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.

Research watch: what really helps recovery in relation to severe mental health difficulties?

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Sue Holttum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Service ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine three recent papers on mental health services and how they support recovery following a diagnosis of a severe mental health condition. Design/methodology/approach A search was carried out for recent papers on mental health and recovery. The author selected three papers that seemed to advance understanding of not only whether, but also how recovery of a meaningful life may be best supported in mental health services. Findings One paper suggested how staff were able to support service users’ personal goals and focus on recovery in acute inpatient settings, and what got in the way. The author suggests practical ways to address the barriers. A second paper reported the testing of a new model for supporting staff in primary and secondary care to work together so that service users with a diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia were better supported to work towards valued goals. A third paper reviewed 40 studies of how people can experience positive change after a first diagnosis of psychosis, and how change happened. Originality/value By studying the issues in detail, all three papers show how improved support for recovery and inclusion can be implemented against the backdrop of many years of service shortcomings.

scholarly journals Mental health, vulnerability and risk in police custody

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 274-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maggie Leese ◽  
Sean Russell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Police Custody ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Vulnerability ◽  
Vulnerable People ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Training And Support

Purpose The issue of mental health and policing is a subject that has been debated from a number of different perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of a case study that explored mental health difficulties and vulnerability within police custody. Design/methodology/approach The design of the study was qualitative, and it utilised telephone, semi-structured interviews with all levels of the custody staff. This approach was taken because the aim of the study was to explore how people in different roles within the organisation worked to safeguard vulnerable people in custody. Findings The findings from this study identified a number of interesting themes that could be explored further in later studies. Overall, the respondents expressed frustration that vulnerable people find themselves in police custody for low-level crime, when it could have been avoided with improved mental health services in the community. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that despite the processes that are designed to safeguard the detainee, tensions still exist including, timely access to mental health assessments, appropriate training and support for staff and the use of appropriate adults. Research limitations/implications Although the study was small in scale, the custody facility delivered detainee facilities for about 5,000 individuals per year. The research and information obtained supported the police lead for mental health to identify opportunities for improving the customer journey, as well as recognising the need for further research to identify how officers and staff relate to vulnerable individuals in contact with the police service. Originality/value Despite the limitations of the study, the findings have captured interesting data from a range of professionals working in one police custody suite, and therefore it presents a holistic overview of some key issues around mental health, vulnerability and safeguarding within the context of police custody.

Religion, spirituality and personal recovery among forensic patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-200
Author(s):  
Emily Glorney ◽  
Sophie Raymont ◽  
Amy Lawson ◽  
Jessica Allen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Personal Meaning ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Religion And Spirituality ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Religion and spirituality are well-researched concepts within the field of psychology and mental health yet they have rarely been researched in high-secure services within the UK. Research in mental health and prison contexts suggests benefits of religion/spirituality to coping, social support, self-worth, symptoms of depression and anxiety and behavioural infractions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of religion/spirituality in high-secure service users’ personal recovery. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 male patients in a high-secure hospital, with primary diagnoses of mental illness (n=11) or personality disorder (n=2). Participants were from a range of religious/spiritual backgrounds and were asked about how their beliefs impact their recovery and care pathways within the hospital. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Three superordinate themes were identified: “religion and spirituality as providing a framework for recovery”; “religion and spirituality as offering key ingredients in the recovery process”; and “barriers to recovery through religion/spirituality”. The first two themes highlight some of the positive aspects that aid participants’ recovery. The third theme reported hindrances in participants’ religious/spiritual practices and beliefs. Each theme is discussed with reference to sub-themes and illustrative excerpts. Practical implications Religion/spirituality might support therapeutic engagement for some service users and staff could be more active in their enquiry of the value that patients place on the personal meaning of this for their life. Originality/value For the participants in this study, religion/spirituality supported the principles of recovery, in having an identity separate from illness or offender, promoting hope, agency and personal meaning.

The perspectives of people who use mental health services engaging with arts and cultural activities

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Jensen ◽  
Theodore Stickley ◽  
Alison Edgley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Museum Educator

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a study of arts engagement for mental health service users in Denmark. Design/methodology/approach – The study was completed at Hans Knudsen Instituttet, Denmark. It involved analysis of emerging themes from semi-structured interviews with six participants who had participated in a structured visit to the National Gallery (Statens Museum for Kunst) in Denmark. Findings – Multiple benefits for people who use mental health services engaging in arts activities are reported. Arts activities are described as a central component of everyday life; a way of life and a significant factor in getting through the day. Barriers are identified in the interdisciplinary working between the museum educator and participants. Social implications – This study identifies that the participants benefited from taking part in the arts/cultural activity. Findings also suggest that if museums are offering activities to people who use mental health services they should equip staff with training designed to support appropriate ways of working with this group. This interdisciplinary activity offers a relatively untapped potential arena of support. Originality/value – The paper will be of relevance and value to those working with mental health and arts. The study demonstrates the importance for mental health service users to engage in creative activity and for museum staff to have appropriate skills for inclusion to be successful.

