Development and spatial representation of synthetic indexes of outpatient mental health care in Andalusia (Spain)

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Garrido-Cumbrera ◽  
José Almenara-Barrios ◽  
Enrique López-Lara ◽  
Juan Luis Peralta-Sáez ◽  
Juan Carlos García-Gutierrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Case Load ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
Care Systems

SummaryIntroduction– There is a need to develop composite indicators to monitor mental health care in countries such as Spain, where there is wide variability of care systems in 17 different regions. The aim of this study is to generate and to test the usability of synthetic indexes in Andalusia (Southern Spain).Method– Seven mental health indicators were selected by expert opinion from a previous list of simple indicators used to compare mental health care systems across Spain (Psicost-74). A Geographical Information Systems (GIS) was used to delineate 71 sectors based on the catchment areas of the mental health centers in Andalusia. Synthetic indexes were obtained through linear combinations of simple indicators via Principal Components Analysis (PCA), using activity data from the Mental Health Information System of Andalusia (SISMA). Maps of these indexes were drawn for 71 catchment areas.Results– Two synthetic indexes were obtained and showed high consistency in the PCA. The Care Load Index (component 1) related to population size and total outpatient care provided within the area. The Case Load Index (component 2) related to assisted morbidity in relation to the population size. The care load index was higher in populated urban areas, whereas the case load was higher in rural areas.Discussion– Care and case load indexes show a different pattern in urban and rural areas. This may be related to a different underlying model of care related to the degree of urbanisation. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) improved recognition and assessment of the spatial phenomena related to the mental health care system, and support policy decision making process in mental health.Declaration of Interest:None.

scholarly journals COVID-19, psychosocial issues, politics, and public mental health care

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-303
Author(s):  
Anthony L Pillay ◽  
Anne L Kramers-Olen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Public Mental Health Care

The COVID-19 pandemic heralded challenges that were both significant and unfamiliar, placing inordinate burdens on health care systems, economies, and the collective psyche of citizens. The pandemic underscored the tenuous intersections between public mental health care, politics, economics, and psychosocial capital. In South Africa, the inadequacies of the public health system have been laid bare, and the disproportionate privileges of the private health care system exposed. This article critically considers government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychosocial correlates of lockdown, politics, corruption, and public mental health policy in South Africa.

Mental health policy in Greece: Implications into practice in the era of economic crisis

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 539-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Grammatikopoulos ◽  
S. Koupidis ◽  
E. Petelos ◽  
P. Theodorakis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Health Care Facilities

IntroductionBudgets allocated for mental health make up a relatively small proportion of total health expenditures, although there is an increasing burden of mental disorders.ObjectivesTo review the mental health situation in Greece with regards to mental health policy through review of relevant literature.AimsTo explore the basic implications of the economic crisis from a health policy perspective, reporting constraints and opportunities.MethodsA narrative review in PubMed/Medline along with a hand search in selected Greek biomedical journals was undertaken, relevant to mental health policy.ResultsGreece is among the OECD countries with high health expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (9.7% of GDP in 2008) but it doesn’t have a specified budget for mental health and is mostly depended in out-of-pocket expenditure (48%). The system is plagued by problems, including geographical inequalities, overcentralization, bureaucratic management and poor incentives in the public sector. The lack of cost-effectiveness and the informal payments comprise a major source of inequity and inefficiency. Uneven regional distribution of psychiatrists exists and rural areas are mostly uncovered by mental health care facilities, as well as extramural mental health units and rehabilitation places, despite the current reorganization of the whole mental health care delivery system.ConclusionsThe core problem with mental health services in Greece is the shrinking budget with poor financial administration consistent with inadequate implementation of mental health policy. A clear authority with defined responsibility for overall mental health policy and budgetary matters is needed.

scholarly journals A Socio-ecological Framing of the Philippine Mental Health Act of 2017

Spectrum ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiah Michael Villareal De Los Santos ◽  
Sonya Jakubec
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Case Review ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
Sphere Of Influence

Filipinos experience numerous barriers to mental health care in their country, such as stigmatization ofillness and behaviours, lack of mental health care services, and resource deficits. The Philippine MentalHealth Act of 2017 was formed to resolve these issues and is in its early stages of implementation.Legislation and policy interventions of this nature are but one level of many interventions that can addresshealth care at a population level. The influence of this legislation for different levels of society is analyzed inorder to understand the different barriers and alternatives to its implementation. Solutions suggested in thelegislation, such as addressing lack of accessibility in rural areas, creating liaisons between different levelsof mental health care, and educating the population regarding mental health, are explored for their effects ondifferent spheres, or levels, of influence. The comprehensiveness of the legislation to address the needs ofmental health service users are highlighted, as are barriers to implementation that inhibit the realization ofpractical strategies. This policy case review and analysis informs program development by highlighting thestrengths and weaknesses aligned to the legislative articles’ target sphere of influence and the population.

Separate or integrated services?

2021 ◽  
pp. 439-448
Author(s):  
Sofie Bäärnhielm ◽  
Mike Mösko ◽  
Aina Basilier Vaage
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Integrated Services ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Immigrants And Refugees ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Health Promoting

In this chapter, we discuss the pros and cons of separate versus integrated services for immigrants and refugees. Our discussion is based on experiences from three high-income countries: Germany, Norway, and Sweden. All three, regardless of general public insurance systems covering healthcare costs, have barriers to mental health care for migrants and refugees. Additionally, their mental health care systems are unaccustomed to responding to cultural variety in patients’ expression of distress, explanatory models of illness, consequences of pre-migratory difficulties, and post-migratory adversities. Attention to post-traumatic stress and social determinants of mental health is also restricted. To bridge barriers and improve access to mental health care for immigrants and refugees, we will comment on the importance of adapting care, training of professionals, and outreach programmes. Also emphasized is the value of culturally sensitive mental health-promoting strategies to improve mental health literacy and reduce stigma among immigrants and refugees.

scholarly journals Nature-Based Interventions for Mental Health Care: Social Network Analysis as a Tool to Map Social Farms and their Response to Social Inclusion and Community Engagement

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Borgi ◽  
Mario Marcolin ◽  
Paolo Tomasin ◽  
Cinzia Correale ◽  
Aldina Venerosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Social Farming

Social farming represents a hybrid governance model in which public bodies, local communities, and economic actors act together to promote health and social inclusion in rural areas. Although relational variables are crucial to foster social farm performance, the relational system in which farms are embedded has still not been fully described. Using social network analysis, here we map the nature of the links of a selected sample of social farms operating in Northern Italy. We also explore possible network variations following specific actions taken to potentiate local social farming initiatives. The results show a certain degree of variability in terms of the extension and features of the examined networks. Overall, the actions taken appear to be significant to enlarge and diversify farms’ networks. Social farming has the potential to provide important benefits to society and the environment and to contrast vulnerability in rural areas. Being able to create social and economic networks of local communities, social farming may also represent an innovative way to respond to the cultural shift from institutional psychiatry to community-based mental health care. This study emphasizes the critical role played by network facilitation in diversifying actors, promoting heterogeneous relationships, and, in turn, system complexity.

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