scholarly journals Using complex systems mapping to build a strategic public health response to mental health in England

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jude Stansfield ◽  
Nick Cavill ◽  
Louise Marshall ◽  
Claire Robson ◽  
Harry Rutter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Complex System ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Systems Mapping ◽  
System Approaches

PurposeThis paper aims to use systems mapping as a tool to develop an organisation-wide approach to public mental health to inform strategic direction within a national public health agency. Design/methodology/approachTwo workshops were facilitated with internal staff from a wide range of public health policy teams working in small groups to produce paper-based maps. These were collated and refined by the project team and digitised. FindingsThe approach engaged a range of teams in forming a shared understanding and producing a complex system map of the influences on population mental health and well-being, where current policy initiatives were addressing them and what the gaps and priorities were. Participants valued the approach which led to further study and organisational commitment to the whole system working as part of national public mental health strategy. Research limitations/implicationsThe approach was limited to internal stakeholders and wider engagement with other sectors and community members would help further the application of complex system approaches to public mental health. Originality/valueIt was a valuable process for developing a whole-organisation approach and stimulating thinking and practice in complex system approaches. The paper provides a practical example of how to apply systems mapping and its benefits for organising public mental health practice.

scholarly journals Should social enterprises complement or supplement public health provision?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-518
Author(s):  
Sammia Poveda ◽  
Melinda Gill ◽  
Don Rodney Junio ◽  
Hannah Thinyane ◽  
Vanessa Catan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to explore how stable employment, company culture and tailored health, digital and core skills training provided by a social enterprise (SE) in the Philippines affect survivors of exploitation. Research shows survivors experience adverse social conditions and physical and mental health outcomes caused by their exploitative experience. Stable, decent employment has been identified as critical to their recovery and reintegration. This paper discusses the SE’s impact on the employees’ physical, mental and social health and behaviour. Based on our findings, the authors discuss the contribution of SE in improving health outcomes and providing health services and conclude that SEs should not replace but complement public health government programmes. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses mixed methods, presenting data from a longitudinal survey (household income, mental health and social well-being) and a follow-up qualitative study, which uses in-depth interviews and participatory videos to explore survey findings. Findings The quantitative analysis demonstrates positive, but gradual, changes in sexual and reproductive health behaviour; personal empowerment; and trauma, anxiety and depressive symptoms. The qualitative findings show how improvements in executive functioning, self-regulation and self-esteem occur incrementally over time. As their self-efficacy improves, employees need to avoid being overly dependent on the SE, to support their autonomy; therefore, access to complementary public health services is fundamental. Originality/value This paper focusses, to the authors’ knowledge, on a unique SE, which hires survivors of exploitation, without losing their competitiveness in the market.

scholarly journals An Italy-China Collaboration for Promoting Public Mental Health Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Scattoni ◽  
Fabrizio Starace ◽  
Giovanni de Girolamo ◽  
Jun Xia
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
The Public ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Italian National Institute ◽  
Italian Territory

The rapid evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergency involved Italy as the first European country. Meanwhile, China was the only other country to experience the emergency scenario, implementing public health recommendations and raising concerns about the mental health of the population. The Italian National Institute of Health [Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS)] reviewed relevant scientific literature in mental health to evaluate the best clinical practices and established the collaboration with the WHO, World Psychiatry Association, and China to support the public health system in a phase of acute emergency. This process permitted the definition of organizational and practical-operational Italian guidelines for the protection of the well-being of healthcare workers. These guidelines have been extensively disseminated within the Italian territory for maximum stakeholder utilization.

scholarly journals Aligned but not integrated: UK academic library support to mental health and well-being during COVID-19

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Cox ◽  
Liz Brewster
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health And Well Being

