The Improvement of Mental Health Competences and Skills on a Brazilian Federal University

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S230-S231
Author(s):  
D. Soria ◽  
J.D. Cabrial ◽  
B.C. Marinho ◽  
N. Romeiro ◽  
A. Mendes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Workshop Practice ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Block Organization

BackgroundThe extension project “UNIRIO is madness: the improvement of mental health competences and skills.” work since 2015 with “Ponto de Cultura Loucura Suburbana” on the promotion of mental health and culture style in Brazil. The project work on the development of psychosocial rehabilitation for psychiatric patients, their families and the community.AimsParticipate on the production and execution on the artistic/therapeutic workshop that demystify the social stigmatizing vision about psychiatric patients.MethodsThe activities developed are: administrative actions; institutional strengthening for social inclusion initiative through work; and the Carnival Block organization.ResultsThis study work on constituting a social inclusion initiative through workshop that generate employment, e.g.: sale material production, financial management, material replacement. Although we do all the preparative to the Carnival Block–“Loucura Suburbana”.ConclusionThe relationship with the psychiatric patients shows that social inclusion through carnival workshop practice is the primary means for the identity of people suffering from mental disorders and contribute to reduce community social stigma.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.

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.

Mental Health Improvement Through Physical Therapy: Polish Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S487-S488
Author(s):  
A.R. Szczegielniak ◽  
J. Szczegielniak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Physical Medicine ◽  
Anxiety Management ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Competing Interest

Among people suffering from mental conditions increased prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and respiratory disease is observed, with considerably higher levels of morbidity and mortality. Still, mental conditions are neglected and not treated equally to other medical states in Poland. It is commonly believed that psychiatric patients are violent and unpredictable, even though they are more likely to be a victim of violence themselves. This attitude, reinforced by media coverage and observed also among health care workers, results in unwillingness to have any relations with mental patients due to fear of them being aggressive. Connection between physical well-being and mental health is well known. Physical therapists have necessary knowledge and skills to support development of individual independence, anxiety management and lifestyle control in order to keep patients healthier. It can be done by specially designed treatment programmes consisting of exercises, manual techniques and physical medicine procedures. Lack of understanding of this valuable connection results in insufficient emphasis on the presence of physiotherapist in the multidisciplinary therapeutic team on psychiatric wards nationwide. The study focuses on summary of the current situation in Poland and starts discussion on possible areas of improvements.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Community Mental Health: Description of the Patients Concerning the Uls Guarda Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Area

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S452-S452
Author(s):  
J. Nunes ◽  
J. Feliz ◽  
D. Brigadeiro ◽  
T. Ventura Gil ◽  
A.F. Teixeita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
The World ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2004) stresses the importance of home patient visiting as an answer to the epidemiologic, demographic, social and economic challenges that the world is facing.The severe psychiatric patients are a risk group and often need domicile consultation and visiting. The domicile consultation approach favors the clinical, social and familiar support as well as promotes the integration and the recovering of the patients with mental problems, preventing the relapses and the hospital admissions of these patients.This study, of descriptive nature, is based on the observation and consultation of 287 clinical processes of patients inserted in the domicile consultation program designed by the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Sousa Martins Hospital, ULS Guarda, which covers the 7th biggest district in Portugal (in a universe of 18), between July and September 2015.The main goal of this study is to characterize and analyze the profile of the population, which is followed by the community mental health team of our Department, namely, the socio-demographic and clinic features, in order to improve the assistance practice in the future.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Mental heath in republic of moldova: The way from in-patient to community-based care services

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S604-S604
Author(s):  
J. Chihai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Government ◽  
Mental Health Centers

IntroductionThe history of mental health in Moldova has been centered on psychiatric institutions. Current reform goals are centered on the reduction in psychiatric hospital beds, shifting the focus towards outpatient therapy, where community mental health centers have a central role in coordinating recovery and social reintegration.Objectivesto collect different data according guidance for establishing a situational analyses about Moldova.Methodologywe elaborated a guidance with outline: the historical perspective:– a. back a 5–10 years events/developments; epidemiologic data;– b. the service delivery system;– c. mental health system: laws/regulations, role of the government as well as civil organizations, mechanisms for data collection, monitoring of performance, costs, quality of care and outcomes;– d. opportunities, barriers, and needed changes/innovations needed to address these.ResultsThe current focus is on moving from a relatively centralized system towards a more community-based approach to psychiatric care and community supports, as well as deinstitutionalization and integration of mental health care with primary care. Besides over reliance on institutionalization, the Moldovan mental health care system faces other challenges, including access to care, workforce limitations, and stigma.ConclusionLooking forward, success in these efforts will require continued strong political will to bring domestic law, policies and practices into line with international standards in the field of human rights for persons with disabilities. By supporting deinstitutionalization and improving the accessibility of mainstream services, more people will have the opportunity for social inclusion and the ability to contribute to the communities’ social and economic growth.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

