Capella FPX 4000 Assessment 5

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4000 Developing a Nursing Perspective

Prof. Name

Date

Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Mental health is crucial to behavioral, emotional and social well-being. It represents a balance that allows individuals to manage personal responsibilities, participate in meaningful learning and activities, and positively impact their surroundings. Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression can heighten the risk of long-lasting diseases like cardiovascular problems. Nurses in the mental health field face distinct challenges and responsibilities, requiring specialized training. This paper underscores the significance of mental healthcare and effective practices and recommends ethical approaches to mental healthcare.

Elements of Mental Health

Mental health is vital for emotional and psychological wellness. It enables individuals to function well in their regular activities and toward stability. Several contributing factors to mental health disorders are genetic predispositions, lifestyle factors, social support systems, substance use, and cultural and societal pressures (CDC, 2024). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that about one in four individuals (58.8 million persons) in the United States (U.S) suffers from any psychological illness. Meanwhile, around one in 20 adults (14.7 million individuals) live with a serious psychological illness (CDC, 2024). Three peer-reviewed journal articles are selected to understand mental healthcare and its causes. The sources are selected based on their credibility, relevance, and in-depth examination of issues such as limited access to mental health resources and treatment options.

Arango et al. (2021) emphasize that genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors are major contributing factors to mental health conditions. The study underlines that genetic tendencies and family history raise risks of mental health conditions. Lifestyle factors include daily habits that impact one’s well-being, including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. The author explores how behavioral therapy improves mental health by helping individuals recognize negative thought patterns and implement practical strategies for better lifestyle choices, such as exercise, sleep, and stress management. This article is credible because it was published in the Journal of World Psychiatry and written by esteemed psychiatrists. It draws on data from inclusive, nationally representative studies. The research has significant implications for addressing mental health factors and facilitating prevention and diagnosis approaches.

Capella FPX 4000 Assessment 5

Khoury et al. (2021), explore the fundamental role of societal assistance systems in maintaining mental health. The article highlights the significance of emotional support in mental health. A supportive network can protect against mental health problems, increasing resilience and general well-being. The study examines successful therapies for building social support, such as group and family counseling, peer assistance programs and community-based initiatives. The article is published in a renowned peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Affective Disorders. It integrates findings from a systematic review of up-to-date data from healthcare systems concerning mental health disorders. This research demonstrates that social support systems and community engagement can play a vital role in addressing mental health issues.

The third article by Kohls et al. (2021) explored the role of cultural and socioeconomic influences on mental well-being. The study explains that these pressures lead to stress, especially when individuals have societal expectations that differ from their values. The article is published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, which is trustworthy and relevant. It draws attention to promoting cultural competence in mental health services. The study advocates creating patient education and open dialogue about cultural and societal expectations to reduce stigma and increase acceptance. By exploring these factors, these studies offer practical insights and recommendations to overcome the present challenge of global mental healthcare.

Analyze the Problem or Issue

Mental health care is a specialized field dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges to enhance their quality of life. It encompasses various services, such as medication management, counseling, and community-based support programs. It is estimated that around 91% of the $4.4 trillion yearly medical costs in the U.S is allocated to the care of chronic and mental health patients (CDC, 2024a). I have cared for patients from all stages of life who suffered from mental illnesses. Mental health disorders are often a result of the interaction between human and systemic factors. Human factors include genetic, environmental, socioeconomic, and lifestyle elements that determine an individual’s mental state.

Systemic influences, such as access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and public sources are vital in mental health. The lack of comprehensive mental health policies is a significant contributor to inadequate treatment. Moreover, individual traits, including genetics, personal history, lifestyle habits, and social and cultural aspects, exacerbate the risk of mental illness development (Khoury et al., 2021). Additionally, inadequate treatment and support are worsened by delays in treating mental health problems, aggravating symptoms, and increasing the risk of further deterioration. According to Kohls et al. (2021), 75% of major mental illnesses occur before a person is 24 years of age. Students are susceptible to specific stressors, including academic pressure, monetary stressors, and future uncertainty. It is generally known that such stressors play a role in causing mental health disorders.

Mental healthcare is important for enhancing quality of life and functionality for individuals experiencing mental health issues. It employs a multidisciplinary approach with psychiatrists, doctors, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and counselors, all of whom provide support toward healing. The consequences of mental health issues extend to various other people, including families, healthcare providers, and even society. The immediate effects of mental health are usually emotional distress and impaired quality of life with the possibility of worsening the state. Families are also impacted due to emotional and monetary constraints as they take time to care for the affected (Hajizadeh et al., 2024). Moreover, healthcare providers face high loads and stress and are usually unable to provide services. The economic burden of lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and additional social services all fall on the broader society. These widespread effects can be lessened by dealing with mental health issues through preventive measures and adequate support systems.

Nurses are the most important as they provide direct care to patients, evaluation, therapy, and education. Furthermore, this team is also involved in crisis intervention and risk management, where early warning signs are utilized to prevent the worsening of the condition. Some key stakeholders creating and enforcing policies, ensuring funding, and promoting access to mental health services include healthcare administrators and policy-makers (Zandieh et al., 2024). Community organizations and advocacy groups also play significant roles in raising awareness and fostering support networks. For example, cultural competence in healthcare services and mental health education reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Considering Options and Proposed Solution

Mental health education, healthcare accessibility, and the support systems in health delivery systems are important components for improving mental health care. Ongoing training for healthcare professionals in mental health ensures their knowledge is updated with the best evidence-based practices and the latest updates, improving the knowledge and skills of delivering quality care. Furthermore, patient education concerning better lifestyle choices, like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep, improves mental health by reducing stress, uplifting mood, and improving well-being (Koly et al., 2021).

