Week 5 Discussion - Significant Mental Health Issue
Discussion
Your perspective:What would you define as the most significant mental health issue in the United States, and why (use 2-3 references from the scholarly literature to support your position)? What services and solutions do you propose to offer for this issue? How does this issue serve as an indicator for society's overall health?
Respectfully respond to two classmates' postings that you disagree with, (and provide references to support your views). If there is no one that you disagree with, provide a posting in agreement which lends further support (scholarly evidence and citations) and expansion on two classmates' ideas.
Mental health by definition is, “the state of successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adopt to change and cope with adversity” (McKenzie & Pinger, 2015, p. 340). Many people suffer from mental health issues that affect their daily living. A significant mental health issue in the United States is anorexia nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight, fear of gaining weight and distortion of body image (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). This disorder is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in young women (National Eating Disorders Association [NEDA], n.d). It appears in early to mid-adolescence and is one of the highest death rates on any mental health conditions. About 90 to 95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are females. In America, 0.5 to 1% of women suffer from this disorder (NEDA, n.d). The sufferers see themselves as overweight even though they are extremely underweight resulting in self-starvation. This affects their overall health leading to malnutrition. It slows down health rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk for heart failure (NEDA, n.d). Next, reduction of bone density and muscle can occur. Anorexia nervosa can also lead to dehydration, fainting, fatigue, weakness, dry hair/skin and hair loss.
I believe our society needs to change its views on body image. We all know the stereotypical body of a lady that almost every girl wants. I think we must educate our girls at a young age that everyone comes in different shapes and sizes and all are accepted and beautiful. This can be a significant discussion topic in elementary and middle schools. It can be beneficial for both parents and students in being informed about anorexia nervosa and healthy eating. Since this is a mental disorder, awareness and education cannot always prevent the disorder. It is important that a community has nutritional and psychology counseling sessions available to all regardless of “health” insurances.
Anorexia nervosa is an indicator of the overall health of the society. This mental issue also causes physical/health issue in the society. It causes socioeconomic stress where more money is invested in treatment of such eating disorders. In addition, I think the sufferers of anorexia nervosa puts stress on their family and friends which can affect their health as well.
References:
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Anorexoa nervosa. Retrieve from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/definition/con-20033002.
McKenzie, J. F., & Pinger, R. R. (2015). Community mental health. In An introduction to community & public health. (pp. 337-364). Boston, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d). Anorexia nervosa. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/anorexia-nervosa.