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 discrimination. It will also provide an evaluation of three health models called biomedical, behavioural, recovery and will describe their differences in practice.

First, we will explore the biomedical model of health, also known as the medical model. This model of health has been widely used in western society since the 17th century, the model focuses on treating symptoms an individual has, this is carried out by a process of elimination. Usually, a professional like a GP would ask certain questions to an individual, to get to the root cause of a symptom being displayed. The biomedical approach would fundamentally treat patients with medicine, vaccines, or surgery. 'The biomedical model takes on the view that there are known or knowable causes for disorders'. Health psychology book

An example of how the biomedical model is used in practice can be seen in the great strides in success of using brain scans to identify an individual with a mental health disorder. With something called “neuromarkers”, scientists have been able to use MRI and other type of brains scans to identify an array of mental health disorders such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, and Tourette's to name a few (https:www.gehealthcare.co.ukarticleusing-mri-to-diagnose-mental-illness).

Some controversial experiments conducted in history, such as Mengele's twin experiment pose real questions on the moral ethics of such experiments. Some of the experiments conducted were in-depth examinations, blood tests, eye experiments, injecting diseases, surgeries and finally death.

To evaluate the biomedical method, it is important to recognize that we can now conduct experiments in a more ethic manner due to advancement in technology. These new advancements mean we can now pinpoint genetic factors that can lead to mental health disorders and provide effective treatment. However, it is imperative that we recognize that not all mental health conditions can be diagnosed using this method as other environmental, emotional, and psychological factors will not be considered.

Next, we will evaluate the behavioural method. There are two main methods, the first is J, B, Watson's 'methodological behaviourism,' and forms of behaviourism later studied such as neo-behaviourism. This method is a theory that specifies all behaviours are learned through interactions with the environment. Also known as the 'learning theory' it is suggested that all behaviours are learnt through either classical or operant learning. A behaviourist approach is to concentrate on observable behaviours as opposed to internal behaviours such as emotions and thoughts. Behaviourists would argue that while they understand that people have emotions and cognitions, these are not observable and therefore cannot be scientifically measured. Behaviourists feel that internal thoughts and feelings should be explained through the behaviours they provoke or excluded all together. Some recognized treatments would be Behaviour therapy and behaviour modification.

Some practices used in this area through history can be seen with behaviourism's founding Father John B Watson. Watson would perform one of history's most controversial experiments. The experiment of “little Albert” is a demonstration that behaviours can not only be learnt but also controlled. A nine-month-old called Douglas Merritte (known as little Albert) would be introduced to animals such as a white rat, rabbit, dog, monkey and displayed no distress. However, Watson would then introduce a loud noise by hitting a hammer against a pole. The loud noise would startle the toddler, Watson would then remove the loud noise and reintroduce the animal. Watson learnt that the toddler would associate the animal with the loud noise, therefore had learnt that when seeing the animal Douglas would expect the distressing noise and become unsettled. The psychological effects that this had on the toddler were reported by his mother, unfortunately with Douglas passing away at an early age the long-term effects on his mental health would never be known.

In conclusion, the behaviourism approach is vital. It is only by examining behaviour that we can then begin to understand it and find out what the stimuli may be. Once we discover this, we can then begin to change the conditioned response and break the cycle of undesirable behaviour through behavioural therapies. However, as demonstrated in Watson's experiment it is imperative that due diligence is used to ensure this treatment is not misused.

Finally, we will explore what is the most recent model used, and possibly the most important. The recovery model is a person-centered and holistic approach to mental health disorders. This models focus is about recovery, the premises it focuses on are “It is possible to recover from a mental health condition and the most effective recovery is patient-directed”. This model would ask individuals to concentrate on four primary areas of their lives to sustain mental wellness. These are 'health', to allow people to focus on their health and to make healthy choices are imperative to mental wellness. Individuals need to have a safe and stable “home”. That it is important to have daily routines, and self “purpose” for maintaining mental wellness. It would also recognize that individuals need to have strong social relationships as this will give them love, emotional availability and the respect that is needed to thrive.

