5 Reasons Behind the Worsening Mental Health Problems in America Today

 5 Reasons Behind the Worsening Mental Health Problems in America Today

Introduction:

In recent years, mental health problems have been on the rise in America, posing a significant challenge to individuals and society as a whole. This blog post delves into the underlying factors contributing to the deterioration of mental health in the country. By understanding these reasons, we can work towards effective solutions and support systems to address this pressing issue.

1. Shortage of Mental Health Specialists:

A scarcity of mental health experts, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, is a major contributor to the worsening mental health situation. Compared to countries like the Netherlands and Sweden, where over 90% of primary care offices have mental health professionals on staff, America faces a significant deficit in accessible mental health services (Alang, Sirry M, 2019).

2. Economic Turmoil:

The impact of economic devastation on mental health cannot be overlooked. Research indicates a strong correlation between suicide rates, drug abuse, and economic turmoil. During the Great Recession, for instance, suicide rates increased by 1.6% for every basis point rise in the unemployment rate (Blanchflower & Bryson, 2021).

3. The Pandemic's Toll:

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing mental health crisis in America. The demand for accessible and culturally accepting mental health support services has surged. Even before the pandemic, the mental health treatment system was failing, particularly for marginalized communities. The high cost, scarcity, and coercive nature of available services have hindered effective care (Fitzpatrick, Harris & Drawve, 2020).

4. Social Discrimination:

Minority groups and those facing socioeconomic challenges often bear a disproportionate burden of mental illness. Inadequate resources, discrimination, and disparities in access to care create barriers to mental health support. Addressing systemic racism, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring equitable access to services are crucial steps towards improving mental health outcomes (Blanchflower & Bryson, 2021).

5. Modern Lifestyle and Technology:

The advent of technology has brought about a significant impact on mental and physical health. Excessive reliance on digital devices and social media can contribute to psychological disorders such as distraction, immediate gratification, and feelings of isolation. Balancing online and offline interactions, managing screen time, and prioritizing self-care can help individuals maintain overall mental well-being (Mihailescu & Neiterman, 2019).

Conclusion:

The worsening mental health problems in America can be attributed to various factors, including the shortage of mental health specialists, economic challenges, the impact of the pandemic, social discrimination, and the influence of modern lifestyles. By addressing these issues, promoting access to affordable care, and fostering a supportive and inclusive society, we can take significant strides towards improving mental health outcomes for all.

References:

- Alang, Sirry M. (2019). Mental health care among blacks in America: Confronting racism and constructing solutions. Health Services Research, 54(2), 346–355.

- Blanchflower, D. G., & Bryson, A. (2021). Biden, Covid and mental health in America. National Bureau of Economic Research.

- Fitzpatrick, K. M., Harris, C., & Drawve, G. (2020). Fear of COVID-19 and the mental health consequences in America. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(S1), S17.

- Mihailescu, M., & Neiterman, E. (2019). A scoping review of the literature on the current mental health status of physicians and physicians in training in North America. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1–8.

Oral Briefing - Effective Team Presentations in the Workplace

Title: Project 2: Oral Briefing - Effective Team Presentations in the Workplace

Learn how to deliver a successful oral briefing for workplace projects. This blog post provides guidelines and tips for presenting a concise and informative oral briefing to stakeholders. Understand the assignment prompt, which involves presenting a team plan, project objectives, and research problem for a formal proposal. Discover the importance of topic selection and collaboration within the team. Gain insights into structuring your presentation, using presentation software, incorporating visuals, and rehearsing effectively. Enhance your writing, presenting, collaborating, and researching skills while meeting the minimum requirements for the assignment. Check out the grading factors to ensure a high-quality and engaging presentation. Access supporting materials to assist you in managing tasks and preparing for the oral briefing.

Reflective writing

Introduction/Rationale

In the professional world, there comes a time when you'll be tasked with delivering information about a team project. Oral briefings serve as a concise way to communicate project plans, processes, and objectives to stakeholders, enabling them to understand and provide valuable feedback.

