September 22, 2014
The Policy Process: Formulation, Legislation and Implementation
HCS/455
Kia Carter Anderson
Mental health issues have been a problem since the 16th century in the when many people may have been the victims of witch-hunts. Most mentally ill people or those who were judged insane were sent to work in workhouses, poorhouses, and jails. Forced confinements and restraints were used on those who people though were dangerously disturbed or could be violent to themselves, other’s or other’s property. Eventually, madhouses were created where mental ill people were housed and treated harshly but were seen as being therapeutic and helping to suppress animalistic passions.
Formulation
The Vision of mental health policy is to help not only current patients with but future patients by helping to diagnose, manage, and prevent the mental health and neurological diseases. According to "Mental Health Policy, Planning & Service Development" (2014), “mental health policies can coordinate essential services and activities to ensure that treatment and care is delivered to those in need while at the same time preventing fragmentation and inefficiencies in the health system.” ("Mental Health Policy, Planning & Service Development", 2014). A new bill or legislation may begin if there is an increase of concern regarding the health care industry especially when it comes to mental health and affects the public. Any of the above situations individually or combined engages regular media attention, therefore the information is relayed to the public. With more people dying each year from suicides due to mental health issues, the public is being concerned and wants the government to help by providing better policies to help those in need. Sometimes the voices of the public are not enough and special interest groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America are needed to give that extra push
References: Introduction to the Legislative and Regulatory Process. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aacn.org/wd/practice/content/publicpolicy/intro.pcms?menu= Mental health policy, planning & service development. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/services/en/ Policy and Advocacy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/policy-advocacy shi, L. (2014). Introduction to Health Policy. Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook. STATE LAWS MANDATING OR REGULATING MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/mental-health-benefits-state-mandates.aspx