Mental Health Disparity

Mental Health Disparity

American Sentinel University

Mental Health Disparity
Introduction
The article chosen is titled “Mental Health Services: Use and Disparity among Diverse College Students” authored by Beth Rosenthal and Cody Wilson in 2008. The authors adopted an empirical study to investigate the actual use of counseling for emotional problems and the hypothesis that sex, psychological distress, social class, and ethnicity are associated with disparities with regard to utilization of counseling services. This paper will provide a summary of the population studied and the findings, the possible reasons for health disparity in the population studied, and the strategies for improving the health of the population. In addition,…show more content…
Some distressed students may have not had adequate access to counseling services. Similarly, they may not have known how to obtain help in coping with psychological distress (Rosenthal & Wilson, 2008).Disparity could have been due the students’ perception of the need for counseling services. In this case, some students with high psychological distress levels may not have known that they had an unusual psychological state. In addition, they may have not understood that there were relatively effective and straightforward ways of coping with the distress. Additionally, the attitudes and values of the students could have enhanced or inhibited the utilization of mental health services. Students who positively perceive counseling services as being effective in helping to cope with psychological distress are likely to utilize the services. Conversely, students with negative attitudes towards counseling are not likely to utilize those services (Rosenthal & Wilson,…show more content…
The nurse can empower populations and communities to increase their involvement in community health promotions and prevention strategies. The empowerment is likely to result in reduced health threats and increased health equity (Kulbok et al., 2012). The nurse can participate in the implementation of active outreach efforts to identify those in need and provide appropriate services (Rosenthal & Wilson, 2008). The nurse also plays a role in improving the health of the population through health education. Through health education, the nurse can raise awareness on mental health related issues as well as the appropriate intervention services. In addition, the nurse can play the role of an advocate. The nurse can advocate for improved accessibility of mental health and other health services to those in need (Kemppainen, Tossavainen & Turunen, 2012).

References
Kemppainen, V., Tossavainen, K. & Turunen, H. (2012). Nurses' roles in health promotion practice: an integrative review. Health Promotion International, 2012: doi: 10.1093/heapro/das034.
Kennedy, E. M. (2005). The Role Of The Federal Government In Eliminating Health Disparities. Health Affairs, 24(2): 452-458
Kulbok, P. A., Thatcher, E., Park, E. & Meszaros, P. (2012). Evolving Public Health Nursing Roles: Focus on Community Participatory Health Promotion and Prevention. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 17(2): 1-8.
Rosenthal, B. & Wilson,