The Needs of Women Users of Mental Health Services and their Families

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S8-S9
Author(s):  
M. Amering
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Gender Specific

AimUnderstand the needs of women users of mental health services and their families and discuss consequences.MethodNon-systematic review of concepts and data regarding the needs of women users of mental health services and their families.Resultsnequity and inefficiency of mental health resources affect men and women all around the globe. Some important mental health needs as well as barriers to care are gender-specific. Women have specific needs in specific phases of life, e.g. the perinatal period, as well as specific risk factors, e.g. interpersonal violence and sexual abuse. Developments of women only services as well as the implementation of gender-specific approaches in routine care are underway and need to be evaluated, amended and expanded. Training as well as research requirements are numerous and urgent. Family carers are an essential mental health resource. A majority is female with significant unmet needs. Family advocacy in mental health is prominently supported by female activists as is the psychiatric user movement. Because of the cumulation and the interaction of gender-based and other forms of discrimination, legislations such as those following the UN-Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities include specific provisions for women and girls with psychosocial disabilities.ConclusionsMental health stigma and discrimination interact with gender inequality and the discrimination of women and girls to their mental health detriment. Clinical and scientific responsibilities in mental health essentially include gender-specific attention to the needs of women and girls and their families.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Are Mental Health Services for Children Distributed According to Needs?

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Régis Blais ◽  
Jean-Jacques Breton ◽  
Mylène Fournier ◽  
Marie St-Georges ◽  
Claude Berthiaume
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Epidemiologic Survey ◽  
Service Data ◽  
Professional Resources

Objectives: The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine whether publicly funded mental health services and resources available in 4 large regions in the province of Quebec were distributed according to the mental health needs of children aged 6 to 14 years and 2) to assess whether the variations in mental health services and resources across the 4 regions had changed over a 5-year period. Methods: Indicators of need according to the child's parent (presence of mental disorder, measure of adaptation, and perception of need for help) from an epidemiologic survey of 2400 noninstitutionalized children were compared with both in-school and community professional resources and with physician and hospital services in 1992–1993. Resource and service data were also collected for 1997–1998. Resource and service data came from professional colleges and government administrative databases. Results: No significant regional differences were found for need indicators, but there were large discrepancies in mental health resources and services in 1992–1993. Differences in professional resources were largest for special education teachers in the school system and for psychiatrists in the community. The regional differences in resources and services were as large in 1997–1998 as they were in 1992–1993. Conclusions: Despite universal health care in Quebec and a government mental health policy stressing equity of access, the available mental health resources for children aged 6 to 14 years are not distributed across regions according to needs. More evidence-based planning is required, specifically using epidemiologic survey data, to match resources to needs and to monitor changes over time.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Disaster Response App

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 516-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Seligman ◽  
Stephanie S. Felder ◽  
Maryann E. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Health Services Administration ◽  
Disaster Survivors

AbstractThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the Department of Health and Human Services offers extensive disaster behavior health resources to assist disaster survivors in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural and manmade disasters. One of SAMHSA’s most innovative resources is the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App (SAMHSA Disaster App). The SAMHSA Disaster App prepares behavioral health responders for any type of traumatic event by allowing them to access disaster-related materials and other key resources right on their phone, at the touch of a button. The SAMHSA Disaster App is available on iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry devices. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:516–518)

scholarly journals Utilization of mental health services in pediatric patients surviving penetrating trauma resulting from interpersonal violence

2021 ◽  
Vol 221 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-239
Author(s):  
Miriam Y. Neufeld ◽  
Megan G. Janeway ◽  
Su Yeon Lee ◽  
Matthew I. Miller ◽  
Erin A. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Penetrating Trauma

Population needs for mental health services. Introduction to the theme

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (S1) ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
Ville Lehtinen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Public And Private

All over the world large sums of both public and private money are expended on the operation of psychiatric health care services. In most of the European countries mental health care expenditures, as well as the total health care budget, increased quite rapidly during the 80s. But in the 90s the economic recession has forced to cut down costs which has meant a decrease in mental health resources and, evidently, an increase of the unmet need for these services in the population.The problem is that the development of mental health services has been, for the most part, merely accidental and random, usually not clearly planned and based neither on real knowledge of the population needs nor on setting priorities when all needs can not be satisfied. During the period of increasing resources there was no real need for priority setting; somewhat exaggerating one can say that every emerging demand for services could be met by allocating new resources. During the recession, on the other hand, the cutting of costs have been the main goal, leading again to an unplanned development: the cuts of resources have been rather forced and panicky, not based on consideration of true population needs or the consequences of the development.

