Mental Illness as a Social Problem - Essay Example

Mental Illness Is a Social Problem Name Institution Professor Course Date Introduction Mental health care is one of the greatest unmet needs in the contemporary world. Estimates from a 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing indicated that 7.3 million people in Australian aged between 16 and 85 experience a common mental disorder such as substance abuse disorder, anxiety, mood disorder and depression over their lifetime (ABS, 2008). Three million Australians are guesstimated to experience a mental disorder symptom. Nearly 64,000 people in Australia in 2010 had a psychotic illness (AIHW, 2012) Although psychotic disorders are less common, they are severe forms of mental illness and they include diseases such as schizophrenia. Notwithstanding the severity of mental health illnesses in Australia, millions of individuals living with mental health disorders do not get the care they need thereby making mental illness a social problem. Drawing on sociological concepts of class and poverty, this essay assesses mental illness as a social problem. Defining a Social Problem A social problem entails an issue that affects people and is contested by a great number of people within a society. A social problem is an upshot of aspects that surpass a person’s control. Social problems are issues that affect and destroy society and are viewed as being objectionable. Rwomire (2001) asserts that social problems comprise of phenomena that are complex to define clearly and succinctly. This is because socially problematic behaviours and conditions are shrouded in value judgements and cultural relativity besides political contention. Social problems tend to arouse empathetic and passionate feelings. According to Rwomire (2001), social problems are culture-specific and they differ from time to time. For instance, a problem for the lower class could be a golden prospect for the middle class. Examples of well-recognised social problems include alcoholism, AIDs, abortion, child abuse and mental illness to mention but a few. Rwomire (2001) stress that a social problem is a situation affecting a great number of people that is believed to be a source of unhappiness or difficulty and that is able of amelioration. According to Mooney, Knox and Sichacht (2014), although social issues take many forms, they share two essential components, which include a subjective interpretation and objective social condition. The objective component of a social problem entails the subsistence of a social condition. The subjective element, on the other hand, entails the belief that a certain social condition is destructive to society or to a portion of society and that, which can be altered. In this regard, a social problem is a social condition that a part of society considers destructive to members of society and requires remedy Mental Illness as a Social Problem Mental illness is a social problem because it is an undesirable situation or condition judged by an influential number of individuals within a community to be unendurable and requires action towards a constructive reform. From a perspective of rehabilitation, individuals with serious mental sicknesses move beyond the limitations of their sicknesses and reclaim valued roles in society. People with serious mental sicknesses become homeless because they are poor and because the mainstream health, housing, social, mental health and vocational services program are unwilling or unable to serve them. These people are subject to constant discrimination, violence and stigma. Stressful situations can trigger exacerbation and reoccurrence of the symptoms of mental illness and these symptoms can consequently augment the individuals’ vulnerability of become homeless. According to Heller and Gitterman (2010), social workers are in a distinct position to alter the rates of community violence and tackle the linked social upshots because social work stresses the individual and environment. The World Health Organisation acknowledges the significance of psychological wellbeing. WHO defines health as a state of complete social, mental and physical well-being. With respect to this definition, it is suggested that the study of social problems essentially involves the study of health problems because each social problem affect social, physical and mental conditions of humans and the social organisations of which they are a part. Mental illness is a social problem because the embarrassment and shame linked to mental problems discourage individuals from accepting and talking about them. The stigma of being viewed as mentally ill can depressingly affect a person’s self-concept and disqualify that individual from full social acceptance. According to Mooney, Knox and Richacht (2014), negative stereotypes of persons with mental illness contribute to its stigma. One of the most general stereotypes of individuals with mental illness is that they are violent and dangerous. Even though untreated mental illness can lead to violent conduct, the vast majority of individuals with severe mental illness is not violent and is engaged in only four percent of violent crimes (Mooney, Knox & Richacht,2014). In essence, persons with mental illness are much more likely to be violence victims compared to members of the general public. Poverty and Mental Illness People with mental health disorders are at increased danger of declined life quality, reduced productivity, poverty, educational difficulties, vulnerability to abuse, social problems and extra health issues. For instance, education is compromised when mental