Assignment Introduction: The service delivery system that provides mental health services can often seem fragmented. This is possibly the result of the division of mental services into those that are residential, institutional, and community-based/outpatient. However, trying to understand or figure out the structure of these agencies and the plethora of programs under them for the clients/patients needing mental health services and the families that support them often results in confusion as to what type of service structure they may need and/or how and where to find it. Most importantly, is that the need for mental health services most often exceeds what is available in one's local community or service area. Statistics such as 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. (CDC, 2022) and 1 in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression (CDC, 2022) underscoring the need for services. Additionally, there is research that reveals that the Pandemic has further added to the number of people experiencing a mental health episode, an ongoing crisis, or challenges managing a chronic mental illness.

Assignment Instructions: For this assignment, go to the world-wide-web and search titles such as mental health services, mental illness, psychiatric services, or a combination, to explore what mental health services you can find that exist in your local community. Select 3 agencies you find and the services they deliver and for each of the 3, provide responses to the following:

1. Name & Address of Agency/Program. (2 pts)

2. Population(s) it serves (i.e. women, children, men). (5 pts)

3. Age(s) of the clients serve. If no age requirement is apparent, put none. (5 pts)

4. State the agency's hours of operation (i.e. when are they open and closed). (3 pts)

After you have answered questions 1-4 for each of the 3 agencies/programs, provide a response to this Think About It question as follows:

1. What did this assignment reveal to you in terms of the mental health service delivery system that exists in your local area? (5 pts)

Questions to think about could include, does there appear to be adequate mental health services available in your local area? does there appear to be more or less services provided based on gender or age? do the hours of operation seem to appear adequate for individuals who may work or need others to accompany them to appointments, etc.? You can add any other thoughts you may have, as well.