Introduction to Community Health/Mental Health CH/MH Ginny Pherigo

On the index card provided, write down the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear the term: “Mental Illness”

Attitude Inventory Exercise Let your feelings be your guide!!

Mental Health – your med-surg book defines it as “the ability to adjust to new situations, react to personal problems without marked stress, and productively contribute to society”. The American Psychiatric Association defines mental health as having: success at working, loving, and creating with mature and flexible resolutions of conflicts. One’s degree of “mental health” fluctuates from day to day.

Characteristics of Mental Health Interpret reality accurately Have a healthy self-concept Able to relate to others Achieve a sense of meaning in life Demonstrate creativity/productivity Control behavior Adapt to change and conflict

Mental Disorders Symptoms related to thinking, feeling, or behavior Caused by genetic, biological, social, chemical or psychological influences Result in impairment of functioning People are not defined by their illness

Incidence of Mental Disorders Major problem for people all over the world Incidence underestimated Mental illness makes up 5 of the 15 leading causes of disability in developed countries Half of people in the US with major depressive disorder will have a psychiatric or substance abuse disorder in their lifetime

Misconceptions About Mental Illness Abnormal behavior is different or odd, easily recognized. Abnormal behavior can be predicted/evaluated. Internal forces are responsible for abnormal behavior. People who exhibit abnormal behavior are dangerous. Maladaptive behavior is inherited. Mental illness is incurable.

Positive Ways to Reduce Stigma Educate yourself about mental illness. Talk to each other about mental illness “in the terms of illness.” Correct false statements about mental illness and people with mental illness. Write letters to the media, offering to send accurate information. Relate to people who are mentally ill as individuals. Avoid stigmatizing people; look at the contents behind the label.

“On Being Sane in Insane Places” A study by D.L. Rosenhan He conducted a study where he had eight pseudopatients pretend to be mentally ill and try to gain admittance into various psychiatric institutions. There were five men and three women all from various backgrounds used in the study. There were three psychologists, one graduate student, one psychiatrist, one homemaker, and one painter. There were five men and three women all from various backgrounds used in the study. There were three psychologists, one graduate student, one psychiatrist, one homemaker, and one painter.

There were 12 hospitals in five different states located on the east and west coast that patients tried to gain admittance to. Immediately after being admitted to the hospitals the pseudopatients stopped showing any symptoms of abnormality. The patients would commonly try to engage other patients and staff into conversation. Each person was discharged with the label of schizophrenia in remission. “ The hospital itself imposes a special environment in which the meaning of behavior can be easily misunderstood.” D. L. Rosenhan, 1973

Reducing stigma, cont’d. Advocate for equal rights in housing, employment, and health care coverage. Mental illnesses are considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Support the efforts of people with mental illnesses to empower themselves by becoming involved in self-help and support groups for these people. Support the consumer mental health movement. (Person who uses mental health services is called a consumer, not a client or patient).

History of Mental Health Nursing Ancient Greek and Romans Middle Ages Bedlam

Phillippe Pinel Concern about the treatment of mentally ill people grows to the point that occasional reforms are instituted. In 1872, after the French Revolution, French physician Phillippe Pinel takes over a Paris insane asylum and forbids the use of chains and shackles. He removes patients from dungeons, provides them with sunny rooms, and also allows them to exercise on the grounds. Yet in other places, mistreatment persists. (He received much criticism for these actions.)

Benjamin Rush “Father of American Psychiatry” Dr. Benjamin Rush ( ) Benjamin Rush was an American physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He made notable contributions to psychiatry. He advocated that gentleness was necessary for the depressed pt. and firmness be used when manic behavior was present. He insisted that kind, intelligent attendants be hired to read to patients. He wrote the first American textbook on psychiatry, “Disorders of the Mind” in 1812.