SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental HealthCare

SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental HealthCare System

SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental HealthCare System

The mental health care system has many challenges and gaps leaving those with mental illnesses vulnerable, helpless, and oppressed. The World Health Organization (2004) states, “The country is not very sensitized to mental health issues” (p. 82). The lack of support from the country overall, is proof of why those with mental health issues cannot get the assistance needed or the funding needed to help better the lives of the community of those who suffer from mental illness. Other barriers such as mental health interventions are not seen as successful enough to continue seeking that route.

There are certain people who are resistant to change in policies and then an agreement for mental health policies are too few far in between. There is an insurmountable quantity of people that need to be seen but too few of providers out there to help (World Health Organization, 2004, pp. 82-83). In the Parker case, the health professional that had discharged the client may have been overwhelmed by the amount of work with the same group of clients or clients with similar issues or the lack of resources that the hospital is unable to provide. The statement quoted above can also pertain to the health worker because she may not have empathy towards the client(s); therefore showing her lack of respect once they are discharged. SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental HealthCare System.

Environmental Stressors

Environmental stressors such as in the Parker case where the Mother was/is hoarding and it has always affected the daughters especially the one that currently lives with her. The environmental stressor is the relative’s habit. The stressor agitated the client enough that she was in the hospital multiple times. The last visit might have been avoided had the treatment been longer or possibly less challenging for the staff. “Stress also can lead to serious mental health problems, like depression and anxiety disorders” (Mental Health America, n.d.). The client from the Parker case might have gained a mental health issue due to her environmental stressor(s) at home. SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental HealthCare System.

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Sessions: Parker family (Episode 5 of 42) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2016, from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/how-stress-hurts

World Health Organization. (2004). Mental health policy and service guidance package: Mental health policy, plans and programmes. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/en/policy_plans_revision.pdf

SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental HealthCare System

Colleague 2: RW

After reviewing this week’s resources and the Parker Case, one of the challenges in the mental health field is the “rehospitalization”. In the Parker Case, Stephanie was diagnosed with bipolar as a teenager, and has been hospitalized four times. (Plummer et all, 2014). Stephanie even pointed out in the video that she didn’t believe that she needed to hospitalized as many time as she was (video). Popple & Leighninger, they discuss how rehospitalizations of people with severe diagnosis, such as schizophrenia, are high and even more severe if compounded with health concerns, (2015). This can be classified as a gap in the mental health system because due to the several hospitalizations, it means that it may prolong the process of stabilizing the mental ill, (Popple & Leighninger, 2015).

Environmental stressors, such as lack of a support system or living with another individual with a mental illness can also be the cause for people such as Stephanie to be rehospitalized. The lack of support system could be a hindrance because it doesn’t allow the mentally ill to be advocated for, therefore the people, like Stephanie, might feel forced into services and more reluctant to progress in treatment. Another hindrance or stressor could be living with a person with a diagnosis as well. In the Parker family case, Stephanie’s mother is a hoarder, and due to her ways of living she is constantly triggering Stephanie’s bipolar and other negative behaviors, including adding stress to their relationship.

Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore:

MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader]. 6-8

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2015). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social

welfare policy analysis for social workers. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

Education. 164-193. SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental Health Care System

Response 3: Emerging Issues in Mental Health Care

Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.

· Respond to at least two colleagues by expanding on their posts regarding what social workers can do to ensure that clients/populations receive necessary mental health services. In your response, explain the ethical responsibility related to mental health care in host settings that social workers must uphold when they encounter conflicts in administration and professional values. For example, how might you balance insurance, service, and continuity of care?

Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references. SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental Health Care System.

Colleague 1: JH

There are many emerging issues within the mental health care system that need to be advocated for. One big issue is the scarcity of services to the mentally ill. There needs to be more hospitals, more beds, and more professionally educated individuals that can help these types of clients. I also think that another issue is the lack of insurance company coverage. I know here in Alabama there is only one insurance company for the whole state. Some mental health services are covered but then they’re some that you have to pay out of pocket for. Complete coverage can help aid patients whose mental illness were identified by early detection (Popple and Leighninger, 2015). As social workers we need to advocate for more services to be provided to our clients suffering from mental illness. We can also advocate for policy changes within our local insurances to provide more coverage for individuals that need to have mental health care coverage. Social workers can also report to authorities and institutions to help notify them of patients who fail to follow treatment plans (Plummer, Makris, and Brocksen, 2014). We also should help family member and/or other support individuals understand and participate in the goals and treatment plans with our patients. These are great assets for success with mental health patients. Here in Alabama our commitment standards are pretty straightforward. The individual has to be able to make rational and informed decisions about their health and a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others.

Reference

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2015). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

SOCW6531-Gaps in the Mental Health Care System

Colleague 2: RW

Some emerging issues that are present in the mental health care is the integration of clients in society and the constant “rehospitalizations.” In our resources it was suggested that people who suffer from severe illnesses seem to consistently be hospitalized. (Popple, 2015). I think one reason this could be the case is because of the inability to successfully transition and live within society with heir diagnoses. As a social worker it would be beneficial to advocate for those trying to transition into society by possibly setting up outgoing services that are accessible to them upon discharge. By having useful services at their disposal it could possibly decrease re hospitalizations all together.