Mental health programs Essay Example for Free

Mental health programs Essay Community health programs based in churches have been highly successful, although occasionally confusing and stressful for pastors to administer. However, it is not only physical health programs which have thrived; mental health and chemical dependency programs are an important supplement to church ministry and community service. Thompson and McRae argue that the Black church itself offers a positive therapeutic effect to its congregation, even without a formal mental health ministry in place. They discuss the historical basis for the Black church’s creation of community; the creation of the â€Å"we† group rather than the individual â€Å"I† and the need for belonging with a group, rather than to a group (41). They state â€Å"Embedded within the individual were past experiences, traditions, values, and norms for emotions, cognitions, and behaviors conducive to relatedness and â€Å"interpersonalness† that reflected a collective sense of belonging with rather than to, caring, similar others (Thompson McRae, 41). † The Black church, in Thompson and McRae’s view, has created a bridge for the gap between the historic slave experience and the modern Black experience which helps ease the mental transition between worlds, and created a framework for dealing with hostility. They state â€Å"The Black church nurtures the survival of its members through providing a supportive, caring environment to facilitate an ever-widening upward spiral of positive cognitive, affective and behavioral outcomes for growth and change (Thompson McRae, 46). † While the mere fact of church fellowship has a positive effect on its members, Black church involvement in formal mental health ministry programs has a significant impact on its members as well. Blank discussed the importance of mental health care within the church setting. They state that there are four areas of community care considered most effective in the church setting. These are primary care delivery, mental health, health promotion and disease promotion and health policy. Their review of studies underscored the importance of natural helpers (friends and extended family), lay helpers and most especially church leaders in the delivery of mental health care through an informal care system. Blank discussed the state of mental health care in the rural South in the 1970s; the population was discovered by researchers studying psychiatric utilization and morbidity in the area to be underserved, despite the general view that rural life was superior to urban. The problems contributing to low psychiatric utilization are complex; problems with service delivery, low quality of care (especially among minority patients) and lack of providers are entangled with social stigma surrounding psychiatric care, economic and social factors, geographic distance from providers, poverty, race and class issues to create a morass of issues a patient must slog through to acquire psychiatric care. Blank notes that at the time of the study, most counties lacked a single doctoral-level mental health professional; only 3% of licensed psychiatrists practice in the rural South, a number which has not changed significantly since the 1970s. In addition to the socioeconomic issues with receiving psychiatric care in the rural South, there are further problems relating to doctor-patient relations. Some theorists state that white mental health care providers cannot provide optimal care to Black patients because of their lack of knowledge and understanding of Black history and culture, as well as a lack of understanding of the difficulty of being Black in a white world; furthermore Black patients are less likely to trust white care providers due to racial tensions and differences in worldview (Blank , 1668). Instead, Black patients are considered to have a preference for Black care providers. While some studies have shown that Black patients do prefer Black care providers, stated reasons for this preference are a perception of greater professional competence and attitude, as well as racial and cultural compatibility (Blank , 1668). Blank emphasize the importance of sensitivity and cultural competence; it can lead to a greater understanding of non-normative minority behavior as well as an increase in trust levels between provider and patient which increase the possibility of a successful outcome. Blank discusses the cultural responsiveness hypothesis, which states that the effectiveness of psychotherapy is directly related to the therapist’s ability to communicate an understanding of the patient’s cultural background. Lack of this cultural responsiveness might account for some of the racial divide in diagnosis, treatment and premature termination of treatment observed between Black and white psychiatric patients (Blank, 1669). Blank hypothesized that rural churches provide fewer social and mental health services than urban churches, and that they have fewer links with the formal care system; furthermore, because of the importance of the church in the Black community and the historic exclusion of Black from formal care systems (schools, mental health services, etc), Black churches would provide more social and mental health services than white