Introduction Mental illness is a realm of disorders that not only affect the physical health of an individual, but also takes a toll on the quality of life that these individuals have. While mental illness can affect any population, vulnerable populations such as homeless individuals, prisoners, unemployed, elderly, etc. have a higher risk of having mental illness. Having a mental illness not only In order to accurately understand mental illness and its implications on individuals suffering from it, it is essential to look at the brief history surrounding such illness. From trephination to lobotomies and shock-inducing therapy, history has seen a wide and interesting range of treatments for mentally ill individuals. One of the best predictors of how well mental illness can be managed is the treatment that a mentally ill individual can avail. In fact, treatment for mental illness has evolved several-fold, with pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitative intervention being aspects of current treatment methodology. Despite the numerous advances that science and medicine have made in pioneering new and effective ways of treating mental illness, the veil of stigma and prejudice that surrounds mental illness is staggering. In addition to such stigma being one of the strongest hindrances to effectively managing mental illness, it also leads to great distress and suffering for the mentally ill individuals and their families. Michelle Obama recently pointed out the adverse
People with mental health issues have been viewed and treated in a variety of ways within western society throughout time. Historically if an individual displayed behaviours which disrupted their function in society and defied social norms they were viewed as lunatics, insane or even cursed (Cowan, 2008; Elder & Evans & Nizette, 2009). It is from these past issues that many people still have unreasonable thoughts about mental illness; their misconceptions have created unreasonable fears and negative attitudes toward those who experience it. This negativity brings for many the barriers of not only
Mental illness is a number of mental health conditions that affect a person's mood, thinking, and behavior. Mental illness also has signs and symptoms that can not only affect your ability but also causes problems in your life. Mental illness can cause stress and it can also cause a strain on relationships
Mental illness is an increasing problem in America. Currently about 26.2% of Americans suffer from a mental disorder. A mental illness/disorder is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily functions. Mental illness can affect humans of any age, race, gender and socioeconomic status. However the care that is needed to effectively cure and help the people affected by the illness is not equal for everyone here in American, especially for African Americans.
The United States is a frontrunner in global topics such as women’s rights and environmental issues. However, when discussing mental illness the United States chooses to look at the subject in a mindset that is stuck in the 1950’s using the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. The federal government has only begun to recently talk about mental illness and its effects in the media. Yet, when they do this they choose to cover topics such as ‘gun rights’ with mental illness, while the real topic of conversation is the future treatment for those with mental illness, and how the United States plans on eliminating the stigma that surrounds mental health.
“Mental illness refers to a group of disorders that affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts”(“WHAT is mental illness?”). “Mental illnesses include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and personality disorders.
Mental illness is very common: nearly one in five adults in the United States- 43.8 million or 18.5%- experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities (Any Mental Illness. 2015). Mental illnesses are health conditions that disturb a person's way of thinking, feeling or mood. It does not matter what gender, age, social status, religion, race, ethnicity, and background someone comes from, it can affect anyone. One of the main populations that suffer from serious untreated mental illnesses are homeless. The homeless are individuals who have lost it all and are forced to live in the streets. Mental illness and homelessness are strongly associated with each other.
Despite the growing knowledge and recognition of mental illness, stigma is still so rampant. Mental health patients are demonized, criminalized, and dehumanized. They are viewed as violent, filthy, unapproachable, incompetent, irresponsible, and most importantly dangerous. These labels, in turn, create prejudicial attitudes and discriminating behavior toward individuals suffering mental illness.
With such an increase in awareness about mental illness, the stigmas is slowly being acknowledged and changed, especially considering the tragic history of mental health. Moreover, the hope is to change the way mental illness Is being treated by taking preventive measures and fully understanding the history of mental health. Once the history of mental health has been unstood then will we as a society be able to create a safer environment for these individuals to feel safe and un judged by those around
To understand what mental illness is you have to know what it means. Mental health is the state of our well-being. Mental health has to do with the mind. According to thefreedictionary.com mental health is “a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life”. Mental illness are behavioral, psychological, and emotional disorders that effect the mind. Mental illness is not something that should be avoided. There many different types of mental illnesses. There are also mental healthcare services that can help people with their mental illnesses.
The negative stigma of mental health has lightened slightly over the years, however, it has not rescinded entirely. People still have an unmanageable time admitting that they may have a mental disorder and that they require assistance. Human beings struggle with these hindrances openly and also hidden on a daily basis. Therefore, our civilization needs to remove the shame associated with the treatment of mental disorders and work on devising a progressive suitable mental healthcare plan in order to ensure that many live a healthy, happy, and prosperous
Involuntary psychiatric commitment has been like a pendulum, sometimes in favor as a government policy to treat mental illness, and other times not. Mental illness treatment has been evolving throughout history. Society once believed that mental illness was due to a reversed to an animalistic level of consciousness, possession of demons, a sinful soul, or a chemical imbalance. The medical journal Nature and Genetics, recently reported that, a defect in chromosome number six which has been identified for schizophrenia could also be responsible1. As doctors, counselors, courts seem to understand mental illness better, the question presents itself, does the government have the right or obligation to confine and treat an individual without their consent.
Although about 450 million people in the world currently are suffering from a mental illness, many untreated, the topic still remains taboo in modern society (Mental Health). For years, people with mental illnesses have been shut away or institutionalized, and despite cultural progression in many areas, mental illnesses are still shamed and rarely brought to light outside of the psychiatric community. The many different forms in which mental illness can occur are incredibly prevalent in the world today, and there is a substantial debate about the way that they should be handled. Some people are of the opinion that mental illness is merely a variance in perception and that it either can be fixed through therapy or should not be treated at
When people are mentally ill, they suffer social stigma, have higher health costs, and are at an increased risk of becoming poor. Every one out of five Americans is diagnosed with a mental illness. That 20 percent of the population can negatively influence the normal stresses of life, working productively and fruitfully, and being able to make a contribution the community. When humankind as a whole cannot recognize that mental illness is a serious issue, there is more harm being done than good. Any kind of mental illness can be caused merely by society, but also can worsen due to humanity not understanding how injustice can make a serious impact. The mental health problems that people face can be limited to society learning about the injustice of these illnesses.
Mental Illness refers to a wide variety of mental health conditions. Mental Illness affects one’s
Mental disorders affects 2-3 % of the population of which one good eleven average quality studies predict that depression and single sucide attempt are much more higher in school children of around the ages 9 to 13 who were more anxious and two and a half times more likely to develop depression in adolescence compared to their female counterparts aged 13 to 16 years were more likely to develop anxiety disorder depressed and observed . (Barmier et al., 2006)most common mental illnesses are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorder or sometimes they would occur as a combination. There are two mood changes one is mania where children would feel sad and down and are more active than usual and depression where they would feel less active than usual this is called depression. Which are not the same as the normal ups and downs every kid goes through but with more in severity. The illness could affect the child performance to do well at school or to get along with friends and family members. Some times the illness could make them hurt themselves.