The Science Behind Mental Health

Mental health is a very broad umbrella term for a multitude of areas. Mental health problems, mental wellness and all of these key phrases are popping up more and more in everyday conversations, which is great to see!

Whilst it’s fantastic that this is happening, it’s now time to think a bit deeper and really understand the science behind mental health. This will not only help you better understand how you can help look after your mental health when you feel it beginning to suffer, it will also enable you to help others. Peer support is shown to have a beneficial effect on mental illness recovery; although a small amount, it certainly makes a difference!

What is Mental Health?

First things first, what actually is mental health? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines mental health as ‘our emotional, psychological and social well-being'.

Our mental health affects everything from how we feel, think and act and is a fundamental part of our health throughout our entire lives. Despite it being this important, attitudes towards mental health have not always been as positive as it is in the 21st century.

It’s been documented that mindsets towards mental health and illness began to change from the late 1700s onwards, with the realisation that the cure to mental illness wasn’t confinement (as previously thought), it’s actually care and treatment.

Whilst this seems so obvious now due to modern medicine, back when psychiatry was often overlooked, those who suffered with mental health issues were treated in prisons and mental asylums, which gained the reputation of being places of misery for ‘people who had gone mad’.

Fast forward to now, we’re much more scientifically conscious than we used to be. Now, we’re able to help our mental health in ways that would previously be overlooked. This includes the UK Government writing the Mental Health Act 2007, which was an amendment to the Mental Health Act 1983.

The Brain and Mental Health

The brain is a very complex structure that controls basically everything in the body, from the senses and emotions to muscles and blood vessels.

Containing billions of nerve cells (neurons), that contain different types of chemical neurotransmitters, the brain’s function to mental health is pivotal.

Research around mental illness states that when there are abnormalities in how particular brain circuits function, mental illness develops. Along with this, there are findings that changes in the size or shape of different parts of the brain may be responsible for causing some mental illnesses.

Neurotransmitters and Mental Health

Neurotransmitters are responsible for controlling emotions (amongst other bodily functions), which is why most scientists believe that mental illness is a result of problems with the communication neurons in the brain (neurotransmitters).

When there are imbalances in neurotransmitters, mental health problems occur. More specifically, if the chemical mechanism of communication between the brain and the body is disrupted, mental illness symptoms begin to form.

Imbalances in neurotransmitters influence all sorts of symptoms that are associated with mental health illnesses, including increased/reduced food appetite, cause impulsive behaviour and dramatically alter moods.

Facts About the Brain & Mental Health

Your brain is responsible for regulating your emotions and behaviours. When it has difficulty regulating emotion in a healthy or helpful way, mental health issues may arise. So what’s going on in your brain when you feel anxious, depressed, or have other symptoms of poor mental health?

Here are 10 facts about your brain and its impact on your mental health:

• Your brainstem produces serotonin, one of the most important and influential neurotransmitters affecting your mental health. Low serotonin levels have been linked with depression and anxiety.
• The brain also regulates dopamine production. Dopamine is a feel-good neurotransmitter. Lower dopamine levels have been linked with anhedonia (the loss of the ability to feel pleasure) — a major symptom of many depressive disorders.
• A small study found that the hippocampus — a part of the brain that plays a major role in learning, emotions, and memory — was 9% to 13% smaller in depressed women versus non-depressed women.
• The hippocampus has also been shown to be larger and more active in people with higher self-esteem. Low self-esteem is a risk factor for depression.
• Cortisol — your primary stress hormone — impacts brain activity, resulting in feelings of anxiety, as well as inhibited behaviour.
• External factors (such as trauma and stress) can trigger or worsen mental health conditions. But the impact is dependent on your brain and how it processes these events.
• The physical symptoms of anxiety — also known as a panic attack — are triggered by processes in the brain. The amygdala (a small section of the brain involved in emotional response) triggers the fight-or-flight response in the hypothalamus (an area of the brain that controls hormone release).
• Research suggests that 80% of neuroimaging abnormalities found in people affected by substance abuse disorders have a common “brain network.” Scientists are using this to find new treatments for substance abuse disorders.
• It costs around €134 billion per year to diagnose and treat brain disorders in the UK, including anxiety disorder, sleep disorders, and mood disorders.

Keeping your brain healthy can lead to better mental health. Poor organ health may also be linked with poor brain health, so take care of your body to promote a healthy mind. That means getting enough sleep, socialising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercise.

Factors Influencing Mental Health

Scientists have suggested that there are potential genetic roots for some mental illnesses and propose that if you have a close relative with a mental disorder, you could be at a higher risk.

It’s important to emphasise that if a family member has a mental disorder, it does not mean you will develop it – many other factors also play a role. It can, however, be useful to look into your family history as this can help you determine whether you are at a higher genetic risk for certain mental illnesses and decide if preventative action needs to be taken.

