Mental Health and Mental IllnessDawn Burgess, Ed. D

What comes to mind (be honest) when you think about Mental Illness?

First referred to as “Madness”

First thought it was caused by demonic possession

In Colonial Times, the “feeble-minded” were the responsibility of family.

Early 18th Century, Pinel led mental health reform

* appointed chief physician at mental hospital in Paris

* appalled at the barbaric conditions

* he unchained up to 5,000 patients

* marked the beginning of the era of “Moral Treatment”

Dorothea Dix – U.S. social activist

* advocated for compassionate treatment of patients in asylums

* her plea to the MA state legislature in 1843 led to improvements in both hospitals and asylums

US Government became involved in the care of the Mentally Ill in 1946 with President Truman’s “Mental Health Act.”

Allowed creation of NIMH

“The Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963” under Kennedy focused on prevention and community-based care.

Led to development of new psychotropic meds and more research on the brain

Anxiety Disorders

Eating Disorders

Mood Disorders

Depression Bipolar Disorder

Substance Related Disorders

Functionally Impaired

In need of extensive case management and counseling services. HS workers are not to diagnose or try and treat

Might be in and out of clinics

Some referred through court systems and some are living on the streets.

Contact with reality is significantly impaired.

Common symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and generally bizarre and eccentric behavior.

The most common Psychotic Disorder is schizophrenia.

True or false?

Clients with Psychotic Disorders can lead “normal” lives when on medication and receiving appropriate services.

Disorders of one’s mood and emotions.

Depression is a significant public health issue

in America.

Bipolar Depression (formerly called manic

depression).

Odd and Eccentric:

Paranoid Personality Disorder Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personality behavior

Dramatic and Emotional:

Antisocial Personality Disorder Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder Histrionic Personality Disorder

Anxious and Fearful:

Avoidant Personality Disorder Dependent Personality Disorder

Human Service Agencies

Military and Veteran Service Agencies

Psychiatric in-patient or Day Treatment

Police Departments

Probation Departments

County Prosecutor Offices

Hospitals and nursing facilities

Private Practices

Community mental Health Centers

Saleebey and the Strengths Perspective challenges practitioners to recognize:

All clients have resources available to them All clients are members of a community and deserve

respect and dignity All clients are resilient by nature Al clients need to be in relationships with others to

self-actualize All clients have the right to their own perception of

the problem.

Government estimates that approximately 20 – 30% of the homeless population is suffering from mental illness.

Seriously mentally ill people are at a high risk for homelessness.

We need more long term housing solutions!

Did the prisons replace the institutions?

US Department of Justice estimates that over a quarter of a million mentally ill individuals are currently incarcerated.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill estimates that approximately 40% of the mentally ill will come into contact with the crimin

Alternatives to Incarceration:

Ongoing court monitoring

Specialized training for those working with the mentally ill

Voluntary outpatient or inpatient mental health treatment in the most restrictive environment

Case management services

Human Service Professionals need to be aware of their own biases

Even subtle biases will surface in counseling situations

Different cultures have different practices, customs and traditions.

Mental Health Parity Act of 1996

Cannot limit health care for mental illnesses

Many have found loopholes

It is a first step toward recognizing mental illness in need of insurance coverage.

Developed to identify and remove barriers

Three Obstacles to receiving effective mental health care:

The stigma attached to mental illness Unequal treatment and reimbursement An ineffective mental health care delivery system

Lobby for increased funds

Develop new programs to meet the complex needs of the mentally ill

Remain aware and involved in new policies and legislation developed by the New Administration!