Knowledge and Uptake of Voting Rights By Adults With Mental Illness Living in Supported Accommodation in Westminster (London) During the 2015 Uk General Election

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S453-S454
Author(s):  
J. Townell ◽  
T. MacLaren ◽  
V. Argent ◽  
L. de Ridder ◽  
S. Shanmugham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
General Election ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Supported Accommodation ◽  
Right To Vote ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionVoting is an essential human right. Being able to vote and participate in elections is an important component of social inclusion; empowering people with mental illness to have a political voice and in turn reducing stigma. Previous research indicates that patients with mental illness are less likely to vote compared to the general population.ObjectiveThis study explores knowledge and uptake of the voting rights of adults living in mental health supported accommodation in Westminster (London) in the 2015 UK general election.AimsUnderstand patients’ awareness of their eligibility to register and cast their vote. Identify patients’ interest in engaging in the voting process and strategies to overcome potential obstacles.MethodsA staff-assisted survey was undertaken in all mental health supported accommodation across Westminster prior to the general election in May 2015.ResultsA total of 142 surveys were returned. Nine out of 10 surveyed believed they were eligible to vote; over half wanted to exercise their right to vote & if registered, a third felt they required assistance to vote.ConclusionsThe majority of community patients were positively aware of the impending general election and their own eligibility to vote. Only half wanted to exercise their right to vote, which is lower than the general population. As a third of the patients requested assistance for voting, this shows us that there are potential barriers impacting on their ability to exercise their right to vote. Staffs have an important role in promoting patient's right to vote by providing assistance with both the registering and voting process.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Knowledge of Patients’ Voting Rights Amongst Mental Health Professionals Working in The London Borough of Westminster During The 2015 Uk General Election

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S450-S450
Author(s):  
T. MacLaren ◽  
J. Townell ◽  
S. Shanmugham ◽  
V. Argent ◽  
L. De Ridder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Psychiatric Inpatient ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
General Election ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Inpatient Settings

IntroductionBeing able to participate in elections and to vote are important components of social inclusion; empowering people with mental illness to have a voice.It is important that mental health professionals understand the voting rights of adults with mental illness in order to be able to provide appropriate advice and support.ObjectivesTo explore knowledge of the voting rights of adults living with mental illness amongst mental health professionals working in both community and inpatient settings in Westminster, London.AimsTo understand the level of knowledge amongst mental health professionals regarding the voting rights of patients with mental illness in order to identify unmet training needs.MethodsA survey, in the form of a staff quiz was undertaken in all community and inpatient teams prior to the May 2015 general election. All multidisciplinary team members were included.Resultsin total, 211 surveys were completed. Ninety-eight percent of staff correctly identified that being a psychiatric inpatient does not change an individual's right to vote. Less than 50% of the staff members demonstrated correct understanding of the rights of patients detained under forensic sections, and the rights of the homeless to vote.ConclusionsIt is encouraging that knowledge of voting rights amongst staff appeared higher in our survey than in some published surveys. However, despite the development of a Trust Voting Rights Policy and Educational Film prior to the 2015 general election further staff education, particularly the rights of those detained under forensic sections or who are homeless, is required.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Knowledge and Uptake of Voting Rights By Psychiatric Inpatients in Westminster, London During the 2015 Uk General Election

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S454-S454
Author(s):  
J. Townell ◽  
T. MacLaren ◽  
L. de Ridder ◽  
S. Shanmugham ◽  
V. Argent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
General Election ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Uk

IntroductionBeing able to vote empowers people with mental illness to have a political voice and promotes social inclusion. Evidence shows that patients with mental illness are less likely to vote compared to the general population.ObjectiveThis study explores the knowledge and uptake of the voting rights of adult patients in a psychiatric hospital in the 2015 UK general election.AimsTo understand patients’ eligibility and intentions to vote during the 2015 UK general election. To establish what assistance patients may require in order to vote.MethodsA staff-assisted survey was undertaken in all mental health wards in the Gordon Hospital, Westminster prior to the general election in May 2015.ResultsA total of 51 surveys were returned. Seventy-five percent thought they were eligible to vote, and 47% had already registered. Of those that had not yet registered, 37% wanted staff support to do so. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents intended to vote and of those 9 out of 10 intended to vote in person. Twenty-six percent of those intending to vote identified needing assistance in this process.ConclusionsThe majority of inpatients were aware of their eligibility to vote. Over half of the respondents planned to vote, which is lower than the UK average. As 1 in 4 patients intending to vote requested support, this suggests potential barriers impacting on their ability to exercise their right.Multidisciplinary teams can provide valuable assistance to patients in the voting process in many ways, including information provision, organisation of leave and providing staff escort.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Uptake and knowledge of voting rights by adult in-patients during the 2010 UK general election

