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Mental Health Essay

Introduction

Mental health, often overshadowed by its physical counterpart, is an intricate and essential aspect of human existence. It envelops our emotions, psychological state, and social well-being, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. With the complexities of modern life—constant connectivity, societal pressures, personal expectations, and the frenzied pace of technological advancements—mental well-being has become increasingly paramount. Historically, conversations around this topic have been hushed, shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. However, as the curtains of misconception slowly lift, we find ourselves in an era where discussions about mental health are not only welcomed but are also seen as vital. Recognizing and addressing the nuances of our mental state is not merely about managing disorders; it's about understanding the essence of who we are, how we process the world around us, and how we navigate the myriad challenges thrown our way. This essay aims to delve deep into the realm of mental health, shedding light on its importance, the potential consequences of neglect, and the spectrum of mental disorders that many face in silence.

Importance of Mental Health

Mental health plays a pivotal role in determining how individuals think, feel, and act. It influences our decision-making processes, stress management techniques, interpersonal relationships, and even our physical health. A well-tuned mental state boosts productivity, creativity, and the intrinsic sense of self-worth, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling life.

Negative Impact of Mental Health

Neglecting mental health, on the other hand, can lead to severe consequences. Reduced productivity, strained relationships, substance abuse, physical health issues like heart diseases, and even reduced life expectancy are just some of the repercussions of poor mental health. It not only affects the individual in question but also has a ripple effect on their community, workplace, and family.

Mental Disorders: Types and Prevalence

Mental disorders are varied and can range from anxiety and mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia.

Depression: Characterized by persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, and fatigue.
Anxiety Disorders: Encompass conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and specific phobias.
Schizophrenia: A complex disorder affecting a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.

The prevalence of these disorders has been on the rise, underscoring the need for comprehensive mental health initiatives and awareness campaigns.

Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance

Mental health is not merely the absence of disorders but encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Recognizing the signs of deteriorating mental health, like prolonged sadness, extreme mood fluctuations, or social withdrawal, is crucial. Understanding stems from awareness and education. Societal stigmas surrounding mental health have often deterred individuals from seeking help. Breaking these barriers, fostering open conversations, and ensuring access to mental health care are imperative steps.

Conclusion: Mental Health

Mental health, undeniably, is as significant as physical health, if not more. In an era where the stressors are myriad, from societal pressures to personal challenges, mental resilience and well-being are essential. Investing time and resources into mental health initiatives, and more importantly, nurturing a society that understands, respects, and prioritizes mental health is the need of the hour.

World Leaders: Several influential personalities, from celebrities to sports stars, have openly discussed their mental health challenges, shedding light on the universality of these issues and the importance of addressing them.
Workplaces: Progressive organizations are now incorporating mental health programs, recognizing the tangible benefits of a mentally healthy workforce, from increased productivity to enhanced creativity.
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges, witnessing the effects of stress and other mental health issues on students, are increasingly integrating counseling services and mental health education in their curriculum.

In weaving through the intricate tapestry of mental health, it becomes evident that it's an area that requires collective attention, understanding, and action.

Short Essay about Mental Health

Mental health, an integral facet of human well-being, shapes our emotions, decisions, and daily interactions. Just as one would care for a sprained ankle or a fever, our minds too require attention and nurture. In today's bustling world, mental well-being is often put on the back burner, overshadowed by the immediate demands of life. Yet, its impact is pervasive, influencing our productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Sadly, mental health issues have long been stigmatized, seen as a sign of weakness or dismissed as mere mood swings. However, they are as real and significant as any physical ailment. From anxiety to depression, these disorders have touched countless lives, often in silence due to societal taboos.

But change is on the horizon. As awareness grows, conversations are shifting from hushed whispers to open discussions, fostering understanding and support. Institutions, workplaces, and communities are increasingly acknowledging the importance of mental health, implementing programs, and offering resources.

In conclusion, mental health is not a peripheral concern but a central one, crucial to our holistic well-being. It's high time we prioritize it, eliminating stigma and fostering an environment where everyone feels supported in their mental health journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of a mental health essay?