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.

“Attention seeker”, “drama queen”: the power of talk in constructing identities for young people with mental health difficulties

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Byrne ◽  
Lorraine Swords
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Research Use ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

Purpose – Mental health difficulties are often stigmatised because of situated ways of talking that become taken-for-granted “truths”. Against this backdrop, identities of those affected are constructed. The purpose of this paper is to explore identities of former inpatients at an Irish Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Design/methodology/approach – Ten young people (aged 18-22) participated in discussions and their discourse was analysed using a critical discursive perspective. Findings – Three key identities emerged: a hidden identity, a misunderstood identity and the struggle for a re-claimed identity. Research limitations/implications – Findings indicate the power of discourse in creating stigma and the need for mental health professionals to draw on empowering discourses to help service-users construct positive identities. The importance of involving service-users in research is also implicated. Originality/value – This research involves service-users who are increasingly, although not traditionally, involved in research. Use of qualitative methodology allows their voices to be heard and gives meaning to their experiences.

Introducing the recovery inspiration group: promoting hope for recovery with inspirational recovery stories

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-146
Author(s):  
Kelly J. Elsegood ◽  
Lucinda Anderson ◽  
Rachel Newton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Primary Basis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to undertake a preliminary evaluation of a novel intervention – Recovery Inspiration Group, which uses recovery stories to promote hope and inspiration for recovery among people with complex mental health difficulties. Design/methodology/approach The Recovery Inspiration Group was delivered to women on a specialist personality disorder inpatient unit, who were concurrently participating in a dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) Programme. In total, 12 service users participated in the RIG and as part of the intervention, wrote down key reflections after hearing each recovery story. A thematic analysis of these reflections formed the primary basis of the evaluation. Descriptive statistics derived from a service user feedback survey (n=6) supplemented the qualitative findings. Findings Three themes were identified in the qualitative data, suggesting that participants had engaged with recovery-oriented reflections and experiences: recovery stories as validating and inspiring; Generalisation of DBT skills; shifting perspectives of recovery: doing better rather than being better. The survey results unanimously endorsed the RIG as a worthwhile and validating experience, which participants would recommend to other service users. Practical implications Recovery Inspiration Group appears to be a low-cost and easily replicable intervention with the potential to promote hope and inspiration for recovery among people with complex mental health difficulties. Originality/value Recovery Inspiration Group is a novel approach to harnessing the wisdom of people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, to foster hope among users of mental health inpatient services.

A qualitative evaluation of an ACT-based substance misuse treatment programme for service users within a secure mental health setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-131
Author(s):  
Lacey M. Johnson ◽  
Kelly J. Elsegood ◽  
Charlotte Lennox
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Treatment Programme ◽  
Mental Health Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand service users’ experience of a new acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based substance misuse programme. The programme is designed for people in secure mental health services, presenting with complex mental health difficulties and co-occurring substance misuse problems. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach informed an exploratory pilot of this novel intervention. Service users completing a 16-week ACT programme were invited to participate in the current study. Out of the nine individuals enroled on the programme, six opted to take part in the exploratory pilot and completed semi-structured interviews following part 1 of the programme (eight weeks). Four of these participants proceeded into part 2 of the programme (eight weeks) and completed a further semi-structured interview. Findings The thematic analysis identified five main themes: “Increased awareness of personal values and the impact of substance use on values”, “Taking committed action towards values”, “Coping skills and the application of skills to manage difficult thoughts and feelings”, “Personal development” and “Use of metaphors/analogies”. Research limitations/implications A quantitative evaluation of clinical outcomes is recommended to gauge further programme effectiveness. Practical implications The findings provide preliminary support for the use of an ACT-based substance misuse programme in a secure mental health setting. Originality/value This study evaluates the use of a novel ACT-based substance misuse intervention with people in secure mental health care with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse difficulties. This paper provides an in-depth understanding of service users’ experience of participating in this new treatment programme.

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.

scholarly journals Mental health recovery and arts engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arts Engagement ◽  
Creating Meaning

PurposeArts and cultural activities have been illustrated to be beneficial for mental health service users. The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits of museum visits and engage in arts activities for mental health service users.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 mental health service users in Denmark. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data and theoretical lens of sociological theories of institutional logics was employed to explore the findings.FindingsThese benefits are perceived to include empowerment and meaning in life, which are two of the core principles of recovery; arts engagement can, therefore, be a useful tool in recovery. The findings also show that the experience of visiting a museum was not always positive and depended upon the interaction with the museum educators.Originality/valueThe service users identified arts engagement as creating meaning in life and empowerment, which are two element in the conceptual framework, CHIME (an acronym for: Connectedness, Hope and optimism, Identity, Meaning in life and Empowerment), that describes the human process of recovery. The findings also highlighted that if museums want to engage positively with people with mental health problems and contribute to their recovery then the training of staff and the improvement of institutional approaches to support working with vulnerable people are essential.

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