Mental health

In light of the gun topics, mental health has been brought up as per usual, and while it’s important for a healthier populace it’s a separate topic in its own right that should be talked about without being attached at the hip to gun regulation as one deals with well regulations and the other deals with healthcare and more intricately with society as a whole. We see it quite frequently on topics for gun control to be overrun by attempts at talking about mental illness, and that can come off very similar to how someone is talking about rape stats among young women and someone comes in and says MEN TOO, and that ultimately is preventing further discussion of both topics. Like yes we know but gun regulations is the topic. One is the topic of gun control, and how/what to implement in regards to rules and regulations that statistically decrease the rates of gun violence, suicide, and death. Gun control is the preventative when suicide, violent crimes, or even an accident, is sought out or attempted. A gun is far more successful in suicide attempts than other methods.

The other topic, mental health, is how to foster a more positive approach, and aid, towards mental health in the US and to help prevent and help stop suicide before it ever comes to an action (and after it occurs).

So to keep it that way, this is going to be MENTAL HEALTH. Things like suicide, the number of citizens who don’t or can’t find resources, can’t afford help, or don’t know it exists, depression, anxiety etc.

So this topic is what can the US do? How can we change our statistics? I’m seeing a lot of “focus on mental illness”, but very rarely does it go deeper than that which can often be a redirection rather than genuine. On top of that, on Glow you can see it, many US citizens are opposed to measures that would help mental health be treated safely. We can’t just go “focus on this” but not have suggestions. Our government already does this but then reduces financial aid, access, or affordable options.

I have brought up Australia before, while on a gun topic, but a response was what about their difference in healthcare for citizens in comparison to the US, and it got me thinking, quite literally all night, and while not necessarily on gun control it was a valid point for the topic of mental health.

So according to WHO, the US has the highest prevalence of mental health disorders, they did not count eating disorders, schizophrenia, or personality disorders, followed by Ukraine, Colombia, New Zealand, Lebanon, and France. Falling between 18.9% and 21.5% in a 12 month period.

Japan, The People’s Republic of China, Nigeria and Israel have the lowest rates between 6.0%-7.4%.

•Why do you think those higher ranking countries are up there? I was a little surprised to see New Zealand, but WHO gave further explanation that luxury may have an impact.

It’s important to remember that when life expectancy is higher that the risk for any disorder increases. In the US, of all psychological problems, mood disorders, including depression, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder are the most prevalent.

Harvard, who headed much of WHO’s study into this, says that a nations wealth factor seems to have an impact on the common depression but it’s still a complex problem. According to them less developed countries are less depressed, due to focusing on survival, and that those, like America, with more comfortable lives are far more likely in comparison to other countries, to experience depression. This has lead some to believe that depression is a “luxury disorder”. •What are your thoughts?

They then go on to say that “another variable that has strong predictive power, at least for mood disorders, has to do with what you’ve got, compared to the people around you. Kessler says, for example, that if your house is worth $500,000 but everyone else in your neighborhood has $1 million homes, this factor alone is one of the best predictors of depression. But when everyone is in the same boat, no matter how humble or lowly the quarters, there’s typically a lot less depression. Therefore, it’s not the objective conditions of life that matter, it’s your subjective perception of how you measure up -– or what you “lack.”” There is also apparently a “perpetual problem” with cultural reluctance to admit disorders. In certain parts of Asia it’s still very taboo.

Is the relevant to the US? How could the US use that information to focus aid for mental health? Focusing on low income areas? There is no doubt a growing split between low income, mid, and high income in the US. Our class system we already know greatly impacts the rates at which lower class, minority populations etc receive education, income, life expectancy, incarceration rates, and healthcare which all feeds into each other.

In my -opinion- we could naturally see some* disorder rates decrease, and an increase in those getting help, by (these are some suggestions and by no means all that we should do. I’m sure there is MUCH more) obtaining better wages, establishing affordable if not free education and healthcare, and actively implementing services and regs to aid minorities and combat bias in how they’re treated on a country level. I also feel that schools should be taking stronger initiative in education in regards to mental health. I don’t think that one or two classes out of an entire 1-12 school career is enough. Clearly mental health is something closely intertwined with human rights as a whole and can’t be helped if we don’t focus on other social injustices as well.

•With that being said, do you as a person, if for example you don’t support increased wages or free healthcare, have any other suggestions? Do you feel that social injustices do not impact mental health? What do you *think* does or does not contribute? Why?

Moving on to treatment they go on to say

“In the U.S., only 41.1 percent of people with mental health disorders receive treatment. In other parts of the world, treatment is highly correlated with how developed the country is, and with how much of the country’s gross domestic product is spent on healthcare. Better treatment rates are generally seen in nations with universal healthcare, according to Kessler. In the U.S., he says, it’s not the lowest socioeconomic class that has trouble (they have Medicaid, which usually covers it), it’s the second-lowest socioeconomic group that can’t get care. While treatment rates have gone up in recent years (especially for pharmaceuticals), the rate of mental health disorders has not changed much.”

•With universal healthcare contributing to an increase in treatment, if you’re against UH what are your suggestions?

•As it stands Medicaid and resources in general that provide for some low income people are under fire and many (not to be confused as “most”) feel these should not exist. How and why do you think stripping these would help mental health in the US? Do you want them replaced with some form of alternative? What would that alternative be?

****I realize that this is long and drawn out, and it’s okay if you can can’t or want to only answer a few things or give thoughts. You don’t by any means have to have some huge statement on the whole of this topic, but I will inquire on your comments about why you feel as you do or where you receive information, and hey if you have links I’ll read them! Obviously for opinion based questions it’s well opinion, but for something like how will removing Medicaid help mental health (example) I’d prefer to see some form of evidence to support that. ****

EDIT

If you are outside of the US what has your country done for mental health? Any qualms? Happy with any recent changes? Tell us what you see and experience

If you’re a minority, what impacts your communities overall mental health? How can we help that and change it? What DOESN’T help?