Mental health education, part of medical training, builds a general approach for patient care, such as early identification of signs for timely interventions. Expanding community-based services that include peer support programs and collaborations with local organizations will also help reduce stigma and provide continuous, accessible support for those in need (Koly et al., 2021).Evidence-based practices are crucial in managing various psychological states. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) enables a person to identify and change negative thought patterns that may contribute to emotional illness.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered approach to resolve ambivalence and increase motivation for change. Mindfulness-based therapies promote the ability to be in the moment to reduce stress. Psychoeducation empowers by teaching about mental health, treatments, and coping methods to increase understanding and decrease stigma (Zandieh et al., 2024). Telehealth is another significant solution. This can bridge gaps for people living in remote or underserved areas who may not have easy access to in-person care. Telehealth effectively reaches a wider range of patients than in-person care, reduces the disgrace linked with visiting a psychiatrist (Zandieh et al., 2024). Patient engagement is supported through telehealth programs such as online CBT platforms and apps that monitor mental health and support crisis management.

Outcomes of Not Addressing the Issue

Ignoring the issue of inadequate mental healthcare can have severe consequences. Without proper support and treatment, mental health issues can escalate, leading to more serious conditions, increased risk of self-harm, and higher rates of suicide. Unattended mental health problems are also a reason for chronic health conditions and poor attendance in organizations. It contributes to an increased loss of productivity and an enormous economic loss to both individuals and the health sector (Koly et al., 2021). Lack of attendance to such mental illnesses by a doctor leads to professional burnout, huge turnover, and less job satisfaction, causing a significant drawback in their practicing quality medicine. The solutions to these problems would be achieved through proactive, evidence-based measures such as policy reforms and more funding for mental health programs for a healthy society.

Ethical Implications of the Proposed Solution

The ethical principles of patient autonomy (honoring individuals’ privileges), beneficence (putting patients first), non-maleficence (evading damage), and justice (ensuring equality) are fundamental in approaches aimed at transforming mental healthcare. Beneficence and nonmaleficence have an emphasis on the fact that physicians should give priority to ill persons and avoid harming them. For instance, when mental health training is integrated into medical education, providers can better identify and manage mental health conditions (Chatzi, 2024). CBT supports beneficence and non-maleficence by helping patients improve mental health while minimizing harm. MI aligns with autonomy by empowering patients to make informed choices and actively engage in treatment.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) emphasizes this principle by promoting continuing professional development to ensure nurses provide safe and competent care. The principle of justice is reflected in the promotion of equal access to excellent quality training, telehealth, and other support systems (Chatzi, 2024). According to American Psychological Association (APA) research, informed consent and patient engagement are extremely important in maintaining trust. Patients should participate actively in their treatment plans. Integrating ethical principles with evidence-based practices fosters a holistic, patient-centered approach to mental healthcare, promoting trust, equity, and quality support.

Conclusion

This paper highlights the importance of mental health, its challenges, and solutions such as specialized training and community support to improve outcomes. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and social influences contribute to mental disorders, which can lead to chronic illnesses and reduced quality of life. Solutions include mandatory training for healthcare professionals, patient education, community support, and telehealth. Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice are essential for effective and equitable care.

References

Arango, C., Dragioti, E., Solmi, M., Cortese, S., Domschke, K., Murray, R. M., Jones, P. B., Uher, R., Carvalho, A. F., Reichenberg, A., Shin, J. I., Andreassen, O. A., & Correll, C. U. (2021). Risk and protective factors for mental disorders beyond genetics:An evidence‐based atlas. World Psychiatry, 20(3), 417–436. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20894

CDC. (2024a). Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions. Chronic Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

CDC. (2024b, October 7). About Mental Health. Mental Health.

Chatzi, M. (2024). The ethical and legal dilemmas of Telepsychiatry. Bioethica, 10(1), 43–57. https://doi.org/10.12681/bioeth.37389

Hajizadeh, A., Amini, H., Heydari, M., & Rajabi, F. (2024). How to combat stigma surrounding mental health disorders: A scoping review of the experiences of different stakeholders. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06220-1

https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/index.html

Capella FPX 4000 Assessment 5

Khoury, J. E., Atkinson, L., Bennett, T., Jack, S. M., & Gonzalez, A. (2021). COVID-19 and mental health during pregnancy: The importance of cognitive appraisal and social support. Journal of Affective Disorders, 282, 1161–1169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.027

Kohls, E., Baldofski, S., Moeller, R., Klemm, S.-L., & Kluge, C. (2021). Mental health, social and emotional well-Being, and perceived burdens of university students during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Germany. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643957

Koly, K. N., Baskin, C., Khanam, I., Rao, M., Rasheed, S., Law, G. R., Sarker, F., & Gnani, S. (2021). Educational and training interventions aimed at healthcare workers in the detection and management of people with mental health conditions in South and South-East Asia: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12(12). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.741328

Zandieh, S., Abdollahzadeh, S. M., Sadeghirad, B., Wang, L., McCabe, R. E., Yao, L., Inness, B. E., Pathak, A., Couban, R. J., Crandon, H., Torabiardakani, K., Bieling, P., & Busse, J. W. (2024). Therapist-guided remote versus in-person cognitive behavioural therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. CMAJ, 196(10), E327–E340. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.230274