Early mortality and mental illness: ‘Fatal’ Discrimination

2015 ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Anindya Das ◽  
Mohan Rao ◽  
Mercian Daniel

Worldwide research has provided evidence of premature death in people with mental illness (as compared to the general population). Moreover, in recent decades, the mortality gap between the preceding two groups has not shown any decline even in countries with the most accessible/responsive health systems. This essay considers mortality to be influenced by a multiplicity of factors, many of which, in addition, influence the rate of occurrence and recovery from mental illnesses. The essay examines these factors and analyses them through the lens of structural discrimination (defined as institutional and social structures that perpetuate norms, practices and behavior that deny opportunities/rights to others, often members of a minority). The implications for India in this regard are also reflected upon.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S740-S740
Author(s):  
J. Radović ◽  
I. Roncevic-Grzeta ◽  
J. Rebic

This paper reports the results of a medical research that measured prejudice and attitudes towards mentally ill people and towards the mental illness. Three groups of respondents were studied: medical students, psychology students and the general population. Medical students and psychology students represented a population that is educated in regards to mental illness, and the general population was not trained so much about mental illness. The hypothesis was that the respondents who have been working with mentally ill people and had lots of knowledge about mental illnesses were the persons with less prejudice towards people with mental illness. The main objective of research was to examine the differences in prejudice and attitudes between respondents who had experience and knowledge related to mental illness and people with mental illness compared to those without such knowledge and experience. Testing was conducted using an anonymous online survey consisting of thirteen questions. The research confirmed the hypothesis and it could be an incentive for education aimed at specific groups.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayssa Rekhis ◽  
Sami Ouanes ◽  
Abir Ben Hamouda ◽  
Rym Rafrafi

Purpose This study aims to assess the awareness about the rights of people with mental illness in the main psychiatric hospital in Tunisia among the service users, the family members and the staff. Design/methodology/approach The Convention of Rights of People with Disabilities mandates that State Parties initiate and maintain campaigns and human rights training to promote understanding of the rights of people with mental illnesses, considered as a main factor for their fulfillment. Service users, family members and staff evaluated, through a survey, the importance of ten rights for persons with mental illness, stated in the convention. Findings Disparities were found in the perception of the different rights by and between the three groups. The highest levels of awareness were associated with the freedom from torture or degrading treatment and the right to live with dignity and respect, whereas the lower importance were assigned to the right to participation in recovery plans, to give consent and to exercise legal capacity. Originality/value The lack of awareness and the poor perception of rights of people with mental illness is one of the barriers to their achievement. More training and awareness raising is necessary.


2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Campion ◽  
Ken Checinski ◽  
Jo Nurse

This article reviews the current literature regarding treatments for smoking cessation in both the general population and in those with mental health problems. The gold-standard treatment for the general population is pharmacotherapy (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or varenicline) coupled with individual or group psychological support. This is also effective in helping people with mental illness to reduce or quit smoking, but care must be taken to avoid adverse medication interactions and to monitor antipsychotic medication in particular as cigarette consumption reduces.


Author(s):  
Prerna Kukreti ◽  
Prerna Khanna ◽  
Amit Khanna

Homelessness is a complex socio-economic problem complicated by individual attributes and risk factors. The burning issue of homelessness has been a subject of concern in the modern day world often stretching the existing administrative system to innovate and design models for managing the same. With the changing definitions of homelessness, the estimates have also varied across cultures and countries. Because of the inherent difficulty in studying homelessness, accurate estimates of the number of homeless are lacking. Most studies in the West report that approximately 288 per 10,000 people are homeless. With the accurate data on homelessness lacking, the estimates of mental illness amongst homeless is even more obscure. The prevalence of mental illness amongst homeless is higher than that compared to the general population. Researchers have theorized various stressors related to homelessness as precipitating factors of mental illness. There is dearth of literature on mental illness in homeless population which is representative of the homeless population at a national level.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Lesuffleur ◽  
M Coldefy ◽  
A Rachas ◽  
C Gastaldi-Ménager ◽  
P Tuppin

