Several states have undertaken the responsibility of care provision to persons with disabling and severe mental illness throughout their life time. Several individuals with acute mental problems are dependent on these programs (Pataki, 2005). This extreme reliance is attributed to the vulnerabilities of these groups as a result of unemployment, poverty and their disability. Hence, programs of care and treatment of the mentally challenged persons command a major share for resources investment in the United States.
There are two classes of people that are served by the evidence based programs in the United States. They include adults under severe mental disorders, adolescents with extreme emotional stresses and children. In adults, the mental disorders that may occur in their old age are also covered under this mental care program. The authors of the article reveal the several treatment classifications that are available to match the preferences of the mental patients. The outcomes of the care scheme have been enhanced through interventions aimed at assisting families to cope with the mental cases of their own. Families are educated on particular mental conditions. In addition, there are several interventions that cover family problem solving trainings, support provision and communication. The programs contribute effectively to family welfare and improved patient functioning (Pataki, 2005).
Community based care is enhanced through the assertive community treatment program model. There is substantial and reliable evidence that this model causes reductions in inpatient utilization and enhances the continuity of the outpatient care. The satisfaction of the patients under the community model is high. Similarly, the employment support that hires patients into competitive part time careers based on individuals’ preferences is a pillar in the evidence based models for mental care in the United States of America.
The evidence based programs are also practiced in other states in a less integrated mechanism. The programs cover the individuals with the mental disorders and have adequate provisions to help their families live with the mental challenges. In other states, implementation of these programs faces considerable huddles and this makes them temporal and seasonal. In the US, the implementation of these programs needs regular supervision to drive the whole process of mental care provision of the mental and substance abuse cases to reasonable success.
In conclusion, the success of services provided under the evidence based program relies on the quality of the workforce in place. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt openness and dynamism in the evidence based programs to suit the changing knowledge.
References
Dickey, B., & Azeni, H. (1996). Persons with dual diagnoses of substance abuse and major mental illness: their excess costs of psychiatric care. American Journal of Public Health. doi:10.2105/AJPH.86.7.973
Mitchell, G. D., Robertson, S., & Weber, G. (1992). A care Management Project for young Adults with Dual Diagnoses of Severe Mental Illness and Substance Abuse: A Service for People with Dual Diagnoses. Journal of Mental Health. doi:10.3109/09638239208991566
Pataki, E. (2005). Saving Lives in NewYork: Suicide Prevention and Public Health.
