About Mental Health

Mental distress is now regarded as one of

the biggest health problems facing society

today.It is a subject which is often misunderstood;

it is surrounded by myth, ignorance, uncertainty and

prejudice Mental health problems are not unusual.

Up to one in four adults would describe themselves

asfeeling stressed, depressed or as experiencing mental

distress at any particular time. One in two women are

treated for depression at some stage in their lifetime.

Mental health, like physical health is variable.Think of it in

terms of Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave.

One in four people in the UK has a mental health problem

at some point, which can affect their daily life,

relationships or physical health

Mental health problems can affect anyone. Without support

and treatment, mental health problems can have a serious

effect on the individual and those around them Every year

in the UK, more than 250,000 people are admitted to
psychiatric hospitals and over 4,000 people commit suicide

Mental health disordersMental health disorders
take many different forms and affect people in different

ways. Schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders

are all types of mental health problem. Diseases such as

dementia generally develop in old age, whereas eating

disorders are more common in young people

There is no single cause of mental health problems and

the reasons they develop are complex

Who is affectedMental health problems are more common

in certain groups, such as people with poor living conditions

people from ethnic minority groups disabled people

homeless people offenders

Sometimes, people with mental health problems are

discriminated against. This can lead to social problems

such as homelessness, which may make the mental health

problem worse

Some mental health problems are more common in certain

people. For example, women are more likely than men to

have anxiety disorders and depression. Drug and alcohol

addictions are more common in men, and men are also

more likely to commit suicide

Mental health problems can develop as a result of difficult

life events, such as moving house, losing your job or the

death of someone close to you. Drinking too much alcohol

over a long period of time and using illegal drugs can

contribute to mental health problems, particularly in

people who are already vulnerable

Treatment and support

People with mental health problems need help and support

to enable them to cope with their illness. There are many

treatments, including medication, counselling,

psychotherapy and self help It is important that people

with mental illnesses are told about the options available

so they can decide which treatment suits them best

An important step in the recovery process is for the person

to accept that they are ill and to want to get better. This

can take time, and it is important for family and friends to

be supportive

Many support groups and charities offer advice,

confidential counselling and information about the types

of treatment available and where to get help.Thank you to

http://www.nhs.uk for some of the information on this page