Mental Health
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness can sound scary if you have not had any
experience of it before or if you have heard stories which are
untrue. People find it difficult to talk about these things, and
you may have some questions that you want to ask but don’t know who
to speak to.
We can all have an illness that affects our bodies and in just
the same way we all have minds that can become unwell.
Who can get a Mental Illness?
Anyone can have a mental illness at any time in their lives
including people in your own family or friends. There may be times
when you wonder why they:
- Treat you in a different way to usual
- Cannot help you with the things they usually do
- Say “weird” things
- May cry but cannot explain why
- Have to go into hospital when you cannot see anything wrong
with them.
Different types of Mental Health Problems
Mental health problems can be treated and do not usually last
forever. There are different types of this kind of illness and
different names have been given to them.
- Depression
There are different kinds of depression including a type called
post-natal depression that a woman may get after she has had a
baby. People who have depression may not seem as if they have much
energy, cannot be bothered with things, can seem sad and perhaps do
not sleep very well. Sometimes just talking things through with
someone can help or the doctor will prescribe medications to help.
Someone with severe depression might need a stay in a psychiatric
hospital as well as medication.
- Psychosis
People who experience this may not be able to tell the difference
between something which is real and something which is not.
- Schizophrenia
Someone who has
schizophrenia may lose interest in everyday things, may not eat and
can have what are called delusions and hallucinations. Delusions
could mean they think they are someone they are not. It can also
mean thinking they have done something they have not, perhaps
something serious like hurting someone. Hallucinations mean the
person can see something that no-one else can or that they can hear
something talking to them but again no-one else can. It can also
mean that the person may talk back and answer these voices.
These are just a few examples of the names given to mental
illness. They may not be the names you have heard. Medication can
also affect how a person acts. In many cases medication can work
quickly to stop more severe problems happening.
What to do next?
Finding someone to talk to is a good first step. This could be
your family doctor, relatives or family friends or teacher if you
are still at school. There are other people you can get help from
listed below.
If you want further information on Mental Illness and how we can
help get in touch with your local Social Care Team. The out of hours Emergency Duty Team can help in emergency
situations.
Other places for help and advice: