Coun 6785 Social Change In Actionprevention Consultation And Advoc ✓ Solved

COUN 6785: Social Change in Action: Prevention, Consultation, and Advocacy Social Change Portfolio Contents Below are the titles for each section of the Social Change Portfolio. To navigate directly to a particular section, hold down <ctrl> and click on the desired section below. Introduction Scope and Consequences Social-ecological Model Theories of Prevention Diversity and Ethical Considerations Advocacy INTRODUCTION Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas. In Waco, Texas African Americans experience severe forms of mental health problems due to unmet needs. African Americans are more likely to socio-economic disparities that contribute to worst mental health problems.

According to Health and Human Services office in regard to minority health, the experience of serious psychological distress is experienced 10% among the Black community. The resources available in Waco cannot be accessed by people of color because discrimination is dominant. Socio-economic play a crucial role in making treatment options for African Americans less available. 11% of African Americans in 2017 lacked health insurance in Waco, (CHNA, 2018). There is need to increase resources in Waco for African Americans with mental health problems.

PART 1: SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas. Millions of people are affected by mental illness every year in the United States. Suicide is reported as the second cause of deaths in the U.S that are connected to mental health problems that are not attended to. In 2017, 46.6 million adults which is 18.9% had mental illneses. African Americans affected were 28.6% and whites were 20.4%, (NAMI. (n.d).

In 2020, mental illnesses have spurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its been overlooked which worsens the mental health position of Waco and national government generally. Consequences of mental health issues include; Untreated mental health impedes an individual’s ability to make healthy decisions. It can lead to development of diseases and complications such as high blood pressure, cancer and heart diseases or complications. The families of people with mental illneses are likely to strain economically and emotional distress. Mental illneses impedes an individual’s ability to work productively and cope with stress appropriately, (Dich, et.al, 2019).

The prospects of employment decline are due to mental health issues in Waco. The national economy is affected as a result and working age benefit costs are also compromised. In Waco, Texas, the rising cases of mental illness among the African Americans is attributed by the challenge of unmet needs. African Americans face the issue of racism and discrimination that limits their opportunities to get job opportunities, resources to meet their daily needs and also lack health insurance to handle mental health problems. Poverty and segregation faced by the African Americans are the root causes of mental illness.

The consequence of lack of access to services in Waco increases cases of mental illness that pushes victims to engage in substance abuse or suffer from diseases like high blood pressure. Inadequate services in the community including education increase the rate of illiteracy that pushes the people to suffer from stress created by discrimination like mental health without knowing the causes. Awareness and mental health promotion is necessary for Waco to enlighten the community concerning mental health and also alert the government to provide services to the people (Raczynski et.al.. 2013) Goal Statement: The black community with mental health problems in Waco deserve access to mental health care services through provision of resources to reduce its prevalence in the community.

PART 2: SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL MODEL [Insert Title of Social Change Project here] Individual factors that impact mental health in this community include age, education levels where only 80% of adults in Waco have a high school degree and household income and unemployment rates are higher in Waco. Relationship with social environment of an individual plays a role in mental health prevalence in the community, (CDC, n.d). The community lacks resources to cater for the needs of African Americans with mental health issues. Society generally contributes to the discrimination of the African American in mental health care because it is rooted in our culture. This paper discusses how the social-ecological model can be used to help prevent this problem.

Individual Some protective factors for mental health problems include improved nutrition, improved housing, and improved daily exercises. When this type of individual eats well and does exercises, it’s fortunate that this illness cannot infect him/her. Some of the most common risk factors for mental health disorders include living a life full of stress, for example, due to financial and unemployment problems (McCormack et al. 2017). Drug and substance abuse are also risk factors that can generate this problem—even distressed sleep.

Anxiety and depression are also individual built. Family Some protective factors for mental illness at this level include good parenting whereby parents can be drawn close to parents, express love, and give advice (Baiyewu & Bello, 2017). Also, family connectedness helps the individual and the family unite, interact, and converse to reach agreements. Risk factors include histories of mental illness whereby family members might have had the same problems. Also, factors such as poverty, marital difficulties such as divorce, poor communication between an individual and a family member, and parents’ substance abuse co-occur (Baiyewu & Bello, 2017).

Child abuse is also a factor that can result in this illness. Peer groups Peer groups play a crucial role here because they can provide positive attitudes as well as beliefs. Also, to ensure the mentally ill person is thriving at school, they can be of help at all places where the individual needs assistance, for example, academically-oriented friends can help in studies. They ensure they motivate the individual by providing conflict of resolution skills. Risk factors that the peer group plays include engaging an individual who is mentally ill in activities such as substance and drug abuse (Jorm & Mulder, 2018).

Some activities are so deviant and are caused by friends. Peer groups can also participate in bullying this kind of individuals, thus making it a risk factor for mental health problems. Community The community can help by endorsing an optimistic mental health atmosphere, which can be done by providing education. Also, training sessions can promote recovery for these individuals. Mental health promotion is another way that can be used to deal with this problem because it impacts mental health determinants, thus reducing inequalities and building social capital (Jorm & Mulder, 2018).

