Impacts_of_Mental_Health_Services_on_U.S._Healthcare_Delivery_System

By Milton Akabwai June 1, 2012 When people talk about healthcare, the issue that commonly comes to mind is physical illness or accidents. However, mental health is considered as one of the most important factors which determine the overall well-being. Unfortunately, people encounter several challenges when it comes to receiving and maintaining mental health services and prevents them from getting assistance that would improve their quality of life (Boyd, 2007). A report by the American Hospital Association (AHA) shows that the most common barrier which patients encounter when trying to receive mental health care is cost. In addition, effective treatment is also impeded by a fragmented delivery of behavioural health as well as shortage in provider services. Despite of this, millions of dollars are spent every year in the U.S. economy in trying to provide an effective mental health care. Not only is physical health care critical, but also good mental health. Currently, millions of people in the U.S. continue to suffer from different types of mental diseases. These complications include obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety, drug and alcohol addiction, and personality disorder. Psychological disorders and mental illnesses continue to increase despite of the presence of appropriate treatment options with psychotherapy, medications and different other treatments. The prevalence rate of behavioural health disorders as well as substance abuse is some of the factors which have been highlighted by AHA (American Hospital Association, n.d). The report shows that close to half of all U.S. citizens will suffer from a mental disorder and more than a quarter will develop substance abuse disorder during their lifetime. Annually, one in four individuals experience substance abuse disorder or mental illness. Although behavioural health disorders are more prevalent among adults, children are also at risk. In 2009, mental health complications were the fourth most common cause of hospitalization among children. Physical health conditions and mental health disorders tend to co-exist and this implies that they are risk factors for each other thus complicating the treatment process. The cost of health care tend to increase when patients have both physical and mental health problems and the difference in cost is usually based on the physical medical issue (Gabbard, Beck & Holmes, 2010). Such patients are usually at higher risk of being readmitted after being discharged from hospital. This implies that the healthcare delivery system in the U.S. is put under increased pressure due to the rising cost of caring for the high number of psychiatric patients. Different stakeholders involved in mental health services have forwarded several recommendations aimed at improving the quality of care. For instance, AHA recommends that behavioural health care should be integrated appropriately into the broader context of health care so as to reduce costs and quality of care (Boyd, 2007). Cost is considered as a major constraint that limits most patients from receiving quality metal health services. AHA launched the Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services Section which was aimed at strengthening its role in policy, advocacy and governance issues to all healthcare providers. This section also incorporates individuals in behavioural health care providers to ensure that the quality of mental health services is improved. Other partner organizations and stakeholders groups include American Psychiatric Association (APA), the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NACAAA), and the National Association for Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS). AHA also collaborates with Mental Health Liaison group which is composed of a coalition of more than 50 associations and different other groups. When these groups come together, they advocate for the rights of behavioural health providers. In addition, they recommend that the government should implement fully the mental health parity law. It is believed that most Americans who are unemployed have exhausted their COBRA benefits (Gabbard, et al, 2010). This implies that they do not have any health insurance. Most of these organizations advocates for the rights of mentally ill patients to get health-insurance benefits so as to improve the quality of services. The most effective recommendation that can solve the problems which are encountered in mental health services is provision of insurance policies. Studies have found that most, if not all, patients who have mental problems have huge challenges when it comes to getting or holding onto a job. This implies that they never get employer-provided health insurance and thus have to incur huge costs when it comes to accessing quality health services (American Hospital Association, n.d). Most patients cannot afford the cost of care and have to be occupied with getting by. Earth reform is expected to play a critical role in expanding health insurance as well as parity coverage for mental health services. This will also increase the demand for services and at the same time make providers more accountable for efficient and effective care. I would recommend that the cost of mental health services should be reduced to ensure that all individuals can access care. This is because even with insurance, the cost of care is still very high. Traditionally, insurance companies have often restricted or denied the coverage of mental treatment compared to other forms of health treatment, and this should be stopped. References American Hospital Association. (n.d). Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services. Retrieved May 28, 2012, from www.aha.org/content/12/psychsection.pdf Boyd, M., M. (2007). Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Gabbard, G., O., Beck, J., S., & Holmes, J. (2010). Oxford Textbook of Psychotherapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press