The development of technology and the evolution of mobile phones have revolutionized the world. Nowadays, people use smartphones for a variety of tasks other than calling or exchanging messages with a friend. In particular, teenagers and children have become active phone users over the recent decade. Technology enables communication, provides access to the internet and social media, as well as offers entertainment and gaming applications. At the same time, a widespread belief is that too much screen time contributes to high rates of anxiety and depression among adolescents (Popper). This essay aims to discuss the connection between phones and teenagers mental health and explain why the use of smartphones is merely a reflection of problems that children would face either way.
Main body
Generally, there are two sides to the phone use argument. Some people believe that screen time causes anxiety, depression, stress, and mental problems in teenagers. As a result, many parents treat technologies with fear and suspicion since they are worried about the negative effect on their children. Others see no apparent connection between smartphone use and adolescents health issues. Parents supporting this belief consider the positive opportunities that phones offer for communication, learning, and development. Personally, I agree with the idea that smartphones do not cause high anxiety and depression rates in children; however, they might aggravate the existing problems. According to Popper, excessive screen time can affect such vulnerable groups as adolescents with mental health problems. It is essential to control the time spent on the phone and include other activities in the daily routine. Balance is vital for teenagers and children, as well as adults, in this regard.
However, I agree with the statement that there are broader and more urgent problems associated with depression and anxiety in adolescents. For instance, the stress related to studies, future choices, student loans, and other important matters can add to sleep deprivation in a more significant way than phone use. Similarly, there are numerous social problems that contribute to the mental burden of teenagers, including climate change, discrimination, inequalities, and other issues. In this regard, the use of phones as a means of communication and a source of knowledge and valuable information can support children in their worries. It is essential to prioritize major challenges instead of supporting beliefs that are not evidence-based.
In this regard, there is a case study in the article presented in this module that appeals most to me. In particular, the article mentions the debate over the harmful effect of phones which is supported by many parents. My family is sometimes worried about the amount of my screen time as well. However, I must mention that I view my smartphone as a valuable source of information, data, and useful functions. For instance, I can research various subjects and reach out to other people via social media. It is challenging to balance screen time, but I have not noticed anxiety or depression signs caused by the device itself. Instead, there are other real-world issues that contribute to my worries, irrespective of phone use.
Summary
To summarize, there are two opposing opinions with regard to the effect of phone use on children and teenagers. It can be concluded that there is a widespread belief supporting the idea that the real cause of anxiety and depression in the youth is found outside smartphones. Indeed, real-life problems can be more alarming than the use of technology, requiring more attention. At the same time, balance is still important, and screen time should be limited.
Work Cited
Popper, Nathaniel. Panicking About Your Kids Phones? New Research Says Dont. The New York Times, 2020, Web.
As the case study of Marcus Tommy, an aging Native American male, demonstrates, social welfare policies and the relevant efforts must be geared toward collaboration between local, culture-based mental health support systems, such as Tribal Support Counselors, and healthcare experts. Addressing the mental health needs of indigenous populations represents a major challenge for healthcare practitioners and social workers due to the cultural gap between them and their patients. Specifically, the lack of cultural competence regarding the needs of indigenous people leads to an inevitable failure to cater to the needs in question (Ormston, 2005). As a result, the efficacy of the relevant services drops, causing the target audience to continue experiencing distress.
Social Welfare Policies
In order to enhance collaboration between healthcare experts on a cross-cultural level and introduce opportunities for traditional and spiritual health practices along with the established Western healthcare framework, changes must be made on a policymaking level. Namely, social welfare policies for improving the quality of indigenous peoples lives must be designed. The policies in question will have to promote active cooperation between tribal healthcare authorities, such as Tribal Support Counselors, and healthcare professionals representing Western approaches to mental health management.
The policies in question must reflect the needs of indigenous people directly, primarily, by establishing a connection between their spiritual, mental, and physical health. Furthermore, specific factors that affect the mental well-being of minority groups, such as the prevalence of alcohol misuse among Native Americans, must be taken into account as well (Clark, 2006). Thus, proper guidance will be provided for mental health experts.
Services Received through the Tribal Mental Health Service and the Ability to Achieve a Better Quality of Life
Furthermore, when addressing mental health concerns of indigenous people, particularly members of the Native American community, one must examine the phenomenon of tribal mental health specifically. Defined as the set of practices designed within tribal communities for the purpose of addressing health concerns while allowing patients to maintain their spirituality, the specified practices represent a crucial part of the healing process (Kirmayer et al., 2000).
Though from the Western perspective, the practices in question might seem irrelevant, they bear crucial significance for Native American people, which is why they must be incorporated into the framework for managing Native American peoples health needs (Kirmayer et al., 2000). Particularly, the available evidence shows that the specified options contribute to patients social well-being and enable them to develop coping mechanisms that lead to better health sustenance (Chandler & Lalonde, 1998). For this reason, the concept of tribal mental health must be actively introduced into the relevant healthcare practices and the associated health policies.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
In the case at hand, legal and ethical considerations regarding the subject matter must be incorporated into the policymaking process. As the case indicates, the current legal framework for addressing the needs of people belonging to ethnic minorities and indigenous populations are extremely lacking (Bay, 2006).
Namely, the absence of guidelines for cross-cultural collaboration among mental health experts of the indigenous population and the Canadian health services is glaring. Thus, among the legal considerations, repercussions for causing a patient harm or, in the worst-case scenario, a fatal outcome will cause health experts to be legally liable and, therefore, subject to the relevant legal punishments, including the possibility of a jail sentence (Bay, 2006). Likewise, the ethical repercussions of failing to promote cross-cultural collaboration among experts will lead to healthcare professionals bearing moral responsibility for adverse and fatal outcomes among indigenous people. Therefore, appropriate measures must be undertaken to promote collaboration among healthcare experts on a cross-cultural level.
Especially, in the case under analysis, the patient displayed a rapid and unmanageable decline in his physical health status despite the evidently sensible interventions provided by members of the healthcare services. In turn, the intervention of the tribal mental health experts has contributed to an immediate improvement in the patients health status. The observed phenomenon can be ascribed to the intuitive understanding of the intricate nature of the sociocultural and socioemotional needs of Native American people among their healthcare authorities (Bay, 2006). The case illustrates that, unless the support of the tribal mental health expert had been introduced, a fatal outcome could have been a possibility, which further proves the need for cross-cultural collaboration within the mental healthcare system.
How Do the Various Acts and Legislations Presented Affect You?
The presence of acts and legislations related to the management of indigenous peoples needs is indicative of legal authorities recognizing the issue, yet there is an evident gap in the understanding of the needs in question. Particularly, as Marcus, one might be affected by the acts and legislations under analysis since they tend to prioritize the use of standardized healthcare strategies as opposed to focusing on patient-specific needs associated with the patients cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The current regulations overlook the importance of spiritual practices associated with the management of health-related issues within indigenous and especially Native American communities ( A practical guide to mental health and the law in Ontario, revised edition, 2016).
