Introduction
Mental health is an individual’s psychological, social, and emotional well-being. It influences a person’s feelings, thoughts, and actions and affects how they make decisions, cope with stress, and relate to others. Good mental health greatly contributes to personal growth and success, enabling individuals to build positive relations and positively impact their communities.
However, some people may struggle with mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorders, which may adversely affect their everyday lives. Nevertheless, these conditions may be treated using psychotropic medications or therapeutic techniques (Leichsenring et al., 2022). The advancement of knowledge over the years has changed society’s view of mental health.
Brief History of Mental Health
The perception of mental health has significantly evolved over the years. In ancient societies, mental disorders were considered supernatural occurrences caused by demonic possession, angry gods, curses, or witchcraft (Farreras, 2023). As a result, the common treatment approaches were trephination or exorcism, which were believed to cast out evil spirits.
However, some ancient societies, for example, the Greeks, opposed the supernatural explanations of mental illness and maintained that it was triggered by an excess or deficiency of either phlegm, yellow bile, blood, or black bile (Farreras, 2023). In such cases, practices such as blood-letting were deemed crucial for managing the disorders.
During the medieval ages, due to the increased spread of Christianity, mental disorders were perceived as God’s punishment or a sign of moral weakness. This led to the growth of asylums, where individuals with severe cases were housed. By the 18th century, humanitarian reforms from activists such as Dorothea Dix led to the development of several mental hospitals (Farreras, 2023).
In the 20th century, the adoption of psychotherapy and psychotropic drugs transformed the treatment of mental disorders (Farreras, 2023). Additionally, the invention of antipsychotic medications in the 1950s and the introduction of antidepressants and tranquilizers in the subsequent decades led to more effective treatment of mental illness (Warburton & Stahl, 2021). This promoted deinstitutionalization whereby the affected individuals were integrated into society.
In the 21st century, genetic research and neuroscience advances have created a better understanding of the biological causes of mental illness, resulting in better and more effective treatment methods (Smith-East et al., 2021). Due to increased awareness, mental health has become a public issue, resulting in more advocacy and research funding to facilitate improved mental health services.
What Is Considered Normal and Abnormal
Normal and abnormal are terms that describe certain behaviors, including feelings, thoughts, and psychological or biological traits. Being normal or abnormal is influenced by an individual’s viewpoint and societal norms, which are dependent on context, gender, situation, or age. The perceptions of normal or abnormal behavior may vary based on the culture.
Normal is considered a state, behavior, or condition that conforms to societal expectations (Chung et al., 2022). Similarly, in psychological statistics, being normal is perceived as average or close to average. It is also characterized by an individual’s ability to adjust to their environment and control their emotions.
Abnormal is a rare trait that can be used in a negative or a positive context. It is viewed as a behavior or state that is unusual, bizarre, or contrary to the accepted norms of society (Nevid, 2021). It can also be considered as any cognitive, behavioral, or emotional dysfunctions that impair an individual’s functioning, making them unable to adjust to changes in their environment or life (Nevid, 2021). Equally important, an abnormality may be perceived as a deficit in a particular trait. Thus, the difference between normal and abnormal behavior is based on conformity to societal norms and individuals’ ability to manage their feelings and effectively adjust to their surroundings.
When a Mental Health Disorder Becomes a Problem
Mental health disorders affect several aspects of an individual’s daily life. Hence, there are various ways to detect when a mental illness is problematic. A psychological disorder could become a threat if it impairs an individual’s daily functioning (Müller, 2020). In this case, mental health disorder symptoms such as fatigue, excessive anger, and the inability to cope with stress may interfere with a person’s daily activities. This implies that the affected person may be unable to perform normally at home, work, or school.
Equally, a mental illness is perceived as a menace if it leads to behaviors that pose a significant risk of harm to self or others (Gross et al., 2019). For example, one of the common signs of mental disorders is suicidal ideation; hence, if an individual displays this tendency, the mental illness can be deemed a problem.
