The Largest Single Cause of Disability - Term Paper Example

Social Policy and Social Problems: Mental Health Coursework Two: Report Introduction Metal health is an important area of social concern because individuals’ mental condition determines how they socialise with the community. The term mental health refers to a broader concept “more than the absence of mental disorders or disabilities” (WHO, n.d.). Mental illness has become ‘the largest single cause of disability’ in our society (DH, n.d.). Statistics show the growing number of individuals who are suffering from mental illness or at least bearing the symptoms of illness over the course of their life time. Although serious mental health cases are only reported among a comparatively small group of people, the intensity of the problem is very high as the illness is alarmingly endemic in the UK society as a whole. The country has effectual means and guidelines to address the mental health problems of the citizens; but what often impedes the effective enforcement of the policies is the lack of resources. A person’s mental illness becomes very extensive social problem when the illness is not treated or ignored. As per The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001) ‘mixed anxiety and depression’ is the most widespread mental illness recorded in Britain (Mental Health Foundation, n.d.). The real challenge of the problem lies with modern life style that gives much emphasis to the maintenance of physical health whereby people tend to ignore emotional health related to every sphere of community life. Once the emotional issues and problems are left aside, this can cause a person’s real nervous breakdown leaving extensive adverse effects on the family and the community as a whole. The growing number of mentally ill people indicates the infirmity of the society as a collective individual that requires immediate care. The most potential causes that intensify the mental stress of people today include ‘stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, risks of violence and physical ill-health and human rights violations’ (WHO). The scenario indicates the inevitability of collective efforts required in order to address the issue. This paper will explore the intensity of mental health issues and the effects they thrust on the society. This will further discuss the recent policy responses to the problem, current government policies and guidelines applicable to the issue, how these policies and guidelines are implemented, and their outcomes. Recent policy responses to the problem The Department of Health, Social Services, and Public Safety has recently published the ‘Service framework for mental health and wellbeing’ as a policy response to the growing issue of mental health in the Northern Ireland. This particular framework tries to clearly define the standards of treatments and care patients can expect. Another objective of this policy initiative is to enlighten people about the types of treatments and care available within health/social care. Women’s Mental Health: Into the Mainstream is a major governmental level policy applicable to the topic. The major goal of this policy is to eliminate discrimination and inequality in delivering mental health services to women (Daddy, n.d.). Although women represent half of the general population, contribute significantly to the total workforce, and assume major family responsibilities like caring children, they have relatively low social status and are highly prone to social isolation, poverty, sexual abuse, and domestic violence (ibid). Such issues can have an adverse impact on women’s mental health. This policy particularly ‘emphasises the significance of listening to women’ and solving their problems (ibid). Statistical data suggest that the prevalence of sexual abuse and domestic violence are on the rise in the UK. According psychological practitioners, mental health effects of issues like domestic violence and sexual abuse are very severe on its victims. Hence, the Department of Health jointly with the National Institute for Mental Health in England have taken another major initiative (two year programme) to tackle the mental health effects of those issues (Ltzin 2006). The primary goal of this programme is to tackle the root causes of physical and mental health issues found in domestic violence and child abuse (ibid). In order to address the alarming rate of racial inequality in mental health services, the Department of Health has developed a comprehensive program involving social organisations, other interest groups, and policy makers across the country. Regulators believe that this policy can be implemented through innovative projects, research, and community engagement (Wilson 2009). Finally, the UK government has framed an operational model to serve the mental health needs of older adults. This policy sets out the significance of carers in improving the mental health status of older people; and it also aims to enable older people having mental health problems to exercise control over their own day to day activities (DH 2005). Current government policies and guidelines Mental health as an imperative area of societal concern gained some regulatory responses that involve the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and recently the Mental Health Act 2007. Although not fully in force, Mental Health Act 2007 involve amendments made to the Mental Health Act 1983. Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) intends to protect vulnerable individuals who are unable to take their own decisions. The act clearly tells who can take decisions on behalf of the disabled and in what circumstances. It also gives legal protection to those take care of the patients unable to take decisions their own. However, the law also insists that MCA must be followed based on the specific key principles. The 2007 Act entitles broader range of professionals to perform healthcare functions.  