A mental disability is a medical condition usually caused by a brain injury or damage. It negatively affects a person’s thinking; their ability to relate with others and their ability to cope with everyday tasks.
It is characterised by neurological disorders, learning disabilities or mental retardation.
Types of mental disabilities include Dementia, Schizophrenia, Dyslexia, Depression …
A common disadvantage of mental disabilities is the fact that – as the name implies - it is not physically so obvious – unlike a deformity.
This report on The Special Problems of the Mentally Disordered really gives you a deep insight on this sensitive matter.
Some of the Challenges which should Raise Our Concern for the Mentally Disabled Include:
- An inability to make appropriate decisions about matters essential to their own well-being – Cooking, Dressing right for the weather, Unawareness of their environment, Inability to recognise/ protect themselves from dangerous situations…
- A tendency to unleash violence upon themselves, or on those around them; Unusual aggressiveness; A wish to take own’s life…
- Easily distracted or disoriented - placing themselves and others at risk of harm…
Living with a Mental Disability is Emotionally and Physically Challenging - Both to the Mentally Disabled and their Carers/ Family.
To the Mentally Disabled – An inability to consistently keep healthy relationships, a job, good health nor their dignity… Many times leading to more alienation and depression.
Also, sometimes, a mentally disabled person also has a physical disability. And is unable to feed himself, attend to his own personal care nor communicate effectively with others.
As a result of all these, those suffering from a mental illness/ disabilty – especially the more severe forms of mental disability - require some form of/ 24-hour supervised care. And a number of medications to keep them calm and stable…
In a nutshell, People who are mentally ill often are not in the right frame of mind and body, to provide adequate care for themselves, by themselves!
And to their Family/ Carer – The pain of seeing a loved one in that condition, especially if it’s a gradual decline into mental disability; Mental and physical exhaustion, sometimes leading to a disability for them as well; Loss of a job or source of income…
Mental Disability places a lot of burden on both parties. And for many, the Governments’ Disability Living Allowance has been a lifeline. Allowing them the little neccesities of life, such as being able to have someone help out or supervise, while they do key daily living functions – cooking, bathing, outings…
As well as help with aids and medication, extra heating, support in the basics of running a home and living as close to a normal life as is possible – given the fact that they are unable to work for as long as, nor earn as much as, the non-disabled …
Now, there is a newly proposed reform, to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with another Scheme called the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
How, specifically, will the proposed Personal Independence Payment protect the Mentally Disabled?
How will it protect those with mental disabilities, who cannot express their needs clearly, and who mostly do not understand the benefits system?
