The quality of life of young patients with mental illness following a discharge from psychiatric institutions

Abstract

The burden of mental illness can persist over time and hinder the way individuals function in their abilities. Mental illness can interfere with normal developmental tasks such as social and academic skills. Young people require special care because they are developing and maturing at the same time they are experiencing mental health problems. Surviving events that have posed a serious challenge in a psychiatric patient can result in major social difficulties during the integration into society. Once such problems develop, the quality of life of mentally ill young people can be affected in a number of ways. The study of the quality of life is an examination of factors that contribute to the goodness and meaning of life, as well as people's happiness. The ultimate goal of quality of life study and its consequent application to people lives is to enable them to live quality lives: lives that are both meaningful and enjoyed. In this study, twelve young people evaluated their quality of life prior to hospitalisation and a month after they were discharged. A comparison of both data was analysed to determine whether the quality of life of young patients with mental illness would improve after dismissal. Data was collected through structured interviews based on a general quality of life model done by Dr A. Lehman (1983). Life areas studied included living situation, family, social relations, leisure, work, safety, finances, and health. Results indicate that the quality of life of some of the young people suffering from mental illness improves after they are discharged from the institution. Some others have worse outcomes and return to the asylum soon after they are discharged. The returned cases were patients who had not achieved a cooperative relationship with the family or social relations. These patients did not show any success in total social adjustment. Moreover, results indicate that in certain domains such as social relations and work, young people find it harder to achieve their expectations. In such circumstances, a youth worker, through informal education, can engage in a role to assist young people in developing the skills that are essential for functional living.