Policy Proposal Project

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Client:

The Client is “Mental Health America of California (MHAC)” which is also known as Mental Health Association of California. The main objective of this organization is to ensure people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, etc. who experience mental health challenges, receive all services required without denial of certain benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their disabilities (Mental Health Association in California, 2015). The organization is to achieve its objectives through education and advocacy. The MHAC envisions to implement the Mental Health Service Act in full letter and spirit. The MHAC  not only provides education and advocacy to the state institutions and people of California about Mental Illness and its cure but also ensures that "there is adequate funding, elimination of mental health disparities, insurance coverage and access to needed services" (Mental Health Association in California, 2015).  The purpose of the MHAC is to look for more than mere medication and prescriptions to treat persons with mental illness

Problem Statement:

The state of California provided additional options of care to people, other than mere medication and prescription drugs. However, what can be done to fill the loopholes and institutional voids needed to be filled in order to better serve those suffering with mental health the adequate funding, elimination of mental health disparities, insurance coverage and access to needed services of MSHA?

 Kingdon Analysis:

Problem stream:

The situation is serious. Mental health is a matter of utmost importance for each and every individual. The real problem is not the mental health disorder itself as former US president Bill Clinton once said, "Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all" ( CalMHSA, 2016).

According to the report issued by the California Healthcare Foundation named as "Mental Health Care in California: Painting a Picture", almost one in every six  California Adults  has a mental health need while nearly 1 in 20  suffers from  severe mental illness that makes it difficult to live a normal and healthy life. The rate is alarmingly high among children as every 1 in 13 suffers from the mental illness (MHCF, 2013).

The report provides a perfect overview of mental health system in the state of California as it highlights a host of issues regarding mental health disorders in California. Some of the major findings of the report are:

· The rate of SED among children varied slightly by regions while presence of SMI among adults ranged from high of 5.3% in San Joaquin Valley to the low of 4.3% in Bay Area.

· Rates of SED among children varied slightly among various ethnicities as Whites were lowest at 6.9% while Latino Americans were highest at 8%.

· The rate of SED was higher among low income level as it was recorded at 10% while the state average was 7.6%.

· Females were more prone to mental illness than males.

· The age group of 25-44 were having the larger proportion of mental illness.

· The rates of SMI among adults were varied significantly among different ethnic groups as Asians were at lowest and native among the highest sides.

· The suicide rates in California were stable and lower than overall USA rates.

· The Suicide rates were significantly higher for the age group above 45 as compared to young ones.

· The suicide rates are three times higher among males (15.3%) than females (4.6).

· The whites has the highest suicide rate (16.7).

·  More than 60% of adults with any mental illness and 40% of those with a serious mental illness did not receive outpatient care, inpatient care, or medication treatment to address their condition.

·  Prescription medication was the most common treatment received by both groups.  

· California county mental health programs are responsible for providing mental health services for those who are uninsured. These services are paid for by a combination of state, county, and federal funds. The number of Californians served by this system fell 11% between 2006 and 2010.

As one of these findings stated that prescription medicine was the most common treatment received, yet on the other hand, some people do not bother to seek any kind of treatment. This is a major problem which needs to be addressed urgently by the state authorities and advocacies. The state of California has the infrastructure and specialized systems to provide extensive treatment programs. The most significant policy in this regard is the California Mental Health Service Act.

Politics Stream

Stakeholders:

1) Patients - The patients of mental health disorders are the most important stakeholders. The problem in this regard is that the most of the patients ignore the disorder in the early stages or that of mild one such as depression or anxiety which needed to be taken care of properly instead of just taking few medicines. The education and awareness of the disorder and its treatment towards patients is required for the better perspectives.

2) Families - The families of the patients are another group which are not only important stakeholders in the policy making but also major factor in the better treatment of patients. The family member can provide much needed support, guidance and assistance to patients for their quick recovery and rehabilitation in various cases.

3) State Government - The state government is responsible for the provision of necessary facilities and measures for the treatment of the mental health disorders. The government is also responsible for making the shifts and changes in the policies to develop the mechanism and system which is best suited towards the needs of the treatments.

4) Mental Health Service Authority- the Mental Health Service Authority is the initiative taken by the state of California after the assembly passed the bill in 2004 for providing the extensive system and funding for the treatment of mentally disordered patients across state. It is the responsibility of MHSA to look for the resources and implementation of its policies throughout the state.

5) Department of Health Care Services– In 2012, Legislature eliminated the Department of Mental Health and instead transferred all responsibilities of managing the issues related to mental health care to Department of Health Care Service. Hence it is the important stakeholders whose actions and measures are very pertinent for the cause (MHSD, 2016).

6) Providers - The providers include all the stakeholders who are responsible for the provision of treatment and diagnosis to patients. They include Doctors, therapists, psychologists, nurses and pharmacists. The role of these service providers is very imminent for the better treatment of illness.

7) Legislature- The legislative of California did a fantastic job in 2004 by passing the Proposition 63 which paved the way for Mental Health Service Act. The active role of legislatures is also needed in future to overview and improvise the policies in this regard.

8) Organizations - The role of the NGOs and associations advocating and educating mental health problems among people is highly appreciated. It is also a matter of great concern that these organization receives donations and funding which are needed to be utilized properly.

9) Media- The media has the great responsibility of educating the people about the mental health care. It is the media which can better guide the people to know about the treatment methods and procedures other than medication especially in the state of California.

Policy Stream – Reaction to a crisis