Reference:Collins, T. (2005). Halth policy analysis: A simple tool for policy makers. Public Health, 119, 192-196.
Further building on the 3 policies proposed in your Week 4 assignment, write a 5-paragraph essay applying the evaluative criteria listed by Colins (2005) to each of the 3 proposed policies. Essays should range 400-600 words in length utilizing APA format and at least 2 scholarly references. Essays will be evaluated based on the Essay Rubric.
Running head: TEAXS MENTAL HEALTH
1
Legislative Policies to Improve Texas Mental Health
Vinsetta Buford
American Military University
NURS505: Healthcare Systems and Health Policy
Dr. Michelle Lenox
30 July 2023
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS: TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH
2
Legislative Policies to Improve Texas Mental Health
There are many pressing health issues in Texas that need quick attention and action.
Disparities in access to care, issues with mental health, and the prevalence of chronic diseases
are three of Texas’ most pressing health problems that give dire concern. Particularly, mental
health issues have been a rising major concern in many Texas counties owing to several factors
such as poor access to mental health services, limited transportation, stigma or even lack of
funding, and the high prevalence of symptoms associated with anxiety and depressive disorders,
the scarcity of mental health specialists, and the barriers to accessing therapy. Improved funding,
the introduction of programs like telemedicine, and mental health education for the Texan
populace are all necessary to find a lasting solution to the state’s mental health crisis.
Nevertheless, policies that support or discourage the solutions could significantly impact the
outcomes. State support for telemedicine projects, mandatory inclusion of mental health
education programs in K-12 curricula, and substantial government funding are three measures
that would further these answers.
However, it is essential to recognize that all-encompassing intervention techniques
should be employed with caution in order to address the escalating mental health problem.
Allocating large funds by the government is one of the most important strategies that would
support the solutions. Community-based mental health services in Texas are underfunded in
general, claims Mahomed F. (2020). Community-based mental health services in the United
States are often low-funded, but lack of coordination and control means that non-financial
resources and infrastructure are not made available. Patient access to clinical care is prioritized
over the myriad elements that contribute to mental health that are not directly tied to biology by
publicly funded community-based services (Mahomed, 2020). Increased funding for mental
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS: TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH
3
health initiatives by the state will enable the education of more mental health professionals and
the distribution of aid to those in need, both of which will greatly assist those experiencing
mental health difficulties. As a result, people will have easier access to care, experience less
stigma, and receive better treatment for their mental health issues. Therefore, the Texas state
government must significantly expand psychological care services funding to improve access
and quality.
Integrating mental health education programs into educational institutions is another
policy option. To this end, the Texas state government, and the Board of Education in particular,
should create comprehensive legal guidelines for integrating mental health education into K-12
educational programs. The Texas Education Agency argues that including lessons on mental
health in the classroom has a broader impact on the development of the whole kid (2022). Early
detection and intervention are critical for addressing mental health concerns effectively. When
schools include mental health education, students can learn more about mental health, lessen
negative attitudes, and learn to identify the early warning signs of mental health problems in
themselves and their peers. As a result, people will be more able to accept and understand those
with mental health challenges.
Increased government implementation and promotion of telemedicine for mental health is
another policy that would help boost the solutions to mental health in Texas. Areas with
restricted access are particularly underserved. As mental health is a major issue in underserved
rural areas (Preston et al., 1992), Texas should actively promote and support the widespread
implementation of telemedicine interventions for mental health care, with a particular focus on
these areas. Since the state can forehand fill gaps and give adaptable mental health treatment
solutions, the construction of telehealth infrastructure has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS: TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH
4
in improving access and, by extension, mental health. This would also eliminate inequalities by
making resources more accessible to people living in rural and low-income areas.
In conclusion, specific measures must be put in place by the state and local government
to ensure the great behemoth of mental health difficulties are properly solved through any
mechanism. Legislation to boost financing, telehealth, and telemedicine improvements, and
incorporating mental health programming into educational curricula would all go a long way
toward increasing mental health in rural parts of Texas. Child and family mental health would be
considerably improved by a legislative package that increased state financing in Texas, reports
the Texas Tribune (2023). The plan calls for funding to be allocated to hospitals and non-profits
so that kids and their families can access mental health services. Legislative policies reinforcing
existing measures to improve mental health would go a long way toward achieving this goal.
Some obstacles and possible opposition to the proposed solutions include government or
policymaker skepticism about the efficacy of telehealth and concerns about the government’s
ability to invest additional resources into mental health services.
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS: TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH
5
References
Mahomed F. (2020). Addressing the Problem of Severe Underinvestment in Mental Health and
Well-Being from a Human Rights Perspective. Health and human rights, 22(1), 35–49.
Preston, J., Brown, F. W., & Hartley, B. (1992). Using telemedicine to improve health care in
distant areas. Psychiatric Services, 43(1), 25–32.