Indeed, reports point to the lack of insight into culture-oriented practices in the current legal standards ( A practical guide to mental health and the law in Ontario, revised edition, 2016). Additionally, there is a deplorable absence of emphasis on collaboration between healthcare officials and tribal healthcare experts representing the community in question ( A practical guide to mental health and the law in Ontario, revised edition, 2016). Therefore, immediate changes must be introduced into the specified context to advance the efficacy of care and ensure that patients are provided with the necessary support and care.
Impact of These Acts and Legislations on the Family
The existing legislation affect the family of Indigenous people to a significant extent. Namely, due to the lack of consistent communication and cross-cultural exchange, families are forced to choose between their belief systems and the proposed interventions. Without the required health awareness and health literacy among most general audiences, the specified choice becomes exceptionally complicated (Bill 68, Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, n.d.). Therefore, there is an active need for families to remain in contact with both local healthcare experts practicing traditional health strategies and official healthcare authorities that promote innovative, research- and evidence-based care (Bill 68, Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, n.d.). Thus, the adverse effects of the current legal standards will be minimized, whereas the positive aspects of cooperation between the two cultures will be enhanced.
Legal and Ethical Constraints
As a mental health worker, I will have to comply with essential ethical and legal provisions when offering Marcus and his family members the relevant services. Clearly, the case under analysis features an instance of a geriatric patients health concerns being addressed. Therefore, the issue of consent and the appropriate assessment of Marcus mental health should have taken place according to the existing legal standards (Bill 68, Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, n.d.). In turn, the specified measures were not taken, which indicates the lack of concern for the needs of indigenous populations within the Canadian healthcare service.
In addition, the case features several ethical issues that should have been addressed, the problem of misunderstanding and the healthcare experts failure to ensure clarity in communication being the prime example. The case details that, due to the daughters misunderstanding of the healthcare providers description of the case, namely, the choice of words such as overwrought, she could not infer the proper course of action to be taken to assist her father. In turn, the doctors failure to clarify whether the daughter as Marcus prime caregiver could understand the instructions correctly is illustrative of the healthcare experts poor ethics.
Explaining to the Government Funding Body That Successful Treatment and Follow-Through Depends upon Meeting the Needs of the Identified Patients as Well as Family Needs
Therefore, I will have to draw attention to the issue of miscommunication between healthcare providers and indigenous communities. The failure of the current healthcare policies and the relevant legal provisions to reinforce the importance of meeting indigenous peoples needs should be isolated as one of the core concerns to be addressed in the nearest future. Furthermore, I will need to enhance cultural safety by introducing adequate strategies for encouraging the dialogue between indigenous populations and healthcare experts.
In addition, the specified communication must be maintained on several levels, namely, between official healthcare authorities and community healers; healthcare officials and patients; and healthcare experts and patients family members. The specified communication framework will allow for a comprehensive approach toward identifying core health concerns among members of indigenous populations, isolating cultural barriers to health management, and introducing tools for overcoming the barriers in question while offering patients the required support.
Most importantly, the role of cultural safety must be introduced into the framework for addressing the needs of indigenous people as one of the principal standards of care. Currently, the notion of cultural safety is integrated into the healthcare policies associated with managing the needs of indigenous populations, yet the specified standard lacks proper reinforcement (Bay, 2006). Particularly, as a healthcare provider, one must ensure the patients and the patients family participation in the treatment process, therefore, maintaining active collaboration with the specified stakeholders and encouraging the development of health literacy in the population in question. At the same time, the process in question must promote active cultural exchange, implying that healthcare providers will also receive relevant information regarding the nuances of health management for specific vulnerable minority communities, such as Native Americans.
Plan of Care
With the specified information in mind, I must incorporate strategies geared toward building a rapport it the patient and his family into the plan of care for Marcus and allow him to embrace his culture and traditions while accepting the proposed treatment. The specified process will be split into several crucial steps. First, I must build a conversation with the tribal healthcare experts, namely, the Tribal Support Counselors. The specified step will allow identifying Marcus essential spiritual needs, as well as those of his family, and structure the intervention accordingly. Afterward, a rapport between Marcus and me as a healthcare expert, as well as me and Marcus daughter, will have to be established.
The specified step is vital in promoting trust as the basis for successful treatment. With the enhancement of trust, the patient and his family members will be significantly more cooperative, which, in turn, will increase the probability of successful treatment. Furthermore, the described change will help me promote patient education more actively, therefore increasing Marcus and his daughters understanding of the rationale behind the choice of specific treatment options.
Next, the therapy session will start, with me encouraging Marcus to recognize his current mental health issues. Specifically, the trauma of losing his wife, as well as the substance misuse disorder, will have to be acknowledged as the core concerns to be managed. The therapy process will be geared toward supporting Marcus in identifying his emotions through talk therapy ( Harm reduction policies and programs for persons or Aboriginal descent, n.d.).
The specified approach will help him reconcile with his trauma by recognizing it and accepting his emotions, primarily those of pain and guilt. Afterward, during the therapy process, I will have to focus on helping Marcus relieve himself of the feeling of guilt and introduce a healthier mechanism for managing negative emotions. For this purpose, active communication with his family members, particularly his daughter, will have to be introduced as a way for Marcus to heal emotionally and mentally.
Additionally, Marcus family members will also have to be provided with appropriate guidance and support. Pointedly, Marcus daughter will be offered the relevant therapy and counseling opportunities in order to overcome the trauma of losing her mother. Furthermore, given my understanding of the specifics of Native American culture, particularly the role of family connections in it, strategies for helping her to reconnect with her father and rebuild the rapport between them will be incorporated into the treatment process. The specified changes will have to take place with the supervision of the Tribal Support Counselors, who will offer spiritual support for Marcus and his family. Thus, the case under analysis will be resolved, Marcus and his daughter are overcoming the pain of losing a family member and developing the ability to support each other.
To address the needs of indigenous people, active collaboration between local mental health support systems, such as Tribal Support Counselors, and healthcare experts will be required. The emphasis on cooperation between experts will help build the cross-cultural dialogue needed to combine indigenous and Western practices, thus achieving the best outcomes for the patients. The proposed framework will allow them to meet their spiritual needs along with health-related ones, therefore improving their well-being and creating prerequisites for faster recovery.
References
A practical guide to mental health and the law in Ontario, revised edition, 2016. Web.
Chandler, M. J. & Lalonde, C. (1998). Cultural continuity as a hedge against suicide in Canadas First Nations. Transcultural Psychiatry 35(2), 191. Web.
Clark, R. L. (2006). Healing the generations: Urban American Indians in recovery. In T. M. Witko (Ed.), Mental health care for urban Indians: Clinical insights from Native practitioners (pp. 8399). American Psychological Association.