churches, but with fewer links to the formal care system (1669). Blank tested their theory using a phone survey of Black and white church leaders in both rural and urban areas in the South (defined in their study as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missisippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia (Blank, 1670)). A total of 2,867 churches were targeted, with a total of 269 completed interviews, or an overall participation rate of just under 10% (Blank, 1670). Rural Black churches, the targeted demographic, were actually least likely to participate in the study, with only a one in fourteen survey completion rate; the researchers cited lack of full-time staff creating difficulties reaching church leaders and a high rate of church leader refusal as factors in this low completion rate (Blank, 1670). The researchers discussed topics such as church demographics, including size and racial composition of the congregation, number of services held and attendance at the services, the church budget and founding date; problems the church’s congregants faced that the church leader considered to be most important; specific questions about mental health services provided by the church or church leader, including such issues as depression, paranoia, nervous breakdown, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and attempted suicide; What type of support services were offered formally by the church to deal with these types of issues; and what links to the formal care system, including hospitals, care providers and support services like Alcoholics Anonymous existed, and if links existed to what level church leaders provided referrals to the formal care system (Blank, 1669). The researchers then constructed four different scales on which to rank the churches: Problems, which quantified the degree to which responding churches dealt with mental health problems over the previous two years; Programs for Adults, which quantified the number of mental health programs offered by the church, including those dealing with alcohol and substance abuse, marital counseling, sex education and counseling, domestic violence and sexual assault; Programs for Children, which quantified programs specifically aimed at support for children, including individual and family support services; and finally Programs for Teenagers, which quantified programs specifically aimed at support for teens. Referrals, both in and out, were also quantified (Blank, 1670). Statistical analysis using factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the correlation between the varying factors. The researchers found some surprising differences in funding – when adjusted for congregation size, rural white churches had substantially larger budgets than rural Black churches, and urban Black churches also had significantly larger budgets than the rural Black churches (Blank, 1670). However, both urban and rural Black churches were shown to offer significantly higher numbers of mental health programs overall than their white counterparts. There were no statistically significant variables in the study of links between referrals, but the modal response among churches overall was 0, indicating that all churches tend to lack links with the formal care system (Blank, 1671). Blank extrapolate concerning the possible reasons for lack of links between the formal care system and the informal care system provided by churches. They note that one of the difficulties may be historical in nature; because churches are often divided among racial and ethnic lines, there may be barriers to connection between the formal care system and churches precipitated by racial and ethnic tensions. Additionally, because churches have played a role as a political entity in the past, there may be lingering social tensions between churches and formal care systems which prevent these roles. (Blank, 1671). Another barrier may be the different paradigms of the formal care system and the church regarding the nature, causes and treatment of mental health problems.

The Importance of the Negro Bank in Invisible Man Essay -- Ralph Elli

     Ã‚   The early Americana coin bank which the narrator of Invisible Man discovers one morning in his room at Mary's house is a reflection of the narrator's state throughout much of the novel. The offensively exaggerated Negro figure provokes an instant hatred in the narrator due to the tolerance it suggests. However, the narrator becomes personally offended by the object because of the similarities it holds to himself. While smashing the pipes with the bank, he yells out to his neighbors who are banging on the pipes, "'Get rid of your cottonpatch ways! Act civilized!'" (320). Thus he associates the hatred he feels for the bank figure with his neighbors who are acting no less civilized than he is. He is not aware of his own "cottonpatch ways" it appears.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In describing the bank, the narrator states that it is the kind of bank that flips coins from its hand into a large grinning mouth. In order to put money in the bank, one must feed the smiling, hungry Negro. At a point in the narrator's life where he has no money and has decided to join the Brotherhood out of a debt ...

