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Addressing Mental Health Issues in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a surge in mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse due to prolonged isolation, uncertainty, grief, unemployment, and financial hardship (Lee et al., 2020). This global event has impacted society by disabling many from participating in normal economic activities (Habánik, 2018). Marginalized groups, including the elderly, youth, minorities, frontline workers, and economically disadvantaged communities, have been especially affected by pandemic-related mental health declines. However, pre-existing treatment access barriers leave many uninsured and underserved Americans without adequate care. Hospitals and providers have been overwhelmed trying to meet surging demand while patients struggle to find culturally competent care. Societal support through financial and emotional assistance can aid recovery journeys. The pandemic’s psychological impacts have revealed gaps in access and support systems needed to promote community resilience against personal crises (Vadivel et al., 2021). However, the sociological sociological lens is ideal for analyzing mental health issues. This interdisciplinary lens addresses this issue by developing an extensive knowledge of mental health issues as a step toward finding a solution to the problem (Lange, 2019). An analysis of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States can show how widespread this problem is and how it affects social and economic spheres. Mental health issues in the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic threaten the wellness of the citizens, but a social science lens can identify solutions to promote mental health.

Critical Analysis

A sociological sociological perspective reveals how mental health issues are shaped by and propagated through social institutions in the United States. Poor mental health has ripple effects through healthcare, education, criminal justice, the economy, and beyond. In healthcare, the system is often unequipped to provide accessible, affordable mental health treatment, especially for marginalized groups. This exacerbates existing disparities. In education, the problem of mental illness that is not treated can lead to lower learning performance, academic achievement, and graduation rates (Rogers & Pilgrim, 2021). Teachers who cannot support the stressed students are also not well trained. Prisons inside the criminal justice system include a large number of mentally ill inmates, which shows how the system criminalizes rather than treating mental illness. Mass incarceration is another cause of worsened mental health. With the help of the sociological lens, the widespread institutional impacts can be highlighted, and it can be realized that individual and systemic changes are required to support mental well-being.

Mental health problems in the modern world have become more apparent than ever, yet social stigma and practices surrounding them are still there. Social media allows people to post their mental health stories and difficulty living with mental illness. Yet, on the other hand, the online sharing of personal stories may lead to accusations of attention-seeking and criticism. Mental health advocacy efforts target the issue of stigma; however, the effect is not yet significant. Prejudiced attitudes considering mental illness as violence or stupidity are still common. Even though employers sometimes avoid hiring people with mental disorders due to some misconceptions about low or unstable productivity, the fact that these people are as productive as everybody else remains true (Habánik, 2018). Although several studies have shown that therapy and medication are very beneficial in improving mental health, many consider it a sign of weakness to seek such help. Patients still face social stigma when they reach out for counseling or medication. Access obstacles also show socio-cultural aspects, as insurance coverage for mental care is much less than for physical care. The value of life is falling as suicide rates increase, so the community is slowly recognizing mental health problems as a collective issue. Removing stigmatizing cultural practices will require determination to change things. However, culture change can be brought about if society becomes dedicated to carrying out more supportive mental health practices.

The mental healthcare that needs changes most is the integration with primary care. Mental health care is segregated from general health care at present. This gap spurs a stigma and makes access difficult (Javed et al., 2021). Integrated care models combine mental health treatments with primary care physician practices and clinics. This means mental health is normalized as part of general wellness and promotes care coordination. Nevertheless, barriers such as insurance limitations and physician lack should be tackled. Insurers view mental health care as a branch with separate rules and limitations. A notable hurdle to mental health wellness is the stigmatization of mental illness and the psychiatric care that comes with it (McGinty et al., 2018). Most people who experience mental health issues never go to see a doctor, which makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. On the other hand, the reimbursement models do not promote integration with primary care. One of the impediments to integration in this context is the insufficient number of mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Patients are caught in a situation where the healthcare system requires them to see different providers. Before equal coverage, payment systems, and care models come to light, the community will continue to suffer from the lack of consistent access to services supporting mental health. Despite the promise of integrated care in making better engagement, the existing systems do not support this. Overcoming regulatory, organizational, and workforce barriers will lead to an integration that promises mental health promotion.

