Discussion Board 3

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Lamar University *

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5304

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Health Science

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Dec 6, 2023

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It is important for counselors to remain current with social and political issues that relate to mental health professions and to advocate for those that would positively affect mental health services for constituents. Do some research, and look for information about legislative, policy, and political agendas that might be circulating through your community, state, and nation. Then, consider the following questions:  What are those agendas?  What legislative advancements related to the delivery of mental health services is your state government considering?  What might you be able to do to further the discussions and to give voice to counseling professionals? Counseling Today: Foundations of Professional Identity describes the origin of professional counseling and how counseling has had to adapt to theoretical and social trends (Granello & Young, 2018). Counseling’s origin began in philosophy, but over time it has evolved into many several different schools of thought. Counseling continues to change and now can be the foundation to new laws. Resilience, Investment, Support, and Expansion from Trauma Act or RISE from Trauma Act (H.R.3180) was signed into office on 6/10/2019. This act combats the trauma by establishing and extending various program to coordinate and support for services individuals who have experienced or may experience trauma (H.R.3180 - RISE From Trauma Act, 2019). This bill will create plan to address trauma based in communities, provide long-term case management for individuals who have been admitted to hospitals for drug overdoses, suicide attempts, or violet injuries. This bill will also require health insurance plans to comply with mental health parity rules and address reporting and guidance-issuing requirements for various agencies relating too how federal programs are addressing trauma and create many more policies (H.R.3180 - RISE From Trauma Act, 2019). This bill will provide funds for programs directed at trauma. Informing counseling professionals about this can open their cliental and provide greater focus. However, informing the public will give them the knowledge that there are resources available to them. Reference: Granello, D. H., & Young, M. E. (2019). Counseling today: Foundations of professional identity (2nd ed.). Pearson. H.R.3180 - RISE from Trauma Act . (2019, July 10). congress.gov. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3180/text

In this week’s discussion board post I will explore some of the legislative, policy, and political agendas affecting my local community, Texas, and the nation. One of the main agendas at each of these levels is to improve access to mental health services. Yesterday, October 18, 2022, President Joe Biden announced that his administration would continue to make funds available to expand access to mental health care, especially focusing on students and youth (House, 2022). In this address, President Biden referenced the Safer Communities Act legislation that will give more resources to help all people, but especially young people, who have been exposed to violence (House, 2022). This seems like a very fitting response since there have been several mass shootings and events of school violence in recent history and exposure to violence increases trauma in individuals. One of the ideas President Biden mentioned to improve the delivery of mental health services is increasing access to telehealth services (House, 2022). Something that my state government is considering related to the advancement of the delivery of mental health services is the use of YES waivers which help support low-income families with children who have serious mental health needs through wraparound care and support that would not be accessible otherwise (YES Waiver | Texas Health and Human Services, n.d.). Something specific to my immediate community is that the city government created a Mobile Outreach program to support individuals in crisis and in need of resources (Mobile Outreach, 2022). In 2019 congressed passed a bill that would create and extend resources and services to individuals who are dealing with trauma or have experienced it in the past of future (H.R.3180 - RISE From Trauma Act, 2019). I feel like the combination of these two laws will increase mental health resources tremendously. Certain communities have been experiencing trauma from violence for decades, but I believe there has been an increase in school shooting. H.R.3180 will create a plan to address trauma based in communities, provide long-term case management for individuals who have been admitted to hospitals for drug overdoses, suicide attempts, or violet injuries. The current administration will provide funding to certified community behavioral health clinics. Both policies will work together to accomplish great things. In my work I’ve utilized MCOT (Mobile Crisis Outreach Team) often. They provide quick telehealth service to gage how to best help the client and they even transported that client to hospitals. The only downside I feel they have it that are limited on how they can help with client who are in sever crises. Since their initial intake is over the phone, if a client is unable to use a phone, they haven’t been able to help in the past. Reference: H.R.3180 - RISE from Trauma Act . (2019, July 10). congress.gov. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3180/text House, T. W. (2022, October 17). Statement by President Joe Biden on New Mental Health Funding. The White House. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/10/18/statement-by- president-joe-biden-on-new-mental-health-funding/

What I might be able to do to further the discussions and give voice to counseling professionals is to participate in and help fund organizations that seek to influence local, state, and national government officials and agencies through political action committees. Further, I can talk with my family and others in my social circle about the importance of conceptualizing mental health as part of physical health and continue advocating for removing the stigma associated with reaching out for assistance when needed. References House, T. W. (2022, October 17). Statement by President Joe Biden on New Mental Health Funding. The White House. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/10/18/statement-by- president-joe-biden-on-new-mental-health-funding/ Mobile Outreach. (2022, August 26). City of Grande Prairie. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from https://cityofgp.com/culture-community/social-programs-and-initiatives/mobile-outreach YES Waiver | Texas Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2022, from https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/childrens-mental-health/yes- waiver