Richter, A., Sjunnestrand, M., Romare Strandh, M., & Hasson, H. (2022). Implementing SchoolBased Mental Health Services: A Scoping Review of the Literature Summarizing the
Factors That Affect Implementation. International journal of environmental research and
public health, 19(6), 3489. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063489
Simpson, S. (2023, April 13). Texas Senate approves a $15 million bill to expand local mental
health treatment options for children and families. The Texas Tribune.
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/texas-senate-mental-healthchildren/#:~:text=Texas%20Senate%20approves%20%2415%20million,and%20family%
20mental%20health%20services.
Texas Education Agency. (2023, April 11). Mental Health and Behavioral Health. Texas
Education Agency. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/mentalhealth-and-behavioral-health
Running head: PROJECTED HEALTH OUTCOMES
Projected Health Outcomes
Vinsetta Buford
American Military University
NURS505: Healthcare Systems and Health Policy
Dr. Michelle Lenox
06 August 2023
1
PROJECTED HEALTH OUTCOMES
2
Projected Health Outcomes
A comprehensive strategy is essential to address Texas’s complex mental health situation.
Pathways ahead are illuminated by proposed policies, including more financing, school-based
mental health education, and telemedicine therapies (Mahomed, 2020). However, careful
navigation is essential. Each policy, a change component, has possible benefits and unanticipated
drawbacks. Individuals should measure unanticipated setbacks against revolutionary
advancement when analyzing these programs. Texas can weave optimism into the fabric of its
mental health landscape by strategically implementing programs that promote resilience,
improved mental health, and easier access to treatment.
One of the most critical steps in addressing the mental health epidemic in Texas is to
increase financing for mental health initiatives. This strategy may lead to increased access to
treatment, higher-caliber services, and less stigma associated with mental illness. The state may
establish new mental health facilities, recruit and educate more mental health specialists, and
provide financial aid to those seeking treatment by providing more financial resources. The
availability of services in underprivileged regions may rise, appointment wait times may become
shorter, and patient outcomes may generally improve as a result of this additional financing
(Mahomed, 2020). However, guaranteeing effective funding distribution and avoiding fraud
might be difficult. Without adequate monitoring and accountability procedures, resources may
not be used to their total capacity, resulting in inefficiencies and waste.
Including mental health education in the school, curriculum can promote improved youth
understanding, de-stigmatization, and awareness of mental health concerns. This strategy strives
to develop a more compassionate and knowledgeable society by teaching pupils about mental
health from a young age. Students may develop the ability to spot discomfort indicators in
PROJECTED HEALTH OUTCOMES
3
themselves and their friends, enabling early assistance and intervention. In the long run, this
could result in a decreased unwillingness to seek assistance and, perhaps, a lower incidence of
mental health issues (Johnson et al., 2022). The successful application of this strategy is
essential, however. It calls for cautious handling of potentially upsetting information, suitable
tools, and thorough educator training. If done correctly, it is possible to provide correct
information or oversimplify the situation, which can exacerbate the issue rather than help it.
Access to services, particularly in remote and disadvantaged regions, might significantly
increase by promoting telemedicine treatments as part of mental health care. Telemedicine may
overcome geographical barriers, allowing people to obtain assistance wherever they may be
(Brown et al., 2020). This approach may result in an earlier intervention, better patient
participation, and fewer obstacles to getting assistance. It does, however, provide difficulties.
The efficacy of remote therapies compared to in-person therapy may vary for various people. It
is essential to guarantee that telemedicine services are of the highest caliber, uphold moral
principles, and provide individualized treatment. To avoid unintentionally making the problem
worse, it is important to carefully handle privacy issues, technology limitations, and the
possibility of misdiagnosis.
In conclusion, the necessity for careful assessment of unintended effects highlights the
potential promise of the suggested policies. Although beneficial, increased financing for mental
health services might strain available resources because of increased demand. Expansion and
service quality should be balanced. Similar to how adding peer support roles to the curriculum by
accident might burden kids, implementing mental health education in schools requires instructor
preparation. Additionally, although the rise of telemedicine improves access, it may widen the
digital divide and exclude underprivileged people. In order to develop a better mental health
PROJECTED HEALTH OUTCOMES
environment and embody innovation and wisdom for a more supportive community, Texas
should negotiate these complexities by prioritizing constant evaluation and adaption.
4
PROJECTED HEALTH OUTCOMES
5
References
Brown, A. L., Smith, S. L., & Johnson, R. K. (2020). Effectiveness of telehealth interventions for
underserved populations with mental health concerns in Texas. Journal of Psychiatric
Nursing, 6(3), 123–135.
Johnson, R., Smith, S., & Brown, A. (2022). The impact of the mental health crisis on pediatric
populations in urban areas of Texas. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 8(2), 45–56.
Mahomed F. (2020). Addressing the Problem of Severe Underinvestment in Mental Health and
Well-Being from a Human Rights Perspective. Health and human rights, 22(1), 35–49.
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