CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The mental health of individual’s age 18-40 is becoming a growing problem throughout the world [1]. Mental illness is a condition affecting the brain that influences the way a person thinks, feels, behaves and relates to others, and to his surrounding [2].  Mental Health is 5^th leading cause of today’s (7.4%) worldwide death. The global burden of mental illness projected to rise above 100billion by 2030 [3].  A report stated that 31∙7% of all years lived with-disability to neuropsychiatric conditions: the five major contributors were unipolar depression (11∙8%), alcohol-use disorder (3∙3%), schizophrenia (2∙8%), bipolar depression (2∙4%), and dementia (1∙6%) [4] . A study conducted in Yogyakarta Indonesia shows that about 70 -75% of adults have mental health issues, and mental illness begin in early adulthood (12-25years) [5]. Moreover, mental illness accounts for 13% of worldwide burden of disease as assessed by disability –adjusted life years [1]. According to global burden of disease, 13.9% of the world’s population experience mental health disorder in 2021, 17.2% of the total years who lived with disabilities in the world were due to mental disorders [4].

 According to the survey carried out in 2022, WHO which goes with the saying <<there is no health without mental health>> analyzed that, more than 116million people were living with mental illness  conditions pre-pandemic in Africa [1]. In 2017, MHDs in Cameroon accounted for over 2360 disability adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100000 populations. Also, the global burden of disease reported that about 704,874   thousand people in Cameroon were living with major depressive disorders, anxiety, and schizophrenia respectively [6].

In most parts of the world, mental health and mental illness are largely neglected; resulting in increasing burden of mental disorders in the community and a widening of “treatment gap”. Lack of financial resources, low mental illness literacy, misconceptions and stigma associated with mental illness problems, contribute to delay access to treatment [7].  In addition, poverty, conflict, displacement and discrimination based on gender and ethnicity, unemployment, and migration are found to be key risk factors for poor mental health in the world at large [3].  Mental illness often generates misunderstanding, prejudice, confusion and fear therefore it should be a concern for all of us, rather than only for those who suffer from a mental disorder. Of all the health problems, mental illnesses are poorly understood by the general public [1]. Such poor knowledge and negative attitude towards mental illness threatens the effectiveness of patient care and rehabilitation [8].

Misunderstanding and stigma surroundings mental ill health are widespread. Despite the existence of effective treatments for mental disorders, there is a belief that they are untreatable [2]. Whereas, studies from reviewed articles has shown  overall level of discrimination across the life areas studied has proven over 2008–2012, there is no evidence that more people using mental illness services experience no discrimination [9]. Lack of public awareness is a potent barrier for the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Hence, purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of mental illness among people in a community [2].

1.2 Rational                  

Globally, mental illnesses  remains  among the leading cause of disability- adjusted life years (DALYs). In many communities, misconceptions and negative attitudes towards mental illness hinders individuals from seeking necessary help, thereby exacerbating their conditions [10]. Given the limited awareness and prevalent misconception about mental illnesses in  the mile one community of Limbe, this study aimed at  bridging knowledge gaps, identifying  misconceptions, and inform targeted interventions to improve mental health awareness and reduce stigma [11]

1.3 Significance of the study

This study is significant as it provides insights into the current state of mental literacy and societal attitudes of individuals aged 18-40 years old towards mental illness. The findings  informs  policy makers, educators and healthcare professionals in designing targeted interventions to improve mental health awareness and reduce stigma [12]. Moreover, understanding public perceptions can aid in creating supportive environments that encourage individuals to seek help without fear of discrimination [3].

1.4 Research questions

1.4.1 What is the level of knowledge on the risk factors and causes of mental illnesses amongst individuals aged 18-40 years old in the mile one community of Limbe?

1.4.2 What is the level of knowledge on the management strategies of mental illnesses amongst individuals aged 18-40 years old in the mile one community of Limbe ?

1.4.3 What are the common attitudes individuals aged 18-40 years old hold towards people with mental illnesses in the mile one community of Limbe?

1.5 Research objectives

 1.5.1 General Objective

To investigate the causes, risk factors , attitudes  and management strategies related to mental illnesses amongst individuals aged 18-40 in the mile one  community of Limbe.

1.5.2 Specific Objectives:

1. To examine the knowledge on the causes and risk factors of mental illnesses amongst individual’s aged 18-40 years old regarding mental illnesses in the mile one community of Limbe.

2 To explore the management strategies of mental illnesses amongst individuals aged 18-40years old regarding mental illnesses in the mile community of Limbe.

2. To assess the attitudes of individuals aged 18-40 years old regarding mental illnesses in the mile community of Limbe.