Flat organization Group Essay

Organizational structures developed from the ancient times of hunters and collectors in tribal organizations through highly royal and clerical power structures to industrial structures and today’s post-industrial structures. The typical hierarchical arrangement for lines of authorities, communications, rights and duties of an organization. Organizational structure determines how the roles, power and responsibilities are assigned, controlled, and coordinated, and how information flows between the different levels of management. A structure depends on the organization’s objectives and strategy. In a centralized structure, the top layer of management has most of the decision making power and has tight control over departments and divisions. In a decentralized structure, the decision making power is distributed and the departments and divisions may have different degrees of independence. A company such as Proctor & Gamble that sells multiple products may organize their structure so that groups are divided according to each product and depending on geographical area as well. The Importance of Organization Structure A number of writers have pointed out the importance of an organization’s structure and the relationship between it and an organization’s size, strategy, technology, environment and culture. Mintzberg (1989) has written extensively and significantly on the importance of organizational structure. Miller (1989) has explored the importance of configurations of strategy and structure. Burns and Stalker (1961) concluded that if an organization is to achieve maximum performance then its structure must fit with or match the rate of change in its environments. Handy (1990, 1993) has discussed the importance of culture in relation to organizational design and structure and the need for new organizational forms. Pascale, Milleman and Gioja (2000, p.197) consider ‘design is the invisible hand that brings organizations to life and life to organizations.’ Further, organizational structure and design are closely entwined (Mabey, Salaman & Storey, 2001) with many aspects of human resource management. Thus structure has a key role in the all important human dimension of an organization. Too often the importance of Organization structure is overlooked and Miller (1989) points to a gap in the literature whereby the content of corporate or business strategies has not been widely considered in relation to structure. One of the most important aspects of a manager’s role is the design of Organizational structures, yet this is often a neglected responsibility (Senge, 1994). McMaster (1996) argues that Organizational design is not well understood and traditional management education does not include the development of any understanding of the principles of corporate design. The impact of the floury of corporate restructures that took place in the 1980s and 1990s, discussed later in this paper, supports this view. I would suggest that this lack of genuine understanding is a serious shortcoming. Definition of Structure Mullins (1993) and Mabey, Salaman & Storey (2001) describe the structure of an Organization as the pattern of relationships between roles in an Organization and its different parts. They see the purpose of this structure as serving to allocate work and responsibilities in order to direct activities and achieve the Organization’s goals. Structure enables managers to plan, direct, organize and control the activities of the organization (Mullins, 1993, Mabey, Salaman & Storey, 2001). Here is a traditional view of Organizational design that uses principles derived from classical and scientific Management. A non traditional approach is taken by Pascale, Milleman and Gioja (2000, p.197). They consider the role of architects and the principles they use to create buildings that provide ‘(1) structural integrity (sound buildings), (2) functionality (space appropriate for its intended use), and (3) aesthetic appeal.’ Using these principles an architect is able to work with the client in order to create a structure that is an integral and facilitating aspect of the life of the people who move in and around it. Thus architectural approaches can offer us a good model with which to consider Organization design principles. I would define an Organization’s structure as the architecture both visible and invisible which connects and weaves together all aspects of an Organization’s activities so that it functions as a complete dynamic entity. One simple approach is to consider how an Organization’s structure is described when represented diagrammatically, which most is often shown in the Organization chart. This provides useful insights into the underlying design principles. It will not show informal structures, but this is not the focus of this paper, except where they are an integral part of the design, as in for example, design Principles derived from complexity. The 20th Century –Traditional way Henri Fayol is credited by many as being the founder of modern management theory and practice. Writing at the beginning of the 20th century he advocated an Organization structure that was centralized, functionally specialized and hierarchical, in which everything had its specific place. Management was viewed as being all about planning, organizing, forecasting, co-coordinating and controlling. Others built on Fayol’s work, which Morgan (1986) claims provided the foundation of management theory in the first half of the last century, and which is still much in use up to the present day. Also in the early 20th century Frederick Taylor drawing on his understanding of traditional science and scientific method devised a theory of management – scientific management. He advocated the use of ‘scientific’ methods of measurement and analysis and broke all tasks down into small repetitive components. This was considered the most effective way of operating a production process and his methods achieved their apogee in the Ford motor car production line process. Thus the basic structure of many large Organizations in