Happiness – that one word we all chase, thinking it comes from success, money, or fame. Yet, we often find ourselves caught in a never-ending cycle of wanting more, never fully satisfied with what we have. It is like we are on a treadmill, always moving but staying in the same place. We set new goals as soon as we achieve something. Aristotle once said, “Happiness depends upon ourselves,” and it is time we add another layer to that idea: health.
When we talk about being healthy, most of us only think about our bodies. But true health is much more than just being free from illness. The World Health Organization tells us that real health is about feeling great physically, mentally, and socially. It is not just about dodging the flu or getting over a cold. Unfortunately, while we have gotten pretty good at addressing physical health, we often overlook our mental well-being. Many of us do not realize we are struggling until things start to fall apart. We might suddenly feel sad, anxious, or lost at different points in our lives and have no clue why. A lot of these mental health challenges start early in life – from not getting the right nutrition, experiencing tough times at home, to facing extreme negativity or even too much pampering.
Imagine a young person’s mind as a white canvas, each experience painting a stroke, every emotion adding color to the evolving picture of their mental well-being. Let me share a bit of my own story to illustrate this. I came from a middle-class family in Bangladesh, with both of my parents being psychology professors. My childhood was surrounded by books, a sense of calm, and a life that was comfortable but not lavish. I was brought up in a community where academic success wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was a marker of social standing. This created a relentless drive for scholarships and top grades from an early age. Beyond driving me towards academic excellence, these influences profoundly shaped my mindset, instilling in me the determination to always go the extra mile. I completed my undergraduate degree in computer science, and I thought I would be pursuing my career in that field. But the COVID-19 pandemic acted as a pivotal moment in my life and led me to complete a master’s degree in public health. It steered my academic and professional journey, ultimately guiding me towards a field closely related to my parents’ expertise in psychology. Here I am, pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology and Applied Health Research, with a keen focus on mental health.
We like to think that we are in control, but the path from computer science to mental health wasn’t something I meticulously planned. Rather, it was shaped by my upbringing and the expectations of those around me. My story is a testament to the theory proposed by psychologist Kurt Lewin in 1936, encapsulated in the equation B = f(P,E) = (,), meaning behavior is a function of the person in their environment. It is a powerful reminder that we are products of our environments, influenced by the expectations and norms of our society. One of my favorite books, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, highlights the significant impact of environmental design on our actions and behaviors. Clear emphasizes that while our surroundings have a profound influence on how we interact with the world, most of us seldom take the initiative to design our own environments, instead inhabiting spaces shaped by others. This concept is especially relevant to mental health, as the environments we grow up and live in can deeply affect our psychological well-being.
To foster healthier minds for future generations, it is crucial we create environments that encourage positive mental health practices. This could mean designing educational systems that emphasize emotional intelligence, communities that prioritize open spaces for social interaction, and workplaces that offer support for mental health issues. By actively shaping our surroundings to support mental health, we can ensure that the next generations grow up in a world that nurtures their psychological as well as their physical well-being. Integrating these changes can pave the way for a society where happiness is not just an individual pursuit but a collective achievement, fostered by the very design of our environments. To help create these conditions, my research focuses on utilizing my computer science skills to develop machine learning algorithms that can predict mental health outcomes for individuals in Nova Scotia, aiming for timely interventions that facilitate proactive care. This approach not only prepares healthcare systems for more personalized and effective but also paves the way toward environments that nurture psychological well-being, culminating in a collective pursuit of happiness.
Photo: Taken by Al Muktadir Munam at Black Rock Beach, Halifax.
