I am going to research more into mental health of people in their 20’s. From my initial research it was clear that there was a struggle with mental wellbeing. This is a really important subject and probably effects a lot of the people I will be photographing. Mental health commonly emerges in late teens/ early twenties. Many people I photograph will probably have their own struggles, mostly hidden.
Like from the other research I have done, a big reason for mental health deteriorating is the big changes in life and the pressure that comes with it. Other reasons include lack of sleep, sex life, drugs and alcohol. Depression and anxiety is not heritable and so your environment has a large impact. Social environment is a big factor, even if you have a large risk of having a mental health issue, having a good social environment can help you thrive. Through these changes in life, your brain also undergoes drastic change.
There can also be triggers that lead to conditions such as depression. Such as a stressful time in your life can trigger a disorder. This is because mental disorders are chemical imbalances in your brain. While being in your 20’s, you can experience a lot of stressful events, such as, moving put, relationship changes and financial problems.
Another thing that can lead to mental health problems is your lifestyle and how you take care of yourself. The first (and very common) factor is not getting help when you are not okay. There is a lot of stigma about mental disorders and I think people can be reluctant to get help when somethings wrong. Through talking therapies and sometimes medication, you can see improvements. Alcohol can be a problem with people who are already vulnerable or at risk. It is been proven that alcohol can make a situation worse and can sometimes lead to a dependancy. Other lifestyle choices such as what you eat can affect your mood. There are certain foods that help boost your food or reduce stress. If you are eaten no foods with any nutrients then the balance could be off.
This research is interesting to review. People in their 20’s are at a high risk of developing mental health problems for many reasons. It is already difficult to navigate this stage of your life so the added difficulty with living a disorder such as depression or anxiety will be difficult. I will find a way of primary research to see how much of an issue this is with the people I meet through out my project.
Lucy Davis 