Is prevention better than cure for mental health issues?

Whilst there is an ongoing increase in excellent therapeutic and holistic treatments to help people suffering from a vast range of mental health issues, and there is more and more open and honest talk about mental health, a recent article in The Guardian newspaper claims that “far more attention should be devoted to preventing mental illness rather than simply treating it as it arises”, comparing the current approach to only treating heart disease after a cardiac arrest. 

(https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/08/prevention-the-new-holy-grail-of-treating-mental-illness)

We are so used to hearing about ways to prevent physiological illness – eat your five a day fruit and veg, recommended weekly units of alcohol, what is a healthy BMI, eat less sugar and fat, GM foods, too much red meat, oily fish for Omega 3 acids, nuts and seeds, a balanced diet, immunization, vaccination, – all these recommendations  help us avoid physical and other health trauma such as heart attack, diabetes, cancer, obesity. But what can we do to prevent mental illness? What are the best foods, lifestyles or support networks to help us avoid issues such as anxiety and depression? What could we do to improve mental resilience? 

A recent paper in the journal Lancet Psychiatry pinpointed key risk factors that may lead to mental illness. In broad order, they include genetics, early brain trauma, childhood abuse and/or lack of stimulation, bullying, substance abuse, social adversity, shock and trauma, exposure to violence both domestic and military, immigration and social isolation.  

“As a Schema Therapist I am well aware of the effect of being raised in a ’toxic environment’ and how this can lead to the development of ‘early maladaptive schemas’. Schema Therapy identifies that when our emotional needs are not met in childhood, in order to survive we grasp onto whatever coping strategies we can find or devise, but often these strategies are unhealthy and develop into longer term mental health problems.  

I have had the privilege of watching many of my clients who seek help as adults, let go of unhelpful coping strategies which they used to survive childhood abuse and traumas. They learn in therapy to replace them with new, more helpful strategies enabling them to navigate through difficult situations as adults, and eventually go on to lead emotionally healthier lives. Every child deserves to have their emotional needs met, and although it may sometimes be difficult for concerned adults such as family members and teachers to identity when this is not happening, unhealthy coping behaviours such as angry outbursts, detaching and avoidance are visible and often a sign that an emotional need is not being met. Trying to understand what the unmet need is behind the behaviour and instigating any necessary help or change required in the child’s life, could in turn lead to reducing the chance of mental illness developing.”

We can all try and do a little bit to create a safer and supportive environment. Look out for each other and try not to be quick to judge. If you see someone who is down and out, try to understand instead of looking away. ACE Aware Wales (https://www.aceawarewales.com/timetobekind) are currently running a campaign #timetobekind and they maintain that kindness can be one of the most powerful forms of human therapy.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised here, then just get touch with Talk in the Bay at either www.talkinthebay.co.uk or give us a call on 02920 103173. We’re here to help.