There are two major factors influencing mental health, namely, the bias and the prejudice towards psychiatric disorders. Many people still think mental illness is a reflection of personal failure or instability. The media often relate mental illness to crime and violence, thus spreading fear and hostility. Racial prejudice also influences views, with some studies suggesting that mental disorders are perceived more among minorities as frequent and threatening. The stigma inhibits people struggling to seek help (Javed et al., 2021). Self-stigma may also occur when people start to have negative views internalized by society. Stigma reduction can boost well-being, for instance, by increasing mental health literacy, encouraging affected people to seek help, and providing more funding for services (McGinty et al., 2018). Nevertheless, difficulties arise in the process of changing entrenched views and the history of the subordination. Stigma reduction is a multifaceted process that endorses different approaches and strategies at all levels of society. Mass media campaigns hold significant potential for positive impact but require careful planning to avoid the unintentional perpetuation of stereotypes. Interacting with people who have a mental illness can humanize mental illness. Policy reforms are, thus, imperative for introducing a systemic change. Although difficult, it is critical to finalize the bias issue to achieve mental health equity and social justice. The benefits should be the ones that confront the deeply rooted challenges.

The sociological lens of critical analysis of mental health issues provides new perspectives that can be of value to individuals and also professionals. Individuals should be aware of how culture-based attitudes can influence one’s views on mental health and then reflect on self-imposed stigma. Pointing out systemic barriers to care removes the stigma of failure from the individual who seeks help (Oliveira et al., 2021). One of the approaches is focusing on media consumption that provides different perspectives on psychiatric disorders to challenge the assumptions. The analysis shows the need for mental health training to be improved professionally in education, social work, and medicine. An example could be that teachers should take required mental health literacy courses on dealing with student crises. Medical schools must guide clinicians in identifying psychiatric care where inequalities arise. Everyday advocacy strategies also evolve through such strategies as challenging stigmatization (Rogers & Pilgrim, 2021). Cultural competence guarantees that the practitioners will have the necessary skills to provide appropriate mental health support to vulnerable people. On a personal level, I promise to be a friend in need of persons who are dealing with mental illness and to show empathy without any judgment. As a future provider, I will integrate mental healthcare into my primary practice to increase availability. A critical review of this kind aims to enhance social consciousness that helps in personal development and promotes mental health through systemic reforms.

Healthcare providers face many tasks in ensuring their patients’ physical and mental well-being. Wellness perspectives can be the means of doing these duties efficiently. The practitioners should remember that well-being means more than just the absence of disease (Pearman et al., 2020). Holistic well-being should involve social, emotional, and spiritual health. This lens helps develop a more holistic approach to patient care by enabling healthcare providers to see beyond patient’s complaints and health problems. By asking about mental health, family dynamics, community involvement, and coping mechanisms during the visits, healthcare workers can get a deeper view than the physical symptoms. Various healthcare groups should jointly tackle psychosocial drivers of health. It is important to educate patients about lifestyle changes to improve their well-being (Pearman et al., 2020). This covers the teaching of coping strategies, nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and more that are customized to each person’s unique requirements. The practice of self-care every day can help the practitioners exemplify wellness. Managing healthy work-life boundaries, de-stressing, and seeking personal support are essential to prevent burnout. As the systemic barriers can be rather complex, wellness philosophies ensure clinicians care for the whole person. With a multifaceted view of patients’ well-being, healthcare professionals can act more effectively on their healing roles and human flourishing.

