Abstract This paper discusses the high incidence of mentalillness among the homeless and takes a look at the possible connection between homelessness and mentalillness. The paper discusses the adverse impact of homelessness on the treatment of mentalillness and looks at whether homelessness causes psychiatric distress, or whether mentallyill people are homeless because of their psychiatric disorder.
From the Paper "For more than three decades researchers have sought to determine the nature of the relationship between mental illness and homelessness due to the pervasiveness of mental illness in this population. Most recent studies indicated that approximately one-quarter to one-third of the homeless population suffered from a serious mental illness."
Abstract This paper discusses the problem of homelessness in the United States, particularly with regard to the mentallyill. The paper focuses on how the mentallyillhomeless can be helped. It discusses the solution according tothe government, which is to de-institutionalize those who have mentalillness and then looks at the problems associated with that solution.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
History of MentalIllness The Problems of Homelessness De-institutionalizing the MentallyIll A Study of Homelessness, MentalIllness, and Citizenship
From the Paper "The solution according to the government is to deinstitutionalize those who have mental illness, but in reality many of these patients are released from the institutions and become homeless. The process of deinstitutionalization sounds easy and most professionals believe the mentally ill can adjust to the community (Zissi, 2006). Few people understand the problems of the mentally ill when it comes to social environment factors and living in the community. A major problem with the mentally ill adjusting to the community is the stigma of the labels they receive once they are diagnosed. "The stigma of mental illness remains a serious social problem and critical impediment to treatment seeking among diagnosed individuals" (Teachman, Wilson, and Komarovskaya, 2006, p. 75). People who have mental health problems have trouble adjusting to the community because it is not easy for them to make friends and even for family members to develop close relationships with them. Many homeless people who have mental health issues would rather return to the environment of being homeless because they have friends who are also homeless and they are not treated as abnormal."
This paper presents an in-depth look at mentalillness using two stories - "Sybil" and "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden", each details a different type of mentalillness.
1,850 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 59.95
Abstract This paper presents an in-depth look at mentalillness using two stories - "Sybil" and "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden", each detail a different type of mentalillness. The two types, MPD and schizophrenia are often confused with each other.
From the paper:
"Mentalillness has been with us since the beginning of time. There are many types of mentalillness and they vary in severity and duration. Two of the most misunderstood and often misdiagnosed mentalillnesses are Multiple Personality Disorder and Schizophrenia. These disorders are often confused with one another. If we examine the characteristics of each one we will see where their differences are and how they are treated. There are two movies that underscore the ramifications of the disorders and the treatment options of them both. Sybil and I Never Promised You a Rose Garden are both portrayals of mentalillness in women and how that illness affected their lives and families. "
Abstract This paper analyzes mentalillness as a social problem. The paper studies this issue from the interactionist, conflict and functionalist perspectives. The paper asks how mentalillness impacts the individual sufferer and society. The paper also looks at the concept and impact of de-institutionalization.
From the Paper "The challenge of mental illness in society may be viewed as a social problem. Mental illness is a source of serious social problems, not just because of the number of people affected by it but also due to the extent to which social ..."
Tags:mentalillness, functionalist, conflict theory, interactionist, health care, psychology, social problems
Abstract This article consists of two parts. The first part discusses the stakeholders of the MentallyIll Offenders Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004. The advocacy and policy of these stakeholders are discussed, as well as what could have been done differently. The second paper develops a position that agrees with this policy. It addresses the policy's strengths and weaknesses and looks at what should be provided. The writer further discusses how it should be funded, who should administer the program and provides a recommended course of action. "
From the Paper "The stakeholders in the Mentally Ill Offenders Treatment and Crime Reduction Act were many. There were originally five senators who backed the bill as it was initially proposed, including Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio, who introduced the legislation in order "to foster local collaborations which will ensure that resources are effectively and efficiently used within the criminal and juvenile justice systems". These initial stakeholders might have proposed a different and higher amount of funding for grants, etc. in the legislation, as those who sponsored it in the House of Representatives cut funding in half, writing that "the bill authorizes $50 million for the current fiscal year 2005, and such sums as shall be necessary for fiscal years 2006 through 2009" as opposed to the $100 million that the original asked for."
