Disparities In Mental Health Care

The provision of mental health services in the U.S. is a social justice issue that affects vulnerable populations in a variety of ways, including: limited access to quality mental health programs, especially in rural areas; the stigma associated with seeking mental health help; and discrimination against those with mental health issues. The far-reaching implications on our current system and policies of mental health care mean that it is a pervasive issue in the United States. According to the Scientific American, “Mental health care is one of the biggest

A national strategy for promoting mental wellbeing and mental health is No Health Without Mental Health.

Crazy by Pete Earley and a series of class videos highlight the tension between access to care and the right of refusal for mental illness patients. Core themes and patterns in the material show the difficulties between state governments and local resources. Each film and book explores the availability of voluntary community-based treatments; personal and professional ethics regarding the individual choice to refuse treatment; and community demands for consumer safety and others.

The lack of mental health care services for minorities is a long-standing problem in the United States. The first time the issue received attention was in 1985, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report that described serious health discrepancies that minority populations were enduring. In 1986, because of this report, the Office of Minority Health was formed to assist in the reduction of the health care shortages for

There is so much that can be done to create more access to mental health care but we need to start somewhere. To reduce the effects of untreated mental health care, access to care needs to become available to everyone. Having care and access to that care is essential in treating mental illness and to help provide a better life to those suffering from mental illness. Access to care needs to increase so that everyone in the world has a fair shot at receiving help. It's time to take a stand and increase the access to mental health

Policy analysis of mental health care under the ACA as well as description of how mental health care/service are organized under the ACA from federal to local levels.

Through environmental and technological innovations, health care in the industrialized world has been transformed over the past two centuries. This transformation also applies to mental health care. With the discovery and acceptance of psychology as a legitimate health science in the past one and a half centuries, mental health has been gradually integrated into the broad health care schema as primary and preventative medicine. However, even with this gradual integration, mental health care in the United States leaves much to be desired. Even after the passage of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), this type of care falls short of

In order to get the out of pocket costs down, either a national mental health care system would need to be constructed, or stricter national codes must be created and enforced to make sure health Insurance companies provide mental health at an affordable rate. On the other hand, I am cautious of letting the state of federal government have their own metal healthcare system. I am aware of the fact that past state run mental health institutions were places of inhuman treatment and torture. A better solution is needed. Therefore, I believe it is best incorporate a national mental health care exchange. That way, people could buy and sell mental health care insurance from any provider in the United States. Also, strict regulations must be enforced to prevent profit hungry insurance providers from purposefully making access to mental healthcare

Over the years, mental health researchers have become increasingly interested in conducting research pertaining to the utilization rates and the provision of efficacious services to ethnically and racially diverse populations (Sue & Sue, 1990). Furthermore, research has concluded that certain populations may utilize mental health services more than others. In particular, individuals from underrepresented and minority populations are less likely to utilize mental health services than other populations due to issues such as cultural mistrust, low socioeconomic status, religious orientations, and perceived stigmas and negative attitudes toward utilizing services (Thurston & Phares, 2008). Because of these challenges, research has suggested that a "service gap” develops. Thus, many individuals may be in need of services, yet refuse to seek help. This in turn may lead to many issues among diverse populations in regards to seeking mental health services (Cramer, 2009).

Access to mental health care is not as good as than other forms of medical services. Some Americans have reduced access to mental health care amenities because they are living in a countryside setting. Others cannot get to treatment for the reason of shortage of transportation or vast work and household tasks. In some areas, when a

“A recently published study shows that nearly 30 percent of the general population would benefit from mental health care; however, only 10 percent of the population actually receives help” (Nauert, 2016, pg. 1). Therefore, “it is important to support governments to adopt mental health policies and to integrate mental health policy into public health policy and general social policy” (Jenkins, 2003, pg. 14). In view of the fact that “mental disorder causes a heavy burden for societies, impedes the development of other health and development targets, contributes to poverty and differentially affects the poor and, last but not least, because mental health itself is of intrinsic value as is physical health" (Jenkins, 2003, pg. 14). Therefore, in

Mental illnesses are a serious problem worldwide, however, they often go untreated. This happens for a number of reasons such as stigma, lack of knowledge and counties personal failures to protect and provide for those who are in need. In order to protect those suffering from mental illnesses. Proper treatment and accommodations of mental health victims are often not provided, leading to further problems with these victims.

Well-being is generally referred to as the state of being with others, where a persons needs are met. It also involves being able to pursue overall goals and in turn experience a satisfactory quality of life (Wed, 2007). Subjective wellbeing, on the other hand, explores a person’s cognitive and affective evaluation of their life (Diener, Lucas & Oishi, 2002). Subjective wellbeing is believed to be achieved by attaining fulfilment, happiness and life satisfaction (Diener, et al, 2003). Subjective wellbeing is a fundamental human concern (Steel, Schmidt & Shultz, 2008), which several studies have proven personality to be one of the primary predictors of (Steel, Schmidt & Shultz, 2008).

Mental Health has been recognized, as the well-being at which individuals are able to cope with everyday stresses, and work productively while contributing back to their community. Mental Health America began in the early 1900’s by Clifford W. Beers, a former psychiatric patient who experienced mental/physical abuse during his stay in public and private institutions. It wasn’t until short after a reform group emerged, to stand against the abuse and ill-treatment at these institutions. In this paper, I will be discussing the history/background of Mental Health Services, and how quality, access, cost or other factors have changed (or how they haven’t). I also will be discussing the populations that benefit from this type of service and the significant issues, and or problems within the area that impact specific populations. Lastly, I will interpret national policy, legislation, attitudes, political climate, and how they impact or relate to the problems discussed, then I will address two current issues discussed along with clarifying each discussion.

The concept of well-being as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the “judgment of life in a positive manner as well as satisfaction with life, fulfillment and positive functioning.” (Well-Being Concepts, 2016) The perfect approach to the issue of quantifying well-being is the use of self-assessment scales. One such scale developed is the Psychological Well-Being Scale by Carroll Ryff . (Ryff, 1995) Concepts such as Well-Being attempt to explore the non-economic side of development. It is of supreme importance to understand whether individuals are content with the life, which they are living over and above the laws and rights, which already exist in society. Scales such as this provide an accurate picture of reality as it gives a first hand account. This accuracy can help in better implementation of Human Rights and in turn effective development in the future. In order to confirm and prove its applicability, the scale can act as a blueprint for the future. In the sense that if the scale works at an individual level, it can be developed and modified to apply to a larger population.