Breaking Barriers: Mental Health Advocacy in the US

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Mental Health Problem in the United States
Organizations that Address the Mental Health Issues
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

The mental health crisis is a problem that continues to impact the U.S. healthcare system. Anxiety and depression remain one of the key problems of modern clinical psychiatry both in pathogenetic and methodological aspects, as well as a significant public health issue. The scale and relevance of these disorders are evidenced by the fact that the very phenomena of anxiety and depression go beyond the status of a medical problem. They affect the deepest aspects of human existence associated with the saturation of modern life with stressful events and other negative social trends, which leads to an exponential increase in the frequency of mental disorders. According to Javier et al., various issues may affect one’s mental wellness, and it is essential to identify and address them because they affect society in many ways (8). The creation of mental health facilities around the country is a sign of commitment by the government and the private sector to properly confront this problem.

Currently, public awareness is being drawn to the problem of mental health, and social campaigns are being held to ensure the population is sufficiently educated on it. Moreover, authorities and policymakers are working on laws to change the approach to public mental health to a more active and supportive one. Organizations like the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) and The Child Mind Institute have been established to ensure that people have access to necessary resources and support. This paper will explore how the problem of mental health developed in U.S. society and what organizations are currently present to tackle this issue.

Mental Health Problem in the United States

Mental health remains one of the most discussed topics in both the global and the local healthcare industry, as the world is still experiencing the consequences of pandemics, geopolitical problems, and social issues. Its constantly rising relevancy and emerging perspectives justify the necessity of establishing organizations that can provide the population with the help and support it needs. The number of mental health facilities in the United States has been on the rise over the past three decades, which is an indication of the worsening of the problem. According to a report by MacLean et al., it is estimated that about 21% (1 in 5 adults) of adults in the country have experienced mental illness (303). Another study showed that about 5.6% of adults in the country have a serious mental condition that requires them to use some form of medication (Peconga & Thøgersen, 9). It is expected that mental health facilities and organizations can help manage the problem; however, people who suffer from mental disorders often lack access to them and cannot receive support.

In the United States, mental health and the accessibility of help for it is one of the greatest concerns in the healthcare sector. Many people suffer from different conditions, and the problem is that some of them cannot get the help they need. There is also a widespread problematic belief that stress should not be considered an issue that requires medical attention until it develops into major depression. Some people often use painkillers as a way of dealing with discomfort while others turn to drugs and alcohol abuse as a way of escaping their trauma (Benjamin et al., 18). As Sreenivasan et al. report, major depressive disorder and anxiety are the most common mental health problems in the country (5). Kahanov and Payne add that the number of those affected by these disorders is on the rise, and as such, it is necessary to find a way of addressing this problem (4). The accessibility of mental healthcare is a significant part of the issue, and it requires the attention of both authorities and the public.

COVID-19 had an unprecedented impact on the mental health of many people around the world, including young adults in the United States. Chanchlani et al. focused on the indirect impact of the pandemic on the health of young adults and children (921). The study found that some of the containment measures have serious mental consequences for those who are affected by them (Chanchlani et al., 921). For example, one of the strategies championed by the virus experts was quarantining those who tested positive for the virus. Although the patients had access to counseling and other mental health services, the experience was still traumatizing (Chanchlani et al., 922). In many cases, counseling offered by the relevant authorities at the isolation centers failed to achieve the intended goal. Instead, they were viewed as a standard practice meant to downplay the obvious consequences of the virus.

Another aspect of the lack of accessible mental healthcare is reflected in the experiences of U.S. immigrants. For example, MacLean et al. showed that children and young adults in immigration detention centers experience emotional challenges (305). It established that the people there tend to be emotionally more unstable when compared with their peers within the community. This argument is supported by Reinbergs and Fefer, who stated that children in detention camps tend to suffer mental problems even when they are offered counseling and other assistance associated with mental health facilities (250). The problem is caused by the fact that the child is taken away from a family setting to a place where they have to interact with strangers, some of whom may have even worse mental conditions (MacLean et al., 305). It means that mental health facilities may achieve the opposite of the goals they are intended for, especially when the system fails to understand the diversity of the clients. Moreover, in most immigration detention centers, children and young adults are subjected to a new culture, which may also be highly stressful to them.

The mental challenges that refugees or immigrants in the country often face the country are reaffirmed by many studies. Peconga and Thøgersen explained that depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder that some integrated refugees experience can be traced back to the events they faced before coming to the United States (10). Additionally, there are the complex experiences they had in the refugee camps before they were integrated. A significant number of foreigners coming to the United States, including Syrian refugees, cross the border illegally. As such, most of them find themselves in detention camps where their statuses have to be reviewed before deciding whether they will be granted asylum. Teicher confirmed that significant mental trauma may be caused by culture clashes, homophobic attacks, racist attacks, or stereotypical tendencies of those who are offering care or other refugees hosted at the same camps (2). These two studies show that even after being released from these camps, the affected individuals may experience lasting mental problems in the future.

