Analysis of Political and Socioeconomic Factors in AOD Reform

This report analyzes the political processes and socioeconomic factors that are driving the reform agenda for mental health and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services. It describes the political process, including preparatory, awareness, deliberation, and adoption phases, highlighting the importance of stakeholder involvement, transparency, and constitutional principles. The report also examines key socioeconomic factors such as education and the availability of funds, demonstrating their impact on the success of reform initiatives. It emphasizes the need for educated healthcare professionals to influence decision-making and the critical role of funding in driving and sustaining these reforms. The conclusion underscores the interconnectedness of political and socioeconomic elements in shaping effective mental health and AOD services, emphasizing the significance of public engagement and diverse expertise to achieve successful outcomes.

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH AND AOD 1
Mental Health and AOD
Name
Institution

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Describe and discuss the political process and socioeconomic factors driving the reform
agenda for mental health and AOD
Several organizations and stakeholders have recently embarked on a radical plan for
nationwide reform of the mental health services and AOD. The reform agenda whose aim is to
improve access not only to the mental health and AOD services but also social support, housing,
education and employment to the affected population is expected to strengthen the mental health
and AOD care (Auditor-General, 2011). The reform agenda also aims at viewing mental illness
and AOD not only as health issues but also take steps to improve the economic and social
participation by people with mental illnesses and AODs. Additionally, the reform aims at taking
a new different approach towards the prevention and treatment of mental illnesses and AODs. In
spite of the fact that the reform agenda’s main aim is to enhance the mental health and AOD by
providing appropriate, timely, effective and quality care, there are processes that must be
followed as well as factors that must be considered. These include the political process and the
socioeconomic factors. This paper therefore describes and discusses the political process and the
socioeconomic factors driving the reform agenda for mental health and AOD.
Political Process
Political process is the manner in which the government interacts with the citizens. This
can be through the political culture, demographics and constitutional laws. The political process
for reform agenda for mental health and AOD provides an overarching legal framework which
sets out the basis of a social contract between the government and its people. This achieved by
establishing institutions of government and their powers as well as the powers of the other
stakeholders (Schultz et al., 2010). The political processes involved should support an inclusive,

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participatory and transparent decision-making which help build consensus around a shared vision
in regards to the reform agendas. The agenda reforms progress through different political phases.
Preparatory phase
Creating a strong foundation for a reform before its implementation involves a lengthy
and political sensitive process which is essential for the outcome of the reform. At this phase, the
stakeholders define the goals and generate commitment to the reform process. Having a mutual
objective and scope of the reforms creates a mutual basis for the reforms (Berends, Ritter, &
Wales, 2014). It is at this phase that the stakeholders agree on the basic democratic principles
that guide the reform process by defining constitutional principles. This is to ensure that the
mental health and AOD reforms does not undermine the constitutional rights of the citizens.
Additionally, those involved spell out the consensus about a roadmap, timeline and the budget
for the reform so as to reduce controversies during the reform process. Furthermore, the
stakeholders select the institutions that will foresee the reform process, identify the key
constitutional issues for consultation and debate and agree on a mechanism to analyze and
accommodate the popular views.
Awareness and Consultative Phase
Creating awareness of the process and the content of the reform agenda enables the
participants to legitimately contribute to the sustainability of the final outcome. At this phase, the
stakeholders provide education and information to raise awareness hence public participation
(Byrne, Wilson, Burke, Gaskin, & Happell, 2014). It is important for the public to be aware of
the major mental health and AOD issues at stake as well as the characteristics of the reform
process.

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Deliberation and Drafting Phase
This phase highlights the key elements that can affect such an agenda reform by
guaranteeing high level of inclusivity during the content deliberations and setting up decision-
making and deadlock-breaking mechanisms. In case there are divergent interests and
contradictory views, the decision-making techniques in place will determine the outcome of the
reform. At this stage, the stakeholders balance transparency and informal negotiations, maintain
levels of autonomy in the reform debates and ensure legal coherence between the adopted agenda
reforms (Fisher et al., 2016). Moreover, the stakeholders receive feedback and monitor the
mechanisms in place.
Adoption and Implementation Phase
The adoption and implementation are very crucial so as to confirm the effectiveness of
the agenda reforms of the mental health and AOD. At this stage, the stakeholders safeguard the
agreements so as to prevent their modification by other powerful groups (Spivakovsky, & Seear,
2017). Furthermore, the stakeholders familiarize public and healthcare practitioners with the
adopted agenda reforms and translate these agreements into subsidiary laws.
Economic Factors
Socioeconomic factors are lifestyle components and measurements of both financial
viability and social standing. These factors directly influence the social privileges and the levels
of financial independence. In mental health and AOD reforms agenda, socioeconomic factors
determine the outcome of the agenda as they affect the human behaviors and circumstances.

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Education
The level of education highly affects the economic status of a country as agenda reforms
of mental health and AOD requires advanced education. Education also determines social status
and allows people to trust those who are educated in their field (White, & Evans, 2013). Decision
making in health reforms requires people with experience in the specific areas so as to ensure
that the reforms are based on the society needs. Highly educated and experienced healthcare
professionals are likely to influence decision making of the agenda reforms by giving factual
information to both the public and stakeholders.
Availability of funds
Availability of funds is a direct contributor to the success of the mental health and AOD
reform agenda. Since health reforms require a budget and involves a rigorous process that
encompasses the use of money, lack of funds to steer and foresee the reforms will negatively
affect the process of reforms (Bywood, Brown, & Raven, 2015). Availability of funds is a driver
to the reform agenda for mental health and AOD as it determines the success of the reforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the political process impacts the reform agenda for mental health and AOD
because it involves different stakeholders with divergent views and interest which must be taken
into consideration. The process also must involve the public since the reforms directly impacts
their lives. Moreover, socioeconomic factors drive the reform agenda for mental health and AOD
as it requires different diverse talents and donors who can ensure the reforms are of public
interest hence contribute to its success.

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References
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