"Something really needs to be done about our mental health system..."

[DizBelle]

I hear/read this statement a long (many times here on the DISboards).

1. (If you know) How does our mental health system work currently?
2. What is wrong with it and how do you think it should be changed?

I don't really have answers to either of these questions myself so I'm just trying to see what other people think. I hope that is ok because I tend to get slammed alot on the DISboards for asking questions.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

The care available outside our prison systems, within our communities, is very lacking and completely unavailable to a large portion of our society. Our prisons now house and treat that portion. It's much more complex than that but I really don't have any interest in debating with those who will come later in this thread.

 

[gwynne]

We got rid of many options because they were either deemed too restrictive or too costly.
Currently, it is next to impossible to compel someone to seek help, even in the face of obvious problems.
If someone does seek help, the answer often is medication. Great idea, but many patients refuse to take their prescriptions.

 

[kamik86]

I think one of the main challenges with this is something I don't know if there is a way to fix. It is that those with mental issues that need the most help rarely know they have mental issues and need that help. We can't force someone into a program until they either try to hut themselves or others, until they do something that actually could put them in prison.

Now I understand why that is (how do you force an adult to do anything when they haven't done something wrong, that would be a huge step on the rights of the individuals, I mean would you want someone to decide that you have a mental illness and force you into a program when you think your just fine?) however that means that we can't treat someone early, we can't treat before they become a problem, we can only react... and what if the first thing they do that can cause them to be treated is something horrible like the very things we are trying to prevent.

I think this is one of the big hurdles.
Funding of course being the other one... but all the funding in the world wouldn't fix the above.

 

[cabanafrau]

The care available outside our prison systems, within our communities, is very lacking and completely unavailable to a large portion of our society. Our prisons now house and treat that portion. It's much more complex than that but I really don't have any interest in debating with those who will come later in this thread.

What I don't think is understood by much of the public is that when it comes to mental health treatment in our prison systems the truth of the matter is the emperor has no clothes.

There are programs to be found. The truth of what the programs consist of would be quite eye opening to most of us.

Make no mistake, our prison systems are not a valid resource for addressing mental health concerns amongst a segment of our population that is disproportionately affected by mental illness.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I think public stigma is one of the biggest hurdles. People are not ashamed to get their cholesterol meds or heart meds or antibiotics, but give them a psych drug and suddenly they are ashamed and embarrassed. Their is this social ideal that we can be strong enough without the meds, that people who seek help are weak and broken. I went through postpartum anxiety and panic attacks. And I waited far too long to see a counselor because I was afraid of what my husband, parents, friends would say. I could have recovered much earlier had I not been so worried of the stigma. I'm an RN and I know how stupid it sounds from the outside, but inside it was a difficult barrier to cross.
We need to talk about mental health. to make people feel that it is as common as a heart condition or acid reflux. That seeking treatment is what makes you stronger.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

What I don't think is understood by much of the public is that when it comes to mental health treatment in our prison systems the truth of the matter is the emperor has no clothes.

There are programs to be found. The truth of what the programs consist of would be quite eye opening to most of us.

Make no mistake, our prison systems are not a valid resource for addressing mental health concerns amongst a segment of our population that is disproportionately affected by mental illness.

I just don't know if I have it in me to debate the subject these days. You and I are on the same page on this one though. The legal and medical issues alone are mind blowing if you are truly in the know.

 

[cabanafrau]

I think one of the main challenges with this is something I don't know if there is a way to fix. It is that those with mental issues that need the most help rarely know they have mental issues and need that help. We can't force someone into a program until they either try to hut themselves or others, until they do something that actually could put them in prison.

Now I understand why that is (how do you force an adult to do anything when they haven't done something wrong, that would be a huge step on the rights of the individuals, I mean would you want someone to decide that you have a mental illness and force you into a program when you think your just fine?) however that means that we can't treat someone early, we can't treat before they become a problem, we can only react... and what if the first thing they do that can cause them to be treated is something horrible like the very things we are trying to prevent.

I think this is one of the big hurdles.
Funding of course being the other one... but all the funding in the world wouldn't fix the above.