Organizations that Address the Mental Health Issues

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

ADAA is an international non-profit organization that provides a variety of services to help people with mental disorders. The organization works towards prevention, treatment, and, eventually, cure of such mental health issues as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and others. According to ADAA’s official website, “ADAA improves the quality of life for those who suffer through evidence-based educational resources, professional practice, and scientific research” (para. 2). It can be said that the organization strives not only to offer help to people in need but also educates the public on the various aspects of mental health and associated disorders.

To advocate for mental health, ADAA organizes various events that are aimed at highlighting and explaining mental disorders to the community. For example, the organization has announced its upcoming events in January: “‘You Want Me to Do What?’ Ethical Considerations in the Treatment of OCD” and “Immigrant Mental Health: Adapting Psychodynamic, CBT, and Systemic Approaches.” ADAA’s events discuss the specifics of the treatment of mental disorders, provide new insights into assessment and therapy methods, offer education for those who have peers with mental disorders, and provide significant information support.

The Child Mind Institute

Another organization that is concerned with the mental health of vulnerable populations is the Child Mind Institute. It is an independent non-profit that helps parents and children with mental disorders and learning disabilities. According to the organization’s website, “it provides gold-standard evidence-based care, delivers educational resources to millions of families each year, trains educators in underserved communities, and develops tomorrow’s breakthrough treatments” (para. 2). The Child Mind Institute works towards making clinical care more accessible for children with mental health issues, as well as offering education and resources to the public. The organization also supports parents, helping them to learn how to address, support, and care for their children.

Just like ADAA, the Child Mind Institute provides a variety of events and resources to advocate for their target population’s mental health. The organization hosts events such as “‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ Scientific Symposium” and “Enhancing Precision of Behavioral Measurement for Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder,” for example. Moreover, the Child Mind Institute fundraises money to support its work towards providing services for families with mental health issues – just recently, the organization raised $7 million during its annual Child Advocacy Award Dinner (Jarocha, para. 1). Thus, it can be concluded that making children’s mental healthcare more accessible and educating the public on the existing issues are the organization’s primary goal which it actively works towards.

Conclusion

Mental health and disorders associated with it remain a significant problem for the U.S. healthcare sector, especially in the light of recent crises such as the pandemic and economic drop. Children, young adults, and immigrants are some of the most vulnerable populations affected by the lack of accessible and effective mental health support. Evidence from recent studies shows that, while efforts are made to provide these groups with necessary help, it is often not enough or inefficient in the long run. Moreover, it is also crucial to educate the public on the existing problems in the field of mental health and discuss with affected people how to address the issues. Organizations such as ADAA and the Child Mind Institute play a vital role in assisting people with mental health issues and making mental healthcare more accessible and targeted. Through continuous education and the development of new methods of treatment, ADAA and the Child Mind Institute help vulnerable populations and offer educational resources to the public.

Works Cited

ADAA. “About ADAA: Anxiety and Depression Association of America.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America | ADAA, 2022, Web.

Benjamin, Richard, et al. Humanising Mental Health Care in Australia: A Guide to Trauma-Informed Approaches. Routledge, 2019.

Chanchlani, Neil, et al. “Addressing the Indirect Effects of Covid-19 on the Health of Children and Young People.” Canadian Medical Association Journal, vol. 192, no. 32, 2020, Web.

Child Mind Institute. “About Us.” Child Mind Institute, Web.

Jarocha, Timothy. “Child Mind Institute 2022 Child Advocacy Award Dinner Raises $7 Million in Funds to Advance Efforts to Help Families Overcome Mental Health Challenges.” Child Mind Institute, Web.

Javier, Rafael Art, et al. Assessing Trauma in Forensic Contexts. Springer, 2020.

Kahanov, Leamor, and Ellen K. Payne. Athletic Training and Therapy: Foundations of Behavior and Practice. Human Kinetics, Inc., 2022.

MacLean, Sarah A., et al. “Mental Health of Children Held at a United States Immigration Detention Center.” Social Science & Medicine, vol. 230, 2019, pp. 303–308., Web.

Peconga, Emma k., and Marie Høgh Thøgersen. “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety in Adult Syrian Refugees: What Do We Know?” Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, vol. 48, no. 7, 2019, pp. 677–687., Web.

Reinbergs, Erik J., and Sarah A. Fefer. “Addressing Trauma in Schools: Multitiered Service Delivery Options for Practitioners.” Psychology in the Schools, vol. 55, no. 3, 2018, pp. 250–263., Web.

Sreenivasan, Jayakumar, et al. “Mental Health Disorders among Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States.” American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, vol. 5, 2021, p. 100133., Web.

Teicher, Martin H. “Childhood Trauma and the Enduring Consequences of Forcibly Separating Children from Parents at the United States Border.” BMC Medicine, vol. 16, no. 1, 2018, Web.

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