Mental Health Policy
Summary of Mental Health Policy
Mental health conditions are continuing to remain a significant issue in the public health sector. The problem of mental health is contributed by the increase of menta cases and the burden they cause to global health management. Mental health diseases have been ranked third as conditions that cause health burden, especially in the middle-income nations. Despite numerous interventions being used in treating and preventing mental health problems, a huge gap still exists between various mental needs and the accessibility of adequate resources for meeting the health needs. “More than 75% of individuals with serious mental health conditions do not have access to the treatment they deserve” (Bonnie & Zelle, 2019).
Plans for mental health and policies are critical tools for the coordination of services that involve mental health care for the affected populations. Improper coordination or absence of mental health policies is likely to lead to cause inefficiency in treatment options for patients. “Policies are meant to achieve the desired impact when the government is involved, and international standards are followed” (Ssebunnya, Kigozi & Ndyanabangi, 2012). The policies that structure mental health should also indicate a broad consensus amongst primary stakeholders. Mental health policies are designed to improve the quality of care for the mentally challenged, reduce healthcare burden, prevent mental illness resulting from substance abuse.
Definition of Mental Health Policy
“Mental health policy refers to a specific written document by the government or the respective health ministry and contains the goals for improving the state of mental health in a particular country” (Zelle, Kemp & Bonnie, 2015). The policy document also contains the priorities for achieving mental health goals and strategies for attaining mental health goals. The mental health policy many consists of components such as advocacy for promoting and protecting mental health goals and promotion of mental well-being. Mental health policies may also comprise components that assist in the prevention of mental health disorders, treatment, and rehabilitation of mentally ill individuals in society. The goal is to help the victims achieve full social and psychological functioning as they interact with other people. “Mental health policy development program are also participating in funding high-quality research with a goal of improving health within borders” (Bonnie & Zelle, 2019). Furthermore, the policy embraces training and supporting of health researchers and availing world-class research facilities to assist in promoting and improving health. Mental health policies and programs involve patients and the public in every step they undertake in order for the people to realize the importance of mental health policy and programs.
Description of Mental Health Policy
Mental health policy and program are interdisciplinary coordination and collaboration in issues of mental health, public health, and law. The mental health policy concept is a health initiative that is inseparable from the general health issues. Health stakeholders from various health departments are supposed to be part of the mental health policies and programs. Mental health policy development is a plan that is continuing to take place in many countries. The increasing need for mental health initiative in many nations is because of the realization of the burden that comes with increased cases of mental illnesses. Governments that have and aim of supporting and improving the mental health status of their citizens have a responsibility of coming up with policies that have a direct and indirect impact on the mental health of the citizens. “Health practitioners have a critical obligation to incorporate all the mental health issues, programs, and initiatives into framing policies that assist in helping out individuals with mental health problems” (Ssebunnya, Kigozi & Ndyanabangi, 2012). When the government is defining the policies and programs set to improve mental health practices within its borders, it considers crucial factors that contribute to the establishment of a highly sustainable health system for the mentally ill.
Importance of Mental Health policy
Mental health policy is a notable way of reducing the burden of health caused by mental illnesses. Mental health policy initiatives for the people offer early intervention and promotion of health practices in all facilities. Rehabilitation facilities receive immense support from the mental health initiatives set by the government to ensure that mentally ill patients are receiving the level of care they deserve to experience and optimum physical and psychological care. Mental health policies and programs serve as training grounds for health workers who offer paid and voluntary services to needy people. Improvement of medical attention for the practitioner through education and training is an important role steered by the mental health policies, which generally improve health for the affected population (Bonnie & Zelle, 2019). With the availability of mental health policy in a country, advocacy for the mentally ill becomes enhanced. Victims of mental health subjected to various kinds of mistreatments can receive justice the mental health policies and programs undertaken by the government. Mental health policy is, hence, a tool that brings order, recognition, respect, and justice to the mentally ill patients through multidisciplinary collaboration in the health sector and the government.
References
Bonnie, R.J. & Zelle, H. (2019). Public Health Ethics Relating to Persons with Mental Illness. In
- Mastroianni, N. Kass, & J. Kahn (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Public Health Ethics.New York: Oxford University Press.
Ssebunnya J, Kigozi F, & Ndyanabangi S. (2012). Developing a National Mental Health Policy:
A Case Study from Uganda. PLoS Med 9(10): e1001319.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001319
Zelle, H., Kemp, K., & Bonnie, R.J. (2015). Advance directives for mental health care:
Innovation in law, policy, and practice. Psychiatric Services, 66, 7-9.