Mental Health: A Holistic Perspective
A person’s overall mental health is a product of many factors. Mental health evolves through continuous interaction which takes place on both the internal, external, and energetic levels of the body/mind/spirit. This interplay of biopsychosocial-emotional and spiritual factors is comprised of, but not limited to, the following:
- Brain functioning chemicals and neurotransmitters
- Hormones
- Nutrition
- Immune system function
- Physical condition
- Genetics and epigenetics
- Environment (physical, emotional, and energetic stress)
- Mother-Infant Attachment difficulties
- Upbringing (nurture)
- Spirituality
- Social and emotional intelligence
- Interpersonal relationships
- Intrapersonal relationship with self (self-awareness)
- Personality
- History of past traumas
- Subconscious programming
- Social determinants
The good news is that reinforcement of psychological resilience to mental health conditions is a protective factor that can be supported through individual mindfulness-based stress reduction, self-efficacy, and coping.