Article on Young People getting mental health care
 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014...ntent=20140815

Has Health Law Helped Young People Get Mental Health Treatment? Maybe

Good post, Mari.

[I'm in different country of course, but it's similar here]

People don't have the resources to pay for treatment here either from what I've seen myself but there are deeper issues.

The percentages they mentioned in the article you posted are actually shocking.
More than 2/3 of young adults get no help.
Fewer than 10% of people with substance abuse do get help.

I'm not sure exactly why they separated the young adults screened for mental health issues and the people with substance abuse issues but that's just my thought.

Stigma is still alive and well unfortunately and that's despite all the fancy ads on our tv and all the studies etc.. Stigma in the workplace is a major issue.

Depression in Australian workplaces more ‘hidden’ than in Europe: new research

I don't believe it's because people are getting better treatment. I think the stigma has a lot more to do with it.

just my opinion though.

While I'm on my soapbox, can I just say something else... :o

I have this major issue with the term "mental illness" and the way it is used in society.

It's used as if it's something obscure or untouchable and as if it's dissociated from the physical body.

It doesn't matter what type of illness a person has, it's all organic.

Every person with any illness deserves the same degree of respect.

There's this amazing book by an author called John Marsden called Prayers for the 21st Century. One of the quotes in the book goes like this...

"may those who live in the shadows be seen by those in the sun".

I think it's my favourite quote of all time.

:Ponder: I think the substance abuse group would be a subset of (not separate from) the mental health group, because substance abuse dx's fall under mental health. That's how I interpreted it, anyway.

:I-Agree:

Thanks waves. I misunderstood that part.
I thought they had separated the substance abuse people from the others and wondered why they were doing that.

Lara,

I wonder if doctors are part of the stigma problem because they are not paying attention and are not comfortable.
They are not good observers and they are not asking questions --
so even people who do go to the doctor (maybe for an infection) are not getting help with what might be a more serious issue.

Mari

Lara,

That is really crummy.
It is stressful to "hide" what is going on.

Mari

Waves and Lara,

The idea of the subset is confusing.

I looked for the actual study to find a clearer sense but only could get to the abstract.

Re "Mental Ilness" as a defining term.
I have heard "Behavioral Disorder." I am not sure if that works anymore (if it ever did) especially as we know more science and the epigenitcs of such.

For me the problem is that it is an Invisible Disorder.
There are tons of us walking around -- some functioning, some not, some in between depending on the day and time -- and we are expected to be like everyone else.


Mari

I hope that the young people get better psychiatrists,and councilors. I went to a psychologist a long time ago,and didn't like it.

It's possible that there are good psychologists out there,but I prefer psychiatrists,councilors,and Nurse Practitioners.

If a doctor is using psychology on me,I know it. I wasn't born yesterday,and I know when someone is trying to talk me out of being nervous,and depressed. We cannot be talked out of our mental health challenges,but we can be helped with medications,and counciling. I don't know why I got on this subject about psychologists.:confused: BF:hug::hug::hug:

Steve,

I agree about the psychologists being patronizing.
I used to argue with my guy when he did that.
Maybe they are good with some people -- I hope so.

M

I remember that my first psychiatrist used psychology on me. He said your claim to fame was anxiety,and not something that's useful,and that type of thing. Now I know what that is. Psychology!!!:mad: BF:hug::hug::hug:

A lot of what we talk about here involves psychology too. We use psychology on each other all the time. Simply affirming another person ... is "using psychology on them" to an extent. It isn't necessarily patronizing.

I'd have to agree though, that there are a greater number of pompous arses amongst those with higher qualifications (MDs/psychiatrists, PhDs/psychologists). But they aren't all that way. It's not like, just as you collect the piece of paper for your PhD, it infuses you with arrogance, and poof! Now you're a jerk. I think all it is is that people who are full of themselves are more likely to seek a PhD or MD for the prestige. These specimens aren't focused on helping others with what they've learned, so they don't apply it well.

But besides the glory-seekers, there are plenty of psychiatrists and psychologists who are into their subject and into helping people. We can't draw a hard line based on titles.

waves

Hi Waves. I had a Psychologist who I didn't agree with,or like. I was already seeing a psychiatrist.

What happened is I became distraught in the 90's,and I walked around the area. I saw a psychologist office while I was walking around,and I left a note on their door. They got in touch with me,and I saw someone that I liked. Then they transferred me to someone who I didn't like,or agree with. Then he said that he wanted to see me twice a week,or not at all. He charged a lot of money,and I told him that. He was a young guy. He said,but Steve,I went to college for 12 years. I didn't care about how many years that he had been to college,and I let him go. That's what gave me a bad taste in my mouth about Psychologists. I thought that he was strange. Our personalities clashed,and I didn't like his input.

Oh me. Has anyone else out there not liked their councilor. BF:hug::hug::hug:

Sure, Steve, I've dumped a couple therapists myself. It's pretty normal to run into therapists one doesn't get on with. And there are some jerks out there too.

I didn't realize you were referring to a bad experience. I thought you were saying you didn't like psychologists in general, as opposed to counselors or other mental health professionals, and didn't like psychology being used on you. I must have misunderstood you. Sorry.

Waves. Thank you. Yes. I didn't make this subject clear. I didn't like that psychologist,and put all of them down. I apologize for that. I should have known better then this. My mistake.

Now I need to forgive that guy in my heart. That guy was just being himself,and we are all individuals. I need to have more compassion.
BF:hug::hug::hug:

tdocs
 

Hi,

I saw ten or eleven counselors.

I stayed with two.


The other eight or nine I could barely stand to be in the same room with. Many I left after one meeting.


One counselor, sensing my dissatisfaction after five or six sessions, told me that she had the feeling that I would grade her as "C-."
I realized that she was right and I never went back.




M

getting a license for a masters in counseling on-line
 

I know someone who did her training for counseling on-line.
She twice had to travel out of town to meet the teachers and other students for about four days.
After the course work, she had to do a few months of interning.

She likes getting quickly to the ore of a matter and making suggestions, saying what should be done.
That kind of counseling might work in certain populations but it would not help someone who is dealing with a long term situation /disorder.
M

Right. There are many situations where a person is not particularly impaired, but in a tough spot and unsure of what to do. Then a kind of assisted problem-solving can be helpful.

But not if one has pervasive issues that aren't going to go away by choosing the "right" path. A listening ear, and help with coping is more useful, which isn't quite the same as solving the problem.

Saying that anxiety is "not useful" is like saying that a circle is round. It's just as unuseful as the anxiety itself. Anxiety doesn't go away, one doesn't choose it. Nor depression or other kinds of problems. Finding ways to cope with these things, to live with them, get by in spite of them, is another kettle of fish. And it's very hard.


waves

I've been through years of counseling,and have heard all kinds of things. The councilor who has a listening ear,and wisdom is very appreciated. BF:hug::hug::hug: