Category:Mental Health

Mental illness is a term that refers to a set of medical conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Sometimes referred to as mental disorders, mental health conditions or neuropsychiatric disorders, these conditions affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In 2002, 154 million people suffered from depression globally, 25 million people from schizophrenia and over 100 million people suffered from alcohol or drug abuse disorders. Close to 900,000 people die from suicide each year. Neuropsychiatric conditions are also a substantial contributor to DALYs, contributing 13% of all DALYs in 2004^[1]

Physiotherapist's have a major role to play in Mental Health and not just those who work directly in Mental Health Services. It is recognised that anyone who experiences pain, injury or trauma is at an increased risk of experiencing symptoms associated with mental illness, such as depression and anxiety. To ensure our patients receive appropriate care it is important that we adopt an holistic approach whether we are assessing, treating or advising on exercise and physical activity. This category explores all aspects relating to mental health and the role of the physiotherapist.

WHO. Mental Health. The World Health Organisation [accessed 18 July 2016]
The International Organisation of Physical Therapists in Mental Health (IOPTMH) - WCPT subgroup