Also, there is strengthening community networks and reducing economic security. Some risk factors include discrimination that makes a particular individual or group feel as not part of the community. Neighborhood violence and crimes are also risk factors that expose these kinds of individuals to more significant risks. Even unemployment and lack of education as well. PART 3: THEORIES OF PREVENTION [Insert Title of Social Change Project here] Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is the theory that I consider appropriate for the prevention of mental illness contributed by the socio-economic disparities contributed by unequal distribution of resources.

“The components of SCT that related to an individual behavior change include the self-efficacy, self-control, expectancies and goals†(RHI Hub, 2020). The theory is best for the prevention of mental illness in Waco by focusing on the self-efficacy and self-control components where an individual monitors other people actions and judge based on the benefits and also learn from their own experiences. SCT theory would transform the society to focus on the positive aspects of life and continue focusing on their individual goals. An example is the application of SCT skill-building exercise to increase independence and healthy behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS (RHI Hub, 2020). PART 4: DIVERSITY AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS [Insert Title of Social Change Project here] [Insert the content for this section here.

See the instructions for the Diversity and Ethical Considerations section in Week 6 and follow the instructions for this section closely. Be sure to attend to all bullet-points for this section found in the “To Prepare†area in week 6. Please write in full sentences using APA style]. PART 5: ADVOCACY [Insert Title of Social Change Project here] [Insert the content for this section here. See the instructions for the Advocacy section in Week 7 and follow the instructions this section closely.

Be sure to attend to all bullet-points for this section found in the “To Prepare†area in week 7. Please write in full sentences using APA style]. References Baiyewu, O., & Bello, B. (2017). Primary Mental Health Prevention—A Public Health Priority Around the World. In Global Mental Health (pp.

79-88). Springer, Cham. Retrieved from CDC. (n.d). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. Reterieved from CHNA. (2018).

Waco-McLennan County Community Health Needs Assessment . Retrieved from Jorm, A. F., & Mulder, R. T. (2018). Prevention of mental disorders requires action on adverse childhood experiences.

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry , 52 (4), . Retrieved from McCormack, L., Thomas, V., Lewis, M. A., & Rudd, R. (2017). Improving low health literacy and patient engagement: a social ecological approach. Patient education and counseling , 100 (1), 8-13.

Retrieved from NAMI. (n.d). Black/African American. Retrieved from National Cancer Institute (2005). Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion practice. Washington, DC: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health. Raczynski, K., Waldo, M., Schwartz, J. P., & Horne (2013). Evidence-based prevention. In R.

K. Conyne & A. M. Horne (Eds.). Prevention practice kit: Action guides for mental health professionals (pp.

1-83). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. RHI Hub. (2020). Social Cognitive Theory Model - Rural Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Toolkit . Ruralhealthinfo.org.

Retrieved 6 July 2020, from U.S. National Library of Medicine (2018). Health data tools and statistics. Retrieved from

Paper for above instructions

Introduction

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall health, yet the disparities in access to mental health resources create substantial challenges in vulnerable populations. In Waco, Texas, African Americans face severe mental health problems that are exacerbated by a lack of resources resulting from socio-economic disparities and discrimination. Statistics indicate that approximately 10% of the Black community experience serious psychological distress, and in 2017, 11% of African Americans in Waco lacked health insurance (Community Health Needs Assessment [CHNA], 2018). This portfolio aims to explore the scope and consequences of mental health problems in this community, applying the social-ecological model to highlight individual, familial, peer, and community-level factors, and discussing the theories of prevention, diversity, and ethical considerations, and advocacy efforts.

Part 1: Scope and Consequences

Mental illness affects millions of individuals in the United States each year, with a reported 46.6 million adults experiencing mental illnesses in 2017. Among these individuals, the prevalence of mental illness was notably higher in the Black community, with 28.6% reporting issues compared to 20.4% of whites (National Alliance on Mental Illness [NAMI], n.d.). This situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, making mental health resources even less accessible, particularly in Waco.
The consequences of untreated mental health problems are profound. Mental illness impedes individuals’ capacity to make healthy lifestyle choices, potentially leading to physical health complications such as heart disease or diabetes (Dich et al., 2019). Furthermore, individuals suffering from mental health issues often struggle economically and may become dependent on social services, thus impacting the broader economy. The rising mental health issues among African Americans in Waco are intricately tied to systemic factors such as racism, economic disparity, and limited access to health care.
The lack of available resources, including mental health education and promotion programs, further perpetuates this cycle. Inadequate community services lead to increased illiteracy rates and substance abuse as coping mechanisms (Raczynski et al., 2013). Therefore, it is crucial to increase resources for mental health treatment for the Black community in Waco.