This paper examines the controversial and much debated issue of executing mentallyill individuals who were sentenced to death in capital punishment trials.
Abstract The writer of this paper presents a detailed examination regarding the execution of mentallyill criminals. The writer explores case law, as well as moral issues when it comes to medicating the mentallyill with anti-psychotics so they are well enough to be executed. This paper analyzes the verdicts in several death sentence trials, including the cases of Ford vs. Wainwright and Singleton vs. Norris. In 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the execution of the mentally incompetent violates the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. A prisoner cannot be executed unless sufficiently competent to understand the nature and reasons for his punishment. This paper also details the recent 6-to-5 decision and the first ruling of its kind, in Singleton vs. Norris, that a mentallyill prisoner may be involuntarily medicated with anti-psychotic drugs to restore his competency for execution. The author examines the issue of executing the mentallyill after forcing them to take medication which has been upheld in several U.S. courts . The logic behind such decisions is flawed for several reasons, which are detailed in this paper.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Getting Worse Before it Gets Better
Works Cited
From the Paper "The execution of the mentally ill after forcing them to take medication has been upheld in several US courts. The logic behind such decisions is flawed for several reasons. The mentally ill who are so disordered that they cannot function are not forced to stand trial, nor are they required to answer for their crimes. They are allowed an insanity defense that allows them to seek treatment and eventually apply to be released back to society. It does not make sense, that a mentally ill person can be force fed medications so that they become sane enough to be executed, if defendants cannot be force fed medications for the purpose of understanding their crime and standing trial. The health care industry is built on not harming others."
Abstract This paper examines how from a sociological perspective, the most realistic method of understanding the effects of mentalillness is to explain it as a form of deviance, which from the standpoint of how it is created and perpetuated is more relevant than the medical reasons behind the causes. It relates that mentalillness is a unique form of deviance in that it is a justification for other forms of deviant acts, such as crime, violence and even homosexuality, which are then justified as some form of mentalillness as substantiated by the increased pleas of insanity in the courtrooms.
From the Paper "The behavior found in the mentally ill puts a strain on social relationships, which, in turn, leads to status changes. Overall, mental illness disrupts communication and this disruption can lead to mental illness. As we saw described by Lemert, paranoia is a result of stress in social reactions. Stress can cause a breakdown in normal communication, which will hurt social bonds. Many believe that stress may be a main cause of mental illness, among other diseases. One observation is that social roles in society have differing exposure to stress and thus have a different opportunity to be mentally ill."
Abstract This paper starts with an incident/case involving the interaction of a nurse and individual with mentalillness or an encounter with someone suspected of being mentallyill. The paper describes the development of this scenario. Finally, it provides a short explanation on an article by article basis of how the literature helped or changed the writers thinking about the stigma of mentalillness.
From the Paper "According to the US Surgeon General (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as cited in Halter, 2002), stigma is "manifested by bias, distrust, stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, anger and/or avoidance of the stigmatized group." The stigma carried by mental health is two-fold: a significant stigma for the victim and for the mental health professional. Out of approximately 28% of the population having a mental illness, only 8% will actively seek treatment (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as cited in Halter, 2002) because of the associated stigma; many nurses do not admit they are psychiatric nurses for the same reason. This paper provides a brief case profile and questions formulated based on the case. A discussion on research related to the case and questions will is presented."
Abstract An exploration into the many different types of mentalillnesses and what the illnesses do to the patient, their symptoms and their treatment. Illnesses examined are: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Multiple Personality Disorder and various eating disorders. Major focus is given to treatment of these illnesses and the breakthroughs in this field.