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 126-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
James McIntyre ◽  
Masum Khwaja ◽  
Venkata Yelamanchili ◽  
Sobia Naz ◽  
Maria Clarke
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
General Election ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Psychological Barriers ◽  
Registration Process ◽  
Written Information ◽  
Right To Vote ◽  
The Right ◽  
Information Barrier

Aims and methodThis study explores knowledge and uptake of the voting rights of adult in-patients in the 2010 UK general election. A clinician-completed survey was used.ResultsEligible to vote psychiatric adult in-patients were half as likely to register as the general population and half as likely to vote if registered. Nine out of ten of those unregistered cited a lack of knowledge of their eligibility to vote or of the registration process. Long-stay patients were particularly disenfranchised.Clinical implicationsMany patients and staff remain unaware of the new rules which have given a greater proportion of in-patients the right to vote and have simplified the registration and voting processes. This information barrier may be addressed in future elections by providing timely written information to both patients and staff. Once registered, patients may need further support to overcome practical and psychological barriers, and cast their vote.

Mental Health Stigma: What's Been Done? Where to Go?

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s245-s245
Author(s):  
P. Macedo ◽  
M. Silva ◽  
A. Fornelos ◽  
A.R. Figueiredo ◽  
S. Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Public Stigma ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionNegative attitudes towards psychiatric patients still exist in our society. Persons suffering from mental illness frequently encounter public stigma and may internalize it leading to self-stigma. Discrimination occurs across many aspects of economic and social existence. It may represent a barrier for patients to receive appropriate care. Many anti-stigma campaigns have been taken to decrease people's prejudice, but its effects are not well documented.ObjectivesTo characterize anti-stigma initiatives and its effects on diminishing negative consequences of stigma.MethodsBibliographical research using PubMed using the keywords “stigma” and “mental illness”.ResultsDespite several approaches to eradicate stigma, it shows a surprising consistency in population levels. It was expected that focus on education would decrease stigma levels. The same was expected following concentration on the genetic causation of pathology. Most studies have revealed that education has little value and endorsing genetic attributions has led to a greater pessimism on the efficacy of mental health services, sense of permanence and guilty feelings within the family.ConclusionPublic stigma has had a major impact on many people with mental illness, especially when leading to self-stigma, interfering with various aspects in life, including work, housing, health care, social life and self-esteem. As Goffman elucidated, stigma is fundamentally a social phenomenon rooted in social relationships and shaped by the culture and structure of society. Social inclusion has been pointed as a potential direction of change.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Stigmatization of mental health problems in Albania, ways of diminishing it

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S573-S574
Author(s):  
T. Jupe ◽  
F. Elezi ◽  
B. Zenelaj ◽  
E. Myslimi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Competing Interest

Background and aimMore recent definitions of stigma focus on the results of stigma – the prejudice, avoidance, rejection and discrimination directed at people believed to have an illness, disorder or other trait perceived to be undesirable.MethodsDuring this study, we used Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ), which helped us to understand the differences in the acceptance by the population for 3 different types of diseases: addiction, diabetes and schizophrenia.Results(1) Alban has diabetes. (2) Besnik has schizophrenia.Conclusions(1) The patients with schizophrenia have higher levels of stigma compared diabetic patients or those alcoholics (Tables 1 and 2 and Fig. 1). (2) Statistical processing carried out concluded that have statistically significant differences between gender-stigma (P = 0.001), age-stigma (P = 0.0001) and education-stigma (P = 0.001) (Fig. 2). (3) Health care workers stigma is exactly the same as in general population (P = 0.01) (Fig. 2).Recommendations– Support recovery and social inclusion and reduce discrimination.– Do not label or judge people with a mental illness, treat them with respect and dignity as you would anyone else.– Do not discriminate when they come participation, housing and employment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Promotion mental health: Healthy habits program in patients with severe mental illness in the north Almeria mental health unit (Activarte)

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S737-S738
Author(s):  
M. Marin Olalla ◽  
A. Vidal Lopez ◽  
B. Perez Ramirez ◽  
R. Maldonado Lozano ◽  
A.L. loret Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
The North ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Healthy Sexuality ◽  
Initial Target

IntroductionPromoting healthy lifestyles in patients with severe mental illness (balance diet, physical activity, smoking withdraw, adequate oral hygiene, optimal self-esteem and healthy sexuality) help patients to rely on their recovery.Aims– avoid social isolation and stigma.– encourage the recovery process, considering as well as the manage of symptoms together the functioning and quality of life of the patients.– improve the progress and illness prognosis.Methods– The program is introduced in the North Health Area of Almeria (Hospital Huercal–Overa) and FAISEM–Andalusia foundation to the social inclusion of mental illness patients;– patients included in the program has been previously assess and informed-therapeutical contract;– the program started in January 2013, with 10 sessions in the community, and groups sessions.Results– fifty patients included between a total of 300–initial target 16%;– the initial target considered was at least 60–75% of participation rate—being the result of 80–95%;– physical assessment detected 10% of metabolic syndrome being the patients referred to primary medical care to the adequate management.Program:– twenty group sessions scheduled being performed 19: 95%;– ten active sessions in community scheduled being performed 9: 90%–one sessions (beach trip) was cancelled due to budget problem;– patients level of satisfaction: under assessment;– broadcasting: 2 press articles, scientific communications, and shared the experience through FAISEM to all the Andalusia Areas.– research: expecting spreading the experience and improve the results.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Social stigma in severe mental illness in Tunisia: Clinical and socio-demographic correlates

