Promoting Mental Health and Well Being - Research Paper Example

Promoting Mental Health and Well-being Introduction Almost half of the population of the world is affected by issues related to mental health and this usually impacts on aspects such as their self-esteem, capacity to function in normal life and their relationships. Mental health refers to the overall psychological wellbeing and positive characteristics. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), good mental health is not simply the absence of mental disorders but also the state of wellbeing whereby people realise their own abilities and are able to cope with the stresses of life (Tang & Posner 2013, p. 2). In this regard, good mental health forms the foundation of the wellbeing and effective functioning of individuals and the community. For instance, depression, which co-occurs often with other illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, may not be a normal part of the aging process, yet it goes widely unrecognized and untreated among adults (Murray, Jones & Susser 2009, p. 91). Since it is acknowledged that mental health significantly affects the society, this research paper will discuss the current situation of the public health and mental health policy as a general concept and how they are specifically relevant to adults. The research will be conducted by consulting both primary and secondary sources as well as online material. Journals, books and government documents will be widely consulted throughout the research. In the discussion, strategies, interventions and proposals for improving mental health among adults will be identified. Finally, the impact of the strategies and how they meet the policy will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness and expected outcome. This is an important research because even the government acknowledges that when good mental health is maintained, it becomes a crucial component of long and healthy lives. Further, the mental health of an individual will significantly impact on their physical health. For example, when mental health deteriorates, individuals may engage in vices such as drug and substance abuse, which will prevent them from living enriched lives (Bartels & Schneider 2013, p. 1428). When people’s lives need to be improved, their mental health and wellbeing will have to be addressed. Current Public Health and Mental Health Policy Mental health entails positive emotions that promote engagement and genuine interest in one’s work, relationships and activities (ABC Health & Wellbeing 2014, p. 1). Positive mental health drives people to finding meaning and purpose in what they engage in and enables them to feel that their lives are worthwhile and valuable. In that sense, they are able accomplish their desires and remain emotionally stable, optimistic, resilient and with high self-esteem. However, multiple biological, psychological and social factors often lead to deteriorating mental health (WHO 2014, p. 1) .In the UK, poor mental health forms the largest cause of disability and is connected to other problems such as poor physical health, problems in relationships, work prospects and education (Department of Health 2014, p. 1). It is from such information that the government acknowledges that its success will not only be measured by the economy’s state but also the public health and wellbeing of its people. This led to the creation of the “No Health Without Mental Health” (NHWMH) strategy, which reflects the government’s ambition to mainstream mental health in the nation. The strategy recognises that mental health is a key component to the quality of life and economic success and contributes towards education and employment outcomes as it addresses social problems ranging from crime to homelessness, abuse and violence (DH 2011a, p. 2). The current policy as described by the NHWMH encourages health service providers to raise awareness of issues of mental health by ensuring that clinical staff has the ability to recognize symptoms of ill mental health. The significance of this is that by recognising persons at risk of developing ill mental health, early and appropriate interventions can be strategised (DH 2011a, p. 2). The NHWMH strategy also recognises that new outcome strategies for mental health are necessary to challenge health inequalities and build a society that is fairer, healthier and more productive. This is critically relevant to adults because 23% of the adult population exhibit symptoms of depression and need intervention (Garland 2014, p. 504). Although the symptoms are common and short-lived, they often develop into clinical situations with socially isolated adults and those in residential care at higher risks. Ideally, ill mental health among adults that is not addressed early can condemn them to depression, emotional distress and eventually, irreparable decline and loss (Posner, Tang & Lynch 2014, p. 299). Although wellbeing is influenced by many factors, according to the WHO (2014, p. 1), biological, psychological and social factors affect mental health and wellbeing. For example, the activities people engage in and the way they think have the greatest impact on their well being (Whitehouse 2011, p. 75). On the other hand, poverty and low education levels are associated with socio-economic factors that amplify the risks of mental health among adults in the community (Meltzer, Bebbington & Brugha, T 2010, p. 1402). Studies have consistently shown over time that an inverse relationship exists between the prevalence rates of ill mind health and the socio-economic status (Richards & Bergin 2012, p 405). Stressful working conditions and rapid social changes are also contributory factors towards poor mental health especially to adults prone to social exclusion, gender discrimination and risks of violence (WHO 2014, p. 1). When such adults become unable to recognise, focus on and appropriately express their emotions, they also lose the creativity and flexibility necessary to adjust during good and bad times, making them vulnerable to poor mental health. Essentially, when they are not of sound mental health, they will lose the ability to avoid negative moods that result from anxiety and depression. Social class is a factor that significantly affects mental health and wellbeing. For example, studies have shown that social class is particularly associated with schizophrenia because the life conditions that the lower social class builds are conducive to the disorder (Saraceno, Levav & Kohn 2010, p. 185). Hence, there are more adults with schizophrenia in the lower socio-economic class that may be defined by their income, occupation, place of residence and education. The contrasting socio-economic statuses between different classes in a single population or different ethnicities of different social positions have been