scholarly journals A cross-sectional analysis of mental health disorders in a mental health services-seeking population of children, adolescents, and young adults in the context of ongoing violence and displacement in northern Cameroon

2021 ◽  
pp. 152293
Author(s):  
Joël Miafo Djatche ◽  
Olivia D. Herrington ◽  
Daniel Nzebou ◽  
Deron Galusha ◽  
Yap Boum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Northern Cameroon ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Sectional Analysis

scholarly journals Consumer Reported Care Deferrals Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Role and Potential of Telemedicine: Cross-Sectional Analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Atherly ◽  
Eline Van Den Broek-Altenburg ◽  
Victoria Hart ◽  
Kelsey Gleason ◽  
Jan Carney
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Preventive Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic forced many health systems to proactively reduce care delivery to prepare for an expected surge in hospitalizations. There have been concerns that care deferral may have negative health effects, but it is hoped that telemedicine can provide a viable alternative. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand what type of health care services were being deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the role played by telemedicine to fill in care gaps, and changes in attitudes toward telemedicine. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of survey responses from 1694 primary care patients in a mid-sized northeastern city. Our main outcomes were use of telemedicine and reports of care deferral during the shutdown. RESULTS Deferred care was widespread—48% (n=812) of respondents deferred care—but it was largely for preventive services, particularly dental and primary care, and did not cause concerns about negative health effects. In total, 30.2% (n=242) of those who delayed care were concerned about health effects, with needs centered around orthopedics and surgery. Telemedicine was viewed more positively than prior to the pandemic; it was seen as a viable option to deliver deferred care, particularly by respondents who were over 65 years of age, female, and college educated. Mental health services stood out for having high levels of deferred care. CONCLUSIONS Temporary health system shutdowns will give rise to deferred care. However, much of the deferrals will be for preventive services. The effect of this on patient health can be moderated by prioritizing surgical and orthopedic services and delivering other services through telemedicine. Having telemedicine as an option is particularly crucial for mental health services.

scholarly journals Consumer Reported Care Deferrals Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Role and Potential of Telemedicine: Cross-Sectional Analysis

10.2196/21607 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e21607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Atherly ◽  
Eline Van Den Broek-Altenburg ◽  
Victoria Hart ◽  
Kelsey Gleason ◽  
Jan Carney
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Preventive Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Background The COVID-19 pandemic forced many health systems to proactively reduce care delivery to prepare for an expected surge in hospitalizations. There have been concerns that care deferral may have negative health effects, but it is hoped that telemedicine can provide a viable alternative. Objective This study aimed to understand what type of health care services were being deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the role played by telemedicine to fill in care gaps, and changes in attitudes toward telemedicine. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of survey responses from 1694 primary care patients in a mid-sized northeastern city. Our main outcomes were use of telemedicine and reports of care deferral during the shutdown. Results Deferred care was widespread—48% (n=812) of respondents deferred care—but it was largely for preventive services, particularly dental and primary care, and did not cause concerns about negative health effects. In total, 30.2% (n=242) of those who delayed care were concerned about health effects, with needs centered around orthopedics and surgery. Telemedicine was viewed more positively than prior to the pandemic; it was seen as a viable option to deliver deferred care, particularly by respondents who were over 65 years of age, female, and college educated. Mental health services stood out for having high levels of deferred care. Conclusions Temporary health system shutdowns will give rise to deferred care. However, much of the deferrals will be for preventive services. The effect of this on patient health can be moderated by prioritizing surgical and orthopedic services and delivering other services through telemedicine. Having telemedicine as an option is particularly crucial for mental health services.

scholarly journals Trends in Mental Health Symptoms, Service Use, and Unmet Need for Services among US Adults through the First Nine Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Coley ◽  
Christopher Baum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Disorders

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has led to rising morbidity, mortality, and social and economic disruption, stressors which have impaired mental health.1 Evidence emerged of substantial increases in anxiety and depression in spring and summer, 2020.2-7 To understand the effects of the pandemic and inform public health initiatives, it is essential to track trends in mental health disorders, as well as use of and need for mental health services, and to identify demographic groups at highest risk. Analyzing cross-sectional samples of 1,483,378 US adults, we show that reports of anxiety and depression rose significantly from April to November, 2020 to rates six-times higher than early 2019 US norms. Use of prescription medication, counseling services, and unmet need for mental health services also rose significantly. Prevalence rates of mental health disorders were highest among young, less educated, single, female, Black, Hispanic, and other race/ethnicity adults, with age and education disparities growing over time. Hispanics, Blacks, other race/ethnicities, and less educated respondents also were significantly less likely to be receiving medication or counseling and reported higher unmet needs for services. Together, disparities in estimates of mental health disorders and mental health treatment indicate a striking disequilibrium between the potential need for and the use of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising mental health challenges are being born largely by young, less advantaged people of color and women, with the potential for expanded interruptions to optimal functioning and repercussions for social and economic recovery from COVID-19.

scholarly journals Local, Early, and Precise: Designing a Clinical Decision Support System for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brox Røst ◽  
Carolyn Clausen ◽  
Øystein Nytrø ◽  
Roman Koposov ◽  
Bennett Leventhal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Health Disorders

