According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, there are over 800 million cases of mental disorder globally at the end of 2018 ( Auerbach et al., 2019) . The number is slightly above a tenth of people worldwide (approximately 10.9%). The institute argues that mental health disorders and cases are not only multifaceted but also take multiple forms. The World Health Organization attributes the various forms to schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar, anxiety, and depression. The world organization argues that mental health should be given priority since the condition remains extensively under-reported, especially in low-income areas. In low-income countries and regions, the situation receives less attention, diagnosis, and treatment ( Auerbach et al., 2019) . One of the primary goals of Healthy People 2020 is to advance mental health by ensuring and providing appropriate access to primary mental health services.
Significance
Mental health and mental disorders account for a large percentage of disability. According to Auerbach et al. (2019) the condition is considered a burden on many fronts, with the United States having over 45 million adults above the age of 18 suffering from the state. Another approximately 5 percent are suffering from severe debilitating mental disease. Health People 2020 report that neuropsychiatric disorder as the primary cause of disability in America. Mental health or disorders and physical health are closely linked as it plays a significant role in an individual's capability to achieve good physical ability and fitness ( Auerbach et al., 2019) . For instance, anxiety and depression often affect people's capacity to engage or partake in enhancing positive health outcomes. Thus, challenges with an individual's physical condition or health that include conditions such as chronic illnesses do have a severe impact on mental health in addition to lowering one's ability to engage in recovery or even treatment.
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If not given keen attention, mental health is bound to derail the critical objectives of Healthy People 2020 that include;
Attaining good health and lives that are free from premature death, injury, disability, and preventable illnesses.
Attain health equity, reduce inequalities, and enhance the health of all persons.
Establish physical and social environments which enhance excellent health for every individual.
Support quality life, healthy growth, and excellent conducts across life phases.
The danger of not addressing and focusing on mental health is bound to derail the above objectives as outlined by Healthy People 2020. Physical health is directly linked to the overall well-being of people, and failure to connect the two when providing primary care can be counter-productive ( Kamimura, Panahi & Weaver, 2018) . Such reveals the need to come up with strategic measures and problem-solving techniques that can address mental health and disorders appropriately for the good of everyone and the achievement of Healthy People's primary objectives.
Why apply System Thinking to Public Health Problems
Peters (2014) state that system thinking is an all-inclusive methodology to examination that pays more considerable attention to how multiple constituent parts integrate and how they work overtime within a lager contest of systems. Within healthcare systems, thinking involves the skill to assist policymakers and shareholders in establishing policies and programs which are set for unplanned outcomes ( Peters, 2014) . System thinking is essential in healthcare as it offers an understanding of how parts work, with whom, and under what prevailing situations. It provides a practical methodology towards reinforcing health systems via the analysis "lens."
According to Williams & Hummelbrunner (2010) s ystem thinking provides for the circularization of services that minimize inefficiencies, waste, and adding value. At the same time, due to the connectivity of independent parts with an institution of health, system thinking helps integrate all the various elements into one unit. The multiple parts help develop dynamic comprehension of the healthcare sector, increasing creativity, divergent thinking, and enables for neurological growth or development.
The Iceberg Model
Due to the complexities identified in the healthcare sector, systems thinking play a critical role in discovering exciting creative and innovative developments. Healthcare personnel engage in solving problems instead of being a problem avoider. According to Peters (2014) optimization is a vital aspect of management in healthcare. System thinking allows for staff to utilize all the available advantages within the healthcare system. At the same time, system thinking helps in the implementation of parts that uses all the aspects of the social and physical environment ( Williams & Hummelbrunner, 2010) . Besides the casual loop, the iceberg model is another tool within the System, thinking that can help groups or individuals uncover the supporting structures, patterns of conduct, and mental prototypes that underlie a given occurrence. The tool attempts to show the multiple levels of perception to a given body that arises from the observable patterns and structures. Its primary purpose is to expand a viewer's understanding of a particular context by not limiting their view to a single occurrence ( Peters, 2014) . The terminology "tip of the iceberg" connotes to the perception of the ability to view only a small portion of the whole part of an event. The implication is that there is more underneath. The Iceberg model makes it possible to see what is hidden below or beneath an event, thus making it possible to undertake a critical analysis of the presented situation.
The above casual loop helps in identifying mentally challenged patients and those with disorders from home settings to assist them in acquiring healthcare services that include diagnosis and treatment. Awareness is created in the local environment, which is the home. If a mentally disabled patient is identified, they are placed under a diagnosis plan or program where they are placed under care in preparing for diagnosis and treatment. A constant check-up with the patient’s social setting and home is analyzed to ensure the patient can cope and live well with their surroundings. The plan is a community-based approach in which the community members are engaged in identifying and helping healthcare providers seek out and treat any outstanding and evident mental illness.
References
Auerbach, R. P., Alonso, J., Axinn, W. G., Cuijpers, P., Ebert, D. D., Green, J. G., ... & Nock, M. K. (2019). Mental disorders among college students in the World Health Organization world mental health surveys. Psychological medicine , 46 (14), 2955-2970. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5129654/
Kamimura, A., Panahi, S., & Weaver, S. (2018). Community Health Care: An Essential Tool to Improve Population Health. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/291a/843306b9022ae23cbe37891ee261f7772910.pdf
Peters, D. H. (2014). The application of systems thinking in health: why use systems thinking?. Health Research Policy and Systems , 12 (1), 51. https://health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1478-4505-12-51
Williams, B., & Hummelbrunner, R. (2010). Systems concepts in action: a practitioner's toolkit . Stanford University Press. https://www.academia.edu/download/35582481/Systems_Concepts_in_Action__A_Practition_-_Williams__Bob.pdf
Williams, B., & Hummelbrunner, R. (2011). Systems concepts in action: A practitioner's toolkit. Stanford, CA: Stanford Business Books.