Direct Practice Analyst Paper

The African American youth are disproportionately affected by mental health illnesses due to the social, economic, and political challenges pervasive in their community. Black youth are at a higher risk of developing mental health illnesses due to inequalities in society that adversely impact their lives than their white counterparts. More than 9% of the youth reported a major episode of depression in the past year, and only 40% of this population sought treatment (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2021). The 46% of the white counterparts who reported an episode of depression were treated. The CDDC reported that the suicide attempts in the black community for children between 10 to 19 years had increased by 73% from 1991 to 2007 (Klisz-Hulbert, 2021). The low rates of seeking treatment for mental health challenges among African American youth have in part been associated with the stigmatization of individuals who have been diagnosed with mental health illnesses, lack of awareness about the mental health condition, lack of access to mental health facilities, or lack of social support to seek treatment (Lucksted et al., 2012). The interventions that will be reviewed is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) family program by way of education to equip families with a diagnosed patient with the necessary skills to assist their family member with mental health illness seek the necessary treatment, create a comfortable home environment, and be prepared to deal with a mental health crisis in case it emerges.

Dr. Joyce Burland developed the NAMI family-to-family program in 1991. The program is a 12-week course taught by families who have to live with mental illness and have undergone training. The course involved the development of skills and knowledge that can help the ill family member. The model emphasizes support, self-care, education, and problem-solving (Klisz-Hulbert, 2021). The NAMI program has been adapted to different languages, such as Spanish, in different states in the U.S. that cater for their unique differences in their societies to address the unique cultural challenges that may adversely affect the management of mental health illness within a family and in the society. The program has been used across the country, with more than 300,000 people have...

The efficacy of the program lies in equipping the families that have a member who has been diagnosed as well as the patient with the necessary knowledge to identify symptoms, manage social relations with the diagnosed member, maintain family members wellbeing, and understanding of the medications impact on the ill family member.

The NAMI program was preceded by the family blame norms where the family was blamed for the lack of seeking the necessary medical care or for the existence of the disorder. This predisposition was caused by misinformation about mental health in the communities. For example, in African American communities people who are advised to seek professional help might fail to do so since mental health treatment may end up being labeled crazy (Klisz-Hulbert, 2021). The caregivers of diagnosed children might also hesitate to seek mental health treatment since they might be sensitive to social stigma. Further, in some instances, the first encounter with the mental health system is unsuitable or displeasing, or undesired, making it difficult for the families and caregivers to pursue or find the most suitable course of treatment for their child.

The Maryland Family-to-Family (FTF) education program conducted a study to examine the efficacy of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for families with adult or young members living with a mental health condition. The researchers found...

…life and the need to preserve and take of ones health makes it possible for patients to overcome suicidal tendencies and focus on a positive approach to life, eradicating any suicidal thoughts.

The challenges in the implementation of the NAMI program lie in the creation of awareness of the service. Since the issues of mental health illness are still perceived as a taboo topic. The administrators need to employ different marketing strategies for the program to meet the needs of families experiencing the mental illness of their family members for the first time (Serene Olin et al., 2013). For example, flyers in regions where the myths about mental health illness as demonic possessions might be destroyed, denying the people who need this service. More so in such a community, access to critically needed care (Estrada et al., 2019). Therefore, to make the services accessible in such communities, more innovative measures should be taken in the firms marketing strategies. For example, the use of online advertisements on Facebook and Instagram targeted for the pick use times in a specific region might increase the awareness among the residents of this region about the availability of the program to seek help.

While the program is integrated into the local community health centers, its use or recommendation by the health care professionals and follow-up is not proactive. Consequently, there should be proactive e measures to recommend the program to families with a member living with a mental health condition and follow up on the progress in the program. Management of these challenges will increase the efficacy of the NIMA program among African communities and lower the prevalence of untreated mental health illness among African American youth. Developing a positive attitude towads treatment and education of not only the family but also the community is critical to eradicating…