HCA 430 Week 5 Final Paper

PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH MENTAL CONDITIONS 7

People Diagnosed with Mental Conditions

Brenda Rouse

HCA430: Special Populations

Instructor: Pamela Hardy

January 17, 2017

Introduction

Mental conditions are very common in America as well as in other countries. In America, about 26.2 percent of citizens therein aged 18 and above suffer from a mental disorder every year. The residential population in America that suffers from a mental disease in accordance with the application of the same to the census conducted in 2004 is about 57.7 million persons. Nevertheless, since mental conditions are spread widely across the country and in all populations, the primary populations that experience the burdens of mental illnesses is found in the much smaller concentration that accounts for 6 percent. Additionally, mental conditions are the leading cause of disability in not only America but also in Canada for people aged about 15 to 44 years. In America, the diagnostic for mental conditions find their diagnosis from the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders (Jans, Stoddard & Kraus, 2004). This paper, therefore, seeks to provide insight pertaining this given population in Miami, Florida.

Impact of gender and age on the vulnerability of this group

Miami, Florida ranks highly among the most populated places in the United States. Similarly, Miami, Florida has persons in its given population that suffer from mental conditions (Jans, Stoddard & Kraus, 2004). Gender is a factor that plays a significant role in the way that people in Miami, Florida are affected by mental conditions. The most affected populate therein is women as compared to men. This is because gender is a determinate factor when it comes to mental conditions that affect people. The reason behind this determinate factor pertains the differential control that each given gender has over the different given determinants of their mental health. The most prevalent form of mental health in women as compared to men is depression and is of a persistent nature (World Health Organization, 2000). On the other hand, age is also a determinate factor for mental health conditions among people. In Miami, Florida, the most affected persons pertain those between 18 and 25. Nevertheless, the older population suffers more from depression as compared to the younger population therein.

Intersection of social, political, and economic factors affecting vulnerability

Among the said population of people who have mental conditions, many health and medical issues intersect with political, social, and economic factors (Brown, Mason, Spokane, Cruza-Guet, Lopez & Szapocznik, 2009). These problems range from issues such as housing, inadequate education, as well as poverty among much more and can be categorized as socioeconomic factors. The most vulnerable population among those who have mental conditions pertains those suffering from chronic mental conditions, for instance, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder and major depression. Additionally, the other factors that affect them certain issues such as living with abusive families, being homeless, being immigrants as well as being refugees. To this effect, the needs of this population are not only severe and debilitating but also vital. Their problems vary from one-dimensional ones to more complex ones based on poor health and poor health outcomes. Those who have complicated health issues face much vital comorbid as well as combined health risks than those who experience one mental health illness. In Miami, Florida, those with mental conditions are affected by many political factors. For instance, despite having a very large population in America, the funding directed towards mental health care was reduced as well as all the bills focused towards catering for those with mental health conditions were rejected.

New model program

Since the risks that face those with mental health conditions are many, the response awarded them, therefore, need to be not only multi-sectoral but also multi-layered. To this effect, the broadest strategies therein involving a program well applicable to them includes those that helps in focusing not only in one are but also in many (Mrazek & Haggerty, 1994). Therefore, the new model program will be focused on behavioral impacts of those who have any mental condition. One such strategy involves focusing on nurturing the core attributes of an individual in their different life stages, for instance, self-esteem, as well as resilience. Another approach of the program pertains not only early recognition but also early prevention of both behavioral and emotional issues, more so, during their adolescent and childhood lives. The other strategy involves providing both livings as well as working conditions that will help with their psychosocial growth as well as their self-determination.

Other strategies associated with the program include that which will assist in promoting meaningful interactions not only between the given social groups therein but also within. The reason behind this program pertains that mental health issues depict themselves in every life stage. Therefore, the risk of exposure runs mostly in the most formative stages such as in pregnancy and family violence, which have great ease of affecting the mental predisposition of mental disorders for years or even years later.

Evaluation of their needs and continuum care

The program will provide an integration of not only mental but also physical treatment associated with mental health such as psychosocial disabilities as well as mental care through primary care. This is because the treatment will be not only affordable but also cost effective. Additionally, the other service that will be integrated into the program pertains health services on a long-term basis for the old people in the community herein. More so, because it will help cater for their varying needs, especially their physical health needs, which make them more vulnerable to premature deaths. Some physical health risks include heart problems, which can be easily affected by depression, as well as other physical injuries, which may lead to adverse outcomes for those with mental health conditions. The health care services will, therefore, be of great help in tracking their physical health at all care levels.

Conclusion

In conclusion, people with mental health conditions need particular attention to meet their needs efficiently and effectively. Therefore, the need arises for a program that will focus centrally on their needs, more so, in Miami, Florida where the population therein in large. Additionally, the program needs also to focus on other things that revolve around mental health as even the most little thing is of major importance to this population.

References

Brown, S. C., Mason, C. A., Spokane, A. R., Cruza-Guet, M. C., Lopez, B., & Szapocznik, J. (2009). The relationship of neighborhood climate to perceived social support and mental health in older Hispanic immigrants in Miami, Florida. Journal of aging and health, 21(3), 431-459.

Jans, L., Stoddard, S., & Kraus, L. (2004). Chartbook on mental health and disability in the United States. An InfoUse Report.

Mrazek, P. J., & Haggerty, R. J. (Eds.). (1994). Reducing risks for mental disorders: Frontiers for preventive intervention research. National Academies Press.

World Health Organization. (2000). Women's mental health: an evidence-based review. Retrieved on 10 January 2017, from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/66539/1/WHO_MSD_MDP_00.1.pdf