the 20th century was founded on linear, segmented, hierarchical design principles as typified by Figure 1. The larger the Organization the larger the structure and the more sub divisions. It was an approach to Organization design that reflected the classical scientific worldview as did the early management theorists Figure 1. Traditional Organization Chart / Structure During the mid 20th century there was a trend for Organizations to create huge corporate structures, often composed of many varied and different businesses, for example, the Hanson Trust, Trafalgar House, Unilever, and GKN in the UK and General Electric in the USA (Mabey, Salaman & Storey, 2001). In the public sector too, huge bureaucracies were created with the nationalization of the public utilities after World War II and the creation of the NHS in 1948. The management of these huge Organizations required a complex multilayered structure with many sub divisions. ‘Tall structures were created with as many as 20 plus levels between the chief Executive and the shopfloor operative. Managerial control of employees at all the Multiple levels was based on a mixture of direct command and budgetary Responsibility. Hierarchy, command and control were the governing principles of Employee management.’ But by the last decades of the 20th century, however, the trend for larger and larger structures was over. Almost every Organization experimented with some kind of structural change process (Ashkenas et al, 1995). Large conglomerates were broken up and large bureaucracies slimmed down as Organizations sought to become more effective and flexible (Mabey, Salaman & Storey, 2001). Companies merged and demerged, made acquisitions or sold them off and experimented with a range of approaches designed to make them more effective and responsive to a rapidly changing world. During this period Organizations were awash with notions of delayering, right / downsizing and business process re-engineering and for a time returns to shareholders were at record levels (Willis,2001). Downsizing was used by many companies as a way of adjusting their structures in order to be fitter and more effective. Large Organizations with many bureaucratic aspects like Kodak, IBM and General Motors restructured in this way (Mabey, Salaman & Storey, 2001). This and the often accompanying trend for outsourcing resulted in a wave of new problems particularly with employee insecurity and loss of expert knowledge. Coulson- Thomas and Coe (1991) report that in many of these slimmer Organizations there were issues of work overload, increased work stress, lack of vision, poor decision making, corporate in fighting and so on. Further, this approach proved to be an unsatisfactory one, not only because of the immediate social costs and the loss of experience and valuable skills, but because many Organizations failed to capitalize on the restructuring and implement new supportive systems (Mabey, Salaman & Storey, 2001). They changed the structure of the Organization but not in such a way as to improve its overall long term effectiveness. This apparent lack of insight concerning the importance of the relationship between structure and internal and external systems and human behaviours displays a restricted understanding of the principles of Organization design. Business process re-engineering was another approach which many adopted during this period as an effective way of improving efficiency and removing bureaucratic structures. But, Mumford and Hendricks (1996) point out, many companies became obsessed with cost cutting and associated staffing reductions and did not consider how best to reorganize and restructure. Also some chief executives used the process to rid themselves of cumbersome bureaucratic chains of command but failed to cede control Mabey, Salaman & Storey (2001, p.158) describe this period as one of ‘apparent chaos’ as Organizations also tried out approaches based on networking, outsourcing and notions of virtual forms of Organization. However, they provide an analytical framework which I shall use to describe the different types of structure that still redominate. It offers four main types of structure: bureaucracy, divisionalized structures, strategic business units and ‘de-structured’ forms. Organizational – 21st Century At the end of the 20th century some less traditional forms of organization structure beganto emerge as evidenced by the ‘de-structured’ forms described by Mabey, Salaman & Storey (2001). Handy (1990) observes that the old mechanistic systems are everywhere breaking down. Mabey, Salaman & Storey (2001) talk of the emergence of a new paradigm for organizational form which seeks to replace the rigidity and cumbersome nature of the traditional form. Ashkenas et al (1995) report on a change in design principles that amounts to a major shift.

Iran s Current Status Of The Middle East, But Not A...

â€Å"The USA and Europe needs a stable Iran to promote security in the Middle East, but not a nuclear Iran†. Discuss Security in the Middle East S11702992 Word count: 2864 This Essay will attempt to evaluate and discuss the belief that the USA and Europe needs a stable Iran to promote security in the Middle East, but not a nuclear Iran. Firstly, this essay will address Iran’s current status and role in the Middle East, and how Iran is rising to become a regional power. It will explore the current Iranian regime, and address how politics and policy are being influenced, under the Ayatollah’s leadership. It will also address how radical Islam is currently growing in the Middle East, how religion has come to the forefront of politics, and what that means for the West. Secondly, this essay will offer some thoughts on the dangers of a nuclear Iran, which could either create greater insecurity, due to Iran’s motives and objectives for wanting to acquire them, or it could offer possible benefits of balancing power with Israel, as well as potential benefits for Iran, in pursuing nuclear development for peaceful means. It will also give a b rief history on Iran’s stance and support for