Introduction

Mental health is a critical aspect of a human being that should be taken seriously just like any other
aspect of health in life. This assessment analyses the problem of mental health ranging from the causes,
vulnerable populations, impact and even proposes potential solutions to the issue using a Socratic
problem solving approach.

Causes of mental health illnesses

In recent years, non-communicable diseases, including mental health disorders, have become a
significant concern worldwide. These non-communicable illnesses are often associated with various
aspects of human life, such as lifestyle and mental health. Mental health illnesses can be categorized
into two main types based on their causes: biological or genetic, and environmental. Biological or
genetic mental illnesses are linked to hereditary factors, meaning they can be passed from one
generation to the next through genetic composition (Sullivan & Geschwind, 2019). Examples of such
illnesses include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which are influenced by a person’s genetic makeup.
On the other hand, environmental mental illnesses develop due to exposure to external influences like
trauma, loss, societal pressures, cultural expectations, violence, and abuse (Patel, 2024). Conditions such
as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, stress disorders, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, and developmental disorders are examples in this category. Many environmental mental
health illnesses are preventable, as their causes are modifiable. For instance, stress disorders can often
be managed by implementing stress-reduction techniques. Addressing mental health issues effectively
in society requires initiatives that target these root causes in order to effectively manage the problem.

Analyzing mental health concerns

Mental health is complex and can arise in various settings due to diverse causal factors. Individuals may
encounter mental health challenges in environments ranging from schools, hospitals, and churches to
workplaces and homes. Mental health disorders can emerge due to adverse experiences or stressors
encountered in these settings, each with unique contributing factors. For example, a study by Lotzin et
al. (2019) explored the impact of childhood trauma on women, examining the relationship between
mental health and substance use disorders. The study found that women with substance use disorders
often had childhood histories of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or neglect, experiences that
significantly increased their risk of developing substance-related mental health issues. Such findings
underscore how mental health issues may originate in home settings, where familial abuse or neglect
can leave lasting emotional scars. Similarly, obesity among adolescents has been identified as a critical
factor contributing to mental health challenges in school environments in the united states (Sanyaolu et
al., 2019). According to He et al. (2023), a high body mass index (BMI) is correlated with increased risks
of depression, particularly among obese students. Therefore, mental health issues may also arise from
the school setting. Mental health challenges are also prevalent in healthcare settings, affecting providers
due to their emotionally demanding roles. A study by Marshman et al. (2022) indicated that compassion
fatigue, a result of constant emotional support for patients, is a significant stressor among nurses,
leading to higher risks of mental health issues. Therefore, the dynamic nature of mental health shows
that mental health concerns can arise from any environmental setups.
As a licensed practical nurse, mental health holds great importance to me due to my direct involvement
in caring for patients with mental health challenges across diverse backgrounds and ages. Many patients
may sometime fail to share their experiences of stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations,
which can lead to the under-diagnosis of their conditions and inadequate treatment. Witnessing these
challenges has motivated me to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses to enhance my quality of care
so that patient disclosure becomes easy. However, nurses themselves are also prone to mental health
challenges due to the nature of the work, including stress, long hours, and emotional exhaustion. This
makes it crucial for healthcare providers like myself to engage in strategies that promote our mental
well-being. Managing my mental health is essential not only for personal wellness but also for
maintaining high standards of patient safety. Fatigue and stress are significant contributors to diagnostic
and treatment errors. Therefore, given that mental health affect both the patient and health provider it
is important for it to be a major subject in healthcare.

Given the dynamic nature of mental health, it affects an almost unlimited number of individuals.
However, some populations are more susceptible than others. For example, obese individuals, people
with preexisting medical conditions, orphaned children, and children exposed to household violence are
at higher risk for mental illnesses. Individuals with histories of mental illness also face elevated risks for
future episodes. The Healthy People 2030 objective includes increasing the number of individuals with
mental health issues who receive treatment (Pronk et al., 2021). Therefore, targeted strategies should
prioritize these vulnerable populations, aiming to improve accessibility and support for those most in
need.

