Mental Health

Select a vulnerable population sub-group and consider how social science contributes to understanding the social problems encountered by this group. The view of mental illness has changed over the centuries, as a supernatural problem, to an actual medical condition. Mental disorder is defined under the Mental Health Act 2007, as “any disorder or disability of the mind” (Rethink Mental Illness 2011). As stated by the Mind for Better Mental Health (2012) “mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain” .This essay will examine, through the contribution of social science, whether people with mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety or schizophrenia are vulnerable in society. Vulnerable groups are those “that experience higher risk of poverty and social exclusion than the general population” (EU Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training 2002). This essay will begin with a brief explanation of the models of health and then explain how sociology theories view the mentally ill and the problems they face on a daily basis. It will then look at how social science has assisted, to inform public health and the welfare provision in order for society to have better understanding of the mentally ill. Finally, it will look at how non-governmental organisations and governmental organisations participate to support the mentally ill.
The medical model is the dominate model of health, which is accepted by doctors and psychiatrists. (Haralambos, Holborn and Heald, 2004). For those who accept this model have declared that organic and biomedical causes will be found in the long run for all mental disorders (Golightley 2008). Furthermore, they view the disabled individual as the problem, who has to fit into society or otherwise must be shut away in institutions to be cured. Moreover, it is the professionals that have control over everyday decisions of the disabled individual, such as what benefits they can have , what support is