Impact Of Mental Disorders Research Articles

Impact of mental disorders and chronic physical conditions on quality-adjusted life years in Singapore

The current study aims to evaluate the burden of disease in Singapore by estimating the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost due to mental disorders and chronic physical conditions. The second Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS-2016) was conducted in 2016 among 6126 respondents aged 18 years and above. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 (WHO-CIDI 3.0) and a modified version of the CIDI chronic medical disorders checklist were used to assess the 12-month diagnoses of mental and chronic physical disorders while the SF-6D scores derived from the 12-item Short Form Health Survey instrument was used to estimate the QALYs lost. The mean SF-6D score in this population was 0.87. The largest reduction in SF-6D scores among people with mental disorders was observed in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), followed by Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), alcohol abuse, bipolar disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) while the largest reduction in SF-6D score among people with chronic physical conditions was observed in ulcer, followed by lung disease, chronic pain and cardiovascular disease. At the population level, chronic pain was associated with the greatest QALY loss followed by MDD (14,204 and 6,889 respectively). Lung disease was associated with the smallest QALY loss (376). These findings highlight chronic pain, MDD, OCD, cardiovascular disease and GAD as the five leading contributors of QALYs lost in the general population which deserve prioritisation in public health prevention programmes.

Emergency department use at the end of life in elderly patients with gastrointestinal malignancies and mental health comorbidities.

811 Background: Aggressive care at the end-of-life can contradict patients’ wishes, negatively impact patient quality of life, and contribute to overall health care expenditures. Patients with mental disorders (MD) often experience disparities in medical care and have poorer clinical outcomes. We investigated the impact of mental disorders on emergency department (ED) use at the end of life among elderly patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the SEER-Medicare database. We identified patients aged 66 years and older with GI malignancies (colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, hepatic, biliary, esophageal, small bowel, and anal cancer) diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 who had recorded death. We assessed the association between MD (depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, anxiety, dementia, and substance abuse) and ED use within 30 days of death using logistic regression models. Results: Of the 160,367 decedents included, 54,461 (34.1%) had at least one MD diagnosis between one year prior to cancer diagnosis and death. Those with MD were more likely to use the ED more than once in the last 30 days of life (14.7% vs. 12.4% p < 0.01). ED use was highest among decedents with anxiety disorder (15.8%) and substance abuse (16.3%). Among decedents with mental disorders, risk factors associated with ED use at end of life include being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 – 1.22), younger (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06 - 1.23), and black (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.23 – 1.45), living in a lower income zip code (1.21, 95% CI 1.13 – 1.30), and having a higher Charlson comorbidity score (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.56 – 1.87). ED use was also associated with pancreatic (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08 - 1.25), hepatic (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11 - 1.33), biliary (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03 - 1.30) and esophageal (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.29) cancer compared to colorectal cancer. Conclusions: MD is associated with increased ED use at the end of life among elderly patients with GI cancer. Palliative and supportive care including mental health services early in the disease course may improve quality of end-of-life care in this vulnerable population.

Impact of mental disorders on adherence to therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation

Impact of mental disorders on adherence to therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation

DESCRIPTION OF ELDERLY MENTAL STATUS IN WORK AREA PUSKESMAS PAMPANG MAKASSAR

Introduction:mental status of elderly is an emotional or cognitive state in the elderly is shown by the behavior of the stand. Mental health problems are very important for the elderly and often occurs in the elderly. The incidence of mental disorders in the elderly status is very high. paired mental status in elderly pose a variety of problems that can affect physical health, psychological, social and quality of life of the elderly so that the necessary nursing services for the early detection of mental status disorders that occur among the elderly. Method: The study design quantitative descriptive survey method. Samples numbered 97 people were selected using cluster random sampling. Primary data was collected by questionnaire the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE). Result:T he study of 97 respondents showed that 55.7% had normal mental status, impaired mental status light there are 29.9% and 14.4% of elderly with impaired mental status severe. Based propporsi elderly who suffer from mental status of the most widely experienced by women (52.4%), greater in very old age (100%), greater in elderly unmarried (100%), greater in elderly are not in school ( 70.6%), greater in elderly with a history of self-employed work (44.7%), and greater in the elderly with a history of rheumatic disease (61.1%). Conclusions: Mental status of elderly in Puskesmas Kota Makassar Pampang mostly normal. Therefore, elderly mental health need to be detected early to avoid the impact of mental disorders in the elderly.