A psychological illness becomes life-threatening if it causes distress to an individual. Some mental diseases present symptoms such as anxiety, emotional instability, and insomnia, which adversely affect an individual’s quality of life, causing immense sorrow and agony (Onwumere et al., 2022).
Furthermore, a mental health issue can be problematic if it negatively impacts an individual’s relationships with others (Müller, 2020). If the psychological disorder causes negative thinking, making an individual withdraw from family, friends, and other social activities, it could be viewed as a threat to human health. Thus, a mental illness might be considered a problem if it disrupts an individual’s daily functioning, causes distress, self-harm, and adversely affects one’s social relations.
The Role a Mental Health Professional Plays in Mental Healthcare
Mental health practitioners have a crucial role in enabling people with psychological problems to lead more fulfilling and healthier lives. Mental health professionals may include psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers. These practitioners perform various functions in mental healthcare. One of the major roles of mental health professionals is assessing and diagnosing different psychological disorders (Moyo et al., 2022). They analyze an individual’s medical history, administer psychological tests, and perform physical examinations to determine the cause and form of the mental illness.
In addition, mental health workers engage in treatment planning for their patients. Since each individual responds differently to the treatment approaches, these practitioners create a personalized plan for each patient, whether medication, therapy or a combination of both. Similarly, some professionals, such as psychiatrists, prescribe drugs to assist patients in managing their conditions.
Mental health practitioners offer their clients evidence-based therapies to help them cope with their symptoms, resulting in improved mental health. Equally important, these professionals provide support and guidance to their patients and families to aid in overcoming the challenges presented by the ailments (Liana & Windarwati, 2021).
Furthermore, mental health practitioners may provide referrals to critical resources, relevant experts, or institutions to enhance their patient’s mental health (Moyo et al., 2022). They also collaborate with other healthcare providers to guarantee comprehensive and coordinated care for their clients. Moreover, mental health professionals monitor their patients to determine the treatment approaches’ efficiency and ensure their safety. Therefore, mental health practitioners play a fundamental role in healthcare, including assessment, treatment, monitoring, and support.
How Mental Health Professionals Can Advocate for Clients in Mental Healthcare
Mental health workers are critical in ensuring that their clients receive the much-needed support and help to access mental health services. These professionals can advocate for their clients by continuously educating themselves and others on the best practices and latest advances in treating mental disorders (Saha, 2021). Information about psychological disorders may be shared with the client’s family members and individuals working in other institutions, such as the media, to create more awareness about mental health, hence changing the misconceptions and stereotypes about mental illness.
In addition, mental health practitioners should fight for the rights of their clients by opposing discriminatory practices targeting them, including institutionalization and societal stigma. Similarly, these professionals could lobby for legislation or policies that favor their patients (Saha, 2021). For instance, they may advocate for increased financing of mental health programs to ensure that all mental health clients receive the required care regardless of their economic status.
Mental health practitioners can collaborate with other healthcare workers, such as primary care providers, to guarantee a holistic approach to care where the client’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs are met, leading to improved well-being.
Equally, mental health professionals should promote self-advocacy by educating and encouraging their patients to actively engage in the care process (Saha, 2021). This would make the clients feel valued, hence improving their attitude towards the treatment approaches, which may enhance their chances of recovery. Thus, mental health practitioners could advocate for their patients by increasing awareness through education, lobbying for legislation, and empowering clients and their families.
Conclusion
In recent years, there has been increased recognition of the importance of mental health and enhanced efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to care. The perception of mental health has greatly evolved over the centuries due to advancements in knowledge. A mental health disorder may be considered a problem if it impairs an individual’s normal functioning, distresses them, or poses the risk of harming oneself and others. Mental health professionals have a duty to assess, treat, monitor, and offer emotional support to their clients. Nevertheless, they can improve patient advocacy through education, fighting for client’s rights, and lobbying for relevant policies.
References
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