The other large factor that influences mental health is your environment, as the space you live, work and socialise can all change the function and structure of your brain.

Your environment can raise and lower your stress levels - think about how you feel when in a jam-packed train station, compared to on holiday with a loved one. These two different environments create very different levels of stress, thus impacting your psychological health.

This needs to be especially considered when it comes to your work environment due to how much time is spent there. Do you feel more stressed when in the office, or when working from home? Are there certain team members who cause you more stress than others? Why do you think this is? Whilst it’s normal for a slight increase in stress levels when at work during busy times, chronic stress is a danger to both your mental and physical health.

Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to mental health in different ways, both are just as valid as each other. It’s important to try to recognise which may be affecting you, as genetic factors are likely to be treated differently than environmental factors. For example, if genetically predisposition to have depression, it’s likely that you’d be treated differently than if you’re feeling depressed due to a highly stressful and toxic workplace environment.

What Causes Mental Illness?

Mental ill health or mental illness is usually caused by a combination of factors, from the chemicals in your brain to your stress levels to hereditary health problems. Dozens of different causes can contribute to the development of mental illness, including:

• Genetics — If someone else in your family has a mental health problem or illness, you may be at greater risk of developing one too.
• Environment — Working or living in a stressful environment can contribute to mental health conditions. You may be experiencing debt, poverty, abuse, and/or exploitation, though there are countless types of environmental stress that can affect your mental state.
• Childhood trauma — Traumatic experiences in your childhood can affect your mental health as an adult.
• Life events — Bereavement, divorce, injury, pregnancy, and other stressful life events can trigger mental illness, particularly if you’re predisposed to mental health problems.
• Substance abuse — Taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol can trigger or worsen mental illness.
• Illness — Many different health conditions have been linked with mental health problems, from eating disorders to insomnia to cancer.

None of these causes guarantee that you will develop a mental health disorder, but they can make it more likely. If you’re worried you (or someone you know) might have symptoms of mental illness, it’s important to seek support from a medical professional.

The Science of Therapy and Treatment

There are many treatment options available for various mental health problems, with the severity of treatment varying on the type of mental illness.

Some treatment options do not outright cure mental illness, but do help with the management of symptoms, such as medication, support groups and meditation.

Psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) refers to a selection of different treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts and behaviours.

It’s been noted in many journals that the pairing of psychotherapy with medication is the most effective treatment method due to the medication treating the symptoms, and the psychotherapy getting to the route of the problem.

Stigmas and Misconceptions

Even though we’ve come a long way in de-stigmatising mental health, we’re still on the journey to full acceptance.

Unfortunately, there is still a strong stigma (negative attitude) around mental health and many people who suffer from mental illness also experience discrimination, which can make their mental health problems worse.

Whether it comes from society, employers, the media, friends or family, it can seriously affect the person suffering. This may stop themselves getting help, isolate themselves from social situations or make themselves physically unwell as a toll of the outward and internalised stigma they deal with.

It’s important to feel supported in your mental health at work, as when it starts to decline it can impact your work performance. Having a good support network with peers and employers can drastically improve your likelihood to confide in those around you, and thus help you manage work related stress levels.

Prevention and Self-Care

Self-Care is a term that’s seemingly appeared from nowhere and is now dominating the mental health conversation. It’s defined as ‘the ability to care for oneself through awareness, self-control and self-resilience in order to achieve, maintain or promote optimal health and well-being'.

There is an extensive list of things that are considered self-care practices; however this is such an individualistic practice, that anything positive can be considered self-care. The most common self-care activities include exploring relaxation or wellness programs, meditation, exercise or simply being with friends or family.

By consistently practising self-care, you’re much more likely to lower your risk of illness, become better at managing stress and anxiety levels and increase your energy levels.

Whatever it is you do for your self-care, keep it up and try out new things!

Seeking Help and Support

Whilst we’ve provided a brief introduction to the science of mental health here, there are many other aspects that influence and impact mental wellbeing.

We are not medical professionals, and although we work with lots of mental health experts, if you are struggling it’s important to reach out to someone who can help.

The brilliant mental health charity Mind have listed many UK mental health crisis hotline here.

That being said, we’ve created a brand-new page on our website that outlines more about how we’re encouraging the mental health conversation, along with highlighting a selection of some of the truly brilliant experts we work with. Check out the page here!

Don’t hesitate to get in contact with us! We’re a friendly bunch and we’re more than happy to discuss your needs further so we can provide you with a bespoke list of possible speakers for your upcoming event.

Give us a call on +44 (0) 207 607 7070 or pop us an email at info@speakerscorner.co.uk