Introduction
Mental health illnesses are a grave problem that every society needs to counter. The major obstacle that societies face on the road to mental health cure is that of stigma. Stigmas attached to mental health patients prevent mental health patients from integrating into society. Most people see these patients as being violent. When mental health patients receive treatment in special psychiatric hospitals they are attached with the label of being mental for life. This treatment can also prove to be extremely costly. Thus an alternative to this is community care. Almost every country of the world has its own mental health act. This provides a detailed account of the goals and policies with regard to mental health care. Legislations that promulgate certain rules and codes of conduct towards mental health patients are also outlined in the mental health act.
History
Community health care services developed because many of the mental ill ended up being locked in prisons or thrown on the streets. In the past the support provided to community mental health care units was limited. However, slowly the world became aware of the benefits of community health care a greater attention began to be paid. Today, more people utilize community mental health care services than ever before. These mental health care facilities are still non-existent in many developing countries and need to be developed.
Features
The mental health act deals with a number of outstanding issues. First and foremost, it lays down the budget that would be allocated for the mental health care sector. It also outlines the channel through which these funds would be allocated and distributed. It has checks and balances in place to ensure the monitoring of these funds. The mental health act outlines the benefits that would be provided. For example, insurance coverage for the population. The limitations placed on receiving these mental benefits vary from country to country. In addition to this, the mental health act chalks out the future plan for developing new community health care centers. These community centers are developed in the areas in which they are needed the most. It also lists down the kind of outpatient facilities that will be provided. Another important aspect touched upon in the mental health care act is the workforce that would be hired. These include not just special psychiatrist but general practitioners. These general practitioners have been trained in the diagnosis of the patient and in providing referrals when they are needed. Community health care includes not just doctors but local people such as teachers, nurses, midwives. These are trained in providing mental health care services. The kind of training these individuals will receive and how they will be trained is another issue dealt within the mental health care act.
Tips and comments
It is advised that people of all ages and with any kind of problem should take advantage of community health care services. The best community health care services deal with all kinds problems that may lead to mental health illnesses such as divorce, financial problems etc. These centers provide care and support to people of all ages especially older people.
