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Mental Illness

Mental illness is a source of ôserious social problemsö not just because of the number of people affected by it but also due to the ôextent to which social institutions are strained by efforts to care for themö (Kornblum and Julian et al. 2004, 68). Of the estimated 3.5 million Americans suffering from severe mental illnesses, at least 40 percent do not receive treatment (Kornblum et al. 2004). This is a major problem for society for many reasons. For the untreated sufferer of mental illness, there are a variety of challenges due to being afflicted, from hallucinations to debilitating depression and extreme mood swings. However, society as a whole also faces enormous challenges from mental illness, including stress in family life, heavy demands on social services, and the cost of treatment to taxpayers.

A high number of alcoholics and mentally ill chemical abusers (MICA) contribute to the challenges faced by society from mental illness. One of the most dangerous and painful aspects of mental illness for society is the concept of deinstitutionalization. Deinstitutionalization is the release of mentally ill patients directly into mainstream society. As Kornblum (et al., 2004) points out, such a condition leads to problems for members of the community and the mentally ill, ôSome of these patients are not able to function as normal members of society, and the consequences can be painful both for them and for those who come into contact with themö (69). Another challenge for society due to mental illness is the linkage between mental illness and suicide attempts. This is particularly common among those who suffer from bipolar disease. Such a phenomenon posits a sociological connection, as severe depression leading to suicide may be brought on by a variety of environmental factors such as extreme anxiety over economics or a traumatic divorce. As Kornblum (et al., 2004) argues, ôIt often engenders further depression o...

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Mental Illness. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 14:11, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1711170.html