disorders deter people from completing their learning. People with psychological disorders are likely not to complete their education. Given that people with psychological disorders do not complete their education, they are less productive as most of them remain unemployed. Lowered employment potential and reduced earnings put people with mental health issues at an augmented danger of poverty. Apparently, poverty acts as a risk factor for psychological disorders with these disorders increasing the danger that people will remain or drift in poverty. In addition, the effects of mental health issues increase the rates of homelessness among people with psychological disorders. Between 20 and 25 percent of the homeless population, suffer from mental health issues (Mooney, Knox & Richacht, 2014).Mental health disorders also lead to other stressor and health problems. For example, people with comorbid depression are 3 times less expected to follow medical treatment routine compared to non-depressed people. More so, people with mental health issues are vulnerable to poor quality care as well as violations of human rights specifically in low-income regions with restrained mental health care facilities and resources. People suffering from mental health conditions experience discrimination and social stigma. The care burden for people with mental health conditions falls on patients relatives. Caregivers and families of people with mental health disorders are not able to work at their complete ability because of the caring demands of their sick relatives. This aspect instigates lowered economic output and a decline in household income. Financial cost of taking care of people with mental health disorders and loss of income put these families at augmented danger of poverty. A study carried out in Botswana that explored the experiences of families taking care of people with mental health issues indicated that most families lack medical and financial resources at the community and family levels an aspect that negatively affects provision of sufficient care. Another study carried out in South Africa indicated that caregivers taking care of violent patients fear for their own mental, physical and social wellbeing (Rwomire, 2001). Caregiving roles prevent caregivers from attending social functions, hence social isolation. Even though societal effects of mental health problems differ among nations and cultures, untreated mental sickness hold great cost to society. WHO approximated that mental health issues cost advanced economies between 3 and 4 percent of the GNP. When mental health issues and reduced productivity are considered, WHO approximated that mental health conditions cost nations billon of dollars every year. Besides increasing poverty levels, psychological illness exacerbates public health issues and a burden to national economies. In addition, incarceration and violence among people with mental disorders place a great social and financial burden on nations and communities. According to Tummey and Turner (2008), people with enduring and severe mental health problems can be viewed as one group within this wider underclass and, therefore, occupy an ambiguous socio-political space. People with mental health conditions can be part of economic burden and social threat for society. The likelihood of psychiatric diagnosis declines with augmented socio-economic position. Being poor is bad for mental health, both as a causal aspect as well as a maintenance factor. Poverty is a causal predecessor for some mental health issues and mental health issues create economic disadvantage. The experience of psychiatric disorders is most often deeply private and marked by intense suffering for the patient and her or his close friends and family. While mental health issues instigate poverty, poverty leads to mental disorders. Compton and Shim (2015) asserts that children exposed to poverty at a young age develop mental health problems. However, strong parental social support and high-quality marital relationships tend to minimise the impacts of poverty on mental health. Social Class and Mental Illness Evidence indicates that poverty instigates mental health issues that subsequently deter families and individuals from leaving poverty. Particularly, poverty that is geographical concentrated has been shown to be disadvantageous to mental health. High rates of unemployment, physical and social neighbourhood disorder, single-parent households and crime characterise poor neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood deprivation has been linked to scores of the same mental health issues as household poverty. Poverty is linked to poor access to care. Notably, economically disadvantaged patients experience stressful and chaotic lives that prevent them from in care follow-up in a manner that would assist in addressing their complex social and clinical needs. Burke (2010) confirms that there is a two-way link between social exclusion, poor mental health and poverty. In Ireland, for instance, the highest rates of admission to psychiatric hospitals are the unskilled occupational class. General mental disorders are twice as regular among the lowest income group as compared to the highest income groups. Poor people worry about economic stresses of bringing up their children on low income an aspect that prompt mental health issues. People experience social exclusion or poverty because of their mental health issues. Rogers and Pilgrim (2010) reports that educational achievement and higher-income level are linked to better mental health. Residential stability is also liked to mental