Considering options for management of mental health

One viable approach in managing mental health is the use of tele psychiatry, a form of telemedicine that
enables psychiatrists to provide consultation and support to patients or assist primary care providers
through live, interactive communication, which includes video and audio-based care. Tele psychiatry can
also involve asynchronous methods like securely recording and transmitting medical information (such
as images or videos) to a patient or other clinicians for further evaluation. In combination with other
digital approaches, like tele-education, tele psychiatry contributes to a larger concept known as
telehealth. A survey of 148 mental health professionals covered topics such as tele psychiatry, mobile
mental health tools, and digital devices (Dominiak et al., 2024).Findings revealed that the majority of
healthcare professionals believe mobile health applications can empower patients to manage their
mental health and maintain continuity of care without interruptions. Telehealth’s main advantage is its
improved accessibility and convenience, allowing patients to receive care from their homes. As a result,
mental health services have become more accessible to those facing barriers like travel difficulties or
physical limitations. However, telehealth remains vulnerable to potential cyber-attacks, which could lead
to privacy breaches, posing a risk to patient confidentiality and data security.

Another significant option for managing mental health is using mental health support groups, which can
include specialized units like youth support groups and peer support groups. These groups provide a
safe space for emotional support, practical advice, social connection, and crisis management. Recent
findings by de Beer et al. (2024) indicate that incorporating Youth Peer Support Workers (YPSWs) into
mental health settings can greatly benefit children and adolescents by fostering a supportive
environment, offering empathy through shared experiences, reducing stigma, and bridging young
people to crucial mental health resources. However, there are challenges, such as logistical issues, as
participants may need to meet physically, which can be inconvenient. Additionally, some individuals
might find public speaking intimidating, making group sessions uncomfortable. Additionally, there is also
a potential risk of negative interactions, as some individuals with harmful intentions, such as drug
dealers, may attempt to misuse these support spaces, particularly in settings like rehabilitation centers.

Solution

Tele psychiatry offers a promising solution for managing mental health concerns across the United
States. Empowering telehealth options, especially in psychiatry, enables greater accessibility for patients
while making mental health care more affordable and convenient. With most adults in the U.S.—90%
according to Author (2024)—owning smartphones, tele psychiatry has the potential to reach a vast
audience who may otherwise face barriers to in-person care. A basic tele psychiatry setup requires
internet access, a secure platform, and a technical support team to assist both patients and providers
(Vadlamaniet al., 2020). By offering direct, virtual communication with psychiatrists, tele psychiatry can
help patients feel more comfortable sharing sensitive information, enhancing trust and supporting
accurate diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, this approach allows for professional consultations
between psychiatrists, fostering collaborative decision-making. Additionally, tele psychiatry is a time-
efficient option, reducing the need for travel and minimizing disruptions to patients’ daily lives.
However, safeguarding patient information remains a challenge, as tele psychiatry platforms could be
vulnerable to cyber-attacks, risking unauthorized access to sensitive health data. Despite these
concerns, with strengthened data security measures, tele psychiatry holds considerable potential to
address mental health needs more effectively and inclusively.

Ethical implications

Tele psychiatry offers significant benefits in mental healthcare access, but it also presents notable
ethical concerns, especially around data privacy. One major downside of telehealth is the risk of
cyberattacks, which may compromise patient information and breach confidentiality. This vulnerability
raises ethical issues by violating the principle of non-maleficence, as exposure of sensitive data can add
mental distress to patients. Additionally, implementing tele psychiatry may challenge justice, as
individuals without access to smartphones or internet may be excluded, leading to inequalities in mental
health resource accessibility. However, ethical standards can be reinforced by implementing
cybersecurity measures like firewalls and regular platform inspections. Such protections can prevent
data breaches, safeguarding confidentiality, while also respecting patient autonomy by allowing access
to services at preferred times and locations.

Conclusion

Mental health is dynamic and affects a large group of people regardless of age and gender. Mental
illness can prove to be a great burden in healthcare if not managed early. For instance, increase in
mentally ill population reduces the skilled labor of a population thus causing reduced economic
productivity. Additionally, at a personally level mental illness can result in increased suicide rates.
Professionally healthcare provider mental health problems such as stress can lead to diagnostic errors
compromising patient safety. Mental health illnesses can be managed by use of tele psychiatry and
mental health groups. Given the recent increase in people with accessibility to internet tele psychiatry
proves to be a potential solution to mental health issues. However when managing mental health using
tele psychiatry reinforcement should be done to prevent the risk of data leakage due to cyber-attacks.
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