MENTAL HEALTH
Problem Statement: The rate of mental health disorders has been increasing worldwide, as about one in four people throughout their lives is affected. These include conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among others.
Health Implications: Mental health disorders significantly affect individuals’ general health, compromising their ability to carry out their duties as required during normal daily activities, maintain relations with others, and acquire work or study responsibilities. When mental health conditions go unaddressed, the risk of suicide, substance misuse, chronic physical illnesses, and decreased quality of life increases.
Problem Description
The mental health issue covers diverse problems that different age groups and even the socio-economic status have. Another vulnerable group that deals with hampered accessibility to mental health care is racial minorities, LGBTQ+ people, and the economically disadvantaged, who have faced challenges that worsen the existing disparities (Wies et al.,2021). Also, this condition bears heavy economic burdens through healthcare expenditures, disability allowances, and lessened productivity. When mental health issues are treated through investment in their promotion, early intervention, and culturally appropriate services, the stigma is curbed, resilience is improved, and healthy communities are obtained for all.
Core Objective and Description
Core Objective: Increase access to culturally competent mental health services for underserved populations, which will result in a reduction in the utilization and outcomes of mental health care services disparities.
Core Objective Description: Such an Objective takes care of increasing access to mental health services that are adapted to the needs of different marginalized communities like racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals with limited English proficiency. Through the promotion of culturally competent care, we plan to address mental health issues as they relate to disparities and provide equal opportunities for all persons to receive the care they deserve.
Name of program or intervention
Program Name: “National Suicide Prevention Lifeline” is a nationwide crisis support for individuals in emotional distress or at risk of suicide. Professionals from crisis teams offer instant help, emotional support, and referral to local mental health services (Gould et al.,2021).
Implementing Agency: SAMHSA, a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services’ parent department, administers the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Contact Information: For support, visit The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or SAMHSA’s headquarters at 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.
ADDICTION
Problem Statement: The situation of substance abuse and addiction has turned into a growing public health problem, with millions of people from all over the world falling victim to substance dependence. The opioid epidemic, in particular, acquired an alarming scale with growing overdose deaths and a high rate of substance use-related morbidity.
Health Implications: Addiction carries a whole range of severe health issues, such as overdose, infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS and hepatitis), psychiatric disorders, and impaired cognitive abilities. Substance abuse not only affects each individual directly but also inflicts on families, communities, and society as a whole since it may result in social instability, criminal prosecution, and financial burden. The prevention of preventable deaths linked to addiction and the promotion of public health outcomes and overall well-being must be addressed.
Problem Description
The drug problem is complicated, and it causes much harm to individuals, families, and society. The impaired individuals commonly belong to vulnerable groups that may include the victims of poverty, trauma, and mental illness (Chikritzhs & Livingston, 2021). Economic impacts include health spending, engagement in the criminal justice system, and productivity losses of people with chronic diseases. Nonetheless, an inclusive approach to addiction, which provides evidence-based prevention strategies, more access to treatment and recovery services, and tackling the underlying social causes, wherever possible, will also help to contain the harm it causes. Preventive and treatment services aimed at addiction recovery foster those recovering and also contribute to the welfare of the community, hence, a healthier future.
Core Objective and Description
Core Objective: Implement programs that use evidence-based, improve and widen access to comprehensive treatment and recovery services for those who struggle with substance abuse and addiction.
Core Objective Description: This Objective aims to lower substance abuse and addiction rates through prevention and increasing comprehensive care access. Access to such treatment should include detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, peer support, and other recovery services. We can minimize the use of addictive substances as well as the adverse effects of addiction on individual and family health and well-being through effective prevention and treatment programs.
Name of program or intervention
Program Name: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Description: MAT integrates Effective and drug-free medications with counseling and behavioral therapies. It can be used to cope with withdrawal symptoms, stop cravings, and avoid relapsing, which increases the chance of both achieving and staying in recovery (Zeledon et al.,2020).
Implementing Agency: SAMHSA, private sector healthcare providers, addiction treatment centers, and community organizations work together nationwide to implement MAT programs.
Contact Information: Contact the local medical care provider addiction treatment facility or community organization nearest you for information on MAT services in your area.
References
Chikritzhs, T., & Livingston, M. (2021). Alcohol and the Risk of Injury. Nutrients, 13(8), 2777.https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082777
Gould, M. S., Chowdhury, S., Lake, A. M., Galfalvy, H., Kleinman, M., Kuchuk, M., & McKeon, R. (2021). National Suicide Prevention Lifeline crisis chat interventions: Evaluation of chatters’ perceptions of effectiveness. Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior, 51(6), 1126-1137.https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12795
Wies, B., Landers, C., & Ienca, M. (2021). Digital mental health for young people: a scoping review of ethical promises and challenges. Frontiers in digital health, 3, 697072https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.697072
Zeledon, I., West, A., Antony, V., Telles, V., Begay, C., Henderson, B., … & Soto, C. (2020). Statewide collaborative partnerships among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities in California to target the opioid epidemic: Preliminary results of the Tribal Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) key informant needs assessment. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 108, 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.04.003
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