Mental Health, Medicare and Medicate Health, Medicine, Nursing Essay (Essay Sample)

Name;
Instructor;
Course;
Date:
Mental Health and Medicare and Medicate
In the United States, the Mental Health America (MHA) conducts national mental health surveys to reveal disparities among people in crisis and recommend early intervention. MHA is also committed to promoting early identification as well as intervention for the patients with mental disorders while ensuring they get the quality of care and treatment they need to recover. Therefore, gathering substantial data on these disparities is a tool to suppress the impact of the mental disorders and the numbers of patients in facilities and communities. According to MHA, one out of five adult Americans suffers from a mental health condition. In other words, more than 40 million people are suffering from various mental illnesses in the United States. The national surveys also indicate that more youth are now suffering disorders such as depression at a higher rate than ever. In 2015, for instance, the rates of severe depression among the youth rose from 5.9 to 8.2 percent (Mentalhealthamerica). Workforce shortage regarding mental health is a menace to the country. Currently, one mental health professional cares for more than six patients in states with the lowest mental health staff. Similarly, counselors, psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists are in shortage. Mental health patients have access to insurance services from Medicare as health policies implemented have reduced the number of uninsured American especially the adults. Still, about 56 percent of the adults affected by mental illnesses do not get proper treatment. Even in Maine State where medical services are of the highest quality, over 41 percent of the adult patients lack access to medical services. Medicare, an insurance program by the federal government for the senior citizens 65 years and above and youth with disabilities plays a significant role in the treatment of the mental illnesses. Medications have a positive impact on several mental illnesses and may include psychotherapy and other complex but rare therapies such as brain stimulation therapies. The treatment process, however, depends on the patient’s needs and medical condition. This paper discusses the state of mental health, contribution of Medicare and the treatment of medication for various mental disorders and conditions.