Description of national mental health policy
Discuss about the National Mental Health Policy 2008.
In Australia, enhancing public health is one of the major initiatives that the government has been considering (Osborn, 2014). Over the past years, the country has experienced high mortality rates related to mental health. This being the case, what policies have the government and other agencies introduced to reduce the rate of mental illnesses? To address some of the factors that affect good health among its people, the government through its department of health has established various policies Aimed at mental health in this country.
According to Muller (2014), at least 20 percent of the people aged between 16-85 years in Australia experience one type of mental illness in a year. Some of the common psychiatrist issues, in this case, include depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. Over the years, the government and other agencies have been using different strategies to address the issue, including conducting campaigns, banning the use of illegal drugs, putting up clinics for mental checkups and so forth. However, some of these strategies have not been effective because they are either not implemented in the right way, or lacks proper means of putting them into practice. To help in curbing the increase in cases of psychiatrist related disorders, the government introduced national mental health policy.
While establishing the national mental health strategies, the government considered four significant aspects: the national mental health policy 2008, national mental health plan, the psychological health statement of rights and responsibilities, and the funding agreement between the commonwealth and its states (Bartlett, 2011). From these strategies, the national mental health policy has been playing a significant role in making the country to the well-being of mentally ill people. This policy focuses on intervention, early detection, and treatment. It also focuses on protecting the rights of mentally ill people and enhancing their living standards
The national mental health policy 2008 focuses on enabling recovery, preventing and early detection of mental illness, and protecting the rights of the people with mental illness, by ensuring they are given a chance to play a role in the community (Peay, 2011). In prevention, the policy seeks to minimize stigma on the patients, their families, and the community.
The national health policy in Australia helps the country to enhance its response to health and welfare service system regarding the increased cases of mental health care needs of the people. According to Smith & Buchanan (2013), this policy shows the government’s focus on the enhancement of mental health system across the country. According to the department of health, this policy, among other interventions, has been playing a significant role in minimizing mental illnesses in the country.
Description of Mental health issue
According to Danielle (2012), this policy is aimed at addressing the factors that lead to mentally related disorders such as substance use, depression, and anxiety. Based on the fact that some of the mental illnesses lead to memory loss, this policy was also introduced to enhance the living standards of such people because in most cases they tend to be neglected in the society. The government focuses on attaining good living conditions of such people through the provision of proper moral support, shelter, and clothing. The policy also aims at ensuring all Australians with psychiatrist illnesses are given adequate and appropriate access to high-quality treatment, as well as sufficient community support to help them cope with the condition.
According to Weir (2011), mental health is a situation of well-being where people have good abilities to cope with the normal stresses of life, perform regular duties, and make a contribution to their communities. Positive mental health comprises of cognition, emotion, and social functioning and coherence. In Australia, mental health has been one of the main factors which the government seeks to address because with an increase in consumption of substances, many people especially the youth have been diagnosed with various types of mental disorders. Some of the most common psychiatrist issues in this country comprise of depression, dementia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.
Some of the symptoms associated with these illnesses comprise of changes in personality, mood switch, and social withdrawal. According to Judy (2014), mental illness is a common issue in Australia, just as it is in other developed countries, and has a significant impact on individuals, their families and the society. Research has shown that one in five people aged between 16 to 85 in this country has one type of mental disorders, indicating that this issue affects people ranging from teens to aged.
Danielle (2012) affirms that more teenagers in this country are in severe psychological distress, despite the various measures that have been established to address the issue. The alarming increase in mental illness has been majorly attributed to the increased level of drug consumption and family break ups.
One of the reasons that makes the government and other agencies to prioritize enhancement of mental health is because it is termed as one of the key determinants of overall health and socio-economic development. According to Pauline (2011), the government has implemented various strategies to address this issue, some of them being building rehabilitation facilities, curbing substance use, providing free counseling services, implementing policies to enhance the well-being of the patients and their families, and so forth.
Importance of the national mental health policy 2008
According to Judy (2014), mentally ill people have the rights to participate in the community meaningfully, access proper mental and general health service, vocational rehabilitation, housing, disability services and respite care. This means because they are at times discriminated and stigmatized, proper intervention measures must be put in place to ensure they fully attain good living standards, as well as high-quality medical services that can enhance their quality of health.
Because mental health issue has a significant impact on the country’s political, social and economic factors, the national government, and private groups have been implementing various strategies to ensure all caused of these illnesses have been identified and addressed (Whittington & Logan, 2011). One of the strategies that have shown to be effective on this issue is implementing various policies intended to ensure mentally ill people are treated with decency by ensuring they are given easy access to healthcare, they are free from discrimination and stigmatization, and they are given an opportunity to enjoy available resources like other citizens.