In this blog post, we'll explore the significance of oral briefings and provide you with essential guidelines to excel in these workplace presentations. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding talent, mastering the art of oral briefings is crucial for effective project communication.

Assignment Prompt: Presenting the Team's Plan and Process

For your upcoming assignment, you'll be delivering a 12-15 minute oral briefing to a workplace audience, with your instructor as your supervisor and classmates as fellow employees in your project's imaginary workplace. The focus of this presentation will be twofold: describing the topic of your formal proposal and outlining your team's plan and process for the project.

The final major assignment for this class is a proposal report that aims to solve a problem by presenting research results, evaluation of findings, and specific recommendations for action. Project Two requires thorough research on the processes of a relevant organization, and it necessitates direct communication with the decision-maker of that organization. Choose an organization you belong to or one you have familiarity or contact with to ensure effective collaboration and implementation of your proposal.

Selecting a Suitable Topic and Collaborating Effectively

Choosing the right topic is paramount to the success of your oral briefing and subsequent formal proposal. Markel emphasizes the importance of offering a specific, technical, and appropriately complex topic that aligns with the needs of people, groups, or organizations. Consider drawing inspiration from your program, major, or local issues affecting your community or institution.

Collaboration is key in this assignment, as it will be the first requiring a joint effort. Working in teams of four or five, each member should contribute a minimum of 4-5 minutes of speaking time. Assign roles and responsibilities based on each team member's background and qualifications for the project. Establish effective communication channels and a clear sense of accountability within the team to ensure a smooth workflow.

Crafting Your Oral Briefing Presentation

To deliver an impactful oral briefing, it's essential to structure your presentation effectively. Use a presentation software of your choice, such as PowerPoint or Prezi, and include the following key elements:

1. Introduction: Start with a captivating introduction to engage your audience. Introduce the team members and highlight their credentials, demonstrating their qualifications to speak on the subject. Clearly state the purpose of the presentation and provide a brief description of the topic.

2. Topic Description and Objectives: Offer background information on the chosen topic, clearly define the objectives to be accomplished, and explain the problem your team aims to resolve. Emphasize the importance of the project's advancement and its potential impact.

3. Team Background and Responsibilities: Provide a brief summary of each team member's background and their proposed contributions to the project. Highlight their expertise and how it aligns with the project's requirements.

4. Communication and Accountability: Describe how the team will communicate internally and with the stakeholders. Discuss the communication channels, tools, and frequency of updates. Address the accountability aspect by outlining how the team will ensure everyone fulfills their responsibilities.

5. Project Schedule: Present a clear schedule outlining the timeline and milestones of the project. Use visuals, such as a schedule timeline, to help your audience grasp the project's overall timeline and progress.

Remember to rehearse your presentation both individually and as a team to ensure smooth delivery and cohesion.

Conclusion and Learning Outcomes

In your conclusion, summarize the main points discussed by each presenter, reiterate the significance of the project, and end with

Developing Academic Skills Portfolio of Tasks copy 5

Task One: Time Management

Part A

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
8-9am	Workout	Workout	Workout	Workout	Workout	Workout	Workout
9-10am	Breakfast With Family	Breakfast With Family	Breakfast With Family	Breakfast With Family	Breakfast With Family	Breakfast With Family	Breakfast With Family
10-11am	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class
11am-12pm	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class
12-1pm	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class	Class
1-2pm	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
2-3pm	Group Study	Group Study	Group Study	Group Study	Group Study	Group Study	Group Study
3-4pm	Sports and Game	Sports and Game	Sports and Game	Sports and Game	Sports and Game	Sports and Game	Sports and Game
4-5pm	Study	Study	Study	Study	Study	Study	Study
5-6pm	Study	Study	Study	Study	Study	Study	Study
6-7pm	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
7-8pm	Family	Family	Family	Family	Family	Family	Family
8-9pm	Social Networking	Social Networking	Social Networking	Social Networking	Social Networking	Social Networking	Social Networking
9-10pm	Movie /TV serise	Movie /TV serise	Movie /TV serise	Movie /TV serise	Movie /TV serise	Movie /TV serise	Movie /TV serise
10-11pm	Snaks	Snaks	Snaks	Snaks	Snaks	Snaks	Snaks
11pm-12am	Audio Book	Audio Book	Audio Book	Audio Book	Audio Book	Audio Book	Audio Book

