I NEED THIS ON 06/17/20 at 8:00pm.This week we explore the social-ecological model and the Swearer and Hymel (2015) article does a nice job of describing this model as applied to the problem of bullyi

COUN 6785: Social Change in Action:

Prevention, Consultation, and Advocacy

Social Change Portfolio

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INTRODUCTION Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas.

In Waco, Texas African Americans experience severe forms of mental health problems due to unmet needs. African Americans are more likely to socio-economic disparities that contribute to worst mental health problems. According to Health and Human Services office in regard to minority health, the experience of serious psychological distress is experienced 10% among the Black community. The resources available in Waco cannot be accessed by people of color because discrimination is dominant. Socio-economic play a crucial role in making treatment options for African Americans less available. 11% of African Americans in 2017 lacked health insurance in Waco, (CHNA, 2018). There is need to increase resources in Waco for African Americans with mental health problems.

PART 1: SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas.

Millions of people are affected by mental illness every year in the United States. Suicide is reported as the second cause of deaths in the U.S that are connected to mental health problems that are not attended to. In 2017, 46.6 million adults which is 18.9% had mental illneses. African Americans affected were 28.6% and whites were 20.4%, (NAMI. (n.d). In 2020, mental illnesses have spurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its been overlooked which worsens the mental health position of Waco and national government generally.

Consequences of mental health issues include; Untreated mental health impedes an individual’s ability to make healthy decisions. It can lead to development of diseases and complications such as high blood pressure, cancer and heart diseases or complications. The families of people with mental illneses are likely to strain economically and emotional distress. Mental illneses impedes an individual’s ability to work productively and cope with stress appropriately, (Dich, et.al, 2019). The prospects of employment decline are due to mental health issues in Waco. The national economy is affected as a result and working age benefit costs are also compromised.

Goal Statement: The black community with mental health problems in Waco deserve access to mental health care services through provision of resources to reduce its prevalence in the community.

PART 2: SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL MODEL Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas.

Individual factors that impact mental health in this community include age, education levels where only 80% of adults in Waco have a high school degree and household income and unemployment rates are higher in Waco. Relationship with social environment of an individual plays a role in mental health prevalence in the community, (CDC. (n.d). The community lacks resources to cater for the needs of African Americans with mental health issues. Society generally contributes to the discrimination of the African American in mental health care because it is rooted in our culture.

PART 3: THEORIES OF PREVENTION Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas.

Health Belief Model predicts behaviors that are related to individual health. It can be deployed to conduct a health needs assessment in the community, to convey the consequences related to mental health problem, highlight the benefits of action, and change of behavior through development of skills.

PART 4: DIVERSITY AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas.

The mental health program should include all diverse cultures regardless of race or cultural background. The LGBTQ community will also benefit from the resources of mental health problem. Informed consent, cultural competence and confidentiality are the ethical considerations that will be applied in the treatment of mental health problems among the African Americans.

PART 5: ADVOCACY Lack of Resources for Black Community with Mental Health Problems in Waco, Texas.

Advocate for cultural competence in delivery of services in regard to diverse groups mental healthcare system. Development of a project to increase mental health awareness and provide a platform to millions of Americans on how and where to find help. Increase of mental healthcare centers in Waco to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems.

References

CDC. (n.d). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. Reterieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/publichealthissue/social-ecologicalmodel.html

CHNA. (2018). Waco-McLennan County Community Health Needs Assessment 2018-2019. Retrieved from https://www.waco-texas.com/userfiles/cms-healthdepartment/file/2018-19%20McLennan%20CHNA%20Final%20Report.pdf

Dich, N., Lund, R., Hansen, Å. M., & Rod, N. H. (2019). Mental and physical health effects of meaningful work and rewarding family responsibilities. PloS one, 14(4). Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0214916

NAMI. (n.d). Black/African American. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American

U.S. National Library of Medicine (2018). Health data tools and statistics. Retrieved from https://phpartners.org/health_stats.html.