What shapes our mental health? It is easy to imagine psychological distress as something that exists entirely within an individual, a chemical imbalance, a diagnosis, or a problem located inside the brain. The illustration by Nate Kitch accompanying Richard Bentall’s 2016 The Guardian article, “Mental illness is a result of misery, yet still we stigmatise it,” offers a different perspective on this question. 

The illustration portrays a human head surrounded by interconnected images representing different aspects of social life. A declining graph and coins evoke financial hardship, while houses suggest the importance of housing and living conditions. The two faces separated by a crack can be interpreted as representing strained relationships. And the raised fist suggests power, conflict, or unequal control. Surrounding these images are numerous eyes, creating a sense of being watched and judged. Together, these symbols imply that psychological distress does not develop in isolation. Our mental well-being can be shaped by the circumstances in which we live, work, and form relationships.

This is particularly important because mental health is oftentimes discussed through an individualistic lens. When someone experiences depression, anxiety, or another form of psychological distress, attention may focus primarily on what is happening inside that person. The illustration instead draws our attention outward. It asks us to consider what may be happening around the person as well.

The financial imagery is especially significant. Financial insecurity, unemployment, debt, and poverty can create chronic stress and uncertainty, while unstable or inadequate housing can undermine a person’s sense of safety and security. Similarly, relationships can be sources of either support or distress. Conflict, isolation, discrimination, and experiences of powerlessness can all influence psychological well-being. These factors do not mean that social circumstances are the sole cause of mental illness, nor do they eliminate the importance of biological or individual factors. Rather, they demonstrate that mental health is complex and shaped by multiple interacting influences. 

The many eyes surrounding the head also communicate the experience of social judgment. Stigma can make people feel watched, evaluated, or defined by their mental health experiences. When distress is treated as a personal failure rather than understood within its broader context, individuals may be blamed for circumstances they cannot simply control. 

What I find most compelling about this illustration is that it does not portray mental health as an isolated problem contained within one person’s mind. Instead, the human head becomes connected to the wider social world. This visual representation encourages us to ask not only “What is wrong with this person?” but also “What has happened to this person, and what conditions are surrounding them?” 

Understanding mental health in this broader way can shift conversations away from blame and toward compassion, prevention, and social change. Psychological well-being is personal, but the conditions that shape it are often profoundly social. 

Feature Image Credit: Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

Body Image Credit: Illustration by Nate Kitch via The Guardian