HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5 | Page 32

mentaL iLLness: from eXorcisms to mentaL heaLth courts Diversity Committee Chairs: Timothy C. Martin – Martin Law Office & Victoria Oguntoye – Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney mental illness is more common than cancer, diabetes, or M ental illnesses are diseases or conditions that affect how one thinks, feels, acts, or relates to other people or surroundings. Mental illness is more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. 1 Major types of mental illness include: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia and 30 heart disease. psychotic disorders, dementia, and eating disorders. 2 The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 45 million Americans have a mental illness in any given year, with only about half seeking treatment. 3 In early times, mental illness was believed to be caused by demonic possession or witchcraft. 4 The most common treatments were exorcism and trephining (creating a small hole in the person’s skull to release spirits from the body, which sometimes actually killed the person). 5 During the 18th century, people who suffered from mental illness were placed in asylums, Continued on page 31 M AY - J U N E 2 0 1 8 | HCBA LAWYER