From the Paper "Schizophrenia is a disorder that can affect anyone. It is the greatest the greatest disorder that effects teenagers. When someone is affected by the disorder it is not just that one person that has to learn to deal with it, the families of the patients must also learn to deal with it."
Abstract This paper examines how mental as well as physical well-being is essential to live a prosperous life. It highlights and discusses the various possible factors that contribute to the mental disorders found in juveniles such as psychological reasons, cultural aspects, sociological causes and biological factors.
Outline
Statement of the Problem
Thesis Statement
Employed Research Methodologies and Tools and Techniques
A Brief Overview
Possible Factors Causing MentalIllnesses in Juveniles
Suggestions for Ameliorating the Issue at Hand
Putting All Together: A Quick Recap
Conclusion
From the Paper "With the world rapidly transmuting into a global village, diversity in all walks of life as augmented manifolds thereby posing various challenges for the people involved. One such problem that MUST be looked into with far more pull pertains to the mental well being of children of all ages. Various factors some known whereas others still unknown come into play and are usually working vitally behind the high crime rates in juveniles, severe lack of patience, tolerance and mental as well as emotional stability and innumerable serious mental illnesses among children. For similar reasons, massive figures indicate that mental illnesses in children are quite common. This further gives rise to a chain of connected issues and problems for the world at large."
Abstract The paper contends that the fact that the adult and juvenile justice systems are overpopulated with persons with mentalillness is symptomatic of a misdirected public policy that has failed to fully fund mental health services. The paper argues further that lack of treatment for people with mentalillness allows them to become a part of a vicious cycle that hurts themselves and society at large. Statistics that illustrate how prisons and jails are taking the place of what our healthcare systems could be handling are included in the paper.
From the Paper "Studies have repeatedly shown that there is a link between mental illness and individuals who are incarcerated. The topic is an important one and goes much further than merely noticing that there is a relationship; lack of adequate resources in our communities has led to the loss of resources for individuals who suffer from mental deterioration. The lack of resources and treatment is a huge factor, which leads individuals to certain behavior that could find them incarcerated (Goin, 2004). According to Felson et al (2008), "offenders with mental health problems tend to engage in more deviant types of criminal acts that those without such problems"."
Abstract This paper is an examination of Electroshock Therapy in the treatment of mental health problems. It focuses on the negative societal views that are held about Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and gives a history of its use. The writer argues that there is much ignorance surrounding ECT and that the misuse of the treatment have led to misunderstandings about its effectiveness. In conclusion the paper presents ECT as an effective treatment for severe mentalillness. It maintains that despite being viewed negatively by the public it is a valuable treatment particularly in cases where speed of treatment is necessary.
From the Paper "In the field of mental health, an area of medicine already associated with very negative societal views, there are few treatment methods more negatively perceived than electroshock, or more commonly, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A recent study by two British doctors, published in the Journal of ECT, provided concrete representation of these negative attitudes. After viewing twenty-two films that included scenes of ECT made between 1948 and 2000, the authors concluded the treatment was first shown as a "severe but helpful" remedy for mental illness (McDonald and Walter)."
Abstract This paper discusses mentallyill individuals and homelessness. The paper looks at the incidence of mentallyill persons among the homeless population and suggests reasons why they make up such a high proportion of that population. The paper suggests ways to reduce the incidence of homelessness in the general population and in the mentallyill population, in particular. The paper then discusses the book "Treating the HomelessMentallyIll: A Report of the Task Force on the HomelessMentallyIll," written by Richard H. Lamb.
From the Paper "What treatment and services that did exist in state hospitals were in one place and under one administration, however in the community services and treatment are under various administrative jurisdiction and in various locations (Lamb). Lamb points out that even the "mentally healthy" have difficulty in dealing with the numerous bureaucracies, both governmental and private, and actually succeeding in getting their needs met (Lamb). Moreover, it is much easier for patients to get lost in the community as compared to a hospital, where, although they may have been neglected, at least their whereabouts were known (Lamb)."
Tags: treatment, institutionalization, health, community