Answer: The primary focus of a mental health essay is to delve into the intricacies of mental well-being, its significance in our daily lives, the various challenges people face, and the broader societal implications. It aims to shed light on both the psychological and emotional aspects of mental health, often emphasizing the importance of understanding, empathy, and proactive care.

How can writing an essay on mental health help raise awareness about its importance?

Answer: Writing an essay on mental health can effectively articulate the nuances and complexities of the topic, making it more accessible to a wider audience. By presenting facts, personal anecdotes, and research, the essay can demystify misconceptions, highlight the prevalence of mental health issues, and underscore the need for destigmatizing discussions around it. An impactful essay can ignite conversations, inspire action, and contribute to a more informed and empathetic society.

What are some common topics covered in a mental health essay?

Answer: Common topics in a mental health essay might include the definition and importance of mental health, the connection between mental and physical well-being, various mental disorders and their symptoms, societal stigmas and misconceptions, the impact of modern life on mental health, and the significance of therapy and counseling. It may also delve into personal experiences, case studies, and the broader societal implications of neglecting mental health.

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v.40(3); 2015 May

“Mental illness is like any other medical illness”: a critical examination of the statement and its impact on patient care and society

The nature of mental illness has been the subject of passionate discussion throughout history. In ancient Greece Plato, 1 , 2 promoting a mentalist definition of mental illness, was the first to coin the term “mental health,” which was conceived as reason aided by temper and ruling over passion. At around the same time, Hippocrates, 3 taking a more physicalist approach, defined different mental conditions as a variety of imbalances between different kinds of “humours.” Griesinger 4 , 5 almost 2 centuries ago was the first to state that “mental illness is brain illness,” an expression that has provided a strong impetus to the more recent medical conception of mental illness. The substantial progress accomplished in genomics and brain imaging in the last few decades made biological psychiatry stronger than ever and contributed to the reification of mental disorders as illnesses of the brain. The almost exclusively biogenetic conceptual framework for understanding mental illness has acquired a hegemony that has influenced mental health practitioners while also influencing campaigns designed to improve public attitudes toward the mentally ill. As a result, the statement “mental illness is like any other illness” has become almost axiomatic and, therefore, by definition it embodies an accepted truth not in need of a proof.

This view of mental illness is presented for better acceptance of the mentally ill by the public and of treatment by those experiencing mental illness and is indeed based on accumulated, albeit limited, knowledge in the neurobiology of mental disorders. However, anything that reaches axiomatic proportions needs a serious examination. In this editorial we examine the reasons underlying this perspective, its consequences and the evidence to support or refute its continued justification. We then present a position that we believe best fits the current state of knowledge and is closest to clinical realities and public perceptions of mental illnesses.

What does the statement actually imply?

The statement that “mental illness is like any other medical illness” implies that mental illness has a biological basis just like other medical illnesses and should be treated in the public’s eye in a similar manner. The purpose of this article is not to present a philosophical or ideological argument in favour of or against a biological basis explaining mental illness, but rather to examine the clinical and public utility of presenting a dominant neurobiological model of mental illness to patients, their families and the public at large.

Illness, pathophysiology and the “self’’

To understand the justification of equating mental and medical disorders, a comparison often made between type 2 diabetes and mental disorders, especially schizophrenia, other psychoses and depression, is worth examining in some detail. Diabetes, although very complex, is understood as the result of dysfunctional glucose metabolism related to absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin signalling. This dysfunctional metabolism is the consequence of endogenous predispositions, such as hereditary diathesis, and environmental factors, including personal choices, such as poor diet and sedentary life style. Therefore, by improving glucose metabolism, either through medication, insulin replacement or changes in lifestyle, positive health outcomes can be expected. Diabetes is diagnosed by confirming high levels of fasting glucose and other related biochemical markers of glucose metabolism. Further, the cascade of its effects on other systems (e.g., cardiovascular, central nervous system) are, or could be, well explained on the basis of physiologic mechanisms. They can also be prevented/treated by better and early control of diabetes. All through this, however, the patient is aware of the nature of his or her problems, including personal choices, and diabetes generally does not affect his or her day-today thinking, behaviour or perception. Except for mental health complications due to neurologic illnesses (e.g., delirium in the context of severe metabolic complications, depression as a consequence of awareness of the life and death implication of the disorder, abnormal perceptions in the case of some neurologic conditions), it can be stated that somatic illnesses, such as diabetes do not usually alter the core self of a person substantially. More importantly, the model of attribution presented to the patient is congruent with the scientific “facts,” thereby making it easier for the person as well as society to accept the condition.