Mental health disorders often develop during childhood and adolescence, causing long term and debilitating impacts at individual and societal levels. Local, early, and precise assessment and evidence-based treatment are key to achieve positive mental health outcomes and to avoid long-term care. Technological advancements, such as computerized Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs), can support practitioners in providing evidence-based care. While previous studies have found CDSS implementation helps to improve aspects of medical care, evidence is limited on its use for child and adolescent mental health care. This paper presents challenges and opportunities for adapting CDSS design and implementation to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). To highlight the complexity of incorporating CDSSs within local CAMHS, we have structured the paper around four components to consider before designing and implementing the CDSS: supporting collaboration among multiple stakeholders involved in care; optimally using health data; accounting for comorbidities; and addressing the temporality of patient care. The proposed perspective is presented within the context of the child and adolescent mental health services in Norway and an ongoing Norwegian innovative research project, the Individualized Digital DEcision Assist System (IDDEAS), for child and adolescent mental health disorders. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children and adolescents serves as the case example. The integration of IDDEAS in Norway intends to yield significantly improved outcomes for children and adolescents with enduring mental health disorders, and ultimately serve as an educational opportunity for future international approaches to such CDSS design and implementation.

scholarly journals Mixed-methods assessment of health and mental health characteristics and barriers to healthcare for Ebola survivors in Beni, Butembo and Katwa health zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e050349
Author(s):  
Lynn Lieberman Lawry ◽  
Nancy Stroupe Kannappan ◽  
Covadonga Canteli ◽  
William Clemmer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Health Disorders

ObjectivesHealth and mental health characteristics of all respondents, barriers to accessing health and mental health services and the characteristics and those most at risk for mental health disorders.SettingBeni, Butembo and Katwa health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo.ParticipantsThe sample contained 223 Ebola survivors, 102 sexual partners and 74 comparison respondents living in the same areas of the survivors. Survivors were eligible if aged >18 years with confirmed Ebola-free status. The comparison group was neither a survivor nor a partner of a survivor and did not have any household members who contracted Ebola virus disease (EVD).Primary and secondary outcome measuresHealth and mental health characteristics, barriers to care and the association of association of mental health disorders with study population characteristics.ResultsFunding was a barrier to accessing needed health services among all groups. Nearly one-third (28.4%, 95% CI 18.0% to 38.7%) of comparison households avoided getting injections for their children. Although most pregnant women were attending antenatal care, less than 40% of respondents stated EVD precautions were discussed at those visits. Trouble sleeping and anger were the strongest predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety and suicide attempts with 3-fold to 16-fold increases in the odds of these disorders. There was a 71% decrease in the odds of MDD if current substance abuse (aOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.67; p<0.01) was reported.ConclusionsSpecialised mental health services were limited. Fear of contracting EVD influenced vaccine compliance. Anger and sleep disorders significantly increased the odds of mental health disorders across all groups. Respondents may be using substance abuse as self-medication for MDD. Ebola outbreak areas would benefit from improved screening of mental health disorders and associated conditions like anger and sleep difficulties and improved mental health services that include substance abuse prevention and treatment.

scholarly journals Clergy as a frontline mental health service: a UK survey of medical practitioners and clergy

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. e100229
Author(s):  
William Heseltine-Carp ◽  
Mathew Hoskins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Collaborative Relationship ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Health Disorders

BackgroundChristian clergy have often been identified as ‘frontline mental health workers’ and gatekeepers to mental health services. However, despite this, collaboration between clergy and mental health services remains poor, with some US clergy referring on as little as 10% of cases.AimsIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the collaborative relationship between UK clergy and medical practitioners, with the purpose of identifying key issues that should be addressed to improve such collaboration between the two services.MethodsWe surveyed 124 clergy, 48 general practitioners and 13 psychiatrists in Wales. Part 1 of the survey covered four main themes: demographics; types of mental health cases seen by clergy and practitioners; referral rates between clergy and mental health services; attitude and relationship between clergy and mental health services. Part 2 was directed at clergy only and assessed how sensitive clergy were in identifying and referring on mental health disorders by using seven virtual case vignettes.ResultsClergy frequently encountered mental health cases and around 60%–80% regularly referred on to a healthcare professional. Clergy appeared very effective at identifying and referring on high risk scenarios, such as psychosis, suicidal ideation and substance misuse, however were less effective at identifying and referring on clinical depression and anxiety. Clergy rarely received referrals from medical professionals. Both medical professionals and clergy felt they needed to engage in a more collaborative relationship, and around of one-third of practitioners were prepared to offer training to clergy.ConclusionMost clergy in Wales regularly encounter mental health cases and appear effective at recognising and referring on mental health disorders; however, a large minority do not (20%–40%). Clergy generally do not receive referrals from mental health professionals, despite the proven benefits. Therefore, improving collaboration, developing spiritual training for mental health professionals, and mental health training for clergy is likely useful, a notion that many clergy and medical professionals deem important and are prepared to support.

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