Part B

Description

The only thing I knew for sure was that I had to be there early and energised. When I see the long to-do list, my motivation quickly fades. There is just too much to accomplish and not enough time in the day. To be successful in today's service-oriented culture, we must make the most of our time. More and greater in less time, yet at the same time each individual has more control over how their own labour is used. Many classic service positions, such as waiters and bartenders, are becoming more team-based. In today's world, the way we work has a direct influence on the lives of others around us. This complicates efficient time management and does nothing to make it simpler. 

Feelings, 

Contrary to popular belief, however, it is growing more difficult but also becoming increasingly important. If you want to be successful in your personal and professional life, you need to have a good time management strategy. There is an obvious benefit for those who are able to spend their working hours more successfully and efficiently. I must learn how to effectively manage my own time before I can effectively manage others. 

Evaluation

With self-management I can control my personal and professional growth and operate mainly without the influence of external factors. Sub-competencies include self-motivation, the capacity to create objectives, planning, time management, organisation, the ability to learn, and the ability to track performance via feedback. I must be able to prioritise my own work in such a manner that the most essential chores are handled with first and foremost. Distinguishing between what is essential and what is not is not always straightforward in real life. Even if a task isn't deemed essential, it may nevertheless be completed. Pressuring someone is often done out of a sense of dread that nothing will ever happen. I should constantly examine the urgency of a job since, as we saw earlier, it might have a direct impact on my present work and throw my plans into disarray. 

Analysis

Effective time management can only be achieved if one has a clear picture of what has to be accomplished. This is essentially a list of four items. The first step is to clearly define your objectives and make them known to your team members. Who and why am I doing this, and why do they need it? It's possible I'm performing these things for free if I do so often. 

 Conclusion 

Work must be broken down into smaller jobs and subtasks in order to be completed. a to-do list must be consumable so that each activity may be completed in one sitting (at most in my day). I try to sort out as many chores as possible by filtering them. It's not necessary to do everything. The majority of issues may be disregarded, while some will eventually resolve themselves. A sharp feeling of self-efficacy is necessary if I want to rise to the highest levels of self-efficacy. Any remaining duties must be scheduled in advance. While they are still fresh in my mind. Plan first, then go to work! The benefits of weekly and daily schedules have been proved. The short-term nature of monthly plans makes them less than ideal. 

Action Plan

The four stages outlined above must be repeated. New projects and activities or key framework conditions for planning must be taken into consideration at the earliest possible opportunity, As a matter of fact, this is likely to happen on a daily basis in reality. However, if I devote only 5% to 10% of my time to planning and organising my work, I may expect to see a significant increase in my output.

Task Two: Resources and reflection

Group Study 

A deeper comprehension of a topic or idea is unquestionably gained via careful reading, learning, and research. Student empowerment and motivation in the classroom may be fostered by active participation in the topic, learning together, and actual knowledge of a subject. It's a unique experience for each individual to learn. Students may hear a variety of viewpoints on the issue, allowing them to have a comprehensive understanding of it. Strategic and innovative thinking is aided in real-world situations when more than one answer or perspective exists. Students in a group may obtain a greater grasp of a chapter by having each member of the group read, study, and summarise the chapter's most essential topics. Studying with others may be enlightening since different individuals may see themes or ideas that others may not have noticed at first. Analysis of results may be used as a guideline to identify the most essential elements in a chapter. Additionally, this is a great method to get the most out of the textbook you've paid for. As a result, students may turn to surfaces involved, which fades as soon as the subject is no longer relevant. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in college classrooms. Because they are not working alone, groups of students may better understand the greater picture of their studies when they are tasked with distilling dense content.

