Response to Post 2 on Mental Illness

Hello, I like your discussion on issues concerning mental illness. You have discussed all the issues that concern the disorder starting from the definition, causes, symptoms, effects, prevention and treatment. The high prevalence of mental illness is due to limited accessibility of medical care, insufficient mental health personnel and lack of treatment facilities in some parts of the world. Anti-anxiety and anti-depressants medications are used to treat mental illness. To globally achieve better outcomes, all facilities should integrate the treatment of mental illness, by combining behavioral treatment and pharmacological treatment.

I have been an advocacy for mental health for years. As an advocacy, my assignment is always to increase awareness of mental health issues which will lead to improved legislation, policy and service development. This concept promotes the human rights of a mentally ill individual as well as reducing discrimination and stigma. As an advocacy I have been involved in trainings, education, denouncing, counseling, creating awareness, defending and mutual help. While advocating, different issues has erupted like paternalistic services, unaffordable cost, inaccessibility of services, poor quality of care and self-determination rights, absentees at school and work, stigma and others.

As an advocacy I have been involved in helping the mentally ill individuals to make decisions. I assist a client to access any information they require and also escorting them to some meetings and interviews. Speaking out the issues that matters to a client on their behalf without giving personal opinions is an advocacy role. Promoting and defending my clients’ responsibilities and their rights issues to reduce the impact of discrimination and stigma. Advocacy is an important activity for mentally ill as it have helped them to stand for themselves, be taken seriously or listened without stigma.