The following case study sought to examine the mental health care system and healthcare policies, treatment programs and the social work roles and how useful they are in treating mental health patients. It will also review substance abuse and its effects.
According to the case study, Mrs. Harjo is suffering from depression while her grandson is suffering from depression and ADHD. The two, however, cannot access treatment. Research shows that many Americans are suffering from mental health problems, but healthcare system is finding it difficult to meet the demands (Macdonald). Both of Tony’s biological parents are victims of substance abuse.
From the case, it is evident that the health care and mental health care system in Arizona is not helping Tony and her family in any way.
Failures of the Health Care System
In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted (HealthCare.gov). The law aims to provide protection and affordable health care primarily to low-income persons. Information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is however not available for Tony and his family. Mrs. Harjo and Tony fall into the age groups viable for Medicare Health Program: part B, medical insurance (Barry) which is above 65years and young adults and they are both permanent residents in the country. She, however, is unable to enroll Tony for treatment because she is not aware of affordable treatment plans available for them.
The lack of information and social work networking is probably the reason why Tony’s mother drinks herself to death due to depression. The substance abuse consequently affects her health and also the lives of both Mrs. Harjo and Tony.
Populations Vulnerable to Substance Abuse
The following risk factors determine groups of people more prone to substance abuse:
• Genetics: according to National Institute on Drug Abuse genes play a role substance addiction
• Environment: lack of parental care, abuse or neglect also raise the risk of addiction
• Dual diagnoses: people with mental health issues such as depression increase risk addiction
• Early use: according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism young adults between the age of 18 and 24 are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs (Tyler).
Tony falls into the ‘at risk population for substance abuse. He is a teenager, and he lacks parental guidance. His mother was alcoholic, and the genes might be in Tony’s genetic makeup. Tony is suffering from depression due to his mother’s death and ADHD, and this puts him at risk of substance abuse to ease the pain.
As a social worker it is important: to make aware to tony and his grandmother of the availability of affordable mental health care treatment, help them access the system and advocate on their behalf to the system.
Mental Health Ethical Issue
Mrs. Harjo and tony are of Mexican descent. As a trained, ethical professional, race should not determine support for Mrs. Harjo and Tony. Clinical officers should treat patients equally despite the cultural differences (Jinger G. Hoop). Confidentiality and informed consent also arise while treating people with a mental health condition (Jinger G. Hoop). It is important to keep discussions with the teenager private and not to disclose the information to his grandmother.
Is the Medicare Healthcare Program achieving its purpose of helping the needy?
Works Cited
Barry, Patricia. Do You Qualify for Medicare? March 2016. .
HealthCare.gov. Patient Protection and Affordable Act. 2018.
Jinger G. Hoop, Tony DiPasquale, Juan M. Hernandez. "Ethics and Culture in Mental Health Care." ETHICS AND BEHAVIOR (2008).
Macdonald, Fiona. "Nationwide Study Reveals Just How Broken The US Mental Health Sytem Is." Science alert (2017).
Tyler, Mara. "Risk Factors for Addiction." healthline (2016).
