TASK ONE - Written Statement: Mental Health

The social determinants of health are the environments and surroundings

in which people are faced with every day (WHO, 2016). These
determinants are partly accountable for the unfair health inequities and
disparities present within different countries (WHO, 2016). The social
determinants of mental health that will be focused on in this paper are
education and the early years of life, as these could both potentially
impact on mental states positively or negatively.
Mental health is identified as a state of well-being in which every
individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a
contribution to her or his community (WHO, 2016). There are various
factors that contribute to ones mental health, which indicate to whether
or not a person is healthy mentally (WHO, 2016). These factors include
socioeconomic, environmental and biological circumstances as these all
construct a persons mental state (WHO, 2016). According to the Word
Health Organisation, there would be no health if there were no mental
health, as this is a critical component (WHO, 2016).
A significant social determinant to consider when investigating mental
health is education. It has been acknowledged that in todays society,
secondary and postsecondary education is essential for obtaining a secure
job that can support individuals economically and socially throughout life
(NCBI, 2013). This includes maintaining a high socio economic status
(SES) and better health (NCBI, 2013). It was also stated in this article that
individuals who have not completed any additional years of study are
more likely to experience a low SES whereas those who obtain
postsecondary education will not, due to their further study (NCBI, 2013).
Therefore, education as a social determinant, can potentially impact on a
persons mental health through a lack of education.
Educational opportunities can be limited in some communities as income
is a major factor, as well as the location of the school or where the person
lives (NCBI, 2013). It is stated in the article that young adults who come
from a family or background with low income or live in a lower class area
are confronted with difficulty when it comes to postsecondary education,
or even secondary education (NCBI, 2013). The reason behind the
disadvantage of education in low income families is that they are unable
to pay the fees for either secondary or postsecondary schooling (NCBI,
2013). This could either result in minor education or attending a school in
a lower class area, therefore it becomes more likely for mental health
issues to occur within adolescents (NCBI, 2013). This public health article

also discusses that educational societies must be understanding of

diverse races and classes, including awareness of each students
background and their social locations in order to help them (NCBI, 2013).
If schools and institutions do not cater for each student to support them,
this could put them at risk for developing issues with their physical or
mental health (NCBI, 2013).
In relation to education as a social determinant, the early years of life is
another element to consider within mental health. Adverse or contrary
early life experiences are identified as social relations throughout
childhood which are unpleasant and can effect childrens mental health,
especially as they grow into adolescents or adults (Koplan, Chard, 2014).
As a result of adverse early life experiences (AELEs), socio emotional
development of infants and children can be negatively effected (Koplan,
Chard, 2014). Experiences comprising threatening behavior of parents or
caregivers towards the child or environments that are hazardous, are
social determinants of mental health that is poor (Koplan, Chard, 2014).
A study undertaken by various child and adolescent psychiatrists such as
Alan Stein and Paul G. Ramchandani stated that children with depressed
mothers often become depressed themselves, or have other mental
health issues (Ramchandani, Stein, 2010). The study indicated that
children should be measured in the perspective of socioeconomic
conditions, dietary status and mental health through education or health
professionals (Ramchandani, Stein, 2010). If a child or adolescent has a
parent who is mentally unstable then they are likely to experience the
same instability themselves, unless they seek for help (Ramchandani,
Stein, 2010). This issue then relates back to education as mental health
should be promoted in schools so that those students or pupils who are
suffering from a mental illness can seek for help (Australian Government,
2015).
A persons mental state is likely to be impacted on if their early years of
life were traumatic or unpleasant (Koplan, Chard, 2014). A meta-analysis
in 2012 examined 124 studies which demonstrated that neglect,
emotional abuse and physical abuse experienced as a child resulted in
poor health outcomes (Koplan, Chard, 2014). These included abuse of
drugs and alcohol, anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior (Koplan,
Chard, 2014). An individuals early years of life depends on them as they
grow and shape into the people they become, although it can be difficult
to remember parts of childhood (2014). According to a nation-wide health
news organisation, NPR, emotional support given to a child during their
first three and a half years of life has an effect on them (2014). It effects

them socially, emotionally and can also impact on the childs education or
relationships as they grow older (2014).
Overall, this analytical statement about the key social determinants of
mental health indicate that the issue of lack of education can be
overcome. Education and the early years of life are the main social
determinants that link together when regarding mental health, especially
within adolescents and children. Potential solutions to improve an
individuals mental health could be to seek counselling, therapy or
psychiatric treatment within the school environment. However, there are
several helplines in Australia provided by government resources to assist
individuals who suffer from poor mental health (Australian Government,
2016).