Youtube

Indeed, with the rise of formal education, using YouTube as a resource for self-study has been more popular. All educational films, from preschool to college, may be found on YouTube. With regard to technology-enhanced learning, there are various how-to guides. Regardless of gender or age, YouTube provides a wealth of advantages to its users. Aside from the fact that YouTube learning isn't perfect, YouTube has both pros and negatives depending on how I want to utilise it. Use this platform for research only if you take into consideration the following considerations. I used YouTube as a learning tool. For those pupils who like to work with visuals, these videos are available. Professors from across the world post educational films on YouTube. Because of this, YouTube has numerous videos of the same subject so students may choose the one that best suits their needs. Therefore it helped me a to unerstand the referencing sytem. Step-by-step video tutorials are available on YouTube for several issues, making them more accessible.

Online tools 

The google scholar helps me a lot to find the example for the references I want to make. 

Academic libraries

In order to best serve the needs of its patrons, academic libraries are those that are situated on the campuses of educational institutions such as high schools, colleges, and universities. The general public may access certain academic libraries, particularly those at public universities. There are books of academic relevance, periodicals, journals, research papers, and question banks with previous year's questions in the libraries. The library often provides students with course-related materials, including as copies of textbooks and article readings, which are leased to them for a limited period of time. In addition to quiet study areas, the academic library also provided group study areas, such as conference rooms. I access a wide range of print and digital materials via the library. 

B)

1. Description. 

For me think critically is seeking two or more ideas rather than just repeating what I know. All of these terms apply to critical thinking, whether it is inductive, deductive, or logical in nature. In order for me to be able to think through problems in a progressive manner, an environment should be created in where experience the challenges I am encountering and then analyse those obstacles. 

2. Feelings. 

Searching for relevant information, creating hypotheses, testing those ideas, and then drawing conclusions are all steps in the research process. Examining and evaluating information, as well as explaining or forming judgments about its validity, is a critical thinking process. 

3. Evaluation. 

When it comes to critical thinking the ability to describe opinions based on observations, evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources, identify main ideas, synthesise ideas, develop a strong argument in favour of the validity of the thesis, and group questions or experiments in order to describe something that isn't known for sure. How to solve a problem in academia requires the capacity to detect and analyse the issue in order to choose the best course of action, as well as to recognise the likelihood of further issues that may arise. To anticipate what will happen and how it will affect the situation, including the potential outcomes or effects, by first generating a hypothesis, then examining all conceivable outcomes and effects, and then settling on the best forecast. In other words, it's the capacity to articulate one's views and thoughts. Communication is the foundation of critical thinking, and it must be cultivated and used.

4. Conclusions.

Examples of communication categories include: categorization; description; connection; nonverbal communication; and structuring of sentences in order to construct ideas. It's a challenging talent to master since it includes a wide range of factors that must be taken into account including consequences. Developing this competence by providing logical justification for judgments and possible remedies. So, the repercussions or dangers experienced may be accounted for in this way.

Task Three: Literature searching, note taking and evaluating

• Lipson, C 2004, Doing honest work in College : How to prepare citations-, avoid plagiarism, and achieve real academic success., Chicago, The University Of Chicago Press.

Currency, 

After reading it, I'd suggest it to any undergraduate or graduate student, regardless of the sort of university they're attending. A student (or any other reader) may learn from Lipson how to perform well on examinations, group presentations, and in scientific laboratories in a variety of circumstances. As the student's conscience, he spends a lot of effort defining the explanations that students use to justify cheating or plagiarism and then poking holes in these arguments. 

