scholarly journals Development of an Intervention Aimed at Increasing Awareness and Acknowledgement of Victimisation and Its Consequences Among People with Severe Mental Illness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy M. M. Albers ◽  
Yolanda A. M. Nijssen ◽  
Diana P. K. Roeg ◽  
Inge M. B. Bongers ◽  
Jaap van Weeghel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Trauma Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Management Literature

AbstractIndividuals with severe mental illness have a significant risk of (anticipated) discrimination and (criminal) victimisation, which is not structurally and systematically addressed by mental health practitioners. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot an intervention which supports professionals to address victimisation and its consequences, in order to reinforce safe social participation and improve recovery. Following the rehabilitation and positive risk management literature, in addition to current practice, intervention components were developed in two focus groups and four subsequent expert meetings. The intervention was piloted in two outpatient teams before being finalised. The Victoria intervention includes positive risk management, focusing on clients’ narratives and strengths, and awareness of unsafe (home) environments: it comprises four steps: exploring issues with social participation, analysing victimisation experiences, clarifying the context of these experiences, and determining future steps, including victimisation-sensitive rehabilitation planning and optional trauma treatment. Future research should further test this intervention.

Finding the “Golden Moments”: Strategies of Perseverance Among Parents and Siblings of Persons With Severe Mental Illness and Violent Tendencies

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (17) ◽  
pp. 2658-2683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karyn Sporer ◽  
Lisa Speropolous ◽  
Katarina E. Monahan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Aggressive Child ◽  
Ethnographic Interviews ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Silver Lining ◽  
Gaining Insight

This article examines strategies family members identify as being helpful when challenged by stressors related to living with an aggressive child or sibling with severe mental illness. Data from in-depth, ethnographic interviews with 42 parents and siblings of violent children with severe mental illness were analyzed using a modified version of grounded theory. Our analysis identified three themes that represent helpful strategies: (a) gaining insight and knowledge, (b) joining peer support programs, and (c) identifying a silver lining. Giving attention to these strategies may prove beneficial for other family members confronted and confused by mental illness, violence, and the complex mental health system. We recommend mental health practitioners help family members locate and engage with these resources and strategies to minimize family members’ sense of isolation and confusion, and to increase their knowledge of mental illness.

Music Therapy with Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Policastro Vega
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treatment Goals ◽  
Social Emotion ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
And Behavior

The purpose of this paper is to define addiction and co-occurring disorders, review the current music therapy literature with regard to techniques and treatment goals and finally to accentuate gaps in research for future investigation. Mental health practitioners have been becoming increasing more aware that persons with addiction disorders have a high incidence of co-occurring mental health disorders. The term “comorbidity” is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) as a person who exhibits more than one disorder or illness concurrently or sequentially, one after the other (NIH, 2011). The most common music therapy techniques is music songwriting and music improvisation. Most goals focus on the domains of education, social, emotion and behavior. The music therapy literature contains only seven studies, four quantitative, one case study and one descriptive study.  With the exception of one study, the research reflects finding in an eight-year time span with the most recent study being 3 years old. Future research needs to be reported with persons with addiction and co-occurring disorders. 

Coping with the Dual Demands of Severe Mental Illness and Parenting: The Parents' Perspective

2003 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry J. Ackerson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Role Reversal ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Single Parenthood ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
Boundary Issues

The experience of parenthood by individuals with severe mental illness has not been well studied. Research on mentally ill parents has focused on their pathology and the potential risk for their children without considering the parents' perspective. This qualitative study used interviews to explore how these parents coped with the dual demands of parenthood and their illness. Participants included individuals whose children are now young adults as well as those with younger children. Themes that emerged were problems with diagnosis and treatment, stigma, chaotic interpersonal relationships, the strain of single parenthood, custody issues, relationship with children, social support, and pride in being a parent. Follow-up interviews focused on the themes of relationship with children, strain of single parenthood, and sources of support. Relationship with children contained three specific topics: discipline, boundary issues, and role reversal. Implications for practice are discussed along with recommendations for future research involving other family members.

