In my capacity as a sociology learner, I took part in various projects that focused on the misuse of substances, stigmatization of mental problems, and lack of adequate healthcare. Some of these activities included voluntary work on sites with neighboring rehabilitations, initiatives to raise public awareness of mental health and lobbying for changes in the relevant policy documents in favor of equal access to quality healthcare by disadvantaged social strata.
The social challenges that I addressed included problems with substance abuse, mental health stigmatization, and inadequate healthcare system accessibility. Eventually, I realized that although these problems are different in origin, they are often mutually reinforcing, resulting in severe consequences for the most susceptible categories of the population, such as young people and low-income groups, due to financial pressure. Examples include individuals self-treating using drugs such as alcohol to mitigate feelings of anxiety, depression, and trauma resulting from inadequate access to adequate healthcare services. The stigma of society against mental health may deter people from admitting their troubles and seeking help, which, in turn, will deny them much-needed mental health services. Healthcare is usually poor, and people fail to get overall treatment that would encompass both drug abuse and mental problems. Most times, these overlapping issues bring forth spirals of demerit, wherein those caught up in it find difficulty breaking free due to the self-reinforcing character of these problems.
Volunteering work at the rehab houses and campaigns organized to shed light on the stigma of drug abuse and mental health challenges had positive effects, and our efforts were successful at clarifying the stigma. Such action may encourage even more people to seek help without fear of discrimination or judgment. Reformation in policies that improve healthcare availability can have a lasting benefit. This might expand vital healthcare provision to disadvantaged areas, resulting in better health statuses and reduced imbalances( Sharma & Thapa, 2023). These involvements increased my awareness of various sociocultural issues, empathy, and appreciation for health barriers faced by vulnerable populations. However, the results could be negative. I found dealing with people battling drug abuse and mental disorders emotionally draining. Sometimes, they could become frustrated at their incapacity to respond immediately to their adversaries’ difficulties or constraints on quick responses. Additionally, there may be delays in policy changes that may face resistance from different people involved, thus causing hiccups towards immediate outcomes.
The fight against substance use, mental health stigmatization, and inadequate healthcare facilities should encompass a comprehensive solution. However, persistent advocacy for policy changes that put priority on mental health and enhanced access to healthcare, increased community-based support and the process of normalization discussion around mental illness and substance abuse ought to be some essential steps forward (Knaak et al., 2020). Additionally, additional spending on improved mental health and medical care services is essential for everyone to receive equal treatment.
In conclusion, although it was an uphill task and very emotional for me, I am very enthusiastic about putting my best into these tasks. These projects have also contributed immensely towards enhancing the urgency and persistence in addressing these societal problems. However, I am determined to investigate new approaches and promote strategic partnerships that translate into significant and sustainable impact.
References
Knaak, S., Livingston, J., Stuart, H., & Ungar, T. (2020). Combating-Mental-Illness-and-Substance-Use-Related-Structural-Stigma-in-Health-Care.pdfhttps://mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/
Sharma, S., & Thapa, R. (2023). Socioeconomic Factors and Their Interaction with Environmental Education and Biodiversity Conservation: Effects on Mental Health and Community Empowerment. AI, IoT and the Fourth Industrial Revolution Review, 13(7), 75–90. https://scicadence.com/index.php/AI-IoT-REVIEW/article/view/12
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