by Mitchell Saitch and Beth Cornell
Mental health is the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment.
Different types of mental health:
- Depression – low mood, hopelessness, loss of energy
- Anxiety disorders – sense of worry, panic, dread on a level that has a negative impact on the person’s life
- Eating disorders – sometimes distorted view of body shape and weight – not just about dieting. Often low self esteem or control.
- Self harm – often a way of coping with emotional difficulties.
- Psychosis – change of reality. Sometimes hearing voices and seeing things that others don’t see / hear. May feel paranoid.
Anyone of any age can experience mental health problems.
- How many young people will experience a mental health problem in any one year?
– 1 young person in every 10 – that’s 3 of your classmates
- What are the most common mental health problems experienced by young people?
– Depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders
- What are the two biggest causes of death of males aged 14 to 25?
– Road Traffic Accidents 1st and Suicide 2nd
- How many people in society have a diagnosis of schizophrenia?
– 1 in 100 people (adults and young people from the age of 14)
why do you think people develop mental health problems?
- Some people feel it is a chemical imbalance
- Some feel it is all about trauma (everyone has a personal story of trauma, abuse, grief, separation loss etc)
- Some feel it is about deprivation
- There are a lot of views but it is important that the individual’s own view is listened to, considered important and respected
- There is no one answer
Here are a few facts about mental health:
About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. Around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents are estimated to have mental disorders or problems, with similar types of disorders being reported across cultures. Yet, regions of the world with the highest percentage of population under the age of 19 have the poorest level of mental health resources. Most low- and middle-income countries have only one child psychiatrist for every 1 to 4 million people.
Depression is characterized by sustained sadness and loss of interest along with psychological, behavioural and physical symptoms. It is ranked as the leading cause of disability worldwide.
On average about 800 000 people commit suicide every year, 86% of them in low- and middle-income countries. More than half of the people who kill themselves are aged between 15 and 44. Mental disorders are one of the most prominent and treatable causes of suicide.
There is huge inequity in the distribution of skilled human resources for mental health across the world. Shortages of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and social workers are among the main barriers to providing treatment and care in low- and middle-income countries
Only 1 in 10 prisoners has no mental disorder
Women are more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem than men
About 10% of children have a mental health problem at any one time
Depression affects 1 in 5 older people
If you have any questions where you feel you may be experiencing mental health issues here is a link for some advice:
http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/?gclid=CPiLobb7o7UCFYXLtAodoE8A3w
www.youngminds.org.uk/depression