Harm reduction policies and programs for persons or aboriginal descent. (n.d.). Youtube. Web.
Kirmayer, L., Brass, G. M. & Tait, C.L. (2000). The mental health of Aboriginal peoples: Transformations of identity and community. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 45(7), 607-616.
Ormston, E. F., (2005), Mental Health Court in Ontario. Visions Journal (2)8. Web.
Psychological health of sex workers has quickly become an essential public health concern.
Linked issues are stigma, alcohol and drug use, discrimination, lower education levels, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Iaisuklang and Ali, 2017).
Importance of the Topic
There are numerous secondary factors affecting health of sex workers.
Prevalence of mental health issues could be addressed in a relevant way.
Further policy-making could be generated with the help of increasing mental health awareness.
Vital Statistics
Almost 98% of sex workers report significant difficulties when trying to find a more common job (Ma, Chan and Loke, 2017).
Most of sex workers return to their initial occupation (Puri et al., 2017).
There are financial needs that make the sex work industry one of the to-go choices for young adults in need of money (Lyons et al., 2020).
At least 30% and 20% of sex workers experienced physical abuse during childhood or before the age of 18, respectively (Rayson and Alba, 2019).
Most Common Sex Worker Risks
There are numerous high-risk behaviors such as fear, threats, substance use, and customer violence (Sawicki et al., 2019).
Higher unemployment rates and worsened socioeconomic conditions serve as the follow-up (Lyons et al., 2020).
Reasons for Becoming Sex Workers
Most individuals involved in sex work do not see it as exceptionally dangerous or damaging (Rayson and Alba, 2019).
A career in the field of sex work could be an attempt to escape the external negativity (Ma, Chan and Loke, 2017).
Poor interpersonal relationships and a family history of abuse and neglect contribute to the person becoming a sex worker (Ranjbar et al., 2019).
Working Conditions as a Predictor of Poor Mental Health in Sex Workers
There is a lack of social support (Mo et al., 2018).
The overt violence that revolves around sex workers defines the future of this profession (Aldridge et al., 2018).
Identifying Sex Workers With Mental Health Issues
It could be crucial to review the local market and assess all the possible extrapolations (Rayson and Alba, 2019).
Even though sex work is legal in some countries, it does not reduce the burden or predisposition to mental health issues (Sawicki et al., 2019).
Are All Sex Workers Affected by Mental Health Issues?
Not all sex workers are affected by psychological distress (Lyons et al., 2020).
Some workers might encounter several mental health issues but they would never report them to anyone (Mo et al., 2018).
How Could We Improve the Environment?
Complex transformations might be expected to approve of the fact that sex workers actually exist and have to struggle in order to restore their image within society (Ma, Chan and Loke, 2017).
Without strong administrative measures, the government is not going to change the environment (Tschoeke et al., 2019).
Conclusion
Mental health issues truly exist and cannot be treated as a momentous health transformation;
Mental health interventions yet have to be developed in order to create a prolonged list of possible ways of improving the existing state of affairs;
Mental health of sex workers has to be researched longitudinally in order to gain more insight into causation and validate the possible improvements in the area.
References
Aldridge, R. W. et al. (2018) Morbidity and mortality in homeless individuals, prisoners, sex workers, and individuals with substance use disorders in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis, The Lancet, 391(10117), pp. 241-250.
Iaisuklang, M. G. and Ali, A. (2017) Psychiatric morbidity among female commercial sex workers, Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(4), p. 465.
Lyons, C. E. et al. (2020) The role of sex work laws and stigmas in increasing HIV risks among sex workers, Nature Communications, 11(1), pp. 1-10.
Ma, P. H., Chan, Z. C. and Loke, A. Y. (2017) The socio-ecological model approach to understanding barriers and facilitators to the accessing of health services by sex workers: a systematic review, AIDS and Behavior, 21(8), pp. 2412-2438.
Mo, P. K. et al. (2018) Threats during sex work and association with mental health among young female sex workers in Hong Kong, AIDS Care, 30(8), pp. 1031-1039.
Puri, N. et al. (2017) Burden and correlates of mental health diagnoses among sex workers in an urban setting, BMC Womens Health, 17(1), p. 133.
Ranjbar, F. et al. (2019) Mental health status among female sex workers in Tabriz, Iran, Archives of Womens Mental Health, 22(3), pp. 391-397.
Rayson, J. and Alba, B. (2019) Experiences of stigma and discrimination as predictors of mental health help-seeking among sex workers, Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 34(3), pp. 277-289.
Sawicki, D. A. et al. (2019) Culturally competent health care for sex workers: an examination of myths that stigmatize sex work and hinder access to care, Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 34(3), pp. 355-371.
Tschoeke, S. et al. (2019) A systematic review of dissociation in female sex workers, Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 20(2), pp. 242-257.
The female licensed mental health counselor had over 10 years experience assessing the psychological, social, cultural and financial needs that impact recovering drug and alcohol addicts in an addiction program run by an international agency. Previously, the interviewee worked in a health facility that provided mental and psychosocial services to the elderly population.
From the interview with the licensed mental health counselor, it was clear that that the participant subscribes to a theoretical orientation known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which essentially attends to dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviors and other impaired cognitive processes exhibited by the population of recovering clients in the program using a multiplicity of goal-oriented, precise and methodical approaches.
The favorite part of the job, as proposed by the interviewee, entailed experiencing former drug addicts and alcoholics being reintegrated back into the society after undergoing a three-month program, which assisted them to select and internalize specific strategies that they could always use to deal with their problems.
The least favorite part of the job came in dealing with uncontrollable and potentially dangerous clients, who most often are in the last phase of addiction. According to her, this part is discouraging as it is increasingly difficult to make these clients follow the recommended treatment procedures, resulting in use of force in some cases.
The interviewee acknowledged that burnout is a normal part of practice and anybody planning to become a licensed mental health counselor should be prepared to face burnout and deal with it in a manner that is less likely to affect his or her health and wellbeing.
The interviewee said that she had experienced burnout when listening to intensely heart-wrenching life experiences of drug and alcohol addicts, and when sharing in the grief, loss, and sadness of family members of addicted clients.
Additionally, the interviewee suggested that it is important to develop internalized indicators that one could use to recognize burnout and fatigue early on before they became health and professional challenges.
The interviewee coped with the burnout by engaging in things that bring joy and relieve stress (e.g., leisure activities), exploring new hobbies, avoiding taking on extra clients, taking time each day to relax, reading non-professional literature for fun, and receiving counseling in difficult situations.
The interviewee took time to describe her transition from a student at the university to professional counseling in a program specifically providing mental, psychological and healthcare services for the elderly. She was surprised by the variances between her expectations as a student and the realities on the ground.