Authority,.

As a famous researcher and instructor who has taught thousands of students how to do honest work, Charles Lipson delivers straightforward and accessible guidance on all elements of college studies, including papers, examinations, and study groups and laboratories.

In order to assist pupils better comprehend plagiarism, he goes on to explain it and provide concrete instances in a tabular style. It's impossible for students to declare, "I don't understand plagiarism" after reading this portion of the book, which is clearly plain. The book's section on taking notes is another helpful feature. I get the impression that Lipson really cares about the success of his pupils. 

Relevance & Reliability, 

As students, we typically take paraphrasing for granted, yet many of us don't understand how to do it correctly. To the extent that Lipson's advice on plagiarism, academic dishonesty, and paraphrasing is helpful, I recommend that every college student get this book since it includes "little guides" to all of the main references (APA, Chicago, MLA). It is a professor's dream to have such a book and these resources included! Students should purchase the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association's or the Chicago Manual of Style every year, I advise them each year. However, students seldom break the binding of these volumes because they find them daunting and bulky. As a consequence, I'm forced to deal with pupils who claim they have no idea how to properly credit sources. With Lipson's "No Excuses" Citation Guide, students may cite everything from papers and books to interviews and the internet. With the inclusion of many different academic fields' citation formats (including those in the humanities and social sciences), this book may be used by almost any undergraduate or graduate student. Doing Honest Work in College has been updated to accommodate students' usage of Wikipedia, the non-refereed, on-line encyclopaedia, after its initial version was released in 2004. In light of the fact that the Oxford English Dictionary was created in a similar fashion as Wikipedia, I have attempted to have an open mind regarding its usefulness. 

Purpose/Point of View

Lipson argues, emphasising that academic research relies on reliable sources. Lipson's support is a welcome addition to the conversation on the difference between peer-reviewed and popular sources. His advice on how to prevent plagiarising, whether on purpose and by accident, is particularly relevant in this digital era. Because students are so clueless about plagiarism, Lipson's views and proposals may appear clear to some. Doing honest work at college is amusing, beneficial, and priceless in the grander scheme of things. 

B

Ezarik, M 2021, Six ideas for prioritizing academic integrity among students, www.insidehighered.com.

Currency

Knowing why teachers did is critical to solving the issue, which existed for thousands of years before the epidemic worsened it by converting in-person instruction to online. In the current Student Voice poll, conducted in mid-to-late October, almost three-quarters of students blame academic pressure for cheating in higher education. 

Authority

Melissa Ezarik What students see as cheating and how allegations are handled.

Next on the list of factors identified in the poll by Chronicle Higher Ed and College Pulse with Kaplan's help is a lack of test preparation. They wind up doing things they don't want to in other courses because they are overwhelmed. 

Relevance & Reliability, 

If students can pick between cheating and not cheating cheat to earn an A, don't cheat to get a C—the temptation is simply too strong, says Eren Bilen, professor of data analytics at Dickinson College. They go for it if they can. 

Purpose/Point of View

The data illustrates that more than any I've seen. Everyone pays a price: worry, family, time. Everyone has a limit. According to Rettinger, a psychologist and head of academic integrity initiatives at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, most students reach that breaking point within a semester. In the words of one poll responder from a Massachusetts private institution, Cheating isn't bad. Despair does it.

Task Four: Plagiarism and referencing

A)

Academic integrity is doing a thorough, scientific examination of a topic relevant to research, science, and the arts. It is necessary to adhere to the norms of accuracy and trust in the dissemination of research material in this context. If you want your audience to be able to receive accurate and reliable information, then need to publish it in an unbiased and honest way. There are guidelines for research and the research process as a whole. In the study, honesty is considered as the starting point. 

One of the most important elements in the production and publishing of research is honesty. It's also the most often broken rule. There are two notions that embrace the whole spectrum of human endeavours: research and honesty. Rather than just altering the material and touching on it, honesty is also a factor in this circumstance. Although honesty, non-hiding the truth, and the term itself all have comparable definitions, we focus only on them in this study.

