Mental illness is a phenomenon occurring in varying cultures. Individuals belonging to a particular culture share a set of attitudes, values, goals and practices, consequently they have in common a viewpoint on the concept of normality. As one culture differs from another, there are distinct perspectives on what constitutes psychological disorder. Nevertheless, whether it occurs in hunting and gathering societies or in post-industrial societies, the factors affecting mental health are the same. Mental illness is the result of both genetic vulnerability and environmental stress.
