Risk and Mental Health - Coursework Example

Risk definition, assessment and devising strategic approaches,tactics,models and even algorithms to deal with each of these specific risks on either stand alone or grouped basis has turned a major concern for the medical care providers dealing with cases of mental health. The task becomes formidable as the incidence of such mental health cases is substantial in most jurisdictions. Take the instance of incidence of traumatic brain injuries or even mild traumatic brain injuries. Globally millions of affected persons are treated each year for severe head injury.

(Jennett, 1996) Various best practices guidelines have defined head injuries. National Institute for Clinical Excellence has the following definition: 'Head injury' is defined as any trauma to the head, other than superficial injuries to the face. (National, 2003) Of the millions hit by head injuries each year; the most common incidents causing these injuries are falls, road traffic accidents and assaults (such as fights). Youth (15 years and over) and children are more susceptible to head injuries due to an active and mobile lifestyle.

However most of the sustained head injuries are diagnosed mild and do not lead to admission as in-patients. About nine out of ten people seen in hospital have a mild or minor head injury and will go home without being admitted to hospital. This itself may be an indication of gross under evaluation of the risk associated with the mental health of the patient. However the illness states f these patients is technically termed as mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).MTBI patients, even if admitted to hospital, are discharged within of after 48 hours.

Only a fraction of the total number of people who have had head injuries (often placed at lesser than one in a hundred) do suffer from a severe injury to their brain. The general argument offered is that the severe brain injury is rare as the scalp and skull of human head play protective roles and absorb much of the impact of the injury. However symptoms including bleeding swelling or bruising can occur both inside the skull and inside the brain. Where the damage is located and what has been the extent of such damage is decided by the force and speed of the blow.

Therefore, it is often said that a timely and speedy treatment of a severe injury to the brain may result in complete recovery; however, no medical care system can guarantee against serious disability or even fatality as a result of such severe head injuries -particularly if the treatment is delayed and/or misplaced as well. (National,2003).All such cases present themselves as living examples of deficient treatment of risks involved in mental health situation. To make the matters worse, and continuing with the most extreme and delicate state of mental ill health i.e. traumatic brain