Why mental health in young women is more at risk in the 21st century

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S7-S7
Author(s):  
H. Herrman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Community Mental Health Services ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Competing Interest

The mental health of women and girls is endangered when they experience violence and gender-based discrimination, including poor access to education and lack of autonomy in the family and broader community. The conditions of conflict and poverty that foster violence against women, including systematic sexual violence, are growing across some world regions including parts of Africa and Asia, even while women are becoming more empowered in others. The prevalence of abuse of women at home appears to be high across the regions, and the widespread nature of other forms of violence such as genital mutilation and trafficking is increasingly recognised.The psychological consequences of violence increase the risk of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, including the risk of these conditions in the perinatal period. The services provided for women with mental ill health in primary health care, maternal and child health services, community mental health services or hospital settings do not in many places respond adequately to their needs. The inadequacies in response can reproduce or amplify the difficulties and injustices that women face in their lives, especially maltreatment as girls and intimate partner violence as adults.The World Psychiatric Association aims to increase awareness of the need for improved mental health of women and girls worldwide, especially in settings of disadvantage, conflict and adversity. It is also aiming to work in partnership with other health and non-health organisations to develop a platform for action to respond to the need – for health promotion, risk reduction and access to prevention and treatment services.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Exploring the experience of receiving Canadian Armed Forces’ mental health services

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Canadian Armed Forces

This study uses a narrative approach to explore the experience of receiving mental health services within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Data was collected from media sources where interviews were conducted with current and former CAF members about their experiences with the CAF’s mental health services. Thematic narrative analysis was used to interpret themes that emerged within participants’ stories and to identify similarities and differences across stories. Findings included the experience of structural difficulties when accessing the CAF’s mental health services, the negative effects of mental health stigma, fears related to disclosing issues of mental health and the need for changes to the CAF’s mental health system. The study also presents a preliminary discussion on the relevance of anti-oppressive social work practice for the CAF’s mental health services. Also detailed is the process of completing the research including the challenges encountered when attempting to access the population and recruit participants.

scholarly journals Exploring the experience of receiving Canadian Armed Forces’ mental health services

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Canadian Armed Forces

This study uses a narrative approach to explore the experience of receiving mental health services within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Data was collected from media sources where interviews were conducted with current and former CAF members about their experiences with the CAF’s mental health services. Thematic narrative analysis was used to interpret themes that emerged within participants’ stories and to identify similarities and differences across stories. Findings included the experience of structural difficulties when accessing the CAF’s mental health services, the negative effects of mental health stigma, fears related to disclosing issues of mental health and the need for changes to the CAF’s mental health system. The study also presents a preliminary discussion on the relevance of anti-oppressive social work practice for the CAF’s mental health services. Also detailed is the process of completing the research including the challenges encountered when attempting to access the population and recruit participants.

scholarly journals Examining Access to Psychiatric Care in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

PRiMER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Bernson ◽  
Peter Hedderich ◽  
Andrea L. Wendling
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Upper Peninsula ◽  
Health Service Provision

Introduction: There is a shortage of mental health services in rural America, and little research is focused on rural underserved communities. Our aim was to identify and map clinical mental health services located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (UP) and explore primary care physician (PCP) mental health service provision and barriers to access experienced by this population. Methods: We mapped clinically active psychiatrists and inpatient psychiatric units in the UP, and identified high-risk regions based on >30 mile distance to ambulatory services or low inpatient bed to population ratio. We surveyed PCPs in identified high-risk areas regarding provision of mental health services, comfort with providing services, and perceived barriers to care. Results: Half of UP counties had no psychiatrists, and only two counties had inpatient psychiatric beds. PCPs are attempting to fill gaps in care, and report comfort with treating depression and anxiety, but less comfort with treating with bipolar disorder and substance use. Nearly all PCPs report barriers to accessing mental health resources; 70% report no psychiatrists to whom they can readily refer. Conclusion: Michigan’s UP has a shortage of mental health resources. Proposed strategies to confront this shortage include additional training of PCPs for substance use and bipolar disorder, bolstering the mental health workforce, and improving access to consultative services.

Experiences and Perceptions of Perinatal Depression Among New Immigrant Chinese Parents: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiao Li ◽  
Wenqing Xue ◽  
Wenjie Gong ◽  
Xin Quan ◽  
Quanlei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Perinatal Depression ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
The United States ◽  
Limited Knowledge ◽  
Chinese Parents

Abstract Background: Immigrant status, acculturation level, race and ethnicity have been found to contribute to the utilization of mental health services in the perinatal period. This study explored perinatal experiences and perceptions among Chinese immigrant mothers and their spouses, as well as the possible barriers and facilitators that affect their health care utilization.Methods: We recruited 13 women ages 18-35 years born in mainland China, living in Rochester, New York, and residing less than five years in the United States, whose primary language was Mandarin Chinese and who had given birth to at least one live infant within the past seven years. Participants’ age was at least 18 years old at the time of delivery. Five spouses also participated. We divided women in two focus groups and held one for men, with data collection including questionnaires and semi-structured focus group interviews conducted in December 2014. Data were analyzed following thematic analysis.Results: Four themes emerged: experiences of perinatal depression; perceptions of perinatal depression; general preventive and coping strategies; and attitude towards mobile health in perinatal period. Participants had limited knowledge of perinatal depression and had difficulty distinguishing between normal perinatal mood fluctuations and more severe symptoms of depression. They discussed immigrant-related stress，conflicts with parents/in-laws while “doing the month”, the perceived gap between the ideal of “perfect moms” and reality, and challenges with parenting as the causes of perinatal depression. Women approved of screening for the condition but were conservative about follow-up interventions. As for the management of perinatal depression, participants preferred to deal with the problem within the family before seeking external help due to potential stigma as well as Chinese traditional culture. However, they were receptive to using mobile health applications to receive information and support.Conclusion: Recent immigrant Chinese parents to the United States had limited knowledge of perinatal depression and did not make full use of mental health services for support due to language and cultural barriers. Future research should explore what interventions may serve as an acceptable approach to overcoming these gaps.Trial registration: Not applicable.

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