Discuss the Department of Health

Discuss the Department of Health/VA services available to clients on Kauai. Describe how they impact this population. The people with serious mental illnesses usually suffer from severe psychosocial issues primarily due to the stigma attached to being individuals with persistent mental illness. This stigma is the reason why these individuals are difficult to integrate themselves into the community. Today, people diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses began to socialize and integrate themselves in the society. There are many institutions in Kauai that aim to help mentally ill patients and addicts in the process of rehabilitation, such as the community mental health center, friendship house, and various self-help organizations. During my outpatient rotation, there were six patients in the room with dual-diagnosis. According to the psychologist, the goal of dual-diagnosis group is to engage each individual in their treatment and decrease their use of substances in a step-by-step process. At the beginning of the group session, each person provided a brief background regarding their diagnoses and how long they were sober from their vices. Then, they started the session by reading the 12 steps of dual recovery anonymous guidelines. Each person was asked to read one of the guidelines and participate in sharing their thoughts and reflections. According to the psychologist who facilitated the group session on that day, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps patients “recognize their distorted thinking and negative behaviors” and substitute it with positive rational thoughts. For instance, a patient diagnosed with major depression and alcoholic shared her insights about the topic and said, “I always thought that I could not turn away from my vices and I felt like I’m a failure. Now, I’m 11 years sober from alcohol and illegal drugs, and I’m happy to what I have achieved so far. I am so thankful with this group and to my support system because it helped me to be normal again.” The importance of having positive behaviors, availability of a support person, and the compliance to the medication are significant in the process of rehabilitation. Another patient who has been using illegal drugs for 12 years stated, “I am planning to stop smoking by April 13 of this year.” The psychologist was very pleased to hear their insights and determination to stop their use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and cigarette smoking. The psychologist also educated the group about the consequences and detrimental effects of smoking and illegal drugs into the body. Also, he encouraged each individual to write their vices in a piece of paper and lists the positive and negative effects of it to their body. Most of them were amazed how harmful illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarette smoking into their body. The psychologist ended his session with quote that goes like this, “Pick your self off the ground, dust your self off, and come back.” The availability of mental health institution in the community helps individuals to manage their illness while maintaining their normal social lives. The interdisciplinary team that helps this group of individuals works together to provide treatments and rehabilitation through cognitive-behavioral and dual-diagnosis group therapy. The importance of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the lives of each person diagnosed with co-exiting mental illnesses and substance abuse is to help them identify their negative behaviors and use a step-by-step process in changing their distorted thinking into positive, rational thinking. The group therapy enhances socialization and forms a strong support group that helps each member in their rehabilitation process.