Summary
There is evidence for the effectiveness of community interventions
for improving mental health and some social outcomes across social-ecological
levels. Studies indicate the importance of ongoing resources and training to
maintain long-term outcomes, explicit attention to ethics and processes to
foster equitable partnerships, and policy reform to support sustainable
healthcare-community collaborations.
What Is Community Mental Health?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, approximately
51.5 million adults in the U.S. (about 1 in 5 adults) experienced mental
illness in 2019. With demand for mental health services only increasing,
ensuring that we have enough providers to treat mental illness is paramount.
Community mental health centers are critical to meeting the demand for mental
health treatment across the country. Filling the gaps when individuals are
unable to obtain treatment from private providers, community mental health
centers operate on the front line in helping individuals contend with
challenges to their mental health.
Definition
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the concept
of community mental health originated with the Community Mental Health Act of
1963. Prior to the passage of that act, individuals with mental illness in the
U.S. were frequently institutionalized, and the quality of the treatment they
received varied significantly.
What are the types of mental illness?
There are many different types of mental illness. Some of the main
groups of mental health disorders are:
- mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar
disorder)
- anxiety disorders
- personality disorders
- psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
- eating disorders
- trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic
stress disorder)
- substance abuse disorders
What are the symptoms of mental illness
Each type of mental illness
has a different set of symptoms. For example, extreme dieting may be a sign
that someone has an eating disorder. Hearing voices could be a sign of psychosis.
An ongoing feeling of hopelessness after childbirth could be a sign of postnatal
depression. People with depression can have a lasting sadness or low mood.
People with anxiety often have excessive worry or fears. Sometimes
feelings of anxiety happen without any apparent reason.
Drastic changes in a
person’s thoughts, moods or behavior can be a sign they have a mental
illness. Changes can be sudden or come on gradually over a long period. A
person who usually copes well with life may start to have trouble
doing their normal activities. These changes can cause them, or their loved
ones, distress. These signs could indicate a mental illness.
Here are some signs
of mental illness to look out for:
- unusual or illogical thoughts
- unreasonable anger or irritability
- poor concentration and memory, not being able to
follow a conversation
- hearing voices that no one else can hear
- increased or decreased sleep
- increased or low appetite, or preoccupation with
control over food, calories or excessive exercise
- lack of motivation
- withdrawing from people
- drug use
- feelings that life is not worth living or suicidal
thoughts
- becoming obsessed with a topic, like death or
religion
- not looking after personal hygiene or other
responsibilities
- not doing as well as usual at school or work
What causes mental illness?
- Researchers are still trying to understand what
causes mental illness. There is not simply one cause, and often it is a
complex mix of factors. These can include genetics and aspects of social
learning, such as how you grew up.
It can also be
impacted by how your brain works and the interplay with your environment. Your
social group, your culture and life experience can also play a part in the
development of a mental illness.
Some examples of
these factors include:
- Genetic factors — having a close family
member with a mental illness can increase the chance that you might get a
mental illness. However, just because one family member has a mental
illness doesn't mean that others will.
- Drug and alcohol abuse — illicit drug use can
trigger a manic episode (bipolar disorder) or an episode of psychosis.
Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines can
cause paranoia.
- Other biological factors — some medical conditions
or hormonal changes can cause mental health problems.
- Early life environment — negative childhood
experiences can increase the risk of some mental illnesses. Examples of
negative childhood experiences are abuse or neglect.
- Trauma and stress — in adulthood, traumatic
life events or ongoing stress can increase the risk of mental illness.
Issues such as social isolation, domestic violence, relationship
breakdown, financial or work problems can impact on mental health.
Traumatic experiences such as living in a war zone can increase the risk
of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Personality factors — some traits such as
perfectionism or low self-esteem can increase the risk of
depression or anxiety.
- therapies for mental illness can
include:
- relaxation strategies for stress relief
- meditation
Support programs
Community programs can help with practical aspects of life such as
employment, education and training, and accommodation. They can be helpful for
people with mental illness that is long-term.
Sometimes mental illness is severe, with a risk of suicide. In
these cases,
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People suffering with mental illnesses should receive psychiatric
treatment and psycho-social rehabilitation facilities with all their
self-esteem, so that they could achieve their potential and be respected as
relatives, neighbors, friends, workers and members of society.
