Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay

Walden University NURS-6053 Module 1: Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues – Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay 

Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay

Mental Health – A National Health Issue.  

One of the most pressing issues facing healthcare today is mental health disorders that has swept across multiple demographic groups in the country. Ongoing concerns like the COVID –19 pandemic, economic instability and social isolation have worsened mental health issues leading to a heightened demand for mental health services (Reform of the national institute of mental health, 2025). The surge has highlighted the existing gaps in mental health provision, accessibility as well as stigma, making it a critical situation that calls for immediate attention. 

The impact on work setting. 

The rising demand for mental health services has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems, impacting healthcare operation costs, provider workload and patient outcomes (James, 2020). The limited resources in rural and underserved areas, including shortages of qualified mental health professionals and high patient loads has led to an increase in the complexity of the healthcare issue resulting in delayed care, overcrowding in the E.D., unmet needs for many individuals suffering from mental health conditions. As a bedside nurse working in the hospital, I have seen first-hand how discharges are delayed because of limited psychiatrists and how work sometimes gets more stressful, which leads to staff burnout and healthcare outcomes for the patients. 

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Social Determinants Affecting Mental Health. 

Research by Satcher and Shim (2024) supports the fact that several social determinants of health (SDOH) play a significant role in mental health outcomes, the most important ones being economic stability, access to healthcare, lower levels of education and support networks. Economic stability can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression yet limited access to mental health services further worsens the condition (Fisher et al., 2023).  

Trinity Health’s Response to the Mental Health crisis. 

In response to the rising mental health crisis, Trinity Health has applied a comprehensive strategy that has taken steps to improve their mental health services and some of the changes include hiring more mental health specialists like psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists, it has initiated programs to integrate mental health screenings within primary care settings, has increased its community outreach efforts, has increased support for healthcare workers and has expanded their Telehealth services, all in an effort to improve access, reduce stigma and to foster community wellness. By addressing the root causes, they are contributing to improved mental health outcomes in their patient population. 

References.  

 Fisher, M., Newton, C., & Sainsbury, E. (2023). Mental health social work observed (national institute social services library) (1st ed.). Routledge.  

 James, J. M. (2020). Mental health & mental illness. Joan M. James. 

 Reform of the national institute of mental health: A proposal. (2025). Journal of Neurology and Neurocritical Care, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.31038/jnnc.2025811Links to an external site. 

 Satcher, D., & Shim, R. S. (2024). Chapter 11. a call to action: Addressing the social determinants of mental health. In The social determinants of mental health (pp. 235–254). American Psychiatric Association Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9781615378470.lg11

Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay 2

Healthcare issue/stressor

The US is in such a dire healthcare worker shortage that subgroups of healthcare that deal with non-physical symptoms suffer in greater capacity. Less than one-third of the U.S. population (28%) lives in an area where there are enough mental health professionals available to meet the needs of the community; sadly, most states have fewer than 40% of the mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and nurses, needed (Modi et al., 2022). The percentage of need met ranges from a shocking low of 5% in the District of Columbia to an insufficient high of 69% in New Jersey (Modi et al., 2022).

This great disparity in mental healthcare leads to a strain on psychiatric in-patient units due to persistent readmissions. Specifically in the hospital I work at in a metropolitan city in New Jersey, I care for adult patients with poor insight into their mental illness that causes them to be repeatedly readmitted for adequate care across their lifetime. We often see readmissions due to not receiving or having access to quality out-patient mental health services in the local community. This constant strain puts an immense amount of pressure on the scarce psychiatric facilities and the limited resources available to them; not only the strain on resources, but psychiatric readmission also reduces the patients’ quality of life and increases the years of life lost in care (Owusu et ai., 2022). While the number of aspiring psychiatrists matched to a medical residency program has grown over the past five years, it takes well over a decade to effectively educate and train psychiatrists; mental health professionals who can be trained more quickly than psychiatrists (such as psychologists, or nurse practitioners) play a vital role in expanding access to mental health care (Modi et al., 2022).

Social determinants

Largely at play for these lack of resources are two social determinants: economic stability and healthcare access/quality. Communities highly impacted by these determinants are often densely populated urban communities or sparsely populated rural communities. People often are driven to live in these places due to financial need, and often their overall well-being and health is something too costly to consider. When children grow up in socioeconomic disadvantage, they are up to 3 times more likely to experience mental health issues than their non-disadvantaged peers, with elevated risk associated with long duration exposure in addition to severity of exposure (Kirkbride et al., 2024). Financial stress among other socioeconomic disadvantages had more consistent effects on risk for common mental disorders than income and employment (Kirkbride et al., 2024). These financial strains not only affect children in their adolescence, but also prenatally. When families don’t have adequate financial resources, they are much less likely to have basic needs met, which can increase the risk of some psychiatric disorders, like schizophrenia, later in life (Kirkbride et al., 2024).

The second social determinant, healthcare access and quality, is the determinant I most consistently see in my unit of work. As discussed in the beginning, having access to adequate out-patient mental healthcare is a direct correlation to readmissions in our unit. Often patients will cite their inability to access ongoing care, and this lack of resources affects our ability to create an adequate discharge plan. In a qualitative study that looked at different strategies to reduce readmissions in psychiatric units, the study revealed that having discharge plans with quality care were vital in successful transitions from in-patient to out-patient care (Owusu et ai., 2022). The support services offered were not necessarily methods of care that are outside the scope of an inpatient unit, but did extend their abilities much further into the patient’s care. These support services often looked like follow-up calls, discharge services, bridge visits, and psychoeducation (Owusu et ai., 2022).