Prevalence and socioeconomic impact of depressive disorders in India: multisite population-based cross-sectional study.

ObjectivesThe National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) of India was undertaken with the objectives of (1) estimating the prevalence and patterns of various mental disorders in representative Indian population and (2) identifying the treatment gap, healthcare utilisation, disabilities and impact of mental disorders. This paper highlights findings pertaining to depressive disorders (DD) from the NMHS.DesignMultisite population-based cross-sectional study. Subjects were selected by multistage stratified random cluster sampling technique with random selection based on probability proportionate to size at each stage.SettingConducted across 12 states in India (representing varied cultural and geographical diversity), employing uniform, standardised and robust methodology.ParticipantsA total of 34 802 adults (>18 years) were interviewed.Main outcome measurePrevalence of depressive disorders (ICD-10 DCR) diagnosed using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview V.6.0.ResultsThe weighted prevalence of lifetime and current DD was 5.25% (95% CI: 5.21% to 5.29%, n=34 802) and 2.68% (95% CI: 2.65% to 2.71%, n=34 802), respectively. Prevalence was highest in the 40–59 age groups (3.6%, n=10 302), among females (3.0%, n=18 217) and those residing in cities with population >1 million (5.2%, n=4244). Age, gender, place of residence, education and household income were found to be significantly associated with current DD. Nearly two-thirds of individuals with DD reported disability of varying severity, and the treatment gap for depression in the study population was 79.1%. On an average, households spent INR1500/month (~US$ 23.0/month) towards care of persons affected with DD.ConclusionAround 23 million adults would need care for DD in India at any given time. Since productive population is affected most, DD entails considerable socioeconomic impact at individual and family levels. This is a clarion call for all the concerned stakeholders to scale up services under National Mental Health Programme in India along with integrating care for DD with other ongoing national health programmes.

PMH57 ASSESSMENT OF HUMANISTIC BURDEN, A PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES STUDY OF MENTAL DISORDERS IN JAPAN AND CHINA

It is estimated that over 1 billion people globally have a mental, neurodevelopment or substance abuse disorder. The objective of this study was to evaluate the burden of mental disorders and the impact of mental disorders on health outcomes in China and Japan. Data were obtained from population-based China and Japan’s National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS). Respondents in 2013 (n=30,000 in Japan, n=19,987 in China), 2017 (n=19,994 in China), and 2018 (n=30,000 in Japan) were included. Respondents who self-report of being diagnosed of mental disorders were compared with respondents without any mental conditions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI). From 2013 to 2017/2018, the proportion of self-reported experience of mental disorders increased in Japan and China, but the proportion of self-reported diagnosis of mental disorders stayed similar or declined. In China, in 2017, 27.1% of respondents who experienced mental conditions had a physician diagnosis (2013: 50.7%); while in Japan in 2018, 70% of the respondents who experienced mental conditions had a physician diagnosis (2013: 87.3%). After adjusting for potential confounders, mental component score (MCS) of patients diagnosed with mental disorders were severely impaired, compared to those without mental conditions in both Japan and China (Japan: 37.36 vs.49.15; China: 42.28 vs.49.0). Physical component scores (PCS) were also significantly lower among respondents with mental conditions (Japan: 48.14 vs.51.82; China: 45.69 vs.49.91). MCS and WPAI impairment were more severe in Japan. Humanistic burden of mental disorders was greater in Japan compared to China, which might be due to the higher rate of diagnosis compared to China. In China, there is a need to educate patients to seek medical attention, while there is a need for public health programs to support patients with mental conditions with prevalence of stigmatizing attitude towards mental disorders in both countries.

Indirect costs of depression and other mental and behavioural disorders for Australia from 2015 to 2030.

