Mental Illness

[FarKenOath]

Why are their so many people with mental issues these days?

[cazzz1975]

Im guessing there is more knowledge than in previous years which highlights them, maybe years ago it would be swept under the carpet

[FarKenOath]

Probably true cazz but it seems that there is an ever increasing pool of people in need of counselling for virtually every obstacle that life throws at people.

[cazzz1975]

well yes, the government nannying policies do not help, sometimes people need to learn the hard way, adversity makes people stronger!

also unlike years ago we are a more materialistic and shallow society and so work more hours and of course that brings on more stress which can cause mental health problems

[FarKenOath]

I agree. The problem is how to handle all the people who have been so nannied by both the state and their friends and families that they have a mental breakdown when someone finally expects them to do something for themselves.

[sara3]

maybe people going into counselling are trying to avoid a "mental breakdown"?

[ParkChoi]

i'm not saying all mentally ill people, but, too much drugs around and many of them have life too easy. not a worry in this world. nothing to challenge and occupy the great mind we were given.

[keyplus90]

Because more and more people have started believing that they are clever enough to denounce the guidance from the creator. They are clever enough to solve all the problems without any help. They are clever enough to have understood all the secrets of the world.

Well, when you start believing like this then.........................guess what?

[ParkChoi]

Keyplus, what are the secrets of the world? Please share, perhaps i could become wiser. : -)

[FarKenOath]

Keyplus, have you forgotten to take your medication again!!!!

[JockSporran]

There always were mental health issues but until relatively recently, people were simply 'put away' in the asylum or mental institution. In 1976, for example, half of all NHS beds were in psychiatric wards or hospitals. Many of these old psychiatric hospitals have since been closed down. Nowadays the Health Service tries to provide care and support to people without admission to hospital.

[tatu]

ask katerich,,shes an expert

[andy-hughes]

The concept of 'mentl health' is extremely wide-ranging, from minor to trumatic and life-threatening, and cannot be simply catagorised in any way.

cazz1975 is right, there is a greater understanding of mental health today, although the stigma and fear attatched to it linger on even now.

I think the concept of 'learning the hard way' may seem harsh - we don't tech people to swim by throwing them in the deep end!

keyplus90 appears to be introducing a religious element into the debate - although as an atheist, I cannopt comment.

[brionon]

Had to wait for the 3rd answer before some clown blamed the Government.

[keyplus90]

When someone says that we know about more things than we did few years ago. Then in simple words that means we still do not know a lot more things.

Parkchoi, if I knew about everything I would let you know, until then I would like to know and follow your instructions as you seem to know all. Perhapsinstead of wasting billions, NASA should ask you what is and is not on Mars.

[wolf63]

I have suffered from mental health problems all my life and was finally diagnosed as having Bipolar disorder for about 12 years.

I think that people are less ashamed of their illness these days. People from all walks of life suffer from mental health problems and it is no longer a sign of a weak mind. People are no longer afraid to ask for help from the medical profession either.

As my brother says "every family has a crazy relative, in our family it just happens to be you".

:-)

[Stevesw]

It does seem to me that more people are less able to 'cope' with life than they used to. As said previously counselling is way over the top and is offered at the drop of a hat now. Whenever you hear on the news of a tragic school shooting you hear that pupils are receiving counselling whether thay actually witnessed anything or not? You hear of police officers receiving counselling for seeing a car accident, how strange (no I cant remember details) I think there is an element of making a job for people. Dont get me wrong, counselling plays an important part in soceity when it is truly needed, not when someone is feelling a bit 'fragile'.Mebbe we are weaker as generations go on or mebbe dont have close enough friends to talk to about it?

[joko]

there are theories that its down to the things we put into our bodies nowadays, that didnt exist 50-70 years ago....such as various general medication, the pill etc....fluoride in the water, amalgam mercury fillings, clothes dyes and cleaning solutions, various food additives etc etc...

also over the years it is apparently passed down through the kids and builds up

[ELVIS68]

I`ve overcome my mental issues by making motorcycles out of marshmallows

[*Princess*]

Mental Illness has always been around, it's just lately that it's been widely accepted as being an illness.

That said I can see how people can milk it to get benefits, which I find disgusting.