There has still been stigma attached to mental illnesses, despite the fact that there have been many advances in treatment over the 50-year period. People still believe people with mental illnesses are lazy, or that parents should be held responsible if they have a child. Even insurance companies are reluctant to pay for mental health care. But science now shows that mental illness can be caused by genetics as well as environmental factors.
Deinstitutionalizing Mental Facilities
Several decades ago in the 1960s, the deinstitutionalization movement brought about an abrupt, 180 degree change in the way patients with mental illness were handled and treated. The movement demanded that mentally ill people be removed from both state and private facilities, where they often received very little or no treatment. It was possible to give therapy or medication as an alternative. The attitude toward people living with mental illness began to shift after this event. This movement was intended to show the world that people with mental illnesses are not only part of the community, but also a member of it. “crazies” in need of institutionalization.
Family Therapy
Research has shown that patients’ relationships with family members have a positive or negative impact on their mental illnesses. Family therapy, which was based on this research, has helped people with mental illness stay at home. Integration of people with mental illnesses into the society is now the responsibility of both the patient and their family.
The Treatment Centres
If a mentally ill individual needs to be admitted to hospital, the chances of them being isolated and restrained are less. Today’s mental health care is more focused on day centers with fewer staff and a greater emphasis on group therapy than individual therapy. This has opened the way for halfway houses and allowed patients suffering from severe mental illnesses to return home during the night while still receiving treatment.
Deinstitutionalizing: Problems
There were also some downsides to the deinstitutionalization of metal facilities. Because they can be dangerous for themselves or others, there are people who have mental illnesses that should be placed in an institution. These people are either in prison or on the street because it is illegal to put them in an institution or state hospital.
Help Organizations
Mental health specialists today know that social support networks can be a great help for those suffering from mental illness. These support networks are more helpful for mental illness patients, who tend to be able to recover quicker. Mentally ill people are no longer supported by their family or friends. This has led to the rise of support groups.