Respond to At Least Two Colleagues by Offering Strategies ✓ Solved

Respond to At Least Two Colleagues by Offering Strategies

Respond to at least two colleagues by offering strategies for how the challenges your colleagues described should be addressed to ensure better mental health care.

Addressing Challenges in Mental Health Care

Mental health care is vital, yet it faces numerous challenges that need addressing to enhance overall patient outcomes. In this response, strategies will be provided for two colleagues who identified critical issues within the mental health care system.

Response to Colleague 1

Colleague 1 highlighted two significant issues: the separation of mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment, and the affordability of mental health care, particularly for those living in poverty. To address the first issue, a comprehensive integrated care model is essential. This model should incorporate both mental health and substance abuse services within a single care plan, ensuring that both issues are treated simultaneously. Creating multidisciplinary teams that include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and substance abuse counselors can facilitate this comprehensive care approach, thereby reflecting the interconnected nature of these health challenges (Brehm et al., 2019).

Regarding the affordability of care, advocating for policies that enhance insurance coverage for mental health services is crucial. For example, pushing for legislation that ensures parity between mental health and physical health coverage can reduce barriers to access. Community health initiatives that offer sliding scale fees based on income and resources for those without insurance can also significantly decrease the number of individuals who forgo necessary treatment due to cost (Mechanic, 2014). Additionally, utilizing nonprofit organizations to provide free or low-cost mental health services can help mitigate this issue.

Response to Colleague 2

Colleague 2 pointed out the severe consequences of inadequate continuation of care after hospital discharge for individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. To improve this situation, implementing a transitional care model can be effective. This model would involve case management services that ensure patients have follow-up appointments scheduled prior to discharge and that they are transported to these appointments. A case manager can help bridge the gap between hospital care and community-based services, ensuring patients have the necessary support to maintain their stability after discharge (Popple & Leighninger, 2019).

Furthermore, advocating for increased funding for community-based mental health services is vital. Enhanced funding can support programs that provide wraparound services, including in-home support and frequent check-ins post-discharge. These services can play a crucial role in relapse prevention and ensuring long-term recovery (Plummer et al., 2014). Additionally, integrating technology, such as telehealth services, can facilitate ongoing support for individuals who may struggle to attend in-person appointments due to environmental stressors or transportation issues.

Conclusion

The challenges faced in mental health care necessitate innovative and practical strategies to improve patient outcomes effectively. By integrating care for mental health and substance abuse, advocating for better policies, and enhancing post-discharge support, the mental health system can better serve those in need. It is vital that stakeholders collaborate—practitioners, policymakers, and communities—to create a more cohesive and supportive mental health care environment.

References

  • Brehm, B. A., McCarty, D., & Yang, S. H. (2019). Integrated care for mental health and substance use disorders: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 102, 26-33. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2019.04.001

  • Budhwani, H., & De, P. (2019). Perceived stigma in health care settings and the physical and mental health of people of color in the United States. Health Equity, 3(1), 73-80. doi:10.1089/heq.2018.0079

  • Mechanic, D. (2014). More people than ever before are receiving behavioral health care in the United States, but gaps and challenges remain. Health Affairs, 33(8). doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0504

  • Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.

  • Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Mental illness. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Behavioral health trends in the United States: Results from the 2017 national survey on drug use and health. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/

  • World Health Organization. (2019). Mental health in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/teams/healthier-places/mental-health-in-the-workplace

  • Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593

  • Druss, B. G., & Walker, E. R. (2011). Mental health, disability, and general medical conditions. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(3), 246-252. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.197