scholarly journals In Search of Inner Wisdom: Guided Mindfulness Meditation in the Context of Suicide

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 216-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liora Birnbaum ◽  
Aiton Birnbaum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
External Source ◽  
The Self ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Suicide Survivors ◽  
Current State

Spiritual concerns are highly relevant, but often ignored, in psychotherapy in general and in suicide in particular. This article presents Internet data and clinical case material bearing on the topic, and describes an innovative therapeutic intervention administered in a group-workshop format with suicide survivors and mental health professionals. The technique incorporates relaxation and mindfulness meditation, with the addition of guided meditation in search of inner wisdom. Results of the group intervention are described and illustrated. Many participants reported a significant positive experience including connection to knowledge that was highly relevant to them in their current state of life. Whether such insights were experienced as coming from within (a deeper part of the self) or from an external source (a guiding figure or presence), indications are that guided meditation can be a powerful resource for therapists and their clients, suicidal and otherwise. Possible applications in diverse populations and settings, as well as the need for further research, are discussed.

scholarly journals Stress and burnout in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) trainees: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Owen ◽  
Louise Crouch-Read ◽  
Matthew Smith ◽  
Paul Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
List Type ◽  
Dual Roles ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Current State

Abstract For more than a decade, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) has been training a new workforce of psychological therapists. Despite evidence of stress and burnout both in trainee mental health professionals, and qualified IAPT clinicians, little is known about these topics in IAPT trainees. Consequently, this systematic review sought to establish the current state of the literature regarding stress and burnout in IAPT trainees. Electronic databases were searched to identify all published and available unpublished work relating to the topic. On the basis of pre-established eligibility criteria, eight studies (including six unpublished doctoral theses) were identified and assessed for quality. This review identifies that research into the experience of IAPT trainees is under-developed. Existing evidence tentatively suggests that IAPT trainees may experience levels of stress and burnout that are higher than their qualified peers and among the higher end of healthcare professionals more generally. The experience of fulfilling dual roles as mental health professionals and university students concurrently appears to be a significant source of stress for IAPT trainees. More research regarding the levels and sources of stress and burnout in IAPT trainees is urgently needed to confirm and extend these findings. Recommendations for future research in the area are given. Key learning aims (1) To establish the current state of the literature regarding stress and burnout in IAPT trainees. (2) To raise practitioner, service and education-provider awareness regarding the levels and perceived sources of stress and burnout in IAPT trainees. (3) To make recommendations regarding future research on the topic.

Self-Esteem and Stress as Factors in Abuse of Children

1989 ◽  
Vol 65 (3_suppl2) ◽  
pp. 1259-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Lawson ◽  
J. Ray Hays
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Form Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Description Form

A comparison of stress and self-esteem as made between a group of 23 couples in treatment who had abused their children and 23 control couples who were matched for age, race, sex, education, and occupation. Stress was measured by the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire. Self-esteem was measured by a synthesis of 38 items selected by mental health professionals from the Clarke Parent/Child Relations Questionnaire and the Self-description and Mate Description Form. Analysis of variance showed that couples who had abused their children had significantly greater stress than control couples. However, there was no significant difference between the groups on the measure of self-esteem. There was also no interaction effect of stress with self-esteem on abuse. While it seems well established that stress is a major contributor in child abuse, the interaction of stress with personality factors of parents who abuse their children remains uncertain.

scholarly journals Acceptability and Appropriateness of a Perinatal Depression Preventive Group Intervention: A Qualitative Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Diebold ◽  
Melissa Segovia ◽  
Jessica K. Johnson ◽  
Aria Degillio ◽  
Dana Zakieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Perinatal Depression ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Preventive Interventions

