Mental Health and Mental Illness Dawn 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 18 th 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 DisorderSchizoid Personality Disorder Schizotypal personality behavior Dramatic and Emotional: Antisocial Personality DisorderNarcissistic Personality Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Histrionic Personality Disorder Anxious and Fearful: Avoidant Personality DisorderDependent 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!