According to her, it is difficult to apply most of the theories learned from school in real-life contexts, hence the need for transitioning students to develop a flexible and innovative predisposition to deal with issues beyond the boundaries of the educational institution.
Consequently, the advice she provided to new counselors is to maintain an open mind and flexibility and also come up with new approaches to ensure they stay informed on current evidence-based practices in the field of counseling psychology.
Overall, this particular interview provided useful insights not only on how to deal with burnout and fatigue in practice settings but also on what attributes to consider and internalize in transitioning from student life to professional counseling.
The coping strategies advocated by the interviewee are critical in ensuring that my practice as a licensed mental health counselor will be largely successful in terms of dealing with mental and health challenges related to burnout and fatigue.
The research on the Identification of the Mental Health Patient as a Culturally Unique Population in the Post-Anaesthesia CareUnit by Tomes Montei and Dawn Woten (2013) was approved by the relevant institutional review board. The researchers obtained informed consent from all participants of the study, but no information was provided regarding anonymity or confidentiality. The vulnerability of the subjects was factored in the research design, and this affected the approach to this research. However, despite this fact, there was no coercion on the part of the researchers (Broyles, 2006). The subjects had no opportunity to ask questions irrespective of the fact that they were informed on the importance of the study and could obtain the research findings.
The research problem was clearly identified with a succinct problem statement. The study variables were clearly defined, and it was clear from the design of the research that this was qualitative research. Empirical data was also used, and the studys approach indicates that it was an ethical study. On the same note, a feasibility study was not conducted.
A concise literature review is evident, but it was not comprehensive. The sources used were relevant to the study, and they were critically appraised in addition to having a logical flow. Furthermore, the author used current resources with little use of direct quotes from them. They could be easily identified as primary or secondary sources and were cited correctly on the reference page.
There was a clear identification of a nursing theory framework that was appropriate. The concepts were exhaustively defined, with the relationships between them clearly explained, and the research question was supported by a hypothesis that was clearly stated. Moreover, the study findings were adequately related to the study framework, and they served to actually help the framework (Nieswiadomy, 2012).
The hypothesis was stated through the use of a declarative statement. The idea and study problem went hand in hand. It is also worth pointing out that two variables were used in the population. The nature of the hypothesis could be empirically tested, and it was a unidirectional hypothesis.
The study design was elaborated clearly, and the research question can be answered without necessarily having to test the hypothesis. In addition to that, the research sets a cause and effect relationship between the research variables. Moreover, the study employs the use of a non-experimental design. However, the most appropriate approach to be employed would be an experimental design. The control of extraneous variables in this design approach draws the researchers to use descriptive methods to control various aspects, such as subject characteristics.
The phenomenon being studied can only be addressed most appropriately through the use of a qualitative design strategy (Tomes, Montei & Woten, 2013). The qualitative approach used in carrying out the research was not explicitly mentioned. The study findings will indeed have a significant impact in the field of nursing and, precisely, the approach of nursing towards mentally ill patients. Sick mentally patients require special care that can be offered through this approach. There is no evidence of bias in the data collection strategy. Finally, the research goes ahead and makes suggestions for further studies on the same. However, there is a need to use various study methods in such an endeavor so as to test as many approaches appropriate for mentally ill patients as possible.
References
Broyles, R. W. (2006). Fundamentals of Statistics in Health Administration. New York: Jones & Bartlett.
Nieswiadomy, R. M. (2012). Foundations of Nursing Research (6th ed.). New York: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Tomes, C., Montei, V., & Woten, D. (2013). Identification of the Mental Health Patient as a Culturally Unique Population in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. Web.
There is a way to follow the key developments that emanated from two government reports about the crucial need of improving the UKs mental health practice. The first report was dubbed as a cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for all UK residents (Department of Health, 2011).
The second report was known as the implementation framework that was produced after the government collaborated with groups like the Royal College of General Practitioner and the Local Government Association (National Health Service, 2012).
It is imperative to find out the possible outcome of these reports in upgrading the countrys capabilities when it comes to mental health information and communication. It is also important to discover how these developments affected the process of information dissemination for public awareness and public service. One way to analyze the impact of these two government reports is to determine its possible influence in shaping the content of three leading websites that specialize in helping UK residents that are suffering from the consequences of mental health problems.
Background
Andrew Lansley, the Secretary of State for Health and Paul Burstow, the top executive for the Minister of State for Care Services placed their signatures on a document that outlines an ambitious plan. The same thing can be said of the implementation framework signed by Sir David Nicholson, the Chief Executive of the National Health Services, and Duncan Selbie, the Chief Executive of Public Health England.
The report from the Department of Health and the National Health Service outlined an endeavor to enhance the nations health care system by fixing the shortcomings of the mental health sector. Any attempt to improve a national health care delivery system is always perceived as an extremely difficult task (The UKs Faculty of Public Health, 2016). The challenge of improving the governments health care program is rooted in the high demand for quality care and the spiraling cost of treatment and prevention programs (Roche, 2016).
In other words, government leaders and health care workers are always struggling against the consequences of managing finite resources (Economic and Social Research Council, 2016). From this perspective, it is easy to make the pronouncement that the most prudent thing to do is to aim for cost-efficiency and not initiate an attempt to create something grand (The Kings Fund, 2015).
However, the aforementioned ministers of health and top executives of key government agencies, those who were responsible for the UKs present-day health care system expressed a desire to set lofty goals (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2010). In the two government reports mentioned earlier, there was no discussion of streamlining the operations. On the other hand, a radical way of perceiving and appreciating the UKs contemporary health care policy was introduced to the public. This No Health without Mental Health framework attempts to elevate the importance of mental health issues in the same way that people give value to the treatment and prevention of heart diseases and cancer.
Before going any further, it is important to point out that policymakers were not only wary of the inevitable challenges created by the management of limited resources. One can make the argument that at the time of writing, the proponents of the new health care policy were concerned by the difficulties caused by the absence of a dominant political party. In the past, the privilege to govern the United Kingdom was contested by a few dominant political parties.
Due to the absence of competition from a plethora of political organizations, it was relatively easy to produce a clear majority for a single party at the end of every election cycle (Rucki, 2015). However, in the year 2010, there was a hung parliament, and the opposite came true because not a single political party was able to dominate the British electoral process. As a result, a coalition government was formed between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party.
David Cameron representing the Conservative Party took the reins as the Prime Minister, and Nick Clegg representing the Liberal Democrats was chosen as Deputy Prime Minister (Rucki, 2015). In addition to the possible complications and deadlocks that may arise from an uneasy alliance between political rivals, political analysts were also worried about a chain-reaction caused by a financial deficit not seen since the end of the Second World War (Crawford and Johnson, 2015).