The national health policy has been playing a key role in enhancing the welfare of Australians who suffer from different forms of mental illnesses. According to Jeffrey (2011), mentally ill patients are sometimes neglected in the society because they are seen as people who are entirely different from others. This makes them to develop other psychological problems that worsen their condition. This policy has been assisting the people with these types of illnesses to be accepted in the society and to enjoy their rights.
Palmer (2011) states that this policy plays a crucial role in reiterating the importance of having good mental health in Australia, by assisting the people to understand the effects associated with mentally-related illnesses. Over the years, it has been acting as an essential tool for continued enhancement of mental health service delivery across the country, and in providing better vision for the people who are at the risk of developing mental disorders. It has also been making those who experience, or prone to mental illnesses or disorders to attain health care services that match their clinical and support needs.
The policy has made mentally ill Australians to be actively involved in their own care and recovery, and get involved in a system that enhances participation and collaboration of people from different sectors, including the government and private agencies (Smith & Buchanan, 2013). These interventions have been playing a significant role in assisting people with these illnesses to feel supported when their close relatives neglect them.
Anne-Maree (2011) affirms that the national mental health policy 2008 has also been providing a strategic framework for the national government and other agencies to provide full support and improve mental health outcomes for the Australians who are at the risk of experiencing any type of mental illnesses. The policy has been assisting the society to understand that there are some groups of people such as the homeless, those who are at the risk of traumatic events, as well as those with acute or chronic health issues, are at increased risks of getting mental disorders.
The other importance of this policy is that it puts into consideration that people in different life stages especially the adolescents and the aged people are at high risks of developing mental illnesses, and therefore takes proper measures to ensure they live healthily (Eghigian, 2010). To improve the welfare of all people, this policy does not attempt to replace existing rules, plans, or frameworks established to target particular groups, but considers specific populations that are at increased risks of mental illnesses.
David (2012) affirms that there have been tremendous changes, and many positive things have been attained since the establishment of this policy. Some of the critical elements attained through this policy comprise of easy access to different services, improved quality delivery, and more robust and accountable legislation. This policy has minimized the chances of developing mental illnesses and disorders, and enhancement of the mental health among different people.
The mental health policy 2008 has been bringing together different sectors that influence the mental health of individuals, their families, as well as communities, including health, housing, community care, welfare, education, among others (Harper & Thompson, 2012). Combined, these sectors play a fundamental role in enhancing mental health, and the well-being of all Australians, and contribute in prevention and early intervention, as well as the recovery of the people with mental health problems.
Through this policy, efforts have been taken to attain greatest social inclusion of all communities in this country, especially for the people who are at higher risks of social exclusions because of mental disorders. According to Michael (2012), the goal of social inclusion in this policy recognizes good mental health is a crucial factor for the well-being of all people. It identifies the factors faced by mentally ill people such as high chances of developing a disability, low quality of health, and psychological problems to their families, and friends.
Proper implementation of this policy can coordinate essential services and activities that can aid in ensuring appropriate treatment and care is given to the sick, and also in preventing disintegration, as well as inefficiencies in the healthcare sector (Phil, 20110). For this policy to continue working better, people across all groups in the country should be informed about its presence. This could be through conducting campaigns to create awareness concerning its existence or implementing it in schools so that students can learn how it works, and the benefits it is likely to provide.
Some of the key factors that the government considered when implementing this policy comprised of who it targets, the changes it is likely to bring, and how it will be enforced to ensure it fully meets its purpose. The government also considered various other factors such as if the policy may have a negative impact to some groups of people, and if so, the measures that can be taken to ensure their well-being is factored in.
To ensure compliance with the policy, it is important to let people first understand its requirements, and why it was implemented. This could be teaching the public about how this policy relates to proper mental health, and how it can help individuals, their families and the community. Having proper understanding of this policy will help them to see its significance and comply with some of its requirements such as accepting mentally ill people, providing proper housing to them, and assisting them to have easy access to healthcare (Michael, 2012). The society will also understand how to avoid stigmatizing mentally ill people, attempt to guide them in avoiding things that worsen their condition such as substance use, stress and so forth, and protect them from activities that may put their lives into risk such as suicide, and injuries.
Advertising this policy in the most effective media platforms such as social media will also be an effective way of making people to comply with it. According to David (2012), people comply with policies that they understand how they work and the repercussions of going against them. This means while informing the citizens about the policy, it is important also to let them know the possible measures that can be taken against those who break it.
