Mental health is a widely discussed topic and the way in which a person can access care for their mental health is often debated. Social and Relevant invited two guest writers onto the blog to share their thoughts as to whether mental health care should be free and affordable or if one should have to pay for their treatment. What do you think? Please leave a comment with your thoughts on the topic. Interested in writing an article for Social and Relevant? Please send an email to socialandrelevant@gmail.com. As always, sending good vibes and positivity your way. ~Emily~ ... *Disclaimer* The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the original authors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Emily, the founder and editor-in-chief- of “Social and Relevant.” ...
WHY mENTAL hEALTH cARE sHOULD be affordable
Beata Fourmanvovskis
As a Canadian, I am proud to be in a country that offers universal healthcare where I get to see my physician and receive the medicine that I need without additional fees. However, the universal health care that Canadians receive does not include mental health. Mental health is stigmatized and not widely understood by the greater population. Mental health is an internal illness and can be known as “invisible,” unlike physical illnesses. The public views individuals who have mental illness as able to control their disability and solely responsible for causing them (Corrigan and Watson, 2002). Mental health care should be affordable for individuals, so that they can receive the medicine and treatments they need to get better and to remove the stigma that surrounds mental health.
Mental health is fundamental to living a long, happy life. Many individuals with mental health issues are stigmatized by society and as a result, can develop alcohol or drug use disorders, become involved in prostitution, and find themselves in criminal situations. (Corrigan and Watson, 2002).
This can cause people with mental health disorders to have an even greater disadvantage to living a normal and happy life. In fact, people that live in poor socio-economic circumstances are at an increased risk of poor mental health (Iris Elliot, 2016). In addition, young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental health and/or substance use disorders than any other age group (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, n.d.). In 2012, the unemployment rate of persons aged 15 to 24 was 14.3%, a rate twice the national average (7.2%) in Canada (Galarneau, Morissette, & Usalcas, 2013).
Youth do not have the financial means to afford mental health care and receive the treatment that they need, and the effects of not receiving the mental health care can be life threatening. Living with a mental illness can cut a person’s life expectancy by 10-20 years (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, n.d.). Therefore, mental health should be affordable so that the individuals that need treatment and help for their mental health concerns will be able to afford it without being financially strained.
Mental health care is a growing concern in society, but it does not receive the attention it needs. Mental health care is too expensive and the people that need it most cannot afford it. Mental health care should be affordable so that people can receive the treatment and resources they need to benefit both the person and society. Living a healthy and long life should not be expensive, so let us make mental health care affordable.
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Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002, February 1). Understanding the impact of stigma on
people with mental illness. In US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of
Health. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1489832/
Elliott, I. (2016, August). Poverty and mental health. In Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved
August 12, 2020, from
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/Poverty%20and%20Mental%20Healt
h.pdf
Galarneau, D., Morissette, R., & Usalcas, J. (2013, July). What has changed for young people in
Canada?. In Statistics Canada. Retrieved August 16, 2020, from
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/75-006-x/2013001/article/11847-
eng.pdf?st=AcqIVSji
Mental Illness and Addiction: Facts and Statistics. (n.d.). In Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health (camh). Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-
change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics
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Beata Fourmanvoskis is an incoming senior at York University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Beata is a former intern at Deloitte and has accepted a full time offer to be a part of their team as a business analyst. Along with her studies, Beata serves as an Emerson Fellow with Stand With Us, Canada. Beata spends her free time writing articles, reading, and hiking.
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The Benefits of paying for mental health care
Dr. Carmela G. Daniels, LISW-S
The topic of mental health treatment and access remains at the forefront of many conversations in the workforce, communities, and in the news. Good mental health is a key component to the success of daily life and activities. Good mental health can be considered the foundation of a person’s character and behavior. As a population, we have so many options to choose from when deciding to choose from what to eat and where to shop. Why not use these same options when selecting mental health care? As the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for,” and that can be true when seeking mental health treatment.
Mental health is connected with every aspect of who we are as human beings. All of our emotions and thought processes can be formed based on the state of our mental wellbeing.
When issues arise in our communities such as: child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, gun rights, and substance abuse, topics surrounding mental health will soon be discussed. The day to day stressors that come from living through a pandemic can also cause an increase of mental illnesses.
Mental illnesses are common in the United States and nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (NIH, 2020). Left untreated, mental illness can cost in the upwards of 30 billion dollars per year. Questions around mental health can be how to locate a provider and how much does mental health care cost?
There can be many benefits to paying for mental health care, as the options of which providers available can have endless possibilities.
Theories exist which indicate that paying for mental health care will motivate the patient to invest more into the treatment as opposed to free services.
Paying for mental health care can ensure a person that you are working with a licensed clinical provider.
Paying for the exact services that one will need will help address mental health care in a way that meets the needs of the person served.
Paying for mental health services ensures people that they are receiving quality and reliable care. This guarantees treatment tailored for the patient.There are many providers and organizations to choose from when choosing to pay for their mental health treatment. Making the right selection is key to the steps in the right direction when choosing care.
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Mental Illness. (2019, February). Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml
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Dr. Carmela G. Daniels, LISW-S is a licensed social worker with the state of Ohio she holds a Doctorate in Social Work from Capella University. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Florida International University, Bachelors of Arts in Social Work Capital University, and an Associates Degree in Mental Health from Sinclair Community College. Carmela is employed with the Department of Veteran Affairs and she has a wide range of professional and clinical background experience. Carmela provides individual mentoring and professional coaching, conducts workshops and presentations, as well as public and keynote speaking engagements throughout Ohio. Carmela is a member of various local organizations such as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Council of Negro Women, Top Ladies of Distinction, and Federally Employed Women. Carmela remains dedicated to working with people from a variety of backgrounds and enhancing the community.
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