Biological and environmental influences in mental health care.
Principles of Preventive Psychiatry offer a logical and economical approach to mental health care delivery. This article describes two perspectives on mental health care, biological and environmental. If mental illness and related distress are perceived as biologically based, the problems are thought to be under the skin. They can then be treated with chemicals and other scientific technologies. On the other hand, if mental illness and related distress are perceived as developing from environmental factors, the problems are thought to be linked to forces external to the individual. Treatment is addressed by a modification in the environment. This approach requires changes to public policy and legislative mandates. Mental health issues including, suicide, runaway youths, homicide, the elderly and other disenfranchised groups prevalent in American society are highlighted. An integration of the biological and environmental perspectives is delineated as an approach to early diagnosis, effective treatment, and rehabilitation. Recommendations are presented that focus on population-specific interventions necessary to effectively address these conditions.
Gary
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College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Campbell
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Sigsby
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Prather
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D001689:Biological Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011316:Preventive Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States