How can mental health clinicians, working in intellectual disability services, meet the spiritual needs of their service users?

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Loynes ◽  
Jean O'Hara
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
General Health ◽  
Disability Services ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify approaches that mental health clinicians, working in intellectual disability services, can adopt to ensure the spiritual needs of their service users are met. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative literature review examining original research, expert opinion pieces and book chapters was undertaken. To broaden the perspective of the paper, publications from different academic areas were reviewed including intellectual disabilities, mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders, general health and spirituality literature. Findings – The main principles of spiritual assessment tools from the general health literature can be applied to this group. However, the literature would suggest that certain approaches are of particular importance in intellectual disabilities mental health including advocating for service users to attend the religious services they wish to and working collaboratively with families and carers when addressing spiritual issues. Research limitations/implications – The question of how to meet the spiritual needs of people with autism and severe intellectual disability is a neglected research area. Research examining the spiritual needs of service users with intellectual disabilities, on mental health inpatient units, is also needed as well as a review of whether spiritual needs are being met in current person-centred care plans. Originality/value – No published literature review was identified that specifically addressed the question of how mental health clinicians should approach the spiritual needs of their service users.

Mind Matters: a psychoeducation programme for individuals with intellectual disabilities and co-morbid diagnoses of mental disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Ashworth ◽  
Krista Jansen ◽  
Lydia Bullock ◽  
Paul Mooney
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Members

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a feasibility study into the development and pilot of a psychoeducational group for people with intellectual disability and co-morbid mental disorder (including mental illness and personality disorder) within forensic settings. Design/methodology/approach “Mind Matters”, a psychoeducational programme for people with an intellectual disability and co-morbid mental disorders is a group based programme in a medium secure hospital, adapted and developed to be suitable for people with intellectual disability therapist multidisciplinary approach was key to its development. An open group on a 16-bedded ward for individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disability and co-morbid mental illness was delivered over a six-week period. Findings The group was positively received in pilot by participants and members of the clinical teams. Attendance and engagement of participants were key measures of the success of the programme. In addition to the apparent increased social skills and motivation to engage with future psychological intervention. Practical implications The authors believe that this approach benefitted both the group members and staff on ward, reinforcing strategies for maintaining positive mental health. It also stimulated engagement, discussion about mental disorders including mental illness, personality disorder and intellectual disabilities. Originality/value This paper shows how a psychoeducational approach to mental disorder and mental health in individuals with an intellectual disability is possible, beneficial and well received.

Antipsychotic prescribing for patients with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bushra Elhusein ◽  
Yassin Eltorki ◽  
Oraib Abdallah ◽  
Mohamed El Tahir
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Challenging Behaviour ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Antipsychotic Prescribing ◽  
Challenging Behaviours ◽  
Audit Standards

Purpose Review of antipsychotic prescribing practices, rationale and follow-up using an internationally standardized audit can be an effective tool to encourage and monitor best practices. The purpose of this study is to audit the current prescribing pattern for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours in Qatar. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on the challenging behaviour management guidelines recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. All current electronic medical records in the Mental Health Service-Hamad Medical Corporation were examined to identify patients with intellectual disabilities who received antipsychotics for challenging behaviour. Demographic variables, such as age, sex and nationality, were collected. In addition, details of psychiatric diagnoses, prescribed psychotropic medications and diagnoses of epilepsy were also collected. For patients who were prescribed antipsychotic medication, the clinical rationale for such medication was collected along with evidence of side effect monitoring to allow performance against the audit standards to be measured. Findings This is the first audit on prescribing practices in people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in the state of Qatar. The results of this study regarding the pattern of prescribing practices for patients with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour reflect the limitation in knowledge and experience among non-specialist practitioners within mental health service. The result may be helpful to support the development of specialist service provision to improve the care for such vulnerable group. The result may also help other medical centres and clinicians by providing an improved understanding of possible deviations from the best medical practices. Originality/value This is the first audit on prescribing practices in people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in the state of Qatar. The study is also noteworthy as, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is one of only a few studies on antipsychotic prescribing for patients with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in the Middle East; therefore, it will be useful in raising awareness and promoting the best practices in the Middle East region. This study is also among the first few studies that were designed based on the four audit standards by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in this area.

scholarly journals Working together: making the case for integrated forensic services for people with intellectual disabilities

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth MacMahon ◽  
Ricky McClements
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Forensic Service ◽  
Working Together ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Integrated Service

