Unmet Needs of the Mentally Ill Population
Unmet Needs of the Mentally Ill Population
HSM/210
September 23, 2012
Unmet Needs of the Mentally Ill Population
Mental illness in a year’s time invades about 5 to 7 percent of the adult population and 5 to 9 percent of the children population. This means millions of adults and children are disabled by mental illness every year. (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2012) Given this information, how is the public reacting toward the mentally ill population? How is health care taking care of this population? And why is the mentally ill population falling through the cracks with the current mental health service delivery system? With research there are answers, however some may take much need time and money to get to where this economy needs to be to help the unmet needs of the mentally ill population. The reaction from the public in relation to the mentally ill population is empowered by ignorance, unawareness of what this population of people goes through. The feeling of low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness, all because of discrimination and unawareness of really what mental illness is. Stigma causes this population to feel ashamed and embarrassed to the point of hiding their illness and not helping themselves. Mental illness needs awareness from the public by turning the stigma around which in turn will help this population to want to help themselves. By helping themselves, they need to share their stories with family and friends, while compassion will be the response, not ridiculed. As time goes and proven in research that the knowledge of mental illness is not as bad as the public make it look out to be, then this population will feel socially accepted amongst the general public. (National Alliance On Mental Illness, 2012) The lack of knowledge the general public perceives, let’s look at how healthcare is taking care of this population. Unfair treatment and limitations, to seek treatment for their condition,
HSM/210
September 23, 2012
Unmet Needs of the Mentally Ill Population
Mental illness in a year’s time invades about 5 to 7 percent of the adult population and 5 to 9 percent of the children population. This means millions of adults and children are disabled by mental illness every year. (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2012) Given this information, how is the public reacting toward the mentally ill population? How is health care taking care of this population? And why is the mentally ill population falling through the cracks with the current mental health service delivery system? With research there are answers, however some may take much need time and money to get to where this economy needs to be to help the unmet needs of the mentally ill population. The reaction from the public in relation to the mentally ill population is empowered by ignorance, unawareness of what this population of people goes through. The feeling of low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness, all because of discrimination and unawareness of really what mental illness is. Stigma causes this population to feel ashamed and embarrassed to the point of hiding their illness and not helping themselves. Mental illness needs awareness from the public by turning the stigma around which in turn will help this population to want to help themselves. By helping themselves, they need to share their stories with family and friends, while compassion will be the response, not ridiculed. As time goes and proven in research that the knowledge of mental illness is not as bad as the public make it look out to be, then this population will feel socially accepted amongst the general public. (National Alliance On Mental Illness, 2012) The lack of knowledge the general public perceives, let’s look at how healthcare is taking care of this population. Unfair treatment and limitations, to seek treatment for their condition,
References: National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Section=New_Freedom_Commission&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=28337 Rand Corporation. (2000). Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB4533/index1.html