Promoting mental health in out of home care in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1026-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Monson ◽  
Kristen Moeller-Saxone ◽  
Cathy Humphreys ◽  
Carol Harvey ◽  
Helen Herrman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
System Level ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Out Of Home Care

Abstract Young people in out of home care (OoHC) typically have worse mental health outcomes than peers who grow up within a family of origin. Innovations to improve the mental health of this group have tended to focus on pathology rather than mental health promotion and prevention of mental illnesses, and are often costly and challenging to implement. This qualitative study explored perspectives from young people with experience of OoHC in Melbourne, Australia regarding the promotion of mental health in OoHC. The study informed the subsequent development of a system-level intervention to support workers and carers in OoHC and evaluation of its implementation, the Ripple study. We conducted thematic analysis of data from interviews and focus groups with 14 young people aged 18–24 years with diverse identities and experiences of foster, kinship and residential care. We identified four key themes. These were providing a home-like environment; having someone to talk to; connecting to the wider community and having opportunities to become an active citizen. There is a need for both mental health promotion and treatment approaches in interventions to support workers and carers and young people in OoHC. Mental health promotion strategies should include a focus on enhancing existing capacities of carers and workers. Mental health promotion for young people in OoHC depends on strong intersectoral collaboration and youth participation.

‘Getting our voices out there’: acceptability of a mental health participation programme for young people with out of home care experience in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1085-1093
Author(s):  
Jessie Rafeld ◽  
Kristen Moeller-Saxone ◽  
Sue Cotton ◽  
Simon Rice ◽  
Katherine Monson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
System Level ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Experience ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Meaningful Participation

Abstract Youth with experience of out-of-home-care (OoHC) typically have poorer mental health than their peers in the general population, and lack opportunities to contribute to service planning. Promoting mental health through leadership training may improve young people’s mental health and facilitate system change. The Bounce Project is a pilot youth-leadership mental health training programme co-designed with young people who have experienced OoHC. In this study, we evaluated the Bounce Project from the young people’s perspectives to explore the acceptability, successes and limitations of the training to promote the participant’s mental health and their contribution to system level change. Thirteen young people aged 18–26 years old who had experienced OoHC and participated in the Bounce Project were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematically analysed. Four major themes were thereby identified: making their mark; opportunities for growth; redefining roles and pitfalls of research participation. Participants valued the opportunity to have their voices heard, participate in research and learn about mental health. Perceived negative aspects included infrequent participation opportunities, interpersonal difficulties and frustration about the limitations of research including pressure to recruit and restrictive deadlines. Participating in the Bounce Project was a mostly positive experience, but young people also encountered barriers to meaningful participation. Youth with lived experience need more avenues to participate in research and leadership, but research programmes require specific designs that take into consideration the needs of participants and create opportunities for effective and meaningful participation.

What mental health promotion do university students need?

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 53-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Sokołowska ◽  
Lidia Zabłocka-Żytka ◽  
Sylwia Kluczyńska ◽  
Joanna Wojda-Kornacka
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
University Students ◽  
Biopsychosocial Model ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Healthy Person ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Open Questions

Abstract Our aim was to find out what university students expect of mental health promotion. 610 young people were asked a few open questions. 81% of respondents expressed an interest in mental health promotion activities. They associated promotional activities with physical, social and/or emotional health care. Basically, these positive expectations are in agreement with the biopsychosocial model of mental health formulated by the WHO (2005). No interest in the idea of promotion (11%) is caused by the erroneous assumption that mental health promotion is targeted at people with mental disorders; therefore, a mentally healthy person does not benefit from participating in such a programme.

Assisting Carers to Respond to the Mental Health Needs of Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh Fergeus ◽  
Cathy Humphreys ◽  
Carol Harvey ◽  
Helen Herrman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Developed World

Across the developed world, efforts are being made to identify and develop effective interventions that will reduce the prevalence and severity of mental health problems among children and young people in out-of-home care. Foster and kinship carers have been identified as critically important in this process. In order to develop an understanding of what interventions and/or supports assist carers in responding effectively to the mental health needs of the children and young people in their care, a scoping review was undertaken. Using the scoping study method, 1064 publications were identified, and 82 publications were selected for further analysis. The review shows that promising interventions that aim to improve the mental health of children and young people living in out-of-home care have been developed and trialled both in Australia and internationally. However, the review also highlights the lack of research specifically focused on the role of the carer.

Mental Health Supports and Young People Transitioning from Out-of-home Care in Victoria

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adina Rahamim ◽  
Philip Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
The Impact

Young people transitioning from out-of-home care (OHC) are a vulnerable group. One particular manifestation of disadvantage is poor mental health outcomes which may reflect both the traumatic effects of childhood abuse, and a lack of support on leaving care. This article presents the findings of a small qualitative study undertaken in Victoria which explored the views of OHC and mental health service providers regarding the mental health support needs of care leavers. The findings are consistent with existing research results internationally in highlighting a number of key factors that influence mental health outcomes including the impact of pre-care, in-care and transition from care experiences.

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