Abstract Background: Perinatal depression is a prevalent public health concern. Although preventive interventions exist, there is limited literature on the acceptability and appropriateness of these interventions, especially those delivered by paraprofessionals. The Mothers and Babies Program (MB) is a group-based perinatal depression preventive intervention delivered prenatally. A current cluster-randomized controlled trial is examining the acceptability, appropriateness, and effectiveness of MB delivered by mental health professionals compared to paraprofessional staff from home visiting programs. Methods: The full study enrolled 874 pregnant women. Fifty-three facilitators were trained and delivered the MB intervention to women in one of seven states in the United States. Semi-structured interviews were attempted with a randomly-selected subset of the full sample of pregnant women who received the MB intervention and with all facilitators. Specifically, interviews were conducted with 88 women who received the MB group intervention (45 in the paraprofessional-led arm and 43 in the mental health professional-led arm) and 46 women who facilitated the groups (27 home visiting staff and 19 mental health professionals). Interviews were conducted over the phone in English or Spanish and audio recorded. The recordings were translated into English, as needed, and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVIVO to identify key themes related to intervention acceptability and appropriateness. Similarities and differences between study arms were explored. Results: Clients and facilitators found the MB content and group format acceptable. Challenges included maintaining group attendance, transportation issues, and managing group discussion. Overall, facilitators found the intervention appropriate for pregnant clients with some challenges presented for clients in crisis situations, experiencing housing instability, and with literacy and learning challenges. Participants provided suggestions for improvement, both for the course content and implementation. There were no significant differences found between study arms. Conclusions: Overall, clients and facilitators enjoyed MB irrespective of study arm, and facilitators found the intervention appropriate for the population. These findings add to the qualitative literature on perinatal depression preventive interventions, specifically those delivered by paraprofessionals. Trial Registration: This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Initial post: December 1, 2016; identifier: NCT02979444; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02979444).

ARABIC PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOLOGY: THE PHYSICIAN WHO IS A PHILOSOPHER AND THE PHYSICIAN WHO IS NOT A PHILOSOPHER: SOME CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Sayed
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Traditional Healing ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Cultural Considerations ◽  
Demographic Features

The major focus of this article is to examine the current status of Arab psychiatry as practiced today and to provide some historical, theoretical, clinical, and research issues using cross-cultural comparisons as a backdrop to the argument. The paper deals primarily with issues pertinent to the current understanding of cross-cultural phenomena within Arabic societies. It discusses issues relevant to the practices and applications of traditional psychiatric methods and their coexistence with some practices that might appear contradictory to Western notions of psychiatric conceptualization of mental illness. It gives a brief synopsis of the interplay of the traditional healing methods in psychiatric practices as well as the contribution and acceptance of modern psychiatric methods and interventions. The changing demographic features of many Western nations and the resulting challenges faced by mental-health professionals working with diverse populations have only recently begun to bring these ideas to the fore.

scholarly journals Ethical dilemmas encountered in suicide research and management: Experiences of young mental health professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 01-10
Author(s):  
Supreet Kaur Bhasin ◽  
Ishita U Bharadwaj ◽  
RP Beniwal ◽  
Vanya Gupta ◽  
Triptish Bhatia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Suicide Survivors ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Survivors Of Suicide

This study aimed to explore ethical dilemmas and challenges faced by young mental healthcare researchers and professionals working with survivors of suicide (hereinafter suicide survivors). Two focus group discussions (FGDs) Researcher FGD (with those engaged in suicide research) and Clinician FGD (with those providing treatment to suicide survivors) – consisting of open-ended questions and lasting for 70-90 minutes were conducted and analysed using Thematic Analysis. Five themes were identified: i) struggling with the incongruity of harm within benefit, ii) difficulty in delineating boundaries, iii) self-doubt in one’s professional competence, iv) nature of suicide straining the limits of confidentiality, and v) working with structural limitations. The study helps to understand the obstacles and dilemmas encountered in adhering to ethical principles while working with vulnerable individuals.

scholarly journals Conceptual and experiential estrangement of the self - a neo-Fregean elucidation

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
C W Van Staden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
The Self ◽  
Personal Experiences

Reductionist and non-reductionist philosophers and mental health professionals have debated about what and where the self is. In this article I deploy a neo-Fregean theory to clarify the process by which: (i) the self becomes so susceptible to this debate; and (ii) the self presents so variably in personal experiences. Accordingly, the self can be either estranged or well equipped, depending on the position it occupies in relations, whether in the conceptualisation or in the personal experiences of the self.

New Identities for the New Century

2001 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Freud
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
The Self ◽  
Static Structure ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Many

In view of our postmodern Zeitgeist, and our shrinking world, we come upon identity as a concept that needs to be reconsidered. This paper examines the various categories that constitute identity, such as age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, race and even family. Each category forms a collection of values. These categories are viewed as socially constructed, usually with fuzzy boundaries, and have often been used for malignant purposes such as warfare, persecution, and discrimination. If people become identified with only one or two categories, either out of choice or through coercion, the identification negates the many elements that constitute the self, and it may lead to hostility and warfare against all “outsiders.” Identity is not viewed as a static structure, since different categories become foreground or background, depending on social, political, and historical circumstances. The author uses her own identity-voyage to illustrate her thoughts. Mental health professionals should try to propagate manifold categories for many-sided selves that will avoid pitting groups of people against each other and promote inclusive rather than exclusive identities. Therapists should be in the forefront in dialogues about values for the new century and this paper is a step in this direction.

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