Mental illness ‘exploding’

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 3

Mental illness ‘exploding’

PA • Hamilton Psychological and emotional disorders are said to be the biggest health problem of our time—as common as the cold—and they can be fatal. Every year the problem grows worse, according to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. In the past, efforts had been concentrated on the treatment of mental illhealth, but as the problem explodes it has been realised that New Zealand could never afford to offer the necessary level of treatment to all those in need. The spiral has to be broken, says the foundation, and the approach to mental ill-health must change from cure to prevention. Although the medical fraternity already knew how to prevent much mental illhealth, the will and resources to put this knowledge to work had been lacking. The foundation has spent the last two years studying ways of promoting mental health. Now, with the help of funds from next month’s South Pacific Television telethon, it says it will be able to encourage projects unique in New Zealand. The statistics of New Zealand’s mental ill-health are graphic: Suicide is the second most common cause of death in people under 40. Each year, 5000 New Zealanders are admitted to a psychiatric facility for the first time. One in four New Zealanders is suffering from psychological stress or illness through tension. One-third of all housewives, and half of solo mothers, are under severe psychological stress. Half of a family doctor’s patients want to discuss their worries and emotions.

10,000 families have to cope with the problems of severe intelligence handicap in their homes. These were only the people who make it as far as statistics, the foundation said. Countless thousands more suffered in tormented silence —or drowned their sorrows. The foundation intends to concentrate on three vital areas—education, community service and researcr. It will help the distribution of information about mental health, and encourage the widespread teaching of mental health principles. It will search for positive ways of supporting community based activities, and original projects aimed at meeting distress at any time. It wants new knowledge about the nature, causes, prevention and treatment of all forms of mental disorder — placing particular emphasis on disorder within families at times involving crisis or change, such as birth, illness, death, marriage, retirement, and unemployment.