Mental disorders, on the other hand, affect the very core of one’s being through a range of experiences and phenomena of varying severity that alter the individual’s thinking, perception and consciousness about the self, others and the world. This is seen to an extreme degree with more serious mental disorders, such as psychoses and bipolar disorders, but to a lesser albeit significant degree with anxiety, mood, eating and other psychiatric disorders. Emotion, perception, thought and action are the essence of human identity and the concept of “self,” and these are the prime domains altered in mental disorders. The precise definition of what constitutes the self and whether the location of a state of self is a material reality in the brain, its form and the brain-related factors that influence it are deeply philosophical issues, 6 , 7 but not the subject of this editorial. Suffice it to say that factors involved in increasing the risk for mental disorders are endogenous (genetics is recognized as a major contributor to most mental disorders) as well as environmental, much like most medical disorders. Psychological deprivation and trauma, social defeat and isolation, poverty and poor family environment are but some of the environmental factors that have been reported to increase the risk for mental disorders. In addition to changes at the physiologic level, common to somatic and mental disorders the latter encompass changes in one’s definition of “self,” and are not situated outside the “self.” It can even be argued that in the absence of any substantiated biological marker for mental disorders (only 1 has been included in the recent DSM-5: orexin change in narcolepsy), 8 the hallmark defining features of mental disorders, at least for now, remain the changes in how the patients feel, think and act and how these changes affect their relation to themselves and to others.

As a first corollary of this definition, contrary to medical conditions where restoring dysfunctional physiologic mechanisms is the main target of therapeutic interventions, this is only 1 part of the therapeutic interventions for mental disorders. The primary focus of therapeutic interventions in mental disorders is helping the patient to feel better and interact more adaptively with his or her social and physical environments. Although there is little doubt that all medical conditions require psychological attention, mental health interventions focus primarily on achieving a positive change in feeling, self-esteem, mood, perceptions, thoughts and action — all changes in the “self” that are not primarily targeted in the treatment of medical conditions. Different models of psychological and social interventions are the main ingredients for these desired changes in the self.

A second corollary of this definition is the fact that mental health is very laden with values, not because scientific factors are lacking, but because values become of the utmost importance — more so than for medical disorders — when we deal with the self and its restoration. While somatic illnesses such as diabetes are primarily defined and shaped by biologically discernible facts, values do play a certain role but do not define the disorder. Societal and personal values are important in the treatment of most medical disorders, but acquire paramount importance in the case of mental disorders. Societal and cultural values even define variations in diagnoses over time and across geographic locations. Compulsory treatments, a particularity in the mental health field, are a strong testimony of how mental health can interfere with the self and how the personal values of the patient can clash with the societal values, thus necessitating legal, value-laden mitigation.

Neurobiology and experience of mental illness

Advances in neurosciences have surely given us much better biological mechanistic explanations of many of the uniquely human cognitive, emotional and conative functions, such as memory, thinking, perception, mood and action. This knowledge has informed us that many mental illnesses derive their vulnerability from underlying biological variations. However, we are far from being able to explain in neurobiological terms many of the behaviours and experiences that constitute the core presentations of mental disorders. Even if neurobiology one day were to provide better explanations of the workings of the brain, more elaborately explain the role of genes in increasing the risk for mental illness and the mechanisms behind complex human behaviour, one would still need to understand the experiences of patients with different forms of mental illness in psychological terms, as recently described by Kendler 9 so eloquently. By equating mental illness with any medical illness and, therefore, situating it in an organ within the human biology and not recognizing its unique nature in the way it affects the “self” cannot be justified on the basis of current state of knowledge nor may it serve our patients and society well, as we explain in the rest of this editorial.

