( One discussion response one resource keep seperate) COLLAPSE Brianna Hockemeye

( One discussion response one resource keep seperate)
COLLAPSE
Brianna Hockemeyer
In my opinion, individuals with mental health concerns or diagnoses are treated as “less than” or “crazy” compared to the general population. While there has been an increase in community knowledge and education regarding mental health in recent years, I believe there continues to be a stigma surrounding those who live with mental illness. In addition, I believe there is a sense of pity and shame presented towards those who have a family member that lives with mental illness. With the increase in knowledge regarding mental illness, there continues to be stigma regarding diagnoses that are considered “more serious” or “dangerous.” The lack of understanding of mental health conditions has been proven to increase public fear and negative perceptions towards those with mental health problems, labeling them as dangerous and different (Robinson, et. al 2019). In addition, due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, the likelihood of individuals seeking assistance for their conditions and diagnoses, finding employment, and engaging in society is significantly reduced if they feel they are viewed negatively by others (Robinson, et. al 2019).
With the rise in mental health concerns across the globe, the need for providers and services has become increasingly important. Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability and death (Singh 2020). The current availability for mental health services, especially in Minnesota, are very limited and typically result in placing clients who need help on a wait list. However, due to working at the crisis center for southeast Minnesota I have learned that most individuals don’t realize the extensive process that must be followed to gain specific services as well as the limited openings for resources. From working in this field for some time, I have learned that many individuals in society believe mental health services are readily available and people can have whatever they need if they look hard enough. Sadly, this is not the case and many people are unable to receive the help they need which can result in detrimental consequences.
With the immense rise in the need for mental health services and lack of knowledge the community has regarding the prevalence of mental illness, I believe it is incredibly important for social workers to advocate for these individuals. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers should strive to assist those we serve by speaking up for the oppressed and vulnerable. In section 6.04 of the NSAW Code of Ethics, it is stated that “Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical ability.” This emphasizes the importance of those in the social work profession to assist each client to the best of their ability no matter the differences that may be presented as all are deserving of the help they need.
NASW. (2021). Code of ethics. Socialworkers.org; National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Robinson, P., Turk, D., Jilka, S., & Cella, M. (2019). Measuring attitudes towards mental health using social media: Investigating stigma and trivialisation. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 54(1), 51-58. doi:https://doi-org.library.capella.edu/10.1007/s00127-018-1571-5
Singh O. P. (2020). Covid 19 and access to mental health care – Need of increased investment. Indian journal of psychiatry, 62(Suppl 3), S328–S329. https://doi.org/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_1140_20
COLLAPSE
( Sencond discussion response one resource)
Cheryl Williams
Unit 9
COLLAPSE
Children suffering in poverty are victims of circumstances they did not create. Child hood poverty produces a web of unmet needs, low quality education, unstable housing and responsibilities that should never have to deal with. Children as a group are disproportionately poor: roughly one in five live in poverty compared with one in eight adults (US Census Bureau 2014). The childhood tax credit modification was a tool put in place to combat childhood poverty. For six months,the United States experimented with an idea that is new here in the US but is already a backstitch in other wealthy nations: It is a monthly cash payment to help families cover the cost of raising children(Turner, 2022).
The sad truth is that children are victims all across the board. There are so many agencies who benefit from childhood poverty. The CEO’s and people in position benefit. They are funded to solve a problem with analytical data while their increase, bonuses inflate and childhood poverty increases. Parents also benefit because children are sometime their ticket in. I am not discounting their issues, I am just saying they are benefactors. The child-tax credit didn’t benefit a group only the children and families so it is now in a deadlock in congress.
Block Grants are out there but every situation is different, so criterion are not often met and children are not receiving the benefit. The child tax credit actually showed a reduction in children having their basic needs met. The country should have embraced and explored this as a solution instead they punched holes into the benefactors. They took the focus off the children and started to look at what families should receive it and which families should not. It was a good start but the real truth is that the people who are prospering off childhood poverty were not partakers of this benefit. It was a direct payment to families from the Government, it didn’t flow through any agencies.
Finally, the good practical policy analyst must always be conscious of the immense temptation to substitute services for hard benefits as a solution to social problems (Chambes, D.E., & Bonk, J.F., 2014).
References
Chambers, D. E., & Bonk, J. F. (2014). Social Policy and Social Programs (6th Edition). Pearson Education (US). https://capella.vitalsource.com/books/9780133557435
Turner, Cory(2022 January 27) The expanded Child Tax Credit briefly slashed child poverty. Here’s what else it did. https://www.npr.org/2022/01/27/1075299510/the-expanded-child-tax-credit-briefly-slashed-child-poverty-heres-what-else-it-d