Barriers to Care - Assignment Example

Barriers to Care Introduction Human life is the most valuable commodity on earth since it determines the future of all other living and non living things. People work hard to get good jobs, marry, start families and leave legacies after they are dead and gone. Occasionally, people never achieve what they desire and thus they devise other ways to make ends meet (BC News 2003). However, some situations are too difficult to bear forcing people to terminate their lives prematurely. This discussion explores the common barriers to mental health care services that contribute to increase in suicide cases among military personnel.

Suicide refers to intentional termination of one’s life due to various reasons. There are serious concerns that the United States’ military records the highest number of suicide cases despite the many efforts made to alleviate this situation (Gibbs and Martins 2012). Currently, suicide accounts for a significant number of noncombatant deaths and continues to rise due to various reasons. First, there is too much pressure in the military service and this subjects workers to stress and depression.

This condition is worsened by high expectations by top commanders that push junior personnel to work under extreme pressure. In addition, these officers have less time to engage in other relaxation activities leading to accumulation of mental stress. Secondly, these officers are exposed to frightening sights that make them forget that they are human beings (BC News 2003). The sight of killing fellow beings and trampling over dead bodies are some of the horrible scenes these officers have to deal with in their daily activities.

Therefore, they experience many nightmares and dreadful dreams that interfere with their mental and psychological processes.Moreover, the counseling and guidance services offered to counter these challenges are available under the mental health department. Most people usually think that this department treats mad people. Therefore, they are never interested in things associated with madness (Gibbs and Martins 2012). In addition, the services and treatment offered for mental illness takes a very long time and before it is fully administered patients get exposed to other horrifying situations.

Occasionally, patients fail to turn up for treatment and thus expose their health to more serious dangers. Lastly, military personnel are human beings just like teachers, businessmen and farmers (BC News 2003). They too need company and companionship from their family members and friends. However, they are usually confined to military bases, training and war fields where there are no close friends to talk and laugh with. This subjects them to slavery and cage life; therefore, making them to develop stress and depression soon after they are recruited.

Conclusion Mental health is an irreplaceable asset that must be protected at all costs. Nations must invest in machinery and human insurance services to make sure people are safe from mental illness. ReferencesBC News. (2003). Healthcare Causalities. The Underinsured Mentally Ill in America’s Struggling Healthcare System. New York: ABC News Press.Gibbs, N. and Thompson, M. (2012). The War on Suicide? Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0.9171,2119337-1,00.