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S577-S577 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Ouali ◽  
R. Jomli ◽  
R. Nefzi ◽  
H. Ouertani ◽  
F. Nacef
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionMental patients generally internalize some of the negative conceptions about how most people view them: they might be considered incompetent or untrustworthy or believe that people would not want to hire, or marry someone with mental illness. A lot of research on stigma has been conducted in western countries; however, little is still known on the situation in Arab-Muslim societies.ObjectivesTo evaluate social stigma as viewed by patients suffering from severe mental illness (SMI)MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study on clinically stabilized patients with schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder (BD) according to DSM IV, who were interviewed in our out-patients clinic with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire, containing 8 opinions on the social inclusion and stigmatization of psychiatric patients, with special reference to the local cultural context (e.g.: “It is better to hide mental illness in order to preserve the reputation of my family”)ResultsWe included 104 patients, 51% with schizophrenia and 49% with BD. Mean age was 38.4 years (18–74 years); 59.6% were males. Overall social stigma scores were high. Social stigma in patients was correlated with gender, age, place of residence and diagnosis. Patients with BD showed significantly less social stigma than patients with schizophrenia.ConclusionOur results show the need for a better understanding of this phenomenon in patients with SMI, but also within Tunisian society, in order to elaborate anti stigma strategies adapted to the local context.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use amongst South African adults with mental illness in the Eastern Cape

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda K. Tindimwebwa ◽  
Anthony I. Ajayi ◽  
Oladele V. Adeniyi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Smoking Prevention ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tobacco Products

Background: Given the physical and mental health consequences of tobacco use amongst individuals with mental illness, it was imperative to assess the burden of tobacco use in this population.Aim: This study examined the patterns and factors associated with tobacco use in individuals attending the outpatient unit.Setting: Cecilia Makiwane Hospital Mental Health Department in Eastern Cape province, South Africa.Methods: Lifetime (ever use) use and current use of any tobacco products were examined in a cross-sectional study of 390 individuals between March and June 2020. A logistic regression was fitted to determine the correlates of lifetime and current use of any tobacco products.Results: The rates of ever use and current use of tobacco products were 59.4% and 44.6%, respectively. Of the participants interviewed, lifetime tobacco use was more prevalent amongst individuals with schizophrenia (67.9%) and cannabis-induced disorders (97.3%) and lower in those with major depressive disorders (36.1%) and bipolar and related disorders (43.5%). Men were six times more likely to have ever used or currently use tobacco products in comparison to women. Also, those who had a salaried job or owned a business were over three times more likely to have ever used or currently use tobacco products compared with those receiving government social grants.Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco use in this study was significantly higher than the general population in the Eastern Cape. Therefore, smoking prevention and cessation interventions targeted at the general population should target this often neglected sub-population in the region.

scholarly journals Attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S288-S289
Author(s):  
Brishti Sengupta ◽  
Pritha Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Attitude Shift

AimsTo survey the effect of COVID-19 on mental health of both medical professionals and the general population, as well as attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness.MethodAn online survey comprised of two questionnaires, one for medical professionals and one for the general population, were conducted via social media. Both questionnaires asked respondents of the effect of COVID-19 on their mental health, and the former asked respondents about the effect of COVID-19 on their patient group's mental health. The questionnaires went on to ask respondents about their attitudes to mental health disclosure in various scenarios, to varying groups of people. The general population group was also asked how they would react if someone else disclosed their mental illness to them.ResultThe questionnaire for the medical professionals gained 62 respondents and the one for the general population had 122 respondents, with responses from multiple nations. Overall, COVID-19 has affected everyone's mental health to a degree, and all groups had reservations about disclosing their mental health issues to others. The medical professionals were especially reluctant to disclose mental illness to their patients, but were more comfortable when it came to disclosing mental illness to colleagues. The general population, however, was much more reluctant to disclose mental health issues to their colleagues. The general population were, on the whole, willing to listen to and help anyone who came to them with mental health concerns. Both groups surveyed showed reluctance toward disclosure to the wider community.ConclusionCOVID-19 appears to significantly affect not only physical health, but mental health as well. There is at least some degree of stigma surrounding the disclosure of mental health issues. While most would be happy to help anyone who came to them with their mental health problems, there seems to be an attitude shift when people must contend with mental health issues of their own.

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