scholarly journals Sporting memories & the social inclusion of older people experiencing mental health problems

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Clark ◽  
Charlie Murphy ◽  
Tony Jameson-Allen ◽  
Chris Wilkins

Purpose – Social exclusion and isolation of older people and their mental health are likely to be more significant, interlinked issues for society as countries experience an ageing demographic profile. The authors urgently need to identify effective ways of addressing these challenges that can be easily mobilised to meet diverse needs in different settings. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of sporting memories (SM) work as one approach to help meet this need. This SM work entails the use of sports-based reminiscence to engage with older people experiencing mental health problems. To date this has especially focused on people living with dementia in institutional and in community settings. Design/methodology/approach – The paper sets out the SM idea and discusses lessons learnt from case studies of its application to meet the inclusion and mental health needs of different older people in institutional and community settings. Findings – The evidence from the application of SM work to date is that it is an effective and flexible means of engaging people to improve their social inclusion and mental well-being. It can be readily deployed in various care and community settings. Research limitations/implications – The evidence to date is of case studies of the use of SM work, and, although these are now extensive case studies, further research is needed on the costs and impacts of SM work. Practical implications – SM work is a flexible and readily adoptable intervention to engage older people and help improve their social inclusion and mental well-being. Social implications – SM work can be an important part of meeting some of the challenges society faces with an ageing population profile. Originality/value – This is the first paper to set out the SM work.

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon D. Koehn ◽  
Pavlina Jarvis ◽  
Sharanjit K. Sandhra ◽  
Satwinder K. Bains ◽  
Madeleine Addison

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore if and how community organizations providing services to late-in-life Punjabi immigrants in British Columbia, Canada, offer services with the potential to promote their mental health or well-being. The authors also wanted to know how Punjabi seniors perceived available services and if they supported their mental well-being. Design/methodology/approach – To guide the research, the authors used the VicHealth Framework, which identifies three overarching social and economic determinants of mental health: social inclusion (SI), freedom from violence and discrimination, and access to economic resources and participation. This mixed methods study combines descriptive survey and qualitative focus group data with input from Punjabi seniors and community service providers. Findings – All three mental health determinants were identified as important by service providers and seniors, with SI as the most important. Family dynamics (shaped by migration and sponsorship status) influence all three determinants and can promote or diminish mental well-being. Research limitations/implications – The pilot study is limited in sample size and scope and further inquiry with different groups of immigrant older adults is warranted. Practical implications – Service providers assert that more outreach and sustainable funding are needed to reach the majority of potential beneficiaries unable to participate in community programmes. Information on mental well-being of seniors should be targeted at both seniors and their families. Originality/value – The VicHealth Framework provided a unique lens through which to explore the contributions of community organizations to mental health promotion for immigrant older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Holttum

Purpose This paper aims to examine recent papers on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, including implications for some of the groups of people already less included in society. Design/methodology/approach A search was carried out for recent papers on mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings Two papers describe surveys of adults in the UK and Irish Republic in the first days of lockdown. Low income and loss of income were associated with anxiety and depression. These surveys could not examine distress in Black and minority ethnicities, who have higher death rates from COVID-19. Two surveys of children and young people report distress and what can help. One paper summarises a host of ways in which the pandemic may affect mental well-being in different groups, and what might help. Another calls for research to understand how to protect mental well-being in various groups. Originality/value These five papers give a sense of the early days of the pandemic, especially in the UK. They also highlight the needs of some specific groups of people, or the need to find out more about how these groups experience the pandemic. They suggest some ways of trying to ensure that everyone has the best chance to thrive in the aftermath of the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 1561
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar Tiwari ◽  
Anil Kumar Jaiswal

Background: The status of mental well-being is a function of emotional well-being, psychological well-being and social well-being, and includes aspects like cognitive and social skills, emotional capacity, empathy, ability to cope with adverse events, and capability to function within a society. Various studies have found strong correlations between a person’s immediate surroundings to how they perceive their well-being as well as their actual status of mental health. On one hand, social determinants affect the causation, severity and outcome of mental well-being, on the other hand the state of mental well-being affects the social determinants by affecting personal freedom, ability to make healthy life choices etc. This makes the study of social determinants of mental health very significant.Methods: A cross-sectional, exploratory study of qualitative nature was undertaken in Patna among School going students between the ages 13-17. A self-administered peer reviewed questionnaire was used for data collection.Results: Of 400 participants 19% have features of depression and other mental health problems. Females were more affected. Students of low socioeconomic group (41.6%) and of single parent family (40%) were affected.Conclusions: Mental health problems are very common in adolescent school students. Active steps must be taken to increase awareness about depression among teachers and parents. Early intervention can help prevent worsening of depression and its impact on life.


Author(s):  
Mercy Ngosa Mumba ◽  
Alexandria Nancarrow ◽  
Jessica L. Jaiswal ◽  
Erika Hocchaus ◽  
Madelyn H. Campbell ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Each year about one in five adults experiences mental illness. Although the independent physical and mental health consequences of alcohol misuse and cigarette smoking are well documented, little is known on how substance use moderates the relationship between physical and mental well-being. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether substance use moderates the relationship between physical activity and mental health in adults. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data provided by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). RESULTS: Participants ( N = 450,016) were adults who completed the BRFSS in 2017. Those who did not drink alcohol had fewer mental health problems when they indicated greater amounts of time spent doing physical activities each week. Last, smokers’ number of mental health problems decreased as they engaged in more physical activity, whereas nonsmokers’ number of mental health problems increased as they engaged in more physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes is well established and cannot be overemphasized. Nonetheless, substance abuse can moderate this relationship and should be routinely screened for by health care providers regardless of treatment setting.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 550
Author(s):  
Joacim Ramberg

