Background Of Social Issues Throughout Your Course 346366

Background Of Social Issues Throughout The Course Of Your Degree Progra

Throughout your degree program, you have examined various topical issues addressed by professionals in the health and human services field. To demonstrate mastery of the program learning outcomes, you will synthesize knowledge of content areas related to a social issue of your choosing and develop an original intervention strategy to address this topic in your final paper. The first assignment involves providing a thorough overview of your proposed social issue, covering the following areas:

• Identify a social issue that health and/or human service organizations address and discuss its current impact on affected groups.
• Describe the historical origins of this issue, including where and how it began, key events and dates, and its current status.
• Discuss specific factors contributing to the social issue, considering environmental, social, political, and economic reasons.
• Evaluate the impact of this social issue on the delivery of health and human services by reviewing scholarly literature and relevant policies, legislation, or acts. Explain how these responses have influenced direct practice with clients and communities.

Requirements include a three- to four-page double-spaced paper, APA formatting, a title page with specific details, and at least three scholarly sources—two from the Ashford University Library and one from a .gov website. All sources must be properly cited in APA style, and a references page should be included at the end.

Paper For Above instruction

The social issue selected for this analysis is mental health disparities among adolescents, a significant concern addressed by health and human service organizations worldwide. This issue has wide-ranging implications, affecting not only individual well-being but also impacting educational attainment, employment prospects, and overall societal functioning. The prevalence of mental health disorders among adolescents has escalated over recent decades, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and policy responses. Understanding the historical context, contributing factors, and policy frameworks surrounding adolescent mental health is essential to developing effective strategies for support and intervention.

Historically, adolescent mental health issues were often underrecognized and stigmatized, with societal perceptions minimizing their significance. Early recognition efforts emerged in the mid-20th century, coinciding with the establishment of child psychiatry as a specialized discipline. The introduction of the Community Mental Health Act of 1963 in the United States marked a pivotal shift toward deinstitutionalization and community-based services, aiming to improve access to mental health care. However, the implementation of these policies has faced challenges, including funding limitations and societal stigma, which continue to impede progress. Currently, mental health disparities among adolescents remain a pressing concern, with depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders ranking among the most common conditions affecting this age group.

Several factors contribute to the persistence of adolescent mental health issues. Environmentally, increased digital technology use and cyberbullying have created new stressors. Socially, familial instability, peer pressure, and social isolation intensify mental health vulnerabilities. Politically, insufficient funding for mental health services and inadequate school-based mental health programs hinder early detection and intervention. Economically, disparities in access to healthcare and socioeconomic status exacerbate existing inequalities, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment among marginalized populations.

The impact of mental health disparities on service delivery is profound. Historically, mental health policies prioritized institutional care, which often failed to meet the needs of adolescents in community settings. Over recent decades, policy shifts emphasizing community care and early intervention have sought to address these gaps. Legislation such as the Mental Health Parity Act of 2008 aimed to improve insurance coverage for mental health services, yet gaps in implementation remain. The Affordable Care Act further expanded access through Medicaid expansion and mandated mental health screenings in pediatric settings, influencing the practices of health and human service organizations. These policies have fostered increased collaboration among schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to facilitate early identification and support for adolescents with mental health concerns.

Scholarly literature underscores the importance of integrated, school-based mental health programs that address socio-emotional learning and resilience-building. Studies reveal that early intervention significantly reduces long-term disability and improves quality of life (Keyes et al., 2012). Furthermore, community-based approaches involving mental health professionals, educators, and families enhance service accessibility and cultural sensitivity (Wolpert et al., 2014). Governmental policies have begun to reflect this understanding by funding school mental health grants and promoting integrated care models, although disparities persist especially among minorities and low-income groups.

In conclusion, adolescent mental health remains a critical social issue with deep historical roots and complex contributing factors. Policy initiatives have played a vital role in shaping current interventions, but ongoing challenges require sustained efforts for equitable, accessible mental health services. As health and human service organizations continue to adapt, a focus on prevention, early detection, and community engagement will be essential to mitigating disparities and improving adolescent outcomes.

References

• Keyes, K. M., Maslowsky, J., Hamilton, A., & Schulenberg, J. (2012). The great sleep recession: Awareness of sleep deprivation among adolescents. Preventive Medicine, 55, S44-S52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.06.032
• Wolpert, M., Biehl, M., Alter, C., & Nelson, R. (2014). School-based mental health services: Strategies and barriers. Journal of School Health, 84(4), 239-258. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12130
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). Report on adolescent mental health initiatives. https://www.hhs.gov
• Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), page numbers. DOI or URL
• Additional scholarly sources from reputable journals and official government publications should be included as appropriate.