Causes of Mental Illness

By Olivia Gracella Rospita

“Tell someone important to you that you love and care for her in this special day!” is a
common quote you may hear on World’s Mental Health Day. You probably heard similar
sayings every year. What is mental health? Why is it important to commemorate? Why do people
remind each other to care more towards their surroundings? When people do not take mental
health seriously, they can get mental illness. There are three factors that can cause mental illness:
biological, psychological, and environmental.
Taken from https://www.thekimfoundation.org/causes/, it is stated that some mental
illnesses have been linked to an abnormal balance of special chemicals in the brain called
neurotransmitters. A brain has millions of nerve cells that communicate each other with the help
of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are like bridges to nerve cells. If they lose balance, they
will not work properly. Therefore, the information from one nerve cell to another will not be
delivered. As a result, the person will not have a proper respond to what is going on in his
environment. For example, a kid who has autism disorder does not react at all and keeps being
busy when being called several times by a person who has very close distance with him.
Psychologically, mental illnesses often happen to people who severe deep trauma
suffered since or as a child, such as emotional, sexual, or physical abuse, also an important early
loss, like a parent loss or the loss of a closest friend. For example, a 6-year-old girl is physically
abused by her father. Let’s say, the father used to laugh every time he hits her. If the girl keeps
her fear by herself for years and never opens up to anyone to get herself some help and therapy,
she can then laugh by herself every time she sees an old man who she thinks resembles her
father. However, it is actually caused by her pain and trauma in the past.
Lastly, https://www.thekimfoundation.org/causes/ also states that certain stressors can
trigger an illness in a person who is susceptible to mental illness. These include social or cultural
expectations, significant life changes, and living in poverty. For instance, a woman gives birth to
a baby. After a month, the baby dies. Then, the woman gives birth for the second time not long
after the death of her first child. However, her current baby also dies after 8 months of living.
Again, if not supported or not having anyone by her side, the woman can suffer great trauma,
fears children, and is possible not wanting to have a child anymore for the rest of her life.
 Considering the three factors above that can happen to anyone anytime, mental health
surely is something to pay attention to. Mental illness is possible to avoid when we care for each
other and pay attention to our surroundings. Opening up to a trustworthy or reliable friend also
helps whenever you have something heavy in mind. It is important to remember that mental
illness can be caused by neurotransmitters imbalance, past psychological experiences, and
environmental stressors. Whenever any of these seem to happen to you or the ones around you,
do not hesitate to take health action on healing or avoiding mental illnesses.