These were the socio-economic forces operating in the background when the UKs ministers of health attempted to create a new mechanism that would deal with the countrys mental health shortcomings. Be that as it may, there is a clear parameter in measuring the success of the said initiative. Assessing the impact of the governments No Health without Mental Health strategy requires the examination of the application of the implementation framework, and figuring out the effect of the implementation process on the activities of at least three key stakeholders.
Key Areas of Development
Insights gleaned from the study of two government reports uncovered the Department of Healths two-pronged approach in the establishment of new policies and new mindsets when it comes to the delivery of health care services for mental health patients. The first level of development requires the creation of a strategy. The second level requires the creation of an appropriate framework. The strategy component provides the mental image of the expected outcome and the rationale for the said undertaking. The implementation framework provides the real-world implementation of the said strategy.
The policymakers behind the creation of the cross-government health outcomes strategy were guided by several core principles. For example, policymakers acknowledged the need to work with stakeholders and other partners. Second, they acknowledged the need to move away from a centralized type of governance so that they aimed to give back the control to the citizens in the context of creating flexibility in the decision-making process. Finally, the jewel in this crown was the commitment to help those in need regardless of socio-economic background, and this included infants, children, young people, adults, and the elderly (Department of Health, 2011).
The implementation framework as documented in the second government report contained four major sections, and these are listed as follows:
set out how to make the necessary changes to turn the strategys vision into reality;
measuring and reporting the progress in the implementation of the said strategy;
figure out how local organizations can help the government; and
figure out how local organizations can effectively utilize the governments assistance in the context of mental health services (National Health Service, 2012).
About the first component of the implementation framework, the lofty ideal parity of esteem is being translated as creating greater access to mental health services from day one. In other words, there is a need to enhance the level of importance of preventing and treating mental health issues (Centre for Mental Health, 2016).
The proponents of the implementation framework did not shy away from using tough measures of success indicators. The first key to success is to increase the number of patients that can recover from the effects of mental health problems. The second key to success is to reduce the under 21 mortality in citizens with severe mental illness (National Health Service, 2012). Finally, the proponents wanted to increase the number of people reporting that the utilization of mental health services enabled them to feel safe and secure.
About the third component, the implementers of the strategy highlighted the need to work closely with mental health service providers to improve early detection. Furthermore, the proponents of the implementation framework identified the need to utilize the power of information to provide innovative services to the community.
The fourth component ensures the participation of the government in mental health issues that are beyond the scope of local organizations. For example, it is the responsibility of the national government to improve payment schemes to improve access to mental health services. It is also within the scope of the national governments authority to ensure that patients will have a diversity of choices when it comes to mental health services. Finally, the national government takes care of ancillary support systems, such as housing, social justice, the criminal justice system, and employment opportunities.
Impact on Three Leading Mental Health Websites
The reports provided the framework to help the stakeholders to understand the needs of the population. The two documents also revealed the governments implementation strategy to improve the health care delivery system in the UK by enhancing the prevention, treatment, and recovery of citizens affected with a mental health problem. However, it is high time to initiate a real-world assessment of the said strategy by looking at how three mental health websites managed the information dissemination process in favor of the general public. In this regard, the assessment process requires looking into the activities of two non-government organizations and one NHS-backed group.
The first one in the block is the organization called Mind , a non-government group that relies on donations to operate at least one thousand services all over the UK. The plethora of services include counseling, training, crisis helplines, employment, and drop-in centers (Mind, 2016). This particular organization is an asset when it comes to the national governments objective of improving mental health care.
The performance of this group enhanced the credibility of the national government after revealing the plan to work with stakeholders and to transfer control of the decision-making process back to the citizens. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that the critical feedback regarding the success of the governments implementation framework was made evident in the use of the Information Standard when helping those who needed treatment.
According to the official website of Mind , a significant number of people expressed their gratitude to the group, because they have found a place where they could access reliable information about their mental health issues (NHS England, 2016). As a result, another major milestone was reached, and this was the goal to increase the number of citizens that were self-reporting positive feelings of security and safety.
Another non-government organization that is included in the assessment process is the one called the Mental Health Foundation. The groups focus is to work with citizens living in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The key difference between the Mental Health Foundation and Mind is that the former focused on rigorous research and evidence-based intervention strategies. In other words, this group provides a specialized service, one that deals with rigid scientific protocols to ensure evidence-based assertions regarding mental health problems.
Aside from leveraging a sophisticated research-based knowledge acquisition process, the Mental Health Foundation also shares information regarding treatment choices. In this regard, the group is another example of a successful implementation of the strategy to work with people on the local level. At the same time, the groups importance is magnified in its capability to cover critical areas of need without the encumbrances oftentimes associated with national governments.
Furthermore, not only does Mental Health Foundation give a tremendous boost to the governments initiative of enhancing the information dissemination output, but it also provides top-quality information regarding early detection, care, and prevention by spearheading research projects that do not require funding from the national treasury. Also, there is a certain feature of the Mental Health Foundations website that illustrates the success of the implementation framework in terms of expanding the scope of the governments drive to educate people on the importance and availability of mental health services. In one section of the groups website, one can find links to other organizations with specific capabilities that are more suited to the needs of the person seeking help (Samaritans, 2016).
The last website under consideration is the NHS Choices; this is the official website of the UKs National Health Services. This website was created to accomplish the specific goals outlined in the aforementioned implementation framework. For example, NHS Choices is the number one destination when it comes to reliable information discussing the subject matter of mental health problems.
Be that as it may, there is a unique feature of the website that highlighted specific measures of progress, and this section provides information on how people can have access to different options when it comes to developing a plan in dealing with certain mental health problems (NHS Choices, 2016). This website also offers links to ancillary support systems, such as pharmacies, home care facilities, and consultants that can help deal with problems related to symptoms of mental health issues.
Conclusion
The UK government created an ambitious plan of enhancing the nations health care delivery system. The cornerstone of this initiative was the No health without mental health initiative. The government set lofty goals because the desired outcome was to change peoples perspective when it comes to the importance of mental health. One of the goals highlighted was to achieve parity of esteem so that mental health patients were able to access top-quality care.
At the onset, it was clear to the policymakers that it was impossible to accomplish the said lofty goals without collaborating with different stakeholders and partners. To ensure the success of the program, it was deemed necessary to develop a strategy and a corresponding implementation framework. Thus, there came about an outcomes strategy to ensure early detection and increasing access to reliable information regarding mental health illnesses.
The implementation framework was added to make sure that there was an appropriate mechanism that could help determine the keys to success. The effectiveness of the implementation framework was analyzed by looking into the information dissemination process of three important websites that served as information hubs regarding mental health issues. At first glance, the effectiveness of the implementation framework was apparent, because the said websites were repositories of reliable information. However, certain features of the said three websites validated the initiatives of the government as expressed in the outcomes strategy.
