9A - Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

·       During my interviews, I learned that there are a lot of people that are insensitive about mental health illness. Also, I learned that few people blame mental health for lack of faith; religious beliefs. Below are my interview summaries:

o   While interviewing an ARNP, she stated that she believes that most of the time patients don’t have mental health problems, but instead, drug problems. As a result, it’s difficult to assess those with genuine needs/issues. Part of her treatment plan involves her referring the patients out to behavioral health specialists for proper diagnosis. However, she mentioned the issue with that is patients are willing to shop around for physicians that will prescribe them the medications, without ever seeing a specialist, which often leads to the prescription of medication without proper diagnosis; further facilitating access to addictive drugs.

o   My second interview was with a colleague who believes that broken faith leads to sinful life and substance abuse or mental health crisis. She believes that the medications are part of the problem, and offering more drug-free therapies by including religious groups that can help cleanse the individual, mind, and soul.

o   My third interview was with my sister, and she too believes that religion plays a role as well. She believes in bible prophecies that portray current issues and states that there is nothing we can really do to help the situation, but pray. In the same way, she is not ignorant to the fact that there are people whose mental health illnesses must be addressed, but she does not believe in the use of medications to achieve that.

o   My fourth interview was a patient that believes people aren’t being raised the “correct” way. He states that there are too many broken homes, and a lot of broken principles within society that is misleading the country. He mentioned that back then, everything was solved with a butt whooping; not medications.

o   My last interview was with a mental health patient who believes that the pharmaceutical business is just out to exploit and make wealth from her illnesses. She states that it is expensive to afford treatment, and if you can’t afford treatment, you resort to other methods. While she is in favor of an organization that helps individuals like her, she believes that partnering up with the pharmaceutical industry is no good. She believes it would be better to partner up with research institutions to develop clinical studies on new and improved methods to help people like her.

·       Who: I learned that people who are insensitive to mental health, and do not support the use of medications or religious autonomy are outside the boundary. People that believe there is a discipline problem in America and not a mental health problem are part of the problem and are most likely uneducated and ignorant of the research.

·       What: The need is different for those who truly need mental health treatment and those who are simply finding new avenues to access drugs. Also, those who believe in different solutions/methods.

·       Why: The outsiders need is different from the need of those within the boundary because some of these people have not experienced mental health issues or are not knowledgeable of the issues associated with mental illness.

Inside the Boundary	Outside the Boundary
Who is in: §  Individuals that suffer from mental illness §  Organizations or people that wish to change the stigma on mental illness	Who is not: §  Individuals who are insensitive to mental illness §  Organizations that are against the use of medications to treat mental illness §  Individuals who exploit the health system and act to gain access to drugs
What the need is: §  More access to appropriate treatment and trained professionals §  Access to affordable treatment plans §  Follow up care to avoid relapse or crisis §  Less wait times and more therapy options	What the need is not: §  People that believe the behavioral issues today are due lack of discipline or changes in society §  People that believe the issues are caused by lack of faith and sinful actions §  Some that are against medications, and believe they are the problem
Why it exists: §  Not enough treatment/rehabilitation plans  that follow up with patient care §  Not enough psychiatrists, psychologists, organizations, or funds to meet the demand of those in need	Alternative explanations: §  Pharmacies willing to illegally dispense medications; improper use of medications §  Physicians that ignore the mental health state of patients and do not refer them accordingly