Provision Of Mental Health Services Research Articles

On the Mental Health Needs Under the Russian Invasion in Ternopil, Ukraine: A Preliminary Report on the Provision of Mental Health Service.

On the Mental Health Needs Under the Russian Invasion in Ternopil, Ukraine: A Preliminary Report on the Provision of Mental Health Service.

Psychological Wellbeing: Toward an Innovative Provision of Mental Health and Wellbeing in the United Arab Emirates

While physical health strategies have been developed through establishing healthcare centers and e-services, psychological health services have not improved by the same degree, especially in the UAE. Since the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was declared a public health emergency in January 2020, the demand for health services—including mental healthcare—has increased and led to the detection of several global gaps within the healthcare systems. Thus, it is essential to understand the requirements of advanced technologies and approaches to provide healthcare services. Nevertheless, social cohesion, financial burden, and associated stigma are among the primary factors behind the reluctance to approach psychological wellbeing services. Consequently, this study aims to explore how innovation can support the provision of mental health services and how it can assist in spreading awareness of psychological wellbeing and reduce the associated stigma, in the context of the UAE. A qualitative research design was afollowed, that focuses on the preliminary literature review of innovative methods applied in the area of mental health and psychological wellbeing services. Additionally, primary data was collected by conducting a focus group discussion among specialized counselors, psychologists, and other related professionals working in the city of Abu Dhabi. The acquired data were analyzed based on the research objective with NVivo Software (QSR 2.0). The fidings were evaluated to present results that answered the research questions. The coding process led to finalizing six unified codes that were extracted into six correlated themes: Workplace environment, Counseling sessions, School children matters, COVID-19 pandemic concerns, Treatment mode, and Future mental health development. Also, visual illustration was generated and presented. The findings of this research provided recommendations for a strategic framework and suggestions for future research.

Promoting Psychosocial Health of Family Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Mental Disorders: A Review of Challenges and Strategies.

The present study aimed to investigate the mental and social health challenges of family caregivers of the patients with chronic mental disorders (CMD) and strategies which can be helpful in this regard. This study is a narrative review conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Proquest, Magiran, and Sid databases where keywords such as Family caregiver, Chronic Mental disorder, Health Promotion, Program, Psychosocial, Support, Challenge, and Problem were searched in both Persian and English. A total of 5,745 published documents were found and were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 64 studies were found which had examined the related challenges, needs and strategies. According to the results, information deficits, needs for support, community participation deficits, and psychological suffering were recognized as challenges of family caregivers of these patients. Moreover, empowerments programs for the enhancement of the knowledge and skills of caregivers and peer-centered support programs were used to improve the level of mental and social health of family caregivers of these patients. Psychosocial problems and challenges that family caregivers of the patients with CMD face affect their health, satisfaction and quality of life. Using a collaborative approach, mental health service providers and government systems can help improve the psychosocial health of caregivers. The related managers and policymakers can reduce the emotional and psychological burden of families and promote their psychosocial health through developing a comprehensive program including practical objectives and strategies and taking into account the challenges that exist for caregivers in caring for patients with CMD.

Atypical jobs in psychology: Interview of Dr. Donna Rasin-Waters.

This article provides an overview of Dr. Donna Rasin-Waters' career path and experiences providing telehealth at the Brooklyn Campus of the Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare Systems. Dr. Rasin-Waters, a psychologist and neuropsychologist with a specialty in geropsychology, began working toward the provision of evidence-based therapy via telehealth for Veterans in 2010. She believed that, in addition to rural communities, telehealth held utility for Veterans in densely populated areas, particularly for elderly adults with limited means for transportation. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Rasin-Waters has seen a rapid boom in the use of telehealth for a variety of clinical activities with Veterans. This has further brought to light promising implications for the provision of remote mental health services, as well as important telehealth training and cultural considerations for clinicians. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

THE EXPERIENCES OF SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa presents a high prevalence of mental health problems, with one in six South Africans being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and substance-use problems (excluding more severe conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia). The incidence of mental health problems is ranked third after HIV and other infectious diseases in determining the disease burden. Social workers are key professionals in rendering interventions and services aimed at treating persons with mental health problems. In this qualitative study, ten purposively sampled social workers providing mental health services at a mental health facility in Tshwane, South Africa were interviewed. The thematic analysis generated seven themes, four of which are discussed. The findings reveal that social workers are adequately capacitated to provide mental health services and are one of the key mental health service providers. Recommendations for practice are provided. Keywords: experiences, mental health, mental health services, mental healtcare user, social worker

To screen or not to screen: Exploring and addressing effective screening processes for trauma among forced migrants

