What causes mental illness

Family problems are a common cause of poor mental health

One in four people with mental health problems see family or relationship difficulties as the root cause of their plight, according a survey.

The mental health charity Mind quizzed 550 people with mental health problems including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia to find out what triggered their condition.

Other triggers included:

• traumatic childhood and schooling
• bereavement
• stress at work
• unemployment

Nearly 90% of the respondents said they thought there was a link between their physical and mental health.

And 71% felt they had developed a greater insight into their spirituality or felt more in touch with themselves as a result of their mental health problems.

The survey also found that one in four of those questioned said chocolate improved their mood - although 10% said it had a negative effect on their mental health.

Mental health problems are an everyday experience for increasing numbers of people in this country

Judi Clements, chief executive, Mind

More than a third of people said they found listening to music was beneficial and 25% said they thought gardening had a positive effect on their mental health.

Three-quarters of those surveyed said specific times of year had a negative effect on their mental health with the most miserable months being December and January.

Mind chief executive Judi Clements said: "Mental health problems are an everyday experience for increasing numbers of people in this country.

"Our survey highlights some of the everyday activities and events that can influence your mental health, like diet and physical environment, and the triggers that can cause mental health problems.

"We also want to highlight the simple things people can do to look after their mental health - these will not eliminate mental health problems, but can go some way towards helping."