The impact of mental disorders has been assessed in relation to longevity and quality of life; however, mental disorders also have an impact on productive life-years (PLYs). To quantify the long-term costs of Australians aged 45-64 having lost PLYs because of mental disorders. The Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003, 2009 formed the base population of Health&WealthMOD2030 - a microsimulation model integrating output from the Static Incomes Model, the Australian Population and Policy Simulation Model, the Treasury and the Australian Burden of Disease Study. For depression, individuals incurred a loss of AU$1062 million in income in 2015, projected to increase to AU$1539 million in 2030 (45% increase). The government is projected to incur costs comprising a 22% increase in social security payments and a 45% increase in lost taxes as a result of depression through its impact on PLYs. Effectiveness of mental health programmes should be judged not only in terms of healthcare use but also quality of life and economic well-being. None.

Impact of mental disorders on attendance at school

Mental disorders are among the most common and disabling conditions affecting children and adolescents. Patterns of school attendance among students with and without mental disorders were examined using data from the 2013–2014 Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. One in seven school students had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anxiety being the most common. Students with a mental disorder had lower school attendance – being absent for 11.8 days per year in Years 1–6, 23.1 days per year in Years 7–10 and 25.8 days per year in Years 11–12, on average. In comparison, students without mental disorders were absent an average of 8.3 days (Years 1–6), 10.6 days (Years 7–10) and 12.0 days (Years 11–12) per year. Among students with a mental disorder, absences due to the disorder accounted for 13.4% of all days absent from school. This increased across years in school from 8.9% in Years 1–6 to 16.6% in Years 11–12. Improving prevention, early intervention, treatment and management of mental disorders may lead to significant improvements in school attendance.

Beyond the "at risk mental state" concept: transitioning to transdiagnostic psychiatry.

The "at risk mental state" for psychosis approach has been a catalytic, highly productive research paradigm over the last 25 years. In this paper we review that paradigm and summarize its key lessons, which include the valence of this phenotype for future psychosis outcomes, but also for comorbid, persistent or incident non-psychotic disorders; and the evidence that onset of psychotic disorder can at least be delayed in ultra high risk (UHR) patients, and that some full-threshold psychotic disorder may emerge from risk states not captured by UHR criteria. The paradigm has also illuminated risk factors and mechanisms involved in psychosis onset. However, findings from this and related paradigms indicate the need to develop new identification and diagnostic strategies. These findings include the high prevalence and impact of mental disorders in young people, the limitations of current diagnostic systems and risk identification approaches, the diffuse and unstable symptom patterns in early stages, and their pluripotent, transdiagnostic trajectories. The approach we have recently adopted has been guided by the clinical staging model and adapts the original "at risk mental state" approach to encompass a broader range of inputs and output target syndromes. This approach is supported by a number of novel modelling and prediction strategies that acknowledge and reflect the dynamic nature of psychopathology, such as dynamical systems theory, network theory, and joint modelling. Importantly, a broader transdiagnostic approach and enhancing specific prediction (profiling or increasing precision) can be achieved concurrently. A holistic strategy can be developed that applies these new prediction approaches, as well as machine learning and iterative probabilistic multimodal models, to a blend of subjective psychological data, physical disturbances (e.g., EEG measures) and biomarkers (e.g., neuroinflammation, neural network abnormalities) acquired through fine-grained sequential or longitudinal assessments. This strategy could ultimately enhance our understanding and ability to predict the onset, early course and evolution of mental ill health, further opening pathways for preventive interventions.

Promoting active ageing in older people with mental disorders living in the community: An integrative review.

To critically synthesize the evidence in relation to the promotion of active ageing in older people, including those with mental disorders. Approximately 15% of older people aged 60 and above are experiencing a mental disorder. However, they are commonly unrecognized from health care providers. This study is an integrative review. Articles published between January 2002 and March 2017 in English and in Thai were identified through searches of the databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Thai LIS, as well as through manual searching. Methodologically high-quality research articles were included if they addressed the promotion of active ageing and related concepts, the impact of mental disorders on active ageing and related concepts, the perspective of older people regarding active ageing, and issues related to working with older people with mental health problems living in the community. A total of 18 articles were included. The findings show that there is little evidence regarding the promotion of active ageing in older people with mental disorders. Older people with mental disorders were less likely to achieve successful ageing compared with those without mental disorders, suggesting they need support from health care providers. However, there are several barriers to care and working with older people with mental disorders at the community level. Of concern is that health professionals focus on the physical health of older people while mental health issues are overlooked.

