Key Issues Surrounding Mental Health/Substance Abuse

Examine the Key Issues Surrounding Mental Health/Substance Abuse
Assignment
For this week’s assignment, you are asked to speak to an advanced class for undergraduate students who are thinking about attending graduate school to eventually provide mental health care within their communities. Prepare a lecture in which you address the overall public health implications of mental health and substance abuse. In your lecture, be sure that you address the following elements:
• Describe why mental health and substance use are public health problems and how they impact the larger society, including legal issues and economic problems (i.e., drunk driving, lost wages, increased morbidity).
• Identify challenges of treatment delivery systems, including financing/insurance, quality improvement, and/or workforce considerations.
• Describe existing issues in reaching those in need of treatment, such as a lack of perceived need, lack of awareness regarding the availability of treatment services, and stigma associated with mental health and addiction problems.