Understanding Systemic Barriers
The mental healthcare system is an ever-changing maze; thus, navigating it can be confusing without proper guidance. In this article, we will highlight the various barriers people face when seeking help and also dive into possible solutions to those systematic barriers in the mental healthcare system.
What are Systemic Barriers?
There are obstacles inside a societal structure that prevent people from getting access to the care they require, those obstacles are known as systematic barriers. These barriers can range from policies, beliefs, culture, and unwritten rules in society that create a problem to easy access and quality healthcare. This is similar to trying to access a computer device but you are locked out and nobody has the password; it will leave you frustrated and out of options.
Why do they exist?
Systematic barriers exist due to factors like economy, history, religion, and social norms. Economic disparities, inadequate resources, religious and ethnic segregation, and long-term beliefs are some examples of barriers that can build up a system that doesn’t support equality for everyone.
Common Challenges in the Mental Healthcare System
In this section, we will talk about the common but impactful challenges people tend to face while seeking mental healthcare.
Access to care
Getting access to healthcare might seem like a basic problem; however, it is one of the biggest challenges people face. Let’s look into some of the issues with getting access to care:
Geographical disparities:
Differences in location can impact the type of mental health services that are available to individuals. People living in rural areas might find it hard to get access to mental health professionals, unlike those living in well-developed areas. Rural areas tend to have little or no specialists available, the ones available will be overwhelmed by the numerous patients they have to attend to. Imagine a community of 5,000 women with just 1 hairdresser, getting hair services would be slow as they are always booked and people might need to travel long distances to find others providing the same services.
Financial barriers:
Quality mental health services don’t come cheap, this is a big barrier to people who aren’t financially buoyant or have health insurance to mitigate the cost. This can make a lot of people live without the necessary care they require because they can’t afford it. The desire to access proper mental health care is there, but the financial means are not available.
Stigma and Discrimination
The fear of being judged or discriminated against has made a lot of people avoid seeking proper care for their mental health. People can unconsciously assimilate the stigma, causing shame and a lack of self-confidence. Instead of risking the weight of being stigmatized, they would rather suffer in silence.
Quality of care
The quality of health care differs among the various mental health care centers available. If a person finds themself in an institution where accredited professionals and/or necessary equipment are not available, they get subjected to substandard services. Quality of care is an important factor in mental health treatment as it can influence how fast and well the treatment phase goes.
Solutions to Overcome Systemic Barriers
The first step to solving an issue is to identify its causes. Some of the common challenges of mental health care have been highlighted, the next step is to discuss things that can be done to improve in those areas.
Community Engagement
Individuals in a strong community network can easily navigate the maze of the mental health care system. This can be achieved through the following:
Education and Awareness
Creating proper awareness about mental health is a crucial step to breaking barriers surrounding it. The more people know about mental health, how to identify it, and how to seek help, the easier it will be for them to seek professional help and stop stigmatizing those battling their mental health issues. Education is the best way to fight stigmatization; it also gives patients the self-confidence to speak out.
Building Support Networks
Community programs and peer support groups centered around mental health can act as a pillar for those who need to seek help. Having someone to talk to, and get advice and moral support from can make the journey of mental health treatment less difficult.
Changes to Policies
Advocating for Better Funding
Resources should be allocated towards mental health care, as it is crucial to the quality of service that would be given to those who need it. Advocacy can help influence the amount of funding available for mental health care, this can increase the availability of this service to everyone who seeks them.
Expanding Telehealth Options
Remotely accessing and managing health care and its services using digital technologies is a powerful way to break down barriers. Virtual consultants and other mental health facilities should be available online so people can access them from the comfort of their homes. Using Telehealth, financial and geographical obstacles can be averted when seeking mental health care.
The Role of Technology in Breaking Barriers
As the world continuously advances in technology, it is important to adopt tech as a powerful tool for transforming mental health. Here are some ways Technology can help:
Online Community Support
There should be online groups dedicated to providing support to people with mental health challenges. These platforms can serve as a safe space where people can connect with others who can relate to their struggles and also share their experiences without the fear of being stigmatized. They can serve as a place of relief where people can fall back when they get overwhelmed by the stress of navigating the healthcare system.
Telehealth Innovations
Telehealth is not limited to providing access to healthcare resources, it also gives users a medium to try out ground-breaking therapies that they might not use under traditional circumstances. An important part of mental therapy is being comfortable, now imagine how relieving it can be knowing that you can attend therapy sessions from your bedroom.
Conclusion
Navigating the mental healthcare system can be a heavy task but also a very important one. An environment where everyone feels safe and inclusive can be created by identifying the common systemic barriers and finding solutions to them. Implementation and maintenance are also crucial steps to making sure that those discovered solutions are exercised and not abandoned after a while. Constant research should also be carried out so new solutions can be discovered and updated to the existing ones.