The psycho-geriatric patient in the Emergency Room (ER) of the Maggiore della Carità Hospital in Novara

IntroductionDue to population aging, the health system will face increasing challenges in the next years. Concerning mental disorders, they are major public health issues in late life, with mood and anxiety disorders being some of the most common mental disorder among the elderly. For this reason, increasing attention has to be paid to the evaluation of the elderly in psychiatry emergency settings.ObjectivesTo evaluate the socio-demographic and clinical features of over 65 patients referred to psychiatric consultations in the ER of “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital in Novara, in a 7 years period.AimsThe analysis of the characteristics of the study sample could be potentially useful in resource planning in order to better serve this important segment of the general population.MethodsDeterminants of ER visits for over 65 patients referred to psychiatric evaluation were studied retrospectively from 2008 to 2015.ResultsElderly patients made up 14,7% (n = 458) of all psychiatric evaluation in the ER (n = 3124). About two thirds (65,9%) were females and one third were males (34,1%). The mean age of patients recruited was 75.11 years. The majority of subjects (68.6%) presented without a diagnosis of Axis I according to DSM-IV. The other most frequent diagnosis was “cognitive disorders” (11.4%) and “mood disorders” (10.9%).ConclusionsThe large proportion of patients without a diagnosis of Axis I, could be related to the misunderstanding of the psychosocial aspects of aging. Preliminary results highlight the importance of research on this topic, considering population aging and the impact of mental disorders in late-life.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Umstrukturierung einer psychiatrischen Abteilung nach Recovery-Grundsätzen: eine Pilotstudie mit „mixed-method design“

Considering the impact of mental disorders, control and evaluation of treatment programs are important topics. Here, we report on a pilot study composed of a qualitative and a quantitative part to monitor the recovery-oriented reorganisation of a psychiatric department. For this purpose 13 and 15, respectively, stakeholders of the change management were interviewed between 2012 (T1) and 2014 (T2). Moreover, patients and staff were asked to complete a German version of the Recovery Self Assessment (RSA) questionnaire. The main result of the first investigation (T1) was that nursing staff fostered the projected transformation, while physicians and psychologists focused on risk management and worried about losing their role. The patients’ and staff's questionnaire ratings of the recovery orientation of the department were surprisingly positive. However, most of the staff members were not correctly informed about patients’ rights to see their files. In the second investigation (T2), many of the interviewees were under the impression that either their participation had decreased and/or that the reorganisation, from their point of view, had already been completed. Nevertheless, staff assessed the recovery orientation of their work as significantly improved, while the patients’ evaluation of the recovery orientation of the department was unchanged. Concerning single items of the RSA questionnaire, the support of occupational rehabilitation and aspects of participation were rated worst. Methodological problems and possible implications of the results are discussed.

Mental health coverage in needs assessments and associated opportunities.

Mental disorders account for almost a third of UK disease burden. Cost effective public mental health interventions have broad public health relevant impacts. Since coverage of such interventions is low, assessment of local coverage is important. A total of 23 Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) around London were assessed for different mental health intelligence. Mental health was poorly covered and difficult to locate in JSNAs. Only a minority of JSNAs mentioned most mental disorders while far fewer JSNAs provided local prevalence estimates or numbers receiving treatment. Only 6% JSNAs included local wellbeing levels and any mental wellbeing promotion initiative mentioned included no information about coverage. Most JSNAs provided little information about impact of mental disorder or broader determinants on mental health. No JSNAs included associated economic implications or information about size of mental health unmet need. Lack of mental health representation in JSNAs means local authorities and clinical commissioning groups cannot perform statutory duties to assess local health needs to inform strategic development and commissioning. This perpetuates poor coverage of public mental health interventions. Actions to improve mental health representation in JSNAs are suggested. Improved coverage of such interventions will result in broad public health relevant impacts and associated economic savings.

