For this week’s discussion, you are to discuss the effects mental illness has on society. To help you prepare with the assignment, review any of the assigned article readings for the week:
Abrams, A. (2017, May 25). The catastrophic effects of mental health stigma: Transforming a broken system. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/nurturing-self-compassion/201705/the-catastrophic-effects-mental-health-stigma
Bao, J. (2020, March 9). Prisons: The new asylums. Harvard Political Review. https://harvardpolitics.com/prisons-the-new-asylums/
Bellesheim, K. R. (2016). Ethical challenges and legal issues for mental health professionals working with family caregivers of individuals with serious mental illness. Ethics & Behavior, 26(7), 607–620. https://libauth.purdueglobal.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=118030232&site=eds-live
Next, locate one credible source from the Library or the internet about the prevalence of mental illness in the U.S. and its effects on society (e.g., criminal behavior, alcohol or drug abuse, negative impacts on interpersonal relationships, or homelessness). Use this information to write a letter to your congressperson (without the intention of sending it) to explain the following:
The magnitude of the problem of mental illness.
What is being done to improve the situation (such as your state’s programs or organizations)?
How the problem affects a society.
What steps you believe should be taken to combat the problem and reduce the prevalence of mental illness or the specific problem you chose.
Reference
Bao, J. (2020, March 9). Prisons: The new asylums. Harvard Political Review. https://harvardpolitics.com/prisons-the-new-asylums/
https://opentext.wsu.edu/abnormal-psych/chapter/module-15-contemporary-issues-in-psychopathology/
