# What factors affect mental health?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-factors-affect-mental-health
For: Patients | Mental health care | Last reviewed 23 July 2026

**Answer:** Mental health is shaped by many interacting factors rather than a single cause. These include biological factors such as genetics, physical illness, sleep and substance use; psychological factors such as past experiences and coping patterns; and social and economic factors such as relationships, income, housing, safety, discrimination and access to care. Protective factors, like supportive relationships and stable housing, can reduce risk. Having a risk factor does not mean someone will develop a condition.

### Risk and protective factors

- Risk factors include trauma, violence, chronic illness, isolation, poverty, unstable housing, discrimination and family history.
- Protective factors include supportive relationships, safety, stable income and housing, access to healthcare, cultural connection and coping skills.
- Many protective factors depend on families, schools, workplaces and communities, not only on personal resilience.

Mental health conditions are not caused by weakness. Risk information can guide earlier support, but it should not be used to label individuals or communities. Good support often combines clinical care with practical help, such as improving safety, reducing isolation and addressing money or housing problems.

> **Important:** Explaining contributing factors should not be used to blame patients, families or communities.

> **Important:** If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, contact emergency services now. In Kenya, call 999, 112 or 911. Outside Kenya, use the emergency number for your location.

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- [Can alcohol, cannabis or other drugs cause mental health problems?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-alcohol-cannabis-or-other-drugs-cause-mental-health-problems)

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**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

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