For example, the websites were effective showcases when speaking about the development of a cost-efficient system of delivering information to the general public. In the case of the Mental Health Foundation, the groups website did not only serve as a sort of warehouse for practical information but at the same time, the organization behind the website was also instrumental in the acquisition of information through scientific research.
Also, the two non-government groups showcased ways to collaborate with local groups to expand the health care delivery efforts of the government. It will require another round of research to determine the progress and success rate of the national government with regards to the No health without mental health initiative. Nevertheless, the presence of the three websites provided enough evidence to conclude that the UK government is on the right track in enhancing the health care delivery process and in reducing the number of people suffering from the impact of mental health problems. It is a good starting point for the coalition government.
References
Centre for Mental Health (2016) Children and young people. Web.
In 2011, Medi-Cal (Californias version of Medicaid) expanded their mental health services offered under the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), allowing recipients access to group and individual mental health evaluation and treatment, outpatient services, psychiatric consultations, and psychological testing ( Medi-Cal Expansion , 2017). Although this would allow for many low-income recipients to finally have access to mental health services, few would be able to do so because of the limited programs that would open to accept Medi-Cal insurance. Therefore, the financial resources are readily available for individuals to receive mental health care, but there are too few programs/ facilities that are willing to offer these benefits to them. Already as of 2014, there was evidence of expanded mental health care coverage penetration into the population.
An example of such penetration can be seen in the figures on emergency and urgent psychiatric care in Los Angeles, California. The data were obtained from two psychiatric emergency care centers. Both of them provide insurance in Los Angeles County. The obtained statistical data demonstrate significant growth in coverage for the medically indigent. For the first three months of 2013, the Psychiatric Emergency Care Patient Insurance Coverage division was as follows. the part of Medi-Cal was 29% compared to 71% of Indigent. A year later, during the first quarter of 2014, the percentage for Medi-Cal and Indigent was 62% and 38% correspondently (Schaper, Murphy, & Wirshing, 2014). It should also be mentioned that in general the change in the distribution of the treatment population, by primary diagnosis, was not so evident. However, coverage for patients with a primary psychotic disorder increased more than two times (Schaper et al., 2014). It proves the positive impact of the Affordable Care Act.
Broader access to mental health care is significant for California. As of 2009, about one in six adult Californians have some kind of a mental health need, and nearly 5% of them have a serious mental disease (California Health Care Foundation, 2013). The situation with children is even worse. One of thirteen minors suffers from a mental disease that not only needs expensive treatment but also changes the life quality. The situation is more serious than it seems. Approximately 50% of adults and more than 30% of teenagers with mental disorders do not get any treatment (California Health Care Foundation, 2013). As of 2009, 7.6% of children in California experience serious emotional disturbance. As for adults, 15.9% have mental disorders and 4.3% of the adult population suffer from serious mental illnesses (California Health Care Foundation, 2013). The importance of available and affordable mental health care is crucial for society. In the example of California, it is obvious that among the adult population with mental disorders 9.3% are individuals below 100% federal poverty level (FPL), and only 2.1% with 300% FPL and above (California Health Care Foundation, 2013). Thus, it is necessary to provide mental health care that can be easily reached by any citizen who needs it. Since the treatment of mental disorders is expensive, low-cost insurance plans can be the way-out.
The count of citizens receiving specialty mental health services is increasing too. Speaking of children and youth, as of the financial year 2011/12 228,815 individuals were receiving SMHS. Already in 2014/15, this figure increased to 266,915 people (California Department of Health Care Services, 2016). This increase is even higher with adults. In the financial year, 2011/12 227,705 citizens were receiving SMHS and 336,619 individuals in the financial year 2014/15 (California Department of Health Care Services, 2016).
The Specialty Mental Health Services program demands substantial financing. As of November 2016 estimated for the financial year 2016/2017, the federal financial participation in the program for children amounted to 1,096,238 dollars and 1,354,300 for adults (Department of Health Care Services, 2016).
Specialty Mental Health Services are available in all the counties of the state. They provide crisis counseling, individual, group, and family therapy, special day programs, etc. ( Guide to Medi-Cal Mental Health Services , 2013). The majority of programs offered are through hospitalswhich seem to have limited programs designated towards their mental health department and revolve around the medical model of psychiatric practice. The San Francisco Behavioral Department of Public Health offers a full range of specialty behavioral health services provided by a culturally diverse network of community behavioral health programs, clinics and private psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists ( Community Behavioral Services ).
Although this department offers some of the same interpersonal psychotherapy treatments as CHFH, they are centered around treatment for the individuallimiting access of the entire family. They also specify that the majority of behavioral therapy services are only needed for a short periodexemplifying the high demand for services and lack of ability to serve the large population of recipients. By indicating that the treatment is a short process, they are assuming that treatment and recovery of all mental illnesses can be done within a limited amount of time. It is fully dependent upon the type and severity of mental illness an individual is experiencingwhich does not begin to encompass the various needs of the entire family surrounding the individual with mental illness. Another center that is similar in the treatment services offered is Highland Hospitals Behavioral Health department. They offer partial hospitalization programs, outpatient programs, and several therapy programs to ensure stabilization and recoverya few that include Cognitive training, young adult treatment, and multiple family-based programs and therapy options ( Behavioral Therapy , 2015).
Their treatment services are extensive and extend to ensure the well-being and recovery of the entire family, well-organized, and operated by professional doctors and fully-licensed staff. Although they offer the utmost in treatment, they lack in the provision of holistic health ensuring the overall well-being of the family. The sole focus upon treatment also does not allow them to meet the supplemental needs of the familycommunion amongst similar families and access to alternative resources such as dietary classes, and job training. Because their staff is only composed of doctors (psychiatrists and psychologists), they also lack the personalized relationships formed between social workers and their clients, as they follow each familys case until full recovery is achieved. These doctors would tend to be drawn to the medical model of study (diagnosis through the DSM-V) as opposed to the multiple other fields of therapy and diagnosis that are not being accepted and explored within the field of mental health. The last center that seems to be most similar to CHFH through the array of services offered and wide population served is East Bay Community Recovery Project. This community center is a non-profit organization; therefore, they are not reliant upon Medi-Cal, but instead upon Federal and State funding. They seek to support the wellbeing of the community by providing comprehensive services for mental health, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug-related health problems ( FAQs and Testimonies ).
Their services are offered to children, adolescents, women, men, and families, and a wide demographic of the populationwith a focus on those that are impoverished, were once incarcerated, and the HIV/Hepatitis infected. They also provide the tools they need to succeed, including education, adequate housing, health care, nutrition, and support ( FAQs and Testimonies ). Even though the East Bay Community Recovery Project is currently helping a larger population than CHFH, it seems to direct much of its focus towards drug rehabilitation programs, as opposed to individual and family therapy treatmentsan idea that falls into the realm of deservingness . And although it claims to offer holistic health services, they are steered towards individuals with HIV or Hepatitis, instead of the individual or family experiencing mental health. Their population may encompass a broadened population that is beyond mental health, but in doing so, it does not ensure the same level of recovery and overall well-being like CHFH does in this sector of need. CHFH also offers services, such as child-care and recreational activities to elicit friendships and comradeship to be formed. Each of these programs offers mental-health support to low-income populations, but only CHFH offers a broadened scope of services that extend beyond treatment to the ensure happiness and security of each family that enters our center.
