Mental health (MH). Mental health is an area that has a huge health disparity! As nurses we can help fill in this gap. But we also need newer facilities, psychiatrists, psychologists, and a real collaborative effort to help prevent people from falling through the cracks. What is your state (Georgia) doing to help improve mental health care?

The purpose of this health policy and promotion is to explore mental health in the state of Georgia. Georgia has a population of nearly 10.1 million people. Approximately 3.6% of adults in this state suffer from serious mental health conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

However, only 38.7% of adults with mental health conditions get treatment while the remaining 61.3% receive no mental health treatment (rtor.org, 2021). Nonetheless, Mental Health America lists state of Georgia as one of the states that provide access to mental health services in the US. Essentially, the state of is making remarkable efforts in addressing the mental health concerns.

For instance, Georgia has Medicaid program, which is a joint state and federal initiative to provide coverage to individuals with low income and the ones who cannot work due to mental health disability. The state also has resources such as National Alliance on Mental Illness Georgia which is a countrywide advocacy group for people with mental disorders in America (rtor.org, 2021).

The state also offers public mental health services provided by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). DBHDD and its system of community providers helps adults to access services that support mental health recovery goals such as counseling, peer programming, psychiatric services, and residential support (DBHDD, 2021).

The core services provided by the DBHDD include nursing assessment, peer support, case management, psychological testing, medical administration, and individual, family, or group counseling (DBHDD, 2021). The state has also set laws relating to mental health.

For instance, the Law of Georgia on Psychiatric Care which seeks to ensure access and continuity of mental care for victims of mental disorders and to safeguard their rights, dignity, and freedom. It also seeks to determine the rights and obligations of mental health professionals. The state also provides some free and confidential mental health services.

References

• DBHDD. (2021). Mental Health for Adults. Retrieved from https //dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-dbhdd/be-supported/mental-health-adults
  Resources to Recover Organization (rtor.org). (2021). Mental Health Resources in Georgia | Resources to Recover. Retrieved https //www.rtor.org/directory/mental-health-resources-in-georgia/