Duration between onset and time of obtaining initial treatment among people with anxiety and mood disorders: an international survey of members of mental health patient advocate groups

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 693-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. CHRISTIANA ◽  
S. E. GILMAN ◽  
M. GUARDINO ◽  
K. MICKELSON ◽  
P. L. MORSELLI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Health Patient ◽  
Consistent Finding ◽  
Patient Advocate

Background. Self-report data obtained from members of advocate groups for patients with anxiety or mood disorders in 11 countries were used to study time to initial professional help-seeking after incident episodes.Method. Data were taken from 3516 self-administered questionnaires completed by members of GAMIAN, an international consortium of mental health patient advocate groups. Reports about age at onset and age at first seeking treatment were obtained retrospectively.Results. Approximately 40% of respondents reported that they sought treatment in the same year as the first onset of their disorder. The median delay in help-seeking was 8 years for the remainder of respondents. Synthetic cohort analysis suggests that delays have decreased in recent cohorts. However, time to initial help-seeking in all cohorts and all countries was found to be inversely related to age at onset.Conclusions. Although caution is needed in generalizing the results beyond members of patient advocate groups, the key patterns found here were also found in previous analyses of general population surveys carried out in the US and Canada. The critical and consistent finding in all these studies is that presumably curable adolescents with early-onset disorders are, in effect, ignored by the treatment system in these countries. Aggressive outreach and intervention among early-onset cases might prove to be a cost-effective approach both to prevent the onset of secondary disorders and to improve success in treating primary disorders.

Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking among Adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
E.V. Rezun ◽  
◽  
H.R. Slobodskaya ◽  
N.B. Semenova ◽  
T.O. Rippinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Seeking Help

The mental health problems among adolescents have long-lasting effects throughout life. However, research evidence indicates that only 10–30% of adolescents who needed mental health care had received specialized help. The present study reports the prevalence of mental health problems and help-seeking among adolescents, taking into account gender and age differences. The sample included 1752 adolescents (47 % boys,) aged 12-17 years. Data were collected on in two Siberian cities (Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk) using an international self-report questionnaire developed for the school-based Eurasian Child Mental Health Study. Participants were recruited from 18 schools, students completed questionnaires anonymously during school lessons. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple regression analysis, and crosstabs using a chi-squared test. The level of emotional and behavioral problems in Siberian adolescents was slightly higher than that found in European and Asian countries. Twenty three percent of adolescents reported frequent headaches (at least once a week), 11 % reported frequent abdominal pain and 14% suffered from frequent sleep disturbances (3–5 times a week or more). Girls reported a significantly higher level of problems than boys, with the largest gender differences for emotional problems, recurrent pains and sleep disturbances. Weekly consumption of alcohol and daily use of nicotine among boys was more common than among girls (3 % and 6 %, respectively), whereas less frequent use of alcohol and nicotine was commoner in girls (16 %) than in boys (10 %); 7 % of boys and girls had tried drugs at least once. Suicidal thoughts were reported by 22 % of adolescents, 6 % reported suicide attempts and 6 % reported repeated self-harm. One third of adolescents considered seeking outside help and 9 % had actually done so. Girls reported more help-seeking than boys; older girls sought help more often than younger and middle-aged ones. Around one third of adolescents sought help from their relatives; 26 % from friends, the Internet or other non-professional sources; 5 % reported seeking help from a doctor or nurse, and 3 % from a psychologist. The most important independent predictors of seeking help were emotional symptoms, suicidal ideation and hyperactivity/inattention. The results suggest a need for future investigation of the factors associated with help-seeking behavior among adolescents. It is also necessary to develop mental health promotion programs for adolescents, interventions to improve mental health literacy and access to mental health care.

scholarly journals Bridging the gap between child mental health need and professional service utilisation: Examining the influence of mothers’ parental attributions on professional help-seeking intentions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilas Sawrikar ◽  
Antonio Mendoza Diaz ◽  
Lucy Tully ◽  
David J. Hawes ◽  
Caroline Moul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Child Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Parental Attributions ◽  
Professional Help

AbstractThere is a significant gap between the need for child mental health services and use of these services by families. Parental attributions may play a role in this. This study examined whether mothers’ attributions about their child’s problems influence professional help-seeking intentions in a general sample of community mothers. Secondary analysis re-examined this hypothesis in a subgroup of mothers of children with clinically elevated mental health symptoms. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from mothers (N = 184) of children aged between 2 and 12 years recruited from the community. Mothers completed self-report questionnaires measuring parental attributions: child-responsible attributions and parental self-efficacy; professional help-seeking intentions; and psychosocial covariates: child mental health, mothers’ anxiety and depression, child age, gender, marital status, education, and professional help-seeking experience. Hierarchical regression modelling indicated that parental attributions explained professional help-seeking intentions after controlling for covariates in both the general sample (ΔF = 6.07; p = .003) and subgroup analysis (ΔF = 10.22, p = .000). Professional help-seeking intentions were positively associated with child-responsible attributions (β = .19, p = .002) but not parental self-efficacy (β =  – .01, p = .865) in the general sample, while positively associated with child-responsible attributions (β = .20, p = .009) and negatively associated with parental self-efficacy (β =  – .16, p = .034) in the subgroup analysis. Findings were independent of the presence of clinically elevated symptoms, problem type, and severity. Overall, the findings support models suggesting that parental attributions have a role in professional help-seeking for child mental health problems.

Predicting Secondary Mental Health Care Use in Adolescence using Self-, Parent- and Teacher-reported Problem Behavior in a Community-based Record-linkage Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S83-S84
Author(s):  
D. Raven ◽  
F. Jörg ◽  
E. Visser ◽  
R.A. Schoevers ◽  
A.J. Oldehinkel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Externalizing Problems ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Multiple Informants ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Over Time

IntroductionIn adolescence, help-seeking is affected by different actors. The influence of each actor on help-seeking is often studied in isolation, or, if multiple informants are included, using only few assessments of adolescents’ mental health.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to determine the extent to which self-, parent- and teacher-reported problem behavior predict secondary care in adolescence and to what extent the informants’ relative importance changes over time.MethodsData from the Dutch community-based cohort study tracking adolescents’ individual lives survey (TRAILS) were linked to administrative records of secondary care from 2000 (age 9) to 2011 (age 21). Internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the youth self-report, child behavior checklist and teacher checklist of psychopathology at ages 11, 13 and 16, and the adult self-report at age 19.ResultsThe annual incidence of secondary care fluctuated between 1.3% and 2.4%. In Cox regression analyses that adjusted for sociodemographic covariates and problem behavior, internalizing problems but not externalizing problems predicted secondary care. Secondary care between the ages 11 to 13 years was predicted best by teachers, between the ages 13 to 16 by parents, and between the ages 16 to 21 by adolescents.ConclusionsThe relative importance of informants for predicting secondary care shifts over time, which suggests that each informant is the driving force behind secondary care at a different phase of adolescence. The treatment gap may be reduced by improving problem recognition of teachers in secondary education and by educating young adults about mental health problems.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Mental health and domestic violence in LGB+ persons during lockdown measures in Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-160
Author(s):  
Lotte De Schrijver ◽  
Stefanie De Buyser ◽  
Kasia Uzieblo ◽  
Christophe Vandeviver ◽  
Ines Keygnaert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Abuse

Abstract Background: To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide restricted social and physical contact by issuing lockdown and social-distancing measures. Yet, lockdown measures may induce mental health problems and increase the occurrence of domestic violence (DV). We examine mental health and DV in lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual (LGB+) persons under lockdown. Methods: An online self-report questionnaire on relationships, stress, and aggression was administered to a non-probabilistic sample of participants living in Belgium. Participants were sampled through national media, social media, and snowballing procedures. Occurrence of DV including psychological, physical, and sexual violence, stress, alcohol and drug use, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, self-harming behaviour, and help-seeking behaviour in LGB+ persons during the first four to six weeks of the hygiene and lockdown measures in Belgium were assessed. Results: 383 LGB+ participants were included in the analysis. In addition to high levels of stress, alcohol and drug abuse, suicidal ideation, and self-harming behaviour, a third of LGB+ participants reported at least one incident of DV under lockdown. Conclusion: LGB+ persons have been exposed to DV and experienced lower mental health and well-being during the lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the possible need for public health measures and sociocultural changes preventing DV and improving mental health during lockdown in LGB+ persons.