Having law enforcement officers is also another effective way of enhancing compliance (Smith & Buchanan, 2013). For this case, the government should have trained people who investigate compliance in different areas such as health centers, correctional facilities, and even at homes. For those who break the policy, proper legal action should be taken.
For the national mental health 2008 policy to work better, the government has established requirements that people in different sectors associated with matters concerning psychological health should adhere to (David, 2012). For instance, it directs all people to respect and acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of people with a mental health problem. It also argues all players in the healthcare sector to ensure medical services are offered in accordance with the national and international obligations.
The implementation of this policy came with favorable outcome in mental health (Kim, 2015). According to the Australian Department of health, mental illnesses have been decreasing significantly over the years. Based on the data released by the Australian Bureau of statistics in 2017, it is clear that the country has had reduced cases of suicides related to mental illnesses and disorders, as well as decreases in the cases of depression, anxiety and mental health issues caused by substance use.
Mahmood (2016) affirms that this policy has made high-quality healthcare to be delivered primarily in community settings, unlike in the past where there was a substantial reliance on patient services that characterized the Australian’s health system. After the implementation of this policy, a high percentage of state and territory mental health resources were dedicated to enhancing the living standards of the people associated with these illnesses, and over the years, the community share for the total expenditure dedicated to mental health has been increasing.
The national mental health policy 2008 has also led to an increased emphasis on the safety, quality and general outcome of mental health care, as evidenced by various activities such as regular measurements of clinician-rated and patient-rated outcomes in most of the services related to this health issue (Craig, 2013). Additionally, access to mental health care has significantly increased as a result of various measures included in this policy, such as the establishment of more healthcare facilities, creating awareness, preventing the rights of mentally ill people and so forth. Through this policy, the number of treatment plans developed by general practitioners has been increasing, with more than six million services being provided by certified psychologists and other experts.
According to Doessel (2016), mental health literacy has also increased across the country during the life of the national mental health policy 2008, meaning the policy has bored positive fruits. Research undertaken by various leaning and research institutions has been indicating an increase in awareness of different things associated with mental health such as depression and anxiety. There has also been a proper understanding of aspects that worsen mental health conditions such as stigmatization and discrimination.
Other factors that imply positive contribution of this policy in addressing mental health issues include recognition of the needs of mentally ill people and advocating for justice. Across many areas of the country, the government and other agencies have been establishing better housing as one of the ways of showing that they recognize the needs of the mentally ill (Kim, 2015). Various divisionary programs have also been established in different sectors to support people with mental illness and those addicted to the use of harmful drugs. In other areas, various groups have partnered to promote government initiatives that favor mental health in this country.
This policy has also enhanced participation and inclusion of mentally ill people. According to Heather (2015), people with mental health disorders or illnesses have equal rights as other citizens to have full participation in social, political and economic aspects of the communities they live. Implementation of the mental health policy 2008 has increased participation of mentally ill people in these aspects, hence improving human capital through an increase in productivity and full engagement in most of the social and community roles.
Other factors that show this policy has been addressing mental health in this country is the crucial role that medical practitioners have been playing in prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery of mentally ill people. According to Sanjay (2012), this policy has been playing a pivotal role in making the society to understand that mental illness is a condition that can be addressed if different sectors collaborate with individuals, their families, and the community. It has also helped many to realize that mental illness does not mean end of life because it can be treated if proper guidelines are followed.
Conclusion
Due to the impact associated with mental illness, the government has established various policies in order to ensure early detection and treatment of these illnesses is undertaken. Among these policies include the national mental health policy 2008, which was established with the aim of ensuring the rights of the mentally ill people are respected. It also aims in ensuring mentally ill people are given proper treatment and are not subjected to discrimination.
Implementation of this policy has enabled easy access to mental health care and a significant decrease in the number of people who suffer from these diseases. Some of the strategies used by the government to ensure full compliance to this policy include working with other agencies and law enforcement officers to ensure people who go against its requirements are identified and legal actions are taken upon them. To create awareness concerning the national mental health policy 2008, the department of health has been conducting campaigns educate people concerning the importance of this policy.
Implementation of this policy has played a significant role in enhancing the well-being of mentally ill people through protecting their rights and giving them easy and affordable access to healthcare. It has also assisted the people to know the causes of mental illness and preventive measures that can be taken. In most cases, mentally ill people face discrimination in the society because their families and friends tend to feel they are different, a situation which in most cases worsen their conditions and make them to commit suicide. Through the national health policy, people have learned the importance of showing love to mentally ill and avoiding things that may make them to feel discriminated.
References
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