Mental Health Provision For Latino And Rural Populations

Disparities in Mental Health Provision for Latino and Rural Populations Danielle Sanchez Our Lady of the Lake University SOWK 6331 June 1, 2015 The provision of mental health services in the U.S. is a social justice issue that affects vulnerable populations in a variety of ways, including: limited access to quality mental health programs, especially in rural areas; the stigma associated with seeking mental health help; and discrimination against those with mental health issues. The far-reaching implications on our current system and policies of mental health care mean that it is a pervasive issue in the United States. According to the Scientific American, â€Å"Mental health care is one of the biggest†¦show more content†¦this thinking has been perverted by the propagation of ideas about contagion, dangerous, unpredictability, and lack of willpower, which are at the core of today’s prejudices against mental patients. (Guiman, pp. 21-22) Our progress in learning the causes and treatments for mental illness has been steady as we build on the medical model of mental illness, which Zastrow Kirst-Ashman (2010) describe as a model that, â€Å"views emotional and behavioral problems as a mental illness, comparable to a physical illness (pp. 341). Only in modern times have we been able to effectively treat mental illness with behavioral therapy, social support, medicine, and other research-based programs. However, there is still much work to be done in regard to access, proper facilities, policy and a host of other challenges that affect this issue. Barriers to mental health care exist for many populations in the United States and hinder the abilities of preventative care to treat mental health issues effectively. Some barriers to mental health care include: the perception that treatment is not needed, the patient does not finish the course of treatment, or for financial reasons, treatment is unobtainable. A study by Mojt abai, et al. (2011) investigated the barriers, stating, â€Å"Desire to handle the problem on one s own was the most common reason among respondents with perceived need both for not seeking treatment (72.6%)...Attitudinal/evaluative factors were much