Suggestions on even one step to improve the mental health system which is slowly

1. 72

   brakel2posted 8 years ago

   Suggestions on even one step to improve the mental health system which is slowly deteriorating?
   
   Every day we see folks who act out or have needs, and the community keeps asking what we can do too prevent these issues. Money is provided for all sorts of physical illnesses, but mental health often gets left behind.

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2. 69

   connorjposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Speaking solely for this crisis in the United States. I think we need to provide mental health insurance in some way similar and as comprehensive as medical insurance that is offered by companies and government entities. There is little mental health care because most of the individuals who require this have no insurance that covers mental health. Medical health plans primarily offer little coverage. The irony hits home with me by stating that animals, well dogs and cats can receive better mental health care!

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   1. 72

      brakel2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I want to be a dog or cat. Seriously, my Medicare Advantage Health Care plan covers me, but not the 2.7 million others. Thanks for response.

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      connorjposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You are welcome; I am a psychologist and am privy to this rather covert problem. In a bunch of situations, police and some others don't bother Baker Acting when it would be significantly beneficial to all...

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3. 59

   Levi Legionposted 8 years ago

   What evidence do you have for the claim that "the mental health system is slowly deteriorating?"

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   1. 72

      brakel2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It is very difficult to get help unless you could harm yourself or others. Millions of people do not have mental health insurance. An increasing number of adult mentally ill persons are killing others, often family members. It is a tragedy.

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   2. 59

      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hmm, I'm sure I buy the idea that "an increasing number of adult mentally ill persons are killing others." Don't mean to be a pain, but some documentation would definitely help.

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4. 93

   peeplesposted 8 years ago

   Average wait to get into the mental health clinic in my area is 3 months unless you say you are suicidal. The first thing we could do is reduce that time.
   Secondly we have to stop ignoring mental illnesses. Everyone seems to support it until a mentally ill person goes off the deep end and kills someone then it's "who cares if he had a mental illness. Hand him!" We can't pick and choose when mental illnesses are serious. We have schizophrenics in prison? Why? Because Americans refuse to understand what serious mental illnesses can do to someone, and they refuse to acknowledge that prison is not the place for someone like that. We need more mental health hospitals. Sadly there is no money, it's easier to throw people in for profit prisons than build hospitals.

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5. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Sadly, there is suspicion regarding mental illness.  It is thought in our culture and society that one had better go by it or to exhibit strength. Mental illness is oftentimes dismissed in this culture and society as totally fantastical.  It is thought that all one needs to do is to stop whining, man/woman up and get the act together.  Or better yet, all one needs to do to get "in order" is a "swift slap or kick in the pants".  Mental illness is not considered to be a legitimate concern in our culture and society, it is considered a sign of weakness, even immaturity.
   
   Sadly, our culture and society have not been very successful in dealing with the issue of mental illness.  Sure, they medicate and sedate but the crux of the mental illness is never addressed nor faced.  Mental illness is something to be smoothed over, even silenced but not to face and remedy for that would be too ugly, gritty, and .....yes, dirty.   Instead of psychiatrists and psychologists who either cursorily address the issue or use medications for the answers, let's suggest a more humane, spiritual, and/or holistic approach.  Clergy and other nondenominational/interfaith spiritual counselors are highly educated these days and they can use their education in alignment with their spiritual teachings to reach out and speak to those w/mental illness to get to the root of the mental illness.  Perhaps these clergy whether ministers, priests, rabbis, and/or other spiritual counselors/specialists can reach and help the mental ill(except the extreme/violent mentally ill) in ways that psychologists, and especially psychiatrists have not and  perhaps, never will.

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