Vulnerable Populations: the Mentally Ill
Vulnerable Populations
Lisa M Buschur
HCS/531
Feb 2012
Dr. Deb S. Sandberg
"Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all." * Bill Clinton
Vulnerable Populations Emotional and cognitive well-being are phrases used to describe mental health. Positive coping mechanisms and an assessment of suicide lethality are assessments providers consider when identifying a psychiatric patient. Those that suffer from mental health disorders are every- where, they are our neighbors, friends, family members, and our patients. When someone can no longer cope with stress is usually when some type of intervention is sought or furnished. This fractured mental state is very fragile and has great potential to deteriorate quickly and possibly violently. It is in this exposed state this population finds themselves, vulnerable.
Population Demographics
Mental health disorders can affect anyone at any given time in any age group or demographic. Disabilities can range from mild to the most severe and characteristically, run the gamut. Centuries ago, there was a stigma with mental health where imprisonment was thought to be the logical solution. Nineteenth century insane asylums held the promise of compassionate rehabilitation; unfortunately, lapses in funding prohibited this dream from becoming a reality (“Kirkbride Buildings”, 2001-2012). Dr. Kirkbride, advocate of the tenets of Moral Treatment, foresaw a treatment facility that was idealistic in grandeur and architecture where he hoped to create a place of healing for the mentally ill. With plenty of fresh air and open spaces, “these asylums replaced cruder methods of coping with the mentally ill, such as confining them to prisons or poorhouses where they were often abused and their special needs were rarely met” (“Kirkbride Buildings”, 2001-2012).
Sadly, his humanitarian movement was thwarted by over-crowding and under-funding; leaving these beautiful buildings and altruistic ideals subject to the
Lisa M Buschur
HCS/531
Feb 2012
Dr. Deb S. Sandberg
"Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all." * Bill Clinton
Vulnerable Populations Emotional and cognitive well-being are phrases used to describe mental health. Positive coping mechanisms and an assessment of suicide lethality are assessments providers consider when identifying a psychiatric patient. Those that suffer from mental health disorders are every- where, they are our neighbors, friends, family members, and our patients. When someone can no longer cope with stress is usually when some type of intervention is sought or furnished. This fractured mental state is very fragile and has great potential to deteriorate quickly and possibly violently. It is in this exposed state this population finds themselves, vulnerable.
Population Demographics
Mental health disorders can affect anyone at any given time in any age group or demographic. Disabilities can range from mild to the most severe and characteristically, run the gamut. Centuries ago, there was a stigma with mental health where imprisonment was thought to be the logical solution. Nineteenth century insane asylums held the promise of compassionate rehabilitation; unfortunately, lapses in funding prohibited this dream from becoming a reality (“Kirkbride Buildings”, 2001-2012). Dr. Kirkbride, advocate of the tenets of Moral Treatment, foresaw a treatment facility that was idealistic in grandeur and architecture where he hoped to create a place of healing for the mentally ill. With plenty of fresh air and open spaces, “these asylums replaced cruder methods of coping with the mentally ill, such as confining them to prisons or poorhouses where they were often abused and their special needs were rarely met” (“Kirkbride Buildings”, 2001-2012).
Sadly, his humanitarian movement was thwarted by over-crowding and under-funding; leaving these beautiful buildings and altruistic ideals subject to the
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