Mental illness and the utility of explanatory models

Indeed, it is envisaged that putting mental illness on the same footing as medical illness, society will understand it better and not react negatively toward those with mental illnesses. It is hoped that as a result those with mental illness may face less social stigma — a major obstacle to people seeking and/or receiving help — and reducing stigma may help individuals regain eventual acceptance by society as productive members. Interestingly, the public’s explanatory models of mental illness do not follow this narrative and, on the contrary, the public have multiple models of explaining mental illness varying across cultures and times.

One needs to ask the pragmatic question of whether the strategy of using a biogenetic model of mental illness and equating it with medical illness has actually helped. There are 2 areas worthy of examination in this regard.

Explanatory models, stigma and society

The first is to examine the effect of the statement, “mental illness is like any other medical illness,” on social stigma toward people with mental illness. As indicated previously, implicit in the axiomatic statement is a primarily biological origin of the behaviour and suffering that characterize mental illness. Let us examine the evidence in this regard. In the last decade or 2, biogenetic attribution of all mental disorders, having acquired a hegemoneous status 10 has been used primarily to inform campaigns for reducing stigma and promoting better acceptance of mental illness and the people with mental illnesses by society. 11 , 12 Several well-conducted studies have concluded, almost uniformly, that this strategy has not only not worked, but also may have worsened public attitudes and behaviour toward those with mental illnesses. Investigations of stigma have shown that those who consider mental disorders as primarily attributable to biological forces, just like other medical disorders, while absolving the mentally ill person of responsibility for their behaviour and actions, tend to feel less optimistic about their ability to get better and function well, are less accepting of them and feel less positively toward them. 13 – 16 In a review of the literature related to the concept of mental illness being like any other illness, Read and colleagues 17 reported that biogenetic causal theories and diagnostic labelling as illness are both positively related to perceptions of dangerousness and unpredictability and to fear of and desire for social distance. The attitudes investigated in these studies are reflected in individuals’ responses to whether they would live next door to, socialize or make friends with or have a close relative get married to a person described as being mentally ill. There is also evidence to suggest that biogenetic explanatory models may have negative consequences for those with mental illness in terms of their implicit self concept and explicit attitudes, such as fear. 18 Further, campaigns to reduce stigma that encourage people to think about mental illness as simply another form of medical illness have produced results that show effects to the contrary. For example, a recent study showed that over a 10-year period of deliberate use of the biogenetic explanatory model for campaigning to reduce stigma has resulted in worsening of most, if not all, aspects of public attitudes toward individuals with mental illnesses. 19 , 20 The strength of these perhaps counterintuitive findings comes from the fact that these studies were adequately designed, well powered and, most importantly, replicated in several countries (e.g., United States, Britain, Germany) with very similar results. It is acknowledged that these relatively negative attitudes may be particularly stronger in relation to certain forms of mental illness (e.g., psychosis, manic depressive illness) and addictions.

Explanatory models of mental illness and the mentally ill person

Another domain — perhaps the most important — of examination is the individual with mental illness. In clinical practice, telling patients that their presenting mental illness is like any other medical illness may initially reassure some and assist them in accepting to take medication, especially during the distressing acute phases of a serious mental disorder. They or their families may welcome a simple explanation for encouraging them to accept treatment, which in many cases includes medication. While this strategy can achieve something very important in acute crisis-like situations, it may become problematic, if persistent over time, in getting individuals to accept other highly effective psychological and social treatments. These latter interventions are highly effective and considerably less noxious than often less effective medications for some forms of mental illness, such as mild to moderate depression, anxiety and eating disorders, and emotional dysregulation associated with several long-standing mental illnesses. Even in the most serious mental disorders, such as psychotic, bipolar and severe major depressive disorders, where medications are invariably an essential part of treatment, psychological and social therapeutic interventions are the essential bridge between pharmacological interventions during the acute crises and the need for their sustained use in the long term while at the same time achieving the essential goals of relief of internal distress, restoration of self and a return to productive social and working lives.

