How Many Mentally ill People Live In The Prison ?
Everyone can have some problem is their life but, do we know whether if we have any mental illness or not? People who have mental illness lives in a very difficult life circumstances. Especially who lives in the prison. First of all, we will look what is mental illness then we will show some facts about mentally ill people who live in a prison. Mental ill prisoners can feel worse than anyone. Because no one believes them and no one is willing to save their lives.
What is Mental Illness ?
Mental illnesses are psychological health conditions involving changes in emotions, thinking, and behavior. According to mental health professionals, there more than 200 classified forms of mental illnesses. Some of these categories are Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive – related and trauma disorders, dissociative disorders and somatic symptom – related disorders, eating disorders. Mood disorders are like changes in the emotions and thoughts. Mood disorders include: major depressive disorder, bipolar, persistent depressive disorder, cyclothymia, and SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Anxiety disorder includes, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias. Also one of the most common disorder is a personality disorder. A person with a personality disorder has trouble understanding and connecting to situations and people. Especially understanding other people’s emotions and thoughts. Mental illness does not discriminate any person; mental illness can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, income, social status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural identity.
What It Is Like To Have a Mental Illness In Prison ?
Mental health professionals have become increasingly concerned about the number of persons with mental illness in jail or prisons. As a result, 2 million people with mental illness are sent to jails each year. Many individuals in jail don’t receive the treatment they need and end up getting worse They stay longer than other people who haven’t got any mental illness. They should be in the Mental hospital. If they stay in prison, deaths can increase. It doesn’t protect other people from but in that way, if they go to the mental hospital and get the treatment we can save their lives.
Statistics About Mentally Ill people In Jail And Prisons :
Approximately 356.000 inmates with serious mental illness in jails and state prisons
20% of them lives in jail, 15% of them lives in state prisons
14.5% of males and 31% of females had symptoms of a serious mental illness.
132 suicide attempts in Washington found that 77% of them had a chronic psychriatric problem.
Among the men, 3.7% have a psychotic illness, 10% major depression, 65% personality disorder including 47% with an antisocial personality disorder.
Among the women, 4% have psychosis, 12% major depression, 42% personality disorder. In addition, a significant number suffered from anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
77% of people with mental illness, attempt to suicide.
Prisoners with mental illness cost range between $30.000 to $50.000 a year (In Texas)
30% to 60% have substance abuse problems.
