Spiritual_Wellness_Holistic_Health_and_the_Practic

Behavioral Health and Health Education 143
one often hears concerns related to ongoing business and management practices by
managed care providers. Discussed less frequently are topics such as positive individual
outcomes, consumer satisfaction, management innovation, and comprehensive
service delivery networks. A paradigm shift is being proposed in the arena of mental
health and substance abuse needs and problems, which could include efforts to prevent
them. More public accountability is needed. If, as health educators, we are going
to prepare and support individuals to access and utilize education, programs, and services
to address mental health and substance abuse needs and problems, we need more
information. We need to be involved with the evaluation of behavioral health as it
evolves. Health educators have the expertise to lead the evaluation efforts. In doing so,
we can advocate for systems and organizations to be accountable for the provision of
high quality comprehensive care.
As health educators we want to promote individual, family, and community participation
in planning, implementing, and evaluating behavioral health. Start by investigating
your own behavioral health plan offered as part of your personal health
insurance. Talk with family members, colleagues, and friends about behavioral health.
Help them to investigate their options and benefits. Hold community forums on the
impact of behavioral health on community health education, programs, and services.
Work to have communities hold accountable behavioral health care providers for their
programs and services. Behavioral health is a commodity being purchased for people
by businesses and state governments. An entity or intermediary in the form of the
managed behavioral health organization now exists in health and medicine, in the public,
private, and voluntary sectors to address mental health and substance abuse needs
and problems. Individual consumers, their families, and com munities are distant from
the decision - making process that affects what is available to them. Educating individuals,
their families, and communities about behavioral health and its implications for
care is a priority if they are to be informed consumers. I worry that my own attitude —
that I did not need to know about behavioral health — is more common than I would
hope.
In my daily work in schools and communities, I continue to work to prevent substance
abuse problems and promote mental health among teenagers. My work is with
mental health and substance abuse education, programs, services, and systems. At the
same time, I am aware of bigger struggles being waged under the banner of behavioral
health to shape and deliver mental health and substance abuse education, programs, and
services to meet my own needs as well as the needs of the individuals, families, and communities
I serve.
REFERENCES
Altman, L. (2001). Large employer trends in EAPs and managed behavioral care . Washington, DC: U.S. Center
for Mental Health Services.
Freeman, M. A., & Trabin, T. (1994). Managed behavioral healthcare: History, models, key issues, and future
course . Rockville, MD: U.S. Center for Mental Health Services.