The views of professional on the role of self-help groups in the mental health area

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Dunn ◽  
Aine C Fitzpatric

AbstractObjectives: Changes in healthcare policy over the last decade emphasise care in the community over residential care. Self-help organisations may play a useful role in these circumstances. Against this background, the objective of this study was to obtain the views of members of the main mental health professions on the place of self-help groups in mental health care.Method: A postal survey of 255 mental health professionals from two health boards was carried out, using a semi-structured questionnaire that contained both open and closed questions. The responses obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis as appropriate.Results: The response rate was 35% so results must be interpreted cautiously. Self-help groups are used particularly in the management of addictive behaviours, and are also considered useful in cases of mood disorder. In general, self-help organisations are seen as providing support to patients and their families; information on mental illness/health to the general public; and lobbying for services relevant to the needs of their members. Respondents were concerned that the philosophy and programme of a group should not conflict with established models of mental health. The impact of the organisational structure of the multi-disciplinary team on the referral pattern of the different mental health professions, and the role of group availability and accessibility on the decision to refer a patient to a self-help group is commented upon.Conclusions: While some professionals see a role for self-help organisations in the mental health care system, reservations expressed about a possible clash between selfhelp groups' approach and professional mental healthcare practice need to be addressed so that the potential of both positions can be realised.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enric Garcia Torrents

The present article addresses the need to rethink mental health care services from a social perspective, highlighting the impact of inequality and other determinants on people's suffering, while posing a critique of the role of the current biomedical model in controlling the population and maintaining a socioeconomic system that is both unhinged and unhinging.


2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 153-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind Raine ◽  
Simon Carter ◽  
Tom Sensky ◽  
Nick Black

In the past, British general practitioners (GPs) have referred patients to individual consultants. There is now a trend towards generic referral, whereby the specialist team is consulted via a single point of access. We examined the impact of this innovation on the relationship between GPs and specialists in mental health care. Sixteen groups of randomly selected GPs and mental health professionals (MHPs) in England discussed clinical scenarios involving the use of mental health interventions for patients with functional somatic symptoms. The meetings were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed to the point at which no major new themes were emerging. The final analysis was confined to a purposive sample of six of the sixteen groups, comprising 54 GPs and 15 MHPs. Although the rationale for the single point of access was clear to both GPs and MHPs, the approach erected boundaries because it impeded the establishment of professional relationships and transfer of knowledge. GPs thought the system reduced their capacity to be accountable to their patients and limited the potential for their own professional development. MHPs did not seem to be aware of GPs’ concerns. Effective interprofessional management of individual patients depends upon confidence in colleagues’ skills and good communication. Factors that hamper these must be addressed in the development of this system of referral.


2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Brischiliari ◽  
Jacqueline Botura Bessa ◽  
Maria Angélica Pagliarini Waidman ◽  
Sonia Silva Marcon

The aim of this study was to understand how family members of people with mental disorders conceive the performance of self-help groups (SG). This qualitative study was conducted with eleven family members who participate in a SG of the Maringaense Mental Health Association. Data were collected from April to June 2010 during group meetings, in an adjoining room, by means of semi-structured interviews, which were then subjected to content analysis. Two categories emerged: "The group compensates for deficiencies in care", which points out deficiencies arising from the formal care services and the benefits of SG for family members and, "Idealized care", which reveals the expectations of the family in relation to mental health care. It was concluded that family members would like activities of the SG to be incorporated by mental health care services and for family care to become a part of the care plan.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Kigozi ◽  
J. Ssebunnya

Mental health care is receiving increased attention in low-income countries with the availability of a wide range of effective evidence-based treatments for acute and chronic mental disorders amidst scarce resources. Availability of these treatments and competent human resources enables the use of a variety of interventions at several levels of care for persons with mental illness and makes it feasible to ensure observance of quality in the treatment approaches that go beyond institutionalisation. However, unlike developed countries which are endowed with many and relatively well-paid mental health specialists, low-income countries face a dire shortage of highly trained mental health professionals in addition to several other challenges. In light of this, there is need to re-assess the role of the few available psychiatrists, with a shift to new core tasks such as designing mental health care programmes that can be delivered by non-specialists, building their health system's capacity for delivering care, including supporting front-line health workers through support supervision, raising awareness on mental health and patients’ rights in addition to promoting essential research. This requires a fundamental paradigm shift from the current training for mental health specialists to a public health oriented approach and providing incentives for community engagement.