attributed to discrimination, environmental adversity, stress and disadvantage such as unemployment. This is a significant observation because in such social disorders, persons tend to drift lower on the social ladder or fail to grow out of their low socio-economic status yet there are possibilities of upward social mobility (WHO 2010, p. 1114). Additional studies, especially in Scandinavia, have shown that there is a consistent downward mobility in social class among children with schizophrenia (WHO 2010, p. 1112). In the Netherlands, there was significant downward mobility in both education and occupation among persons diagnosed with schizophrenia and living under poor socio-economic conditions. Therefore, it can be seen that socio-economic statuses and its associated factors that include adversity and deprivation will impact on the incidence of schizophrenia in terms of prevalence rates and its period (NRC 2009. P. 608). Population studies indicate that over the past five decades, UK citizens have become richer (Meltzer, Bebbington & Brugha, T 2010, p. 1403). However, the same studies in which citizens were asked to voluntarily rate their own mental wellbeing and happiness levels show that these two aspects have not improved. This is a suggestion that most of the things people often (and wrongly) think will improve their mental wellbeing do not result in lasting improvements to the way they feel about themselves and their lives (Chiesa 2014, p. 498). Further, according to the population studies, most adults perceive wellbeing as something they do rather than something they are (Meltzer, Bebbington & Brugha, T 2010, p. 1403). However, their wellbeing will be positively affected and maintain good mental health by connecting with the people around them such as family, colleagues, neighbours and friends. When they spend time to actively develop relationships with others, they will find a diverse range of company they enjoy and strive to make it part of their lives (Saraceno, Levav & Kohn 2010, p. 182). That will form one way of keeping learning and developing new skills that will give them new confidence and a sense of achievement. Mentally healthy persons will strive to maintain strong and functional support networks on which they can rely for encouragement (McManus, Meltzer & Brugha 2009, p. 69). Such persons recognise that mental wellbeing does not translate into never experiencing situations and feelings that are difficult to handle. Rather, it means one’s feeling of resilience to cope with the situations and feelings when they become tougher than usual. Meaningful work, job satisfaction, feeling part of the community, good relationships and housing are factors that can positively affect mental health and wellbeing (Graham 2014, p. 102). However, individuals can also affect their mental health positively by personally providing adequate attention to their feelings and needs (Barlow, Durand & Steward 2011, p. 38). This may be facilitated by developing a zest for living while adequately dealing with stress. Essentially, they will be creating a sense of satisfaction with their lives as well as high self-esteem and self-confidence. Adults will positively affect their mental health once they accept that change, whether in their favour or not, is part of living (Kitchener & Jorm A 2012, p. 204). This will enable them focus on what they can change and plan how to do so, essentially avoiding stress. Strategies/Interventions/Proposals for Improved Mental Health among Adults Through the NHWMH strategy, the government intends to help all its citizens maintain better mental health. The strategy has considerable emphasis on creating awareness of the problem while targeting to deliver solutions to mentally ill persons in the areas they live. A significant aspect of the strategy is that is also intends to create equality by acknowledging that more cases of mental problems with the exception of alcohol dependency in the lower social classes. It is also intended that the mentally ill are given equal treatment as any other ill person seeking medical help. Hence, the focus of the strategy is to ensure more people have good mental health; more people with mental illnesses get better; more people with mental illnesses achieve good physical health; more people with mental illnesses to receive better care and support so as to fit in with the lives they wish for; the mentally ill are not bullied; and the public understands mental health better and not to treat the mentally ill differently (DH 2011a, p. 10). With the stated areas of focus, the 7% adults with more than one mental disorder out of the 23% of adults in the UK with mental disorders will be able to receive better care. This is because the new strategy proposed that access to mental health services must not be based on age but rather, needs. Earlier, age discrimination led to fewer adults, especially older adults, discussing their symptoms of depression with their general practitioners and, hence, less received adequate treatment (Marc, H & Correll C 2013, p. 56). Essentially, adults will have better opportunities to receive care both in the community and at institutions without necessarily precluding life experiences that they cannot control. The awareness strategy aims to ensure that the community understands that people suffering from mental health problems will affect the entire community. Therefore, rather than discriminate against them, families, employers and teachers should be in the forefront to assist them get help as early as possible (Heather 2012, p. 42). An approach based on outcomes was also developed with three frameworks. Of particular interest to this research is the Public Health and Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework. The framework is intended to inform the continuous development of indicators of outcomes throughout the lifetime of the other frameworks. The key objective is to put persons expected to use government services at the centre of what the government does and include them in decision-making processes. From earlier statistics, the NHWMH strategy was designed to address poverty and isolation especially among older adults and discrimination in housing and benefits among the younger adults. These initiatives will address the growing concern of depression and the ageist belief that it is an inevitable and natural part of ageing, which often results in the problem going unrecognised among adults. After the Equality Bill underwent national review and consultation, it was shown that services based on age were not customised to meet clinical needs of adults even after that had been known to suffer mental health problems for long (DH 2011b, p. 12). Further, the provision of preventative and crisis response services were earlier designed to meet the needs of younger people more than those