Addressing the issue

Much of the strain we see in inpatient care is in the lack of care continuity in outpatient care. Specifically, preventative and early intervention care is essential to providing quality and comprehensive mental health care throughout a person’s lifespan. A clearer understanding of the factors surrounding readmission can assist in improving the management of patients in inpatient care units and establishing measures of early intervention to reduce readmission (Owusu et ai., 2022). Traditionally, mental health illnesses have been isolated in their diagnosis and treatment from physically presenting illnesses and different healthcare disciplines work their scope of practice hindering collaboration (Modi et al., 2022). This is fostered through a combination of factors such as regulatory requirements, and a deficit of integrated technology and training (Modi et al., 2022). I believe that to address this issue with longevity, the health care system needs to create a new model of care that integrates mental health care into primary health. This new model of care can ensure that a person receives lifelong comprehensive and quality mental health care from prenatal care to geriatric care.

References

Kirkbride JB, Anglin DM, Colman I, Dykxhoorn J, Jones PB, Patalay P, Pitman A, Soneson E, Steare T, Wright T, Griffiths SL. (2024). The social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations. World Psychiatry. 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10786006/Links to an external site.

Modi H, Orgera K, Grover A. (2024). Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Care in the U.S. Washington, DC: AAMC;. https://doi.org/10.15766/rai_a3ewcf9pLinks to an external site.

Owusu E, Oluwasina F, Nkire N, Lawal MA, Agyapong VIO. (2022). Readmission of Patients to Acute Psychiatric Hospitals: Influential Factors and Interventions to Reduce Psychiatric Readmission Rates. Healthcare (Basel). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9498532/

Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay 3

National Healthcare Issue

One of the most pressing national healthcare issues today is the accessibility of mental health services. Despite the growing awareness of the importance of mental health, many individuals still face significant barriers to obtaining the care that they need. These barriers can include a lack of available providers, financial constraints, stigma surrounding mental health issues, and limited insurance coverage for mental health services(Coombs et al.,2021). Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these challenges, leading to increased demand for mental health care while simultaneously straining the resources available(American Psychiatric Association,n.d) Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay .

Impact on My Work Setting

I currently work in a community health hospital serving a diverse population; the issue of mental health access profoundly impacts our healthcare delivery operations and the overall health outcomes of our patients. Many of our patients face socioeconomic challenges, such as low income and lack of transportation, which can hinder their ability to seek timely mental health care(WHO,n.d). Furthermore, the stigma associated with mental illness can prevent individuals from reaching out for help, leading to worsening conditions that strain healthcare organizations’ emergency services and other healthcare services, healthcare resources (Corrigan,2004).

Social Determinants  of Health Affecting Mental Health Access

The social determinants of health (SDOH) that most significantly affect mental health access include economic stability, social and community context, and access to healthcare. Moreover, lower-income individuals may lack insurance coverage or the financial means to afford out-of-pocket costs. At the same time, those in marginalized communities may experience a lack of culturally competent care or face discrimination, further encouraging them to seek help (Kirkbride et al.,2024).

Response from My Healthcare Organization

In response to the mental health access issue,  my healthcare organization has implemented several strategic changes to improve mental health service delivery and reduce barriers to care. For example, my organization has expanded its mental health service team by hiring additional licensed counselors, social workers, and mental health providers to reduce appointment wait times. Furthermore, my organization has initiated a telehealth program, allowing patients to access mental health services from the comfort of their homes, which is particularly beneficial for individuals facing transportation issues (Bashshur et al.,2016).

Additionally, my healthcare organization has partnered with local organizations to provide outreach and education programs about mental health services available in our community. This includes workshops to reduce mental health stigma and increase awareness of mental health issues; overall, my organization has witnessed positive engagement from members of the community (Ahad et al.,2023). My organization also provides sliding scale fees based on income, ensuring that our services are accessible to individuals who may not be able to afford the services they need.

In conclusion, addressing the issue of mental health access requires a multifaceted approach that considers the various social determinants of health affecting our patients. My healthcare organization’s proactive measures are a step in the right direction. Moreover, ongoing collaboration and innovation will ensure that all individuals in our community and beyond receive the mental health support they need Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay .

References

Ahad, A. A., Sanchez-Gonzalez, M., & Junquera, P. (2023). Understanding and addressing mental health stigma across cultures for improving psychiatric care: A narrative review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.39549

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Monitor on psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/01/trends-national-crisis

Bashshur, R. L., Shannon, G. W., Bashshur, N., & Yellowlees, P. M. (2016). The empirical evidence for telemedicine interventions in mental disorders. Telemedicine and E-Health, 22(2), 87–113. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2015.0206

Coombs, N. C., Meriwether, W. E., Caringi, J., & Newcomer, S. R. (2021). Barriers to healthcare access among U.S. adults with mental health challenges: A population-based study. SSM – Population Health, 15, 100847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100847

Corrigan, P. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American Psychologist, 59(7), 614–625. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.59.7.614

Kirkbride, J. B., Anglin, D. M., Colman, I., Dykxhoorn, J., Jones, P. B., Patalay, P., Pitman, A., Soneson, E., Steare, T., Wright, T., & Griffiths, S. L. (2024). The social determinants of mental health and disorder: Evidence, prevention and recommendations. World Psychiatry, 23(1), 58–90. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21160

World Health Organization. (n.d.-d). Social Determinants of Mental Health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506809 Mental Health National Healthcare Issue Essay