Furthermore, presenting mental illness as any other medical illness often implies a medical treatment (medication in most cases) as the dominant treatment strategy. Patients’ rejection of the treating clinician’s medical illness model is generally described as lack of insight and starts the cycle of nonadherence to medication, which then translates into nonadherence to treatment. In reality, if patients and families are allowed to articulate their attributional models, given credit for their “experiential knowledge” and encouraged to enter into a dialogue with the treating clinician, it is more likely there will be some consensus on acceptance of recommended treatment. This may prevent the cycle of disengagement and decline in the course that follows.

What needs to be done?

In clinical practice, if we are to take seriously the multidimensional goals of providing mental health services, as articulated by those seeking and receiving help for mental illness, clinicians have to work within an attributional model that makes sense to the person receiving service, that can be supported by sound argument and evidence and that provides a framework within which those receiving service and those providing it can share a common language. Such a framework will need to include the biogenetic model of attribution of mental illness as 1 of several parallel and equally authentic social, psychological, environmental and cultural models offered by service providers and researchers (acquired knowledge) as well as those who experience mental illness (experiential knowledge). There is a need to create a common language in order to come to an understanding of the person’s experience and to promote such an understanding among the public at large. Denying the special nature of mental illness is unlikely to achieve these important goals.

Some recent developments, such as the promotion of a recovery model 21 – 23 and the early intervention movement, 24 , 25 may hold more promise in improving both the quality of care and possibly involvement of and improvement in public attitudes. The former has emerged from experiential knowledge and advocacy from service users, supported later by sound qualitative research, whereas the latter has emerged from a combination of a shift in philosophy of delivery of care on the part of service providers, parallel generation of evidence of its effectiveness 26 , 27 and greater acceptance by service users and their families, who have now joined the movement as advocates. A third emerging movement, the concept of positive mental health, 28 , 29 may prove to be effective in combating the negative image of mental illness. This movement promotes and is based on human resilience and positive aspects of the experience of mental illness. There is a burgeoning literature emerging in this field, which may balance the rather deterministic, deficit oriented and largely pessimistic miasma created by using an exclusively biogenetic model to explain mental disorders.

Conclusion and recommendations

Simply seeking an axiom of “mental illness is like any other medical illness” is at best simplifying a complex human problem and at worst doing a major disservice to patients, their families and the mental health field. Our dialogue should incorporate the general complexity of human thinking, behaviour, memories and the idea of self and consciousness, including knowledge emerging from sophisticated biogenetic and social science research while attending to the specific complexities that each of us as human beings carry as part of our life stories. That is true for those receiving and those providing services.

We therefore argue that we should continue to have a social and a professional conversation where we find a proper place for neurobiology, social, cultural and environmental forces, personal histories and the uniqueness of each individual when trying to understand, explain and treat mental disorders while avoiding a simplistic reductionism that may be perceived at best as patronizing but ultimately harmful, even though the intentions may be noble. We propose that future antistigma campaigns should give up the axiom of “mental illness is like any other medical illness” and instead present the complex and multifaceted explanations of mental illness as unique along with the positive aspects as discussed here. These campaigns need to be informed not only by the acquired knowledge of service providers and scientists but equally by the experiential knowledge from service users and their families, taking into consideration new knowledge emerging from fields of recovery, early intervention and positive mental health. For clinicians, it would be equally important to embrace explanatory models of mental illness that are based on evidence in science and to include biogenetic, social and cultural models as well as those told to them by the very people they are trying to serve.

Editors’ note: The ideas expressed in this editorial are not necessarily those of the journal. Importantly, JPN continues to focus on publishing “papers at the intersection of psychiatry and neuroscience that advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in the etiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders.”

Competing interests: See jpn.ca for R. Joober. None declared by A. Malla or A. Garcia.

