Mental health services in the Northwest Territories: a scoping review

Background Digital or video games are played by millions of adolescents and young adults around the world and are one of the technologies used by youths to access mental health services. Youths with mental health problems strongly endorse the use of technologies, including mobile and online platforms, to receive information, support their treatment journeys (eg, decision-making tools), and facilitate recovery. A growing body of literature explores the advantages of playing digital games for improving attention span and memory, managing emotions, promoting behavior change, and supporting treatment for mental illness (eg, anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder). The research field has also focused on the negative impact of video games, describing potential harms related to aggression, addiction, and depression. To promote clarity on this matter, there is a great need for knowledge synthesis offering recommendations on how video games can be safely and effectively adopted and integrated into youth mental health services. Objective The Gaming My Way to Recovery scoping review project assesses existing evidence on the use of digital game interventions within the context of mental health services for youths (aged 11-29 years) using the stepped care model as the conceptual framework. The research question is as follows: For which youth mental health conditions have digital games been used and what broad objectives (eg, prevention, treatment) have they addressed? Methods Using the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, this scoping review will map the available evidence on the use of digital games for youths between 11 and 29 years old with mental health or substance use problems, or both. Results The review will bring together evidence-based knowledge to assist mental health providers and policymakers in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of these interventions. Following funding of the project in September 2018, we completed the search in November 2018, and carried out data screening and stakeholder engagement activities during preparation of the protocol. We will conduct a knowledge synthesis based on specific disorders, treatment level and modality, type of service, population, settings, ethical practices, and user engagement and offer recommendations concerning the integration of video game technologies and programs, future research and practice, and knowledge dissemination. Conclusions Digital game interventions employ unique, experiential, and interactive features that potentially improve skills and facilitate learning among players. Digital games may also provide a new treatment platform for youths with mental health conditions. Assessing current knowledge on video game technology and interventions may potentially improve the range of interventions offered by youth mental health services while supporting prevention, intervention, and treatment. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/13834

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Digital Game Interventions for Youth Mental Health Services (Gaming My Way to Recovery): Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13834 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Manuela Ferrari ◽

Sarah V McIlwaine ◽

Jennifer Ann Reynolds ◽

Suzanne Archie ◽

Katherine Boydell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Video Game ◽

Digital Games ◽

Youth Mental Health ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Digital Game

BACKGROUND Digital or video games are played by millions of adolescents and young adults around the world and are one of the technologies used by youths to access mental health services. Youths with mental health problems strongly endorse the use of technologies, including mobile and online platforms, to receive information, support their treatment journeys (eg, decision-making tools), and facilitate recovery. A growing body of literature explores the advantages of playing digital games for improving attention span and memory, managing emotions, promoting behavior change, and supporting treatment for mental illness (eg, anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder). The research field has also focused on the negative impact of video games, describing potential harms related to aggression, addiction, and depression. To promote clarity on this matter, there is a great need for knowledge synthesis offering recommendations on how video games can be safely and effectively adopted and integrated into youth mental health services. OBJECTIVE The Gaming My Way to Recovery scoping review project assesses existing evidence on the use of digital game interventions within the context of mental health services for youths (aged 11-29 years) using the stepped care model as the conceptual framework. The research question is as follows: For which youth mental health conditions have digital games been used and what broad objectives (eg, prevention, treatment) have they addressed? METHODS Using the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, this scoping review will map the available evidence on the use of digital games for youths between 11 and 29 years old with mental health or substance use problems, or both. RESULTS The review will bring together evidence-based knowledge to assist mental health providers and policymakers in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of these interventions. Following funding of the project in September 2018, we completed the search in November 2018, and carried out data screening and stakeholder engagement activities during preparation of the protocol. We will conduct a knowledge synthesis based on specific disorders, treatment level and modality, type of service, population, settings, ethical practices, and user engagement and offer recommendations concerning the integration of video game technologies and programs, future research and practice, and knowledge dissemination. CONCLUSIONS Digital game interventions employ unique, experiential, and interactive features that potentially improve skills and facilitate learning among players. Digital games may also provide a new treatment platform for youths with mental health conditions. Assessing current knowledge on video game technology and interventions may potentially improve the range of interventions offered by youth mental health services while supporting prevention, intervention, and treatment. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/13834

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Barriers and Facilitators to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries: a Scoping Review

Global Social Welfare ◽

10.1007/s40609-019-00158-z ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gbotemi Bukola Babatunde ◽

André Janse van Rensburg ◽

Arvin Bhana ◽

Inge Petersen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Mental health services designed for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnics (BAME) in the UK: a scoping review of case studies

Mental Health and Social Inclusion ◽

10.1108/mhsi-10-2019-0031 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 81-95

Author(s):

Mariam Vahdaninia ◽

Bibha Simkhada ◽

Edwin van Teijlingen ◽

Hannah Blunt ◽

Alan Mercel-Sanca

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Asylum Seekers ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Content Type ◽

The Past ◽

The Uk

Purpose Mental health disparities exist among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnics (BAME) populations. This paper aims to provide an overview of mental health services designed for the BAME population in the UK, both established BAME communities and refugee/asylum-seekers. Design/methodology/approach A range of electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies conducted within the past decade in the UK. Using the Arksey and O’Malley methodology, data were extracted, analysed and summarised. Findings A total of 13 papers were identified, mostly non-randomised community-based. Studies were very heterogeneous in terms of their sample and service provided. After the initial appraisal, the authors presented a narrative synthesis. Overall, all studies reported positive mental health outcomes and beneficial effects. Research limitations/implications Because of the time limitations and quality of the papers, the authors only included peer-reviewed journal papers. Practical implications Mental health services provided for BAME people, both established and refugee/asylum-seekers are feasible and improve engagement with the services and mental health outcomes. Initiatives are required to facilitate the integration of these targeted services within mental health and community services for BAME in the UK. Originality/value This scoping review is a snapshot of the mental health services designed for BAME people in the UK, either established or refugee/asylum-seekers in the past 10 years and adds to the evidence-based knowledge from these studies.

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Users’ choice and change of allocated primary mental health professional in community-based mental health services: A scoping review

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020910182 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (4) ◽

pp. 373-381 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Giulia Rioli ◽

Silvia Ferrari ◽

Claire Henderson ◽

Riccardo Vandelli ◽

Giacomo Galli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Professional ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Mental Health Professional ◽

Community Mental Health Services ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Community Based ◽

The Relationship

Background: The recovery model in mental health care emphasizes users’ right to be involved in key decisions of their care, including choice of one’s primary mental health professional (PMHP). Aims: The aim of this article was to provide a scoping review of the literature on the topic of users’ choice, request of change and preferences for the PMHP in community mental health services. Method: A search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and PsycINFO for papers in English was performed. Additional relevant research articles were identified through the authors’ personal bibliography. Results: A total of 2,774 articles were screened and 38 papers were finally included. Four main aspects emerged: (1) the importance, for users, to be involved in the choice of their PMHP; (2) the importance, for users, of the continuity of care in the relationship with their PMHP; (3) factors of the user/PMHP dyad influencing users’ preferences; and (4) the effect of choice on the treatment outcomes. Conclusion: While it is generally agreed that it is important to consider users’ preferences in choosing or requesting to change their PMHP, little research on this topic is available. PMHPs’ and other stakeholders’ views should also be explored in order to discuss ethical and practical issues.

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