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Reply: Kierra Mason According to Mental Health Policy and Advocacy, 2021 Indiana Legislative updates stated that suicide was the 3 rd leading cause of death in Indiana amongst ages 10-54 ( Mental health policy and advocacy 2021). As suicide rates began to grow, the Indiana legislation began to take action in efforts to provide resources to aid in suicide prevention and intervention. Legislation has began to implement Suicide Crisis Hotlines and getting trained crisis professionals to handle the volume of calls and intervention needed in the coming years as suicide rates grow. Even with the implementation of crisis hotlines, that alone will not suffice as it relates to addressing the mental health concerns stemming from COVID-19. The Indiana House Bill 1001 significantly impacted the state budget for mental health care by decreasing funding drastically. As a result, healthcare professionals are trying to incorporate telehealth mental health services and more community involvement to raise access to proper mental health care. Mental health is a passion of mine because I have experienced depression and opted to take full advantage of resources relative to my healing. My personal experience are the driving force behind my efforts to enter counseling and therapy. My personal role in furthering discussions and giving a voice to counseling professionals is to continuously advocate for everyone who benefit from the counseling profession. Whether people are administering a counseling service or receiving a service, it is imperative that people are aware of the need. Also, it is important to educate. Not everyone has access to mental health resources and some people do not have the knowledge on what mental health services are a best fit for their situation. I think as professionals it is important that we consistently assess and research the area and communities in which we serve to ensure we are rendering the highest form of care our communities need. Mental health policy and advocacy . Mental Health America - Wabash Valley Region. (2021, March 29). Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://mhawv.org/mental-health-policy-and-advocacy/ Silva, C., Smith, A. R., Dodd, D. R., Covington, D. W., & Joiner, T. E. (2016). Suicide-related knowledge and confidence among behavioral health care staff in seven states. Psychiatric Services , 67 (11), 1240–1245. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201500271 Your post was well written and informative. As a Chicago native I was unaware about the suicide rates and resources in Indiana. I was aware that there was a national hotline for suicide prevention, is this hotline specifically for Indiana? I remember working with my clients while the pandemic was at its peak, I recall them suffering more with their mental health, however many clinics and professionals were busy and had longer than usual wait periods. Knowing that they possibly have another resource is inspiring. See how mental health resources are usually cut along with afterschool programs give me hope that mental health is being taken more seriously. I feel mental health is used a lot as a scapegoat for some people and that it doesn’t have a physical symptom that is sometimes written off as a real illness. With Indiana ranking as a 43 in the United States based on adults with mental illness and lack of recourses (Ranking the States 2022,

n.d.). Today (10/21), Indian held its first mental health summit with all 92 counties and addressed mental health decline since the pandemic and they mentioned the implementation of the national mental health hotline, 988. knowing that they are making strides to address these issues is promising for our careers. Reference Ranking the States 2022 . (n.d.). Mental Health America. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://mhanational.org/issues/2022/ranking-states WISHT TV. (2022, October 21). Indiana Convention Center hosts historic 2022 Indiana Mental Health Summit . WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/indiana- convention-center-hosts-historic-2022-indiana-mental-health-summit/

Reply: Jordyn West I am someone who is not big on politics, the news, etc. My reasoning for this is that my family is huge on politics, does nothing but watch the news, and uses politics to shape their morals in beliefs as to what they believe is right and wrong. I know the importance of knowing what is happening in the country and politics, but I can't bring myself to dive into that rabbit hole. After doing research on Texas and mental health, I found that the Hogg Foundation was very helpful and resourceful when it came to learning about what is going on with Texas and their policies on mental health topics. I discovered that the Health and Human Services Commission has a mental health and substance use funding in Texas. They have a breakdown of a budget strategy of where the money goes and the budget for each of those specific places. The Hogg Foundation has outlines of funding including the Texas Education Agency Funding, High Education Mental Health funding, School Climate Related Funding, etc. It's really interesting to see the exact breakdown of where these large sums of money go. Looking at the larger scale as a country, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the main resources for mental health information. NAMI is not only nationwide, but also has local agencies in each state. The NAMI has public policy reports on topics throughout the years that involve mental health and rights relating to mental health. During my researching, I learned about the senate bill 10. The purpose of this bill is to improve access to care in all places such as schools, work, community, etc. It's purpose is to also expand the mental health workforce in Texas. I think one of the most effective ways for me to further discussions on mental health and give voice to counseling professionals would be through social media. Speaking up and opening the conversation on platforms like twitter, instagram, and tik-tok, could be very effective. I’m in the same boat, my family is not political until a law affects them. However, my grandmother on the other hand uses it shape her perspective on the outside word. Since COVID my family has used the news to get an understanding of the world around them. Personally, I don’t watch the news because it feels it relies on fearmongering. Americans have become distrustful of the news since the 70’s (Ravenelle, Newell, & Kowalski, 2021). However, evidence-based websites and articles are more trustworthy. With Texas ranking as a 33 rd in the United States based on adults with mental illness and lack of recourses (Ranking the States 2022, n.d.). I’m inspired to know that we are increasing funds and awareness for mental health. With more than 8 in 10 Americans get their news from digital outlets rather than television (Shearer, 2021) I agree that the best method to get the information out now is the use of social media and other digital platforms. I feel like speaking up on these platforms will be the best way to get the information to those who need it most. Reference

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Ravenelle, A. J., Newell, A., & Kowalski, K. C. (2021). “The Looming, Crazy Stalker Coronavirus”: Fear Mongering, Fake News, and the Diffusion of Distrust. Socius, 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231211024776 Ranking the States 2022 . (n.d.). Mental Health America. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://mhanational.org/issues/2022/ranking-states Shearer, E. (2021, January 12). More than eight-in-ten Americans get news from digital devices . Pew Research Center. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/01/12/more-than-eight-in-ten- americans-get-news-from-digital-devices/ Public policy reports . NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports/Public-Policy-Reports Texas 87th Legislative Session Summary of Mental Health and substance ... (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://hogg.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/87th-Legislative- Summary-2021.pdf Texas Mental Health Care Consortium - Senate bill 10 . Texas Mental Health Care Consortium - Senate Bill 10 | City of Houston Legislative Report 2019. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.houstontx.gov/legislative-report-2019/behavioral-health/sb-10-texas-mental- health-care-consortium.html

Discussion Board 3

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