Analysis Theories on Mental Health and Sociology - Coursework Example

Running Head: Mental Health Sociology Name: Institution: Date of submission: Introduction By sociology, health is a state of individuals being completely well in mental, physical, and emotional dimensions. This definition of health puts more emphasis on the importance of health being more than individual being free of any diseases is, and appreciates the fact that a healthy body will greatly rely on a stable mind. Although in the past many people believed that science alone was responsible for determining illness, this sociological definition points out clearly that society plays a great role in determining sickness as well. Most cultures define diseases as being more legitimate if they have a distinctive “scientific” diagnosis. Such diseases include cancer, typhoid, malaria, or heart disease (John Hopkins University, 2007). However, for quite a long time, the issue of mental health remained a crucial object of study for the psychiatric professions, general society, and sociology. Sociology has similarly had wide experience and tradition of offering theoretical insights for the mental health phenomenon. The reason behind the developed theories on mental health and sociology is so open to debate and many of the key theories developed have in fact as much to debate about the contemporary viewpoints within society and professional bodies towards mental health. They also raise an over raging debate about those who suffer from mental health related problems (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). Over time, social reaction and social constructivism are two of the most radical theories developed so far. History of Sociological Mind Health and the Role of Social Policy The study and concerns of mental health first came into national limelight with the term "mental hygiene", perceived as precursor to the contemporary approaches to research, study, and efforts aimed at promoting positive mental health within the society (John Hopkins University, 2007). Decades later, American Psychiatric Association redefined mental hygiene.The Association’s definition regarded mental hygiene as an art of preserving the mind from unnecessary incidents, situations, and influences which would destroy its quality, energy, and development. Dorothea Dix (1802–1887) who was a schoolteacher remains a significant contributor to mental hygiene. Throughout her entire life, the teacher campaigned with the intent of helping members of the society suffering from mental disorders. He campaigns earned the title of Mental Hygiene Movement (Phongsavan, et al., 2006). Before Dorothea’s movement, most individuals suffering from mental illness faced stigma and left to languish from loneliness and in deplorable conditions in the society. These patients would find themselves going hungry and often without clothes. Up to date, sociologists believe that Dix's efforts were as great as it resulted in increased number of mental health cases report in hospital facilities. Furthermore, at the wake of the 20th century, the National Committee for Mental Hygiene came into force after formation by Clifford Beers. After its launch, it opened the first clinic for mental health patience in the USA (Clifford Beers Clinic, 2006). Dix’s mental hygiene movement at times had associations with advocating sterilization of individuals considered to have high degree of mentaldisorders and put into productive work and helped with contented family life. Mental Health in Contemporary Australian Society Research by Vos et al. (2009) indicates that indigenous Australians have high prevalence tomental disorders and injury than the entire Australian population.The study attributes most of this phenomenon to relatively high rate of non-communicable diseases such asmental disorders. However,the study fails to provide any national data on the prevalence of diagnosed mental health disorders for indigenous people. Although small studies of mental health have been conducted in specific indigenous communities past few decades, the only reliable national statistics existing are those of high suicide rates,highrates of hospitalizationfor diagnosed mental health disorders,increased number of reported attendance of mental disorders in emergency department, and drug misuse-related conditions (Vos, 2007). Furthermore, national statistics on contacts with public community health facilities indicated a relatively prevalence of approximately two to three times that of the corresponding general Australian population (AIHW, 2007; ABS, 2010). This statistics are also likely to be face underestimation as many indigenous Australians do have proper access to regular health services or if they makes efforts to access them, then they delay until the problems are severe (Australian Indigenous Health Info Net, 2009). Community diagnostic survey across Australian society potentially gives a greater insight into the mental health status of the public. The New Zealand Mental Health Survey conducted between 2003 and 2004studied a large sample of Maori people and used same interview questions to yield separate prevalenceof Maori and non-Maori prevalence rates (Wells et al., 2006). However, the 1997 and 2007 Australian National Surveys on Mental Health and Wellbeing came with only a small sample of indigenous respondents, and coming up with separate data would have seem too unreliable to be significant (Slade et al, 2009). National Mental Policy The National mental health policy, which is a joint statement and agreement by health ministers of states and territories of Australia, came into in 2008. During its formulation and up to date, the main agenda and goal of the policy is to provide a clear direction in mental health services and provide easy access of appropriate services to Australian citizens suffering from mental disorders (Davis, 2010). Since its inception, the policy shifted towards mental healthcare oriented mostly towards the community. This shift resulted in improved mental health awareness, and easy access to mental health services. This approach encouraged the Australian citizen suffering from severe mental health problems to seek help at early stages and contributed towards realization of improved mental healthcare services. However, with this new approach, the policy and society faced some substantial difficulties. Shutting down or redesigning the size of significantly large psychiatric hospitals in order to replace them with specific mental health facilities became a continuous and complex activity. The older approach that focused on institutional would enable an individual patient to meet various mental health services relatively conveniently in one specific place. However, the cost of attaining the services depended on the quality of life of the individual and the state of mental disorder (Davis, 2010). Mental health services as provided by the policy seek to limit the extent to which mental disorders affect individual patient’s cognitive and relational abilities. The policy appreciates the fact that mental health problems are not in any way barrier to individuals living a fulfilling and valuable lives and that those individuals have the potential and the right to opportunities for growth and development. In essence, the national mental health policy plays a crucial role in