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DISCUSS THE CONCEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH
The term mental health covers a wide range of disorders involving anxiety, phobias and hallucinations (Scottish Association of Mental Health 2002). It ranges from everyday worries to having a complete loss of reality. It is defined as 'a clinically recognisable set of symptoms or behaviour associated in most cases with considerable distress and substantial interference with personal functions' in the ICD-10 classification (World Health Organisation 1993).
Individuals are not born with mental health issues but genetic factors can make people more susceptible to them. Relationship breakdown, employment difficulties or bereavement can also trigger problems. A history of abuse can also give rise to mental health problems as can poverty or physical illness.
On average 1 in 4 people will experience mental health problem each year according to the Mental Health Foundation (2002). However it is often concealed from those closely involved and symptoms are not apparent to the outside world. People suffering from mental health problems are often perceived with apprehension and prejudice, encouraged by over-sensationalised in the press (Kenworthy et al 2002). Only in the last twenty years have people with mental health problems ceased to be isolated from society in 'mental asylums' (Kenworthy et al 2002).
Nowadays only 10% of people admitted to hospital with mental health issues require compulsory detention most seeking help voluntarily (Scottish Executive 2001). Users are no longer detained in hospital for long periods of time but treated in the community with help from support services, many never receiving in-patient treatment (Chandler 2002).
Mental health and physical health are inseparable and dependent upon each other. They are both affected by the combined influences of biological, physiological and social factors (World Health Organisation 2001).
Mental health problems can affect rich and poor, young and old, men and women it has no socio-economic boundaries and does not discriminate. It can be very distressing for the sufferer and their support network of family and friends. Although the problem can be disruptive, the aims for people with mental health problems are to participate in their own care and be entitled to the same rights as the rest of society. Those detained for compulsory treatment should be treated ethically and non-judgementally. All sufferers of mental health problems should be treated with equality and individuality. A high standard of care should be available to them in the least invasive manner possible (Scottish Executive 2001).
page last updated 11/06/05
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