scholarly journals Use of an integrated Atlas of Mental Health Care for evidence informed policy in Catalonia (Spain)

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 512-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fernandez ◽  
J. A. Salinas-Perez ◽  
M. R. Gutierrez-Colosia ◽  
B. Prat-Pubill ◽  
A Serrano-Blanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Perceived Relevance ◽  
Provision Of Care

Background.This paper aims to present the Integrated Atlas of Mental Health of Catalonia (2010) focusing on: (a) the importance of using a taxonomy-based coding and standard system of data collection when assessing health services; and (b) its relevance as a tool for evidence-informed policy.Method.This study maps all the care-related services for people with mental disorders available in Catalonia in 2010, using the ‘Description and Evaluation of Services and Directories in Europe for long-term care’ (DESDE-LTC). The unit of analysis is the Basic Stable Input of Care (BSIC), which is the minimal organisation unit composed by a set of inputs with temporal stability. We presented data on: (a) availability of BSICs and their capacity; (b) the adequacy of the provision of care, taking into account availability and accessibility; (c) the evolution of BSCIs from 2002 to 2010; and (d) the perceived relevance of Atlas of Mental Health as a tool for evidence-informed policy.Results.We identified a total of 639 BSICs. A lack of Health services was detected in highly rural areas, although there was moderate availability of Social Services. Overall, more than 80% of the small mental health areas in Catalonia had an adequate core mental health service. Since 2002 the availability of mental health services has increased. Decision makers found the Atlas a useful and relevant tool for evidence informed policy.Conclusions.Policy makers can use Atlases to detect gaps and inequities in the provision of care for people with mental health needs.

scholarly journals Psychiatric intensive care and low secure units: where are we now?

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 441-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dominic Beer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
General Mental Health ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Patient Groups

SummaryThe last decade has seen clinicians and policy makers develop psychiatric intensive care units and low secure units from the so-called ‘special care wards’ of the 1980s and 1990s. Psychiatric intensive care units are for short-term care, while low secure units are for care for up to about 2 years. Department of Health standards have been set for these units. A national survey has shown that there are two main patient groups in the low secure units: patients on forensic sections coming down from medium secure units and those on civil sections who are transferred from general psychiatric facilities. Recent clinical opinion has emphasised the important role both psychiatric intensive care units and low secure units play in providing a bridge between forensic and general mental health services.

scholarly journals The Greek Hybrid Version of the Assertive Community Treatment Model: A Perspective View between Challenges and Limitations

Psych ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 792-799
Author(s):  
Vaios Peritogiannis ◽  
Fotini Tsoli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Assertive Community Treatment ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Community Mental Health Service ◽  
Perspective View

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model of care has been long considered to be effective in the management of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) in most Western countries. The implementation of the original ACT model may be particularly challenging in rural and remote communities with small and dispersed populations and lack of adequate mental health services. Rural programs may have to adapt the model and modify the ACT fidelity standards to accommodate these limitations, and this is the rationale for the introduction of more flexible, hybrid ACT models. In rural Greece, the so called Mobile Mental Health Units (MMHUs) are well-established community mental health services. For patients with SMI that have difficulties engaging with treatment services, the new hybrid ACT model has been recently launched. The objective of this manuscript is to present the recently launched hybrid ACT model in rural areas in Greece and to explore the challenges and limitations in its implementation from the experience of a team of mental health professionals with ACT experience. Referral criteria have not been strictly set, but the number of previous relapses and hospitalizations is taken under consideration, as well as the history of poor treatment adherence and disengagement from mental health services. The main limitation in the implementation of the hybrid ACT service is that it has been introduced in several areas in the absence of a pre-existing community mental health service. This may impact referrals and limit focus on the difficult cases of patients with SMI, thus making the evaluation of the model inapplicable.

Advancing research in adult secure mental health services in England

2021 ◽  
pp. 002580242110669
Author(s):  
Howard Ryland ◽  
Louise Davies ◽  
Jeremy Kenney-Herbert ◽  
Michael Kingham ◽  
Mayura Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Low Volume

Forensic mental health services in high income countries are typically high cost and low volume, providing care to people with mental illness, personality disorders, learning disability and autism deemed to pose a risk to others. Research into how forensic mental health services work as a whole system is limited. Such research is urgently needed to guide policy makers and ensure that services operate effectively.

scholarly journals Choice in mental health: myths and possibilities

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koravangattu Menon Valsraj ◽  
Nichola Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Healthcare Model ◽  
The Government

The government in England and Wales is promoting policies and initiatives to offer patients choice across all healthcare specialties. This has raised concerns in mental healthcare, particularly if the physical healthcare model of implementation is imposed. However, the ‘choice agenda’ is an opportunity for mental health services to be innovative and act as beacons to other disciplines in healthcare. The south-east London programme introducing choice in mental health services is offered as an example here. There already exists an ‘ethos of choice’ within mental health services, but current practices may require a focused approach and structuring to fit in with national policy. This also might be necessary to influence policy makers to take a different perspective on choice in mental health. The principle of choice goes hand in hand with the drive towards greater social inclusion for people with mental health problems.

scholarly journals Old age mental health services in Southern Balkans: Features, geospatial distribution, current needs, and future perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Alexopoulos ◽  
A. Novotni ◽  
G. Novotni ◽  
T. Vorvolakos ◽  
A. Vratsista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Teaching ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Term Care

Abstract Background Healthcare services are increasingly confronted with challenges related to old age mental disorders. The survey aimed to provide an overview of existing psychogeriatric services in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and North Macedonia. Methods After identification of psychogeriatric units across the four countries, their head physicians were asked to provide data on their clinical, teaching, and research activity, as well as staff composition. Moreover, the attitudes of head physicians to current needs and future service development were explored. Results A total of 15 psychogeriatric units were identified (3 in Bulgaria, 8 in Greece, and 4 in North Macedonia). Results show wide variation regarding the location, team size and composition, service availability, numbers of patients attending, and inpatient treatment length. Most head physicians underscored the urgent need for breakthroughs in the graduate and postgraduate education in psychogeriatrics of medical and nonmedical professionals, as well as in the interconnection of their units with community primary healthcare services and long-term care facilities for seniors via telemedicine. They would welcome the development of national standards for psychogeriatric units, potentially embodying clear pointers for action. A number of head physicians advocated the development of nationwide old age mental health registries. Conclusions Regional disparities in resources and services for seniors’ mental health services were unveiled. These data may enrich the dialogue on optimizing psychogeriatric services through planning future cross-border collaborations mainly based on telemedicine services, especially in the era of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and training/education in psychogeriatrics of mental health professionals.

More than being against it: Anti-racism and anti-oppression in mental health services

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Corneau ◽  
Vicky Stergiopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Alternative Healing ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Alliance Building

Anti-racism and anti-oppression frameworks of practice are being increasingly advocated for in efforts to address racism and oppression embedded in mental health and social services, and to help reduce their impact on mental health and clinical outcomes. This literature review summarizes how these two philosophies of practice are conceptualized and the strategies used within these frameworks as they are applied to service provision toward racialized groups. The strategies identified can be grouped in seven main categories: empowerment, education, alliance building, language, alternative healing strategies, advocacy, social justice/activism, and fostering reflexivity. Although anti-racism and anti-oppression frameworks have limitations, they may offer useful approaches to service delivery and would benefit from further study.

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