Impact of Mental Disorders on the Association Between Adherence to Antihypertensive Agents and All-Cause Healthcare Costs.

Depression and anxiety are factors associated with poor adherence to medications that lead to increased healthcare costs. The authors hypothesize that these conditions will moderate the association between adherence and healthcare costs. The aim was to examine the healthcare costs associated with adherence to antihypertensive agents in the elderly with and without depression and anxiety. The sample included participants with hypertension and used hypertensive agents (N=926). Medication possession ratio was used to calculate medication adherence. Mean total healthcare costs included costs for inpatient stays, emergency department visits, outpatient visits, physician fees, and outpatient medications. Mental disorders were assessed using a questionnaire based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria. The total healthcare costs were significantly greater for nonadherent participants with depression/anxiety than for adherent participants without depression/anxiety (Δ$1841, P<.0001). This study suggests that treating mental disorders in elderly patients with hypertension will decrease total healthcare costs.

Retos de la investigación psicológica en salud mental

The magnitude and impact of mental disorders does not correspond to the resources devoted to research and attention. Although we have made significant progress in their understanding and the efficacy of the psychological treatments, we are still far from an optimal situation. This paper focuses on one of the major issues which we consider fundamental challenges and needs in this area, the increase in research focusing on psychopathology, especially on the mechanisms and processes that explain and maintain mental disorders, as a key point for the design and development of new psychological interventions for the prevention, treatment, and promotion of mental health. The aim is to promote discussion among all stakeholders and debate on those lines we think as a priority.

The impact of mental disorders on the development of nosological features of gelotophobia, gelotophilia and katagelasticism

Scientific psychological studies, which are provided in recent years, indicate lack of coverage of humour disorders as an emotion . Aim. In order to explore and discover the nosological features of gelotophobia, gelotophilia, katagelasticism, in 81 men and 50 women, 142 patients with mental disorders were included. Methods and results. Features of influence of diagnosis, gender, as well as symptoms of mental disorders on the development of gelotophobia, gelotophilia, katagelasticism were studied. The following methods were used: 1) a Russian-language version of the gelotophobia scale GELOPH-15; 2) Methodology of PhoPhiKat-45; 3) Gelotophobia scale GELOPH-15; 4) Picture Test Picture-GELOPH. The psychometric and factor analyses of data were also used. It was distinguished that the main factors in forming the main nosological features are: gender and diagnosis, that allow considering separately the impact of sexual differences and nosological specifics, as well as the impact of mental disorders symptoms on the development of gelotophobia, gelotophilia, katagelasticism. Conclusion. It indicates that the specificity of the manifestations of gelotophobia, gelotophilia, katagelasticism can be seen as indicators of the depth of the violation of human mental activity.

Psychosomatic Aspects of Bronchial Asthma in Children

Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic disease in children affecting 30% of the child population. The purpose of this review was to analyze and summarize the works offoreign and Russian authors who evaluated the impact of mental disorders on the course of asthma in children. The article presents the definition of asthma as a psychosomatic disease and relevance of the study against this background. The authors adduce the results of research studies which allow us to estimate the interaction between the degree of anxiety, accentuation of the nature, severity of asthma, and the duration of the disease. The existing publications demonstrate that the researchers' opinions are polarized regarding the cause-and-effect relationship between psychological disorders and controlled asthma. The authors came to a conclusion that early detection ofpsychopathological symptoms and appropriate psychotherapeutic administration would improve the efficacy of treatment in children with bronchial asthma and the social adaptation, adjust the system offamily relations, and have a positive effect on the course of the disease.

Gender differences in the impact of mental disorders and chronic physical conditions on health-related quality of life among non-demented primary care elderly patients

