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Mental health is shaped by a combination of genetics, environment, and life experiences
Mental health is shaped by a combination of genetics, environment, and life experiences
DNA variants can shape:
how our brains develop
how our cells communicate with each other
how we respond to stress
how we metabolize medications
There are no mental health conditions that are only caused by genetic factors.
Environment and life experiences can shape:
the types of stress we have
our physical health and wellbeing
how we cope with challenges
how we learn to react to things that happen to us
Some examples of environmental factors include things we have some control over like sleep and social relationships.
There are other examples of things we don't necessarily have control over, like stressful or traumatic experiences or exposures to environmental toxins like pollutants.
There are also genetic and environmental factors that can actually reduce someone's chance of developing a mental health condition. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, regular exercise, and taking prescribed medications can all be helpful for improving mental health.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text the Suicide Hotline at 988 or Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.
There are more local support resources available here.
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