Question

Upon reviewing the Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicators: Progress Update report identify one area that would concern you as a public health administrator, identify your concerns and offer some suggestions to your agency or organization to help improve the outcomes in this area.

Answer 1

Among the various health indicators of Healthy People 2020, the progress report shows that some indicators have been already met, some are improving, some have shown no detectable change, some have become worse over time. As a public health administrator, the indicator that have drawn my concern is mental health. This indicator focussed on the suicide rates and the number of adolescents with major depressive episodes. It has been noted that the incidences of suicide and adolescent with depressive episode have increased from 2007 to 2012. It means the factors contributing to the mental illness is also increasing.

In todays scenario, the people have poor coping mechanism. They are unable to handle even the slight stress which is brought about by the workplace issues, family issues, loss of loved ones, failures and others. People are always anxious and stressful in every situation. Their decision making and problem solving skills are poor. Broken families,increased technology and media are also contributing a lot towards the mental illness of people. The task to reduce these incidences of depression and suicides is not easy but its not impossible. Efforts should begin right from the family, from childhood. I am forwarding certain suggestions which may prove beneficial in the deal with mental illness:

1. Family counseling: The authorities should educate and counsel the couple at the time of marriage itself about the consequences of broken families, violence in family, lack of cooperation, love not only on themselves but also their children. A family plays a very important role in framing the mental health of a child. Children should not be forced for any activity which is out of their interest either in education or extra curricular activities. The parents should be understanding and attentive towards the concerns of a child. Strong motivation and support will help them to develop their coping and defensive mechanism which will help them to combat stress, anxiety and failures.
2. School counseling: Along with the health checkups conducted in the schools , mental health examination should also be done to identify any factors leading to mental illness. The teacher should also be taught various methods of education including the education about punishments and rewards.
3. Workplace initiatives: Staff harassment should be avoided. The appraisals should be confidential. The authorities should pay attention to the concerns of the employees. Motivation and encouragement is important.
4. Mental health checkup: As camps are conducted for regular health checkup, every regular examination should include a psychiarist who can check the mental status of people. This will help to identify the risk group and cases early.
5. Integration of mental health services: The mental health services should be integrated with the other services of the healthcare organization so that the mentally ill patient can be reffered easily.
6. Various counseling centers should be established in different areas so that the services are easily accessible to general public. People may not go free to a mental hospital due to the persisting stigma but they may be willing to contact the psychiatrist in clinics.
7. Creating awareness in the community through social media and various other means regarding the significant of healthy mental health and the indications of mental illness.