Drug use and mental health in a Secure Children’s Home

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-82
Author(s):  
Richard Martin Pates ◽  
Kristian Hooper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
British Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Children's Home ◽  
Children’S Homes ◽  
Mental Health Diagnoses

Purpose Secure Children’s Homes are safe environments where many of the most troubled children in British society are resident. These children are from either a criminal background or referred for protection of themselves and others from harm. There is often a history of drug use and diagnoses of mental health problems before admission. The purpose of this paper is to examine one Secure Children’s Home to determine the level of drug use prior to admission compared to surveys of children not in this environment and to examine the veracity of the mental health diagnoses. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a retrospective examination of case notes for admissions from 2014 to 2015. Findings The study found much higher levels of drug use than in the general population at similar age and a wide diagnosis of mental health problems prior to admission. Research limitations/implications Levels of harm from traumatic childhood events need to be recognised by referrers as maybe leading to attachment disorders and not mental health problems. More research is needed into the outcomes form Secure Children’s Homes in the long term. Practical implications The children in these homes do have as anticipated much higher levels of drug use than in the general population and high levels of mental health diagnoses which are not always borne out during their admission to the children’s home. Originality/value This is an examination of a special population of young people indicating high levels of drug use and mental health problems.

scholarly journals Drug use and criminality among unaccompanied refugee minors: a review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Karin Ivert ◽  
Mia-Maria Magnusson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
International Research ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Refugee Minors

Purpose Organisations working with children have acknowledged that unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) across Europe are exposed to environments and situations that put them at risk for becoming addicted to drugs or becoming involved in crime. The purpose of this paper is to study an examination of existing international research concerning URM and of whether, and if so how, issues relating to drug use and criminality among these children are discussed in the international literature. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological abstracts and ERIC databases, which together cover the social and behavioural science and also medicine. Findings Findings from the present review show that the issues of drug abuse and criminality among URM are rarely acknowledged in the international research literature. When the occurrence of substance abuse and/or criminality is discussed, it is often in relation to mental health problems and in terms of self-medication, i.e. that alcohol or drugs are used by the URM to cope with painful experiences or mental health problems, and also with the challenges of integrating into a new society, difficulties finding work, unsuitable living conditions and a lack of social support. Originality/value This review shows that several researchers have emphasised that untreated mental health problems, stressful living conditions and a lack of support and control might put these children at risk for substance abuse and criminality, and this suggests a need for further research in this area.

Substance misuse, mental health problems and recurrent child maltreatment

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Laslett ◽  
Robin Room ◽  
Paul Dietze
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the diagnosis of both carers’ mental health problems and substance misuse increase the likelihood of recurrent child maltreatment over and above the individual effects of these factors. Design/methodology/approach – Retrospective secondary data analysis of 29,455 children where child maltreatment was confirmed in the Victorian child protection system between 2001 and 2005. Recorded mental health, alcohol misuse and other drug misuse variables were entered into multivariate logistic regression models predicting repeated child maltreatment. Interactions and a range of other child, carer and socio-economic factors were included in these models. Findings – Carer alcohol misuse, other drug misuse and mental ill health all independently predicted recurrent child maltreatment. The presence of both other drug misuse and mental ill health increased the likelihood that recurrent child abuse was recorded over the likelihood that mental health alone predicted recurrent child maltreatment, and while alcohol misuse had an effect when there was no mental health condition recorded it did not have an additional effect when there was evidence of mental health problems. Research limitations/implications – Children in families where there is both mental health problems and other drug use problems are at greater risk of repeated maltreatment than where there is evidence of mental health problems or other drug use alone. Where there was evidence of carer mental health problems, alcohol misuse did not add to this likelihood. However, the effect of mental health and other drug use was similar in size to the effect of alcohol misuse alone. Originality/value – These findings add to understandings of the effects of co-occurring mental health problems and substance misuse on recurrent child maltreatment and differentiate between cases that involve alcohol and other drug misuse.

A review of risk factors associated with suicide in adults with intellectual disability

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 302-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Mollison ◽  
Eddie Chaplin ◽  
Lisa Underwood ◽  
Jane McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Associated

Purpose – Suicide is one of the top three leading causes of death amongst those aged between 15 and 44 years; and tenth leading cause of death in the wider population. The base rates of suicide, suicide attempts and suicide-related behaviours are comparably low in the general population with between 17 and 68 per cent of individuals who successfully commit suicide having made a previous attempt to take their own life. As recently as the 1980's it was still a widely held belief that individuals with intellectual disability (ID) did not have the cognitive capacity to experience mental health problems and this acted as a “buffer” against suicidal behaviour. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The literature review covered the time period 1993-2013 and returned 117 studies, 77 of which related to individuals with ID, 37 of which related to adults. Following screening titles and abstracts 28 articles were removed. A total of nine studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in the review. A further two studies examining suicide in adolescents (up to adulthood) with ID were also considered. From the eligible studies the following information was considered: study design, sample size, strengths, limitations and the risk factors associated with an increased risk of suicide. Findings – The suicide risk factors identified during the review were found to be in keeping with the general population and included a diagnosis of clinical depression, history of self-harm, unemployment, loneliness, unemployment, an increased need for support from others, early onset mental illness and being treatment resistive. Originality/value – Suicide in individuals with ID is a topic that has not received a great deal of attention from professionals and clinicians alike. People with ID have higher rates of mental health problems and therefore it could be argued that they are more likely to be at risk. This study aims to look at risk factors specific to people with ID for clinicians to consider in their daily practice.

