Mentally ill endure lives of loneliness and exclusion

New research from the Australian mental illness charity SANE has revealed that victims of mental illness pay a high price in terms of personal relationships and social contact.

The study found that half of those suffering from a mental illness have no close relationship with another person.

An internet survey, conducted anonymously, which was carried out in the period between September to December 2008 and focused on the emotional and physical relationships of people living with a mental illness has revealed how the illness impacts on their lives.

Over 420 people responded to the questionnaire, 75% of whom were women many in the 25-39 age group - depression was the most common diagnosis (47%), followed by bipolar disorder (20%), anxiety disorders (11%), schizophrenia (10%) and personality disorders (5%).

The researchers say the most disturbing result was the impact of mental illness on personal relationships, as even though most sufferers wanted to connect with others, it was a struggle and almost half had no friends.

It was revealed that physical intimacy, which includes hugging and touching others, was rare for many and in fact almost one in six had not touched or been touched by another person for more than a year.

The study found 15% of respondents had no close relationship, 49% had no close relationship with the general community, 13% had not touched or been touched by another person for 12 months and 35% had no sexual contact in last 12 months.

It was also revealed that even though 65% said their medication affected their sexual desire and function, half of all respondents had not discussed the issue with their doctor or health worker.

SANE Australia's Executive Director Barbara Hocking says the new survey has highlighted for the first time the intimacy vacuum many people with mental issues suffer and though extreme social isolation is known to damage mental health, it is something many people with mental illness have to endure.

Ms Hocking says not only are many people with mental illness dealing with their symptoms and associated problems such as poverty, they are leading isolated lives and often have no partner or even friends to share their lives and this impedes their recovery.

Ms Hocking says while the promotion of social inclusion by governments continues, these findings highlight the very real need for immediate, specific action to ensure such basic human needs for social contact are not being ignored.

Other areas of concern for respondents involved sexual health and intimacy issues and the research revealed that 50% had not discussed the issue with their doctor or health worker, 65% did not know enough about sexual health and 46% were not receiving routine health checks such as pap tests and prostate checks.

According to Ms Hocking the figures reflect the general poor physical health care provided to people regarded all too often as solely ‘mental health patients’ and SANE is calling on government agencies at all levels to improve opportunities for those affected to improve their relationships with others and improve their capacity for recovery.

Church groups, youth organisations and mental health centres are urged to be aware of the issue and to organise more social functions in order to ensure people with a mental illness are included in their communities and have opportunities to meet and socialise with others.

The study recommends the promotion of social inclusion by means of recovery-focused rehabilitation programs, to improve confidence, communication and social skills; that support is offered to develop relationships and education and training provided into how to discuss mental illness and its effect on emotional, physical and sexual intimacy.

Also recommended is improved sex education as mental illness often starts in late teens, disrupting the of learning of life skills and education and for more practical education about sexuality and related issues.

The study suggests health professionals need incentives to provide sexual health checks, regular breast screening, pap smears, STD testing, prostate checks and routine tests for those suffering with a mental illness.