Question

Develop a narrative regarding mental health in the US bearing in mind initiatives already implemented by the Trump, Obama and Bush administrations that one could use to communicate with a policymaker/legislator or a member of their staff of the importance of mental health addressing the importance of mental health and why it should be included in the agenda for legislation. Justify the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues.

Answer 1

ANSWER: Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

The following initiatives was taken by US government that should be communicated with policymaker are:

• When President Obama addressed the nation in his January 2015 State of the Union speech, he made only two vague references to mental health, despite it being an issue that impacts millions of Americans either directly or indirectly.
• When the Community Mental Health Act was passed in 1963, officials proposed a national network of community-based mental health facilities to provide a point of access where people could quickly receive all forms of mental health care in the same place.
• President Obama finally made health care reform a reality for America. He also recognized that health and mental health are deeply intertwined. The reforms stemming from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), along with other efforts in health care and public health, are greatly improving health and mental health care across the nation, enabling Americans to get and stay healthy. Thanks to the ACA, 20 million Americans have gained health insurance coverage. For the first time ever, more than 9 in 10 Americans now have health insurance coverage
• A sweeping mental health initiative will be unveiled by President George W Bush in July. The plan promises to integrate mentally ill patients fully into the community by providing “services in the community, rather than institutions,
• The president's commission found that “despite their prevalence, mental disorders often go undiagnosed” and recommended comprehensive mental health screening for “consumers of all ages,” including preschool children. According to the commission, “Each year, young children are expelled from preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviours and emotional disorders.
• President George W. Bush signs the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA), which provides resources to communities for alternatives to incarceration for youth and adults with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders
• President George W. Bush signs the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act of 2008, a comprehensive federal law establishing that coverage in health insurance for mental health and substance abuse treatment must be equivalent to that for other medical conditions.

• President Obama signs the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010, which increases federal supportive housing resources for individuals with mental illness and other disabilities.

• The President’s proposed budget includes a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care.

So these were the initiatives taken by US government to improve mental health but somewhere these initiatives not implemented fully as the leaders wanted. So these initiatives should be taken into consideration and modify or remold it into nations benefit. As mental health is very important as like physical health:

• Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like work, school or caregiving.
• It plays an important part in the health of your relationships, and allows you to adapt to changes in your life and cope with adversity.
• When we are mentally healthy, we enjoy our life and environment, and the people in it. We can be creative, learn, try new things, and take risks.
• We are better able to cope with difficult times in our personal and professional lives. We feel the sadness and anger that can come with the death of a loved one, a job loss or relationship problems and other difficult events, but in time, we are able to get on with and enjoy our lives once again.
• Mental health of the citizens shows the mental health of nation, more the menta problems more the sick nation and poor facilities.
• Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide and is one of the most significant contributors to the global burden of disease, greatly impacting individuals and their families mentally, physically, socially, and financially. Mental illness affects everyone no matter their race, gender, culture, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
• Mental disorders also affect persons health behaviour like eating sensibly, regular exercise, adequate sleep, engaging in safe sexual practices, alcohol and tobacco use, adhering to medical therapies thus increasing the risk of physical illness.
• Mental ill health also leads to social problems like unemployment, broken families, poverty, drug abuse and related crime.
• Poor mental health plays a significant role in diminished immune functioning.
• Medically ill patients with depression have worse outcome than those without.
• Chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, heart disease increases the risk of depression

ANSWER 2: Nurses role in setting changes in healthcare issues are:

• Nurses have the ability to affect health policies. This effect is impossible without the required knowledge of the health care system as a whole
• Nursesnee d to be aware of policy agendas, policy makers, and political backgrounds. They are advocates for improvement of the quality of care, but many of them do not have adequate organizational and personal power for advocating patients’ rights.
• In turn, RNs are excellent advocates for public policy development. Groups such as the Association of Public Health Nurses encourage RNs to advocate for health care policies and provide resources on how to do so.
• For one, nurses can conduct quality improvement projects on the job. They can also attend local meetings, such as parent-teacher association or school board meetings, to share their expertise and advice. Finally, nurses can write to their political representatives to advise them on key health-related issues.
• Nurses become initiators, innovators, and leaders of the policy agendas because of their knowledge and expertise.
• Look for opportunities to develop, advance, improve, or change health policies within an environment (either micro or macro).
• Assess patient needs and formulate policy messages.
• Write white papers, position statements, newspaper editorials, and other informative correspondence that educates the public and lawmakers about the needs.
• Foster relationships with stakeholders to advance policy agendas.
• Volunteer in policy-related activities including development meetings.
• Serve on committees, boards, and leadership groups that have decision-making power.
• Seek appointments to county health department boards and local government commissions to address health needs.
• Participate in activities that advance health-policy driven agendas.