(analytical)Derived from research carried out by the Manizales University System Alliance and the International Center of Education and Human Development, the results on the place of the family, the body, emotions and spirituality in the mental health of young people are presented. A qualitative methodology with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used applying techniques such as corpography, family level plan and photo-voice. The participants were 137 young university students between 17 and 26 years of age. The leading place of the family as emotional support is evident from the narrative analysis, as well as the need to understand the body from a social perspective, which incorporates the emotional and spiritual dimension, to contribute to mental health.