Myths About Mental Health

The provision of mental health services in the U.S. is a social justice issue that affects vulnerable populations in a variety of ways, including: limited access to quality mental health programs, especially in rural areas; the stigma associated with seeking mental health help; and discrimination against those with mental health issues. The far-reaching implications on our current system and policies of mental health care mean that it is a pervasive issue in the United States. According to the Scientific American, “Mental health care is one of the biggest

Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With more than 320 affiliate nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well being of the nation, every day, and in a time of crisis (2007 Mental Health America). As an organization, Mental Health America has been around for nearly a century. We began work in 1909 when Clifford W. Beers, a young business man who struggled with a mental illness and shared his story with the world in his autobiography “A Mind

One of the biggest contributors for poor healthcare is the stigma against mental health. This stigma allows healthcare providers to view those with a mental illness as having low relevance, thus creating disinclination towards providing adequate resources and/or care. This negative stance, based on misinformation and prejudice creates those that have a mental illness to lose their self confidence. Because of this loss, people with mental illness decide not to contribute to their health or livelihood. In the past fifty years, many advances have been made in mental healthcare. However, with the attached stigma, many people choose to not seek out treatment.

One of the most vulnerable populations frequently encountered by everyday individuals are the mentally ill. Mental illness is not a condition that manifests physically, but can cause a person to change their physical appearance due to specific behaviors. It is not uncommon for a large number of the homeless population to possess one kind of mental illness that contributed to their housing condition. This population may partake in at risk behavior, jeopardizing their long-term health, and reducing their life expectancy. The mentally ill are an underserved population that can be hard to reach, physically and mentally. Their illness comes with shame due to the stigma attached to the illness and due to the lack of education. Nurses are now trying

The American mentally ill population faces numerous barriers to acquiring basic services that those without mental illness receive daily. Advocating for the mentally ill population gives a voice to those who cannot voice their problems or may not know how. Mental illness is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. Individuals who are not properly diagnosed cannot receive necessary medical treatment which can help them live normal lives. When needed medical treatment is not made available, those who suffer often end up homeless, and frequently cycle in, and out of the judicial system because their

Comprehensive Mental Health Services (CMHS) is an organization in Kansas City, Missouri dedicated to serving those with mental illnesses, ranging from both low- to high-functioning. This group has a for-profit and non-profit side. The for-profit side utilizes doctors, nurses, and a pharmacy to aide in the non-profit side. Case workers, therapists, addiction recovery, and group homes are all funded via the organization. With diverse staff involvement, CMHS has a multitude of positions ranging from full-time salary doctors, to full-time hourly case workers, to volunteers. Volunteers vary between other organizations that CMHS collaborates with, including Harvester’s food pantry, and even patients who want to donate their time to some of the less-fortunate. While those with mental illnesses are oppressed, this report is not about their oppression, rather their open-mindedness on the oppression of those around them.

Vulnerable populations face many challenges and difficulties. Populations such as the homeless, the intellectually disabled, the elderly, and those living with HIV/AIDS face greater health risks than others. They have greater health-related problems and lack the means or ability to access needed health care. Furthermore, in addition to the many challenges, such as health-related problems, having no permanent living situation, social isolation, stigma, and poverty, they also may suffer from several mental illnesses. Unfortunately, as a result of their vulnerability, accessing appropriate mental health care is a challenge to these populations. Their health needs are often underserved. However, one way in which mental health treatment and assistance

Mental illness is considered to be an epidademic effecting approximately 42.5 million people in America alone (NAMI, n.d). Accessibility to mental health services is considered the worst in comparison to any other medical healthcare need( Kliff,S, 2012).Those who suffer from mental health issues not only have to deal with the stigma of the disease but discrimination as well which is why it is imperative the issue must gain a larger

It has been my goal since beginning in the field of social work to begin addressing some of the disparities surrounding mental health that exist within varying communities. It is common knowledge that communities with a high rates of poverty are not considered a priority when receiving the help that is needed when addressing the mind's health. This is evidenced by the state of the healthcare system that exists within this country. Though healthcare has seen drastic changes over the past few years under the Obama administration, there still remains a gap in care to people who need it.

In the United States, mental illness is a topic that is severely neglected. Many individuals who suffer from illnesses including, but not limited to, schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder are routinely ignored and often do not receive the treatment needed for them to lead functional lives. According to Richard Frank and Sherry Glied, Harvard Medical School professors and co-authors, the severely mentally ill are “among the most gravely disadvantaged and stigmatized groups in the United States” (3). According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), those who are fortunate enough to have family or friends that aid them in seeking help, or those who recognize themselves that they need help and seek it on their own, often have a lot of trouble finding long-term services that can do more for them than simply provide medication

Mental illness in a year’s time invades about 5 to 7 percent of the adult population and 5 to 9 percent of the children population. This means millions of adults and children are disabled by mental illness every year. (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2012) Given this information, how is the public reacting toward the mentally ill population? How is health care taking care of this population? And why is the mentally ill population falling through the cracks with the current mental health service delivery system? With research there are answers, however some may take much need time and money to get

Your statement, "those with mental illness are still looked down upon in this generation" struck me with sadness. I agree with you, the stigma continues to be great. How would the field of mental health, and subsequently, our society change if we could alter the public's perception, removing the shame and allowing sufferers to seek help openly? How much of our efforts should we focus on changing the misconceptions about mental health and what further steps can we take to foster that change?

Mental health—and the stigma that comes along with it—is a very important issue, one of global importance. Shah and Beinecke explain that 450 to 500 million people suffer from mental illnesses (15). Just considering the amount of people who suffer from mental illness is enough to prove that this is a global issue. Despite the large amounts of people who are affected by mental illness, only one third of countries have some sort of program to help (15). This shows the lack of concern for those who suffer from mental illness. Stereotypes affect many people, and those with mental illness are no exception. Everyone has their own preconceived perspectives and notions of mental health, and many of them are uninformed and unjustified. It is up to us to start changing our viewpoints on mental health.

Mental illness has existed since the dawn of humanity, but has since been perceived and understood in various ways. This essay will examine the contemporary現代人definition of mental illness and how the definition is shaped more by the contemporary society that creates it rather than by real experience and understanding of the state itself. Unavoidably, this examination of a largely misunderstood subject leads to an investigation of the societal and philosophical influences causing the misunderstanding. Indeed, since the subject of mental health and illness is inextricably and directly related to the nature of reality, the nature of mental illness must be considered not in isolation but in conjunction with the

Many people often have stereotypes or stigmas regarding mental illnesses. There is a general public stigma that is overall expressed by people who may not have full knowledge over the importance of mental health. When referring to the stigma, people will usually say that those with mental illnesses are irresponsible, should be cared for, or should be feared and kept out of the direct community. All of these stigmas having to do with mental illnesses are false. Many people with mental illnesses are able to hold stable jobs, graduate from high school and college, and even live as good neighbors in a community. By creating this stigma, people are adding to the everyday challenges that people with mental illnesses are going through. We should aim to educate and stop the prejudice that is brought about by those who are not fully aware of the importance of mental health.