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MENTAL HEALTH |
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by mental, behavioral, neurological and substance use disorders. Mental health problems are genuine. They affect one's thoughts, body, feelings, and behavior. Mental health problems are not just a passing phase. They can be severe, seriously interfere with a person's life, and even cause a person to become disabled. Mental health problems include:
- Depression,
- Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness),
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,
- Anxiety disorders,
- Eating disorders,
- Schizophrenia, and
- Conduct disorder.
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Mental illnesses affect the functioning and thinking processes of the individual, greatly diminishing his or her social role and productivity in the community. In addition, because mental illnesses are disabling and last for many years, they take a tremendous toll on the emotional and socio-economic capabilities of relatives who care for the patient, especially when the health system is unable to offer treatment and support at an early stage.
This can be reduced by:
- Openly talking about mental illness in the community.
- Providing accurate information on the causes, prevalence, course and effects of mental illness.
- Countering the negative stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding mental illness.
- Providing support and treatment services that enable persons suffering from a mental illness to participate fully in all aspects of community life.
- Ensuring the existence of legislation to reduce discrimination in the workplace, in access to health and social community services.
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