Youth mental health act of 2021
The demand for mental health services increases over time, especially in the United States. With the rise of the Covid 19 pandemic, the situation only seems to become worse. During the year 2020, the number of emergency visits to mental health facilities rose by over twenty percent from the previous year. This situation highlights the challenges the youth in the country face due to isolation, trauma, and loss of routines. Data suggest that most school-going youths are displaying behavioral health needs, with a large portion of them experiencing severe anxiety and depression. Data also reveals that the second leading cause of death of individuals between 10 and 24 is suicide. There is a need to develop means and models to identify and cater to youth mental health care needs. The interventions should also take place at an early age for most benefits. There are high records of substance abuse and mental health issues among individuals between 12 to 17 years in New Jersey. The pandemic contributes to much of the stress and anxiety among parents and children in the state. In the same year, surveys display a peak in the number of calls the children’s health network received.
Early prevention and intervention of mental health disorders are key to minimizing the impact of the cases. The number of youths in the state with accessibility and funds to health services is still very low. The individuals who have access still face challenges when it comes to accessing behavioral health services. Many health facilities in the state lack the correct personnel and experience to offer help to individuals at this age. Dealing with this situation, especially at an early age, displays the most benefits. Early childhood and youth years are highly important in developing the individual’s social, emotional, academic, and behavioral aspects. Dealing with mental health disorders at this particular age gap gives the individuals a chance to function in their personal and social life. Surveys state that a large proportion of people experience mental health problems before the age of 25. This data displays that the age between childhood and adulthood is the peak of developing mental health disorders. New Jersey is one of the states that takes steps to help identify children who are struggling and offers response units to talk with families. However, this intervention is not enough to reach most of the population. Some of the youth experiencing behavioral problems display issues like aggression, irritability, property damage, disrespect, substance abuse, stress, anxiety, and physical abuse, especially to other peers.
One of the most recent laws concerning mental health is the Youth Mental Health Services Act. This Law was introduced by Mr. Kennedy and approved by Congress on April 27th, 2021. This Act aims to address and improve mental health issues for students at Elementary and Secondary school levels. According to this bill, state and local agencies in education have the authority to make use of State Support and grants from Academic Enrichment programs (Polishchuck, 2021). These funds are purposely to provide and improve students’ mental health services in school. In addition, according to this Act, funds from Title IV, Every Student Succeeds Act, are available for use to these agencies (state and local agencies in education). The agencies have rights to invest in available or new mental health agencies, emergency planning, identifying, and disseminating best practices. The agencies can also use funds to coordinate strategies between these mental health facilities, other relevant services, and schools.
This Act comes about as an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. At the time, this Act emphasizes the need for accountability and high standards by providing federal funding primary and secondary school education. ESEA caters to students with challenges like poverty, learning difficulties, disabilities, mobility issues, or those who need to learn English (Polishchuck, 2021). Through ESEA, eligible districts and schools receive state-run programs to ensure academic achievements for these students. ESSA is responsible for making changes ESEA originally had eight titles. The most recent amendments to this Act change Title IV to use funds to improve existing and new mental health services. Title I of the Act offers programs for students who face disadvantages, assessments, migration, delinquency, and neglect. Amendments to the ESEA Act by the ‘Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to ensure that all students in the state achieve success. According to ESSA. Amendments, Title I of ESEA states that schools need to demonstrate a form of accountability to receive grants.
The Youth Mental Health Services Act follows common legal and ethical policies set by the Law in the country. Just like any mental health case, this policy makes sure to maintain ethical considerations like confidentiality and informed consent. Governor Phil Murphy supports this same Law by introducing a website that links children, parents, and educators to health resources. New Jersey has several laws it takes into consideration when it comes to the provision of mental health. Murphy’s Law originates from New Jersey in the year 2017. This Law indicates that insurance coverage should cover those with physical ailments and mental health issues. Laws in New Jersey also highlight the issue of documentation in health facilities. According to the Health Insurance and Accountability Act (HIPAA), psychologists should maintain the utmost confidentiality between the patient. This means that patient health records are only to be discussed between the patient and the physician or the physician’s guardian in case they are underage. For this reason, licenses and notes of privacy practices are important. Unlicensed issuance of patient information without consent is punishable by the Law.
Up to twenty percent of children in the United States have mental health issues. The high prevalence and rise of mental health issues in the country highlight the need for more professionals in the sector. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) in the country perform different roles in their work that make them the best candidates to provide mental health care to children and adolescents. Failure to access mental health services is an unbearable situation in most cases. Mental health issues can make it impossible to accomplish one’s daily activities. The cases of high school dropouts due to such issues are also on the increase. Statistics also state that many youths who commit suicide have mental health challenges.
There is a myriad of benefits of appropriate and timely mental health interventions to society and also to the professionals. Early diagnosis and intervention of mental health issues contribute to reducing cases of anxiety, stress, and depression among the youth. The youth mental health services act makes it possible for children, even those from poor backgrounds, to access mental health services. This policy reduces care costs by drawing funds from grants to provide those in need with appropriate help. This policy also benefits the professionals it concerns. The Act avails jobs for more professionals in the society and state, thereby playing a part in solving the problem of unemployment. There is currently a need for more psychiatric nurse practitioners in the state of New Jersey. Dealing with a specific portion of the society of the population, especially the youth, requires extra training and specialties. PMNHPs also benefit from extra training and education, which helps them advance in their practice. The introduction of the policy positively impacts the chance for collaborative care in the state.
All health practitioners have the proper knowledge and training to carry out their roles. This professional, however, should have the proper skills to utilize and capitalize on collaboration with other professionals. Mental health practitioners work with other practitioners, including nutritionists, psychologists, neurologists, social workers, and teachers. Schools offer an appropriate venue to recognize mental health issues. Collaborative care reduces barriers to health care, improves quality, and lowers costs. Identifying mental and physical health issues is easier in education facilities. This situation is due to the fact that personnel in the school interact with students and can notice when their students have issues. Collaborative care with other professionals requires works best when integrating a collaborative care model. Collaborative care also works best if professionals align into their roles and integration of technology, especially when it comes to the documentation process. New Jersey has a certain protocol that physicians’ fall practice should follow for collaborative practice. Collaborative practice in this state requires the physician to consult with the patient’s primary physician before prescribing medication. Both physicians should agree on the joint protocol and cosign on it at least once annually.
References
Polishchuk, K. (2021). The Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act (HR 3572/S. 1811).
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