Consumer Participation in Mental Healthcare in Australia - Research Paper Example

Introduction The concept of being healthy comprises the sense of feeling secure, happiness, wholeness, and soundness. However, the perception of mental health is still vague. According to the world health organization ‘HEALTH’ is defined as the absence of disease or sickness. Likewise, the optimistic logic of mental health is that it leaves a special variety of stress on human emotions while mental illness conducts a negative stress on human thoughts and actions. However, mental illness is not subjected to any physical illness or disease but considered, as a psychological disorder in humans ((Editor),H. Tristram Engelhardt Jr (Editor),S.F.Spicker ). During 1970’s, it was widespread that mental illness and mental health were the two different shaft of a continuum. Since, there are varying degrees of health and sickness that indicates a person’s behavior, a thin line is present between mental health and mental illness. However, one may become sick from being healthy subjective to enough stress and anxiety in social environment. Likewise, in 1980’s, this theory was rejected by (Michel’s and Marzuk1993; Wilson1993) stating that a person can either be sick or healthy (, Department of Health). According to this statement, mental illness in a person is demonstrated by its abnormal behavior. For example, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, anger, aggression and substance abuse etc. In addition, the sources of mental illness are biochemical, biological, neurological or genetics. Mental health delineates self-esteem, self-actualization and realization, ability to fulfill desires, and significant relationships. Consequently, mental health is far more different from mental illness (, Department of Health). Nurses play a significant role in providing mental health care to consumers. However, in order to provide effective health care treatments, nurses require a sound knowledge and understanding of health policies and legislations. Moreover, consumer participation can augment transparency and accountability for the betterment of mental health care (Littlejohns, Rawlins 2009). As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the health care principles are based upon efficiency, effective treatment, and trouble-free access to facilities. Subsequently, Australia and New Zealand have been working significantly in providing mental health care facilities to the consumers, as a result, country’s national policies, effective strategies and legislations have been prepared. In 1992, full support to National mental health strategy has been demonstrated by the Australian health ministers in order to functionalize the twelve priority areas of mental health plan. Furthermore, in 1997 this plan was revised therefore, new framework has been established that shows the full commitment of government toward programs and services regarding mental health promotions. The priority points that were mentioned in the mental health plan are described below (Elder, Evans et al.): Promoting mental health and preventing mental health problems and illness. Increasing service responsiveness. Strengthening quality. Fostering research, innovation and sustainability. According to the most recent plan, priority is given to the latest researches and ways of treatment, as well as, to ensure the risks of developing mental illness. In addition, consumer care and their significant participation are also emphasized by the government policies. According to the Victorian mental health act 1986, amended 2003 following are the characteristics or behaviors that are not indicative to mental illness (Elder, Evans et al.): Particular political views or activities. Particular religious views or activities. Particular philosophy. Particular sexual preference or sexual orientation. Particular illegal conduct or use of drug and/or alcohol. An antisocial personality. Being intellectually disabled. As per the Mental Health Act voluntary and involuntary care is provided to the clients by undergoing through acute mental illness. In addition, special care is provided to the detained clients as they are more likely to suffer mental illness (Elder, Evans et al.). Consumer Participation Common wealth states and territory government are encouraging individuals to participate in mental health programs. Individuals are advised to suggest goals and strategies in order to improve the quality of health care services. The caregiver or the representative of a community is involved in the decision making, policy development and quality issues regarding the mental health care services. There are three levels of consumer participation i.e. the individual care, health system planning and the health system policy development. Moreover, Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have set some basic principles regarding successful consumer’s participation. Some points are mentioned below (, Department of Health): Improvement in the quality of mental health services is based upon active consumer participation hence, leading toward successful mental health services. Active consumer participation helps to the modification of agendas and to monitor the progress concerning mental health issues. Roles and responsibilities are defined and demonstrated to the staff members, carer, consumer and their families in order to participate significantly. Consumer representatives are fully skilled and professional therefore, to enhanced consumer participation. Representatives have links to consumers hence, to direct them in a broader and systemic manner. The wellbeing of a consumer depends upon the distribution of effective information and communication among the mental health provider and the consumer. Consumers have to represent positive attitude toward mental health provider thus, variety of consumer needs must be recognized. Information on mental health program should be written in comprehensive language in order to understand correctly. The information is distributed widely to the consumer networks. Challenges and conflicts regarding consumer participation are managed through effective strategies. Methods and Benefits of Consumer Participation Improved mental health services are accomplished through consumer participation, mental health service providers and Victorian government. However, the methods and strategies connect stakeholders for consumer participation. Some of the successful methods are implemented for consumer participation. Consumer satisfaction surveys were organized to find direct feedback from the community about their mental health issues. With