A condition that causes serious distress and impairs a person's ability to function day-to-day (at school, work, or in relationships).

Think of mental health like a spectrum or a dimmer switch, not an "on/off" button. Everyone moves up and down the spectrum depending on stress, environment, and personal circumstances.

How do we define abnormal behaviour (Mental Illness)?

In the social context, one key way psychologists identify potential mental illness is by looking at Deviation from Social Norms.

Example: In most cultures, shouting loudly at strangers in the street or wearing heavy winter clothes in the summer might be considered unusual (deviant). When behaviour differs significantly from what society deems ‘normal’, it may signal a problem, especially if it causes distress to the individual or others.

⚠️ Common Mistake to Avoid: Just because a behaviour is unusual (like being a world-class athlete or having a very unique hobby), it doesn't mean it's a mental illness. It only becomes a disorder when the deviation causes significant distress and dysfunction (meaning they cannot carry out daily activities).

Section 2: Focusing on Depression

To understand mental illness in context, we often study specific examples. Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a common disorder globally, and its causes often tie directly into our social environment.

A. Symptoms of Depression

Depression affects people in three main ways: Social, Physical, and Cognitive.

🌟 Memory Aid: Use S.P.C. to remember the types of symptoms!

• S - Social/Emotional Symptoms:
  A deep, persistent sadness (low mood) for most of the day, nearly every day. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed (known as anhedonia). Often leads to social isolation and withdrawal from friends and family.
• P - Physical Symptoms:
  Changes in appetite and weight (either significantly increasing or decreasing). Sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleeping excessively). Fatigue or loss of energy.
• C - Cognitive Symptoms (Thoughts):
  Negative thoughts about themselves, the world, and the future (the 'negative triad'). Difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Thoughts of worthlessness or excessive guilt.

B. Social and Environmental Causes of Depression

While biology (genes/brain chemistry) plays a role, our social context is a massive trigger for depression. Environmental stressors can push someone from the healthy end of the spectrum towards the illness end.

• Life Events and Stressors: Major stressful events, especially those involving loss or conflict, are key triggers. Examples include bereavement (loss of a loved one), divorce, or the breakdown of a long-term relationship.
• Poverty and Socio-economic Status: People living in poverty, or facing unemployment, often experience chronic stress, which significantly increases the risk of depression. Financial worries limit coping mechanisms and support access.
• Lack of Social Support: A strong social network acts as a buffer against stress. If someone lacks close friends or family to rely on, they are more vulnerable to depression when difficulties arise.
• Bullying or Abuse: Experiencing social exclusion, bullying, or violence (especially in childhood) creates long-lasting psychological damage and heightens depression risk later in life.

Think of it this way: Your mental health is like a boat. Social stressors (like job loss or loneliness) are heavy weights placed in the boat. If you have enough resources and support (a strong boat), you might stay afloat. But if the stressors pile up too high, the boat sinks into depression.

Section 3: Treatment and Management of Mental Illness

How do psychologists and doctors help people with mental illnesses like depression? Treatment often involves a combination of medical approaches (like medication) and psychological therapies (talking therapies).

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most commonly used and effective treatments. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are all connected. Crucially, it targets the cognitive (thinking) and behavioural (social actions) symptoms.

The Goal of CBT: To challenge and change negative, unrealistic thinking patterns and encourage more positive behaviours.

How CBT Works (The Simple ABC Model):

The therapist helps the patient identify the link between:

1. A – Activating Event: A situation occurs (e.g., A friend cancels plans).
2. B – Belief: The patient's automatic negative thought (e.g., "They cancelled because they hate me and I’m boring.").
3. C – Consequence: The feeling and behaviour (e.g., extreme sadness, social withdrawal).

CBT helps the patient replace the faulty Belief (B) with a more rational one ("Maybe they are just busy"), leading to a healthier Consequence (C). Since this is a talking therapy, it relies heavily on the social interaction between the therapist and the patient.

2. Medication

Medication (like antidepressants) works primarily on the biological side, aiming to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain (e.g., low levels of serotonin). For severe depression, combining medication with therapy is often the most effective approach.

3. Social and Community Support

Treatment is not just clinical! Since we know social context causes problems, social support is a vital management tool.

• Support Groups: Meeting others who share similar experiences helps reduce feelings of isolation (a key symptom).
• Counselling Services: Non-clinical support provided through schools or community centres.
• Social Skills Training: Helps people re-engage socially and build stronger support networks.

Section 4: The Social Impact of Mental Illness – Stigma

Mental illness is not just an individual struggle; it is a social one, largely due to stigma.

What is Stigma?

Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes held by society against certain individuals or groups. When it comes to mental illness, stigma can be incredibly harmful.

Example of Stigma: The belief that people with mental illnesses are dangerous, weak, or lazy.

The Consequences of Stigma

Stigma creates a significant barrier to recovery and successful social integration.

• Reluctance to Seek Help: People often fear being judged, ridiculed, or labelled if they admit they are struggling. This delays treatment, often making the condition worse.
• Social Exclusion: Individuals may be avoided by friends, denied job opportunities, or evicted from housing simply because they have a mental health diagnosis.
• Internalized Stigma: The individual starts to believe the negative stereotypes themselves (e.g., "I am weak because I have depression"), leading to lower self-esteem and reduced motivation to recover.

As psychology students, your role is key! Understanding the causes of mental illness and the impact of stigma can help change social attitudes and encourage a more compassionate, supportive society.