Purpose – There is a general consensus that healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities should be provided by multi-disciplinary teams. Within a forensic setting, recommendations are often made for separate or “parallel” forensic teams, operating independently of generic mental health or intellectual disability teams. An alternative to this model is an “integrated” service, where specialist forensic clinicians work within the general intellectual disability service, to provide support for clients with forensic needs. For clients with intellectual disabilities and forensic needs, there may be advantages to providing access to a wider multi-disciplinary team, through the application of an integrated model. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the working of an integrated forensic service within a learning disability team, to identify positive aspects of this model, and how potential shortcomings may be overcome. Design/methodology/approach – Literature review, description of service outline with case example. Findings – Although some studies have compared parallel and integrated forensic models within mental health services, there are no evaluations that compare models of forensic services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. However, specific advantages of an integrated model may include availability of multi-disciplinary clinicians, development of forensic skills across wider groups of clinicians, reduction in stigma and avoidance of delay in transfer of care between services. In addition, in areas with smaller populations, parallel services may not be feasible due to low case numbers. Originality/value – There has been no formal evaluation of parallel vs integrated forensic services within an intellectual disability setting. However, the authors describe a fully integrated service and suggest means by which the potential shortcomings of an integrated model may be overcome.

scholarly journals Interface between Intellectual Disability and Mental Health: hermeneutic review

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 532-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Togni de Lima e Silva Surjus ◽  
Rosana Teresa Onocko Campos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Intellectual Deficiencies

A literature review was conducted aiming to understand the interface between the Intellectual Disability and Mental Health fields and to contribute to mitigating the path of institutionalizing individuals with intellectual deficiencies. The so-called dual diagnosis phenomenon remains underestimated in Brazil but is the object of research and specific public policy internationally. This phenomenon alerts us to the prevalence of mental health problems in those with intellectual disabilities, limiting their social inclusion. The findings reinforce the importance of this theme and indicate possible diagnostic invisibility of the development of mental illness in those with intellectual disabilities in Brazil, which may contribute to sustaining psychiatric institutionalization of this population. 

Psychiatry and intellectual disabilities: navigating complexity and context

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Jones ◽  
Kiran Jeenkeri ◽  
Peter Cutajar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Current Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Mental Health ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Factors

Purpose The paper is a review, for the general adult mental health practitioner, of the issues to consider when managing a mental health presentation of a person with intellectual disability (PWID). The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A neurodevelopmental model is outlined to assist practitioners in unravelling the wide range of potential factors relevant to intellectual disabilities (IDs). This includes an emphasis on complexity and interdisciplinary formulation within an individual’s context, and implications of the current policy changes. Findings In practice, managing the mental health of PWID can be challenging within usual mainstream services; there is more to consider than is usual for the general population. Originality/value The paper provides general mental health practitioners with a framework for a greater depth of understanding of the issues involved in the management of people with intellectual disability (ID). This includes discussion of the current policy context in ID, and some of its limitations.

scholarly journals “Be here now” – service users’ experiences of a mindfulness group intervention

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiveen Dillon ◽  
Charlotte Wilson ◽  
Catherine Jackman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Mindfulness Interventions ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore service users’ experiences of a mindfulness group intervention. Design/methodology/approach In total, 15 participants with a diagnosis of a mild or moderate intellectual disability and concurrent mental health difficulties were interviewed using semi-structured interviews about their experiences of attending the mindfulness group. Findings Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The three super ordinate themes that emerged were positive aspects of mindfulness, positive aspects of attending the group and negative aspects of attending the group. There were seven subthemes. The results highlighted that participants found the mindfulness group to be beneficial, partly due to specific aspects of the mindfulness intervention and partly due to the group process. The negative aspects of the group were harder to elicit, and were less specifically related to mindfulness. Originality/value Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as a promising approach for individuals with intellectual disabilities with mental health difficulties. There is currently a lack of research exploring service users with intellectual disabilities about their experiences of mindfulness interventions.

Expert opinions on community services for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Hemmings ◽  
Alaa Al‐Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Service Components

PurposeThere has been limited evidence on which to base services in the community for people who have intellectual disabilities and coexisting mental health problems. Recent research involving service users, carers and professionals has identified a number of key service components that community services should provide. More detail is needed to explore how best these components could be implemented and delivered. This paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachA total of 14 multidisciplinary professionals from specialist intellectual disabilities services in the UK were interviewed about their opinions on four key areas of community service provision. These included the review and monitoring of service users, their access to social, leisure and occupational activities, the support, advice and training around mental health for a person's family or carers and “out of hours” and crisis responses. The interview data was used for coding using the NVivo 7 software package and then analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsAnalysis of participants' views on these key essential service components produced wider themes of importance. The ten major emergent themes for services were: their configuration/structure, their clarity of purpose/care pathways, their joint working, their training, their flexibility, their resources, their evidence‐base, being holistic/multidisciplinary, being needs‐led/personalised and providing accessible information.Originality/valueThese views of experts can help inform further research for the development and the evaluation of services.

