scholarly journals Implementation of health promotion activities in mental health care in Denmark

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Møller ◽  
A Møller ◽  
L Ledderer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Interactive Approach ◽  
Mental Health Nurses

Abstract Background People suffering from serious mental illness face a high risk of lifestyle-related health problems, and higher mortality and morbidity rates than the rest of the population. The solution to the problem has been to integrate health promotion initiatives in mental health care. In Denmark psychiatric departments have implemented a new strategy and mental health nurses are now asked to screen for risk factors. The aim of this study is to explore how mental health nurses experience working with the screening of risk factors amongst patients with mental illnesses as part of their health promotion activities. Methods We employed a qualitative research design using an interactive approach. Two focus group interviews (n = 7; n = 5) were conducted with mental health nurses attending a mental health specialist training in Denmark in 2018. The interviews lasted 1 ½ hours, were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were organized using NVivo 12 software and a qualitative content analysis was used to describe experiences in a conceptual form. Results The implementation of health promotion activities in mental health care created two different types of dilemmas for the mental health nurses: 1) dilemmas related to health promotion that involved discrepancies between patients’ autonomy and wishes, and the health promotion activities that were offered; 2) system-related dilemmas originated from structural factors and working with screening for risk factors. The mental health nurses developed various strategies and found new solutions to navigate these dilemmas. Conclusions Mental health nurses found it challenging to implement health promotion activities in mental health care, although they generally found these activities meaningful. They developed new strategies to overcome the dilemmas. Key messages Health promotion initiatives need to be adapted to mental health nurses’ existing mental healthcare practices in order for them to be meaningful. Screening of risk factors is insufficient as a health promotion activity in mental health care.

scholarly journals Dilemmas in delivering health promotion activities: findings from a qualitative study of mental health nurses in Denmark

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e036403
Author(s):  
Jane Ege Møller ◽  
Anne Møller ◽  
Loni Ledderer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Interactive Approach ◽  
Mental Health Nurses ◽  
Long Term Conditions

ObjectiveRecent studies have shown that people with mental illnesses have higher mortality and morbidity rates due to long-term conditions and lifestyle diseases. This knowledge has led to health promotion initiatives in mental health care to improve the physical health of people with mental illness. This article explores how mental health nurses experience working with health promotion activities in mental healthcare practices.DesignWe adopted a qualitative research design using an interactive approach. Qualitative content analysis was used to develop the analytical framework.ParticipantsFocus groups (n=7; n=5) were conducted with two groups of mental health nurses who attended health specialist training sessions in Denmark in the spring and fall of 2018.ResultsThe findings showed that working with health promotion activities in mental health care created two dilemmas for the mental health nurses: (1) dilemmas related to health promotion that involved discrepancies between the health promotion activities that were offered and patients’ autonomy and wishes, and (2) system-related dilemmas stemming from working with screening for risk factors and documentation programmes. The mental health nurses developed different strategies to navigate these dilemmas, such as devising interview techniques for the screening questions and bending guidelines.ConclusionsMental health nurses found it challenging to implement health promotion activities in mental health care, although they generally found these activities meaningful. The findings show that new health promotion activities need to be adapted to nurses’ existing mental healthcare practices; however, this may require some adaptation of existing nursing practices.

The next step: a strategic focus on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Irish mental health care

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Matthews ◽  
M. Cowman ◽  
S. Denieffe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Mental Health Nurses ◽  
Health Strategy

People with severe mental illnesses have dramatically reduced life expectancy compared with the general population, which is largely attributed to physical comorbidity. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions offer a safe and viable therapeutic resource for multi-disciplinary mental health care teams. The accumulating evidence supporting the role of these interventions has changed the focus of mental health strategy in some countries, with new developing roles for certain mental health professionals in this field. However, in Ireland the absence of specialised exercise practitioners places a leadership role for mental health nurses in this regard. National mental health strategy in Ireland should prioritise physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions, make recommendations for the integration of specialised exercise practitioners in all mental health multidisciplinary teams, and recommend the provision of training and awareness for mental health nurses and other multidisciplinary professionals who are already well placed to address this issue.

Health promotion in mental health care: perceptions from patients and mental health nurses

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1569-1578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Verhaeghe ◽  
Jan De Maeseneer ◽  
Lea Maes ◽  
Cornelis Van Heeringen ◽  
Lieven Annemans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Nurses

Pathways to Mental Health Services and Perceptions about the Effectiveness of Treatment

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirry M. Alang ◽  
Donna D. McAlpine
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Treatment Gap ◽  
Quality Outcomes ◽  
Effectiveness Of Care

The gap between need and effective treatment for mental health problems continues to be a challenge for researchers and policymakers. Much of the attention has been on differences in treatment rates, with insufficient attention to variation in pathways that people take into treatment. Individuals may choose to seek help but may also be substantially influenced by others or coerced into care. The chances of each type of pathway are influenced by social characteristics and may shape perceptions of effectiveness of care. This paper investigates variation in pathways into care and perceived effectiveness of care. We also examine whether choice or coercion into care are associated with whether individuals perceive care as effective and if severity of illness moderates this relationship. We use data from the 2010–2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 10,020). Persons who independently sought mental health care were more likely to rate treatment as effective compared to persons ordered into care. Among people with severe mental illnesses, the probability of rating treatment as effective is lowest among those who were ordered into care. Entry into mental health care is not sufficient for closing the treatment gap if coerced care leads to poorer quality outcomes.

scholarly journals Mental health literacy in Pakistan: a narrative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubina Begum ◽  
Fahad Riaz Choudhry ◽  
Tahir Mehmood Khan ◽  
Faizah Safina Bakrin ◽  
Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Targeted Interventions

Purpose The term “Mental health literacy” is defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention. The importance of health literacy for physical health is widely studied; however, the area of mental health literacy in Pakistan has been comparatively neglected. The purpose of this paper is to address the knowledge about mental health in people living in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Relevant literature relating to mental health literacy was identified through various database searches. The databases searched included: PubMed, Cochrane database of Systemic Reviews, PsycINFO using the terms mental health, mental health literacy, mental health education, Pakistan. Findings Literature suggests that there is dearth of knowledge about mental illnesses and their treatment among public. This review also highlights the importance of mental health literacy among professionals working in the field of health care. In Pakistan, due to low literacy rate, a high percentage of poverty and dearth of trained professionals warrants an emendation in approaches established for attaining the goal of public health and psychiatric care. Practical implications Findings have implications for practitioners in the field of mental health care as well as designing targeted interventions for enhancing mental health literacy and help-seeking behavior in the future. Originality/value A limited understanding and lack of improvement in mental health literacy may interfere with society’s acceptance of evidence-based mental health care which may hamper the delivery of adequate mental health services to the needy.

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