Although mental illness cannot be seen in the same way as external injury, our society needs to become more aware of both the reality of mental illness and the effect of our actions on the mentally ill. There is not enough awareness and research of mental illness and this leads to people being afraid to seek treatment. The mentally ill deserve humane treatment because they are equal to all other humans. Mental illness is a result of chemical imbalances in the brain and traumatic events, and the mentally ill deserve the same treatment and respect as other people with illness and injury. Throughout American history, the mentally ill have not received equal treatment and we should work to help the mentally ill to gain respect and understanding. In the early colonial period up until the 1800’s, many Christians believed that mental illness was a result of sinfulness or demonic possession; this led to people believing that the mentally ill just needed to become closer to …show more content…
Pope Saint John Paul II said in his speech “Mentally Ill Are Also Made In God’s Image” that those with mental illness always have the same dignity as those without because we are all created in God’s image and “Christ took all human suffering on himself, even mental illness,” therefore the mentally ill should receive great compassion and care. It is our duty to destigmatize mental illness so that those suffering it are able to receive good treatment and merciful love, equal to that of patients with other illnesses. It is our duty to raise money to aid research so that the mentally ill can receive the best treatment that is humane. It is our duty to love all people struggling with mental illness great or small in order to allow their healing. It is our duty to reflect on John Paul II’s question, “Is it not true that all too often these persons encounter indifference and neglect, when not also exploited and
Throughout the ages, treatment of the mentally ill has evolved with distinct periods of progression, stagnation and regression. At various points in history, treatment of the mentally ill included cruel and inhumane acts, while at other times, consisted of compassionate and benevolent care. It was thought that mental illness was derived from organic causes and treated the same way as common health issues such as colds or constipation. The clergy of many religions took on the burden taking care of those with mental illnesses. Monastic monks found themselves attending to the care of those with mental illness. The monks prayed for them, touched them with relics and prepared potions for them to
As you will see in this paper, mental illness has been a serious situation for many years. Over the years, there have been different thoughts relating to the causes of mental illness including what the actual situation is and observance of how to treat the mentally ill. This paper will inform you of three different historical periods: Colonial America, Depression & the New Deal and War & Prosperity in which an important aspect of mental health happened in each. I will include some religious and economic information for each period due to the relationship that religion and economy had to the way mental illness was viewed and treated in those periods.
Furthermore, tremendous advances have been made in the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses in the recent decades. Nowadays, someone with a mental illness is treated with respect, just like every other person, because, in fact, everyone is equal. Society’s goals today are to treat and support the mentally ill individuals enough so they can live in
Evaluation and treatment of the mentally ill population has developed from confinement of the mad during colonial times, into the biomedical balancing of neurological impairment seen in these modern times. There were eras of mental health reform, medicalization, and deinstitutionalization sandwiched in between (Nies & McEwen, 2011). Regardless of the stage of understanding and development, communities have not been completely successful in dealing with and treating persons who are mentally unwell. Fortunately, treatment has become more compassionate; social and professional attitudes have morphed into more humanistic and
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
Mental illness is not getting the proper attention it needs. The United States should provide more funding to the mentally ill, for research, and medical purposes. Over fifteen million people are diagnosed with a mental illness every year. Many of them have difficulties to afford the treatment they need. Some do not even know that they have a mental illness because they never had a reason or even the finances to get checked. A mental illness can be detected at a young age. One with a mental disorder can suffer from depression and suicide, by receiving support from family and friends can help prevent this. By providing test at public schools could help detect an illness at a young age and give them the proper treatment needed to overcome their illness. Many who have a mental illness are unemployed, and have financial issues. By not receiving the proper treatment can result in harm to themselves or even others. The government is not giving the proper amount of funds for research and treatment. Some take advantage of the system and are the cause of the amount being so low. Mental illness is not getting the appropriate funding it needs to provide proper care.
Mental illness—the one thing that no one prefers to have. However, one in five adults, or 43.8 million people, in the United States experience some form of it in a given year (NIMH, 2015). Many close friends and family members have dealt with mental disorders; because of this, my perception and, in turn, how I act around these people has greatly been affected just by hanging around them. Additionally, I believe my personal faith has also shaped how I view those suffering from mental disorders. I hope to share my views on mental illness by demonstrating my experiences with family and friends, as well as with the Church.
