Policy Issues in Mental Health - Essay Example

? POLICY ISSUES IN MENTAL HEALTH Introduction Mental health is slowly being recognized as a disease. This means that policies are being put in place to address the needs of individuals with cases of mental health. Though there has been a realization in the improvement of mental health services and policies, several issues need the attention of the policy makers and the nursing paternity in order to formulate long-term remedies for these issuers. This will mean that the stakeholders in this area need to brainstorm to ensure that the issues in mental health are addressed. In order for this to be actualized, there is a necessity that the stakeholders comprehend the problems that are present, and the best way in terms of policy and resource allocations to address these issues. One such issue is the mental needs of baby boomers. This is because this generation of the American population offers a Unique challenge to the American medical system, in that the system is not adequately prepared to address the mental health needs of this demographic. This can, however, be remedied with the appropriate policy implementation to ensure that Medicare is in a position to adequately contain the mental health needs of the baby boomer generation. This is because the members of these demographic are likely to suffer from mental problems like depression leading to suicides, as they advance in age (MedlinePlus, 2009). Although mental health is being recognized as a health problem in America, the Medicare system needs policy implementations, ad hoc the needs of the baby boomer generations mental health needs. Background After the WW2, The demographic of the American population that comprised of young adults had a symbolic significance to the population as the face of optimism and the nations driving force. In the modern times, however, as this generation has advanced age wise, there has been growing concerns concerning their health. This is because there are fears that the health care system is inadequate to handle the mental needs of this generation, to ensure they live healthily. The society has been slow to recognize mental health as an illness, and this has made the field lag behind as compared to the other areas in mainstream healthcare. This shortfall has been made apparent by the challenges in mental healthcare for the baby boomers. The healthcare policies that have been introduced recently have highlighted the shortage in terms of carte providers of geriatric mental health cases. Statistics on the issue collected by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) depicted an increase in the suicide rates by 20%, among the age demographic of between 45 to 54 years, in the period between 1999 and 2005 (Conger, 2009). Though exploration into the matter has not yielded a definite cause for this increase, the most logical hypothesis has been cited as being due to the depression affecting this demographic. Use of prescription drugs and hormone replacements to counter menopause have been proposed as possible causes (Chopvisky, 2011). Other experts have varied citing it simply portrayed the natural receding of the population numbers. White Women have a slightly higher increase than their male compatriots, with a figure of 3.9 percent increase being recorded. The increase in suicide rates was also evident across the board with minority groups also recording an upward trend in suicide cases. The complexity of the health needs with relation to their mental wellbeing is made critical by the actuality that this demographic comprises of 78 million individuals. The gravity of the situation is further reiterated with the fact that 10 million baby boomer are likely to suffer from Alzheimer cases. There are also indications that cases of dementia have a strong prevalence among the group (Kapes, 2006). The society has tried to ensure that this generation lives comfortably, and there have been initiatives concerning this in various areas including social security and geriatric care, but there has been a shortcoming in mental health care. The demographic due to their special needs require health practitioners who are qualified to address their mental needs. This has resulted, in a strain in the resources and expertise in Medicare. This is evident in that only 16% of nurses have specialized training in geriatrics. This is despite the fact that the country will require a significant increase of geriatric nurses specialized in mental health by 2030 to the tune of 3.5 million care workers. Projections show that there will be a shortfall of approximately 500,000 caregivers by 2025 for mental patients (Scogin, 2009). There are also concerns that the available nurses are retiring too soon, hence a problem in getting a sufficient number of caregivers. This outlines that there is a gaping deficit in the number of caregivers to tackle the problem. This is because it will require constant retraining and hiring of caregivers to have sufficient numbers. This presents a problem when tackling mental issues in geriatrics. In the society, it is the mandate of the community including the government and civilian population to ensure that the wellbeing of the elderly is made certain. This includes their health and mental wellbeing is a crucial component of this. It is, therefore, the mandate of the people to make certain that this obligation to the elderly is fulfilled. Failure of the society to do so will result in the decay of the social