scholarly journals Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 192 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan J. Stein ◽  
Soraya Seedat ◽  
Allen Herman ◽  
Hashim Moomal ◽  
Steven G. Heeringa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Lifetime Prevalence

BackgroundData on the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in South Africa are of interest, not only for the purposes of developing evidence-based mental health policy, but also in view of South Africa's particular historical and demographic circumstances.MethodA nationally representative household survey was conducted between 2002 and 2004 using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to generate diagnoses. The data-set analysed included 4351 adult South Africans of all ethnic groups.ResultsLifetime prevalence of DSM–IV/CIDI disorders was determined for anxiety disorders (15.8%), mood disorders (9.8%), substance use disorders (13.4%) and any disorder (30.3%). Lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders differed significantly across ethnic groups. Median age at onset was earlier for substance use disorders (21 years) than for anxiety disorders (32 years) or mood disorders (37 years).ConclusionsIn comparison with data from other countries, South Africa has a particularly high lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders. These disorders have an early age at onset, providing an important target for the planning of local mental health services.

scholarly journals Differences in Mental Health, Help-Seeking and Barriers to Care Between Civilians and Sworn Members Working in Law Enforcement: A Research Note

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystle Martin ◽  
Alifa Siddiqui ◽  
Rosemary Ricciardelli ◽  
Liana Lentz ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Barriers To Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Mental Wellness

Abstract Recent Canadian research indicates 44.5% of public safety personnel (PSP) self-report symptoms consistent with at least one type of mental disorder; however, researchers have typically not focused on the mental wellness of civilians working within PSP sectors. Given that the number of civilians working in Canadian law enforcement organizations has doubled since 2003, with more than 30% of all police personnel in Canada being civilians, more research is needed to support this understudied sub-population within law enforcement. The current study used a survey to compare civilian members (n = 80) and sworn (n = 112) police officers working within a law enforcement organization on issues regarding mental disorders, perceived barriers to care and help-seeking behaviours. Results indicate that civilian members self-report a high prevalence of mental disorders and lower resilience compared with police officers in the same organization. Civilians reported similar barriers to accessing mental health compared with police officers but were less likely to indicate willingness to access supports within their place of employment. Our results support the need for equitable access to mental health resources for civilian staff working within law enforcement organizations.

scholarly journals Using Participatory Design Methodologies to Co-Design and Culturally Adapt the Spanish Version of the Mental Health eClinic: Qualitative Study

10.2196/14127 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. e14127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Ospina-Pinillos ◽  
Tracey Davenport ◽  
Antonio Mendoza Diaz ◽  
Alvaro Navarro-Mancilla ◽  
Elizabeth M Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
User Testing ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
English Speaking