BackgroundExisting literature points to higher rates of trauma disorders for forced migrants than general or immigrant populations. The process of identification and screening for trauma in this population however is not straightforward and is actually controversial in some circles. Furthermore there are no definitive guidelines for mental health and social service providers on the “when” “who”, “what” “why”, “where”, and “how” of trauma screening. ObjectivesImportantly, few studies have included insights into the screening process from service providers and forced migrants themselves through participatory research methods. This study investigates effective screening processes for trauma and examines benefits and pitfalls of current practices from the perspectives of both migrants themselves as well as health service providers that serve them. DesignWe used a qualitative approach to identify and analyze key themes from focus group interviews with key informants (service providers and trauma experts providing social and medical services in the community) and forced migrants (from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Honduras, and Tanzania). ResultsOur results comprise forced migrant definitions of and approaches to coping with trauma, reservations about engaging with providers, positive experiences with and impacts of screening, limitations and negative aspects of screening, helpful screening practices, and effective tools and questions for screening. ConclusionsDrawing on these themes, we offer recommendations that may help inform future screening approaches and trauma-informed service provision. The study ultimately helps those in the field to reflect on current trauma screening practices for forced migrants and consider how new insights derived from rich discussions with migrants and their service providers may alter existing screening processes- which few

Sexualized Images on Social Media and Adolescent Girls' Mental Health: Qualitative Insights from Parents, School Support Service Staff and Youth Mental Health Service Providers.

This research explored adults' perceptions of how sexualized images typically found on social media might influence adolescent girls' mental health, what support girls might need should they experience mental health difficulties, and how such difficulties could be prevented or reduced. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with parents of adolescent girls (n = 11) and those who provide support to them: school support service staff (n = 7) and youth mental health service providers (n = 10) located in Perth, Western Australia. All three participant groups perceived sexualized images typically found on social media as exacerbating poor mental health among adolescent girls. Two interrelated themes, emerged with participants describing the 'potential for comparison' and 'pressure to conform' they believed girls encounter on social media that influences their mental health. Participants also explained how they perceived 'counteracting negative influences' related to sexualized images on social media could prevent or reduce the potential for mental health harms among girls, and the importance of adults and services 'keeping up to date' and being 'approachable and trustworthy' when describing the support they believed girls might need. The findings of this study have important implications for the development of health promotion programs focused on social media use and mental health among adolescent girls.

Campus Mental Health Revisited

This conceptual, reflective article explores recent innovations in mental health service provision at a large urban, residential university in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, mental health services at this university were generally offered through face-to-face consultations, with secondary offerings in the form of well-being workshops at student residences and faculty houses. The need for mental health support was acute during the pandemic, placing great pressure on service provision. At the same time, however, everyone – that is, all staff and students – were working remotely as campuses had been closed under national lockdown. In this context, it was necessary to connect students to mental health services while they were studying remotely during the various phases of lockdown and to revisit the conventional and possibly largely reactive model of mental health service provision. Innovation in the promotion and provision of mental health services and products at this university, including through corporate partnerships and the responsible use of automation and technology, helped to achieve market penetration and widespread utilisation of services. In addition, ethical considerations; the factors inhibiting and supporting change; and the sustainability of the efforts undertaken during this period had to be addressed. Drawing lessons from the experience at this university, it is recommended that, while there will always be a place for conventional mental health service offerings, it may be time to expand the model permanently on modern campus environments, where there is a need for a caring community; committed leadership; the development of resilience in the student body; and the building of personal strengths in individuals.

TRENDS IN MENTAL ILLNESS ACROSS ASSISTED LIVING SETTINGS: RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY FACTORS

Abstract Although rates of serious mental illness (SMI), depression, and anxiety are becoming more common among assisted living (AL) and residential care (RC) residents, few studies have investigated resident and community-level factors to ensure that the settings and resources are adequate to meet residents’ mental health needs. Using a representative sample of Oregon AL/RC residents (n = 1,013), this study uses descriptive cross-sectional analysis to examine intrastate variation in the prevalence of SMI, depression, and anxiety related to: (1) resident-level characteristics (e.g., mental illness comorbidity, psychotropic medication use, and Medicaid status); (2) community-level characteristics (e.g., facility type and urban/rural geographic designation); and (3) health services utilization (e.g., emergency room visits and hospital admission). Results indicate that 12% of AL/RC residents had an SMI diagnosis, nearly half of whom also had depression and anxiety, and 80% were Medicaid eligible. One in six residents with SMI received at least three psychotropic medications in the last week. Residents with SMI were also more likely to live in RC facilities than AL facilities, in facilities with Medicaid contracts, and in urban rather than rural settings. Compared to residents without SMI, a larger share of residents with SMI utilized hospital emergency rooms (32% vs. 18%) and were admitted to the hospital overnight (15% vs. 9%). Findings underscore characteristics associated with potentially higher needs among AL/RC residents with SMI compared to their counterparts, with implications for the high quality provision of mental health services and quality of life and care in these settings.

