Services in psychiatric and mental health
Susan V. McLeer gives an overview on the United States’ behavioral health services. Chapter 10 is Young and Kroth 2017. This chapter examines trends and historical developments that have affected the distribution of mental healthcare treatment. Although many laws have been passed, such as the Affordable Health Care Act, it is clear that there are still obstacles to psychiatric healthcare in America. The United States has a high cost and inadequate mental health care system. The average cost of treatment for psychiatric disorders in America is $366 per day, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This is nearly four times as much as in countries like Norway or Sweden. Only half of those receiving mental health care are provided with therapy that meets the standards of the American Psychological Association. (Kumar and al., 2002). A large percentage of people with mental illnesses are not diagnosed or treated properly, and this can have devastating consequences.
The United States has a high cost and limited mental health system. The nation does not have a system for providing mental healthcare. Instead, there is a fragmented healthcare system in the country, where many entities offer different kinds of treatments. It is difficult for patients to be treated and monitored. Mental treatment can often be administered by highly paid specialists, rather than primary-care physicians and nurses. The majority of patients’ treatment expenses are borne by them.
Mental illnesses are more common than you might think.
America is prone to mental health problems. According to research from 2016, 26.2% Americans have been diagnosed with a mental condition in the past year. This means that nearly one quarter of Americans are affected by a psychological condition. Anxiety disorders account for 18.1%, making them the most widespread mental conditions. There are many other mental disorders, including mood disorders (10.4%), substance abuse disorders (8.5%), and eating disorders (5.8%). Many mental disorders aren’t diagnosed and treated promptly. These issues can lead to long-term problems, such as suicide rates three times higher among people with mental illness than those who don’t have it. Numerous people don’t know about the availability of treatment and services. Around one third of those with mental illness seek therapy.
Obstacles in psychiatric Treatment
A severe shortage of psychiatrists exists in the United States. Only one psychiatrist is available for every 2000 people. The stigma associated with mental illness makes many individuals unwilling to seek psychiatric assistance (Ka’apu & Burnette, 2019). Many people cannot afford to see a psychiatrist due to lack of insurance that covers psychiatric care. In many parts of America, there are not enough mental health care services. This forces people in need to seek treatment to move to larger cities (Young & Kroth 2017).