Reflection

The critical analysis skills I have learned have drastically changed how I see mental health and well-being. Previously, I viewed mental illness as an individual issue, thinking that people only needed to be braver to overcome it. However, social and cultural factors such as stigma and barriers to care showed the complex inner workings of these issues. Now I know how the beliefs, attitudes, and systems that are outside the mental illness can also affect people (Rogers & Pilgrim, 2021). The analysis has helped me realize how cultural forces can bind or give people the power to manage psychiatric issues(Gopalkrishnan, 2019). I am more compassionate and less judgmental towards those who struggle with their mental health. On the contrary, my outlook used to be too narrowly focused on a single individual; I am now able to see the overall picture that shows us the social network that affects mental health. Through this systemic lens, I am persuaded to champion self-reliance and group accountability in mental health.

Before this critical analysis, I used to have a limited understanding of mental health as something that is solely the individual’s responsibility. My worldview was based on the strength of will and the moral character in not being defeated by adversity. When delving into mental health issues from a sociological and sociological perspective, my mindset drastically changed. I have gained a more systemic and interconnected approach to mental health (Rogers & Pilgrim, 2021). My analysis focused on the way culture and social institutions impact mental illness experiences. I know how the systemic barriers embedded in healthcare, criminal justice, education, and the economy work now. Now, I can see the mechanism of stigma and how it is transmitted through social behavior and rules. To conclude, my individualistic perspective moved towards a structural view. I see how societal conditions determine human struggles and resistance. This paradigm shift to a systems-focused worldview enables me to recognize levers of change that can help people’s mental well-being in a more informed and compassionate manner (Frawley, 2016). My understanding of the world has been transformed from my inner self to external events, shaping my perspective on the universe and how I relate to others.

The main point I learned from this project was that assessing my biases was important. I understood I had quite a few misconceptions that mental illness was a result of personal inadequacy or instability. In addition, I had to face racist beliefs that mental health problems occur more in minority communities or that they are a bigger threat in those communities (Pearman et al., 2020). This self-reflection upon prejudice was challenging but necessary. Through it, I learned how bias is a tool that separates me from others. I was often blind-sighted by my prejudices, which prevented me from empathizing with other people’s situations. My biases could be located and accepted, and then it would be possible to demolish them. By attaining this understanding, I became more open and sympathetic toward the struggles of mental health (Gopalkrishnan, 2019). I am challenging my present assumptions to avoid hasty conclusions. When conversing with people with opinions and beliefs different from mine, I listen to them with an open mind rather than imposing my stereotypical notions. Understanding personal bias was the foundation that changed my worldview and how I see myself. My perspective evolved from ignorant to awakened. Although there is still a lot to be done, this inquiry has made me a better person by making me aware of my biases and those I see in society.

A critical examination of wellness issues will guide me as an effective healthcare provider in the future. This project has deepened my understanding of wellness, including the social, emotional, physical, and mental health domains. In hindsight, I see how structural inequality and stigmatization in healthcare sabotage comprehensive care (Stoewen, 2017). Having this information, I can tackle ethical issues with great consideration. I will see my critical analysis skills, now sharpened, transcend to the academic realm. This is where I scrutinize peer-reviewed research more wisely by examining biases and limitations. I will write on healthcare topics, and that is where diverse perspectives will be integrated to provide a fuller understanding. I am now able to move forward in my career and better help in the promotion of health equity and patient well-being. I can identify systemic gaps in care and advocate for oppressed populations. I will demonstrate excellent communication skills, allowing me to educate patients with compassion about lifestyle changes. The broadened self-awareness and emotional intelligence on my part will be demonstrated by patient interactions. In sum, the ability to critically appraise wellness has resulted in the acquisition of skills that are transferable to scholarship and practice. It has revealed to me the role of such social factors in health outcomes. I am encouraged to study and handle a patient with critical thinking, reflexivity, and a passion for holistic care.