It defined new professional roles of the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), Approved Clinicians, and a wide range of staff (Kousoulou & Hayes 2008). The total purpose of the amendment was to make the mental health service delivery system more transparent and effective. The Act clearly defined the responsibilities of authorities concerned from local and primary care units to strategic health authorities(ibid) . The Act brought wide appreciation for addressing almost all areas of clinical concerns and uncertainties prevailed over the service industry over decades. For instance, it assured patients to have improved continuity of care, and also provided flexible access to home treatment teams, forensic services etc (ibid). The Act allowed registered social workers, chartered psychologists, and registered occupational therapists to become AMHP; and however, doctors (registered medical practitioners) cannot undertake this role (ibid). The AMHPs are assigned with wide responsibilities and functions as they are from different backgrounds having particular expertise. In the same way the act determined the roles and functions of Approved Clinicians (AC) and Responsible Clinicians (RC). It also defined the individuals who would undertake the overall responsibility of the patient and who would perform the protocols of the health care processes in the clinical premises. For instance, decisions such as “the detention of the patient or placing a patient on SCT can be taken only by the patient’s RC” (ibid). Implementation Although the policy initiatives described above are comprehensive enough to improve the mental health status of the UK, to what extent they achieved the intended outcome is a matter of debate. Staff shortage is major issue limiting the effectiveness of the policy implementation. Due to the inadequacy of qualified healthcare staff, the government is struggling to provide the planned programmes to its beneficiaries properly. Reports indicate that vulnerability of women and children’s mental health issues are still on the rise. It is also observed that most of these programmes are not properly implemented at family levels as they are mainly executed on a community basis. Obviously, family situation plays the most crucial role in forming the mental health of an individual. In other words, factors influencing the mental health of individuals differ from family to family. Therefore, community level implementation of the programmes restricts the desired outcomes from being delivered to their actual beneficiaries. According to statistical data, one in every four people is likely to experience some kinds of mental health problems over the course of a year (Mental Health Foundation, n.d.). This data reflect that implementation of the government level mental health policies are still not much effective in the UK. Evaluation of the impact of the policies Evidently, most of the policies implemented have noticeable impacts on the UK’ mental health status. The chart given below indicates the prevalence of common mental health problem in UK since 1993. (Source: Mental Health: Facts and Statistics) While analysing the chart, it is evident that UK’s mental health policies are effective in improving the mental health of the country despite a few unintended outcomes. It seems that the UK government could bring mental health problems like generalised anxiety disorder, depressive episode and phobias under control. The prevalence of obsessive compulsive disorder increased by 0.1% over the period 2000-2007. Similarly, policies implemented cannot effectively curb mental health problems like mixed anxiety and depression and panic disorder. However, the rate of increase in the prevalence of these mental health problems has been significantly improved during the period under consideration. Reports indicate that the eating disorders raise great challenges to UK because many of those problems associated with this issue go unreported; and it is estimated that nearly 1.5 million people in UK are be suffering from some form of eating disorder (ibid). Currently, mental health policies do not give specific focus to addressing eating disorders. How are the policies/guidelines addressing the topic? As discussed earlier, UK’s mental health policies specifically focus on different aspects of mental health. To illustrate, mental health problems are categorised and addressed in various divisions like women’s mental health, children’s mental health, older people’s mental health, and victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Such categorisations are extremely helpful for healthcare departments to ensure that needs of every group are met timely and properly. The Department of Health pays particular attention to the implementation of these policies because the UK government holds the view that a mentally healthy population is necessary for the overall development of the country. Hence, the government has established separate departments to manage different policy initiatives. Based on statistical evidences analysed, it can be stated that policies/guidelines developed for addressing mental health is really working in UK. As different study results point out, the prevalence of personality disorders is between 2-13% in Britain (ibid). Since the form and causes of personality disorders are varied, mental health policies have some limitations in addressing this issue effectively. Unintended Outcomes Despite the wide regulations and extensive strategies, mental health service still lacks effective coordination in order to attain the anticipated