Psychologist sheds light on the impact of family life on mental health

Mental health is a complex issue that is impacted by many different factors.

Family dynamics, for example, play a significant role in our mental well-being simply because families are the cornerstone of our lives, shaping our experiences, beliefs, and behaviours.

One mental health professional is therefore stressing the vital role of family support, communication patterns, conflict resolution, parental influence, history, nurturing environments, and social support in shaping individuals.

Clinical psychologist Jo-Nelle Walsh said firstly that some psychological behaviours can be learned in the home.

“Children learn from their parents. They are the first persons they are introduced to after all. So, the values that are taught are going to be passed down, the way in which a parent copes with a situation that’s what the child is going to learn. So, for instance, if there is a death in the family and the child sees that everybody is lashing out and being angry the child begins to learn that this must be the way we cope with death,” she shared with Twin Island media in a recent interview.

She also emphasized that spending quality time with children can positively affect their mental health.

“Sometimes we think as neglect as just not having food but its deeper. Its understanding that you need to spend time with your children …because then they begin to understand the value of family, they begin to understand feelings of love and being taken care of,” she remarked.

According to experts, understanding this is crucial for assessing and treating mental health concerns effectively, as well as promoting resilience and recovery within the family unit.