Now they’re listening: involvement in clinical psychology training

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Laura Lea ◽  
Sue Holttum ◽  
Victoria Butters ◽  
Diana Byrne ◽  
Helen Cable ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Psychology ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Service User ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychology Training ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Clinical Psychology Training ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe 2014/2015 UK requirement for involvement of service users and carers in training mental health professionals has prompted the authors to review the work of involvement in clinical psychology training in the university programme. Have the voices of service users and carers been heard? The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe authors update the paper of 2011 in which the authors described the challenges of inclusion and the specific approaches the authors take to involvement. The authors do this in the context of the recent change to UK standards for service user and carer involvement, and recent developments in relation to partnership working and co-production in mental healthcare. The authors describe the work carried out by the authors – members of a service user involvement group at a UK university – to ensure the voices of people affected by mental health difficulties are included in all aspects of training.FindingsCareful work and the need for dedicated time is required to enable inclusive, effective and comprehensive participation in a mental health training programme. It is apparent that there is a group of service users whose voice is less heard: those who are training to be mental health workers.Social implicationsFor some people, involvement has increased. Trainee mental health professionals’ own experience of distress may need more recognition and valuing.Originality/valueThe authors are in a unique position to review a service-user-led project, which has run for 12 years, whose aim has been to embed involvement in training. The authors can identify both achievements and challenges.

An outcomes study of eTherapy for dual diagnosis using Breaking Free Online

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Elison ◽  
Jonathan Ward ◽  
Glyn Davies ◽  
Nicky Lidbetter ◽  
Daniel Hulme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Substance Dependence ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Original Cohort ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Help

Purpose – In recent years there has been a proliferation of computer-based psychotherapeutic interventions for common mental health difficulties. Building on this, a small number of such interventions have now been developed to address substance dependence, one of which is Breaking Free Online (BFO). A new “eTherapy” self-help service, which was set up by the UK mental health charity Self-Help Services, has provided access to BFO to service users presenting with comorbid mental health and substance misuse difficulties. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a range of clinical outcomes in the first cohort of service users accessing this dual diagnosis service. Design/methodology/approach – A number of standardised psychometric assessments were conducted with service users at baseline and post-treatment at discharge from the service. Outcome data were available for 47 service users out of an original cohort of 74. Findings – Statistically significant improvements were found in terms of measures of social functioning, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use and social anxiety. Clinically relevant gains were also identified, with fewer service users reaching threshold scores for depression and anxiety at post-treatment compared to baseline. Effect sizes also indicated that the identified improvements across the psychometric measures were robust and significant. Research limitations/implications – These findings provide further support for the clinical effectiveness of BFO, and also provide evidence that an eTherapy self-help service may be appropriate for some individuals presenting with dual diagnosis. Further research is underway with larger and alternative clinical populations to examine the effectiveness of BFO and also this novel eTherapy self-help approach. Originality/value – This paper has provided initial data to support effectiveness of a novel eTherapy service for dual diagnosis.

scholarly journals HRM practices that support the employment and social inclusion of workers with an intellectual disability

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1475-1492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Meacham ◽  
Jillian Cavanagh ◽  
Amie Shaw ◽  
Timothy Bartram
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Employment Participation ◽  
Recruitment And Selection ◽  
Hr Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how HRM practices enhance and/or impede the employment, participation, and well-being of workers with intellectual disabilities in three hotels located in Australia. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a case study methodology, including interviews with three HR managers, three department managers, 17 workers with intellectual disabilities, and focus groups of 16 supervisors and 24 work colleagues. Findings The research found that the opportunities to participate in work are driven primarily by developing a social climate that enables social cohesion through the altruistic motives of managers/supervisors and reciprocal relationships. Originality/value The findings lend support for the importance of both formal and informal HR practices, such as inclusive recruitment and selection, mentoring, and training and development, as well as individualised day-to-day support provided by supervisors and colleagues, to improve the participation and well-being of workers with an intellectual disability.

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