PurposeTo discover how UK academic libraries sought to support student mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe data was from a 24-question survey of UK universities distributed in May 2021 which received 56 responses from 47 different Higher Education Institution libraries. Descriptive statistics are combined with thematic analysis of open text comments.FindingsLibraries were undertaking a wide range of activities, targeted chiefly at students and broadcast via Twitter, other social media and library web sites. The problem being addressed was the stresses of studying in the context of the pivot online and isolation caused by social distancing. Digital well-being seemed also to be an increased concern. COVID-19 had proved the value of digital support but created a number of challenges such as loss of physical space, communication barriers and lack of extra resource. The role had a somewhat informal place in the organisation. Overall library activities were aligned but not strongly integrated into institutional efforts.Research limitations/implicationsThis was a study in one specific national context with a relatively limited number of total responses. There could be a non-response bias where respondents were doing more than was typical in the sector.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first papers to gather sector wide data and move beyond case studies of what individual libraries due to support to mental health and well-being. It also offers a case study of the impacts of COVID-19 on management pointing to its catalysing the digital shift, creating constraints on resources and communication and prompting the emergence of staff well-being as a consideration in management decision making.

scholarly journals Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call for Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-412
Author(s):  
G. Kalcev ◽  
A. Preti ◽  
G. Orrù ◽  
M.G. Carta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Response ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
The Impact

The current COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect the physical and mental health and the well-being of people globally. The physicians and nurses on the frontline of patients care will be among the most affected in their psychosocial well-being, being exposed to trauma consequences and burnout syndrome. It is still unknown whether the COVID-19 infection will have direct neuropsychiatric consequences. The impact of the quarantine lockdown on mental health, too, has to be taken into account. The inclusion of mental health as part of national public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic is mandatory in assisting all those in need.

The experimental research on well-being since 2004

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woody Caan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Officer ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Experimental Trials

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the claim by the Chief Medical Officer for England that “There is virtually no robust, peer-reviewed evidence to support a ‘well-being’ approach to mental health”. Design/methodology/approach – Secondary research using research literature from two widely available databases, Scopus and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts. Randomised controlled trials were sought that focused on “well-being” (including well-being or wellness), from 2004 to the present. Findings – With both clinical samples and non-clinical populations, a variety of experimental trials were found. Studies were identified with both positive benefits and no benefits from intervention. The most numerous type of paper reported positive benefits for clinical patients. Research limitations/implications – Only a single reader classified the studies in this investigation, so the inter-rater reliability may be limited. Only two databases were searched. However, future work (such as that in progress by the What Works Centre for Wellbeing) may find an abundance of evidence on mental well-being. Practical implications – In many settings, well-being can improve after intervention. Social implications – What is measured as “well-being” may need to take into account the perspective of the specific population being studied. Originality/value – This small-scale study was undertaken to inform policy in the new Public Mental Health Network.

A tale of two epidemics: drugs harm reduction and tobacco harm reduction in the United Kingdom

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerry V. Stimson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Tobacco Harm Reduction ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Drug Of Choice ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Hiv Aids

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the response to HIV/AIDS and drug use (drugs harm reduction) with tobacco harm reduction. Design/methodology/approach Analysis of historical and contemporary sources, combined with personal knowledge of key stakeholders in the history and development of both fields. Findings Both drugs harm reduction and tobacco harm reduction share a similar objective – to reduce health risks for people who are unwilling or unable to stop using their drug of choice. Both also share a broader public health aim of helping people to make healthier decisions. Drugs harm reduction – as a response to HIV/AIDS – included the adoption of a wide range of radical harm reduction interventions and was a public health success. It became an established part of the professional Public Health agenda. In contrast the Public Health response to e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction has ranged from the negative to the cautious. A recent Public Health England report is exceptional for its endorsement of e-cigarettes. Originality/value Highlights contradictions in Public Health responses to drugs and tobacco; and that public health interventions can be implemented without and despite the contribution of professional Public Health.