A Helping Hand: An Essay On The Importance Of Mental Health Parity

By: Sydney Waltner

More than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. But not everyone will receive the help they need. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only forty percent of adults and fifty percent of youth receive the medical help they need. Even though mental illness is common and can affect anyone, there is still a great stigma attached. This stigma creates reluctance and shame in seeking help. The acceptance and understanding of mental illnesses has come a far way from where it used to be, but improvements can, and should still be made.

Mental illnesses should not be thought of any differently from physical illnesses. In fact, I believe the two are inseparable. Because the whole body is connected and interwoven, the two cannot be separated. The brain is an organ just like everything else in the body and can be hurt like everything else. When the brain is ill, it is not isolated in just the brain, but instead affects the whole body and the overall wellness. Substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide are very common and dangerous in those with mental illnesses. The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps people from getting the help they need to get better and causes them to hide their pain.

For three years I was one of those people hiding my illness. I was quietly suffering from depression and an eating disorder. My whole day revolved around my eating disorder and hiding it from everyone. This caused a lot of sadness, anger, and loneliness. I not only hid it from others, but I also tried to hide it from myself. I tried to convince myself that nothing was wrong because I did not fully understand what was happening. I did not know what was making me hurt myself and why I could not stop. As my weight was decreasing, my sadness and anger were quickly increasing. I became so mad and upset at everyone and everything. The stress and pressure of holding everything in caused me so much misery. If something small happened, it became too much to handle and I had to release it somehow. The only way I could think of to handle this was to hit myself and other things until I forgot about all my pain. By this time, it was impossible to hide my illness, and my family finally found out my deep secret. They did not want to see me suffer like that and wanted to help. They tried their hardest to help, but they just did not know how to help me. They tried to get me to go see somebody and get help, but I refused. I was scared of admitting that I had a mental illness and that I needed help. I was worried that people would judge me, treat me differently, or even bully me if they found out about my mental illness. So, I refused to get any help. I insisted that I was okay and could fix it myself. After a while of getting worse, my parents made me an appointment and told me I was going to get help. I remember crying and begging my mother to not make me go, but she did, and I am so grateful to her now.

For almost a year now I have been going to see a mental health counselor once a week. It took me a while to open up to her and tell her how I felt. But when I realized she was there for me and did not judge me, I was finally able to let her help me. Looking back now, I cannot believe how sick and miserable I was. I cannot imagine how my life would be if I had not received her help. I cannot express how grateful I am to her. She has changed my life for the better, I am so much happier and healthier now and look forward to living.

Receiving help is the most important thing anyone can do for themselves. But unfortunately, the stigma keeps people from getting help. Mental illness should not be something to be ashamed about or thought of differently. When mental illness is treated equally to other illnesses, more people will have the courage to get help and better their lives.

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Mental Health in the United States Essay

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Mental health is a crucial problem that has to be addressed by the government to avert local communities from missing out on productive lives, healthy families, and strong interactive relationships. Practically any person from younger children to old adults may be suffering from a variety of mental health disorders due to the prevalence of unsafe behaviors and risky attitudes that might lead them to ultimate self-destruction. As Heun-Johnson et al. (2018) put it, suicide was almost in the top ten leading causes of death across the United States, which is a scary indicator that cannot and should not go unnoticed. Accordingly, mental health illnesses could also be associated with numerous physical states that could be associated with the inability to keep one’s mental health intact. In other words, cancer or diabetes could occur in a person even in the case of severe anxiety or stress, causing the body to respond in unpredictable ways.

Heun-Johnson et al. (2018) also contributed to the existing discussion by stating that the long-lasting effects of mental disorders may be hard to mitigate due to the extensive economic and psychosocial costs of interventions and consequences. Nevertheless, there is still hope that mental health disorders can be managed appropriately, as the growing body of evidence hints at the idea that the burden of mental issues could be reduced significantly. The existing project serves as an assessment of the Downers Grove, Illinois community and a thorough review of how previous experience could be utilized to develop a decent strategy to address the mental health of the target population and improve the quality of mental health care in the region. This project might become a pathway to a stronger Downers Grove community where individuals would not be afraid to share their thoughts on how to approach the issue and collaborate with care providers to reduce the stigma of mental health issues as well.