Abstract Background People with a mental illness have higher risks of somatic diseases and higher mortality, but this has been poorly documented in France. We studied the associations between mental illnesses and acute cardiovascular events (ACEs) and cancers in the French national health data system (SNDS). Methods We included all health insurance general scheme beneficiaries ≥18 years-of-age in 2016. Mental illnesses (psychotic disorder, neurotic or mood disorder, mental retardation and addictive disorder), ACEs (acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, acute heart failure and pulmonary embolism) and cancers (breast, colorectal, lung and prostate) were identified using algorithms based on long-term disease registry, hospitalization diagnoses and specific drug deliveries. The associations were measured using morbidity ratios standardized by age and gender when appropriate (SMRs). Results ACEs were more frequent in the subjects with a mental illness than in the general population: ACS (SMR: 1.6), stroke (2.3), acute heart failure (1.9), pulmonary embolism (2.4). Similar results were found for each mental illness, except for ACS, which were less frequent in those with a mental retardation (SMR: 0.5) and were not associated with psychotic disorder (SMR: 1.0). Mental illness was also associated with more frequent breast (SMR: 1.3), colorectal (1.3), lung (2.0) and prostate (1.2) cancers, in particular for those with a neurotic or mood disorder (SMRs: 1.3, 1.5, 2.3, 1.2, respectively) and, for lung cancer, those with an addictive disorder (SMR: 2.6). Conclusions Globally, ACEs and cancers were more frequent in patients with a mental illness relative to the general population after standardization by age and gender, which could be related to adverse effects of certain psychotropic drugs or behaviours or risk factors related to the mental illness. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this to more adequately account for the specificities of the patients with a mental illness. Key messages ACEs and cancers were more frequent in patients with a mental illness relative to the general population after standardization by age and gender. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this to more adequately account for the specificities of the patients with a mental illness.


2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Bates ◽  
Vivien Kemp ◽  
Mohan Isaac

The physical health of individuals with long-term mental illnesses has long been of concern. In Western Australia, the overall mortality rate from preventable causes of people living with mental illness was reported to be 2.5 times greater than that of the general population. A trial peer support service was initiated to assist people with mental illness to attend to their physical health needs. This paper presents the planning, implementation, and results of this collaborative initiative involving nongovernment agencies, the public mental health service, consumers of mental health services, and the University of Western Australia.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Thornicroft ◽  
Diana Rose ◽  
Nisha Mehta

SummaryThis article discusses the evidence that experiences of stigmatisation and discrimination among people with mental illnesses are common and may be severe. Furthermore, there are growing concerns that people with mental illness receive second-class physical healthcare. Beyond this, some aspects of psychiatric practice are reported as being insensitive, disrespectful or even disabling. We consider whether such claims are justified and what psychiatrists can do, directly and indirectly, to reduce stigma and discrimination and improve our practice.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 1265-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Winkler ◽  
Karolína Mladá ◽  
Miroslava Janoušková ◽  
Aneta Weissová ◽  
Eva Tušková ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Diefenderfer ◽  
Courtney Iuppa ◽  
Carrie Kriz ◽  
Leigh Anne Nelson

Abstract Introduction People with mental illness continue to face stigma, despite these illnesses being common. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced stigma in pharmacy students after various exposures and education, although results have been mixed. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) in psychiatric pharmacy on students' stigma toward patients with mental illness using the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers (OMS-HC) at 2 psychiatric hospitals. Methods This was a prospective, multicenter survey study of pharmacy students on an APPE rotation at an inpatient psychiatric hospital conducted during 3 academic years. Prior to starting and upon completion of their rotation, participants completed the OMS-HC and provided demographic and rotation information. Results A total of 26 students participated in the prerotation survey, with 88.5% (n = 23) completing the postrotation survey. The primary outcome showed a significant decrease in total OMS-HC score (Z = −2.376, P = .017), indicating a decreased level of stigma at rotation completion. Analysis of the OMS-HC subscales for attitudes toward people with mental illness and attitudes toward self-disclosure of a mental illness also yielded significant decreases (Z = −2.425, P = .015; Z = −2.462, P = .014, respectively). Discussion This study showed that APPE rotations at inpatient psychiatric hospitals may help reduce stigma among pharmacy students. Pharmacy schools should consider increasing access to and encouraging completion of psychiatric pharmacy rotations to help reduce stigma prior to graduation.


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