References
California Department of Health Care Services. (2016). Statewide aggregate specialty mental health services performance dashboard. Web.
California Health Care Foundation. (2013). California Health Care Almanac. Mental health care in California: Painting a picture. Web.
Department of Health Care Services. (2016). Medi-Cal specialty mental health services. Web.
Guide to Medi-Cal Mental Health Services. (2013). Web.
Schaper, E.C., Murphy, D.L., & Wirshing, W.C. (2014). Early evidence of the Affordable Care Acts impact on the medically indigent population consuming emergency mental health care in Los Angeles county. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(10), 1117-1117. Web.
A proposed financial plan to support Mental Health Services for Healthcare Providers of Critical Patients:
Category
Subcategory
Expenditures ($)
Staff
Mental Health Service Manager
400,000
Personal Consultants
840,000
Group Consultants
650,000
Technical Support Staff
180,000
Equipment
Personal Laptops
12,000
Personal Mobile Phones
5,000
Services
Telephone Service
2,400
Internet Service
300
Supplies
Administrative Supplies
500
Medication
1,500
Training
Employee Training
2,000
Managerial Training
2,000
Maintenance
Offices Maintenance
3,000
Laptops and Mobile Phones Maintenance
1,500
Other Expenditures
Unforeseen Expenditures
5,000
The impact of a biblical stewardship perspective on the proposed financial plan
The biblical perspective on stewardship presumes that leaders are granted control over other people and resources by God (Carradus, Zozimo, & Discua Cruz, 2020). Thus, they should strive to ensure the well-being of every person in order to honor the Lord. In this regard, the current financial plan was designed in a manner that would benefit all the stakeholders involved, including healthcare providers of critical patients and consulting staff.
The potential holes and unknowns in the projects financial plan
Although the financial plan seemingly addresses most of the expenses that may occur during the project realization, there are still some unknowns that should be considered. As such, OConnell (2020) argues that managers should always think about the worst-case scenario and be prepared to respond adequately. In the case of the current project, first of all, it is hard to predict the real demand for mental health services among doctors. This, in turn, negatively affects the ability to predict the required number of mental health workers. Secondly, potential crises and resulting inflation rates may cause a price increase, which, in turn, would necessitate additional money to purchase equipment and medication. Moreover, the costs for the services, training, and maintenance may also surge.
Assumptions that can fill the potential holes in the projects financial plan
As for the former hole in the financial plan, it can be assumed that there will be an average demand for mental services among healthcare professionals. This assumption would help to partly mitigate the risks of the unknown need for offered services. It is explained by the fact that when the expected demand is low but the actual necessity is high, then the patients are largely underserved. On the contrary, when expectations are high, but the actual demand is low, it leads to substantial financial losses. As for inflation, it is necessary to assume a certain amount of money for unforeseen expenditures. Therefore, if the prices rise, the organization will still be able to pay for the planned expenses.
References
Carradus, A., Zozimo, R., & Discua Cruz, A. (2020). Exploring a faith-led open-systems perspective of stewardship in family businesses. Journal of Business Ethics, 163(4), 701-714. Web.
OConnell, S. (2020). 3 financial planning tips for an unknown future. Success. Web.
Mental health is a critical area of healthcare delivery in the United States.
As much as a lot of emphasis has been given in other segments of health, there is urgent need to transform the mental health program among the affected population.
For instance, war veterans coming back home often require mental health redress especially after undergoing several episodes of traumatic events.
They need to be treated and taken through therapeutic psychological counseling. This presentation describes the roles of various stakeholders in the health care industry and who are also involved in mental health care programs.
The Public Mental Health
The public mental health largely depends on workforce participation as the main component.
In addition, the global social inclusion policies are instrumental towards offering therapeutic treatment to victims of mental health (Richardson, Morgenstern, Crider & Gonzalez, 2013).
As it stands now, there is no adequate research methods that can conclusively address mental health challenges being faced by various segments of the population.
For this reason, medical researchers in mental health programs are supposed to carry out valid and updated empirical research on this continuum of care. There is need for latest research data that can be used to formulate healthcare policies on mental health programs.
Policy makers in Mental Health
Secondly, it is the role of policy makers to devise policy guidelines that can be used to curb the challenge of mental health.
Key policy areas should include funding for mental health as well as capacity building and training for mental health professions.
The establishment of rehabilitation centers for mental health victims is also one of the roles.
Such centers can indeed assist in alleviating unemployment due to the manpower to be employed as well as professionals to be hired (Richards, Rafferty & Gibb, 2013).
The Role of Mental Health Courts
The mental health courts also play vital roles in the management of challenges posed by individuals experiencing mental disturbances.
A viable and fruitful partnership can be established between the criminal justice system and mental health courts (Olesen et al., 2013).
One of the outstanding roles of the mental health courts is to interpret the legislations adopted by the Congress in regards to mental health cases.
Therefore, evidence based practice in mental health is prudent in the sense that it enables full redress of mental health cases. In other words, patients who are mentally challenged are in a position to seek medical help and thereafter receive the much needed treatment (Hughes & Peak, 2012).
References
Hughes, S., & Peak, T. (2012). Evaluating Mental Health Courts as an Ideal Mental Health Intervention. Best Practice In Mental Health, 8(2), 20-37.
Olesen, S. C., Butterworth, P., Leach, L. S., Kelaher, M., & Pirkis, J. (2013). Mental health affects future employment as job loss affects mental health: findings from a longitudinal population study. BMC Psychiatry, 13(1), 1-9.
Richards, C., Rafferty, L., & Gibb, A. (2013). The value of mental health nurses working in primary care mental health teams. Mental Health Practice, 16(10), 19-23.
Richardson, J., Morgenstern, H., Crider, R., & Gonzalez, O. (2013). The influence of state mental health perceptions and spending on an individuals use of mental health services. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 48(4), 673-683.
The current public health crisis that was caused by COVID-19 is a threat to various areas of human life, including social, economic, and political ones. Mental distress is one of the key issues that can be taken into account to evaluate the impact of this pandemic (Shevlin et al., 2020). It affects individuals, families, and communities because of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. People have little information about this rapidly spreading disease, and it promotes the development of mental health problems. While people are afraid of the coronavirus, medical staff is at the forefront of the combat against this pandemic, and their mental health changes are also examined. This paper is expected to provide a literature review of the recent studies that focus on COVID-19 and mental health. Namely, attention is paid to mental distress expressions and consequences, vulnerable populations that are at high risk, and the impact of the pandemic on medical students.
