Some of the “Did you Knows” About Mental Health

Did you know…

• “46% of all Americans experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime.” The most common mental disorders are impulse control disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 145)
• Mental disorder, mental illness, and mental health, are all terms that vary in concept as a result of cultural norms, values, and research criteria. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 145)
• “A DSM diagnosis requires that the mental disorder cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.” (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 145)
• Depression as the result of personal loss is a temporary acute problem, whereas bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and certain other types of depression are chronic and termed serious mental disorders (SMI). (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 146)
• “5-7% of adults have SMI, and 5-9% of children have a serious emotional disturbance.” (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 147)
• Social workers that work in public mental health agencies primarily work with individuals that have SMI. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 147)
• In the mental health field, social workers hold many different positions in different mental health practice locations such as emergency psychiatric services, residential programs, hospitals, day programs, and outpatient services. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 152) 
• “Half of mental disorders manifest by age 14, and three-quarters by age 24.” (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 153)
• Children with histories of physical or sexual abuse, substance abuse, running away from home, sexually abusing others, or family violence are at a higher risk for having a mental disorder. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 153)
• Case management, strength-based services, motivational interviewing, evidence-based treatment, and family psychoeducation are the most common direct services provided by a social worker in the mental health field. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 157)

 

• With the urging of congress, a number of states have adopted a bill for the rights of those with mental health disorders. The specifics of these rights are “the right to appropriate treatment, the right to an individualized treatment plan, the right to refuse treatment, the right to freedom from restraint and seclusion, the right to maintain the confidentiality of one’s records, the right to see one’s records, and the right to file a grievance.” (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 165-166)
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Sources:

DiNitto, D., & McNeece, Carl Aaron. (2008). Social work : Issues and opportunities in a challenging profession (3rd ed.). Chicago, Ill.: Lyceum Books.