scholarly journals Concurrent opioid dependence and mental health problems: a review of the issues for general practice

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Duffy ◽  
Alex Ask ◽  
Colin Macdougall
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Opioid Dependence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Shared Care ◽  
Liaison Psychiatry ◽  
Care Community

The literature is reviewed on the issue of concurrent opioid dependence and mental health problems within the general practice setting. People with such problems have poorer personal, clinical and social outcomes than people with either mental health or drug and alcohol (D&A) problems alone. Mental health and drug services operate from different policy systems and are generally not co-ordinated with each other, leaving the onus on the patient to move effectively through health systems. The common statement that GPs are ideal health professionals to manage concurrent problems is contrasted with the evident barriers in general practice such as lack of time, knowledge, skills and confidence. Models for managing concurrent problems tend towards shared care. However, these models either have received mixed evidence (eg. consultant-liaison psychiatry) or are amenable to development but remain untested (eg. co-ordinated care, community health centre programs). The Enhanced Primary Care items introduced in 1999/2000 may provide an incentive for GPs to participate in shared care arrangements with other health professionals. However, there is a need for mechanisms to increase the links between GPs and other health services.

scholarly journals Mental health problems, benefits and tackling discrimination

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Galloway ◽  
Billy Boland ◽  
Gareth Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Policy Institute

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

Young service users from refugee backgrounds: their perspectives on barriers to accessing Australian mental health services

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Claire Valibhoy ◽  
Josef Szwarc ◽  
Ida Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine barriers to accessing mental health services, from the perspective of young people of refugee background who have been service users, and to suggest strategies to improve access to mental health services. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study was conducted with 16 young people (aged 18-25), who had been refugees and who had attended mental health professionals in Australia. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically to examine participants’ perspectives on what hinders initial access to mental health services. Findings Stigma about mental health problems was particularly prominent. Many believed a high level of disturbance was the threshold for entering services, and for some there was no knowledge of such services’ existence. Options for assistance other than mental health services were often preferred, according to young people’s explanatory models. Apprehension was expressed that sessions would be uncomfortable, distressing or ineffective. The desire to be self-reliant functioned as a further barrier. Finally, structural obstacles and social exclusion deterred some young refugees from accessing services. Practical implications Implications include the need for service providers to be equipped to provide culturally sensitive, responsive services that ideally offer both practical and psychological assistance. Potential referrers, including health professionals and community leaders, could facilitate increased access if trained to recognise and address barriers. Finally, findings indicate potential content for awareness-raising initiatives for young refugees about mental health problems and services. Originality/value This paper is original in its sample, method, topic and findings; being drawn from the first known qualitative research exploring views of young mental health service users who have been refugees about barriers to accessing mental health services.

scholarly journals Do On-Site Mental Health Professionals Change Pediatricians' Responses to Children's Mental Health Problems?

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 676-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah McCue Horwitz ◽  
Amy Storfer-Isser ◽  
Bonnie D. Kerker ◽  
Moira Szilagyi ◽  
Andrew S. Garner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Children’S Mental Health ◽  
Children's Mental Health

Psychological Problems in Christian and Moslem Primary Care Patients in Greece

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Androutsopoulou ◽  
M. Livaditis ◽  
K. I. Xenitidis ◽  
G. Trypsianis ◽  
M. Samakouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff

Objective: Psychiatric problems are often expressed through, or coexist with, somatic symptoms. Cultural factors may influence this association. This study aims to 1) estimate the prevalence of mental health problems in a sample of primary care attendees in a rural area of Greece, and 2) investigate the differences in psychiatric symptomatology among patients from different religious/cultural backgrounds. Method: Over a three-month period, 300 consecutive adult patients (Christians and Moslems) at the rural Primary Care Health Centre of Iasmos in Thrace, Greece, were assessed with the 28-item General Health Questionnaire. Results: The probable prevalence of mental health problems was estimated at 32 percent. Only for a small minority of the patients (3.3 percent) psychological problems were the presenting complaint. Moslems scored significantly higher than Christians in the somatic complaints subscale ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Mental health problems are common in primary care although they rarely constitute a reason for consultation. Sociocultural background may affect the presentation of psychological distress. Primary health care staff have a significant role in identifying hidden psychiatric morbidity.

Debt and mental health: the role of psychiatrists

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Fitch ◽  
Robert Chaplin ◽  
Colin Trend ◽  
Sharon Collard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Capacity ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Financial Decisions ◽  
The Impact

One in four people with mental health problems in Britain report debt or arrears, which is nearly three times the rate among individuals without similar conditions. Although health professionals commonly encounter debt among patients, some report that they lack basic knowledge to effectively intervene and that patient debt is often not acted on until a crisis emerges. Our aim in this article is to improve psychiatrists' knowledge and confidence in dealing with patient debt. We provide basic definitions of debt and problem debt; outline the impact that debt can have on patients' health, social and financial well-being; identify the stages and signs that a patient may be accruing problem debt; describe how psychiatrists should respond; and review the instruments available to assess patients' mental capacity to make financial decisions. We do not expect psychiatrists to become ‘debt experts’, but provide working knowledge for engaging more effectively with this problem.

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