Importance of Mental Health Policy - Special Academic Support

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Mental health is a problem that affects a significant percentage of the global population. Various factors such as childhood abuse, poverty, stigma and discrimination, unemployment, and long-term stress contribute to mental health conditions. The government develops a mental health policy to address the issue by defining the vision, objectives, principles, and values. Mental health policy coordinates different programs and services focused on ensuring that the citizens have better mental health. The issues of mental health policy include legislation, regulation, financing, accountability, and workforce development. While legislative approaches dictate the implementation of mental health policy, agencies and departments regulate operations. The funding mechanisms and oversight of the services are vital to the effective execution of health policies. Adequate employees are deeded to meet service needs for the population with mental health problems.

The state, federal, and local policies can present opportunities or obstacles to the fight against mental health problems. Legislative changes can address the former, ensuring easier access to health services by the population with mental conditions. While legislative mechanisms and procedures for passing bills differ depending on the locality, the elected representatives must approve the law, which is then assented by the executive leaders (Goldman et al., 2020). The laws may include authorization of new agencies that deal with mental health problems, non-discrimination rules, appropriation of funds for existing and new programs, and the mandate for oversight and reporting of activities. However, some of these laws are not fully implemented because individuals with mental health conditions continue to suffer from discrimination and do not access the much-needed services.

Regulation refers to the processes of controlling and coordinating activities related to mental health. Indeed, the legislations dictate the official legal code related to mental health. However, various agencies, departments, and other entities mandated to implement the laws determine their details. These agencies are also responsible for responding to executive orders issued by governors or presidents. The regulations significantly influence the way policies function in practice (Goldman et al., 2020). Examples of regulations include patients eligibility for particular mental health programs, reimbursement rules, accreditation requirements, and rules about services permitted in specific settings. The regulations can also have a considerable impact on the accessibility, type, and quality of mental health services. For instance, The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) prohibits telehealth services for mental health conditions (Goldman et al., 2020).

Nevertheless, the agency issued a temporary exemption following the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent the spreading of the disease.

The most critical issue for health policy is financing because it influences the availability and accessibility of services. Government regulatory and legislative activities control funding mechanisms through public payers, including Medicaid and Medicare, and direct appropriations (Goldman et al., 2020). Any change in mental health policy also impacts private insurance companies, foundations, and philanthropic organizations. Combining compensation for clinical services such as grants, private contracts, public funding, and other revenue sources determines the sustainability of mental health programs (Goldman et al., 2020). Inadequate funding for mental health services and programs and eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare deprives some people with mental conditions of their right to access better and quality services.

Accountability involves approaches to ensure that mental healthcare providers, programs, and payers are responsible for high-quality care. The government plays a significant role in overseeing health services by utilizing reporting and quality measurement mechanisms. Goldman et al. (2020) indicate that the government can introduce such incentives as alternative payment models and value-based payment strategies to guarantee high-quality care. While accountability mechanisms applied by the government are indispensable, the strict guidelines for collecting and reporting metrics can be complicated. The issue can affect the effective implementation of mental health policy.

Workforce development refers to the strategies adopted by the government and agencies that deal with mental health problems to guarantee an adequate number of care providers in various settings. Factors such as regulations, legislation, and judicial case laws can influence efforts to foster sufficient employees to meet the populations service needs (Goldman et al., 2020). The care provider-patient ratio and skills can have a significant impact on the quality of mental health services (Barnett, Gonzalez, Miranda, Chavira & Lau, 2017). According to Goldman et al. (2020), the common issues experienced in workforce development are training and technical assistance, professional licensure and credentialing, and scope of practice. Such concerns can negatively impact mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment programs.

Although I do not know much about legislation, regulation, financing, accountability, and workforce development issues of mental health policy, research about them will be helpful. I already know that legislation and regulations guide the implementation of mental health policy, ranging from activities to the way involved individuals should behave, and the government is the chief financier for mental health programs. Additionally, care providers accountability, number, and skills greatly influence the quality of mental health services.

Mental health policy is crucial because it defines and explains the future of the populations psychological well-being. It establishes strategies for identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental health problems and promotes the communitys.mental health. The topic is beneficial to all healthcare stakeholders, including policymakers, government, care providers, patients and families, and insurance companies. The policy helps them know what they should do to curb the issue of mental health conditions.

References

Barnett, M., Gonzalez, A., Miranda, J., Chavira, D., & Lau, A. (2017). Mobilizing community health workers to address mental health disparities for underserved populations: Asystematic review. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 45(2), 195-211.

Goldman, M., Druss, B., Horvitz-Lennon, M., Norquist, G., Kroeger Ptakowski, K., & Brinkley, A. et al. (2020). Mental health policy in the era of COVID-19. Psychiatric Services, 71(11), 1158-1162.

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