of adults and there were more specialist referral rates for younger persons with depression than adults. A survey conducted within the British Geriatrics Society showed that even the professionals admitted that the National Health Service is ageist institutionally and that contributed to the lack of fully investigating mental health problems among adults (DH 2011b, p. 13). However, with the insistence on equity in the new strategy, adults will be able to get better attention and address mental health problems. Evaluation of the Impact of Strategies and How They Meet Policy The strategies may broadly be considered as effective. More symptoms and cases of depression are reported among adults than the younger population. Out of the reported 23% adults with mental health problems, 11% have minor depression while 2% have major depression (DH 2011b, p. 12). According to a Department of Health report, up to 25% of adults with dementia had also been diagnosed with major depression while 40% of those residing in care homes also has depression and 30% had anxiety (DH 2011b, p. 12). Based on these findings, the strategy takes on an approach informed by evidence-based interventions that offer people more options and authority over their own lives in environments that are least restrictive (DH 2011a, p. 6). Ideally, this approach will be able to achieve more change since it puts more power at local levels and in the people’s hands. That is in recognition that better outcomes in mental health and a stronger and more cohesive society will only be achieved by making the community more responsible for its own wellbeing (Storrie, Ahern & Tuckett 2014, p. 12). From this perspective, the strategy can be said to meet policy by empowering citizens to take charge of their lives. The strategy ensures that people understand mental health problems upset not only the sick but local communities, carers, friends and family. Since the strategy is based on outcomes, it rejects previous top-down approaches (DH 2011a, p. 11). Therefore, one effective outcome that it is able to achieve is enabling adults maintain their own and their families’ health and learn to work in more resilient and safer communities. Further, frontline practitioners will be supported in delivering quality service to the community within a culture that maintains value and dignity (Koyanagi & Goldman 2013, p. 900). Specifically, it is possible to tell the strategy will be effective because of its promise of ensuring mental health is placed high on the agenda of the government. This can be seen by the proposal that the implementation at the national level be overseen by the Cabinet sub-Committee on Public Health (Chisholm, Sanderson & Ayuso-Mateos 2012, p. 398). Further, despite the high government priority, the strategy is designed to facilitate simple implementation. It starts by explaining the implications of mental health on society and why urgent help is needed, what needs to be done presently and what needs to be done in future. Therefore, once the population understands what is at stake for them and the efforts the government is putting into bettering their lives, they will be more willing participants in the implementation phase and gain maximum benefits (Wilkins & Kemple 2011, p. 45). This strategy is designed to address individuals in their environment and tackle the socio-economic factors that expose them to the risk of mental illness before the problem sets in (DH 2013, p. 1). Therefore, the expected outcome is general improvement in mental health and wellbeing since the population will be made aware of the specialist mental health support is available. People with mental illnesses will have better experiences on a wide spectrum ranging from employment to social and family life. By underlining the significance of providing equal access to services, the vision for change will be translated into reality (Weare 2013, p. 82). More people are expected to have good mental health and those with problems to recover. On the other hand, fewer people are expected to suffer from avoidable harm or experience discrimination and stigma by being offered more therapy choices (RWJF 2013, p. 63). Since the strategy emphasises on tackling inequality and improving equality, more people will be able to access evidence-based therapies. Most significantly, the collaborative approach by the national and local authorities will ensure that the excess mortality among adults is expected to reduce. It is believed that focusing on prevention and intervention will improve human services (Patel & Prince 2010, p. 14). Conclusion Mental health has been shown to entail positive emotions that promote engagement and genuine interest in one’s work, relationships and activities. Nearly half of the population of the world is affected by issues related to mental health and this usually impacts on aspects such as their self-esteem, capacity to function in normal life and their relationships. Factors that can affect mental health either positively or negatively can be biological, psychological and social. Further, socio-economic factors have also been shown to have considerable effects on the mental health and wellbeing of adults. There is a contrast in the socio-economic statuses between different classes in a single population or different ethnicities of different social positions. The contrast has been attributed to discrimination, environmental adversity, stress and disadvantage such as unemployment and all these influence the wellbeing of adults. Following the growing concerns about the issue of mental health, one of the intervention strategies proposed is the NHWMH. In recognition that mental health is a key component to the quality of life and economic success and contributes towards education and employment outcomes, the strategy addresses social problems ranging from crime to homelessness, abuse and violence. The strategy also addresses the growing concern of depression and the ageist belief that it is an inevitable and natural part of ageing, which often results in the problem going unrecognised among adults. The expected outcome is general improvement in mental health and wellbeing since the population will be made aware of the specialist mental health support is available. Further, mentally ill people will have better experiences on a wide spectrum ranging from employment to social and family life. Finally, the collaborative approach by the national and local authorities will ensure that the excess mortality among adults is reduced. References ABC Health & Wellbeing 2014, What is good mental health? Viewed 6 April 2015, http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2014/09/11/4085497.htm Barlow, D, Durand, V & Steward, S 2011, Abnormal psychology: an integrative approach, Nelson, Toronto. 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