Too many times in today’s society people don’t consider mental illness to be anything other than, voices in one’s head, or being a suicidal maniac. But actually it goes a lot farther than that. People who have a mental illness have gotten worse over the past 20 years, not that the illness has gotten any worse, because it hasn’t, but what it has pushed people to do has been drastically different. One common thing that is very controversial in America today is if someone has murdered, and they have a mental illness, should their punishment be the same as anyone else, or they be acquitted because of their illness.
Mental illness affects 1 in 5 adults in the United States. This amounts to about 43.8 million or 18.5% of adults in the United States ("Any Mental Illness Among U.S Adults," n.d). This shows how prevalent mental illness really is in our society. More specifically, Bipolar Disorder is found in about 2.6% of the adult population ("Bipolar Disorder Among Adults," n.d). Bipolar disorder ranges in severity but the majority of the cases are considered severe. Bipolar Disorder is broken down into three categories as follows: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder. For the duration of the paper, Bipolar I Disorder will be referenced. Bipolar disorder is characterized by manic episodes that may alternate with depression or agitation. The etiology of Bipolar Disorder is biological and environmental. It is a strongly heritable disease at approximately 80-90% heritability. Bipolar Disorder is related to neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin and their dysregulation in the body. Excessive amounts may lead to mania while too few may lead to depression. Environmental stressors or trauma also contribute to the development of bipolar disorder (Halter, 2014). The patient that will be discussed in this paper is a forty-one year old African American woman who was involuntary committed to Montgomery County Emergency Services (MCES) as a result of severe mania and psychotic symptoms.
“Brain and behavior disorders are common among children in the United States and are increasingly being recognized and diagnosed at an early age. Just over 20 percent (or 1 in 5) children live with a debilitating mental illness.” (Borenstein, Jeffrey) People all around the world get falsely accused of being mentally ill or insane. Many mental illnesses can add up to being chronologically insane including; depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders.
Millions of Americans are affected with mental illness each year. Mental illness is very serious disorder and can get worse if left untreated. It can make it difficult for people to cope with everyday life and it can interfere with sleep and eating habits. Mental illness can affect anyone whether it ranges from mood disorders or even anxiety. The cause of mental illness is unknown but chemical imbalances in the body can trigger stress and even trauma, it can be passed from generation to generation and alcohol and drug abuse can also play a role in this illness. People begin to wonder if that God was all loving why would he make people live a miserable life, why wouldn’t he let people happy and if God was all powerful why wouldn’t he stop the mental illnesses from affecting people. I will explain the questions people began to raise with three of the theodicy arguments; Evil as a Privation of Good, The Free Will Defense, and Evil as Therapy.
The question of mental illness and how to best manage it has gone unanswered for decades. Even today, the treatment of people with mental illness is still up for debate. Many believe those who are considered ‘sick in the head’ should be sent away to hospitals and asylums, far from society. Others think a combination of medicine and human-centered therapy will cure whatever disorder affects one who is mentally ill. Both sides of the argument have good and bad points, but they often fail to recognize the differences blah blah blah intro
There exists a notion that science and religion are exact opposites as far as causes and explanations of mental illnesses are concerned. This notion of incompatibility of science and religion on matters of mental health has been extended to discussions on mental health and the management of mental disorders, especially in societies where religion is highly regarded. In particular, it is argued that whereas science seeks solutions based on medical, psychological, and psychosocial research with scientific data analysis, interpretation, and presentation, religion relies on beliefs, doctrines, and teachings that promote prejudice or stigma against mentally ill persons, hindering their likelihood of seeking modern health care (Jones & Corrigan, 2012). There adherence to prescribed treatment is also likely to be jeopardized if misleading religious doctrines or teachings are implanted.
A patient has been in hospital for many years because nobody visits her at the hospital
Received a call from Stephanie. She wanted to complain about her son, Evans, who is mentally ill, is not receiving the right services. She stated that she got a court order back in February, to have her son placed with resources and services. She stated what she got so far is a mentor only, and that is not Ok.