Six-year follow-up study of combined type ADHD from childhood to young adulthood: Predictors of functional impairment and comorbid symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Cadman ◽  
J. Findon ◽  
H. Eklund ◽  
H. Hayward ◽  
D. Howley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Population Norms ◽  
Police Contact ◽  
Dsm Iv

AbstractBackgroundADHD in childhood is associated with development of negative psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in adults. Yet, relatively little is known about which childhood and adulthood factors are predictive of these outcomes and could be targets for effective interventions. To date follow-up studies have largely used clinical samples from the United States with children ascertained at baseline using broad criteria for ADHD including all clinical subtypes or the use of DSM III criteria.AimsTo identify child and adult predictors of comorbid and psychosocial comorbid outcomes in ADHD in a UK sample of children with DSM-IV combined type ADHD.MethodOne hundred and eighteen adolescents and young adults diagnosed with DSM-IV combined type ADHD in childhood were followed for an average of 6 years. Comorbid mental health problems, drug and alcohol use and police contact were compared for those with persistent ADHD, sub-threshold ADHD and population norms taken from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Study 2007. Predictors included ADHD symptomology and gender.ResultsPersistent ADHD was associated with greater levels of anger, fatigue, sleep problems and anxiety compared to sub-threshold ADHD. Comorbid mental health problems were predicted by current symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not by childhood ADHD severity. Both persistent and sub-threshold ADHD was associated with higher levels of drug use and police contact compared to population norms.ConclusionsYoung adults with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD showed increased rates of comorbid mental health problems, which were predicted by current levels of ADHD symptoms. This suggests the importance of the continuing treatment of ADHD throughout the transitional years and into adulthood. Drug use and police contact were more common in ADHD but were not predicted by ADHD severity in this sample.

“Walking wounded or wounded healer?” Does personal experience of mental health problems help or hinder mental health practice? A review of the literature

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Conchar ◽  
Julie Repper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Wounded Healer ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – A systematic review of the literature on “wounded healers” was undertaken to identify, define and interpret the term and its application within the mental health environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Eight key medical/social sciences databases were interrogated. In total, 835 papers were identified in the systematic database search and abstracts were obtained for each to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. In total, 237 sources were retrieved for critical reading, to assess relevance and value to the review, and 125 documents were subsequently included. Through thematic analysis a number of themes and sub themes were identified Findings – The archetypal image of the wounded healer originates in ancient mythology and crosses many cultures. There are many interpretations and applications of the belief that having healed their own wounds a person is in a better position to heal others, however, the evidence to support this is not so robust. Of more direct relevance to contemporary practice are reports of supporting staff with mental health problems to make a contribution to mental health services, most recently through the employment of peer support workers. Originality/value – As peer support workers are increasingly being employed in mental health services, it is helpful to consider the many existing staff who bring personal experience of mental health problems. This paper explores the evidence that their lived experience makes a difference to the way that they work and considers their employment support needs.

scholarly journals Does my patient have sex ? - Mental health professionals’ understanding of sexual health issues among their patients

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S256-S256
Author(s):  
Nalin Hettiarachchi ◽  
Praveen Kumar ◽  
vikramraj balasundaram
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
General Population ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Health Issues

AimsTo assess the level of understanding and difficulties encountered when obtaining sexual health details of their patients among mental health clinicians.BackgroundPeople with mental health problems, especially those treated with psychiatric medication experience greater rates of sexual difficulties than those in the general population. Mental health practitioners need to examine personal beliefs and attitudes about sexuality among people with mental health problems. Providing information about sexuality and sexual practice benefits and enhances the quality of life of people with mental health problems. Therefore taking a sexual history should be an integral part of psychiatric assessment.MethodAn online survey consisted of 17 questions to cover 3 areas of objectives mentioned above was created using Survey Monkey. A link to the survey was emailed to all the clinicians who perform psychiatric assessments. Response collection and data analysis was performed by the trust IT team.ResultTotal of 54 clinicians participated in the survey representing nurses, junior, middle grade doctors and consultants. Almost all stated that mental health patients have capacity to make appropriate decisions about their sexual behaviour patterns. 43% thought people with mental health problems don't have similar patterns of sexual behaviour compared to people without mental health problems. 11% stated that people with mental health problems do not experience greater rates of sexual difficulties than those in the general population. Nearly a third did not believe that telling patients about potential sexual side effects may lead to poor compliance. Nearly 70% stated taking a sexual history should be an integral part of psychiatric assessment. 44% reported lack of knowledge and skills when talking about sexual health and 33% avoided asking about sexual health due to lack of knowledge. Half of the clinicians avoided asking about sexual health due to the fear of embarrassing or causing distress to patients while 16% avoided asking about sexual health due to self-embarrassment. 65% talk about sexual health issues only if patients brought them up.During last 3 clinical encounters majority never asked about sexual difficulties, high risk behaviour and drug side-effects related to sexual difficulties. A significant proportion of clinicians never asked about contraception from their female clients.ConclusionSurvey revealed majority of mental health clinicians lack understanding and skills about sexual health issues highlighting the importance of raising awareness among clinicians about sexual health issues.