Background The Mental Health eClinic (MHeC) aims to deliver best-practice clinical services to young people experiencing mental health problems by making clinical care accessible, affordable, and available to young people whenever and wherever they need it most. The original MHeC consists of home page with a visible triage system for those requiring urgent help; a online physical and mental health self-report assessment; a results dashboard; a booking and videoconferencing system; and the generation of a personalized well-being plan. Populations who do not speak English and reside in English-speaking countries are less likely to receive mental health care. In Australia, international students have been identified as disadvantaged compared with their peers; have weaker social support networks; and have higher rates of psychological distress. This scenario is acquiring significant relevance as Spanish-speaking migration is rapidly growing in Australia, and the mental health services for culturally and linguistically diverse populations are limited. Having a Spanish version (MHeC-S) of the Mental Health eClinic would greatly benefit these students. Objective We used participatory design methodologies with users (young people aged 16-30 years, supportive others, and health professionals) to (1) conduct workshops with users to co-design and culturally adapt the MHeC; (2) inform the development of the MHeC-S alpha prototype; (3) test the usability of the MHeC-S alpha prototype; (4) translate, culturally adapt, and face-validate the MHeC-S self-report assessment; and (5) collect information to inform its beta prototype. Methods A research and development cycle included several participatory design phases: co-design workshops; knowledge translation; language translation and cultural adaptation; and rapid prototyping and user testing of the MHeC-S alpha prototype. Results We held 2 co-design workshops with 17 users (10 young people, 7 health professionals). A total of 15 participated in the one-on-one user testing sessions (7 young people, 5 health professionals, 3 supportive others). We collected 225 source documents, and thematic analysis resulted in 5 main themes (help-seeking barriers, technology platform, functionality, content, and user interface). A random sample of 106 source documents analyzed by 2 independent raters revealed almost perfect agreement for functionality (kappa=.86; P<.001) and content (kappa=.92; P<.001) and substantial agreement for the user interface (kappa=.785; P<.001). In this random sample, no annotations were coded for help-seeking barriers or the technology platform. Language was identified as the main barrier to getting medical or psychological services, and smartphones were the most-used device to access the internet. Acceptability was adequate for the prototype’s 5 main elements: home page and triage system, self-report assessment, dashboard of results, booking and video visit system, and personalized well-being plan. The data also revealed gaps in the alpha prototype, such as the need for tailored assessment tools and a greater integration with Spanish-speaking services and communities. Spanish-language apps and e-tools, as well as online mental health information, were lacking. Conclusions Through a research and development process, we co-designed and culturally adapted, developed and user tested, and evaluated the MHeC-S. By translating and culturally adapting the MHeC to Spanish, we aimed to increase accessibility and availability of e-mental health care in the developing world, and assist vulnerable populations that have migrated to English-speaking countries.

British military women: combat exposure, deployment and mental health

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Jones ◽  
N Greenberg ◽  
A Phillips ◽  
A Simms ◽  
S Wessely
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Combat Exposure ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Military Women ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Unit Cohesion

Abstract Background Internationally, women are about to undertake combat duties alongside their male colleagues. The psychological effect of this policy change is largely unknown. Aims To explore the mental health impact of combat exposure among military women. Methods Self-report, between-subjects survey data were collected in Iraq and Afghanistan on four occasions between 2009 and 2014 (n = 4139). Differences in mental health, stigmatization, deployment experiences, intimate relationship impact, perception of family support levels, unit cohesion, leadership and help-seeking were compared between deployed men and women. Comparisons were repeated with the study sample stratified by level of combat exposure. Outcomes were examined using logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographic, mental health and military factors. Results Overall, 4.1% of women and 4.3% of men reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (odds ratio (OR) 1.31, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.70–2.46); 22% of women and 16% of men reported symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD) (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.11–2.08). Women were less likely to report mental health-related stigmatization (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53–0.87), negative relationship impact from deployment (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49–0.98) and subjective unit cohesion (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53–0.90). Help-seeking for emotional problems was similar by gender (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.84–1.77). Overall, outcomes were minimally impacted by level of combat exposure. Conclusion Although women experienced more CMD symptoms, PTSD symptoms were similar by gender. Subject to confirmation of the study findings, women may not require enhanced mental healthcare during deployment for exposure-based conditions such as PTSD when undertaking the ground close combat role.

scholarly journals S27. EXAMINING DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN SELF-REPORT AND CLINICIAN-RATED ASSESSMENTS OF PSYCHOSIS RISK: DOES INTERNALIZED STIGMA MATTER?