There are many practices the recovery model uses; this essay will explore two of the processes. The first is called “WRAP”, this stands for wellness recovery action plan. This is a program in which focuses on “a simple and powerful process for creating the life and wellness you want”. It allows individuals the opportunity to discover a safe, simple, and effective tool to create and maintain wellness. It allows an individual to create a daily plan to stay on track with daily tasks and routines. It will also allow the individual to identify things that may push them off track and allow them to develop an action plan to keep up with progress. These small steps can allow an individual to stay in control, even if they are in crisis.

Another practice in which the recovery model uses is called the recovery star. In its fourth edition, the recovery star was created as an integral component for key work or services to implement. This provided individuals with a wide range of short- and long-term mental health issues, the steps they need for recovery. There are ten outcome areas the recovery star covers, 'managing mental health, physical health, living skills, friends and community, use of time, relationships, addictive behaviour, home, identity and self-esteem, trust and hope'. This recovery model outlines five steps within the ten outcome areas. Steps one and two are “stuck”, steps three and four are to 'accept help', five and six are 'believing and trying'. Steps Seven and eight is the “learning” stage, and steps nine to ten is called 'self-reliance'

To conclude, the recovery model must be recognized as a vital and the most important model to begin with. The reason for this is that it focuses on what is important to an individual suffering from either long- or short-term mental illness. To educate an individual to recognize their condition, understand it better and then proceed to fundamentally address areas of development, individuals can self-medicate. By simply educating the public about these basic step programs, society can feel a sense of self-worth, and naturally would lead people to teach each other. However, it must be noted that not all individuals are able to overcome some mental health disorders, either because of genetic or chemical imbalances certain people would benefit from a blended approach to their mental wellness.

Now we will analyse mental illness, and how it is perceived by the public and the media. The WHO (world health organisation) recognises the importance of an individual's mental wellness, they state “In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the significant role mental health plays in achieving global development goals'. They also outline that depression is one of the leading causes of disability and that suicide is the second leading cause of death among fifteen-to-twenty-nine-year-olds. It is also stated that despite their being progress in certain countries individuals who suffer from mental illness face human rights violations, discrimination, and stigma.

One misconception is that individuals with mental health problems are violent, especially conditions like schizophrenia, when statistics show that they are far more likely to harm themselves than others. If individuals are receiving effective treatment, they are no more violent than any other members of the public providing they are not misusing drugs or alcohol. It can also be highlighted that the movie industry can portray psychopaths negatively and this will no doubt cause confusion within society. Movies such as “American psycho”, and “catch me if you can” give the impression that psychopaths are intriguing, gutless, dishonest and in some cases downright terrifying. However, scientific research evidence that psychopathy is a personality disorder and is misunderstood. The term psychopath is portrayed by the media and movie industry as a label of people who the public construe as evil and should be avoided.

Another area in which individuals with mental health issues can be affected is when it comes to employment. Studies suggest, people with severe mental health problems have a lower rate of employment than any other disabled group, but they are more likely than any other group with disabilities to want to have a job. Up to 90% say they would like to work, compared with 52% of disabled people generally. With statistics like these it is no wonder that, “92% of public believe that disclosing a history of mental health problems would damage a person's career”.

Evidence would suggest that even the neighbourhood an individual lives in can not only affect their mental health and make things worse, but it can also create mental health issues like depression. 'Signs of neighbourhood disorder, such as crime, vandalism and exposure to rubbish, are thought to indicate problems in the residential environment, by elevating the level of stress and fear among residents'. Therefore, both the neighbourhood in which an individual lives along with the social cohesion an individual has within it can be linked to mental health conditions.

