The issue is to find resolution for the immediate problem without trying to ascertain what happened in the patient's childhood and the years leading to the problem that caused it (Behavioral Health Services and Prevention (http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA00-3437/SMA00-3437ch3.asp).
A solution based therapy can be completed in several sessions and the person also learns coping tools for identifying and changing problems that appear in the future.
This method is done by having patients come to therapy on an outpatient basis, thereby saving overhead costs as well as session costs.
In addition the three entities can work together toward preventative mental health care by identifying and reducing risk factors whenever possible.
Risk factors and protective factors are also central to an understanding of prevention in the mental health and substance abuse arenas. The presence of risk factors is associated with an increased potential to develop a mental health or substance abuse problem. Protective factors reduce the potential to develop these problems. An at-risk individual may benefit from the presence of protective factors....
Current research seeks to determine how risk factors that cause problems can be changed through preventive interventions (Mrazek & Haggerty, 1994) as well as to identify, maintain, and strengthen protective factors (Behavioral Health Services and Prevention (http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA00-3437/SMA00-3437ch3.asp)."
With the nation's mental health care costs skyrocketing across the nation, the public is demanding changes in the delivery, cost and end result of care.
The trend toward managed care in the field of mental health is a viable and valid alternative try and reduce costs while at the same time continuing to provide quality care at a high standard of delivery.
With proper management and attention to maintaining ethical practices the use of managed care for mental health needs will show promise and provide the ability for more people to seek treatment for their mental health needs.
References
Managed Care http://www.thenationalcoalition.org/eleven.html
Behavioral Health Services and Prevention http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA00-3437/SMA00-3437ch3.asp
