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Mdc III (NUR2759)
Rasmussen University
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Do you think the mental health system in our country today functions well, or is it broken? Why or why not?
This is a hot topic for me. I deal with mental illness as a nurse and also on a personal level. I believe the mental health system does not function well in our country. As a nurse, it pains me to see my patients not get the proper help they need. I worked in a group home for men and most of the residents had multiple mental disorders that required routine visits with their mental health provider and a strict medication regimen. When a resident went off their medication routine this would lead to increased behaviors and the need to be seen for a psych eval. Unfortunately the only option I had was to send my resident to the ER as their own primary mental health provider was too busy to see them. Most mental health appointments were anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months out. If I had a new resident that was admitted that needed a mental health provider, I was looking at new patient appointments 9 months to 15 months out. Insurance restrictions on which provider would be covered was also an issue. I often had several residents that were unmedicated for months. When you have a resident who has multiple mental health issues and limited resources, this could lead to severe safety concerns especially in a residential setting with other vulnerable adults. It is so frustrating seeing someone who needs help, wants help and cannot get help. On a personal level, I watched my ex husband self medicate with drugs and alcohol as he tried to function in the world, as an adult, while dealing with his demons and undiagnosed mental disorders. He would refuse to acknowledge that he had a mental problem and would not see anyone or talk to anyone about it. This is because of the stigma of mental illness and how people care about what others think. If my ex announced he had cancer, he would have all the support in the world. Someone would create a gofundme page for him, offer to help with the kids or cook meals for him and have fundraisers on his behalf. However, if he announced he had severe anxiety and depression or if he was bipolar, do you think that same support would be there? There wouldn't be any fund raiser or gofundme page that is for sure. Even before covid, an estimated 19% of Americans experienced a mental illness (MHA,2020). We need to remove the negative stigma of having a mental illness and support those who struggle. Add a pandemic that has led to nationwide shut downs, mask mandates, job loss, losing loved ones and not being able to say goodbye and I am sure that number has risen. Changes need to be made to the mental health care system ( or should say the lack of) and this needs to be done immediately.
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Mod 1 Discussion
Course: Mdc III (NUR2759)
University: Rasmussen University
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