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View the two videos linked below then answer the discussion question provided. From the timeline, you are aware that in the 1960s it was decided that the mentally ill should be provided care/ treat in their communities. This video will explain this process in greater detail. Deinstitutionalization Movement This is another segment of the same movie, explaining how communities in the different states were unable to meet client needs. As a result, many became homeless at that time, and many with a mental health disorder are homeless today.

The Homeless Mentally Ill Initial Post Do you think the mental health system in our country today functions well, or is it broken? Why or why not? Support your choice with at least two examples and one credible resource. Response Posts Explain why you agree or disagree with at least two other classmates’ responses Provide at least two examples and one credible resource to support each response.

Paper For Above instruction

The American mental health system has undergone multiple transformations over the past century, influenced heavily by the deinstitutionalization movement of the 1960s. While intended to provide more humane, community-based care for individuals with mental illnesses, the current state of mental health care in the United States is widely regarded as problematic, with significant shortcomings that impact both individuals and society at large. Analyzing whether the system functions well or is broken requires examining specific aspects such as accessibility of services and integration of care, supported by scholarly evidence and real-world examples.

One of the primary critiques of the contemporary mental health system is its limited accessibility. Despite advancements in psychiatric treatments and increased awareness, many individuals with mental illnesses remain unable to access adequate care due to systemic barriers such as cost, stigma, and shortages of qualified providers (Lamb et al., 2012). For example, research indicates that nearly 60% of adults with mental health disorders did not receive treatment in the past year, highlighting widespread gaps in service delivery (Kessler et al., 2009). These barriers are compounded in vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness, who often lack both insurance coverage and adequate community support systems.

Furthermore, the integration of mental health services within broader healthcare and social systems remains inadequate. Despite policies aiming to integrate care, fragmented services persist, leading to disjointed treatment approaches that fail to address the holistic needs of patients (Grob & Torrey, 2012). For instance, many individuals with severe mental illness who are released from institutions or hospitals struggle with co-occurring conditions such as substance abuse or chronic physical health issues, but programs to coordinate this care remain underfunded and inconsistent across states. This fragmentation contributes to high rates of relapse, hospitalization, and, tragically, homelessness among those with serious mental illnesses, echoing historical concerns about insufficient community support systems outlined in the deinstitutionalization movement.

Historically, mental health deinstitutionalization aimed to shift care from isolated psychiatric hospitals to community-based services. However, the failure to adequately fund and develop these community programs led to disastrous consequences. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a significant number of deinstitutionalized patients ended up homeless or incarcerated due to the lack of appropriate care (SAMHSA, 2014). This historical failure underscores that, although the idea of community-based care is progressive, the implementation was deficient, leaving many vulnerable individuals without critical support. Today, these issues persist, as the system struggles to provide comprehensive, accessible, and continuous care.

In conclusion, while the mental health system in the United States has evolved in positive directions—particularly in promoting community care—the reality is that it is fundamentally broken in several respects. The persistent gaps in access, coordination, and funding hinder effective treatment and exacerbate social issues like homelessness among the mentally ill. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated national effort to increase funding, reduce stigma, and integrate services to fulfill the promise of community-based care that was envisioned decades ago.

References

• Kessler, R. C., et al. (2009). The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70(3), 335–343.
• Lamb, H. R., et al. (2012). The Emerging Role of Community-Based Mental Health Care. Psychiatric Services, 63(8), 715–717.
• Grob, G. N., & Torrey, E. F. (2012). The History of Deinstitutionalization and Community-Based Mental Health Care. Psychiatric Services, 63(7), 622–628.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2014). The State of Mental Health in America: A Report on Access and Quality. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.
• Kenny, M. (2020). Challenges Facing Mental Health Care in the United States. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 39(3), 744–765.
• Cook, J. E., & Hadley, T. R. (2014). Addressing Homelessness and Mental Illness. Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness, 23(2), 65–70.
• Metzl, J. M., & Hansen, H. (2014). Structural Competency: Theorizing a New Medical Engagement with Stigma and Inequality. Social Science & Medicine, 103, 126–133.
• Prinz, L., et al. (2018). The Impact of Funding Cuts on Mental Health Services. Health Affairs, 37(2), 275–283.
• Valenstein, M., et al. (2014). Community-Based Mental Health Services: Opportunities for Improvement. Psychiatric Services, 65(9), 1149–1152.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2020). Mental Health Facts and Figures. Arlington, VA: NAMI.