scholarly journals Feasibility of an Intervention Delivered via Mobile Phone and Internet to Improve the Continuity of Care in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12391
Author(s):  
Christina Gallinat ◽  
Markus Moessner ◽  
Sandra Apondo ◽  
Philipp A. Thomann ◽  
Sabine C. Herpertz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Monitoring Module

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness associated with a heavy symptom burden and high relapse rates. Digital interventions are increasingly suggested as means to facilitate continuity of care, relapse prevention, and long-term disease management for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In order to investigate the feasibility of a mobile and internet-based aftercare program, a 2-arm randomized controlled pilot study was conducted. The program could be used by patients for six months after inpatient treatment and included psychoeducation, an individual crisis plan, optional counseling via internet chat or phone and a supportive monitoring module. Due to the slow pace of enrollment, recruitment was stopped before the planned sample size was achieved. Reasons for the high exclusion rate during recruitment were analyzed as well as attitudes, satisfaction, and utilization of the program by study participants. The data of 25 randomized patients suggest overall positive attitudes towards the program, high user satisfaction and good adherence to the monitoring module. Overall, the results indicate that the digital program might be suitable to provide support following discharge from intensive care. In addition, the study provides insights into specific barriers to recruitment which may inform future research in the field of digital interventions for severe mental illness.

scholarly journals A collaboration between service users and professionals for the development and evaluation of a new program for cardiovascular risk management in persons with a diagnosis of severe mental illness: French multicenter qualitative and feasibility studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Baleige ◽  
Jean-François Besnard ◽  
Nicolas Meunier-Beillard ◽  
Vincent Demassiet ◽  
Alain Monnier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Management

Abstract Background Persons with a diagnosis of severe mental illness have a life expectancy that is 20 years lower than the general population, and they are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disorders. Improving the management of cardiovascular risk is one of the main challenges for the public health system. In the care pathway of persons with a diagnosis of severe mental illness, a better understanding of limiting and facilitating factors is required. The objective was to include persons with a diagnosis of severe mental illness, carers, and primary and mental health professionals in the creation and evaluation (feasibility) of a health promotion program designed to improve cardiovascular risk management through empowerment. Methods This study combines a mixed methodology with qualitative and quantitative components. A multicenter prospective qualitative study was conducted in seven mental health units in France and was coordinated by a steering committee composed of persons with a diagnosis of severe mental illness, carers, and primary and mental health professionals. Results This health promotion program must enable persons with a diagnosis of severe mental illness to assert their right to self-determination and to exercise greater control over their lives, beyond their diagnosis and care. Following a preliminary feasibility study, the effectiveness of this new tool will be evaluated using a randomized controlled trial in a second study. Conclusions The findings can be used by health organizations as a starting point for developing new and improved services for persons with a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Trial registration Clinical Trials Gov NCT03689296. Date registered September 28, 2018

Personal reactions to sexual assault disclosures made by female clients diagnosed with serious mental illness

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-256
Author(s):  
Charlotte Strauss Swanson ◽  
Tracy Schroepfer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Female Clients

Purpose Mental health practitioners working with female clients diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) often face client disclosures of sexual assault. Research has shown that practitioners’ responses can be complicated by the diagnosis and lack of professional training; however, less is known about the role their personal factors may play. The purpose of this paper is twofold: to further understanding of practitioners’ personal reactions and investigate how these reactions affect their professional response. Design/methodology/approach Nine mental health practitioners participated in face-to-face interviews, in which they were asked to describe their personal reactions when faced with a disclosure and to discuss how these reactions influence client assessment, treatment and referral. Findings The study results show that lacking training, practitioners expressed feelings of uncertainty, fear and worry about how best to respond without causing further harm. Findings serve to inform future training to support practitioners and, as a result, improve care and treatment for this population. Originality/value This study is unique because it explores the personal reactions mental health practitioners’ experience when responding to disclosures of sexual assault among women diagnosed with an SMI and how these reactions may impact their professional response.

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