Mental Health and Mental Illness Fundamentals Part 1 | Counselor Toolbox 284

Mental Health and Mental Illness Fundamentals
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Neuroscience of Mental Health
~ Creation of emotions and our ability to think and perceive things occurs in the brain
~ The workings of the brain depend on the nerve cells being able to communicate with each other
~ Structural
~ Nutritional
~ Each neuron makes over 1000 connections
~ The frontal lobe is involved with motor behavior
~ The prefrontal cortex is responsible for planning and integrating cognitive and emotional streams of information
~ The brain continues to develop until about age 25
~ Electrical signals from the neuron are converted to chemicals called neurotransmitters
~ Neurotransmitters are released from the sending neuron into the space between neurons. They attach like a key into a “lock” called a receptor. This triggers the receiving neuron to pass on the signal.
~ The more receptors that are stimulated the more intense the reaction
~ Excitatory Neurotransmitters include norepinephrine and glutamate
~ Inhibitory neurotransmitters include GABA and to some extent serotonin
~ Other neurotransmitters include dopamine (5), acetylcholine, endorphins (natural opiates), substance P (pain, anxiety, stress)
~ Neurotransmitter availability is impacted by
~ The presence of other neurotransmitters and hormones
~ Quality and quantity of the neurotransmitter
~ Vitamins and minerals help break down amino acids (proteins) to make neurotransmitters.
~ Without proper nutrition and adequate stress management the neurons will not be able to function effectively.

Anxiety
~ Triggers the fight or flight response
~ OCD, panic disorder and phobias are in this family
~ OCD has components of
~ Anxious emotions
~ Obsessional thinking
~ Behavioral compulsions
~ It is estimated that 45% of people will experience an addiction in their lifetime
~ Risk and protective factors
~ Individual
~ Biological
~ Psychosocial
~ Correlation, causation leading to consequences
Epidemiology cont…
~ Causes of health and disease are generally viewed as a product of the interplay or interaction between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors
~ Biopsychosocial model
~ One factor by itself may not weigh heavily, but the combination of factors are exponentially additive
Biological Factors
~ No single gene or even a combination of genes dictates
~ environmental factors (e.g., psychosocial environment, nutrition, health care access) can play a significant role in the severity and course of a disorder
Biological cont…
~ Infectious agents can penetrate into the brain where they can cause mental disorders
~ HIV-associated dementia
~ Caused not by direct infection of neurons, but by infection of immune cells known as macrophages which indirectly cause dysfunction and death in nearby neurons by releasing toxins
~ New classification of OCD called PANDAS: pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection
~ PANDAS are caused by antibodies against the strep infection that also manage to attack the basal ganglia region of the child’s brain
Biological Protective Factors
~ Adequate prenatal care
~ Adequate medical care
~ Proper hygiene and health practices
Psychosocial Protective Factors
~ Environment: Safe, nurturing, stimulating
~ Protection from
~ Abuse and neglect
~ Abandonment and life stress
~ Household member with mental illness or substance use disorder
~ Household conflict/family dysfunction
~ Consistent support
~ Positive peer relationships
~ School success
~ A sense of control over environment
Individual Protective Factors
~ Full term birth (Prematurity)
~ Early intervention for
~ Developmental delays (Genetic or illness related)
~ Physical disabilities
~ Comorbid mental health issues
~ Temperament
~ High self-esteem
~ Nutrition
~ Sleep

Summary
~ Mental health is largely impacted by the functioning of the brain and the learning experiences of the person.
~ Psychosocial protection includes ensuring a safe, supportive environment, and the development of healthy coping skills.
~ Individual protection includes good health behaviors, development of self-esteem, understanding one’s temperament and needs and receiving early intervention for any traumas, developmental delays or disabilities.