b’POST 1Statistics show that xc2x93approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S., or 43.8 million people, experiences mental illness in a given yearxc2x94 (National, 2018a, p. 1).xc2xa0 The adolescent population, ages’

b’nPOST 1Statistics show that xe2x80x9capproximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S., or 43.8 million people, experiences mental illness in a given yearxe2x80x9d (National, 2018a, p. 1).xc2xa0 The adolescent population, ages 13-18, accounts for xe2x80x9c21.4% of mental health illness casesxe2x80x9d (National, 2018, p. 1) which doesnxe2x80x99t include the xe2x80x9cestimated 13% of children ages 8-15xe2x80x9d (National, 2018a, p. 1) also suffering with mental illness in any given year.xc2xa0 In the U.S. of the xe2x80x9c20.2 million adults living with substance abuse, 10.2 million of them have a co-occurring mental illness (National, 2018a, p. 1) and the price tag for treating mental health illnesses costs xe2x80x9cAmerica $193.2 billion in lost earnings per yearxe2x80x9d (National, 2018a, p. 1).xc2xa0 These statistics demonstrate a very big problem accompanied by very few solutions.xc2xa0 Advocating better care for our mental health patient population will also target the homeless and substance abuse populations as well.xc2xa0 Proper care can help give these people a second chance at life to live independently, secure employment, and to be productive citizens within their communities.xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0 There are several ways to help advocate better care for those suffering with mental illness including, xe2x80x9cjoining or starting a local support chapter, becoming a local advocate, volunteer, or becoming an ambassadorxe2x80x9d (Depression, 2018, p. 1).xc2xa0 Being involved can xe2x80x9cmake a real difference, not only in your own life, but in the lives of othersxe2x80x9d (Depression, 2018, p. 1).xc2xa0 A lot of patients that suffer with mental illness arenxe2x80x99t being heard or acknowledged for the treatment they desperately need, so itxe2x80x99s up to the general population to join and support this type of patient care and to show that mental health care is just as important as physical health care.xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0 Advocating for those suffering with mental illness xe2x80x9cimproves the individualsxe2x80x99 understanding of their situation, enables their views to be heard, ensures that they have the opportunity to be partners in their care and increases their autonomyxe2x80x9d (Varghese, 2015, p. 1).xc2xa0 Advocating also xe2x80x9cpromotes the rights of those who suffer discrimination because of their age, disability, sexuality, gender or culture, and it can ensure the quality of the care systemxe2x80x9d (Varghese, 2015, p. 1).xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0 The only way that change can occur is to make the issue aware, give it a face for people to see.xc2xa0 The stigma on mental illness needs to come to an end.xc2xa0 When a patient breaks their arm, they can go the hospital without judgement and get proper medical treatment and within a few weeks their arm will heal and be useful again.xc2xa0 However, when a patient suffers from a mental or psychotic break, they go to hospital and are judged from the beginning and then drugged until they act in a way that society will accept them.xc2xa0 A large population of mental health patients are diagnosed with illnesses they were born with or due to trauma they inherited them throughout life.xc2xa0 Instead of offering proper treatment and acceptance, healthcare providers are easily frustrated and judgmental because they either donxe2x80x99t care or donxe2x80x99t understand.xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0xc2xa0 Ways to help promote change and encourage education is by asking your local governor to make a proclamation, take action on advocacy issues, ask businesses and landmarks to light up green to raise awareness, address culture barriers, speak with teens, hand out ribbons and education, host an event, volunteer, implement a free community outreach program, become a program trainer, or help run a support group (National, 2018b, p. 1).xc2xa0 The end goal needs to be better and reliable care for our mental health patient population and to educate enough to end the stigma, so those suffering will no longer feel the need to hide and be scared of what others will think.-Crystal BrowneDepression and Bipolar Support Alliance.xc2xa0 (2018).xc2xa0 Advocate for mental health.xc2xa0 Retrieved from:xc2xa0 https://secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/PageServer?pagename=help_advocate_mental_health.National Alliance on Mental Illness.xc2xa0 (2018a).xc2xa0 Mental health by the numbers.xc2xa0 Retrieved from:xc2xa0 https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers.xc2xa0National Alliance on Mental Illness.xc2xa0 (2018b).xc2xa0 Become a leader in the mental health movement.xc2xa0 Retrieved from:xc2xa0 https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/What-Can-I-Do-/Become-a-Leader-in-the-Mental-Health-Movement.Varghese, J.xc2xa0 (2015).xc2xa0 Advocacy in mental health:xc2xa0 offering a voice to the voiceless.xc2xa0 Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry.xc2xa0 Retrieved from:xc2xa0 http://www.indjsp.org/article.asp?issn=0971-9962;year=2015;volume=31;issue=1;spage=4;epage=8;aulast=Varghese.POST 2There are many views on mental health. Some cultures view mental health issues as a sign of familial conflict. Or as a sign to receive divine intervention or forgiveness. While other cultures have a more negative view such as demonic possession or a supernatural phenomenon (Choudhry et al., 2016). In America about one in four adults are diagnosed with some type mental health disorder (CDC, 2014). This can be from substance abuse, anxiety disorders or mood disorders. The commonality of mental health is an issue that will be faced in practice as well as the negative or unknown view of the public on mental health. This is were becoming an advocate and educator are important to make change for patients dealing with mental health issues.Education and Mental HealthOne of the foundational duties of being a nurse practitioner is to educate. This includes not only the patient, but the public. By educating the public on the facts of mental health is a start. Another beneficial strategy is educating the public on the signs and symptoms of mental health. For example, a mother may notice her once vibrant and social teenager is now distant and tearful. The mother may believe her child is xe2x80x9cgoing through a phasexe2x80x9d, when the teen is suffering from depression with suicidal ideation. Or when an individual has a stressful job and uses alcohol to help him xe2x80x9crelaxxe2x80x9d.Becoming a Social Change Agent for Mental HealthEducation of the public can be done in many ways. Handing out pamphlets is a helpful approach, but this approach is limited. Venturing to different places, such as schools, offices and churches and speaking with individuals about mental health are ways to reach a wide variety of people. By having local mental health awareness sessions where people from all different walks of life come to learn about the facts of mental health is an initiative that allows people to ask question about mental health issues. This also allows for discriminatory or perceptions of mental health disorders to be addressed. Through education, the stigma associated with mental health can be changed..ReferencesCenters for Disease Control. (2012). Attitudes Towards Mental Illness. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/Mental_Health_Reports/pdf/BRFSS_Full%20Report.pdfChoudhry, F. R., Mani, V., Ming, L. C., & Khan, T. M. (2016). Beliefs and perception about mental health issues: a meta-synthesis.xc2xa0Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment,xc2xa012, 2807-2818. doi:10.2147/NDT.S111543 ‘