Introduction
Health issues are always given much attention and many countries are today grappling with the challenge of providing adequate medical services to their citizens. Diseases have also been noted to be on the increase especially in the developing countries. Medical services have always been expensive even in the developed countries like USA. For example, the poor people and the destitute have low income and they are always more susceptible to mental diseases compared to the other citizens who lead an average life style. This is because they endure a lot of domestic problems which stress them. Most of these people cannot have access to mental care facilities due to financial constraints (Kovner, 2004).
Examples of mental health facilities
In New York, Nassau County has some mental care facilities which have been put in place to help people with serious mental problems. These facilities include: “North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset which provides inpatient psychiatric services to people diagnosed with serious mental complications” (Harwood, 2005). Secondly, we have “Pilgrim Psychiatric Center that offers both inpatient and outpatient services to people having psychological disorders” (Harwood, 2005). The third one is “Nassau County Medical Center that offers a wide range of psychiatric assistance to the residence of Nassau County” (Harwood, 2005).
Sources of Funds
These facilities are funded by the government and other private groups which offer financial support (Griffith & White, 2006). The government for example employs specialists to serve in the County Medical Center. It also provides drugs and equipment. These hospitals also generate income out of the medical fees paid by the clients (Gapenski, 2007). The private sponsors may offer financial aid to some of the programs run by these facilities. For example they can finance community counseling services for a given duration may be for six months.
Services offered by Mental Health Facilities
The above mentioned hospitals have been recognized for their great effort in ensuring that people with serious mental problems are given enough therapy and treatment. This has reduced the number of family problems that arise due to mental complications among some of their family members. The advisory and counseling services that they have been dispensing to the community have greatly changed the attitudes of people toward life. For example cases of drug abuse have been reduced among adults and children (Harwood, 2005). This has in turn led to the reduction of mental diseases and complications a rising as a result of serious drug abuse. The society has therefore really gained from their services (Boardman, 2006).
Challenges Facing Mental Health Facilities
Even though these hospitals have brought tremendous improvements in the society, they have always experienced many challenges which include the following. Currently, there are many clients who need their services yet they do not have the capacity to handle them effectively due to lack of enough resources and specialists. The facilities have also not been able to work with other private organizations due to bureaucracy and government policies. Although the government has always tried to improve access to medical care, it has not been very keen on this health sector. This has led to constant poor funding of projects related to mental health treatment and management.
Conclusion
Owing to the rising number of mental complications, the government should increase the number of hospitals and facilities that deal with mental disorders. Apart from this, it should also increase its funding of these facilities in order for them to be rehabilitated. More psychiatrists ought to be employed as soon as possible to enhance quick attendance to the patients.
References
Boardman, J. (2006). Health access and integration for adults with serious and persistent illness. Families, Systems & Health: The Journal of Collaborative Family Healthcare, 24(1), 3-18.
Gapenski, L. (2007). Health care finance: an introduction to accounting and management. Ohio: Ohio University Press.
Griffith, J., & White, K. (2006). The well-managed health care organization. New York: Health Adminstration Press.
Harwood, G. (2005). Screening in primary care. The Nurse Practitioner, 30(2), 56-61.
Kovner, A. (2004). Health service management: readings, cases, and commentary. New York: Health Adminstration Press.