Why Are Mental Health Disorders on the Rise?

Summary

The video script addresses the escalating global issue of mental health disorders, which have surged by 48% since 1990, costing nearly a trillion dollars annually. It explores the multifaceted causes, including biological, psychological, and social factors like poverty, discrimination, and climate change. The script emphasizes the impact of economic inequality, extreme weather events, urbanization, and social media on mental health, underscoring the urgent need for research and policy to tackle this crisis.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Mental disorders have increased globally by 48% since 1990, affecting both individuals and the global economy.
• 🧬 Biological factors like genetics and physical injuries contribute to mental health issues, but they have remained relatively constant.
• 🌿 Environmental factors such as pollution and food insecurity, along with social factors like discrimination and poverty, can exacerbate mental health problems.
• 💔 Economic inequality, with the income gap between the rich and the poor widening, can lead to financial stress and negatively impact mental health.
• 🌡️ Climate change and extreme weather events can cause trauma and loss, increasing the risk of mental disorders like PTSD and depression.
• 🏙️ Urbanization and living alone, often for better opportunities, can lead to feelings of isolation and contribute to mental health issues.
• 📱 The rise of social media is linked to negative well-being and poor self-esteem, especially among young people.
• 🌐 The increase in mental health disorders is likely correlated with large-scale social and environmental changes.
• 🔍 There is an urgent need for more research, policy, and awareness to address the growing mental health crisis.
• 🌟 Solutions to mental health issues should not only focus on treatment but also address the underlying social and environmental challenges.

Q & A

What is the global increase in mental disorders since 1990?

Mental disorders have increased globally by 48% since 1990.

How much does the increase in mental health disorders cost the global economy annually?

The increase in mental health disorders is costing the global economy almost one trillion dollars each year.

What are the factors that can lead to mental disorders?

Mental disorders can be caused by a combination of biological factors such as genetics, chemical imbalances, and physical injuries, as well as external social and environmental factors.

What is the role of genetics in mental disorders like bipolar depression and schizophrenia?

Genetics play a significant role as studies have shown disorders like bipolar depression and schizophrenia have genetic roots that can be passed down in families.

How do personal experiences and psychological traits contribute to mental health issues?

Personal experiences and psychological traits like coping skills, self-esteem, memory, or trauma can directly impact mental health, with poor self-esteem playing a critical role in disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

What are some social and environmental factors that can negatively affect mental health?

Social and environmental factors such as discrimination, poverty, pollution, displacement, and food insecurity can have detrimental impacts on mental health.

How does exposure to prolonged armed conflicts affect mental health?

People exposed to prolonged armed conflicts are more vulnerable to developing mental disorders due to constant stress and trauma.

What economic changes have been linked to an increase in mental health disorders?

The economic distress caused by the growing income gap between the top 10 percent and the bottom 50 percent of individuals within countries has been linked to an increase in mental health disorders.

How does climate change and extreme weather events impact mental health?

Climate change and extreme weather events can lead to trauma, loss of resources, and social support, increasing the risk of developing mental disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

What is the impact of living alone and away from communities on mental health?

Living alone and away from communities, often due to urbanization, can lead to isolation and increase the likelihood of suffering from mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and alienation.

How is social media use linked to mental health?

Social media use is heavily linked to negative well-being and poor self-esteem, especially among young people, with those using more platforms at higher risk for anxiety symptoms.

What solutions are suggested to address the public health crisis of increasing mental health problems?

Solutions include addressing social and environmental challenges, increasing research, policy, and awareness about the mental health crisis, and implementing conventional treatment and prevention measures.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Global Mental Health Crisis

The script discusses the escalating issue of mental health problems worldwide. Since 1990, there has been a 48% increase in mental disorders, affecting not only individuals but also the global economy, costing nearly one trillion dollars annually. Mental health is now considered a public health issue rather than an individual one. The causes of mental disorders are multifaceted, including biological factors like genetics and chemical imbalances, psychological factors such as coping skills and self-esteem, and social and environmental factors like discrimination and pollution. The script suggests that while biological factors have remained constant, social and environmental changes over the past few decades may be contributing to the rise in mental health disorders.

