Dealing with the Aftermath: A Qualitative Analysis of Mental Health Social Workers' Reactions after a Client Suicide

The impact of client suicidal behavior on mental health social workers is slowly receiving increased empirical attention. This qualitative study examined the impact of client suicide on social workers. Results indicate that social workers experience multiple personal and professional reactions immediately following a client suicide completion. Long-term effects, such as the continual experience of emotional reactions and permanent behavior changes, including changing practice strategies, are also reported. The results of this study have significant implications for the preparation of social workers and other mental health therapists for practice with suicidal clients.

Download Full-text

Addressing COVID-19 Worry and Social Isolation in Home-Based Primary Care

10.31234/osf.io/483zv ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel Elizabeth Weiskittle ◽

Michelle Mlinac ◽

LICSW Nicole Downing

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

Social Workers ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Mental Health Providers ◽

Health Providers ◽

Home Based Primary Care ◽

Home Based ◽

Socially Isolated

Social distancing measures following the outbreak of COVID-19 have led to a rapid shift to virtual and telephone care. Social workers and mental health providers in VA home-based primary care (HBPC) teams face challenges providing psychosocial support to their homebound, medically complex, socially isolated patient population who are high risk for poor health outcomes related to COVID-19. We developed and disseminated an 8-week telephone or virtual group intervention for front-line HBPC social workers and mental health providers to use with socially isolated, medically complex older adults. The intervention draws on skills from evidence-based psychotherapies for older adults including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Problem-Solving Therapy. The manual was disseminated to VA HBPC clinicians and geriatrics providers across the United States in March 2020 for expeditious implementation. Eighteen HBPC teams and three VA Primary Care teams reported immediate delivery of a local virtual or telephone group using the manual. In this paper we describe the manual’s development and clinical recommendations for its application across geriatric care settings. Future evaluation will identify ways to meet longer-term social isolation and evolving mental health needs for this patient population as the pandemic continues.

Download Full-text

The impact of COVID-19 quarantine measures on the mental health of families

Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1177/14680173211011705 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146801732110117

Author(s):

Fakir Al Gharaibeh ◽

Laura Gibson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Workers ◽

Digital Media ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Strong Shock ◽

Psychosocial Interventions ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

The Impact

Summary COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling. Findings The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other. Applications The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19.

Download Full-text

SafeSpot: an innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools – a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

Child and Adolescent Mental Health ◽

10.1111/camh.12375 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 110-116

Author(s):

Mallika Punukollu ◽

Emma L. Leighton ◽

Anna F. Brooks ◽

Saoirse Heron ◽

Fiona Mitchell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Mental Health Support ◽

Health Support

Download Full-text

Delivering cognitive therapy for adolescent social anxiety disorder in NHS CAMHS: a qualitative analysis of the experiences of young people, their parents and clinicians-in-training

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465821000047 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Lucy Taylor ◽

Cathy Creswell ◽

Samantha Pearcey ◽

Emma Brooks ◽

Eleanor Leigh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

Young People ◽

Health Services ◽

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Social Anxiety Disorder ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Qualitative Exploration

Abstract Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is common. It usually starts in adolescence, and without treatment can disrupt key developmental milestones. Existing generic treatments are less effective for young people with SAD than with other anxiety disorders, but an adaptation of an effective adult therapy (CT-SAD-A) has shown promising results for adolescents. Aims: The aim of this study was to conduct a qualitative exploration to contribute towards the evaluation of CT-SAD-A for adoption into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Method: We used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to analyse the transcripts of interviews with a sample of six young people, six parents and seven clinicians who were learning the treatment. Results: Three cross-cutting themes were identified: (i) endorsing the treatment; (ii) finding therapy to be collaborative and active; challenging but helpful; and (iii) navigating change in a complex setting. Young people and parents found the treatment to be useful and acceptable, although simultaneously challenging. This was echoed by the clinicians, with particular reference to integrating CT-SAD-A within community CAMHS settings. Conclusions: The acceptability of the treatment with young people, their parents and clinicians suggests further work is warranted in order to support its development and implementation within CAMHS settings.

Download Full-text

When death strikes early as often will: How counsellors and schools can support grieving pupils and students

Improving Schools ◽

10.1177/1365480221996847 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136548022199684

Author(s):

Geoffrey Wango ◽

Leila Mkameli Gwiyo

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Functioning ◽

Social Workers ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Life Event ◽

Post Traumatic Growth ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Death Of Parent

Death is inevitable and universal, and the corona virus disease has only further intensified a world of uncertainties as a result of frequent accidents, HIV/AIDS, cancer and natural disasters. Bereavement after any death is a potentially disruptive life event with consequences in physical and mental health, relationships and social functioning. Death is a rather odd, thought-provoking and challenging experience, particularly in the lives of children and adolescents. Death of parent/s, sibling, relative/s, teacher, classmate or friend is a relatively new and challenging phenomenon. Persons working with pupils and students, including teachers, counsellors, school chaplain and social workers, need to be prepared to offer help to those who experience bereavement. Death is unpredictable and may occur naturally, suddenly, or traumatically. In several instances, help is sometimes required in advance of bereavement in that the death may be anticipated such as instances of prolonged illness or following a fatal accident. In all cases, the role of the teacher and counsellor in the school is pivotal in supporting pupils and students who have been bereaved. This paper highlights the need to impart post-traumatic growth in bereft pupils and students in schools in order to cope with bereavement.

Download Full-text