Caring for the Mentally Ill Essay examples -- Health Care, Diseases

Policy Problem: Caring for the Mentally Ill The healthcare system, as a whole, faces many challenges when caring for vulnerable populations. Included in this population are individuals suffering from mental illness. More than 450 million people suffer from a mental health condition (WHO, 2010). Mental health and suicide prevention should be made national priorities. With the lack of resources and public knowledge of this population, healthcare providers are struck with the difficult task of educating the public of the importance of â€Å"mental health for overall health.† Public attitudes, and the stigma attached with mental illness, is a major barrier to treatment. Those suffering from mental illness are deprived of the treatment and support they need due to low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness, derived from the stigma attached by the public. Poor mental health is associated with exclusion from social groups, difficult work environments, unhealthy lifestyles, risk of violence and poor physical health, and viol ations of human rights (WHO, 2010). Access to quality care is lacking, as well as, early mental health screenings and referrals, which should be made a common practice. More research in this area is critical, along with, improved quality of care for mental health. Background SOCIAL FACTORS Individuals living with severe mental illness accounted for 9.8 million adults in the year 2008. Among these, 58.7 percent used mental health services, 40.5 percent received outpatient services, and a little over seven percent received inpatient services for a mental health problem (Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Center, 2009). Globally, there is a chance that one out of four people will experience some kind of mental heal... ...eloping mental illness being high, the need for care is growing. Access to adequate care is an issue for individuals needing mental health services. Lack of, or late treatment, has resulted in a large number of suicides. High cost of coverage for mental illness has been an issue until the pass of the mental health parity act. Other bills and policies have been proposed to benefit those with a mental disorder in order get the care they deserve. The goal is to reduce the stigma with seeking treatment for mental health disorders, to promote health to the younger population with expanded school programs, to treat mental health with the same respect as physical health, and to do early screenings for mental health disorders and substance abuse. Individuals with mental disorders deserve access to quality care. After all, there is no overall health without mental health. Caring for the Mentally Ill Essay examples -- Health Care, Diseases Policy Problem: Caring for the Mentally Ill The healthcare system, as a whole, faces many challenges when caring for vulnerable populations. Included in this population are individuals suffering from mental illness. More than 450 million people suffer from a mental health condition (WHO, 2010). Mental health and suicide prevention should be made national priorities. With the lack of resources and public knowledge of this population, healthcare providers are struck with the difficult task of educating the public of the importance of â€Å"mental health for overall health.† Public attitudes, and the stigma attached with mental illness, is a major barrier to treatment. Those suffering from mental illness are deprived of the treatment and support they need due to low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness, derived from the stigma attached by the public. Poor mental health is associated with exclusion from social groups, difficult work environments, unhealthy lifestyles, risk of violence and poor physical health, and viol ations of human rights (WHO, 2010). Access to quality care is lacking, as well as, early mental health screenings and referrals, which should be made a common practice. More research in this area is critical, along with, improved quality of care for mental health. Background SOCIAL FACTORS Individuals living with severe mental illness accounted for 9.8 million adults in the year 2008. Among these, 58.7 percent used mental health services, 40.5 percent received outpatient services, and a little over seven percent received inpatient services for a mental health problem (Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Center, 2009). Globally, there is a chance that one out of four people will experience some kind of mental heal... ...eloping mental illness being high, the need for care is growing. Access to adequate care is an issue for individuals needing mental health services. Lack of, or late treatment, has resulted in a large number of suicides. High cost of coverage for mental illness has been an issue until the pass of the mental health parity act. Other bills and policies have been proposed to benefit those with a mental disorder in order get the care they deserve. The goal is to reduce the stigma with seeking treatment for mental health disorders, to promote health to the younger population with expanded school programs, to treat mental health with the same respect as physical health, and to do early screenings for mental health disorders and substance abuse. Individuals with mental disorders deserve access to quality care. After all, there is no overall health without mental health.