05:00

🌡️ Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health

The second paragraph delves into the effects of climate change on mental health. It cites the 2021 IPCC report, which warns of increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, leading to trauma and loss that can result in mental disorders like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. A study on flood victims revealed high rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among them. Climate change also indirectly impacts mental health by causing negative thoughts and feelings of helplessness regarding the future and the state of the planet. The script emphasizes the need for solutions that address these social and environmental challenges to mitigate the mental health crisis.

Keywords

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. In the video, mental health is the central theme, with a focus on the rising prevalence of mental health disorders and their impact on individuals and society.

💡Mental Disorders

Mental disorders are a wide range of mental health conditions that disrupt an individual's thinking, emotions, behavior, and ability to relate to others. The video discusses the increase in mental disorders globally, highlighting their significant health and social impact.

💡Biological Factors

Biological factors encompass genetic, biochemical, and physical elements that contribute to mental health conditions. The script mentions that disorders like bipolar depression and schizophrenia have genetic roots, illustrating how biological factors play a role in mental health.

💡Psychological Factors

Psychological factors include personal experiences, coping skills, self-esteem, and memory that can influence mental health. The video script points out that poor self-esteem is critical in the development of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

💡Social and Environmental Factors

Social and environmental factors refer to external influences like discrimination, poverty, and pollution that can negatively affect mental health. The script discusses how these factors, especially in combination with internal factors, can increase the risk of mental disorders.

💡Economic Distress

Economic distress relates to financial problems and the stress they cause. The video script connects economic distress to increased anxiety and depression, particularly among low-income families facing persistent poverty-related stress.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is discussed in the context of its impact on mental health, with extreme weather events leading to trauma and increased risk of mental disorders like PTSD and depression. The script cites a study showing high percentages of flood victims diagnosed with these disorders.

💡Social Isolation

Social isolation refers to the state of being separated from social networks and support systems. The video script explains how urbanization has led to increased social isolation, which researchers have linked to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

💡Social Media

Social media is highlighted as a factor linked to negative well-being and poor self-esteem, especially among young people. The script references a study showing that usage of multiple social media platforms increases the likelihood of anxiety symptoms.

💡Public Health Issue

The video script frames mental health as a public health issue, emphasizing the need for societal and policy responses beyond individual treatment. It points out the economic cost and the urgency of addressing the underlying social and environmental causes.

💡Research and Awareness

Research and awareness are crucial for understanding and addressing the mental health crisis. The script calls for more research to inform policies and raise public awareness about the impact of mental health issues on individuals and communities.

Highlights

Mental health problems have increased globally by 48% since 1990.

Mental health disorders cost the global economy almost one trillion dollars each year.

Mental health is a widespread public health issue, not just an individual problem.

Mental health disorders are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social/environmental factors.

Genetics, chemical imbalances, and physical injuries are biological factors in mental disorders.

Coping skills, self-esteem, and memory are psychological factors that can lead to mental disorders.

Social and environmental factors like discrimination and pollution can impact mental health.

Economic inequality has doubled in the past few decades, affecting mental health.

Climate change and extreme weather events can lead to trauma and mental disorders.

Urbanization and living alone can increase the risk of mental disorders.

Social media use is linked to negative well-being and poor self-esteem.

The increase in mental health disorders correlates with large-scale social and environmental changes.

Solutions to the mental health crisis must address social and environmental challenges.

There is an urgent need for more research, policy, and awareness about the mental health crisis.

Persistent poverty-related stress is directly related to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Twenty percent of flood victims globally have been diagnosed with depression.

People using seven or more social media platforms are three times more likely to have high levels of anxiety.

