Table of contents
Background, target group and rationale
Improving understanding of and responsiveness to people’s mental health needs
Background, target group and rationale
Good mental health is fundamental to the well being of peoples, their families, and virtually to the whole population. Conversely the mental health problems are amongst the greatest cause of disability, diminished quality of life, and reduced productivity.
According to WHO (2004), there are nearly 450 million people are affected by mental, neurological or behavioural problems throughout the world. Nearly 873,000 people die by suicide each year only due to mental health problems. According to WHO (2001) mental illness is common problem to all countries and is creating enormous suffering. People who are affected often subjected to social isolation, poor quality of life and increased mortality. According to WHO (2004) there are 25 percent patient out of 100, who are attending health services are affected by mental health disorders but most pf them are not diagnosed at all.
Andrews, Henderson and Wayne (2001) state that ssituation is also not that good in Australia where it is estimated that nearly one in every five Australians will experience a mental illness in their lives. Episodes of mental illness can wax and wane during course of disease. Some people experience disease only once and then full recover, but currently only half of those are able to get treatment. In Australia about 20 percent of adults affected by mental problems, are mostly due to depression and anxiety.
There is now emerging need of the projects which involve and support mentally ill people in communities. This project will addresses the problems of mental ill health in area health service of south west Sydney where, according to ABS (2004) problems of mental health are more as compared to other areas of NSW. Higher ratio of mental illness is most probably due to less literacy, unemployment, family problems, poverty and other social factors that are responsible for disease.
Target population for this project will be area health service of south west Sydney, which includes, Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown, Bankstown suburbs. People will be between ages of 16 to 64 years who are living in these areas, having psychiatric problems and require assistance.
Need felt for this project can be either comparative need, comparing to other AHS which are having less patients, so need of this type of project is more here then elsewhere (Naiido and Willis, 2000). This can be felt or expressed need as well and government should provide more funding for these areas where there is need of such type of projects.
Rationale of this project is o sustain support and social wellbeing of population from earliest years throughout adult life to old age. It will also support those peoples who are currently well but at risk of developing a mental health problem and those who are experiencing mental illness.
According to Bailey Ricketts Bailey (1998) mental illness is huge problem and nearly one in each family is likely to have a member with mental illness. These families not only provide physical and emotional support but also beer the negative impact of stigma and discriminations. Brundtland (2001) state that in year 2000, mental and neurological disorders accounted for 10 percent of the total disability adjusted life years lost due to burden of disease was estimated. This will rise to 12 percent in 2004, and it is estimated that by the end of 2020 this burden will be around 15 percents if proper interventions are not applied. Common mental disorders which cause severe disability are epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, mental retardations and disorders of child hood.