Plagiarism is the act of purposefully or inadvertently using another person's work and/or scientific work, which is recognised as a scientific work, without correctly and sufficiently acknowledging the source, in order to acquire or attempt to get credit or value for a scientific work.

The following definitions of plagiarism are derived from the aforementioned definitions. Using someone else's words or phrases without citing the source or putting quotation marks around them. Using someone else's thoughts, opinions, or beliefs without mentioning where they came from is plagiarism. Using other people's facts data, information without identifying the source. Recognizing the work of others and claiming it as one's own. Paraphrasing without disclosing the source's identity turning other people's statements into one's own words without affecting the concept.

Submit as one's own work a scientific work created and/or released by another party. Without citing the source, the author quotes other writers verbatim. Inappropriately quoting from the source  Plagiarism of Source . The author borrows from the work of others without properly crediting their sources without clearly citing the source. Copyright Violation. Plagiarism committed by the author on behalf of the author. An author who publishes a single essay in several editorial publications falls under this category. Likewise, re-use textual and scientific materials. Taking one's own work and making major alterations to it is the most essential aspect of self-plagiarism. 

As a result, only a tiny portion of the new work is influenced by the previous work. As a result, the author genuinely devotes himself into writings that make use of classics, in order to provide something fresh for the audience. Academic integrity and non-academic integrity are the two main types of integrity. Non-academic integrity will be discussed in this chapter for instructional reasons, despite the fact that this chapter primarily focuses on academic integrity.

Academic integrity is taught in ethics lectures and acknowledged in study plans at most colleges and universities, as well as in their mission statements and honour codes. On many university websites, there are sections devoted to academic integrity, in which the institution explains what the phrase means to them. Students' self-confidence and honesty may be boosted by adhering to the honour code, which is credited to those who truly developed it. Teachers and students form a pact of honour that empowers them to punish dishonest pupils with harsh punishments. It is necessary for students to read and sign the honour pledge before it is used to assign homework, as a symbol of their agreement not to break any regulations.

B)

A citation is a reference to a source that appears in the text and is included in the word count. Citing a source in-text identifies the source's author(s) and publication date. The term "no date" is used instead of a date if the publishing date is unknown. Using direct quotes requires users to provide the page number or paragraph number for online sites in addition to the quotation.

A reference list at the conclusion of any work that includes all of the complete citations, which are not counted against the word count. In order to properly cite the sources, students must provide complete bibliographical information for every of the sources that cite in the work.

The Australian Harvard style of referencing consists of two elements:

• In-text citations in the body of the paper – provide the author, date and often a page number.

• A reference list at the end of the paper – provide full bibliographic details of all in-text citations

In-text citations

For sources with a single author, provide the family name, or organisation/agency name, and the date. Australia ranks 23 in Afghanistan’s principal export destinations (DFAT 2020). The ethical culture of an organisation does not develop from ‘company decree alone’ (Wood 2002:64)

Ekwall A, Gerdtz M and Manias E (2008) ‘The influence of patient acuity on satisfaction with emergency care: perspectives of family, friends and carers’, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(6):800–809, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02052.x

Reference list

• Ezarik, M 2021, Six ideas for prioritizing academic integrity among students, www.insidehighered.com.
• Lanier, MM 2006, ‘Academic integrity and distance learning’, Journal of criminal justice education, vol. 17, Taylor & Francis, no. 2, pp. 244–261.
• Lipson, C 2004, Doing honest work in College : How to prepare citations-, avoid plagiarism, and achieve real academic success., Chicago, The University Of Chicago Press.
• Macfarlane, B, Zhang, J & Pun, A 2014, ‘Academic integrity: a review of the literature’, Studies in higher education, vol. 39, Taylor & Francis, no. 2, pp. 339–358.