Author(s):  
Nicole Butterfield ◽  
Tim Schultz ◽  
Philippa Rasmussen ◽  
Michael Proeve

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of yoga in the management of anxiety and depression, development of mindfulness and self-compassion and implications for mental health care delivery and mental health professionals, with a specific focus on nursing practice. Design/methodology/approach A search of electronic databases Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane Library was undertaken. Findings There is growing research evidence supporting the use of yoga as an adjunct or combination therapy for the management of stress, anxiety and depression. Mindfulness has been indicated as a potential mechanism of change but needs further research. Health care professionals may play an important role in supporting consumers to engage in yoga as part of their mental health care. Research limitations/implications Yoga research to date has been limited by methodological weaknesses including wide variation of yoga practices, styles and teaching methods; difficulties in double-blinding, suitable placebo-control; lack of randomised controlled trials and small sample sizes. The literature highlights that more high-quality yoga and mental health research is needed. Practical implications The paper introduces the potential role of yoga for anxiety and depression in the health care system and the role of mental health professionals in implementing and promoting holistic yoga-based therapies. Originality/value This paper proposes a yoga model for mental health and provides insight into a proposed new direction for future mental health care and the role of nursing practice and other mental health professionals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S691-S691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C Fullen ◽  
Jonathan Wiley ◽  
Amy Morgan ◽  
Gerard Lawson ◽  
Jyotsana Sharma

Abstract Medicare is the primary insurance provider for approximately 59 million Americans, and the number of beneficiaries is expected to surpass 80 million by 2030. Currently, Medicare regulations allow psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses to provide mental health services. These providers were last updated in 1989 with passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989. Since that time, the mental health marketplace has changed dramatically, and Medicare beneficiaries are unable to access care from approximately 200,000 graduate-level mental health professionals with similar training to eligible Medicare providers. There is evidence that this Medicare mental health coverage gap (MMHCG) impacts both providers and beneficiaries. For example, some beneficiaries may begin treatment only to have services interrupted, or stopped altogether, once the provider is no longer able to be reimbursed by Medicare. We surveyed 6,550 members of the American Counseling Association, including 3,815 who identified themselves as practicing counselors. These individuals work in diverse contexts (e.g., community mental health agencies, private practice, and integrated care settings). Survey results indicated that a significant number of practicing counselors turn away or refer Medicare beneficiaries who seek mental health care due to the MMHCG. In-depth interviews were also completed with eight licensed mental health professionals who detailed the challenges they and their clients experienced. Participants perceived a discrepancy between Medicare’s intended aims to promote health and provider restrictions that were confusing and frustrating to navigate. Participants concluded that the MMHCG has a negative impact on older adult clients.


2001 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudolf Moos ◽  
Jeanne Schaefer ◽  
Jill Andrassy ◽  
Bernice Moos

2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110181
Author(s):  
Megan L Howes ◽  
Diane Ellison

Introduction There is recognition within the literature that the role of care-giving can have a negative impact on care-givers’ general well-being. Less is understood about the role of care-giving on an individual’s occupational participation and in turn occupational identity. Occupational therapists have a unique understanding of the interplay between occupational participation and health, though this is an area that has been under researched in relation to mental health care-givers. Therefore, the current research aims to understand how the role of care-giving for an individual with a mental illness impacts on occupational participation and identity. Method A qualitative semi-structured interview the Occupational Performance and History Interview–Version 2 was utilised to understand life experiences. Six mental health care-givers were interviewed, and these interviews were transcribed for thematic analysis. Findings Three main themes were identified: being me, roles and responsibilities associated with care-giving and services. Conclusion The findings suggest being a mental health care-giver does have a detrimental impact on occupational participation and therefore occupational identity. As care-givers gained more experience in their role, they used occupational adaption as a positive coping mechanism that helped them achieve occupational balance. Using their unique understanding of occupational participation and occupational identity, occupational therapists are well placed to utilise their knowledge and skills to work in a systemic way supporting both the person with mental illness and their care-giver.


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