health benefits. The relationship between common mental disorders and neighbourhood social capital is evident for people living in deprived circumstances. Poverty is, therefore, a powerful causal focus in comprehending mental health status. A study cited by Rogers and Pigrim (2014) indicated that financially deprived young persons are more likely to commit suicide as their peers in more affluent regions. More so, single mothers demonstrated poorer mental health compared to married women. According to the study, the single mothers were trapped in conditions of isolation and poverty. A study carried out in 2001 indicated that anxiety about debt was the best predictor of depressive symptoms in poor families (Rogers & Pigrim, 2014). Notably, there is consistent proof that people facing debt, hunger and living in overcrowded or poor housing hold very high levels of mental health problems. At individual level, economic inactivity and fewer material assets are powerfully linked to depression. On the contrary, access to health care augments with increasing class status. According to Lee and Newby (2009), class entails the relation to the means of production. Classes are defined with respect to the positions they occupy in the production process. Class is described in relation to the wider organisation of the property system. A group of individuals belong to akin class when they occupy similar position with the property system directing physical assets, labour and intangible assets such money or knowledge. According to Tummey and Turner (2008), social class, just like poverty predicts mental health problems. A study cited by Pescosolido, Mcleod and Rogers (2010) indicated that higher rates of mental health problems were more common among people in lower classes. Diagnoses of personality disorders and schizophrenia are inversely linked to social class. However, for common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, there is a link amid mental health and social disadvantage. Social class also predict treatment where people in lower class receive drugs while those in the upper class receive psychotherapy versions. The effects of structural inequalities and deprivation hold greater impacts on mental health. There is a close link between mental health and economic disadvantage. Apparently, mental health is viewed as a psychological reaction to demoralisation that comes with low income. The constant discrimination and despair experienced by people on lower classes directly affects their psychological health. Structural inequality leads people to felling hopeless and distressed. Financial pressures are often considered as a prevalent reason for poor mental health. People in lower classes experience financial pressures. According to Covington (2008), it has long been acknowledged that surviving on lower income and poverty hold social upshots that can lead to exclusion from social prospects and activities. Poor mental health is linked to perceptions that the locality is in decline while less neighbourliness and reduced leisure prospects further augments the problem. As a result, social class impacts the probability of mental illness with poorest people being around twice as likely to be at danger of developing mental illness as those in average income. People in lower social class are likely to experience increased rate of emotional disturbance, hence development of mental health issues (Weitz, 2012). Conclusion The analysis demonstrates that mental health is not based on individual pathology but on social construct. The social causation prospect takes centre stage in the analysis where mental health illnesses are believed to be caused by social conditions such as social class and poverty. Social class entails a partition of society based on economic and social status while poverty entails a situation where the basic needs of people are not meet. It is a condition where people hold fewer physical or intangible assets compared to others. Poverty is a major risk factor for mental disorders while higher rates of mental illness are reported among the lower social class. Given that a social problem is a condition deemed as harmful to members of society, mental health illness is a social problem. While mental health issues instigate poverty, poverty leads to mental disorder, therefore, poverty and social class affect rate of mental illness. References ABS.(2008). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4326.0Main%20Features320 07 AIHW.(2012). Mental health services: In brief 2012. Australia: AIHW. Burke, S.(2009). Tackling poverty: tackling health inequalities. UK: Combat Poverty Agency. Compton, M., & Shim, R.(2015). The social determinants of mental health. USA: American Psychiatric Pub. Covington, P.(2008). Success in sociology: AS student book AQA. USA: Folens Limited. Heller, N., & Gitterman, A.(2010). Mental health and social problems: A social work perspective, UK, Routledge. Mooney, L., Knox, D., & Schacht, C.(2014). Understanding social problems. UK: Cengage Learning. Pescosolido, B., Martin, J., & Rogers, A.(2010). Handbook of the sociology of health, illness, and healing: A blueprint for the 21st century. UK: Springer Science & Business. Rogers, A., & Pilgrim, D.(2014). A sociology of mental health and illness. UK: McGraw-Hill Education. Rwomire, A.(2001). Social problems in Africa: New visions. Australia. Greenwood Publishing Group. Tummey, R., & Turner, T.(2008). Critical issues in mental health. USA: Palgrave Macmillan. Weitz, R.(2012). The sociology of health, illness, and health care: A critical approach. UK: Cengage Learning. Read More