Week 2: Relationship Between Mental Health and Physical Health

Discussion 1: The Mind–Body Connection

The mind–body connection is a concept that hasgrown in popularity. It highlights the intricate relationship of anindividual’s physical health with his or her emotions and psychologicalstate. As medicine begins to understand and accept “the mind–bodyconnection,” there has been a greater integration of biomedicine, mentalhealth services, and alternative or complementary therapies.

Thisweek’s resources cite multiple studies that explain the complex andmultidirectional connection between physical illness and mental illness.For example, chronic physical illness may cause mental distress. On theother hand, mental illness can lead to deteriorating physical health,an acute medical crisis, or poor overall health outcomes. Given theconnection between physical illness and mental illness, it is common tofind health care teams that include physicians, mental healthprofessionals, and medical social workers. The combination of thesedisciplines provides patients with well-rounded care that emphasizes thewhole person.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Thinkabout a mental illness and a physical illness that might be connected.Consider the impact of mental illness on physical illness and viceversa.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of therelationship between the mental illness and the physical illness.Explain the specific course of the physical illness that might beinfluenced by the mental illness. Then, explain how this relationshipmight impact a patient’s course of life.

Besure to support your postings and responses with specific references tothe resources and the current literature using appropriate APA formatand style.

REQUIRED READINGS

Gehlert, S., & Browne, T. (Eds.). (2019). Handbook of health social work (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

• Chapter 9, “The Implementation of Integrated Behavioral Health Models” (pp. 190-202)

Coleman, S. M., Katon, W., Lin, E., & Von Korff, M. (2013). Depression and death in diabetes; 10-year follow-up of all- cause and cause-specific mortality in a diabetic cohort. Psychosomatics, 54(5), 428–436.

Cabassa, L. J., Humensky, J., Druss, B., Lewis-Fernández, R., Gomes, A. P., Wang, S., & Blanco, C. (2013). Do race, ethnicity, and psychiatric diagnoses matter in the prevalence of multiple chronic medical conditions? Medical Care, 51(6), 540–547.
Do Race, Ethnicity, and Psychiatric Diagnoses Matter in the Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Medical Conditions? by Cabassa, L. J.; Humensky, J.; Druss, B.; Lewis-Fernández, R.; Gomes, A. P.; Wang, S.; Blanco, C., in Medical Care, Vol. 51/Issue 6. Copyright 2013 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. – Journals. Reprinted by permission of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Crouch, E., Strompolis, M., Radcliff, E., Srivastav, A. (2018). Examining exposure to adverse childhood experiences and later outcomes of poor physical and mental health among South Carolina adults. Children and Youth Services Review, 84, 193-197.

Greene, G. M. (2013). Description of a psychosocial assessment instrument and risk criteria to support social work recommendations for kidney transplant candidates. Social Work in Health Care, 52(4), 370–396.

American School Counselor Association. (2010). Ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from http://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Resource%20Center/Legal%20and%20Ethical%20Issues/Sample%20Documents/EthicalStandards2010.pdf

Optional Resources

Hoy-Ellis, C.P., Fredriksen-Goldsen, K.I. (2016). Lesbian, gay & bisexual older adults: Linking internal minority stressors, chronic health conditions and depression. Aging and Mental Health, 20(11), 1119-1130.

Yesavage, J. A., Brink, T. L., Rose, T. L., Lum, O., Huang, V., Adey, M., & Leirer, V. O. (1983). Geriatric Depression Scale [Measurement Instrument]. Retrieved from https://integrationacademy.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/Update%20Geriatric%20Depression%20Scale-30_0.pdf