Mental Health: Social Justice Issues

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Mental health is one of the largest overlooked social justice issues in society today. Unfortunately this problem is one that is extremely prevalent even in our own back yard. Recently in Chicago, clinics citywide closed their doors resulting in over 10,000 people with no access to care (Sfondeles, 2015). This issue was caused by a massive federal funding cut in addition to a cut from the state of Illinois. Many of the people who previously visited these clinics now have nowhere else to go. As Christians and people of good will, we are called to react to this social justice issue and respond with care, compassion, and assistance to the mentally ill. What happened in this situation goes directly against what the church would say and do. Turning …show more content…
To begin, social justice in this paper is defined as the value or belief that all people should have equal access to resources and basic human rights; this includes physical and mental health care (Class Lecture, Personal Communication, 2015). Closing down mental health care centers is a social justice issue because it is denying those with mental illnesses basic human rights. Just because someone does not have the mental capacity as a “normal” person, does not suggest that his or her health should be hindered. Each and every person on earth is our “neighbor” and we are called to treat all people the same way. Granting the mentally ill with access to the care they need is an example of the Christian value, neighbor love. Not only does this concept suggest to treat others the way you want to be treated, but it also says that there should be no judgment of worthiness. We are not the ones who should be determining the needs of others and who needs care the most. Neighbor love proposes to care for others out of the goodness of your heart and not expect anything in return. An example of this practice from the bible would be the parable of the Good Samaritan, which tells the story of caring for those less fortunate by “approaching them, pouring wine and oil over their wounds, and taking them to an inn for care” (Luke, 2004). In modern times, caring for the mentally ill in a …show more content…
Rather than allocating more money to this issue, funding for mental health care is being cut more and more. In the state of Illinois, governor Bruce Rauner planned to make even more cuts, “eliminating funds for psychiatry, housing programs for the homeless, and care coordinators who direct people with mental illness to appropriate care” (Venteicher, 2015). Similar to what happened when the Chicago clinics closed their doors, many other facilities would soon be turning patients that really need help away. Without proper care, these individuals will be left on the streets and eventually end up costing the community more money by accessing services such as “hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and jails” (Venteicher, 2015). This current praxis does not exemplify any sort of Christian value. This current system is not effective and needs to be fixed in the future. Mental health is a growing issue that needs funding and advocacy. The Christian right relationship would suggest caring for these people without concern of cost or repayment. Again, we are called to accept strangers and treat them with love and respect. Moving forward more needs to be done from a Christian perspective. More federal and state funding needs to be allocated to supporting mental health programs, clinics, and assistance. There are so many people affected
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