Main body
COVID-19 increases the level of mental health distress, especially in people who have depression and/or anxiety history. As stated by Holingue et al. (2020), the participants of their study were afraid of being infected, which was strengthened by the fear of dying because of the coronavirus. The steps that were taken by the US government to prevent the pandemic, such as social isolation, wearing masks, and others, were noted as another anxiety factor. Bridgland et al. (2021) add that the current pandemic is associated with traumatic stress since it stimulates post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms. Namely, direct exposure to such traumatic events as sexual violation or severe injury was found to affect the occurrence of PTSD-like symptoms (Bridgland et al., 2021). More to the point, the anticipated exposure to the coronavirus was identified as a threatening factor, when people develop mental distress and traumatic responses.
The participants of the studies that pursue the understanding of how COVID-19 leads to the emergence of mental stress reported their concerns about the potential infection that has not yet happened. Based on a pathogenic event memory model, Bridgland et al. (2021) argue that ones perception of the future and imagination of the upcoming events is significantly affected by the coronavirus. For example, those who were not diagnosed with this disease, but were indirectly impacted by the media, imagined their worst possible scenario. It led to the identification of PTSD-like symptoms, which were caused by subjective emotional evaluations of participants. In this connection, the authors suggest that the emotional impact can be a more important factor compared to exposure and demographic variables (Bridgland et al., 2021). The review of the collected literature shows that social and demographic factors play a role in COVID-19 spread in the US.
The increase in mental health issues can be predicted by the level of income, age, race, and family structure. Demographic characteristics, such as the presence of children, younger age, and personal risks, predicted depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms. Shevlin et al. (2020) claim that the loss of income and overall financial problems were associated with higher anxiety, while those with a lower income reported similar feelings. In addition, these authors revealed that despite the expected outcomes, older adults did not mention the greater fear of COVID-19. It is noteworthy that people of younger age, on the contrary, had higher perceived risks and fear (Shevlin et al., 2020). The estimated personal risks, as well as the presence of children, are two more factors of the anticipated depression and traumatic symptoms. As could be expected, people with preexisting health complications and chronic conditions are more likely to have a fear of the pandemic. While the identified study explores social and demographic factors, the geographical variable is researched in others.
Race and nationality serve as two more determining factors that are involved in mental health problems from COVID-19. As argued by Fitzpatrick et al. (2020), researchers analyzed the death rates from coronavirus among various categories of the US population and found that African-Americans die from the infection more often than white citizens of the country. The study also shows that the social vulnerabilities that are faced by African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics are higher (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). These populations are found to have greater fear because of personal perceived risks, along with social and economic problems, which leads to increased depression and anxiety levels. According to Holingue et al. (2020), high COVID-19 count states included more Asians, African-Americans, and multiracial families, which indicates that research is homogenous regarding the issue of race and ethnicity.
Coronavirus fear is greater in the regions of the US that report the highest occurrence of the disease cases. According to Fitzpatrick et al. (2020), there are significant differences in fear in the regions that have higher cases of COVID-19. At the time of data collection, the South-South Atlantic, Northeast Mid-Atlantic, West Pacific, and the Northeast New England regions reported the greatest densities of mortality. Holingue et al. (2020) also mention that the states with high-count cases are more likely to have higher proportions of moderate and mild mental distress. The above authors also state that the rates of mental distress are likely to increase with the spread of the pandemic across the country. This tendency can be explained by the fact that people see how their close ones are affected by the disease, and how the media sources report the recent news, which is associated with fear (Holingue et al., 2020). The majority of the studies are conducted about the population and potential patients, while it is also essential to clarify the role COVID-19 plays in mental issues that occur in medical staff, and people who are witnesses of the pandemic.
COVID-19 negatively impacts undergraduate medical students mental health by causing stress, depression, and anxiety. In the study by Saraswathi et al. (2020), it is found that there is an increase in both prevalence and extent of stress and anxiety compared to pre-COVID-19. However, the authors note the level of depression remained unchanged, while these tendencies are present regardless of gender, age, and residence place. The deterioration in the mental health of undergraduate medical students is found to be associated with coronavirus-related issues and subsequent outcomes. Namely, poor sleep and more intense training were identified by the study participants, based on which Saraswathi et al. (2020) assume that these are key determining factors. In addition, a lack of schedule, lockdown measures, remote education, and reduced physical activity seem to affect students cognitive skills and emotional well-being. To better realize the value of the gathered articles, it is critical to reveal their strengths and limitations.
To make this literature review more comprehensive, it seems to be useful to pay attention to the strengths and limitations of the included studies. First, they focus on the US and the UK, which is important to synthesize data regarding these countries. Second, these studies are published in peer-reviewed journals, which is a guarantee of their reliability and credibility. However, it is critical to state that they collected subjective data from participants, which limits the generalizability of conclusions. Anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD-like symptoms and fear, were mainly evaluated through self-reports (Holingue et al., 2020; Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). Nevertheless, the review of the studies allows for making relevant conclusions to understand the connection between COVID-19 and mental distress.
Conclusion
To conclude, COVID-19 is a threat to the mental health of people as it causes fear, depression, anxiety, PTSD-like symptoms, and other related symptoms. This paper presents a review of the factors, outcomes, and risks of mental distress caused by COVID-19. It was found that those who have a history of mental distress, lost their income, and anticipated the worst scenario is more likely to develop mental distress. People living in the states with higher mortality and those of younger age also compose vulnerable populations. It can be stressed that four out of five studies focus on the first months of the pandemic, which limits their findings. Therefore, it is important to continue research and integrate the early data with the recent results. As for the practical use of the discussed knowledge, one can use it better understand how people react to direct and indirect exposure. A greater level of awareness seems to help in preventing mental distress or, at least, minimize the impact of the media.
References
Bridgland, V. M. E., Moeck, E. K., Green, D. M., Swain, T. L., Nayda, D. M., Matson, L. A., Hutchison, N. P., & Takarangi, M. K. T. (2021). Why the COVID-19 pandemic is a traumatic stressor.PloS One, 16(1), 1-15. Web.
Holingue, Calliope, M.P.H., Kalb, L. G., Riehm, K. E., M.Sc, Bennett, D., Kapteyn, A., PhD., Veldhuis, C. B., & Thrul, J. (2020). Mental distress in the united states at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Public Health, 110(11), 1628-1634. Web.
Shevlin, M., McBride, O., Murphy, J., Jilly, G. M., Hartman, T. K., Levita, L., Bentall, R. P. (2020). Anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and COVID-19-related anxiety in the UK general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. BJPsych Open, 6(6), 1-9. Web.
