Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health - Assignment Example

? Mental Health Proposal Describe the health problem. In the U.S, news of teenagers going berserk and killing other people has become a concern and an issue that is under discussion currently (CDC, 2012). In the assessment of the perpetrators of the crimes, most of them were found to have a psychiatric condition like major depression, aggressive behavior, suicidal thinking to commit such hernious offences. With an increasing number of such cases nationwide denotes a problem with mental health. Mental health cases are on the rise in U.S.A. In accordance to Healthy People (2012), one of their main leading health indicators targeted for improvement by 2020 is mental health. In Las Vegas, Nevada, mental illness has turned out to be a bid issue (Wray et al., 2008). There is increased risk of suicides in children aged 10-17 years. Hence, a health promotion health proposal aimed at reducing the suicide risk in the children from 16 per year to 10 per year before January 2016 can be proposed. 2. Describe the vulnerable population and setting. Studies conducted indicate that depressed individuals suffer some risk of committing or wanting to commit suicide (NIMH, 2010). Another study conducted on individuals that visit Las Vegas indicates visitors may commit suicide in the event of financial stress. In Las Vegas, adolescents and children number stressed has increased over the past years. It is estimated that a total of 16 adolescents and children committed suicide in 2011 (CDC, 2012). These generally resulted from family arguments, bad relationships, sexual orientation problems, rape, school problems, law problems, and drug abuse (NIMH, 2010). 3. Evidence-based interventions Available literature associated with prevention and treatment of mental health offer promising solutions on combating the illness plus curbing suicide rates. In an article from a mental health journal, one article proposed the use of PCPs (Primary Care Providers) in early identification of individuals at risk. Usually, it is estimated that 70 % of individuals with health insurance visit their PCP’s at least yearly, hence this might serve as good screening grounds for individuals at risk and those with mental illness. This method is only advantageous for insured individuals, but for uninsured people who lack access to health care providers, screening might be a problem (CDC, 2012). Another health promotion program that has shown success in the past is mental education (CDC, 2012). In this case, the community is educated regarding mental illness and provided with some of the major signs and symptoms to keep watch. It is important that sign/symptoms of depression be taught as it is a common phenomenon is suicide victims. These health educations should be aimed towards the rightful target population. In as much there are many mental health facilities, usually a small percentage of people benefit from it (HealthyPeople.gov, 2012). Mental health education can be limited with the issue of little resources and personnel to conduct the rigorous exercise. The target audience in such case should more entail students, parents and teachers. Education hence should try to focus on providing warning signs to the target population and people around them (HealthyPeople.gov, 2012). Based on the assessment of an identified need in the community, the goal of reducing the suicide rate from 16 to 10 by the year 2016 is realistic and attainable. Utilization of a readily available PCP resource makes the process of screening and treating insured individuals facing mental health concerns simple (NIMH, 2010). By offering education on mental health resources as early as elementary school, students, parents, and teachers are equipped with information as well as warning signs that can be used to potentially save lives (CDC, 2012). 4. Select an appropriate health promotion/disease Mental illness and suicide Theoretical Framework: Figure 1 5. Propose a health promotion program using evidence- In an attempt to reduce the suicide levels to 10 from 16 a year by 2016 in accordance to the target placed by Healthy People, it is possible to carry out mental health education programs for the community living in Las Vegas. Health education in Las Vegas would require a lot of resources amassed in terms of personnel and financial. Getting the necessary resources in terms of financial assistance might be a big problem based on the target population (Happell & Cleary, 2012). Mental health education can be a primary prevention strategy to all those individuals who may not have developed or developed mental illness. Since the target population of this proposal entails children and adults, then health education should more be focused on them (Happell & Cleary, 2012). A cheaper way to enhance health education could entail the provision of already pre-recorded sessions of mental health illness and suicide by professionals in that area (CDC, 2012). These would save greatly on cost as schools would only be required to have DVD’s or copies of the sessions to play them to the students. A good rapport between guidance and counselor personnel and students should also get established and help in promotion of mental health education to such institutions (Happell & Cleary, 2012). Collaborative sessions between parents, students and teachers will also be encouraged in case of such promotion of mental health. The target for this program should run continuously in schools till 2016 and its outcome counted. 6. Thoroughly describe the intended outcomes. How will you measure the outcomes and determine success? The outcome expected entail reduction of suicide rates from 16 deaths a year from 2012 to a target of 10 suicidal deaths a year in 2016 or less. Through surveillance of suicidal deaths in Las Vegas, then the outcomes are able to be measured at the end of the elapsed period then its success assessed. 7. Thoroughly relate possible barriers/challenges to implementing the proposed project that could be anticipated as well as strategies to address these barriers/challenges. The most anticipated challenge in implementation of the program is inadequate support and funding from the government. Reaching over 100, 000 children in Las Vegas might prove not easy as running costs are also high. For the success of any project, financial funding should not be an issue (Happell & Cleary, 2012). With the issue of the country still recovering from the 2008 financial crisis, it would not be easy for the state to provide funds for such a project. This challenge can be addressed by approaching non-governmental organizations like U.S.AID to help in the health promotion program. 8. Propose a plan of evaluation In order to evaluate the project, then specific objectives will have to be laid and followed within the time framework to 2016. Methods of evaluation like yearly reviews of suicides in the area can be checked and compared to the effect of the health education program in that region. References Centers for Disease Control (2012). Mental health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/ Happell, B, & Cleary, M. (2012). Promoting health and preventing illness: Promoting mental health in community nursing practice. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 41(1), 88-89. HealthyPeople.gov. (2012). Mental health. Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/LHI/mentalHealth.aspx?tab=overview National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2010). Suicide in the US: Statistics and prevention. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml Wray, M., Miller, M., Gurvey, J., Carroll, J., & Kawachi, I. (2008). Leaving Las Vegas. Social Science and Medicine, 67(11), 1882-1888. Read More