This paper aims to estimate the comorbidity of mental disorders and chronic physical conditions and to describe the impact of these conditions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of older primary care (PC) attendees by gender. Cross-sectional survey, conducted in 77 PC centres in Catalonia (Spain) on 1192 patients over 65years old. Using face-to-face interviews, we assessed HRQoL (SF-12), mental disorders (SCID and MINI structured clinical interviews), chronic physical conditions (checklist), and disability (Sheehan disability scale). We used multivariate quantile regressions to model which factors were associated with the physical component summary-short form 12 and mental component summary-short form 12. The most frequent comorbidity in both men and women was mood disorder with chronic pain and arthrosis. Mental disorders mainly affected 'mental' QoL, while physical disorders affected 'physical' QoL. Mental disorders had a greater impact on HRQoL than chronic physical conditions, with mood and adjustment disorders being the most disabling conditions. There were some gender differences in the impact of mental and chronic physical conditions on HRQoL. Anxiety disorders and pain had an impact on HRQoL but only in women. Respiratory diseases had an effect on the MCS in women, but only affected the PCS in men. Mood and adjustment disorders had the greatest impact on HRQoL. The impact profile of mental and chronic physical conditions differs between genders. Our results reinforce the need for screening for mental disorders (mainly depression) in older patients in PC.

Are People with Mental Disorders Less Likely to Be Treated for Somatic Diseases over Time? Longitudinal Analyses From the Gazel Cohort Study.

Introduction Although accumulating evidence suggests that individuals with mental disorders have an increased risk of mortality from physical illnesses, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully understood. Objectives To examine the association between mental disorder status and self-reported treatment for major somatic diseases, including respiratory, cardiovascular (CVD), metabolic diseases, and cancer over a 12-year follow-up period. Aims To test whether people with mental disorders are less likely to be treated for somatic diseases. Methods In the large prospective French GAZEL cohort of 15 798 employees, mental disorder was defined as at least one sickness absence exceeding 7 days from 1989 – 2000 and self-reported treatment of somatic diseases was assessed from 2001 – 2011. Longitudinal logistic regression models based on generalized estimating equations were used to study the association. Results In fully adjusted-models, a diagnosis of severe mental disorder was associated with an 18% and a 6% greater annual increase in the likelihood of receiving treatment for respiratory disease and CVD over time, respectively. Any mental disorder was associated with a 2% greater annual decrease in the likelihood of receiving treatment for CVD over time. Depressive disorder (3%), mental disorders due to substance abuse, and mixed mental disorders (2%) had similar patterns of decrease. Conclusions This longitudinal study suggests that the impact of mental disorders on treatment receipt for somatic disorders depends on the diagnostic categories. People with depressive disorder, mental disorders due to substance use, and mixed mental disorders may be at risk of not receiving treatment for CVD.

Dentistry students’ views about mental illness and impact of a targeted seminar on knowledge and attitudes: a mixed-method study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to inform education of non-mental health professionals who provide care to people with severe mental illness; to describe dentistry students’ knowledge and views about mental illness, including willingness to engage in various social situations with a person hospitalised for mental illness; and to assess and understand the impact of a targeted lecture on views and attitudes. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employed mixed methods to examine dental students’ knowledge and views about mental disorder before and after a seminar covering mental disorder, disadvantage and oral health. Findings from a bespoke questionnaire administered to third-year dental students were triangulated with qualitative data gathered in interviews with a subsample. Findings – Students understood mental disorder broadly, employing diverse causal models. Although knowledge was typically grounded in media stereotypes, attitudes were benevolent and most students reported willingness to provide dental care to affected individuals. The seminar, especially the consumer delivered section, was valued and associated with increased appreciation of the impact of mental disorder on oral health and need for assertive action to promote access to care. However, students reported being reluctant to disclose their own mental health problems for fear of being considered a professional or personal failure. A minority knew how to seek support if a friend talked of suicide. Research limitations/implications – This study highlights the need for further investigation of the knowledge and attitudes of dentistry students pertinent to provision of care to people with mental illness and to examine the links between attitudes and practice. The paper also provides a useful foundation for development of brief educational interventions, particularly the value in integrating the service user perspective, and their evaluation. Research should also examine the impact of mental health education on practice. Practical implications – A single inexpensive educational session, such as the one the paper developed may support reconsideration of often unconscious views of mental illness which might affect practice. Social implications – If people with mental illness are to receive equitable access to health care, non-mental health professionals should be supported to develop knowledge and attitudes which are conducive to inclusive treatment. An education session such as this could be helpful. Originality/value – There is scant literature examining attitudes of dentistry students and no reports of mental health-specific education with this population.