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Author	Topic: The Suppression of Americas Mental Health System

Kaylea-
Kray-
Domingo

New Member
Posts: 3

The Suppression of Americas Mental Health System
on: December 8, 2015, 00:12

When it comes to America’s mental health system, Donald Trump is correct when he says that it is broken. It is underfunded with no coherent functioning network to provide actual help to those who need it; as a result, 10 times as many mentally ill individuals reside in jails and prisons than in state mental health hospitals (see http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/28/-sp-american-jails-mental-health-funding for more details). The linked article claims that America has criminalized mental illness, and politicians play an important role in endorsing this image for mental health in society. Using the example of Donald Trump, his official website shows his official position on the ‘Broken Mental Health System’ and his belief that the tragic mass murders that have happened in America are a result of mental illness (see https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/second-amendment-rights for more details). This is unfair to the mental health community for this paints a portrait of violence to the general public about those who need treatment. Mental health illnesses are already difficult for the American population to understand and accept, and to stigmatize them as the reasons for mass murders only isolates this community more. Trump is absolutely right that America does need to expand on treatment programs, for “most people with mental health problems aren’t violent, they just need help.” The limited funding and resources allocated for the mental health system are limited and America does need to fix this issue but Donald Trump is abusing this issue to push forward his views on gun control. And this isn’t the first time that mental health issues have been used as a scapegoat for mass shootings – a brief Internet search will show you that the most notable public attention surrounding mental health is politicians blaming mass shootings on the mentally ill rather than dealing with the issues of gun control. America is suppressing the mental health system because it would prefer to avoid critically examining its society and laws, rather than seeing that there is a fundamental problem with the way that both the government and citizens treat mental illness. In our American Literature class we discussed some of the works from Edgar Allen Poe; and if we’ve learnt anything, whatever is suppressed will eventually come to haunt you. America is suppressing their mental health system – it’s only a matter of time until the issue becomes so big that the American government and the citizens of America cannot ignore it.

MPasha

Novice Their American
Posts: 6

Re: The Suppression of Americas Mental Health System
on: December 8, 2015, 18:13

I would say that the issue has already surpassed the level of which the U.S. can no longer ignore it. If Trump's words are to be taken seriously, and every incident of random gun violence is a direct result of mental illness, then there are too many incidents of mental illness gone wrong to ignore: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/08/26/were-now-averaging-more-than-one-mass-shooting-per-day-in-2015/
The number of U.S. citizens losing their lives to guns alone should get the ball rolling on either reforming gun laws or the mental health system. And yet, both of these issues are being uselessly pitted against each other in a bid to delay real progress.
Going from the Guardian article, it seems that compassion and rehabilitation is the order of the day, and will allow the reintegration of the previously incarcerated back into society instead of the system of criminalization and punishment, which releases the emotionally and mentally fragile back into the world to fend for themselves. Most of those incarcerated and also battling mental illness are not even in for being violent and are more likely in jail because of offences related to drugs. Yet, ignoring research and statistics, violence related to guns is still being brought into the discussion.
If these issues need to be joined, then they should result in change for the betterment of at least one of the problems they present.
While Americans are worried that their money is going towards actually helping their fellow citizens (oh no!) and their fundamental right to carry a gun as they please, lives are being largely ignored while the discussion continues.
The question remains, what will it take for the government to finally make a move in safeguarding their citizens' lives, or are the lives of the incarcerated and mentally ill just worth less in their eyes?

emilydedon-
atis

Novice Their American
Posts: 8

Re: The Suppression of Americas Mental Health System
on: March 30, 2016, 15:02

This is a really great topic to discuss, as mental health is a serious issue in America that most often than not is swept under the rug. This also seems to be an incident in which Trump is speaking some sort of truth. A politician that is more concerned with public perception probably wouldn't have used the term "sickos" (which is Trump's word to describe the mentally ill), and in fact, if a politician other than Trump had said this, it would be deemed a blunder. In an article from Policy.Mic, I have learned that only 38% of Americans actually get the necessary care that they need in order to combat the depression and mental illness that they suffer from. Thats a whopping 62% of Americans who are left in the dark, unsure of how they will ever overcome the disease. The previous comments highlight the possible effects of letting 62% of Americans suffer with their mental illness, with these effects coming in the form of gun violence, substance abuse and a plethora of other domestic problems. This leads me to ask a very important question; who is responsible for changing these statistics for the good of the mentally ill? Is it our government? our hospitals? or each other? (by putting in a greater effort to eliminate the stigma of the mentally ill who pursue treatment). The Policy.Mic article describes the "single best reason for [the mentally ill] not receiving services is 'Could Not Afford the Cost'". Insurance companies are under scrutiny for not being able to provide sufficient coverage for various mental health treatments, and I truly believe this is something our government has to change. It is in this sense that mental health reform, NOT gun reform, is the only way to solving America's growing mass shooting crisis. If Trump came to focus on this idea, and less so on his plans to divide nations with "walls", we may just be able to provide an answer to a problem that is so prevalent and dangerous in America today.

http://mic.com/articles/24564/only-38-of-americans-get-mental-health-care-when-they-need-it-and-for-one-simple-reason#.ncclus0WP

nicoleland-
ry

Novice Their American
Posts: 6

Re: The Suppression of Americas Mental Health System
on: March 30, 2016, 21:39

I think that Emily raises an interesting point by questioning whose responsibility it is to begin a mental health reform. Of course, the short answer is “everyone’s,” however, that answer raises the issues of how and to what degree.
I agree that addressing the stigma is a good place to start. I’m not sure if the “Bell Lets Talk campaign is a Canadian thing, but I think that it is very valuable in what is attempting to achieve on a societal level (http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/our-initiatives/) if you are unfamiliar). The “four pillars” they address are definitely a place to start, and certainly contrast referring to those who live with mental health issues as “sickos.” Personally, I feel eliminating the stigma is the first and hardest hurdle that would need to be achieved, and although Trump seems to be pioneering a movement toward better mental healthcare, he has so far taken one huge step in the wrong direction by propelling the stigma with such an insensitive remark.
Although I see the merit in addressing the financial aspect of mental healthcare, I feel that it is important to acknowledge that people may still be equally as inclined to avoid professional help if there remains a stigma.
I truthfully believe that there is no progress to be made until the stigma can begin to be addressed, whether Trump believes that this is where the money should go or not.

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