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The Lack Of Care For People With Mental Illness

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A major concern for our group is the lack of care for people with mental illness. A 2014 report from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, shows that nearly one in five adults experienced mental illness in 2013 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014). According to the Mayo Clinic, “Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). One in 17 live with a serious mental illness, and every year more than 800,000 people die from suicide. Each day about 22 veterans die from suicide (Shane III, 2014). Our team believes this topic is trying to be addressed, but much more needs to be done. We wanted to take at deeper look at people in that have mental illnesses, including children, veterans, and the elderly. The Oregon Hospital for the Insane was the first facility devoted to the mentally ill in Oregon. The facility was opened September of 1861 by Doctors James C. Hawthorne and A.M. Loryea. In 1866, a high fence, along with swings, ball games, and other activities were provided to the patients, which were sometimes referred to as inmates. The patients were fed well, and the facility and patients were well taken care of. Oregon finally authorized funds to build an Asylum in Salem, Oregon (Project, 2010).

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