advocating for rights, providing mental health services, and reducing the negative impacts of mental health disorders (Clifford Beers Clinic, 2006). Effectiveness of Current Policy in a Globalized World According to Word Health Organization, mental health policy defines its vision concerning future mental health of the entire global population and comes out clearly in specifying the framework necessary in the management and prevention priority to mental and neurological disorders. With clear conceptualization of its policy, it is clear that it can co-ordinate essential services and activities aimed at ensuring that treatment and care for mental health to those in need while at the same time making efforts of preventing fragmentation and ineffectiveness in the entire health system (WHO, 2007). The World Health Organization’s mental health plan is a pre-formulated and highly detailed scheme to implement the mission, vision, and objectives as defined in the policy. The plan includes concrete strategies and activities for implementation to tackle mental disorders and disabilities associated with it, as well as specifying the targets necessary for achievement by the government. Furthermore, the policy identifies three main stages of the policy as developing mental health policy, developing mental health plan, and implementing the policy and plans developed (WHO, 2007). Furthermore, United Nations came up with human rights declarations aimed at preventing and improving healthcare services for individuals with mental health disorders. Most of these declarations play an important role in ensuring that governments across the globe respect the rights of persons suffering from mental health disorders and other disabilities. The declaration acknowledges that individuals with disabilities have equal rights as those of ‘normal’ people and thus should live joyful and fulfilling lives (Vos, 2007). In its declaration, the UN came up with 25 principles that guide on how to apply and execute human rights for individuals with mental health disorders. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that every suffering from a mental disorderhave the right to exercise all political, civil, economic, social, and cultural rights as stipulated in International Covenant on, social and cultural rights, the international covenant on civil, economic, and political rights. The rights are also in accordance with other relevant instruments, such as the declaration on the rights of disabled individuals (Phongsavan, et al., 2006). The declarations also provides that all individuals with mental health disorders have the right to the best available mental health services thatis part of the health and social care system, and have the right forhumanity treatment and respect for theiressential dignityas human individuals. Lastly, the declaration advocates for zero discrimination against persons with a mental illness and comes out clearly on their rights to protection from exploitations concerning economics, sexual, and physical exploitations (UN, 1991). Conclusion There is a remarkable inequality in physical health between different Australian societies oriented to two different categories as indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. These inequalities however, demands equality attention. The major causes of the existing gap need serious consideration in order to guide government and organizational policy development and measures aimed at preventing mental health disorders. There is also an urgent need to consider the resultant need for culturally suitable mental health services across the entire nation with more focus on indigenous people. Potential agents of differences in mental health, psychological distress, and consequential behavior among the Australian population include unemployment, low incomes that may lead to poverty,poor educational qualifications, chronic physical illness, and smoking.Literature indicates that these factors have a clear and direct relationship with psychological distress (Chittleborough, et al., 2011; Phongsavan et al., 2006) and are experienced at relatively higher rates by Australian indigenous people. According to AIW (2009), social disadvantage also has remarkable relationship with mental health problems among children. Great analysis of such mediators would give a greater insight that would allow better targeting and monitoring of mental health preventive for improving mental health services. References Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2010). The health and welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Canberra: ABS, 2010. (ABS Cat. No. 4704.0.) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2009). Measuring the social and emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Canberra: AIHW, 2009. (AIHW Cat. No. IHW 24.) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2010). Mental health services in Australia 2007–08. Canberra: AIHW, 2010. (AIHW Cat. No. HSE 88; Mental Health Series No. 12.) Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (2011). Social and emotional wellbeing (including mental Health. Retrieved on October 24, 2012 http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/overviews/selected-health-conditions/mental-health Chittleborough, C., Winefield, H. & Gill, T. (2011). Age differences in associations between Psychological distress and chronic conditions. Int J Public Health, 56, p. 71-80. Clifford Beers Clinic. (2006). About Clifford Beers Clinic. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www.cliffordbeers.org/aboutus.htm Davis, E., Sawyer, M. & Lo, S. (2010). Socioeconomic risk factors for mental health Problems in 4-5-year-old children: Australian population study. Acad Pediatr; 10, p. 41- 47 Johns Hopkins University. (2007). Origins of Mental Health, Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www.jhsph.edu/departments/mental-health/about/origins.html Phongsavan, P., Chey, T. & Bauman, A. (2006). Social capital, socio-economic status and Psychological distress among Australian adults. Soc Sci Med, 63, p. 2546-2461. Rogers, A. and Pilgrim, D. (2001). Mental Health Policy in Britain, Palgrave, Basingstoke UK UN. (1991). The protection of persons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health Care. Retrieved October 24, 2012 form http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/46/a46r119.htm Slade, T., Johnston, A. & Oakley Browne, M. (2009). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: methods and key findings. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 43, p. 594-605. Vos, T., Barker, B. & Begg S. (2009). Burden of disease and injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: the Indigenous health gap. Int J Epidemiol, 38, p. 470-477. Vos, T., Barker B., Stanley, L. & Lopez, A. (2007). The burden of disease and injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Brisbane: School of Population Health, University of Queensland. Wells, J., Oakley Browne, M. & Scott K. (2006). Te Rau Hinengaro: the New Zealand Mental Health Survey: overview of methods and findings. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 40, p. 835-844. WHO. (2007). Monitoring and Evaluation of Mental Health Policies and Plans. Geneva. Retrieved October 24, 2012 http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/services/en/index.html Read More