I think it would become much less a matter of "forcing" people into treatment if the stigma of treatment would go away, much the way Happy in Wonderland described in her post.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If someone does seek help, the answer often is medication. Great idea, but many patients refuse to take their prescriptions.

Of course the flip side is that in many people, these prescriptions come with nasty side effects that aggravate the symptoms rather than quelling them.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Of course the flip side is that in many people, these prescriptions come with nasty side effects that aggravate the symptoms rather than quelling them.

Most often the medication, if prescribed, works well and the patient decides they no longer need it because "they feel so great!". And the cycle begins...

 

[erin1715]

I'm sure for some people they are reluctant to get help because of the stigma attached but I would argue that those are the people who aren't "as bad" as others. My husband went through severe depression, and my aunt is schizophrenic. Both of them refused meds at one point or another. I had to be very stringent about getting my husband to take his meds. Someone who is in a debilitating depression can barely get out of bed let alone remember or desire to take meds. So in this case it's important that the person is surrounded by family who can care for them.

My aunt is just so far gone that she doesn't even realize she has a problem and therefore doesn't think she needs medication. I'm honestly amazed she has survived this long.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Of course the flip side is that in many people, these prescriptions come with nasty side effects that aggravate the symptoms rather than quelling them.

But your flip side is correct as well. The medication can cause side effects, which is why it is important to continue treatment and communicate those issues with a doctor. Medication changes can be made and problems alleviated if treatment continues.

 

[okeydokey]

Mental Health care needs to be covered in all insurance programs and these insurance programs available to all people. But people don't want to pay for it and don't want anything to be mandatory in the health care field.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

From my perspective the number of people that need help exceed the level of care providers and that isn't even talking financial resources.
For a loved one in my life, the answer of medication is the quick solution because the hurry up and fix part of humanness has a stronger priority sometimes. Or the box is drawn and the one size fits all approach is thrown and when it doesn't work, egos get in the way.
It's complicated and painful to watch. Especially when the person you love wants help and the right help just isn't clear or easily accessible.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I'm sure for some people they are reluctant to get help because of the stigma attached but I would argue that those are the people who aren't "as bad" as others. My husband went through severe depression, and my aunt is schizophrenic. Both of them refused meds at one point or another. I had to be very stringent about getting my husband to take his meds. Someone who is in a debilitating depression can barely get out of bed let alone remember or desire to take meds. So in this case it's important that the person is surrounded by family who can care for them.

My aunt is just so far gone that she doesn't even realize she has a problem and therefore doesn't think she needs medication. I'm honestly amazed she has survived this long.

Unfortunately, the only support system many of the people as ill as you describe are the medical professionals themselves. There many times is no family left willing to help with the difficulty of a mentally ill individual. Doctors and practitioners simply can't be there every day to ensure medication is taken. Hence, the cycle begins...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Most often the medication, if prescribed, works well and the patient decides they no longer need it because "they feel so great!". And the cycle begins...

I'm not saying we should throw the baby out with the bath water, but there are sometimes consequences to these drugs. I think the biggest issue isn't so much giving these to the truly ill (though that doesn't always work as planned, either), but prescribing them to people who probably just need therapy.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I'm not saying we should throw the baby out with the bath water, but there are sometimes consequences to these drugs. I think the biggest issue isn't so much giving these to the truly ill (though that doesn't always work as planned, either), but prescribing them to people who probably just need therapy.

Agree completely. Over medicating is a big, big problem with medicine as a whole these days, mental health included.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Yes much better health care services are needed. But I don't believe that it would have stopped the man who shot the innocent people yesterday in cold blood. There is a very wide scale of mental illness and most mentally ill people don't take innocent lives.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

and, here we go...

 

[gwynne]

I'm not saying we should throw the baby out with the bath water, but there are sometimes consequences to these drugs. I think the biggest issue isn't so much giving these to the truly ill (though that doesn't always work as planned, either), but prescribing them to people who probably just need therapy.

FWIW, I think both groups should have access to therapy. (Those on meds, as well as those that are not.)
Having some support and gentle encouragement toward behavior modification would go a long way in helping work/family relationships for many of these folks.