Parental support is an important factor affecting young people’s mental well-being, but the school climate also plays an important role. However, few studies have previously examined whether the school climate serves as a mediator for adolescents’ mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate the association between parental support and students’ psychological complaints, while also examining the possible mediating role that a good school climate may have. Data derives from 5783 senior-level students (age 15–16) distributed over 152 school units in Stockholm municipality. Regression linear analysis was used for the analysis and Baron and Kenny’s four-step mediation model has been applied. Sobel’s test was conducted in order to test the significance of the mediation effect. The results show that there is a significant negative association between parental support and students’ psychological complaints, and that school climate has a mediating role in this association. It can be concluded that school climate has a partly mediating role in the association between parental support and students’ psychological complaints. Therefore, it seems important to develop the school climate in order to strengthen this source of support to reduce mental health problems among adolescents.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 945-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh P. Adhikari ◽  
Nawaraj Upadhaya ◽  
Sasmita Paudel ◽  
Ruja Pokhrel ◽  
Nagendra Bhandari ◽  
...  

Objective: To identify community perceptions on psychosocial and mental health problems of older people in postearthquake situation in Nepal. Method: A qualitative methodology was adopted to explore the experience and opinions of older people, social workers, school teachers, health workers, and nongovernmental organization workers on the psychosocial and mental health problems of older people in Nepal, using key informant interviews. Results: Major local vocabulary for older peoples’ psychosocial and mental health problems were “bichalan” (variation in mood and feeling), “ekohoro” (becoming single minded), “athmabiswasko kami” (low self-esteem), and “bina karan rune” (crying without any reason). The major causes attributed to older people’s problems were physical injury, disability, family conflict, and economic problems. Forgetfulness, tiredness, loss of concentration, restlessness, and isolation were observed in older people since the 2015 earthquake. Discussion: The findings suggest that earthquake had negative impact on older people’s psychosocial well-being; however, little support or treatment options have been made available to these individuals. The tailor-made community-based psychosocial and mental health programs for older people are needed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Argyle ◽  
Gary Winship

Purpose – Involvement in creative practice is commonly regarded as “therapeutic” but what is actually meant by this and how does this work promote social inclusion and mental well-being, particularly when performed in a group setting? Drawing on the findings of a research project called Clay Transformations (AHRC), the purpose of this paper is to consider these questions. The project involved running a series of clay workshops aimed at people with experience of mental health service use and those who work with them. Design/methodology/approach – In order to explore the significance of art involvement to people who use mental health services, qualitative research findings are presented. These are then linked to relevant literature in order to consider the way in which workshop participation helped to promote social inclusion and mental well-being. Findings – Many benefits were gained from workshop attendance deriving from involvement in the process and the outcome of art creation. These benefits were enhanced by the group context in which the work took place and the mutual support and interaction arising from this group membership. Originality/value – The recognition of the therapeutic value of creative practice has been accompanied by the emergence of the notion of “mutual recovery” which extends the concept of recovery beyond an individualised focus. The positive findings of this project uphold these developments and suggest that mental health practice should address the wider social contexts that can facilitate the promotion of mental well-being.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-457
Author(s):  
Sprague W. Hazard ◽  
V. Robert Allen ◽  
Victor Eisner ◽  
Dale C. Garell ◽  
Adele D. Hofmann ◽  
...  

Young people who find themselves in juvenile court facilities constitute a group who traditionally have displayed a high incidence of health problems. Many have had inadequate care in the past, and enter with preexisting medical and dental conditions. Whether or not they are in good physical health, they often are handicapped in the area of mental health. The conditions which necessitate removing them from their homes and placing them in institutions may aggravate, or even cause, physical and mental health problems. When society undertakes to remove children and youth from their homes and place them in institutions away from the care of their parents, it assumes certain obligations. Among these obligations is care of their physical and mental health. Health programs in juvenile court facilities must be broad and comprehensive and must go beyond the mere provision of medical care. The extent of the health care which should be offered to an individual will depend on the length of time he is in the institution. But, every institution which confines juveniles should have a health program designed to protect and promote the physical and mental well-being of residents, to discover those in need of short-term or long-term medical and dental treatment, and to contribute to their rehabilitation by appropriate diagnosis and treatment and provision of continuity of care following release. The standards given here are designed to attain these goals. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE HEALTH PROGRAM Health Council 1. Each institution should have a multidisciplinary health council to set the policies of the health program. 2. The council may be organized within the institution or by the authority which operates the institution.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee Denham ◽  
Tara Renae McGee ◽  
Li Eriksson ◽  
John McGrath ◽  
Rosana Norman ◽  
...  

Purpose – Whilst overt bullying has received considerable attention for its negative impact on the emotional well-being of children and adolescents, peer problems such as excessive teasing and social exclusion have received less consideration. The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence, demographic, and clinical correlates of frequent peer problems in children and adolescents who participated in the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being. Design/methodology/approach – Participants were a nationally representative sample of 2,107 children (aged 6-12 years), and 1,490 adolescents (aged 13-17 years). Frequent peer problems (excessive teasing or social exclusion) were measured by parental report for children, and self and parental report for adolescents. Associations with a number of mental health problems were examined, including being in the clinical range for internalising and externalising symptoms, having major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorder, low self-esteem, experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviour, or using marijuana and alcohol. Findings – One in 30 children and one in 20 adolescents experienced frequent peer problems. Parents less commonly identified frequent peer problems than were self-reported by their adolescent children. Frequent peer problems were strongly associated with all mental health problems except alcohol and marijuana use. Originality/value – Frequent peer problems are associated with a greatly increased risk of mental health problems. Identifying those children and adolescents with frequent peer problems provides opportunity for assessment and intervention of emotional and behavioural problems.


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