|
Mental Illness |
|
|
What is Mental Illness |
Mental illness is
common. For example, about one in every hundred people
will develop schizophrenia at some time in their lives
and up to two in every hundred will develop bipolar
disorder. Overall, about twenty in every hundred people
will experience some form of mental health problem at
some time in their lives |
|
Are mentally ill people
violent |
Research indicates
that people being treated for a mental illness are no
more violent or dangerous than the general population.
If anything, they are more likely to be the victims of
violence, especially self-harm. A small sub-group of
people with a mental illness may be more violent than
the general population. These are likely to be people
who have a history of violent behaviour, who abuse drugs
or alcohol, and who are not receiving treatment or
taking medication as prescribed. Mental illness is
associated with only a minuscule proportion of the
violence which occurs in society |
|
Shouldn't mentally ill
people be kept in hospital |
With modern
medications and treatment, there is generally no reason
for people with a mental illness to be in hospital for
more than a few weeks when they are unwell as with many
other types of illness. There is now an emphasis on
treatment in the community so that people can continue
to live at home. However, we need to ensure that there
is sufficient support in the community for people with a
mental illness accommodation, rehabilitation, recreation
and help back to work. Understanding and respect from
others is an important form of support that all of us
can give |
|
Can you recover from
mental illness |
Contrary to what is
commonly believed, most people with a mental illness
recover well with appropriate ongoing treatment and
support. For some there will be a psychiatric
disability. The vast majority of people with a
psychiatric disability are able to live independently
(and often to work) in the community, if given the
opportunity and support to do so |