Transcripts

feeling anxious depressed

powerless

well

you're not alone

a growing number of people all over the

world are dealing with mental health

problems

in fact

since 1990 mental disorders have

increased globally by 48

besides the direct health and social

impact it has on individuals

this increase in mental health disorders

is costing the global economy almost one

trillion dollars each year

this means that mental health can no

longer be treated as an individual

problem

but rather as a widespread public health

issue

so the question is

why has there been a rise in mental

health issues in the last few decades

but before we answer that we need to

first understand what causes mental

disorders

mental health is incredibly complex and

there are many variations in

combinations of factors that can lead to

mental disorders

these range from biological factors to

external social and environmental

factors

biological factors include genetics

chemical imbalances and physical

injuries

for example

studies have shown that disorders like

bipolar depression and schizophrenia

have genetic roots which can get passed

down in the family

more external are direct psychological

factors tied to individuals personal

experiences

cognitive and effective traits like

coping skills self-esteem memory or

trauma

poor self-esteem for example was shown

to play a critical role in the

development of mental disorders such as

depression anxiety and substance abuse

even further out are social and

environmental factors

discrimination

poverty pollution

displacement

food insecurity etc can all have

detrimental mental health impacts on a

large scale

for example

a study showed that if people are

exposed to prolonged armed conflicts

where they experience constant stress

and trauma they are more vulnerable to

developing a mental disorder

some of these external factors can also

interact with certain internal factors

and put people at higher risk of

developing a mental disorder

for instance

internal factors like sex

gender or race

can interact with social factors like

discrimination and poverty to increase

the risk of developing mental problems

now that we know what causes mental

health problems which of these factors

is behind the recent increase in mental

disorders in the last 30 years

since biological factors like genetics

or physical injury have remained

relatively constant they can be ruled

out

but as we move towards the more external

social and environmental factors we see

that there has been a lot of change in

the past few decades and researchers

believe that these external social

changes have played a significant role

in the increase in mental health

disorders today

let's explore four of these social and

environmental changes and see how they

have influenced widespread mental health

problems

over the years the gap between the

average incomes of the top 10 percent

and the bottom 50 percent of individuals

within countries has almost doubled this

unequal distribution of income means

that despite overall economic growth

many people still face financial

problems

research shows that this economic

distress can adversely impact people's

mental health as it may promote fear

worry and hopelessness and a sense of

powerlessness to exert control over

their situation

a study conducted with low-income

families in the u.s

showed that persistent poverty-related

stress was directly related to symptoms

of anxiety and depression

[Music]

the 2021 ipcc report warns us that

global warming and extreme weather

events like heat waves and floods will

become more frequent and intense

direct contact with these extreme

weather events

can severely disrupt people's lives and

lead to trauma loss of resources and

social support

research reveals that this can increase

the risk of developing mental disorders

such as ptsd

depression

general anxiety increased substance use

and suicidal thoughts

for instance a 2019 study analyzed the

mental health of flood victims globally

twenty percent of the victims had been

diagnosed with depression 28 percent

with anxiety

and 36 percent with ptsd

besides being affected directly by

extreme weather events

climate change can also affect people's

mental health indirectly

a 2021 study reported that many people

were experiencing negative thoughts

about climate change

45 of respondents felt their feelings

about climate change negatively impacted

their daily life

75 percent of respondents said that they

think the future is frightening

and 83 percent said that they think

people have failed to take care of the

planet

[Music]

humans have evolved as social creatures

strongly dependent on familial and

social bonds

however

today many people live alone far away

from their communities

a major reason for this has been better

job opportunities quality education and

advanced health care offered in cities

due to these incentives

the urban population increased from 39

in 1980

to 55 percent today

and is expected to increase to 68

percent by 2050

however

cities are expensive and have limited

space

this often results in many people moving

to cities alone

leaving their families and social

support networks behind

researchers found that people living in

isolation in urban areas are more likely

to suffer from certain mental disorders

such as anxiety

depression

alienation and family disintegration

[Music]

today almost one in three people around

the world use social media platforms

this technology has a direct link to

people's lives and their social

connections and interactions

but how does it affect mental health

many researchers have highlighted that

social media is heavily linked to

negative well-being and poor self-esteem

especially among young people

a 2017 study found that people who use

seven or more social media platforms

were three times more likely to have

high levels of anxiety symptoms than

those who use zero to two platforms

some researchers also say that spending

more time on social media can make

people experience social isolation

moreover

according to the center for research

almost 25 percent of adolescents believe

that social media has a mostly negative

effect on their mental health

with 13

of 12 to 17 year olds reporting

depression

and 32 percent reporting anxiety

while a lot of this research is still

new and ongoing it is clear that the

rise of social media is increasing the

risk of mental health disorders

as we have seen

these large-scale social and

environmental changes are creating

mental health challenges

so

it's very plausible that the recent

increase in global mental health

problems is correlated to these

large-scale social and environmental

changes

if that is the case solutions to this

public health crisis in addition to

conventional treatment and prevention

measures need to address these social

and environmental challenges as well

and since these factors will continue to

intensify in the future there is an

urgent need for more research

policy and awareness about this

increasing mental health crisis and its

impact on people and communities around

the world

[Music]

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