Should Mental Health Professionals Make Their Political Ideologies Apparent?

A major concern within the mental health field is the intersection of political ideology and social concern. It is a field so inherently political that interventions cannot be properly made without regard to the influence of political ideologies and agendas (Martinez, 2005, p. 7). Due to the delicate nature of the political climate inundated in policy and administration, an important question is raised: Should mental health professionals make their political ideologies apparent? At first glance upon the surface of the issue, my answer is no. However, after reading about the effects of politics upon policy and therapeutic ideology, I have come to the conclusion that it is important that mental health professionals share their political views as it pertains to policy and organizational growth.

POLITICAL INFLUENCES

As Martinez (2005) shares, it is impossible to have a mental health system with no political ties (p. 7). Rather, the government overseas and influences administration as well as policy. Just as the government advocates for liberty, one's achievement based on merit and a distrust of centralized power, so too does the mental health system (Grub, 2008, p. 90). As mental health professionals, we have the ability to see the need for change of which the overarching agencies may not be aware. Acting on behalf of our clients, and the mental health consumer population as a whole, mental health professionals are the best individuals to present and advocate issues for debate. Only then can legislators become aware of and begin to change policy (Grub, 2008, p. 98).

INTERSECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH & POLITICS

It is also important for mental health professionals to share and interact with a diversity of political ideologies for policy change and to increase service performance (p. 98). Sheinfeld and Weirich (1981) also indicate that in order to prevent conflict, the administrator, at the agency or organization level, must always remain aware, adjust and make allowances for the diversity of political perspectives (p. 71). He/She should also depend upon the diversity of perspectives to perpetuate ideological inspiration as well as coalition and goal development (p. 71). Political ideologies as demonstrated on the support and self-help group level has also shown promise (Hatzidimitriadou, 2002, p.283). In a study comparing a self-help groups of conservatives and liberals, the mixed group was found to seek mental health services less often than the purely conservative or purely liberal groups (p.283). This conclusion indicates the positive outcome of collaboration between different political ideologies toward a common purpose.

COLLABORATION TOWARD A BETTER SYSTEM

Although I argue for the collaboration between mental health professionals of diverse ideologies, I do not ignore the misuse of one's right to address issues from one's political perspective. There are obvious situations in which such expression may be inappropriate and harmful to the agency, particularly if it is contradictory to agreements made with funding organizations. However, if managed in the safety of collaborative coalitions toward a united purpose, diverse political ideologies should help to brainstorm and mold better policies, inform socialization of clients, better train future professionals and educate the community against stigma (Grob, 2008, p.98).

REFERENCES

Grob, Gerald N. (2008). Mental health policy in the liberal state: The example of the United States. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 31, 89-100. Doi: 10.1016/j.jlp.2008.02.003

Hatzidimitriadou, Eleni. (2002). Political ideology, helping mechanisms and empowerment of mental health self-help/mutual aid groups. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 12, 271-285. Doi: 10.1002/casp.681

Martinez, Dawn B. (2005). Mental health care after capitalism: Radical Psychology, 4(2). Retrieved from http://www.radicalpsychology.org/vol4-2/Martinez4.html

Sheinfeld, S. & Weirich, T. (1981). Ideology and performance: Service delivery in a community mental health center. Public Administration Review, 41(1), 63-72. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/975725