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Review the following materials prior to completing this assignment:
• Chapter 4 in DeMarco and Healey-Walsh, Community and Public Health Nursing (Lippincott CoursePoint+ enhanced) • Ten global health issues to track in 2021
Select one global health challenge from the World Health Organization’s list of top 10 challenges. [MO 4.2]
• In your initial post, discuss effective strategies to address this particular challenge at the international and national level.
• Support your answer with relevant articles from professional literature.
Sample Answer
Addressing the Global Health Challenge of Mental Health: Strategies at International and National Levels
The global health challenge I have selected from the World Health Organization’s list of top 10 challenges is mental health. Mental health disorders affect millions of people worldwide, leading to significant social, economic, and healthcare burdens. To effectively address this challenge, it is crucial to implement strategies at both the international and national levels. This essay will discuss effective strategies to address the global mental health challenge and support the arguments with relevant articles from professional literature.
International Level Strategies
Strengthening Global Mental Health Governance: International organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), should play a central role in coordinating efforts to address mental health globally. They can provide guidance, establish standards, and monitor progress in mental health policies and services across countries. Collaborative initiatives, like the WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan, can facilitate resource-sharing and capacity-building among nations.
Promoting Mental Health Research and Knowledge Exchange: International collaboration in mental health research can help identify effective interventions, evaluate their impact, and develop evidence-based guidelines. Research networks and partnerships can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices, enabling countries to learn from each other’s experiences and implement successful strategies. Funding agencies and organizations should prioritize mental health research to generate robust evidence.
Reducing Stigma and Raising Awareness: International campaigns focused on reducing stigma surrounding mental health are essential. Education programs and awareness campaigns can promote understanding, empathy, and acceptance of mental health conditions. Efforts should be made to engage policymakers, opinion leaders, and media to ensure accurate portrayals of mental health issues and encourage community dialogue.
National Level Strategies
Integrating Mental Health into Primary Healthcare: Countries should prioritize integrating mental health services into primary healthcare systems. This approach ensures that mental health is addressed holistically and reduces the burden on specialized mental health services. Training primary healthcare providers in mental health screening, early intervention, and basic treatment can improve access to care and enhance outcomes.
Increasing Access to Mental Health Services: Governments should allocate adequate resources to expand mental health services, including prevention, promotion, treatment, and rehabilitation. This involves improving access to affordable medications, psychotherapy, counseling services, and community-based support programs. Telemedicine and digital mental health platforms can also enhance accessibility, especially in remote or underserved areas.
Promoting Mental Health in Schools and Workplaces: Education systems and workplaces play crucial roles in promoting mental well-being. Implementing comprehensive mental health programs in schools can enhance early identification of mental health issues, provide support to students, and promote emotional well-being. Similarly, workplace policies that prioritize employee mental health, provide supportive environments, and offer mental health services can contribute to overall well-being.
Supporting Literature
Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Thornicroft, G., Baingana, F., Bolton, P., … & Unützer, J. (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553-1598.
World Health Organization. (2013). Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020.
Saxena, S., Funk, M., Chisholm, D., & World Health Organization (2010). World Health Organization’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020: What do member states have to do?. BJPsych International, 7(4), 78-80.
Patel, V., Chisholm, D., Parikh, R., Charlson, F. J., Degenhardt, L., Dua, T., … & Ferrari, A. J. (2016). Addressing the burden of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: key messages from Disease Control Priorities (Vol. 4). The Lancet.
These articles provide insights into the global burden of mental health disorders and highlight the importance of addressing this challenge at both international and national levels. They emphasize the need for collaborative efforts, research-based approaches, integration of services into primary healthcare systems, and promotion of mental well-being in various settings.
Conclusion
Addressing the global challenge of mental health requires effective strategies at both international and national levels. Strengthening global governance, promoting research and knowledge exchange, reducing stigma, integrating mental health into primary healthcare systems, expanding access to services, and promoting mental well-being in schools and workplaces are key strategies to tackle this challenge. By implementing these strategies and utilizing relevant professional literature as a guide, countries can make significant progress in improving mental health outcomes globally.
