Social Welfare Policy - Research Paper Example

? Social welfare policy Social welfare policy Social policy is related with the study of the welfare and social services. Insimpler terms, social welfare can be defined as how individuals in the society take action to provide certain opportunities to other individuals in the society (Paul, 2008). This entails helping people in facing contingencies. Mental health is described as a level of well-being or absence of mental disorder. This article will describe the background of mental health policies, their relevance, and intention, both nationally and internationally if applicable. This essay will also analyze the mental health policy activities related to societal issues, and assess these policies effectively. Social welfare policy is a term that applies to the strategy which a government uses for social protection and welfare. This also applies to ways through which welfare is developed in a society and the study of the subject in question. In general, welfare can be referred to as the state of well-being in the society (Paul, 2008). There are several policies that have been set up by welfare groups to specifically address the needs of the needy in the society. Such include health policy, housing policy, and education policy (Hudson & Author, 1991). This article will capitalize on health policy and in particular, mental health. Mental health has a significant impact on social goals. Mental health is common in most states all over the world; therefore, general health programs have been developed to realize the considerable concerns about mental health. The plans set provide fundamental strategies for execution of the National Health policy. Poverty is one of the crucial problems linked with mental health and overall economic development. Deinstitutionalization and community care are appropriate in the overarching policies for mental health services. Mental disorders only attract limited attention in worldwide efforts that are aimed at alleviating poverty by investing in mental health services. In addition, individuals are able to view the patent disparities in the prevalence of mental health by the societal class. Research clearly proves that individuals in lower societal classes have a higher possibility of suffering from such mental conditions (Funk, Drew & Robertson, 2012). Different mental programmes have been set up in different countries to integrate mental health policies and strategic plans. Statistics from the World Health Organization reveal that mental health disorders are categorized second in the yoke of ailments all over the world. Clearly, about two thirds of all individuals diagnosed of mental disorders do not seek treatment. Affirmative mental health programmes are set up to ensure effective treatment and promotion programs that are made available to the needy (Hudson & Author, 1991). Health care can be divided into primary care, hospital care, and public health (Hudson & Author, 1991). It is noted that public health is the most essential issue in the growth of a country. Mental health policy is quite substantial since it defines the prospect state of a country. This is because mental health has a substantial effect on the population of a state. Mental health policies ensure the co-ordination of essential activities and services that allow treatment and care of those affected by such cases in the society. Also, these policies ensure that inefficiencies in issues related to health care are overruled entirely by preventing disintegration (Stout, 1996). Mental health plans include a detailed scheme that is based on the implementation of the objectives and visions which are fully defined in the policy. This plan should consist of activities that are to be implemented to embark upon mental conditions. In addition, this should also include an apparent clarification of the functions that stakeholders should execute in the implementation activities in regard to mental health. The liberal a state is in providing mental health equality, the higher the population that receives access to mental health services. A brief history depicts that medical care was chiefly voluntary in the ancient times. However, considering that most governments did not assist the needy in society, the population dwindled at an alarming rate. Developed countries like the United States of America came up with reforms in the health care field. These improvements in such sectors aided in controlling poverty rates. Even though such implementations have their limitations, there are many people who have advantaged from other programs that are community based like community care. The social welfare policy of different states deals with expanding access to basic health care and establishing effective, sustainable, and responsive decentralized health care delivery systems (Paul, 2008). Most governments are assisted by other development partners to strive in improvement of the health status of outstanding populations. This determines how the mental health policies are quite effective to the popular individuals. Likewise, states can come up with policy changes to enhance the welfare policy. Such methods may include assisting stakeholder conferences from within the countries affected, examination and implementation of mental health policies, assistance based on improving the capability of mental health systems, and composition of knowledge and skills of policy makers, service providers and health planners (Hudson & Author, 1991). The World Health Organization supports countries in analyzing comprehensive measures that can be employed to assist individuals with mental health situations. This includes services that are offered in priority to the medical needs of a country. In addition, this organization also helps in facilitating discussions between diverse stakeholders in the country who are normally interested in mental health reforms. This can also include other non-governmental organizations within the country that come together in implementation of such policies. Furthermore, analysis of the health condition in a country