Public Policy Mental Health

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer points out that in any institution, which is partially or completely funded by public moneys, mandates determine resources and offerings. Further the writer notes that mandates can be determined by legislation, legal precedence or local sentiment, all of which is biased in favor of or against services they have experienced or would like those served to experience, yet is rarely determined by actual visible need of the population served. The writer argues that mental health services have historically been skirted in public institutions and bodies, as the social stigma associated with mental illness is dependant upon public sentiment and that public sentiment is the driving force behind mandates. That having been said, this work establishes that there is no public policy that mandates mental health services be provided in public schools. The writer highlights that this is despite legislation that is intended to provide equal services to the disabled, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that in theory offers services to those with disabilities.

From the Paper:

"The legislation itself demands arbitrary assignment of the SED label by giving schools and administrators, but not necessarily mental health professionals an out. School administrators, especially in public schools often must make decisions associated with the greater good, as they must serve a large population of students with minimal resources. As socially disruptive behavior further taxes the system and the providers of it those who are deemed socially disruptive, or seen to have the potential to be are therefore excluded from the SED label and likely excluded from mental health services."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bugaj, Stephen J., and Randall L. Manning. "Suggestions for Improving the Delivery of Therapeutic Staff Support in the Public Schools." Journal of Mental Health Counseling 24.1 (2002): 88-96.
• Campbell, Jean. "Unintended Consequences in Public Policy: Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act." Policy Studies Journal 22.1 (1994): 133-146.
• Knitzer, Jane, Zina Steinberg, and Brahm Fleisch. "Schools, Children's Mental Health, and the Advocacy Challenge." Journal of Clinical Child Psychology 20.1 (1991): 102-111.
• Nelson, C. Michael, Robert B. Rutherford, David B. Center, and Hill M. Walker. "Do Public Schools Have an Obligation to Serve Troubled Children and Youth?." Exceptional Children 57.5 (1991): 406-411.

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