In 2013 the Sun published an article claiming “1,200 people have been killed by ‘mental patients”, however according to the guardians article it can be disproved. For example, “In 2010-11 635 homicides were recorded in and Wales. That means 95% of murders were committed by individuals who had not been diagnosed with a mental health problem”, this is evidence that the Sun’s statements are incorrect.

“Time to Change Wales is a national campaign to end the stigma faced by people with mental health problems”. Time to change Wales is an integral charity helping people to understand mental health issues. It is reassuring to see the Welsh government invest another £1.4 million which will allow the charity to continue to support our society further until 2025. With the misunderstanding and labelling that media has portrayed on society it is imperative that charities such as time to change continue the integral work they do, to ensure that people can better understand mental health and not feel they will be discriminated against for doing so.

An example of discrimination is illustrated in an article published by the newspaper the Guardian. The NHS conducted a survey using 1,741 people to establish how they perceive individuals with mental health issues. The results concluded “1 in 5 said anyone with a history of mental problems should be excluded from taking public office. 1 in 10 said it is frightening to think of people with mental problems living in residential neighbourhoods. Finally, 1 in 10 said a woman would be foolish to marry a man who has suffered from mental illness, even though he seems fully recovered”.

Individuals that suffer from or have suffered from mental health problems say that they are unable to do things that they like due to stigma and discrimination. This means that it influences all aspects of their lives for example 'work, education, friendships, community participation, going to the shops, going to the pub and talking to other people about their mental health problems'.

Even though most recently there have been major developments regarding stigma and discrimination around mental health, with charities such as Time to change and mind. The (WHO) World health organization states 'Stigma is a major cause of discrimination and exclusion: it affects people's self-esteem, helps disrupt their family relationships and limits their ability to socialize and obtain housing and jobs. It hampers the prevention of mental health disorders, the promotion of mental well-being and the provision of effective treatment and care. It also contributes to the abuse of human rights'. In 2013 the WHO European Mental Health Action Plan proposed a “independent, individual and mutual-enforcing approach” to tackling stigma and discrimination against mental health. These steps are “improve the mental well-being of the population and reduce the burden of mental disorders, with a special focus on vulnerable groups, exposure to determinants and risk behaviours”. The second step is “respect the rights of people with mental health problems and offer equitable opportunities to attain the highest quality of life, addressing stigma and discrimination”.  And finally, the third step “establish accessible, safe and effective services that meet people's mental, physical and social needs and the expectations of people with mental health problems and their families”.

In 2013, at the sixty-third session of the Regional Committee for Europe, it was agreed by all fifty-three member states that people who suffer from mental health illness should have the right to a healthy life and allowed access to services to address their individual needs. The WHO argues that they “strongly believes that every person with a mental health problem, whatever the mental health problem, has a right to the same opportunities as everyone else in every aspect of their life”.

The Government states, “One of the main problems faced by people with mental health problems is discrimination”. As an example, their report demonstrated that only around five in ten people state that they would not be willing to associate themselves with someone with schizophrenia. It is also recognized that the two primary areas affected by someone who has a mental health issue are relationships with their family, friends, job, and work life balance. However, it can also be noted that an individual's sense of self-worth and self-stigma can also affect them.

According to the Mind website mental health has been on the rise in recent years. Even though suicidal thoughts or self-harm are not mental health conditions, they are intricately linked to mental health and too are on the rise. It is imperative that all countries around the world adapt to accepting mental health and with the wide range of people that it can affect, we must all work together to tackle the burden it can create in people's lives.

To conclude, all of us at some point in our lives will either experience or meet someone who is or has suffered from mental health issues. Therefore, it is imperative that a better education is needed to address the disconnect and the misconceptions society has. With mental health issues and suicide rates on the rise we must all accept responsibility when it comes to mental health. It is vital to talk about and more importantly be open to conversations with others who may be struggling, while analysing the three models of health, it must be understood that all the models are needed and play an integral path to recovery. If we as a civilization are to win the battle against mental health, we must all say no to the stigma and banish the discrimination associated with all conditions.