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The Involvement Of A Mental Illness Essay

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APRN Involvement in Give an Hour
Mental illness is an epidemic that plagues the United States. In 2014, it was estimated that one in five adults, or 43.8 million individuals, are diagnosed with a mental illness each year (NIMH, 2014). Among military veterans and the active duty population, the prevalence is even higher. According to one study conducted in 2014, nearly 25% of an active-duty, non-deployed Army population of 5,500 screened positive for a mental disorder of some kind, while 11% of those same individuals also tested positive for more than one mental illness (Willingham, 2014). There are several prominent non-profit organizations that selflessly dedicate their efforts toward diminishing these staggering statistics. The most notable of these associations could arguably be Give an Hour (GAH). GAH functions on the expertise and kindness of volunteer licensed mental health professionals who provide complimentary and confidential care to veterans, service members and their families. GAH offers an excellent opportunity for Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners (APRN), specifically, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP), to offer assistance to a population who is clearly suffering from the pestilence of mental illness.
Significance of Mental Illness in the Military
Research trends indicates that there are three primary mental illnesses that affect the military population: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

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