result. Moreover, as in every case, an array of unintended outcomes also have evolved, which could normally obstruct the effective distribution of service and quality care. The new strategy gives primary focus to therapies by allotting £400m so as to increase the access to therapy facilities by 6% by 2015(Triggle, BBc 2011) .Critics are of the view that the excessive focus given to children 10% of whom are likely to develop mental health problems will undermine the significance of other service areas. Although adult’s mental health facilities have recorded reasonable levels of performance for the past few decades, child- adolescent service networks are criticized for not meeting the anticipated outcomes in proportion to the funds and efforts allocated (ibid). As Professor Dinesh Bhugra, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said, “there is still a long way to go for mental health patients to receive a satisfactory standard of care and treatment throughout England, and the challenge set out in this strategy needs to be taken up" (cited in Triggle, BBc 2011). Groups disregarded As a result of the comprehensiveness of the way UK’s mental health policies are developed and implemented, only a few groups have restricted access to the mental health services. As discussed already, the Department of Health has framed specific policies to make certain that mental health needs of vulnerable groups like women, children, and older adults are not gone unmet. However, it is identified that racial inequality still remains to be a challenge that limits the racial minorities’ access to mental health services. Conclusion From the above discussion, it is clear that mental health is a very significant issue in the UK context. Statistical data point that one in four individual is likely to be affected by a mental health problem in the course of any given year. Wide range of social policies and regulations are in force to curb the prevalence of mental health problems in the country. It is identified that governmental initiatives along with the collective efforts of other interests groups have greatly assisted the country to improve the mental health status of the country. Admittedly, there are some unintended outcomes of the policies that still raise political debates. Also further measures are essential to meet the mental health requirement of vulnerable groups like racial minorities. Summary of key points Strict work schedule coupled with woeful modern lifestyle intensify mental health issues in the United Kingdom The recent policy responses give specific focus to vulnerable groups like women, children, and older adults Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 2007 are the major government policies currently applicable to mental health Although policies did not bring anticipated outcomes completely, they could notably improve the mental health status of the UK Groups disregarded mainly include racial minorities References Department of Health (DH). [online] available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/policy-areas/social-care/mental-health/ [accessed 18 Jan 2013] DH. (2005) ‘Everybody’s Business Integrated mental health services for older adults: a service development guide’. Care Services Improvement Partnership. [online] available at http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/silo/files/everybodys-business.pdf [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Daddy, C. (n.d.) Department of Health. ‘Women’s Mental Health: Into the Mainstream Strategic Development of Mental Health Care for Women’. [online] available at http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/silo/files/into-the-mainstream.pdf [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Kousoulou, D & Hayes, J (Ed.). (2008) ‘Mental Health Act 2007: New Roles Guidance for approving authorities and employers on Approved Mental Health Professionals and Approved Clinicians’. National Institute for Mental Health in England. [online] available at http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/silo/files/mental-health-act-2007--new-roles.pdf [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Ltzin, C. (2006) ‘Tackling the Health and Mental Health Effects of Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse’. DH. [online] available athttp://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4136611.pdf [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Mental Health Foundation. ‘Mental Health Statistics: The Most Common Mental Health Problems’. [online] available at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-statistics/common-mental-health-problems/ [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Mental Health Foundation. Mental Health Statistics. [online] available at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-statistics/ [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Mental Health: Facts and Statistics, Mind. [online] available athttp://www.mind.org.uk/mental_health_a-z/8105_mental_health_facts_and_statistics [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Triggle, N. (2011) ‘Early help 'key to tackling mental health problems', BBC News Health, Feb 2. [online] available http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12338540 [accessed 18 Jan 2013] WHO. (2010) ‘Mental health: strengthening our response’ [online] available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/ [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Wilson, M. (2009) ‘Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health Care: a review’. Programme Report, DH. [online] available at http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/silo/files/delivering-race-equality-in-mental-health-care-a-review.pdf [accessed 18 Jan 2013] Read More