CHAPTER 3
STATUS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY
People affected by mental health conditions are forced to hide their illness to avoid discrimination, which they might be subjected to in all aspects of their lives, even in healthcare settings where they receive poorer quality care. This is one of the reasons why people with mental health conditions live shorter lives. But, most tragic of all are the frank human rights abuses, from eviction, to chaining, and to violence, endured by people in their homes, in mental hospitals and in traditional healing centres. It is no surprise that a substantial proportion of the homeless in India’s cities are affected by a mental health condition. (Vikram Patel, Legislating the Right to Care for Mental Illness)
Vikram Patel believes that the sophisticated and complicated psychiatry scares many people. His agenda is to demystify the mental health.
Community based epidemiological studies have estimated the life-time prevalence of mental disorders to range from 12•2% to 48•6%, according to the WHO Mental Health GAP Action Programme. Data for India show a prevalence of 200 cases per 1,00,000 people for schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, respectively, while three in 10,000 people experience an episode of acute psychosis every year. Additionally, 1% of people have severe mental disorders. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare estimates that 6—7% of India's population suffers from a mental disorder. (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62083-1/fulltext)
This is coupled with the fact that the vast majority of mentally ill and their families do not have their mental condition recognised and do not have access to the right kind of treatments. A wide range...
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...HM), India's flagship initiative to integrate vertical health programmes under one umbrella, has yet to be achieved.(http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62083-1/fulltext )
Presently, most of the rural population approach traditional healers(religious saints,tantriks(black magicians), unregistered medical practitioners, and quacks) for treating mental health problems. The so-called therapy, conducted by witch doctors or family members, can include chaining up the mentally ill, chanting spells, poking them with pins, or beating them "to force the evil spirits out."
Serious response mechanisms to tackle the dismissal state of mental health in India need to be urgently undertaken. The following chapter would deal with this structure that, which when implemented, would ensure an earnest redressalof lacunae of mental health in the country.
...us advances in this field, while we still consider it a stigma even to be referred to a psychiatrist. Mental illness is just another biological or sociological problem, which needs to be dealt with on time, before it’s too late, by a specialist.
Mental healthcare has a long and murky past in the United States. In the early 1900s, patients could live in institutions for many years. The treatments and conditions were, at times, inhumane. Legislation in the 1980s and 1990s created programs to protect this vulnerable population from abuse and discrimination. In the last 20 years, mental health advocacy groups and legislators have made gains in bringing attention to the disparity between physical and mental health programs. However, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses continues to be less than optimal. Mental health disparities continue to exist in all areas of the world.
Due to the endless efforts and research of certain foundations and individuals, the ideas and functions of mental health have improved significantly. The advancements made in the field are impressive and without them, humankind would not be the same. Yet then why do only fewer than eight million people who are in need of help seek treatment? National Mental Health Association, 2001. The history, stigmatization, and perception of mental illness are some of the many reasons behind that alarming statistic.... ...
In the United States alone, 57.7 million individuals suffer from mental illness. These illnesses range anywhere from mood disorders to anxiety disorders or to personality disorders and so on (The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America). 18 to 25 year olds make up about 30% of these individuals alone (Survey Finds Many Living with Mental Illness Go Without Treatment). These individuals require care from medication to psychiatry or even to confinement. However, of these 57.7 million individuals with mental illness, studies have found that less than one in three of these individuals receive proper treatment (Studies Say Mental Illness Too Often Goes Untreated).
Mental Health treatment disparities amongst under-class white and African American women. Mental health used to be a taboo topic to discuss in public, or even to the people closest to you. Now it is becoming more acceptable to talk about some aspects of the once controversial topic. Everywhere people look now they are being constantly reminded about how important mental health awareness is, whether it be a suicide prevention hotline posters, celebrities raising awareness on social media, or even in movies. Mental Health is an upcoming social topic that is rightfully becoming more socially acceptable to discuss rather than sweep it under the rug. It is very important that awareness is being practiced whether it be for more common illnesses like depression , or something more serious like schizophrenia it is important that people are educated about mental illnesses so they know how to cope with them, and treat them Although the solution sounds easy it isn't because not everyone has equal access to mental health treatment.There are invisible barriers in the way for some people when it comes to access to mental health treatment. Race and class are two variables that are huge
There are so many types of mental illnesses that affect people every day. When some people think of mental illnesses they think of the ones that would cause people to have physical symptoms as well, but that’s untrue, there are many more that you would never know anyone has if you were to see them on the street. As defined by the 2008 encyclopedia “a mental illness is any disease of the mind or brain that seriously affects a person’s ability or behavior. Symptoms of a mental illness may include extreme moods, such as excessive sadness or anxiety, or a decreased ability to think clearly or remember well.” A mentally ill person has severe symptoms that damage the person’s ability to function in everyday activities and situations. Every nation and every economic level can be affected by a mental illness. In the United States alone about 3% of the population has severe mental illness and to add to that number about 40% of people will experience a type of mental illness at least once in their lives. Some cases of mental illnesses can go away on their own, but some cases are so severe that they require professional treatment. There is so much more available to help people recover from their symptoms than in the past.
