Social and Individual Impact
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- Community based rehabilitation is important after the tsunami catastrophe happened in Sri Lanka. The tsunami left physical and psychological marks on those, who survived. © CBM / Lohnes
25 % of individuals develop one or more mental disorders at some stage in life. At present, about 450 million people worldwide are affected.
In addition to their mental impairment, these people often experience stigma and superstition, isolation from their community, and they are especially vulnerable to human rights abuses.
Mental illness affects many people in their most productive years. Mental illness thus has a substantial impact on their economic activity, restricting their careers and putting on them a risk of poverty.
In addition to their mental impairment, these people often experience stigma and superstition, isolation from their community, and they are especially vulnerable to human rights abuses.
Mental illness affects many people in their most productive years. Mental illness thus has a substantial impact on their economic activity, restricting their careers and putting on them a risk of poverty.
Main Causes of Mental Illness
Many mental and behavioural disorders – like psychoses, alcohol dependence, post-traumatic stress disorders etc. – are caused by a complex interaction of physical and environmental conditions. Physical and mental impairment are often linked: Mental disorder may result from the extraordinary burden of impairment as well as from a traumatic experience which caused the disability – like war or an accident.
Neurological diseases like epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis cause mental illness as well.
Neurological diseases like epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis cause mental illness as well.
Care and Rehabilitation
Some mental health disorders can be prevented, and all can be successfully managed and treated.
The key factor for diagnosis and treatment is the community. There is no necessity to intervene if those most closely involved see no problem.
Treatment focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration, involving not only medication, but counselling, education, living skills, vocational training, and emotional competency skills training. A holistic approach emphasises strengths and resources, not weaknesses and pathologies, and involves natural support systems like families, peers and community members.
The key factor for diagnosis and treatment is the community. There is no necessity to intervene if those most closely involved see no problem.
Treatment focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration, involving not only medication, but counselling, education, living skills, vocational training, and emotional competency skills training. A holistic approach emphasises strengths and resources, not weaknesses and pathologies, and involves natural support systems like families, peers and community members.
Further Information
Information on clinical patterns connected with mental disorders:
Trauma
Psychosis
Epilepsy
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Information on CBM’s programmes for people with mental disorders:
Programmes for People with Neuro-Psychatric Disabilities
Trauma
Psychosis
Epilepsy
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Information on CBM’s programmes for people with mental disorders:
Programmes for People with Neuro-Psychatric Disabilities