“When other people try to understand”: exploring the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, who also have mental health problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-101
Author(s):  
Sasha Martine Mattock ◽  
Kieron Beard ◽  
Amy Baddeley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose Recent guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence highlight that service users (SUs) with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health problems rarely get the opportunity to share their experiences of mental health services. Over the past 20 years, policy documents have stated that these individuals (SUs) must be included in decisions about their care. Research suggests that often this is not the case. Therefore, this paper aims to create a space for SUs to share their experiences of mental health services, and what they found helpful. Design/methodology/approach A focus group was held with five SUs, two psychologists and two researchers. The audio recording of the discussion was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Three main themes were identified, namely, “relationships with others”, “inclusion and communication” and “challenges”. This focus group highlighted that although some SUs felt supported, they reported having little control in their lives and wanted to be listened to. Research limitations/implications Including a SU in the planning and facilitation of the focus group would have made this research more inclusive. Practical implications The implications of this research suggest that by listening to and involving SUs and developing more person-centred services, recovery rates may increase as the services provided would be more targeted. Originality/value Very little research has previously been conducted to explore SUs’ experiences. This paper highlights the value of being heard and the knowledge that is often lost if the authors do not take the time to listen to the people for whom a service is designed.

scholarly journals Perceived need, barriers to and facilitators of mental health care among HIV-infected PWID in Hanoi, Vietnam: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minh X. Nguyen ◽  
Vivian F. Go ◽  
Quynh X. Bui ◽  
Bradley N. Gaynes ◽  
Brian W. Pence
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Injection Drug Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems

Abstract Background The HIV epidemic in Vietnam has been primarily driven by injection drug use. HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID) in Vietnam have very high rates of mental health problems, which can accelerate progression to AIDS and increase mortality rates. No research has explored the barriers and facilitators of mental health care for HIV-infected PWID in Vietnam. Methods We conducted 28 in-depth interviews among HIV-infected PWID (n = 16), HIV and MMT (methadone maintenance treatment) providers (n = 8), and health officials (n = 4) in Hanoi. We explored participants’ perceptions of mental health disorders, and barriers and facilitators to seeking and receiving mental health care. Results HIV-infected PWID were perceived by both PWID, HIV/MMT providers, and health officials to be vulnerable to mental health problems and to have great need for mental health care. Perceived social, physical, and economical barriers included stigma towards HIV, injection drug use, and mental illnesses; lack of awareness around mental health issues; lack of human resources, facilities and information on mental health services; and limited affordability of mental health services. Social support from family and healthcare providers was a perceived facilitator of mental health care. Conclusions Interventions should raise self-awareness of HIV-infected PWID about common mental health problems; address social, physical, economic barriers to seeking mental health services; and increase social support for patients.

How prevalent is mental ill-health in the workplace – and how can employers help workers who are suffering?

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 4-7
Author(s):  
Zain Sikafi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Significant Rise ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk

Purpose This research was commissioned by Mynurva in October 2018. The independent, nationally representative survey was conducted among more than 2,000 UK adults to uncover the number of full-time workers who suffer from mental health problems, how many of them seek help for their issues, and the main barriers that hold them back from doing so. Design/methodology/approach A nationally representative sample of 2,003 adults in employment were surveyed about their mental health. Via an online survey, employees responding that they had experienced mental health problems were asked to respond further to a series of statements. Contingency tables were then produced, revealing what percentage of respondents agreed or disagreed with each statement that was presented to them. Findings Almost a third (32 per cent) of full-time employees have suffered from mental health problems in the workplace. More than one in three workers suffering from mental health symptoms have never sought any professional help, and at 42 per cent, male workers were more likely than female workers (32 per cent) not to seek help. In total, 44 per cent have never disclosed their issues to a manager at work. Of those struggling with their mental health, the authors found that 55 per cent of workers fear admitting their problems to a manager would hinder their chances of a promotion. A majority (59 per cent) also believe that if their mental health problems became common knowledge in the office, then it would negatively affect their relationships with colleagues. This figure rises to 71 per cent among workers of age 18-34. Confidentiality was cited as a key obstacle for employees, with 58 per cent worrying that their mental health problems would not remain confidential if they were to discuss them in the workplace. There was a significant rise among millennials, 68 per cent of which shared these sentiments. Originality/value The authors commissioned Opinium to conduct independent research in the UK.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document