NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 4 Advocating for Lasting Change

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• Establish and sustain mental health centers within educational settings.
• Implement evidence-based substance abuse treatment programs.
• Provide training and professional development opportunities for educators and healthcare providers.
• Promote awareness and destigmatize mental health and substance abuse issues.
• Ensure access to care, confidentiality, and legal protections for individuals seeking services. 

Federal policies can provide funding, resources, and guidelines for addressing mental health and substance abuse issues at the national level. This may include grants, legislation, and initiatives aimed at improving access to care and promoting evidence-based practices. State governments play a crucial role in healthcare policy, including licensing and regulation of healthcare providers, Medicaid expansion, and funding for mental health services. Similarly, State policies can support the implementation of local initiatives and programs aimed at addressing community-specific health needs. Additionally, local governments can implement policies and ordinances to support community-based interventions, such as zoning regulations for establishing mental health centers within educational settings, funding for community outreach programs, and partnerships with local service providers.

Assumptions Held by Policymakers

Assumptions held by policymakers, members of the community, or healthcare providers underlying current policy may include:

• Mental health and substance abuse issues are complex, multifaceted problems requiring comprehensive, multi-sectoral solutions.
• Early intervention and prevention efforts are more cost-effective and beneficial than reactive approaches (Moroz et al., 2020).
• Collaboration and coordination among stakeholders are essential for addressing community health needs effectively.
• Policies should prioritize equity, accessibility, and quality of care for all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status or background.
• The stigma surrounding mental illness and substance abuse must be addressed through education, advocacy, and awareness campaigns (Javed et al., 2021).
• Adequate funding and resources are necessary to support sustainable, evidence-based interventions and programs within the healthcare system (Hertelendy et al., 2020).

Evidence for Proposed Changes

The proposed changes to the healthcare system addressing mental health and opioid misuse among youth in the Jordan community are supported by compelling evidence that they will produce the intended outcomes. Numerous studies and research findings support the effectiveness of integrating mental health services within educational settings. For example, a study by Chambers et al. (2020) demonstrated that engagement in early intervention services significantly improved outcomes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Additionally, McGorry et al. (2022) highlighted the positive impact of designing and scaling up integrated youth mental health care models, emphasizing the importance of accessible and integrated services for addressing mental health challenges among youth.

Furthermore, evidence-based substance abuse treatment programs have been shown to effectively reduce opioid misuse and improve outcomes for individuals struggling with addiction. Research by Cheetham et al. (2022) underscores the importance of destigmatizing substance abuse and promoting evidence-based treatment approaches, such as medication-assisted therapy and cognitive-behavioral interventions, in mitigating the opioid epidemic. Similarly, Mueller et al. (2021) emphasized the need for policy changes to address restrictive prescribing practices and increase access to treatment for individuals at risk of opioid misuse.

Moreover, professional development and training programs for educators and healthcare providers have been shown to enhance their capacity to identify and address mental health and substance abuse issues among youth. Studies by Kueper et al. (2022) and Mongelli et al. (2020) highlight the positive impact of training initiatives in improving knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to mental health and substance abuse prevention and intervention. By drawing upon a diverse range of research findings, the proposal strengthens its proposition for implementing evidence-based interventions within the healthcare system to address these critical public health challenges.

Broad Budget Estimates

The proposed budget estimates provide a comprehensive overview of the financial requirements essential for the success of the proposed changes in the healthcare system. These estimates encompass specific capital and human resource outlays necessary for t