terrorism, whether that be through economic means, or giving terrorists a safe haven, and how this could be a threat if Iran continues to pursue nuclear weapons. Thirdly, this essay will explore the U.S. and Europe’s perspective on Iran’s role in the Middle East, and why they do not want to see aShow MoreRelatedNuclear Capabilities And Bargaining Process869 Words   |  4 Pageswill discuss the Iran nuclear deal in 2015. Firstly, I will summarize this event and come up with the questions about each actor’s action and preference; then I will analysis the theory behind this issue--Nuclear Capability and Bargaining Process; thirdly, I will analysis the actors’ preferences and interests; finally, I will discuss why did they sign an agreement at that particular time. Puzzle: On July 14,2015 the Iran nuclear deal was signed between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P5+1—theRead MoreNuclear Atomic Facilities And International Security3776 Words   |  16 PagesINTRODUCTION Since 2002, when the international community discovered the undeclared nuclear facilities and the magnitude of the Islamic Republic of Iran s nuclear programme, several international players and Western countries have focused their efforts on hindering its nuclear agenda. Although the Iranian government has always stressed its civilian objectives, the programme has been considered an important challenge to the non-proliferation regime and international security. Accordingly, thereRead MoreIr An Examination Of A Nuclear Iran Through International Relations Theory1992 Words   |  8 PagesZiad Jawadi International Relations: Gabe Scheinmann 4/12/11 Why is Iran Arming: An Examination of a Nuclear Iran through International Relations Theory A nuclear Iran may be inevitable within the next decade. There is ample evidence suggesting that Iran has the intention and capability of obtaining nuclear weapons. According to Fox News, a new document issued by the Department of Defense on the Iran nuclear threat states: â€Å"Iran could probably develop and test an intercontinental ballistic missileRead MoreAmerican Politics : Ir The Reason Why Iran Essay3068 Words   |  13 PagesAmerican Politics Iran The reason why Iran is such an issue in today’s world is because we are not quite sure what their intentions are. For the past 20 or so years, politicians and international organizations have been saying that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon, while they say that their only intentions are developing nuclear power to help power their country. Countries that see themselves as not really being allies with Iran feel threatened that they will develop a nuclear weapon andRead MoreThe For Irans Economic And Political Future1150 Words   |  5 PagesStatement of Purpose: This paper will describe a series of three time periods during which educated, western-oriented Iranians left Iran in ever greater numbers. Then the paper will explore the impact of these waves of emigration on the socioeconomic status of Iran. Also, the paper will assert that the immigrants coming to Iran do not solve the problems created by the waves of emigration. Next, this paper will describe the benefits of this Iranian diaspora to other countries, especially in EuropeRead MoreNuclear Weapons Are The Most Deadly2144 Words   |  9 PagesNuclear weapons are the most deadly, destructive, and powerful form of technology that the world has ever created. Officially, only 9 states out of 196 in the international arena have possession of them. Although nuclear weapons are being eliminated by states, they still hold a significant value for nations in the IR arena with a nuclear annihilation capacity. States within the international community that own nuclear arsenals are automatically feared and respected because of the status symbol theyRead MoreThe Crisis Of The Soviet Union3735 Words   |  15 Pageseffect on the United States, its Western Allies and other regions around the world.. As a matter of national security strategy, the main priority of the U.S. becomes the demonstration of its global primacy to all challengers and overthrowing of the status quo of the powers in the h ostile regions, while the terror emerges as a widespread power utilization method of the weak in asymmetrical power balance. Although, before the terrorist attacks the process of globalization has already challenged the notionRead MoreIran s Nuclear Program And Its Possible Outcomes2143 Words   |  9 PagesHamoon Azizi Essay Assignment 4-18-12 Philosophy 05 Professor Endara Nuclear program of Iran I. Introduction In this essay I am writing about the conflict of Iran’s nuclear program and its possible outcomes. I was born and raised in Iran, so I stumbled upon this particular topic for many years, I was told by my government that â€Å"Nuclear energy is our inalienable right†, meaning that it is not contingent upon the laws or beliefs of any particular culture or other government and thus it is a universalRead MoreThe Threat Of A Nuclear War Essay2272 Words   |  10 Pagesmost importantly, will nuclear fears and threats be laid to rest, or will 2017 be the tipping point in the world’s nuclear struggle. Many politicians, and citizens alike, stand strongly behind the belief that a nuclear war will not be how the world will meet its doom; after all the Cold War occurred yet everyone is still alive. On the other hand, many are convinced that the 21st century will be the end due to political tensions with Russia, the United States, North Korea, and Iran, whom are not onlyRead MoreIs Iran A Nuclear Weapon?2230 Words   |  9 Pagesexplains that most Western and Israeli commentators are horrified of the thought of an Iranian nuclear weapon. However, historical record indicates that if a country is bent on acquiring a nuclear weapon, the country is rarely dissuaded from doing so. Sanctions now, he explains, makes Iran even less likely to change their mind―feeling most vulnerable, Iran seeks protection of a deterrent (Waltz â€Å"Why Iran Should Get the Bomb). Instead of viewing sanctions as a failed policy for their inefficiency,