Mental Illness From Lonely Suffering To Establishing a Recovery Corp

By Rokhsareh Shoaee, PhD, LPC

Genoa Healthcare LLC

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Mental Illness From Lonely Suffering To Establishing a Recovery Corp

Bruce Schwartz, MD, The president of the American Psychiatric Association, writes in the Psychiatric News, October 18, 2019, that according to the finding of “The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “…13.55 million adults reported an unmet need for mental health services. In addition, 1 in 5 adults were unable to obtain treatment because of barriers to getting the help they need.”

Mental health services and the impediments to quality care for the mentally ill have been the topics of interests to many community advocates and professionals.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 20% of Americans experience mental illness.  However, this important issue remains a secret either because of lack of public education or the stigma attached to the mental illness itself.  According to Dr. Schwartz’ report, “Poor enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, [and] discriminatory reimbursement” to providers are among the barriers for effective service delivery.  He predicts, “The shortage of the work force will severely worsen over the next decade.”

Kenneth P.  Rosenburg, the author of Bedlam: An Intimate Journey Into America’s Mental Health Crisis, is quoted as saying, age, social class, racial background, or education level is too often difficult for victims of severe mental illness to receive the sustained help they need.   Rosenburg questions the reason for inability of our mental health system “to care for estimated 11.2 million people age 18 or older who suffer from serious, debilitating mental illness.”

He recommends, that early diagnosis and a quick start to appropriate treatment, to keep the tracking process of this disease is very important to prevent toxicity to the brain and destroying the cerebral matter.  Rosenburg’s book will cover practical advice for patients and families. It is promising that the issue of mental illness has gone beyond an individual suffering by gradually finding its way through the realm of the national policy agenda.

In recent months, there is good legislative news that aim at educating the public on the mental illness issues by offering an integrated model.  These bills are The Mental Health Parity Act (HR 3165), supported by the American Psychiatric Association and The Greater Mental Health Act (HR 4428), which was introduced in the House on September 19, 2019 by U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa).