"Are We There Yet?" - Consumer Participation in Mental Health Services

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Browne ◽  
Mary Courtney

Public policy in Australia recommends that the relationship between consumers and mental health professionals should be one of equals and that consumers be encouraged to have input into service delivery at every level. This approach requires a significant change in attitude for mental health professionals and within services. Although consumer input into mental health service delivery has improved, there is still a long way to go. Unfortunately, consumers consider many of the efforts by mental health services to be tokenistic. This paper considers some of the issues regarding consumer participation, including the changing community attitudes towards people with a mental illness, the concept of recovery, challenges for health professionals and the impediments to consumer participation.

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 784-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Wand ◽  
Kathryn White

The purpose of the present paper was to review the current models of mental health service delivery used in the emergency department (ED) setting. A search was conducted of the nursing and medical literature from 1990 to 2007 for relevant articles and reports. Consideration was also given to the global and local context influencing contemporary mental health services. Wider sociopolitical and socioeconomic influences and systemic changes in health-care delivery have dictated a considerable shift in attention for mental health services worldwide. The ED is a topical location that has attracted interest and necessitated a response. The mental health liaison nurse (MHLN) role embedded within the ED structure has demonstrated the most positive outcomes to date. This model aims to raise mental health awareness and address concerns over patient-focused outcomes such as reduced waiting times, therapeutic intervention and more efficient coordination of care and follow up for individuals presenting to the ED in psychological distress. Further research is required into all methods of mental health service delivery to the ED. The MHLN role is a cost-effective approach that has gained widespread approval from ED staff and mental health patients and is consistent with national and international expectations for mental health services to become fully integrated within general health care. The mental health nurse practitioner role situated within the ED represents a potentially promising alternative for enhanced public access to specialized mental health care.


2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 735-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Draper ◽  
Tanya Jochelson ◽  
David Kitching ◽  
John Snowdon ◽  
Henry Brodaty ◽  
...  

Objective: To compare the perceptions of aged care services, adult mental health services and mental health services for older people regarding aspects of mental health service delivery for older people in New South Wales, Australia. Method: The NSW Branch of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age in association with the NSW Centre for Mental Health, sent a postal survey to all aged care services, adult mental health services and mental health services for older people in NSW. The survey canvassed issues ranging across service profiles, regional variations, availability of resources, processes of care, views on working relationships between services, difficulties and gaps experienced, and ways to improve co-ordination and service delivery. Clinical issues such as the management and practice of psychiatric disorders of old age, educational/training requirements and skill and experience in working with older people were explored. Results: An overall response rate of 86% was achieved, including 95% from aged care services (n = 58), 74% from adult mental health services (n = 62) and 90% from mental health services for older people (n = 20). Only 59% of aged care services and adult mental health services considered that their local mental health services for older people provided an adequate service; resource and budget limitations were portrayed as the main constraint. Mental health services for older people varied widely in structure, settings and activities undertaken. Access to mental health beds for older people was also variable, and alongside staffing levels was considered problematic. Lack of staff training and/or inexperience in psychogeriatrics posed a challenge for aged care services and adult mental health services. Conclusion: Relationships between aged care services, adult mental health services and mental health services for older people are affected by lack of access to psychogeriatric staff, resource limitations of mental health services for older people, and inadequate liaison and support between the service types. Joint case conferences, education, increased funding of mental health services for older people, and cross referrals were considered ways to address these issues.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahir Mahmood Ali ◽  
Sana Gul

Aim This study attempted to analyse the potential of two primary sources of mental health service delivery at a grassroots level, religious/faith healers and community/lady health workers, and how they can be effectively used to deliver mental health services in a resource-scarce country like Pakistan. Method A literature review was carried out for relevant studies conducted in Muslim countries between 2000 to 2015 reporting empirical results. Using the inclusion criteria, thirteen studies were selected for the review. Results The presented studies suggest that the main proportion of mental health patients in countries with major Muslim population including Pakistan, visit religious/faith healers first for treatment, however all studies are silent about the outcomes through these healers. The only potential visible outcome of contacting religious/faith healers is the identification of mental health cases. However, community/lady health workers with minimal training appeared to be a beneficial source of mental health service delivery in communities. Conclusion In a resource scarce country like Pakistan, networking with religious/faith healers can be established for effective identification and referral of mental health cases whereas strong and already existing community/lady health workers system can be used as a first level to deliver mental health service at the doorstep.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3 Special Issue on COVID-19) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Kazemzadeh Atoofi ◽  
◽  
Nazila Rezaei ◽  
Farzad Kompani ◽  
Fatemeh Shirzad ◽  
...  

Objectives: After the outbreak of a new viral disease in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019, COVID-19 in a very short time and rapidly became a global pandemic. Through a systematic review, the present paper investigated the requirements of Mental Health Services during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted through PubMed and NLM Gateway (for MEDLINE), Institute of Scientific Information (ISI), and Scopus. PsychINFO and CINAHL data banks were also searched. The primary roots for the development of the search strategy developed based on the keywords of “Covid”, “mental health”, “care”, “services”. All relevant studies were included without any limitation of publication time or the papers’ language as it was not possible to conduct a formal systematic review given the nature of the publications. Instead, it was decided to conduct a mixed systematic and complementary narrative review covering different interested domains. Results: Out of 80 papers, after excluding duplications, 58 articles were selected for the refinement process. Three refining steps based on the titles, abstracts, and full texts led to data extraction from 4 eligible papers. Considering the importance of the problem, related findings, key points, and research findings were summarized and presented in terms of critical components of infrastructure and resources, including policy for at-risk groups, different approaches to mental health service delivery, indirect contexts for mental health service delivery, follow-up attitudes, and complementary research. The results of the study indicate that many studies considered the consequences of physical aspects and diagnostic symptoms. Thus, aspects of mental health have been either less focused or even neglected. In mental health consequences, immediate attention and intensive programs to assess mental health, preparation for support and treatment, and prevention services are emphasized. Conclusion: During the implementation of mental health interventions, to improve services and to consider the limitations and challenges of implementing programs, it is necessary to pay attention to the attitudes of target groups and their preference


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliette van der Kamp

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the barriers and facilitators to an effective transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). It also presents a new entry into considering how the transition can be improved. Design/methodology/approach Insights into the transition from CAMHS to AMHS were gathered through eight semi-structured interviews with mental health professionals. Two methods of data analysis were employed to explore the emerging themes in the data and the observed deficit approach to organisational development. Findings The findings identified a vast volume of barriers in comparison to facilitators to the transition. Adolescents who transition from CAMHS to AMHS initially experience difficulty adapting to the differences in the services due to the short duration of the transition period. However, despite the established barriers to the transition, adolescents tend to adapt to the differences between the services. Findings also showed a negative framing towards the transition amongst the mental health professionals which resembles a deficit approach to organisational development. Originality/value This paper explores mental health professionals’ perspectives regarding the transition in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The transition is increasingly recognised as an area in health care that requires improvement. This research provides a new way to consider the transition by exploring the perceived deficit approach to organisational development in the services.


Author(s):  
Eric G. Mart

This chapter provides information designed to assist mental health professionals in effectively marketing their services to courts, attorneys, and the legal system in general. Suggestions are offered to help mental health professionals decide whether they will be comfortable working in an adversarial environment. Methods for developing the skillsets necessary for performing forensic consultations in a competent, ethical manner are provided. Information regarding how to effectively market mental health services to legal professionals are reviewed. Various areas of subspecialty practice are described.


Author(s):  
Philip J. Lazarus ◽  
Shannon M. Suldo ◽  
Beth Doll

In this introduction, the authors discuss the purpose of this book, which is (a) to provide school-based mental health professionals with the knowledge and tools to help promote students’ emotional well-being and mental health, (b) to describe how to implement new models of mental health service delivery in schools, and (c) to prescribe practical strategies that bolster the likelihood that our youth will thrive in school and in life. The authors recommend conceptualizing student mental health through a dual-factor model that encompasses both promoting wellness and reducing pathology. They advocate for a change in educational priorities—one that supports the whole child, in mind, body, and spirit. They then discuss the prevalence of psychological distress in youth, risk and resilience research, the dual-factor model of mental health, happiness studies, new frameworks for the delivery of services, and the organization and structure of the text.


1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 398-399
Author(s):  
Ian G Manion ◽  
Simon Davidson ◽  
Christina Norris ◽  
Sarah Brandon

Abstract Today's youth are at a disturbingly high risk for mental health and illness problems and are largely dissatisfied with the existing mental health services. Youth Net/Réseau Ado (YN/RA), supported by input from mental health professionals, is a bilingual mental health promotion program that seeks out the opinions and attitudes of youth regarding mental health and illness issues, while connecting them with appropriate resources and mental health services. This paper describes the Youth Net/Réseau Ado program and provides some guidelines for the identification of mental health and illness problems, including indicators of the risk of suicide.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 616-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bonnet ◽  
Nicola Moran

Abstract The number of people detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act has risen significantly in recent years and has recently been the subject of an independent review. Most existing research into the rise in detentions has tended to prioritise the perspectives of psychiatrists and failed to consider the views of Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), usually social workers, who ultimately determine whether detention is appropriate. This mixed-methods study focused on AMHPs’ views on the reasons behind the rise in detentions and potential solutions. It included a national online survey of AMHPs (n = 160) and semi-structured interviews with six AMHPs within a Community Mental Health Team in England. AMHPs reported that demand for mental health services vastly exceeded supply and, due to inadequate resources, more people were being detained in hospital. AMHPs argued that greater investment in preventative mental health services and ‘low intensity’ support would help to mitigate the impact of social risk factors on mental health; and greater investment in crisis services, including non-medical alternatives to hospital, was required. Such investment at either end of the spectrum was expected to be more effective than changes to the law and lead to better outcomes for mental health service users.


1994 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 544-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Tillett

The Royal College of Psychiatrists (1991) has recommended that all local mental health services should include specialist psychotherapy departments. At present these are uncommon outside major teaching centres, although a considerable amount of simple psychotherapy is provided on an ad hoc basis by mental health professionals of various disciplines. This paper describes the structure, functioning and costs of a specialist department in a non-teaching district in the south west of England.


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