the provision of surveys, mental health providers can highlight challenging areas of the community. If the surveys were conducted in simple and comprehensive language then the positive outcomes can be measured. In addition, surveys can also be managed in various languages. Another methodology can be effective in consumer participation is to arrange public meetings that will result in good media coverage that can be obtained on various issues. Furthermore, participants will get the opportunity to discuss major issues. To make this method more beneficial, venue of the meeting and the time should be selected wisely. Moreover, free food and transport along with informative brochures on mental health issues must be provided. Furthermore, mental health care centers complaint boxes should be fixed and complaint cells must be deployed, as this will help to identify unusual incidents and to tackle them appropriately. Also, organizations accountability and performance will be managed effortlessly. One more method to enhance consumer participation is to focus group of people, as this will lead in the direct contribution of additional information to a group and discuss their ideas. Consequently, community representatives and management committees will be established and proper training with structured orientation to the representatives must be provided to ensure correct guidance to the consumers (, Pandora Archive - Preserving and Accessing Networked Documentary Resources of Australia). Healthy debate that encourages the accountability enables the community to be in contact with others. For recent and major issues telephonic information can be provided by the member of consumer committee, as this will assist the clients to obtain fast and effective information in no time. Moreover, toll free numbers method of providing information is free and successful (, Pandora Archive - Preserving and Accessing Networked Documentary Resources of Australia). Furthermore, direct feedback can be provided to the consumers at the time of availing the services. As a result, immediate action can be taken on serious issues related to mental health problems. In addition, group and community discussions aids to circulate rich information regarding mental health care and consumer’s participation play a significant role in this aspect. For example, River Island Community Registers will assist in targeting feedbacks and related groups (, Pandora Archive - Preserving and Accessing Networked Documentary Resources of Australia). Barriers and Case Study Consumers have to face numerous challenges in order to participate effectively regarding mental health programs. Likewise, challenges that an individual is facing while participation, must be controlled by effective policies and strategies. Some of the critical barriers that consumers may undergo are as follows (Elder, Evans et al.): Lack of proper guidance on why to participate and how to participate. Members are not sure about their roles, functions and purpose of participation. Lack of sufficient resources and improper allocation of resources for ongoing education and training. Suitable use of skills of staff members and understanding consumer’s attitude towards consumer’s participation. Lack of effective communication and decision making power between staff and consumers. Adolescent and linguistically assorted people require appropriate guidance hence, if not provided may prevent participation. In adequate consumer demonstration may prevent participation as a result, goals may not be achieved. One of the case study says, one evening a 19 year old girl Melissa was admitted to severe mental health care unit due to deliberate self-harm (DSH) act as, she cuts her wrist. After examining Melissa’s case, the emergency department revealed that she attempting the same act twice in past and has been admitted to mental health care unit previously. However, a psychiatric registrar agrees to admit her in terms of a voluntary patient. After spending couple of hours in the hospital, she was reluctant to stay and wants to leave. Nurses at the mental health facility were not entitled to discharge her due to her medical condition and insist her to meet the doctor next morning. As a result, the situation completely infuriates Melissa and her depression level escalates. DSH is not associated with a suicidal act, as some patients intentionally state that the purpose is to die. On the other hand, research shows that DSH is relatively a non-suicidal attempt. The mental health is related to the personality disorders that may lead toward serious suicidal attempts. The Royal Australian and New Zealand collage of psychiatry published a guideline that states the personality disorders are the first major cause of DSH in patients (Elder, Evans et al.). However, a patient with the history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse indicates symptoms of DSH two to four times lesser than the above mentioned cause. Moreover, persons engaged in self-harm activities were habitual user of alcohol and other drugs. Studies have shown that Suicidal behavior is intense in those patients who were recently discharged from mental health care unit. In summary, self-motivation, effective treatment, regular follow-ups, home visits and patient counseling helps to eliminate risks of self-harm in patients like Melissa (Elder, Evans et al.). Conclusion After a brief introduction, the paper has demonstrated the role of Australian government towards consumer participation in a mental health care. Likewise, basic principles set among the common wealth countries is also illustrates in terms of points. The next part describes the methodologies that are implemented to derive benefits. Focusing Australia, different method such as surveys, public meetings and specifically focusing group of people are incorporated to achieve consumer participation in mental healthcare. Furthermore, challenges associated with the topic are also demonstrated along with a case study of 19 year old girl Melissa. References , Department of Health . Available: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ [4/8/2012, 2012]. (EDITOR),H. TRISTRAM ENGELHARDT JR (EDITOR),S.F.SPICKER, Mental Health: Philosophical Perspectives (Philosophy and Medicine) Springer. ELDER, R., EVANS, K. and DEB NIZETTE, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Mosby. LITTLEJOHNS, P. and RAWLINS, M.D., 2009. Patients, the public and priorities in healthcare Oxford: Radcliffe Pub. , Pandora Archive - Preserving and Accessing Networked DOcumentary Resources of Australia . Available: http://pandora.nla.gov.au/ [4/8/2012, 2012]. Read More