FACT

Genes aren’t destiny. Lots of studies on identical twins (who share the same genes) have shown that lifestyle factors can prevent and help treat mental health issues.  

We know from these studies that genes account for approximately 30-50% of mental illnesses.

This means that we can affect 50-70% of risk through environmental factors, like self-care, social skills and connections with others, skills to manage emotions, etc.

FACT

That’s a very difficult situation to be in and must be tough to cope with! It can be hard to ‘convince’ people mental health is real, as there are all kinds of complex reasons why people hold – and cling to – those views.  

Often these beliefs are emotional, rather than factual.  That’s why arguing, using facts and logic often doesn’t work – because you’re arguing with feelings, and feelings aren’t necessarily rational. 

It shouldn’t be ‘up to you’ to convince someone otherwise. It’s ok to pick your battles and decide to not have that fight.

• Keep the focus on minimising the harm their opinion might have on your child. Ask them to keep their views to themselves – even if it’s only to prevent conflict or stop things from getting worse. 
• Be curious and ask questions. Why do they believe that? Listen to understand and listen with empathy. If nothing else, you can role model what emotional support looks like. 
• Be action/results-focused. Does your partner want your teen to ‘stop moping about in their room all day?’ Get them onboard with strategies by saying, “Hey, saying and doing this with our teen should help them reduce or stop that behaviour. It’s worth a try, don’t you think? Let’s tackle it together!” 
• Use an analogy they can relate to. Cars need services to prevent problems. People need check-ups and check-ins to prevent problems as well. One type of check-in is psychological, like seeing a mental health professional. This can get you back on track. Or, if you want to get better at a sports skill, you get a trainer or coach. If you want or need to get better at an emotional skill, your coach is a counsellor – because no one is bullet proof or invincible. 
• If you do want to talk about mental health, it can help to explain that our brain is part of our biology, just like any other body part or organ. Things can happen that affect your heart, or your bowel – and things can happen that affect your brain. Because your brain controls your thoughts and behaviour, anything that affects your brain for the worse can affect your thoughts and behaviours. We call some of those things, ‘mental illnesses’.