Insights Starting the Research Process

Discussion: Starting the Research Process

Cases of mental health disorders amongst adults and adolescents in my community have increased significantly in the last one year. Various studies have been conducted on the impact of mental illnesses at the community level. For instance, in a study that examined the rate of mental disorders among adults and children at the community level, Healthy People (2020) predicted that 1 in 17 adults had a serious mental illness while 1 in 4 adolescents had mental health disorders within the last one year - the most common disorders being depression or anxiety. On the other hand, one in five children had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The said data proves that mental illness is a major problem. This is an indication that current interventions have failed to address gaps between practice and evidence on the prevention front.

Physical health of individuals with mental health disorders tend to be affected in terms of outcome, progression, and prevalence of chronic diseases which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes (Healthy People 2020). It is important to note that chronic diseases intensify symptoms of mental health illnesses leading to poor health outcomes among patients (Healthy People 2020). In addition, mental health disorders affect both individuals, their families and the community. Essentially mental health affects the entire community in terms of economic costs and psychosocial care. The said economic and social costs tend to a have a negative impact on the entire community. Ahmed (2014) suggest that mental health problems tend to increase the risk of suicide, domestic violence, homelessness, neglect and child abuse, and criminal activities.

The aim of this research would be to identify effective prevention strategies to decrease the incidence of mental illnesses in the community. Most significant factors for the prevalence of mental illnesses would also be identified. Some of the ethical principles for this research involving participants with mental health disorders would be inclusive of, but they would not be limited to; justice, beneficence, and respect for the privacy of the said persons (American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Research Ethics, 2006). Ethical considerations would involve the decreased political voice and social opportunities for mentally ill patients in the community. This would also involve the effects that mental illness is likely to have on cognitive function and behavior of the participants (American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Research Ethics, 2006). Mental illnesses tend to derange relationships, experiences, feelings, and thoughts of mentally ill patients. Likely effects that the said illness has on decision capacity would be considered. Further, the association between stigma and mental illnesses will be considered. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Research (2006), “stigma associated with mental illnesses can lead to discrimination and diminished opportunities for productive lives and, unfortunately, can impede access to optimal treatment and psychosocial support” (553).

Deploying prevention efforts will likely have positive health outcomes in the community than treating the disease. Preventing mental health problems would involve a reduction in risk factors. For instance the relevance of reducing instances of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and early pregnancies and increasing protective factors which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to avoiding exposure to alcohol and drugs, good parenting and health promotion cannot be overstated (Ahmed, 2014). It is important to note that preventing mental illnesses would require the application of the relevant expertise and knowledge. Therefore, this research would facilitate the process of acquiring knowledge while refining old knowledge. Research, evidence, and information systems that are imperative in prevention of mental health disorders will be explored.