National Survey On Drug Use And Health

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

The first obstacle that must be overcome when Appalachians want to get help for mental health issues is the lack of access to mental health professionals. While there are mental health treatment options available, they are mainly located in the more urban areas of the region (Susan Emily Keefe, Appalachia’s Children). All too often, people are unaware of the services available to them for the treatment of mental health disorders. Even if they do possess knowledge of what is available, it may not be feasible to get to these services. Many of the residents may not have insurance or the financial capabilities necessary to pay for treatment. Because the

According to the World Health Organization, mental illness will affect approximately 25% of people at some point in their life (“WHO Qualityrights”, n.d.). Despite that, the current mental health care system in the United States is inadequate. Many aspects of the system need improving, especially the barriers to service. In fact, approximately 20% of individuals are left without necessary treatment for their mental health disorder (“Mental Health”, 2016). Mentally ill individuals have difficulty accessing necessary mental health care services for various reasons; insurance, socioeconomic status, and mental health stigma can all function as barriers to treatment. Insurance discrimination can make it difficult for individuals to find treatment (Han, Call, Pintor, Alarcon-Espinoza, & Simon, 2015). Gaps in insurance coverage can also be a barrier, as they disrupt the long-term treatment process (Gulley, Rasch, & Chan 2011). Socioeconomic status has been found to negatively affect appointment scheduling (Kugelmass, 2016). Finally, stigma in our society can also stop people from seeking out treatment that they need (Bathje & Pryor, 2011). The mental health system in the United States is not capable of caring for the mentally ill, as insurance, socioeconomic status, and perceived stigma all act as barriers that prevent people from receiving the treatment they need.

In the United States alone, approximately 20% of Americans experience a mental illness in a given year, and 1 in 25 Americans live with a serious mental illness that significantly impacts one or more life activities (NAMI.org, 2015). These disorders span across the lifetime, many starting by the age of 14, and mental health care is often the root of progress or hindrance for a person whose life is impacted by these unseen disorders. Though it is not always evident that an individual is experiencing mental illness, these complications influence the daily lives of millions of people worldwide, regardless of age, culture, race, religion, or other delineation. As a result, it is vital that this sector of healthcare be thoroughly examined for inefficiencies,

Lower income populations have been categorized with high rates of being uninsured and as mentioned in this brief earlier, mental health and substance use disorders are more prevalent among lower income populations. The changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) regarding mental and behavioral services increased the ability for people with these health concerns to gain insurance coverage and acquire the appropriate services needed (Beronio, K., Frank, R., Glied, S., 2014). Along with these changes to coverage, the ACA emphasizes the integration of services among healthcare agencies. With the passing of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) in 2004, funding was provided to counties in California. San Francisco’s Department of Public Health (SFDPH)

The twenty-first century has certainly garnered a reputation. As the generation of acceptance, it has paved the way for many minorities and those previously shunned from society. This being said, America is far from perfect. With every step forward, towards a more equal country, two steps are being taken back and previously forgotten reservations will return. An example of the way America hasn’t progressed is in the way of mental health’s priority in everyday life as well as the services available to help those diagnosed cope.

As the acceptance and incidence of mental health has increased over the years, there is a dire need for constant change when it comes to mental health services. After reviewing both the State of Mental Health in America: 2017 and the Mental Health Reform Act 2016, I feel as though the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) alongside the state and federal governmental programs are addressing the issue head on and with purpose. Although there are lapses within the legislation, especially regarding the lack of grants offered for treatment of the homeless, the Mental Health Reform Act 2016 effectively addresses mental health and substance abuse appropriately while increasing managing to make mental health services more

Proportionately 13.5% of adults in the Appalachian region experience serious psychological distress problems, compared to the 11.6% of adults outside Appalachia (Zhang, et al., 2008). 8.2% of adults have major depressive episodes, which is higher than the 7.6% of individuals from outside the region (Zhang, et al., 2008). This trend is not equally distributed throughout the region. Higher rates of psychological distress and major depression are found in central Appalachia (Zhang, et al., 2008). The lack of access to regular care facilities for mental health contributes to the fact that more patients enter community hospitals for mental health treatment via the emergency room especially in poverty ridden counties and coal mining areas (Zhang, et al., 2008). An Analysis of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disparities & Access to Treatment Services in the Appalachian Region case study suggests that cost or insurance barriers are the primary self- reported reason why people do not receive the mental health treatment needed (Zhang, et al., 2008). The second most reported reason was that people did not feel treatment was needed, and believed they could handle the problem without professional help. Third, stigmatized treatment of mental health disorders within small communities discouraged individuals from seeking

Optimal mental health has been associated with improved health, social, and professional outcomes (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention "Mental Health Basics”). Thus, mental health care is the process of maintaining this well-being for individuals through various health-related services. Because those with mental health disorders are unlikely to “live productively and fruitfully,” many of these people are likely to be in low-income brackets, which also means they are less likely to be able to afford or have sufficient access to the necessary care and their mental and physical health may further deteriorate, thus signaling a vicious cycle. Unfortunately, because poor mental health is not commonly treated or prevented in primary care, these individuals continue to suffer until they are able to be treated for a specific mental illness. Often mental health care and medical care do not coincide. This is a substantial issue because individuals who are in serious need of mental health services are more likely to have serious physical illnesses that accompany mental illnesses. In addition to driving up prices of care, this type of disorganization also reduces the quality and effectiveness of mental health care and medical care

In our current society, many believe that barriers to mental health treatments are “limited availability and affordability of mental health care services, insufficient mental health care policies, lack of education about mental illness, and stigma” (Unite for Site, 2000-2013). If those barriers exist for

In the United States, there are 25% of adults who are diagnosed with a mental illness and it is predicted that 50% of the adult population will develop a mental illness within their lifetime; 8-9% of the adult population in Florida is diagnosed with depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Promotion, awareness, and the availability of mental health services are public health areas in my community that needs attention. The needs of my community are not entirely met, and there are inconsistencies when addressing mental health illness through mental health screenings and routine/follow up appointments. There are some people who are not getting the necessary medical attention, and are therefore are unproductive and unaware of where they can help and what help is actually available to them. The number of adults that report that they have good mental health has decreased since the last Orange County community health assessment of 2007-2010; over 30% of the population ranks their overall mental health as good, fair, or poor, with the severely mentally ill accounting for almost 2400 members of our homeless population (FloridaHealth.gov, 2012). 30 % of the population may seem like a small number when it compares to the other 70 percent of individuals who reported having great to excellent mental health, but I think more can be done to meet the needs of the 30%.

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

Drug addicts, particularly those who are addicted to prescription drugs and recreational drugs such as marijuana, cocaine etc are generally viewed in a negative light in the US today. In many ways, this is logical and justified, but upon further examination, it is also possible to develop understanding and sympathy towards drug addicts and to view them in a different light.

Drugs have been an essential to the American experience, from the very beginning. During ancient times, psychoactive substances have been used by priest during religious ceremonies, shaman healers for medicinal purposes, and also it was socially approved by the general population for their use of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. Stimulants are an epidemic in society by affecting the youth and its on going trend of usage.

Drug abuse has become a public health crisis of major proportions. It sabotages physical and psychological health. This sometimes leading to chronic illness and sometimes even death. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “An estimated twenty million Americans aged twelve or older used an illegal drug in the past thirty days.” The most commonly used and abused drugs today are marijuana, cocaine, meth, and heroin. Drugs are chemicals and while each drug may produce a different physical effect, all substances that are being abused share one common thing. They take over the normal function of the brain and they change the way the brain responds to issues of self control, emotion, motivation, judgment, learning, and