Patterns of service provision in child and adolescent mental health care in Australia.

Standard description of local care provision is essential for evidence-informed planning. This study aimed to map and compare the availability and diversity of current mental health service provision for children and adolescents in Australia. We used a standardised service classification instrument, the Description and Evaluation of Services and DirectoriEs (DESDE) tool, to describe service availability in eight urban and two rural health districts in Australia. The pattern of care was compared with that available for other age groups in Australia. Outpatient care was found to be the most common type of service provision, comprising 212 (81.2%) of all services identified. Hospital care (acute and non-acute) was more available in urban than in rural areas (20 services [9.7%] vs 1 [1.8%]). The level of diversity in the types of care available for children and adolescents was lower than that for the general adult population, but slightly higher than that for older people in the same areas. Standardised comparison of the pattern of care across regions reduces ambiguity in service description and classification, enables gap analysis and can inform policy and planning.

Analysis of the mental health service provision in Qatar: Progressing in community mental health in a Middle East country.

Qatari health planning in the last decade aimed to make the transition from the traditional hospital-based psychiatric care to a community-based care, building an integrated and comprehensive mental health system. The objective of this study was to explore the mental health service provision in Qatar in 2018 and 2022. This time span coincided with two mental health plans (2013-2018 and 2019-2022) and one health plan (2018-2022). This study followed a healthcare ecosystem approach, including context analysis and the standard description and classification of mental health services. Service provision was studied applying DESDE-LTC system (Description and Evaluation of Services and DirectoriEs-Long Term Care), an internationally validated methodology to assess and describe mental health services. Service data were analyzed along with sociodemographic indicators from public statistics to know the care context. The availability of specialized mental health services increased for adults, although it remained the same for other age groups. The diversity of care and the weight of health-related care over social-related care also remained quite similar. It was noteworthy the development of new services for young adults, migrant workers, and female populations. This was the first time that this service research methodology has been applied in a Middle East country to study its mental healthcare pattern. The analysis of the mental healthcare pattern in the study time period showed the continued progress toward community-based care in Qatar in the framework of three health plans and despite the unexpected COVID-19 world pandemic.

Creating A Positive Feedback Loop: Supporting Student Mental Health in Ontario’s Christian Schools

This study examined the development of student mental health service provision by independent Christian schools in Ontario, Canada. Key informant interviews led to the development of three major themes—(i) Culture of Caring: A Christian principle in action, (ii) Equifinality: multiple pathways to the same destination, and (iii) Normalizing Counselling: the creation of a positive feedback loop that was divided into five integrated stages. Three counselling models emerged to address students’ psychosocial and emotional challenges. These programs were viewed as an extension of Christian ministry, holistically providing care within the school system not originally structured to meet such needs

Integrating SMART Recovery and Mental Health Services to Meet the Needs and Goals of LGBTQ Individuals Experiencing Substance Use–Related Problems

LGBTQ (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) individuals experience increased risk for substance use disorders. Many LGBTQ individuals experience barriers to benefiting from substance use programs. A recent study suggests that SMART Recovery, a cognitive-behavioral mutual help group for addictive behaviors, may be a valuable resource for LGBTQ individuals experiencing substance use–related problems. Mental health service providers can play a valuable role in supporting LGBTQ clients in participating in SMART Recovery by introducing them to the program, supporting them in overcoming barriers to successful engagement, and helping clients to apply SMART Recovery tools to salient situations to promote recall and utilization, and teaching additional cognitive-behavioral tools to promote effective emotion regulation and coping with minority stressors.

The digital move for psychological appointments during and beyond the Covid-Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought much unpredictability, uncertainty, and created huge disruption in society. This has posed challenges to the provision of mental health services and seen unprecedented changes to standard clinical practice. This article, based on survey data from both clients and clinicians, reflects on the implementation of remote appointments in an adult psychological therapy service.

Examining the existing knowledge base for enablers of family recovery in mental health: a protocol for a scoping review of national and international literature

IntroductionRecovery-oriented services in mental health are becoming an accepted approach across much of the globe. While the development of recovery-oriented approaches has focused mainly on people accessing mental health services,...

