Building Resilience to Reduce Mental Health Illnesses: Guidelines for Government Actions

Abstract

Childhood and adolescence are crucial stages for the development of mental well-being. Despite this significance, about 20% of U.S. children experience mental health disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened this concern. This study investigates the intricate interplay of biological, psychological, and social mechanisms in shaping resilience towards mental health disorders. It also examines the implications of this analysis for future U.S. government actions in fostering resilience among children. After an in-depth analysis, biological, psychological, and social mechanisms are all proven to have profound impacts on the development of mental health resilience. But social mechanisms (e.g., parent-child bonds) emerge as the most influential ones, as they can determine the extent to which biological (e.g., oxytocin hormone) and psychological mechanisms (e.g., optimism) play in resilience development. This discovery highlights the importance of social dimensions in bolstering mental health resilience. As a result, effective government measures should prioritize these aspects to optimize the synergistic potential of the three mechanisms (biological, psychological, and social). Potential measures include enhancing school-based mental health services and improving living standards in low-income areas.