Mental Illness, what exactly is mental Illness, in the article The Stigma of Mental Illness defines mental Illness as, " Mentally disorder, mad or crazy (Overton and Medina, 2008,143)." It also states further on that, " different functions affect a person's ability to perform the tasks necessary for daily living (Overton and Medina, 2008, 143)." What are some examples of mental illnesses? Here’s a few: depression, schizophrenia, drug or alcohol abuse, and it can even happen to people as they get older such as Alzheimer’s. On top of that there is still plenty more disabilities out there that people are suffering from.
What should be done about these problems? Questions like that are asked everyday by families and friends who are, or know someone diagnosed with a mental illness. After watching the video “Mental Health: an “Insane” wait for treatment “ I was amazed at some of the information I learnt. In this clip the Canadian public health agency states, “20% of Canadian individuals will experiences a mental illness throughout their life time (Fraser Institute, 2008).” The government needs to realize that not only physical health care is important but mental health is just as important. The Fraser Institute doesn’t agree with the health care system, they believe that policy makers should focuses more on mental health care (Fraser Institution, 2008). They also argue that, it’s bad enough that people aren’t getting the care but the wait time is tremendously long. Mental Health care takes longer now to get treatment than any physical health care treatment (Fraser Institute, 2008).
The Fraser Institution which reflects the neoconservative ideology believes that their solution for receiving better mental health care would be to privatize the health care system. This would then decrease wait times in every area of the hospital, without excluding any specific area (Fraser Institution, 2008). In order for them to accomplish this they would need “appropriate finical incentives for patients and providers who would assist them in being able to deliver more timely accesses to these services” (Fraser Institution, 2008). They want the competition, and soon people who desperately need the help will have to take money out of their own pockets to get it. The upsetting thing is many individuals in this situation either no long have a job due to the illness or the stereotypes put on them from our society. I believe this would then restrict many individuals who need the help from actually receiving it; many won’t be able to afford it.
In Mullay, the neo-conservative governments look on ill people states, if you become ill and cannot provide for yourself any longer, you should have made plans before. These problems are your own fault, so there for you’re not worthy of tax payers’ money (Mullay, 2007). This shows that the neoconservative government put’s people with mental illnesses into categories’; they basically consider them nonexistent in our society. They believe that if one’s own self cannot support the social system, then they shall not get support back.
The neoconservative Ideology also believes, “that is every individual has a responsibility to look after him or herself. Only when people do not carry out this responsibility do problems such as unemployment, lack of resources, and inadequate housing, occur (Mullay, 2007, 78)." The question is, how do they think a person with a illness can pay for mental health care if already they are getting discriminated against, and no one wants to employ them because of the stereotypes put on them by are society.
We need to raise awareness and fight for people who are suffering; I don’t agree with privatizing the health care system this would excluded individuals who can’t support themselves. As well it would leave behind many suffering individuals who should receive the right equalities as everyone in our society.
References:
Fraser Institution.(2008,October 29). Mental Health: An "Insane" Wait for treatment.
Retrieved from:
Mullay, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd Ed).New York, NY: Oxford University press.
Overton, S. L. and Medina S.L., The Stigma of Mental Illness. Journal of Counseling and Development v. 86 no. 2 (2008) p. 143-51
Retrieved from:
http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/hww/results/external_link_maincontentframe.jhtml?_DARGS=/hww/results/results_common.jhtml.44
Tognazzini, Paula; Davis, Christine; Kean, Anna-Marie; Osborne, Margaret; Wong, Katherine. (2008). Reducing the stigma of mental Illness.
Retrieved from:
I agree, Neo-conservatives fabricate mental illness into a problem that can simply be solved by thinking positive or "just being happy". Unfortunately, mental illness does not work this way and the wait times are absolutely ridiculous. I know of a few people who have had to wait for three-five months after being referred to a psychologist from their family doctor. These people had the courage to ask for help and they are being denied immediate help because of the thought that "time will heal all pain". Too bad, that is not true.
ReplyDeleteBelinda
Great post! I find it ridiculous how Neo-conservatives believe that you don't deserve the right to get professional help. That is just like how they agree to help the 'deserving poor' only. Like in the comment above, I also know people that have had to wait for their needed treatments and as many could see, the wait was difficult them. I'm glad that there are others that agree to help such as Liberalism and Marxism as well.
ReplyDeleteNicole (Nikki) S.