Mental health service utilization in a low resource setting: A qualitative study on perspectives of health professionals in Northwest Ethiopia.

Mental health services are advocated to move from specialized care to more integrated and accessible primary care settings. The integration of mental health into primary health services is expanding in Ethiopia. However, there is a lack of research on the perspectives of health professionals on mental health services in Ethiopia. This study aimed to explore the perspectives, views, and experiences of health professionals regarding mental health services and the help-seeking behavior of people with mental illness in Northwest Ethiopia. This qualitative study included sixteen health professionals. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were conducted in Amharic and translated into English. We analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis. Five key themes were generated from the interview data: (1) Avoidance of mental healthcare; (2) Low literacy about mental illness; (3) Stigma as a hindrance to accessing mental health services; (4) The role of culture and religion in mental health services; and (5) Lack of government concern about mental health services. This study identified important factors related to mental health services in Northwest Ethiopia, from the perspectives of health professionals. Our findings highlighted that the government health agenda needs to prioritize mental health services. The role of religious and cultural healing places in the help-seeking pathway should be given due consideration to ensure success in mental health services provision and utilization.

Optimalisasi Kemampuan Perawat Community Mental Health Nursing dalam Manajemen Asuhan Keperawatan Psikososial pada Masa Pandemi COVID-19 di Kabupaten Sumedang

The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on mental health conditions, such as experiencing psychosocial problems marked by emotional reaction’s changes, e.g. anxiety, fear of transmission, depression, stigma and social discrimination against people who are confirmed positive for COVID-19. The results of a survey in one village in Sumedang Regency show us that they have mental-emotional disorders with an average Self Reporting Questionnaire score of 14, so efforts are needed to overcome them by CMHN nurses as mental health service providers in the community. Therefore, further efforts are needed to optimize the ability of CMHN nurses in the management of psychosocial nursing care. This community service activity aims to increase the knowledge and ability of CMHN nurses in providing psychosocial nursing care to overcome psychosocial problems in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodology used is training and mentoring with an Intermediate Course Community Mental Health Nursing (IC-CMHN) model approach. Evaluation of this activity was carried by pretest and posttest also using the Behavioral Health Care Competency Survey instrument. The results obtained in the CMHN training and mentoring activities for nurses in primary health service are an increase in nurse’s knowledge which was originally worth 71 to 95 and shows changes in the level of nurse readiness mostly from low to moderate levels.

Planning and Implementing an Organizational Health Assessment in a Community Mental Health Setting.

The workforce is the essential driver behind mental health service provision and the most valuable asset to any community mental health organization. To build and retain a stable and healthy workforce, systematic recruitment and retention strategies are needed. An organizational health assessment is a valuable tool in developing targeted organizational interventions to create a positive work environment and retain an engaged workforce. Starting in 2017, a large community mental health organization in Southern California implemented such an assessment to drive actionable steps to improve employee experience and decrease turnover. This case study describes the development and implementation of a low-cost organizational health assessment through five phases: development of the assessment, data collection, analysis, metrics and data visualization, and dissemination of findings and development of interventions. Key lessons learned include the importance of utilizing the findings and achieving staff and leadership buy-in.

Mental health service provision for single homeless people: findings from a freedom of information-based study

Mental health service provision for single homeless people: findings from a freedom of information-based study

How structural and symbolic violence during resettlement impacts the social and mental wellbeing of forced migrant women: the lived experiences of Arabic speaking survivors of IPV resettled in Melbourne, Australia

Forced migrant women experience high levels of violence across their journeys and violence can be characterised as having three overarching forms: structural, symbolic, and interpersonal. It is important to understand the intersecting nature of gendered forms of symbolic, structural and interpersonal violence, and their impact on the mental health of forced migrant women in order to develop holistic IPV and resettlement programs and interventions. This article adopts an ecological framework of violence and qualitative methods with mental health service providers and survivors of IPV to understand the intersections of different forms of violence and their impact on mental health as they relate to the lived experiences of Arabic-speaking forced migrant survivors currently residing in Melbourne, Australia. Our research has three key findings: (1) that forced migrant women living in Melbourne, Australia experience intersecting forms of violence during resettlement (2) Structural and symbolic violence against forced migrant women persists regardless of marital status (3) Autonomy and independence plays a vital role in the mental health and wellbeing of forced migrant women. Our findings reveal that structural and symbolic violence increase the risk of IPV for forced migrant women during resettlement and that even when forced migrant women leave IPV situations, structural and symbolic violence persist and exacerbate mental ill-health. This article also reveals the importance autonomy and independence in both the perpetration of violence and in healing and recovery.