Facts About Mental Health
Mental health is a touchy subject amongst even the most informed. Most people simply won't discuss it and the topic does tend to be looked upon as a taboo subject. This is an unhealthy practice, to say the least. Not discussing gives way to ambiguity. While people openly communicate about an issue, no matter how trivial, the exchange of views; and in that, hard core facts, leaves little or no room for misconceptions. We human beings tend to fear that which we don't understand, and in our fear often cause more damage than we would ever imagine.
So let's get into this, for starters, mental illness is really worlds apart from mental retardation. Mental retardation characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. Mental illness, on the other hand, is a health condition that causes changes in a person's thinking, mood and behavior. It has no direct link with an individual's intellectual level. The intellectual ability of people suffering from any mental illness is as variable as it is among the general population.
What You Should Know About Mental Health:
1. People with mental illnesses are just as competent as others. They can perform daily work in both their personal as well as professional spheres. They can perform routine acts, make decisions and be trusted with responsibilities just like anyone else.
2. Anyone can fall to a mental illness. It has nothing to do with how intelligent one is. A mental illness is not a barometer of brain power and no one is free of risk. An individual who may have a mental illness is not necessarily less competent.
3. Mental illnesses are not brought about by any sort of moral or character weakness. Many things contribute to an individual's mental health and likewise, mental illness. Research has brought forward a general linkage between factors such as biological, social and psychological. Genetic and biological factors contribute more towards schizophrenia, depression, and alcoholism. Social influences such as the loss of a loved one, sudden unemployment, etc can also cause mental illness.
4. Individuals who one suffered from a mental illness but then received treatment and have recovered are NOT second-rate workers. Once an individual recovers from a mental illness, they are just as motivated and enthusiastic to work as other people. The same factors which will cause other workers to be enthusiastic about their work will equally applicable for these people. Remember that individuals with mental illness cannot be discriminated against and are protected by state/provincial and federal laws in almost all countries.
Research Finding of the American Psychiatric Association:
Here are few finding that have come to surface from the APA, just to give you an idea of the commonality of the mental illness issue and its treatability.
1. 20 percent of the ailments for which Americans seek a doctor's care are related to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, that interfere with their ability to live normal lives.
2. Some 8 million to 14 million Americans suffer from depression each year. As many as one in five Americans will suffer at least one episode of major depression during their lifetimes.
3. About 12 million children under 18 suffer from mental disorders such as autism, depression, and hyperactivity.
4. Two million Americans suffer from schizophrenic disorders and 300,000 new cases occur each year.
5. 15.4 million American adults and 4.6 million adolescents experience serious alcohol-related problems, and another 12.5 million suffer from drug abuse or dependence.
6. Nearly one-fourth of the elderly who are labeled as senile actually suffer some form of mental illness that can be effectively treated.
7. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24.
8. Studies by the U.S. Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration indicate:
a. men are more likely to suffer from drug and alcohol abuse and personality disorders
b. women are at higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety disorders
Hence the problem is not a remote one. It spans populations across the one of the most industrialized countries. The more we equip ourselves to interact and behave normally with those suffering from mental illness, the better contributors to society we will all become.