Prevention and Mental Health Policy

2020 ◽  
pp. 155-176
Author(s):  
Paul Cairney ◽  
Emily St Denny
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Preventive Mental Health ◽  
Relative Neglect ◽  
Policy Agendas

In health and public health policy in general, the conditions to support prevention policy are not yet apparent. Attention is low or fleeting, ambiguity is high, and debates on the meaning and application of prevention policies are wide. A supportive policymaking environment, producing regular windows of opportunity for specific policy changes, is difficult to identify. Such problems are accentuated when prevention and public health meet mental health. Recently, there have been meaningful calls for greater attention and resources to mental health policy, to pursue ‘parity’ between mental and physical health, and to stress the need for ‘public mental health’ to play a larger part in the public health agenda. However, this agenda remains in its infancy following decades of relative neglect, low public and policymaker attention, and uncertainty about what public mental health means (beyond the vague aim to promote mental well-being and prevent mental illness). At the same time, other policy agendas may undermine these fragile developments, such as when employment policy reforms affect the ability of people with mental ill health to receive social security benefits. In that context, we show that a firm and sincere commitment to public health and mental health is not enough to guarantee the success of preventive mental health initiatives.

scholarly journals Preventive psychiatry: a paradigm to improve population mental health and well-being

2011 ◽  
Vol 198 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamaldeep Bhui ◽  
Sokratis Dinos
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Population Mental Health

SummaryThe government's Public Health White Paper for England sets out a utopian vision of how to prevent and remedy mental health problems. The public health approach relies on primary prevention, promoting individual responsibilities and resilience, while also sustaining existing services and tackling inequalities. These ambitions are consistent with the preventive psychiatric paradigm, and with the best of evidence-based psychiatric practice. Although the evidence on cost-effectiveness of public mental health interventions is growing, the challenge is to ensure that specialist knowledge informs policy, practice and research so that inequalities are not compounded. Specialist mental health professionals are needed to inform and lead public health reforms.

scholarly journals Plans, hopes and ideas for mental health

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Mental Health Foundation ◽  
Mental Well Being

SummaryMental health and the failings of the mental health services are in the spotlight as never before. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the often dire situation with regard to child and adolescent mental health. At the same time, there is a renewed interest in the scope for prevention of mental illness and distress, and in population approaches to mental well-being. It may come as a surprise to some that others have given such serious consideration to strategic approaches to public mental health as long ago as the 1950s. It appears that such consideration was squeezed out by the dominant concerns of serious and enduring mental illness and a prevailing biological view of psychiatry. The time is right to engage with this agenda in recognition of the importance of public mental health, not only for the individual and for families, but also for society as a whole and for the economy. The publication of a review of the subject by the Faculty of Public Health and the Mental Health Foundation is to be commended. Let us make sure it leads to action.

Current perspectives on public mental health training provision: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Ortega Vega ◽  
Chris Attoe ◽  
Hannah Iannelli ◽  
Aleks Saunders ◽  
Sean Cross
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Health Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Public mental health training can effectively support well-being at a population level. The application of this type of training is increasingly prevalent, however, training evaluation is currently limited and inconsistent. This paper aims to summarise the characteristics of public mental health training available in England, presents key quality criteria for this training and identifies gaps in training provision. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a pragmatic mixed-methods approach including database and Google Searches, focus groups and survey methods. The data analysis included a structured data extraction template for the training availability scoping and thematic analysis of the survey and focus groups. Findings This paper identifies a total of 74 training courses targeting workplace employees, young people and the general population. Most courses were delivered face-to-face (54), followed by e-learning (16) and blended modalities (4). This paper derives four core quality principles, focussing on the training approach, key features of training, trainer attributes and evaluation. There were no significant gaps in training provision, although areas for future development included consistency in public mental health terminology, systems and populations requiring additional training and the logistics of training delivery, etc. Originality/value The results contribute to the evidence base of interventions that are currently available, supporting the efforts to evaluate the impact of training provision in this area. This paper provides a novel approach to assessing training quality and discuss areas for development and innovation in this field.

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