Vulnerability of the Mentally Ill Essay Example

health treatments and services at federal/state/local levels for emotional disturbances and mental illness. The Commission generated a report that outlined six goals: emphasizing the importance of mental wellbeing as crucial for overall physical health; prioritizing consumer/family-driven care; eliminating inequalities present within mental health services; encouraging common practice of assessment, screening and referrals for mental healthcare.

Discover the disparity between scientific and administrative management. Commission programs included excellence in mental health care delivery and research acceleration (goal five), technological utilization to access mental health care and information (goal six), suicide avoidance, pregnancy nurse-family partnerships, low income children school-based centers, depression screening for school children and collaborative treatment for late-life depression ("NAMI," n.).

The New Freedom Commission was responsible for advocating mental health care reform and served as the basis for advocacy efforts in various agencies, proving its effectiveness according to the author's findings.

The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and 19 federal agencies collaborated to create the Federal Action Agenda, as a preliminary measure towards reform. In addition, the Campaign for Mental Health Reform published a guide addressing the American health crisis consisting of 16 national mental health advocacy groups led by Hunt and Osher in 2006. Though controversial, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) combines state and federal initiatives with an aim to improve mental healthcare services. The PPACA mandates that state laws regulate or require mental health benefits, yet its effectiveness remains unclear since there is currently no literature on its success or failure ("NCSL," 2012).The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is responsible for mental health policy-making and providing

care in the state. Its Office of Behavioral Health supports various mental health programs, including treatment facilities, crisis intervention services, psychosocial rehabilitation, and family support services to assist residents with mental disabilities.

Healthy People 2020 is a government initiative that aims to improve Americans' health over ten years through evidence-based approaches. The program encourages community partnerships that empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being and measure the impact on public health. One of its objectives is to improve access to quality mental healthcare services provided by DHH's Office of Behavioral Health while decreasing suicide rates among vulnerable populations such as homeless persons who seek help from these services. Additionally, it targets reducing eating disorders among adolescents and increasing accessibility for both children and adults struggling with mental issues. Lastly, Healthy People 2020 seeks to promote depression screening by primary care providers.

It cannot be emphasized enough how crucial nurses are in caring for mentally ill patients. They have the valuable skill of detecting depression symptoms and directing patients to appropriate treatment. Furthermore, community health nurses are vital during times of disaster by offering support and vigilance for post-traumatic stress disorder not only initially but also in the future. To help vulnerable patients who show signs of suicidal tendencies, it is important for nurses to remain observant and intervene when necessary.

An attentive nurse must keep a close eye on the effectiveness of psychopharmacological treatments and watch for signs that adjustments may be needed when aiding those with mental illness. Cultural beliefs should be taken into consideration and addressed throughout the assessment, planning, and implementation phases (Nies & McEwen, 2011). Forming a therapeutic connection with the

patient is an essential goal for community health nurses who care for individuals with mental illness as it establishes trust which can ultimately make all the difference in whether or not a patient overcomes their illness to reach their full potential.