If I had approached mental health issues from a historical or humanistic point of view instead of social sciences, I would have considered different information. A historical perspective would have revealed how mental illness has been treated and how the public perception has evolved through the ages. I might have focused on the roles of people, policies, and events that have made the current landscape. However, a humanities approach could have comprised personal stories, art, and literature depicting mental health encounters. I can draw my arguments from the expression of cultural representations by interpreting these works. Nevertheless, social science helped me to zoom out and see the big picture of how systemic factors affect oppressed groups (Rogers & Pilgrim, 2021). The other lenses would have never covered sociological aspects that seemed so important to me. Though no lens is complete, social science allowed me to dissect barriers and stigma in a truly impactful manner. This, in turn, equipped me with the ingrained transferable skills for scholarship and practice. It has illustrated the impact of social forces on health issues. I will be inspired to approach my studies and clinical work with reflexivity, curiosity, and a dedication to caring for the whole person.

Having done a thorough analysis of a wellness issue made me capable of relating to people with different cultures and viewpoints. The sociological study of mental health inspired me to examine different opinions on stigma, access, and social factors (Stoewen, 2017). Instead of disregarding experiences that were not mine, I considered them and tried to understand them using research. Apart from that, I also started to realize my privilege as I do not suffer from severe mental illness. This way, I listen to and accept other people’s opinions if they have blind spots in my own life. Further, studying systemic inequities revealed that culture also determines the experiences and perceptions of wellness (Shrivastava et al., 2021). I now take on cross-cultural interactions proactively by asking questions first and not reacting defensively. Awareness of cultural contexts will protect me from erroneously concluding. All in all, I learned self-reflexivity, open-mindedness, and overcoming my biases in this analytical process. Now, I am empowered to reach across the gaps regarding controversial wellness topics by asking questions rather than judging them. A broadening of my outlook makes me ready to empathically relate to everyone from all cultures and perspectives.

References

Frawley, E. (2016). A qualitative study of mental health experiences and college A qualitative study of mental health experiences and student identity identity. https://scholarworks.smith.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2785&context=theses

Gopalkrishnan, N. (2019). Cultural diversity and mental health: Considerations for policy and practice. Frontiers in Public Health6(179). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00179

Habánik, T. (2018). Mental health problems are one of the factors in the development and persistence of homelessness. Kontakt, 20(2), e171-e176.

Javed, A., Lee, C., Zakaria, H., Buenaventura, R. D., Cetkovich-Bakmas, M., Duailibi, K. & Azeem, M. W. (2021). It is reducing the stigma of mental health disorders with a focus on low-and middle-income countries. Asian journal of psychiatry, 58, 102601.

Lange, M. A. (2019). What is the Identity of Interdisciplinarity? Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 8(1), 1-5.

Lee, C. M., Cadigan, J. M., & Rhew, I. C. (2020). Increases in loneliness among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and association with increases in mental health problems. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(5), 714-717.

McGinty, E. E., Goldman, H. H., Pescosolido, B. A., & Barry, C. L. (2018). Communicating about mental illness and violence: balancing stigma and increased support for services. Journal of health politics, policy and law, 43(2), 185-228.

Oliveira, A. M., Machado, D., Fonseca, J. B., Palha, F., Silva Moreira, P., Sousa, N., … & Morgado, P. (2020). Stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with psychiatric disorders among medical students and professionals. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 326.

Pearman, A., Hughes, M. L., Smith, E. L., & Neupert, S. D. (2020). Mental health challenges of United States healthcare professionals during COVID-19. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2065.

Rogers, A., & Pilgrim, D. (2021). A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness 6e. McGraw-Hill Education.

Shrivastava, A., Johnston, M., Thana, L., McDonough, M., Fung, K., & Bureau, Y. (2021). Healthcare providers’ perceptions, facilitators of, and barriers to delivering virtual care during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: Qualitative study. JMIR Formative Research, 5(8), e27635

Stoewen, D. (2017). Dimensions of wellness: Change Your Habits, Change Your Life. The Canadian Veterinary Journal58(8), 861–862. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938/

Vadivel, R., Shoib, S., El Halabi, S., El Hayek, S., Essam, L., Bytyçi, D. G., … & Kundadak, G. K. (2021). Mental health in the post-COVID-19 era: challenges and the way forward. General psychiatry, 34(1).

 

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