Support Systems Play A Major Role For A Patient 's Recovery Of An Illness

Nordby,K. Kjonsberg, K. Hummelvoll, J.K.(2009) Relatives of persons with recently discovered serious mental illness: in need of support to become resource persons in treatment and recovery.(Appendix 1). Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing. 17, 304-311.

Across the country, a steady increase has been noted in the number of patients presenting to emergency departments for psychiatric complaints (Zun, 2014). Patients also attempt to use their primary care doctors to treat their mental illnesses. The mental health care options for these patients are extremely limited, especially for minority populations such as African Americans and Hispanics. One out of four adults in America suffers from some form of mental illness, yet only one out of three of those affected receives treatment (Safran, 2009). Furthermore, patients are routinely misdiagnosed, receive poor quality of care, receive care from providers who have no understanding of their cultures and values, or are not even able to receive care in the first place (Sanchez, 2012).

Many assessments fail to gather much information on a broader multi-cultural spectrum, this assessment proves that its makers are interested in finding how multiple cultures deal with issues within their family when they may arise. The cultures and the languages that the FAD addresses include: English, Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, French, Dutch, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish. This assessment is made to be completed within a 10-15 minute time frame and is made to be scored within the same amount of time it takes to administer the assessment. This is a self-reporting assessment which can pose the risk of a client not being entirely truthful while completing the assessment however; when this assessment is given it is typically given to the entire family to identify what each individual family member is feeling to ensure that an effective treatment plan is put into place for the clients. This assessment should be completed before the family begins treatment and according to Whiston (2013) when making a treatment plan we have to consider the degree that the problem is affecting the client, the environmental or social factors that are contributing to the clients problems, the clients strengths, as well as should cultural issues

The patient and her family did seek treatment originally because of the physical problem but the mental issues were also treated during the inpatient stay. The family acted as the patient’s support system. The stressors observed

Mental health illnesses affect everyone. It is highly prevalent affecting people of all ages, gender, cultures, and social groups. Attitudes towards mental health illnesses vary among individuals and often are highly influenced by the various cultures that the individuals identify with. Culture as a social concept can be defined as a set of norms, values, behaviours, and beliefs that are common and shared amongst a group of individuals (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). Culture can be applicable to groups like Asians and Americans but also to groups of shared norms, beliefs, and values established within professions such as the culture of patients and practitioners. Culture provides these groups with structure and context to understanding their society and the world as a whole. Culture influence a wide range of aspects of mental health, including how mental health is perceived by the patient, how the patient will experience mental health stigma, and how they cope with symptoms of mental health illness. Additionally, these cultural influences impact the relationship between the patient and the practitioner in a number of ways.

The stigma held against mental illness is so strong because it may affect their social standing. “Low income and less educated individuals are more likely to express concern about the reactions of friends and family if they got help for psychiatric problems” (Alvidrez, 1999, p. 517). Speaking about one’s problems is sanctioned enough with the Latino community; however, speaking to a stranger and potentially having an actual mental disease confirmed is far more insidious. It is considered to be an extreme violation of long standing traditions. According to Alvidrez’s (1999) study, “only 12 (6.6%) of women said that friends or family would be upset if they sought help for personal or emotional problems…in the belief that

Family involvement provides a support system for the patient as well. Similarly, in the Asian culture, family is often strongly involved in the healthcare of a family member. This may be out of love and concern for the individual but it also is enforced by the cultural norm and social pressure (Park, Chesla, Rehm & Chun 2011, p. 2377). With any culture, including Asian Americans, family support may have positive or negative outcomes. Park et al (2011) then states that “Asian American families provided emotional support, strengthened the patient’s sense of belonging and purpose, and provided material support, such as housing and financial assistance” (p. 2377). By having these added support systems, a patient can focus on their health and recovery without having to worry about financial burdens. The elderly are valued with the highest regard in the Asian culture but when an elderly family member becomes ill, the family dynamic and hierarchy is threatened. This can cause added stress for the family, tension among members and may delay the patient’s health and recovery. In some cases, the family members in the Asian culture may become overly involved in the patient’s care completely taking away the patients independence. However, in the healthcare system in the United States, maintaining

The topic of mental illness had become a recurring theme in my life during 2015. Health and wellness of the mind was a topic never brought up in my household during my childhood and well into my adolescence. My father always reminded me “Ashley, were black. We don't get depressed or anxious, we just face our problems head on because we’re naturally strong people.” Constantly hearing this gave me the false notion that mental

Freddie is a 19 year-old Caucasian male who was diagnosis with paranoid schizophrenia with acute psychosis (Halloran & Lowenstein, 2000). He lives with his mother in an apartment in the suburbs (Halloran & Lowenstein, 2000). In his research Versola-Russo (2006) found that individuals with a family history of a mental illness they are more likely to receive a diagnosis of one. Culture influences individual’s perception of mental illness to whether they seek out treatment and their coping style and support system (Versola-Russo, 2006). According to Versola-Russo (2006), Caucasian are more likely to have somatic complaint (Versola-Russo, 2006). They are also more likely to complete violent acts (Versola-Russo, 2006). Freddie has two older brothers and a mother that is there for him as a support system Joey (Halloran & Lowenstein, 2000). His brothers took him to the hospital

The source of referral was referred by an outpatient mental health provider, through the request of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. The client was referred to obtain in-home intensive services by a Full Service Partnership (FSP) program. The client referenced in this case will be referred as Alyssa in order to protect this person’s true identity by maintaining confidentiality. Alyssa is a 26 year-old Hispanic female, who has been linked recently to the Full Service Partnership (FSP) program. Alyssa presents to be oriented to time, place, person, and situation. At times, she presents well groomed and other times disheveled. Alyssa is currently facing a life-style transition which has stirred up emotions of

Families are often the main support system for people affected by mental illness. If a

Principles of Support: "We will see the individual first, not the illness. We recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers. We understand that mental illnesses are traumatic events. We aim for better coping skills. We find strength in sharing experiences. We reject stigma and do not tolerate discrimination. We won’t judge anyone’s pain as less than our own. We forgive ourselves and reject guilt. We embrace humor as healthy. We accept we cannot solve all problems. We expect a better future in a realistic way. We will never give up hope (NAMI, 2014, p. 1)."

Many cultures are uncomfortable sharing the emotional, mental issues they face because of our cultural upbringing we keep personal business to ourselves, however our society has changed in many ways that do create many issues for our next generation, therefore I believe we will have more people seeking therapy and they should not be ashamed to ask for help nevertheless It’s something that needs to be addressed and not judged Stereotyping will never go away, the social mobility of one’s self can be changed, in conclusion I want to guide families and individuals to be okay with who they are and can be content within

Culture has a great effect on attitudes toward therapy. According to the National Institution of Mental Health each individual or groups of people bring a variation of beliefs to the therapeutic setting such as communicating what issues to report, types of coping styles, social support, and cultural stigma towards mental health. More often it is culture that bears on whether or not an individual will seek help. For example there is a widespread tendency to stigmatize mental illness in Asian countries. People with mental illness are considered dangerous and create social distance and

Mental illness is a health condition that affects an individual’s moods and thinking in a way that changes how that person relates to other people in society. The functioning of the affected person is also altered and usually results in the person failing to perform some of the daily activities that the person has previously engaged in. Mental illness can be considered a combination of both social and health complications, affecting the social life of the people who fall victim in many ways (Elliott & Huizinga, 2012). There are some health complications that are also experienced with mental disorders. It is also important to note that medical attention forms part of the therapies that try to correct or control this condition. More recently most concern has been on the fact that mental illness is a major social problem in the world (Gonzalez & Rosenheck, 2014).