also aids in determining whether the health condition of a country should be reinforced. In close assistance by heath organizations in the country, certain committees are able to draft and implement these strategic plans and policies that are of considerable importance to the mental health care. Mental health care systems and services should seek assistance from policy makers in order to improve the overall functioning of their health services (Funk, Drew & Robertson, 2012). This improves the skills of the health planners, policy makers and service providers through corporate workshops that enhance the development of health information techniques. These skills also ensure that the implementations arrived at are of quality to the overall mental health policy (Stout, 1996). Mentally disabled persons always face stigmatization from the general public. Some are even restricted by the inability to access essential healthcare services and other relief services. These barriers are also prolonged into employment and even schooling. These limitations increase the mortality rate of the mentally disabled individuals. The factors discussed above can be financed to enable such citizens receive mental health care. This development programs are not to be disregarded. Some of the additional actions that can be undertaken include creating income generating opportunities for these citizens and developing mechanisms that can involve those who are suffering from such conditions in decision-making in cases where the condition is not quite severe (Funk, Drew & Robertson, 2012). Lastly, the susceptible groups in the society are frequently targeted by the vulnerability of getting mental disabilities. Such individuals comprise of people with HIV/AIDS, people suffering from depression, and the destitute. In order to sustain a growing population, mental health issues should be addressed in certain ways including incorporation to wider health partnerships and programmes, and strengthening these policies to guard the rights of all those who are mentally challenged (Hudson & Author, 1991). Also, there can be provision of mental health services during and after various emergencies. Mainstreaming of these issues into education can also help curb this problem. Alongside other organizations, the World Health Organization has as well produced a list of strategies that they have come up with in line with the others mentioned to increase the actions for mental health in diverse countries. The World Health Organization has provided mental health laws which protect the mental health patients and also ensure that they are respected in the society (Funk, Drew & Robertson, 2012). They have also put in place some strategic plans, better actions, and recognition advocacy for mental health both nationally and internationally. This includes programmes and agendas that have been created to stop the violation of human rights in mental health facilities hence; monitoring the conditions in mental-health based facilities. All these strategies that have been reached at can be reinforced through certain criterions. These methods include focusing on the public health, focusing on early intervention and recovery, commitment in reducing the mental health stigma, uniformity in physical health, and a cross-government approach (Paul, 2008). Focusing on public health ensures that the strategy points out mental health problems. This significantly reduces the segregation of mental health individuals in the society. The government should also focus on the recovery and early intervention that is linked to supporting individuals soon as they get unwell (Hudson & Author, 1991). In addition, this condition is linked together with uniformity in physical health that makes sure that poor mental health is dealt with appropriately and carefully to avoid greater costs that are incurred afterwards when the condition worsens. Commitment to curb mental health stigma is also prominent in reducing such costs (Paul, 2008). Furthermore, a cross-government approach to mental health ensures that such strategies are achieved. The government plays a chief factor in ensuring the population of the country is sustained effectively. Such strategies cost the government a colossal amount of money that is used to reduce problems related to mental health crisis. A clear example is the England government that spends up to 105 billion Euros in the health sector (Hudson & Author, 1991). This reveals the effort put across by states to ensure the well being of their citizens. Conferences are also being carried out to discuss how the welfare policies are able to meet the increasing economic turmoil together with the challenges that they face in the diverse mental health conditions. This depicts the extent the governments are adjusting themselves in meeting such needs in their respective states (Funk, Drew & Robertson, 2012). In conclusion, majority of the individuals who are living in poverty stricken states face a higher probability of developing mental health related issues. However, mental health cannot be classified in isolation from development areas like employment, emergency responses and education, since; they revolve under the same challenge in health policies. The welfare reforms of 1996 proposed that each country is to be given a certain fixed amount of money in order to enhance the running of its welfare programs. Through this, social welfare programs are able to provide maximum benefits through either entitlement programs or means-testing programs (Paul, 2008). This promotes equality in the health services rendered to every individual in a state. References Funk, M., Drew, N., & Robertson, P. (2012). Mental health, poverty and development. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/development/en/index.html Hudson, C., & Author J. (1991). Dimensions of state mental health policy. Westport: Praeger Publishers. Paul, S. (2008). Social policy: Themes and approaches: Europe: Policy Press. Stout, C. (1996). The integration of psychological principles in policy development. Westport: Praeger Publishers. Read More