Issues, Trends and Historical Perspectives on Mental Issues

There was still a large lack of understanding that what caused mental illness the 1930’s, however people still wanted to treat mental illness so this brought more therapeutic ideas on how to cure it. In 1933, two neurologists at Yale Primate Laboratory, Dr. Fulton and Jacobson, performed experiments on two monkeys. They tested the intelligence of the monkeys before and after the removal of half the brains’ frontal lobes. They seemed to retain their skills and intelligence. Fulton and Jacobson wanted to take this a little further, they removed the other half of the frontal lobe. They discovered that the monkeys no longer became violent and frustrated when they didn't immediately get their treats after completing the intelligence test [9].

Mental health is a complex phenomenon that consists of a range of diagnoses, treatments and outcomes. Recovery from such experiences has historically meant to completely remove all symptoms of illness, but is now currently thought of as regaining a sense of control over and development of a new meaning and purpose in one’s life, rather than feeling defined by the illness. Each individual understands it in their own personal way, likened to a journey towards self-determination, choice, and empowerment.

In early American history, individuals with mental illnesses have been neglected and suffered inhuman treatments. Some were beaten, lobotomized, sterilized, restrained, in addition to other kinds of abuse. Mental illness was thought to be the cause of supernatural dreadful curse from the Gods or a demonic possession. Trepanning (the opening of the skull) is the earliest known treatment for individuals with mental illness. This practice was believed to release evil spirits (Kemp, 2007). Laws were passed giving power to take custody over the mentally ill including selling their possessions and properties and be imprisoned (Kofman, 2012). The first psychiatric hospital in the U.S. was the Pennsylvania Hospital where mentally ill patients were left in cold basements because they were considered not affected by cold or hot environments and restraint with iron shackles. They were put on display like zoo animals to the public for sell by the doctors (Kofmen, 2012). These individuals were punished and isolated and kept far out of the eyes of society, hidden as if they did not exist. They were either maintained by living with their families and considered a source of embarrassment or institutionalized

An intellectual disability, like the one had by Roland Johnson and about one percent to three percent of people, is defined as “a disability that is present at birth or occurs in the developmental period (before the age of 18) and is characterized by significant sub-average intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations in 2 or more areas of adaptive functioning” (Daul). Roland Johnson, though his life was hard, did not let his “limitations” limit him.

Forget all the stereotypes of mental illness. It has no face. It has no particular victim. Mental illness can affect an individual from any background and the black community is no exception. African Americans sometimes experience even more severe forms of mental health conditions because of unmet needs and barriers to treatment. According to the Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. That’s why UGA third year Majenneh Sengbe is taking action as the co-founder of her upcoming organization Black Minds Daily.

During the 1800s, treating individuals with psychological issues was a problematic and disturbing issue. Society didn’t understand mental illness very well, so the mentally ill individuals were sent to asylums primarily to get them off the streets. Patients in asylums were usually subjected to conditions that today we would consider horrific and inhumane due to the lack of knowledge on mental illnesses.

The twenty-first century has certainly garnered a reputation. As the generation of acceptance, it has paved the way for many minorities and those previously shunned from society. This being said, America is far from perfect. With every step forward, towards a more equal country, two steps are being taken back and previously forgotten reservations will return. An example of the way America hasn’t progressed is in the way of mental health’s priority in everyday life as well as the services available to help those diagnosed cope.

In the 1930’s, there was a dispute surrounding mental illness. People could go unheard and learn to live with it, but if they got diagnosed officially, they had a chance of society rejecting them. Mental illness became a stigma in the 1930s due to the fact that treatment was either a form of “torture” or there was limited resources and treatment to help those who suffered from a mental illness.

Through the course of time, mental illnesses have always been in existence due to varying factors and causes. However, as time has passed, the perceptions and available treatments for mental illnesses have also changed as new technology was developed. By looking at the treatments and perceptions of mental illnesses in the early 20th century, we can learn how to properly treat and diagnose not only mental disorders but also other conditions as well as show us the importance of review boards and controlled clinical trials.

I didn’t know that John F Kennedy appointed a panel to report the aspects of mental retardation. Based on the findings in 1963 John F Kennedy signed into law the community Mental Health Act (Also Known as the Mental Retarding and Community Mental Health Centers Constructions Act of 1963) Which drastically altered the delivery of mental health services and inspired a new era of optimism in mental healthcare. This Law led to the establishment of comprehensive community mental health centers throughout the country. It helps people with mental illnesses who were “Warehouses” health centers throughout the country. It helped people with mental illnesses who were “warehouses:” in hospital s and institutions move back into their communities.

According to the statement in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “that [a]ll human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” contained no footnote that stated, “except for persons with an intellectual disability.” In fact, in 1971, The U.N. General Assembly had adopted without a dissenting vote a Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons that stated, in seven articles, “that persons with mental retardation (formally termed), deserve the same rights as other human beings, including the right to a decent standard of living,

This essay will explain how contemporary issues in mental health influence people’s social wellbeing. Mental health is a fundamental element of resilience, health assets, capabilities and positive adaption that enable individuals to cope with both adversity and to reach their full potential and humanity. The impact on inequalities of health and other outcomes are sourced from mental health. For example, chronic stress of struggling with material disadvantage is intensified to a very considerable degree by doing so in more unequal societies.

factsheets: You are welcome to print and photocopy this page of Mind's website. Organisations are free to distribute copies to service users and colleagues, but must ensure they always use the latest version, as available on the website, at the time of distribution.

Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 2(3). Hammer, J. H., Holloway, J., DePrato, D. K., & Weiss, K. J. (2000). Transitioning individuals with mental retardation and developmental disability: the other sister. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 28(2), 202-205. Kitchin, R. (2000).

In part, interest in impairment has been spurred on by a shift towards the evaluation of disability. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004), “disability” refers to a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements or restricts the individual in one or more of the major life activities. Assessment of disability had an almost Cinderella effect on the appreciation of impairment in medical, educational and mental health conditions (Üstün & Kennedy, 2009). Prior to that, many diseases, disabilities and disorders had never been placed on public health priority lists. When the interest and the need for assessing disability entered into the equation, as is the case for example in determining eligibility for Special Education services ) beyond symptoms and test scores evaluators began to scramble to piece together valid and reliable methods to assess disability. Despite the fact that the concept of disability in mental and educational disorders has been well known, the frequency and outcome of these disabilities has never been well defined or carefully,