When picking the most appropriate target population for the current project, the author decided to consider numerous variables describing the populace, such as gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and geolocation. There is also a need to include specific social conditions in order to gain as much insight as possible into the given community. Some of these were interpersonal relations, intrafamilial and community dynamics, school conditions, and social backing. The information provided in the SAMHSA (2017) report disclosed the presence of numerous risks associated with mental health issues in Illinois youth. This is a hint at the fact that there are not enough resources currently available to the Downers Grove community to establish safe places for the target population to interact and contribute to overall change concerning the attitudes toward mental health issues across the State of Illinois.

On the other hand, that same report published by SAMHSA (2017) is the key to understanding that the biggest population currently affected by mental health illnesses is youth. It is a warning sign for the Downers Grove community, as at least one major depressive episode per annum was found in at least 20% of Illinois youth residents. The percentage seems to increase, as in 2014, that same community reached about 14% of youth residents being exposed to major depressive episodes. In addition, the problem is that less than half (approximately 38%) of Illinois youth received appropriate treatment for their mental health issues. This can be important as well because some of the respondents might be too afraid to ask for help due to certain circumstances such as the socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender.

Ultimately, the target population can be described as male, female, or transgender respondents aged from 15 to 24 who are either suffering from major mental health issues or get exposed to certain episodes that damage their mental health time after time. One of the major trends included in SAMHSA (2017) report is the growing prevalence of psychotic disorders in youth. This problem slowly becomes prevalent because it increases the rates of stigmatization among peers and adults and also increases the time of hospital stays. Depending on the primary reason for hospitalization, care providers have to pick the right approach to their patients, which also means that local youth often faces the challenge of not being enrolled in follow-up care. The lack of appropriate prevention measures makes the Downers Grove youth community an especially vulnerable population that has to be protected.

The article written by Buchholz et al. (2015) discloses a number of important points that have to be considered when thinking about the best strategy related to youth coping with mental health issues. The researchers investigated the process of youth disclosing mental health issues to their parents or teachers and reviewed the possible social implications of such communication. Buchholz et al. (2015) found that mental health challenges are exceptionally hard to discuss when there is a risk of being misunderstood or ridiculed in front of others, so many young individuals tend to keep their anxiety and worries to themselves in order to protect themselves from unsafe outcomes. Nevertheless, further communication could be helpful when trying to reduce stigma and build effective relationships with the environment. The results of research conducted by Buchholz et al. (2015) could be utilized to manage possible disclosure decisions in the future and help local youth discuss their mental health issues more without obstruction.

Vohra et al. (2019) touched upon the question of how mental illnesses impact mortality and morbidity in youth. In order to introduce a decent prevention measure, they investigated the potential benefits and challenges associated with the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) strategy when utilized to address the prevalence of mental health issues in youth. Even though Vohra et al. (2019) could not achieve any specific results in terms of finding any relevant evidence regarding the effectiveness of MBSR in youth with mental health issues, their research allowed them to evaluate the efficacy of this strategy and see how psychological interventions could help when treating mental health issues in youth. The results of the study showed that MBSR could be an effective way for youth to cope with the potential stigma and improper emotional responses linked to the advent of mental health issues.

The article written by Mustanski et al. (2016) dwelled on the possibility of reducing the amount of cumulative victimization that LGBT youth representatives could be exposed to while also suffering from mental disorders. In order to complete their research, the investigators picked a sample including transgender, bisexual, lesbian, and gay youth and screened them for depression and anxiety in order to establish the potential level of stigma that these respondents could be facing on a daily basis. The findings published by Mustanski et al. (2016) showed that in addition to depressive episode, LGBT youth in Illinois was at an elevated risk for PTSD symptoms. Overall, the research concluded that there was an extreme amount of victimization affecting the LGBT youth living across the State of Illinois.

Buchholz, B., Aylward, S., McKenzie, S., & Corrigan, P. (2015). Should youth disclose their mental health challenges? Perspectives from students, parents, and school professionals. Journal of Public Mental Health , 14 (3), 159-168.

