Topic 3 Why is important to know and recognise risk and protective factors?
1
By paying special attention to risk and protective factors, people can be encouraged to act preventively rather than reactively.
2
In the past, issues such as public health and community development have not been tackled with a preventive approach. For instance, if someone had a heart attack – and got over it – they were advised to stop smoking and reduce fat intake.
3
However, nowadays we know that the important thing is to prevent the problem from recurring. This approach is not only cost-effective, but more importantly, it reduces the suffering of the person and improves the quality of life.
4
Talking about risk and protective factors helps people understand that there is something they can do, that it is not too late and that they can be part of the solution.
By knowing and recognizing risk and protective factors for your health, you will be able to understand:
1.What can help protect your mental health?
2.What can put your mental health at risk?
3.How can you develop coping skills for mental health?
4.You will be able to reduce your health risks à adopting an active role