Mental health is a broad subject that touches on the psychological, emotional and social well-being of a person and how it affects the way they feel, think or act. Mental health is a fundamental element in the handling of stress, making choices, as well as creating and managing social relationships. Comprehensive understanding of the mental health will be useful in improving healthcare for persons living with mental health problems. According to World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 550 million people globally who live with mental and behavioural disorders which fall under the mental health subject (Kessler, 2010). Scientists and psychologists have realized the possibility of a correlation between poverty and mental health. It is
When looking at the British society, mental health disorders are actually extremely common. When viewing the National Statistics, it stated that about one in six adults will have a mental health problem. Leading to an additional study, stating that around 30 individuals out of every 100 will experience mental health problems and this is on a yearly basis. While looking at the National Statistic it was shown that depression and anxiety is the most common form of mental distress between the years 1993 and 2000. While anxiety and depression is most common, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive has remained the least common, for in the year 1993 OCD had a figure of 1.7% of the adult population which later on in 2000 decreases by 0.5%. Likewise panic disorder, which reduced from 1% in 1993 to 0.7% in 2000.
Continuing budget cuts on mental health care create negative and detrimental impacts on society due to increased improper care for mentally ill, public violence, and overcrowding in jails and emergency rooms. Origins, of mental health as people know it today, began in 1908. The movement initiated was known as “mental hygiene”, which was defined as referring to all things preserving mental health, including maintaining harmonious relation with others, and to participate in constructive changes in one’s social and physical environment (Bertolote 1). As a result of the current spending cuts approaching mental health care, proper treatment has declined drastically. The expanse of improper care to mentally ill peoples has elevated harmful threats of heightened public violence to society.
The mental health assessment is a crucial part in everyday nursing care as it evaluates an individual’s mental condition to assess for risk factors of mental illnesses and provide optimal care and treatment. Mental health is described as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” (CDC) If the patient not mentally healthy, they can develop mentally illnesses, which can affect treatment and the disease process of physical ailments because without mental health a person cannot be completely healthy. “Suicide Risk Assessment in High Risk Adolescents” is a nursing article that outlines suicide risk factors and prevention strategies for assist nurses in performing mental health assessments. Suicide, the act of
There are many ways in which the mentally ill are degraded and shamed. Most commonly, people are stated to be “depressed” rather than someone who “has depression”. It is a common perception that mental illnesses are not a priority when it comes to Government spending just as it is forgotten that most mental health disorders can be treated and lead a normal life if treatment is successful. The effect of this makes a sufferer feels embarrassed and feel dehumanized. A common perception is that they should be feared or looked down upon for something they have not caused. People experience stigma as a barrier that can affect nearly every aspect of life—limiting opportunities for employment, housing and education, causing the loss of family ...
Many felt that the mentally ill brought it upon themselves, through moral or religious transgressions. They felt that gods or other spirits were punishing these “criminals” with illness. Others were thought to be under the spell of evil spirits, the devil, or the vi...
In today’s world, mental illness is still looked upon as a very bad thing and the negative views of mental illness are common within the employees. Most of the time, people assume that employees who suffer from mental illness are often seen as weird, defensive, and hard to talk to. Generally, concepts about mental illness tend to be subjective, leading to difficulties in defining mental illness. One article has described mental illness as, “ mentally distorted, mad, or crazy” and the degree of mental illness varies depending from person to person (Corrigan et al. 2010, p. 909). The following essay is based on the topic ‘Mental Illness as an Emerging Discourse’ and the article ‘Employee Mental Illness: Managing the Hidden Epidemic’ was the main article that was analysed and used in the essay to discuss the topic. The analysis has been divided into two parts which are covered equally by the study group members.
In the medical world, defining mental illness can be as equally diverse as an Olympic opening. Much negativity has gained in popularity and is not only directed towards the patient but also the psychiatrist and other mental health professionals who diagnose and then treat the many different issues that may come with these illnesses. How does one single issue bring together citizens, psychiatrists, and critics at a global level? And how does it tear them all apart, initiating verbal brawls over who is “right,” what is “real,” and if mental illness is not even real – is the stigma “all in our
There should be a holistic approach to the treatment diagnosis and management of the people with mental illness. Such an approach should put into consideration the families of the people with mental illnesses and help them understand the issue. Once they understand, it is easier for them to welcome and help the individuals instead of sending them to institutions. To achieve prompt treatment, the mental health facilities and personnel need to be accessible and operate within the recommended standards.