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S41-S41
Author(s):  
LeeAnn Shan ◽  
Zachary B Millman ◽  
Joseph DeLuca ◽  
Mallory J Klaunig ◽  
Pamela Rakhshan Rouhakhtar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Internalized Stigma ◽  
Clinical High Risk ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Psychosis Risk

Abstract Background Psychosis is one of the most highly stigmatized mental health conditions (Thornicroft et al., 2009). Compared to those with other mental health concerns, people diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders are more likely to be perceived by others as dangerous, violent, and unpredictable. As a result, they are often socially marginalized and discriminated against (Crisp et al., 2000; Martin et al., 2007). Individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis may be at lower risk for experiencing public stigma, given that their symptoms are often less outwardly visible at this early stage of illness. However, evidence suggests that those at CHR experience high levels of self-stigma, as they may internalize negative stereotypes related to psychosis (Yang et al., 2010; Yang et al., 2015). Internalized stigma can negatively impact help-seeking behavior and has been associated with lower self-esteem and the underreporting of mental health symptoms (Corrigan, 2004; Corrigan, 2007; Saporito, Ryan, & Teachman, 2011; Rüsch, Angermeyer, & Corrigan, 2005). Despite these findings, no studies to-date have examined how internalized stigma may impact reporting of attenuated psychosis symptoms in the CHR population. The current study aims to examine whether discrepancies between self-report and clinician-rated measures of psychosis risk are associated with internalized stigma in a sample of help-seeking adolescents and young adults. We hypothesized that higher levels of self-stigma will predict inconsistencies between self-reported symptom severity and clinician-obtained diagnoses of psychosis risk. Methods Participants will include youth classified as either non-psychosis-related help-seeking controls or at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis, as determined by the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS; Miller et al., 2003). The SIPS is administered by trained raters and is currently considered the gold standard tool for diagnosing clinical high-risk syndromes (Thompson et al., 2018). In addition to SIPS diagnoses, psychosis risk will also be assessed using the Prime Screen – Revised (PS-R; Miller et al., 2004), a brief, 12-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure attenuated positive symptoms. Lastly, internalized stigma will be assessed using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory (ISMI; Ritsher, Otilingam, & Grajales, 2003), a 29-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure subjective experiences of stigma in adolescents (e.g., endorsement of negative stereotypes, social withdrawal and feelings of alienation due to mental health problems, etc.). Results Preliminary analyses demonstrate a significant interaction between Prime scores and internalized stigma in predicting SIPS diagnoses. Specifically, higher scores on the Prime were associated with increased odds of being diagnosed as CHR on the SIPS, but only for those participants who endorsed low and mean levels of stigma. For participants who endorsed high levels of stigma, there did not appear to be any relation between Prime scores and SIPS diagnoses. Discussion At the time of submission, participant recruitment is ongoing, and results and discussion will be presented on the final sample. Findings may inform efforts to improve detection and accurate diagnosis of psychosis risk syndromes in individuals at early stages of illness.

scholarly journals Help-Seeking by Rural Residents for Mental Health Problems: The Importance of Agrarian Values

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 769-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Judd ◽  
Henry Jackson ◽  
Angela Komiti ◽  
Greg Murray ◽  
Caitlin Fraser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Mental Health Issue ◽  
Perceived Stigma ◽  
Rural Residents

Objective: To examine the role of stoicism, self-effficacy and perceived stigma in predicting help-seeking by rural residents, for mental health problems. Method: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted with a sample of 467 rural residents (58% female), who completed self-report questionnaires assessing current levels of symptomatology, disability, perceived stigma, self-effficacy, stoicism, attitudes towards and experience of seeking help for psychological problems. Results: Overall, 27.6% (n = 129) of respondents had sought help from a general practitioner and/or mental health professional for psychological problems or a mental health issue. More women than men reported having sought such help. Lifetime helpseeking for a psychological problem or mental health issue was positively associated with higher levels of distress and lower levels of stoicism and, to a lesser extent, lower levels of self-effficacy. Conclusions: Efforts to improve help-seeking by rural residents for mental health problems should focus on understanding and addressing attitudes, such as stoicism which act as barriers to help-seeking.

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