Heun-Johnson, H., Menchine, M., Goldman, D., & Seabury, S. (2018). The cost of mental illness: Illinois facts and figures [PDF]. USC Schaeffer. Web.

Mustanski, B., Andrews, R., & Puckett, J. A. (2016). The effects of cumulative victimization on mental health among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescents and young adults. American Journal of Public Health , 106 (3), 527-533.

SAMHSA. (2017). Illinois 2017 Mental Health National Outcome Measures (NOMS): SAMHSA Uniform Reporting System [PDF]. Web.

Vohra, S., Punja, S., Sibinga, E., Baydala, L., Wikman, E., Singhal, A.,… & Van Vliet, K. J. (2019). Mindfulness‐based stress reduction for mental health in youth: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Child and Adolescent Mental Health , 24 (1), 29-35.

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Mental Illness Essay Examples

Anorexia and influence of cultural factors on it.

Culture is a very complex and difficult word that has many different meanings and perceptions. However, the common meaning of culture is the way a group of people lives or the way they do things. For example, Christmas is a holiday part of the western...

The Problem of Social Isolation Across Old Generation

Aging is a natural way of becoming older. Our human body goes through physical and emotional changes which make you do things slower. Besides the positive parts of aging an old life such as traveling, reconnecting with relatives or friends, discovering new hobbies, etc., seniors...

Short Essay About Depression: Types and Causes

Unfortunately, there is small amout of essays about depression, but I want to mention that if you have a depression, then you may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life is not worth living. More than just a...

Overcoming Depression and Anxiety: Coping Strategies

Depression… The extreme feeling of sadness, unexcitment or even thinking about death. What about anxiety? Anxiety is another form of disorder where you will feel restlessness, having panic attacks and overthinking about a very small thing. Because of the lockdown, depression and anxiety has been...

Exploring the Depths of Depression: an Argumentative View

You’ve lost connections with friends and family, you can’t bring yourself to go outside, it feels like the world is against you. This is the life of having depression, a horrible cycle of low moods, sadness and an overall feeling of dejectedness. I chose to...

Relationship Between Mental Illness and Crime

The intricate interplay between mental illness and crime has been a subject of intense study and debate, delving into the multifaceted connections between psychological well-being and criminal behavior. This essay explores the complex relationship between mental health conditions and criminal activities, examining the key factors...

Mental Health Vs. Physical Health

The debate over whether mental health or physical health is more important has long been a topic of discussion in the fields of medicine, psychology, and public health. This essay will explore the complexities of this issue, considering various perspectives, and ultimately argue that both...

Taking a In-depth Look at the Topic of Mental Health

The following information in mental health essay topics will provide the reader with an in-depth look at mental health. It will analyse how mental health is perceived by the public, media and evaluate how individuals with a mental illness can be subjected to stigma and...

The Importance of Mental Health: Prioritizing Well-being

Mental health is a topic that bursts with significance and perplexity. It is an integral aspect of our overall well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and interact with the world around us. In this essay, we explore the complexities of mental health and the burstiness...

Globalization of the Medicalized's Effect on Western Notions of Mental Health

This essay will discuss how, in contemporary society, a person’s state of being can become classed as a medical illness through the process of medicalization in western society and then how those ideas become transported to other parts of the world through globalisation. This essay...

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About Mental Illness

A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.

Anxiety Disorders, depression, bipolar Disorder, post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Schizophrenia, eating Disorders, disruptive behavior, and dissocial disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, Sleep disorders, Sexuality related disorders, other disorders.

Genetic, psychological, and environmental factors all contribute to the development or progression of mental disorders: poverty, family conflict or violence, neglect in early childhood, having a parent with a substance abuse problem, living in inadequate or unsafe housing. Risk occurring as early as during prenatal period.

The most common mental disorders around the globe: are depression (about 264 million people) bipolar disorder ( 45 million people), dementia (50 million people), and schizophrenia and other psychoses, which affects about 20 million people.

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