Differences in attitudes towards mental illness and psychiatry among medical students, before and after the academic course of psychiatry

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s218-s219
Author(s):  
M. Pascucci ◽  
M. La Montagna ◽  
E. Stella ◽  
A. De Angelis ◽  
P. Parente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Social Restriction ◽  
Empathy Quotient ◽  
Competing Interest

BackgroundStigma towards mental illness and psychiatry have a major impact on psychiatric patients’ quality of life; in particular, prejudicial beliefs make it more difficult for future doctors to send patients to mental health services, leading to a delay of necessary care.AimsOur aim is to evaluate the stigma towards mental illness and psychiatry, in a sample of Italian medical students. We studied the differences between the first-year students who have not attended the academic course in psychiatry, compared to the senior students who have attended the psychiatric lectures.MethodsWe tested 113 medical students, using the following questionnaires:– Attitudes Towards Psychiatry (ATP 30);– Community Attitudes Towards Mental Ill (CAMI);– Perceived Discrimination Devaluation Scale (PDD), to assess the discrimination towards mental illness perceived in society;– Baron-Cohen's Empathy Quotient (EQ), to measure empathy.ResultsAmong the 113 students, 46 have already attended the academic course of psychiatry and CAMI scores were less stigmatizing as total score (P = 0.014) and in authoritarianism subscale (P = 0.049), social restriction (P = 0.022) and ideology of mental health in the community (P = 0.017). However, there were no statistically significant differences in empathy, perceived discrimination in the society and stigmatization of psychiatry.ConclusionsThe 67 students who have not attended the academic course of psychiatry are more stigmatizing, considering psychiatric patients as inferior people that require coercive attitudes, socially dangerous and that should be treated faraway from the community. Studying psychiatry is therefore useful to reduce, in the future doctors, these prejudices toward mentally ill patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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.

Zero suicide southwest UK initiative – Steps to mitigate suicide risk in local populations using quality improvement methodology and a whole life approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S402-S402 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Shankar ◽  
E. Wilkinson ◽  
S. Roberts ◽  
O. Rebecca
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Regional Strategy ◽  
Suicide Survivors ◽  
Radio Stations ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
To Come

BackgroundOnly 25% of people who die by suicide see mental health services. Suicide is not just a health issue. Its causation and consequences lie within all of society. Many erroneously believe that suicide is inevitable and not preventable, because its causation is too complex. Underlying associations with suicide are largely social. There are programmes in the USA, which have combined interventions to reduce suicides. The 2014 UK suicide rate per 100,000 was 10.8 but 11.1 in South West (SW) England (pop: 5 million). A whole system approach is necessary. Zero Suicides SW is a project to address this.Aim(1) To develop a regional strategy to reduce and prevent suicide. (2) To make whole populations suicide risk aware. (3) Reduce regional suicide rates.MethodA collaborative involving national and local 60 organisations including charities and voluntary sector was formed. Five collaborative meetings used narratives of suicide survivors, national experts led themed workshops, etc. to come up with a regional strategy. Quality Improvement (QI) Methodology was used to develop and examine the success of all projects.OutputsInitiatives such as using local radio stations for mental health promotion, collaboration via a poster campaign with local breweries and pubs to make men more self-aware of risk, suicide risk counselling for relatives/carers of patients admitted to psychiatric care, improving scrutiny to access to medication for recently discharged psychiatric patients have developed from the project. The QI model demonstrated how localised changes at person and organisation level could combine and have a powerful role in suicide prevention.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.

The impact of racism and discrimination on mental health of refugees and asylum seekers

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S43-S43 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kastrup
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers ◽  
The Impact

With the strong focus on terrorism in recent years, there is an increasing concern that the fundamental rights of refugees and asylum seekers may be violated in the interest to combat acts of terrorism. It may also lead to increasing racism and discrimination towards these populations.Racism and discrimination encompass the negative stereotypes and prejudicial beliefs that people may hold, as well as inequitable practices that may result hereof.Knowledge about the mental health consequences of racism and discrimination is of clear clinical relevance for psychiatrists worldwide, as a significant proportion of psychiatric patients will have a background as refugees and asylum seekers. Many of them have experiences of war, strife, persecution and torture that further ads to their mental distress.The paper will outline the psychiatric symptomatology related to racism as well as ethical dilemmas and educational needs for the psychiatric profession.Further the role of national psychiatric associations in combating racism and discrimination by e.g. defining best practices and revising medical training curricula will be outlined.http://www.mariannekastrup.dk/Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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