Goal Statement

The objective is to advocate for increased access to mental health services for the Black community in Waco, aiming to reduce the prevalence of mental health issues resulting from socio-economic disparities.

Part 2: Social-Ecological Model

In understanding the mental health challenges faced by the African American community in Waco, the social-ecological model provides a comprehensive framework that considers various interacting layers of influence, including individual, family, peer, and community dynamics.

Individual Factors

At the individual level, factors such as age, education, and income significantly influence mental health outcomes. In Waco, there is a lower percentage of adults with high school diplomas (80%) and a higher unemployment rate, which negatively affects mental health (CDC, n.d.). Factors like poor nutrition, drug abuse, and sleep disorders are also prevalent, affecting mental well-being (McCormack et al., 2017).

Family Factors

Family dynamics play a crucial role in mental health. Supportive parenting and good family communication can protect against mental health issues, while histories of mental illness, poverty, and parental substance abuse can increase risk (Baiyewu & Bello, 2017). Child abuse remains a critical risk factor that can affect a child’s mental well-being.

Peer Groups

Peer influence is significant, offering both positive reinforcement and potential exposure to risky behaviors. Positive peer associations can motivate individuals to succeed academically and foster healthy habits, while negative associations can lead to substance abuse and bullying, contributing to mental health risks (Jorm & Mulder, 2018).

Community Factors

The community at large must foster a supportive mental health environment, promoting education and reducing stigma around mental health issues. Effective community networks can enhance recovery options for individuals struggling with mental illness. Nevertheless, systemic discrimination, neighborhood violence, and high unemployment severely hinder community-support efforts (Jorm & Mulder, 2018).

Part 3: Theories of Prevention

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) offers a valuable framework for formulating prevention strategies against mental illness within the African American community. Central to SCT is the notion that behavior change is influenced by personal experiences, observed behaviors in others, and lived experiences. Key components include self-efficacy, self-control, outcomes expectancies, and goals (RHI Hub, 2020).
Implementing SCT can drive community efforts to build positive behaviors and outcomes. For example, skill-building exercises focused on self-monitoring and goal-setting can empower individuals with mental health challenges, steering them toward healthier lifestyles while mitigating the adverse effects of socio-economic disparities.

Part 4: Diversity and Ethical Considerations

In addressing mental health in Waco, one must consider both diversity and ethical implications. The diverse cultural background of the African American community influences perceptions of mental health, with stigma often surrounding mental illness. An ethical approach necessitates culturally competent interventions that respect and reflect the community's values.
Engagement with community leaders and stakeholders is essential for implementing effective mental health programs. Ethical considerations also involve ensuring equitable access to resources and addressing systemic barriers that perpetuate disparities in mental health outcomes.

Part 5: Advocacy

Advocacy is critical to achieving systemic change in mental health care access for the Black community in Waco. Efforts must focus on raising awareness about mental health issues, mobilizing resources, and fostering partnerships with local organizations and government bodies. Advocacy initiatives should aim to improve mental health literacy among community members, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and addressing stigma. Furthermore, the advocacy plan must promote policy changes that allocate funding for mental health services targeted at underserved populations in Waco.

Conclusion

Access to mental health services is a fundamental right, yet historical and socio-economic inequities have left the African American community in Waco facing significant barriers. Employing the social-ecological model provides a comprehensive framework to understand and address these challenges, while social cognitive theory supports effective prevention strategies. Advocacy efforts remain essential to fostering systemic changes that enhance mental health outcomes in Waco, ultimately leading to a more equitable society for all.

References

Baiyewu, O., & Bello, B. (2017). Primary Mental Health Prevention—A Public Health Priority Around the World. In Global Mental Health (pp. 79-88). Springer, Cham.
CDC. (n.d.). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. Retrieved from [CDC website].
CHNA. (2018). Waco-McLennan County Community Health Needs Assessment. Retrieved from [CHNA website].
Dich, N., Andersen, S. H., Kragh, K. E., & Hille, K. M. (2019). The relationship between mental health, socioeconomic status, and the utilization of mental health services. International Journal of Public Health, 64(2), 235-244.
Jorm, A. F., & Mulder, R. T. (2018). Prevention of mental disorders requires action on adverse childhood experiences. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(4), 314-316.
McCormack, L., Thomas, V., Lewis, M. A., & Rudd, R. (2017). Improving low health literacy and patient engagement: a social ecological approach. Patient Education and Counseling, 100(1), 8-13.
NAMI. (n.d.). Black/African American. Retrieved from [NAMI website].
Raczynski, K., Waldo, M., Schwartz, J. P., & Horne, A. (2013). Evidence-based prevention. In R. K. Conyne & A. M. Horne (Eds.). Prevention Practice Kit: Action Guides for Mental Health Professionals (pp. 1-83). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
RHI Hub. (2020). Social Cognitive Theory Model - Rural Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Toolkit. Retrieved from [RHI Hub website].