Key Public Health Model

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1 Mental illness – a key public health issue The World Health Organization upon acknowledging the significance of global mental health defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1946, p.1). This apt definition led the dictum that “there is no health without mental health” (WHO, 2004, p.10), with endorsements from reputable organisations such as the World Federation of Mental Health, EU Council of Ministers, etc., to gain a global momentum (Prince et al, 2007). There is a rapid dominance and widespread increase of non-communicable diseases, and this represents one of the main challenges to global health and development; a projection has shown that by…show more content…
Consequently, Manderscheid et al (2010) defined mental illness as conditions affecting cognition, emotion and behaviour, thus resulting in a parallel transitional focus from mental illness stigma to recognising the significance of mental health to the overall well-being. Mental illness turns the life of an individual upside down when it strikes, supporting this is Duckworth (2013) with the opinion that mental illness is a medical condition that interferes with an individual’s thoughts, emotions, disposition, as well as his/her social and daily functioning. Mental illness is a pervasive brain based condition with numerous symptoms that can affect an individual in all aspects of life, ranging from minor disruptions in daily functioning to disabling impairments and mortality (Colton and Manderscheid, 2006; Mathers and Loncar, 2006; Murray and Lopez, 1997). In clinical terms, mental illness is a significant psychological or behavioural pattern experienced by an individual, hence increasing the risk of disability, pain and mortality (Varcarolis, 2009; APA, 1994). Contesting the clinical definition is the DSM-IV caveats which states that the definition does not apply to all situation, thus the implication that mental illness lacks an…show more content…
At such times, these people were regarded as demon possessed, sorcerers, paragon, etc. (Foerschner, 2010). In concurrence, Rosen (1968) opine that accolades were accorded such people as priests and deities, but were also referred to as being insane and as such were subject to ridicule. These people often referred to as witches and wizards, turn to the priests for exorcism, and are subjected to series of ceremonies such as demon expulsion, herbal baths, ritual purgation, physical and other treatments. Mental illness is widely believed to be as a result of supernatural phenomenon by the early man, thus should be treated using mystical means. The Hebrews are of the opinion that humans are inflicted with mental illness as a punishment for committing sin by God, and as such he holds the supreme powers to heal and cure it (The Holy Bible, Daniel 4: 18 – 37).Tagging along the spiritual line, the ancient Persians attributed the cause of mental illness to evil spirits, and believed that good health is achieved by adequate cleanliness and purity of the soul and body (Alexander and Selesnick,
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