Professional Outreach - Decrease in Mental Health Benefits
More recently, health care reimbursement changes and the drastic reduction of benefits for mental health care have left us a population of hurting people. The great workshops of the 1980's, presented nationwide, are nearly extinct. The speakers, researchers, family therapists and recovery programs that were thriving ten years ago have been reduced to a few throughout the country. Yet, people continue to suffer; now more than ever. This is evident in the deteriorating state of our communities as we experience an escalation of drug abuse, abortions, violent crimes and domestic and child abuse.
For the professionals who remain active in the mental health field, quality programs and therapeutic materials are difficult to find. Professional workshops are still required, however, they are less frequent and certainly not as personally restorative as they once were.
Where are we headed? Perhaps no one knows for sure. It is essential, however, that society, as a positively functioning unit, take responsibility for the situation and demand and assist in the changes necessary to preserve the mental health of our nation.
Legislation and involvement in grass-roots efforts in local communities are ways in which each individual and professional can become involved and make a difference in the way that mental illness is viewed and treated.