fabric. It is, therefore, crucial to address the mental needs of this demographic which will lead to the reduction n of suicide cases in the society consequently. Though the spending of the American government is massive, with a figure of approximately 2.3 trillion, the area of mental health of the baby boomers is grossly underfunded. This is evident with a mere 0.6% of this being extended to fund healthcare for the elderly. Consequently, the health issues of the baby boomers cannot be addressed adequately. This is an ethical issue in that there is evidence of discrimination in regards to the allocation of funds to support health care of the baby boomers. This results in the sector being inadequate to tackle the mental health issues of this demographic. This is, therefore, a breach of the ethical principle of distributive justice, in that there is no equity in the society. Policy issue To address this, government has put in place strategies to tackle the concern of mental health among the baby boomers. These include Mental Health Parity and the Beneficial Addiction Equity Act. These provisions were created to reduce the limit of visits by outpatients significantly. This will lead to decrease in the costs of treatments to those affected by mental ailments. This is because the acts significantly reduce hospital visits, which are usually costly. There are also the Medicare improvements for patients and providers act, which will reduce copayments in mental health care. One of the most crucial issues that need to be addressed to tackle the issue is by ensuring that there are sufficient numbers of trained personnel, to address the needs of the baby boomers in terms of mental health. For this to be addressed the various relevant stakeholders are needed to make this a success. This includes the government, who will be required to formulate policies that will ensure that the sector is well funded and that more personnel that are specialized are trained. Nursing educational institutions should ensure that they have relevant programs to provide adequate training for nurses in geriatrics. Health institutions should also ensure that they have adequate staff in this area. This will make certain that effective care is afforded to baby boomers. It is crucial that policies are put in place to address the problem of mental health among baby boomers. The areas that require attention include finances and personnel. The policies will ensure the actuality of satisfactory grants for mental health. Another objective will also be to ensure that there are adequate staffs that are specialized in geriatrics. Alternatives in policies are also available if the congress considers several bills concerning Medicare. One of the bills is the Alzheimer Breakthrough Act Of 2011 (www.govtrack.us, 2011). This seeks to facilitate for research in the disease through government support and budget allocations. This is crucial since 10 million individuals in the baby boomers demographic suffer from the disease. This will prove significant in addressing this issue. Another allocation is the Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2011 (www.govtrack.us, 2011). This will ensure that the coverage of nurses will be increase to be diverse hence address the shortfall in the sector in terms of expertise. Conclusion Mental health is a crucial component of Medicare. This means that to ensure the wellbeing of the elderly appropriate policies necessitate to be imposed in order to be efficient. The areas identified concerning mental health of baby boomers will include increments in budget allocations that will ensure that efficient services are provided. In addition, there is an imminent shortage in personnel. It is, therefore, crucial that there are policies that will advocate for an increase in caregiver numbers. The alternative provided in parliamentary acts will ensure that these objectives are met. References Chopvisky, L. (2011). Baby Boomers and their Mental Health Care Needs: Can Medicare Rise to the Challenge?. Yale journal of medicine and law. Retrieved on, July 2, 2012.From, < http://www.yalemedlaw.com/2011/12/baby-boomers-and-their-mental-health-care-needs-can-medicare-rise-to-the-challenge/> Conger, C. (2009). Do baby boomers have a higher incidence rate of depression than other generations? Discovery fit and health. Retrieved July 2, 2012. From, < http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/aging/baby-boomers/baby-boomer-depression.htm> H.R. 2134--112th Congress: Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2011. (2011). In GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation). Retrieved July 2, 2012. From, < http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr2134> H.R. 1897--112th Congress: Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2011. (2011). In GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation). Retrieved July 2, 2012. From, Kapes, Beth. (2006). “Depression and Baby Boomers: How Having It All May Be Too Much." PsychCentral. Aug. 30, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2012. From, Melillo, K. D., & Houde, S. C. (2011). Geropsychiatric and mental health nursing. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. MedlinePlus. (2009) "Depression " National Institutes of Health. Reviewed Feb. 23, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2012. From, Scogin, F. (2009)."Depression and Suicide in Older Adults." American Psychological Association. Retrieved July 2, 2012. From, Read More