Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It can affect how you think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how you handle stresses, how you relate to others, and how you make choices. Mental health is important at all stages of life, whether that is childhood, adulthood, or older ages.

During your life, you may experience mental health problems. This can impact on your mood, thinking and behaviour. There are many different factors that contribute to or influence mental health problems, including:

• Biology, such as genes or brain chemistry

• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse

• Having a family history of mental health issues

Mental health problems are common, and it is important to know that help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/ 

www.nhs.uk/mental-health/ 

eastspace.org.uk/# 

www.samh.org.uk/ 

breathingspace.scot/