Lack of Mental Health services in Louisiana. Research Paper

Shortage of Mental Health Services in New Orleans, Louisiana
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Shortage of Mental Health Services in New Orleans, Louisiana
Preamble
There is no doubt as to the importance of an individual’s mental health in the same manner that the physical aspect is given recognition. Usually, this is never the cause probably because mental health is more of an invisible component of the self while the physical is much more present. This position has facilitated the growth in mental illnesses among people with minimal attention being given to the cause particularly from the mainstream. One of the ancient philosophers of ancient times, Seneca noted that “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality” (Bevilacqua, 2020). The voice in people’s heads, which is their imagination, facilitates the negative chatter that refrains them from attaining their true selves. In its best form, imagination escalates ‘empty’ fears that limit a person’s ability to take action. A lack of a well-functioning mental health care system places the lives of a substantial number of people at risk as they are vulnerable to early pregnancies, suicides, hopelessness, and anxiety disorders (World Health Organization, 2019). Sir, in essence, this is the problem that faces New Orleans and since it is getting worse by the day, failure to address it will result in fatal consequences.
Definition of the Problem
The genesis of mental health problems in New Orleans begun around August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the region. Its landfall destroyed the region’s healthcare infrastructure and up to date, the sector has failed to recapture the previous glory. This assertion is apparent in the sector’s inability to recover its pre-storm resources that would be capable of meeting the needs and wants of returning residents. Besides, even those that have volunteered have faced insufficient resources to complement their recovery efforts. The melee in this field of has been so pronounced to the extent that the mental health institutions, political leaders, and media refer to it as a “crisis” repeatedly. Residents who are chronically mentally ill patients and who are having preexisting psychiatric disorders have lacked important services to mitigate against the escalation of the problem. In most of these circumstances, patients have developed new and serious psychiatric symptoms. Post-Katrina stressors have overwhelmed their situations leading to worrying levels of their existing ill conditions. The worst preceding circumstance has been how mental treatment has been shunt and disregarded from the healthcare settings as though it is of no importance to the public. Moreover, people with familiar problems who have been arrested and incarcerated have received less attention relative to mental health care.
Analysis of the Problem
An Overall Outlook of the Problem
In analyzing the overall outlook of the problem, it is important to relate to the information released by the World Health Organization (WHO). In their report, the international organization notes that the number of health care problems in New Orleans rose significantly doubling their previous figures to 11.3%. Unfortunately, there are only two of the eleven healthcare institutions that have been functioning fully since the hurricane. Further, a decrease in psychiatric bed capacity has been noted dropping from 480 to approximately 200 (KHN, 2009). In this region, there are five hospitals that at the moment, are accepting people with mental health problems. Four of those are in Jefferson Parish while the remaining one is in New Orleans.
The police crisis negotiation team at New Orleans is akin to the situation at hand as one of them, James Arey, notes that many of the residents lack the avenue to access these services. The psychologist also identifies with their inability to meet the financial expenses to pay for the treatment and eventual medication of the mental health problems. Another development that signifies the utter need for immediate assistance is the closure of the Charity Hospital. The level of service from this hospital was unrivaled as they accepted related patients at any hour. However, following its closure, Arey and his colle...