A Theoretical, Historical, and Socio-Economic Case for Saving Lives through Strategic Improvement of Mental Health Systems around the World
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56508/mhgcj.v6i1.145Keywords:
Stigma, global mental health, structural functionalism, socioeconomic asset development, social dynamics, conflict theory, mental health treatment, mental health accessAbstract
Introduction: Comparing mental health systems between different countries illuminates the potential for change by showing us different approaches exist in the global here and now. Globally, people are suffering and dying daily from untreated mental health conditions and those working in these systems have to live in this reality.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how stigma, underfunding, deficits in best practices, confusing systems, and failed strategic planning are all variables causing systems’ deficits that have people unnecessarily suffering and dying around the world.
Methodology: To make the case for change, we use critical analysis to examine mental health systems through an analytic framework that includes history, systems investment, and general treatment approaches. We review mental health care systems through theories of structural functionalism, conflict, social dynamics, and socio-economic asset development.
Results: The historical examination provides vital systems-development insight while the systems investment examination delves into the overall funding structures and strategies of each country. Theoretical analysis reveals how problems seem intractable, but also how progress is always possible.
Conclusion: This examination informs critically thinking advocates, through historical and theoretical lenses, to generate precise calls for win-win strategies that can be individualized per World Health Organization and other advancing treatment recommendations
References
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Browne, M., & Keeley, S. (2012). Asking the right questions: a guide to critical thinking (10th ed.). Aldershot, UK: Gower.
Centers for Disease Control. (2022). Health and economic costs of chronic diseases.
CDC 24/7: Saving Lives, Protecting People. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/costs/index.htm
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. (2019). National health expenditure data. https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/NationalHealthAccountsHistorical
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Marx, K. (1848). The communist manifesto. New York: International Publishers.
McCarthy, K. E. (2012). Insurance exchanges and a public option. OLR Research Report. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0408.htm
Muntianas, V. (April 3rd, 2007). Nutarimas d?l psichikos sveikatos strategijos patvirtinimo. Health Ministry of the Republic of Lithuania. Nr. X-1070. Vilnius.
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National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Who we are. https://nami.org/About- NAMI/Who-We-Are
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National Institute of Mental Health. (2011). Post by former NIMH director Thomas Insel: the global cost of mental illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/directors/thomas-insel/blog/2011/the-global-cost-of-mental-illness
National Library of Medicine. (2016). A guide to psychotherapy in Germany: where can I find help? PubMed Health: National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279513
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (2022). Country statistical profiles. https://www.oecd.org/
PubMed Health. (2016). A guide to psychotherapy in Germany: Where can I find help? National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279513
P?ras, D. (October 10, 2019). Psichikos sveikatos srities deinstitucionalizacija ir su ja susij? išš?kiai Lietuvoje. Bernardinai. https://www.bernardinai.lt/2019-10-10-psichikos-sveikatos-srities-deinstitucionalizacija-ir-su-ja-susije-issukiai-lietuvoje/
P?ras, D., Germanavicius, A., Povilaitis, R., Veniute, M. and Jasilionis, D. (2004). Lithuania mental health country profile. International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England). 16. 117-25. DOI: 10.1080/09540260310001635168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09540260310001635168
P?ras, D., Šumskien?, E., Veni?t?, M., Šumskas, G., Juodkait?, D., Murauskien?, L., Mataityt?-Diržien?, J., Šliužait?, D. (2013). Išš?kiai ?gyvendinant Lietuvos psichikos sveikatos politik?. Vilnius: Vilniaus universiteto leidykla. ISBN: 9786094592799
Puschner, B., Cosh, S., & Becker, T. (2016). Patient-rated outcome assessment with the German version of the Outcome Questionnaire 45 in people with severe mental illness. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 32 (4), 273-282. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000254
Rogers, E. M. (1983). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed). The Free Press: New York.
Rosenthal, E. (2018). An American sickness: how health care became big business and how you can take it back. Penguin Books: New York.
Salize, H. J., & Rössler, W., & Becker, T. (2007). Mental health care in Germany: current state and trends. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 257 (2), 92-103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-0696-9
Schwarz, J., Galbursera, L., Bechdolf, A., Birker, T., Deister, A., Duve, A., … von Peter, S. (2020). Changes in German mental health care by implementing a Global Treatment Budget- A mixed-method process evaluation study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11(426). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00426 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00426
Shapiro, F. (2012). Getting past your past: take control of your life with self-help Techniques from EMDR therapy. Rodale Inc: New York.
Skruibis, P. & Žemaitien?, N. (2015). Lietuvos psichikos sveikatos strategijos ir savižudybi? prevencijos alternatyvus priemoni? planas 2016-2018 m. p. 39-45. Psichikos Sveikatos Perspektyvos.
Skvernelis, S. & Veryga, A. (August 2nd, 2017). Nutarimas d?l psichikos sveikatos strategijos ?gyvendinimo 2007-2016 met? ataskaitos pateikimo lietuvos respublikos seimui. Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Nr. 639. Vilnius
Šukys, R. (August 21st, 2012). D?l psichosocialin?s reabilitacijos paslaug? psichikos sutrikim? turintiems asmenims teikimo tvarkos aprašas. Nr. - 788. Vilnius
Šumskien?, E., Petružyt?, D. (2017). Psichikos sveikatos ir gerov?s paradigm? kaita Lietuvoje. Vilnius: Vilniaus universitetas
Tikkanen, R., Osborn, R., Mossialos, E., Djordjevic, A., & Wharton, G. A. (2020). International health care system profiles: United States. The Commonwealth Fund. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/united-states
Turner, J. H. (1975). Marx and Simmel revisited: reassessing the foundations of conflict theory. Social Forces, 53:4 (618-627) DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2576477
USA.gov. (2022). Advance child tax credit and economic impact payments- stimulus checks. https://www.usa.gov/covid-stimulus-checks
Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Publishing Group: New York.
World Health Organization. (2011a). Mental health atlas: United States of America. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/atlas/profiles/usa_mh_profile.pdf?ua=1
World Health Organization. (2011b). Mental health atlas: Germany. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/atlas/profiles/deu_mh_profile.pdf?ua
World Health Organization. (2011c). Mental health atlas: Lithuania. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/atlas/profiles/ltu_mh_profile.pdf?ua=1
World Health Organization. (2013). Mental health action plan: 2013-2020. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506021
World Health Organization. (2020). World Mental Health Day: An opportunity to kick-start a massive scale-up in investment in mental health. News Release. https://www.who.int/news/item/27-08-2020-world-mental-health-day-an-opportunity-to-kick-start-a-massive-scale-up-in-investment-in-mental-health
World Health Organization. (2021). Current health expenditure (% of GDP). The World Bank. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Yalom, I. (2009). The gift of therapy: an open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients. HarperCollins
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