[Mari]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014...ntent=20140815

Has Health Law Helped Young People Get Mental Health Treatment? Maybe

That's consistent with what we know from national data. We know that at any point in time, among individuals who screen positive for mental health problems fewer than half of them get any kind of care. And when you look at substance abuse, that number is much lower — around 10 percent.

There's a lot of stigma. We need to do everything that can be done so people feel less ashamed of saying "I have depression" or "I have an anxiety disorder" or "I have bipolar disorder."

[Lara]

Good post, Mari.

[I'm in different country of course, but it's similar here]

People don't have the resources to pay for treatment here either from what I've seen myself but there are deeper issues.

The percentages they mentioned in the article you posted are actually shocking.
More than 2/3 of young adults get no help.
Fewer than 10% of people with substance abuse do get help.

I'm not sure exactly why they separated the young adults screened for mental health issues and the people with substance abuse issues but that's just my thought.

Stigma is still alive and well unfortunately and that's despite all the fancy ads on our tv and all the studies etc.. Stigma in the workplace is a major issue.

Depression in Australian workplaces more ‘hidden’ than in Europe: new research

I don't believe it's because people are getting better treatment. I think the stigma has a lot more to do with it.

just my opinion though.

[Lara]

While I'm on my soapbox, can I just say something else...

I have this major issue with the term "mental illness" and the way it is used in society.

It's used as if it's something obscure or untouchable and as if it's dissociated from the physical body.

It doesn't matter what type of illness a person has, it's all organic.

Every person with any illness deserves the same degree of respect.

There's this amazing book by an author called John Marsden called Prayers for the 21st Century. One of the quotes in the book goes like this...

"may those who live in the shadows be seen by those in the sun".

I think it's my favourite quote of all time.

[waves]

Originally Posted by Lara

I'm not sure exactly why they separated the young adults screened for mental health issues and the people with substance abuse issues but that's just my thought.

I think the substance abuse group would be a subset of (not separate from) the mental health group, because substance abuse dx's fall under mental health. That's how I interpreted it, anyway.

Originally Posted by Lara

While I'm on my soapbox, can I just say something else...

I have this major issue with the term "mental illness" and the way it is used in society.

It's used as if it's something obscure or untouchable and as if it's dissociated from the physical body.

[Lara]

Thanks waves. I misunderstood that part.
I thought they had separated the substance abuse people from the others and wondered why they were doing that.

[Mari]

Originally Posted by Lara

The percentages they mentioned in the article you posted are actually shocking.
More than 2/3 of young adults get no help.
Fewer than 10% of people with substance abuse do get help.

Lara,

I wonder if doctors are part of the stigma problem because they are not paying attention and are not comfortable.
They are not good observers and they are not asking questions --
so even people who do go to the doctor (maybe for an infection) are not getting help with what might be a more serious issue.

Mari

[Mari]

Lara,

Originally Posted by Lara

Depression in Australian workplaces more ‘hidden’ than in Europe: new research

‘Not disclosing a mental illness increases stress and prevents access to the very support that can promote successful employment. With one in five Australians experiencing some form of mental illness every year, we are talking about as many as 2 million facing difficulties in the workplace,’ explains Heath.

That is really crummy.
It is stressful to "hide" what is going on.

Mari

[Mari]

Originally Posted by waves

I think the substance abuse group would be a subset of (not separate from) the mental health group, because substance abuse dx's fall under mental health. That's how I interpreted it, anyway.

Waves and Lara,

The idea of the subset is confusing.

I looked for the actual study to find a clearer sense but only could get to the abstract.

Re "Mental Ilness" as a defining term.
I have heard "Behavioral Disorder." I am not sure if that works anymore (if it ever did) especially as we know more science and the epigenitcs of such.

For me the problem is that it is an Invisible Disorder.
There are tons of us walking around -- some functioning, some not, some in between depending on the day and time -- and we are expected to be like everyone else.


Mari

[Brokenfriend]

I hope that the young people get better psychiatrists,and councilors. I went to a psychologist a long time ago,and didn't like it.

It's possible that there are good psychologists out there,but I prefer psychiatrists,councilors,and Nurse Practitioners.

If a doctor is using psychology on me,I know it. I wasn't born yesterday,and I know when someone is trying to talk me out of being nervous,and depressed. We cannot be talked out of our mental health challenges,but we can be helped with medications,and counciling. I don't know why I got on this subject about psychologists. BF

[Mari]

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

I hope that the young people get better psychiatrists,and councilors. I went to a psychologist a long time ago,and didn't like it.

It's possible that there are good psychologists out there,but I prefer psychiatrists,councilors,and Nurse Practitioners.

If a doctor is using psychology on me,I know it. I wasn't born yesterday,and I know when someone is trying to talk me out of being nervous,and depressed. We cannot be talked out of our mental health challenges,but we can be helped with medications,and counciling. I don't know why I got on this subject about psychologists. BF

Steve,

I agree about the psychologists being patronizing.
I used to argue with my guy when he did that.
Maybe they are good with some people -- I hope so.

M