How does enforcement of smoke free grounds in acute mental health settings sit with “recovery” focused practice? A personal view

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-55
Author(s):  
Di Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Personal View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Narrative Account

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline, from the perspective of someone involved in smoking cessation, concerns about the intention to make all hospital grounds “smoke free”. Design/methodology/approach – This paper takes the form of a narrative account. Findings – Reflective account offering a personal point of view – no findings presented. Originality/value – An important viewpoint relating to an issue of great concern to many people working in and using mental health services.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: re-entry

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Returning To Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a peer support worker over the course of a day working in mental health services. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on the experience of returning to work after taking sick leave. Findings – Reflections are offered based on the process of returning to work and the way that this experience sheds light on personal recovery. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of peer support working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

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.

Maximising resilience resources for mental healthcare staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-53
Author(s):  
Nicole S. Gevaux ◽  
Stephanie Petty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate optimal resources to promote resilience in staff working in inpatient mental health services. The study also provides an example of card sorting methodology used as an efficient way to identify the most helpful resources for resilience. Design/methodology/approach In total, 25 clinical staff participated in the study. A preliminary focus group and brief literature search identified resources used in two tasks. Two card sorting tasks identified resources participants found helpful vs unhelpful and abundant vs scarce, and resources they would find valuable to use more often. Findings The results indicate that most resources helpful to resilience and available to staff were personal resources (relating to positive outlooks or ways of working), whereas resources valuable to resilience but scarce in the working environment were organisational resources (relating to management or social workplace culture). Resources found to not be valuable to resilience were largely personal tangible resources (e.g. smoking, massages). Practical implications The findings and method may be generalisable to other mental health services, giving insight into promoting resilience within individuals and organisations. This information could serve as guidelines to streamline the allocation of organisational resources to best promote resilience across various mental health settings. Originality/value Staff resilience to working in mental health services contributes to high-quality, sustainable patient care. This study provides further insight into how personal and organisational resources are both vital to resilience in staff working in highly challenging environments.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: the ward reviews

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a Peer Support Worker over the course of a day working within mental health services. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on the experience of attending a series of reviews on an acute mental health ward. Findings – The experience of attending ward reviews creates reflections based on how this system affects and challenges both those who are served by it and those work within it. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of Peer Support Working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

Remarkable lives: Stacey Withington in conversation with Jerome Carson

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Withington ◽  
Jerome Carson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Short Account ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Gift ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Stacey Withington. Design/methodology/approach In this case study, Stacey provides a short account of her life and is then interviewed by Jerome. Findings Stacey details how she was able to transform her life, despite the traumas experienced in her life. Research limitations/implications Although many of us will not have experienced the difficulties that Stacey has, we are all able to empathise with her story. We now have the gift of her story, to borrow the phrase from Dr Julie Leibrich (Leibrich, 1999). Practical implications How many times must people complain about the delay in accessing counselling and mental health services before something is done to tackle the problem? Social implications A mother, a partner and a son, backed up by wonderful tutors and friends, helped Stacey find the strength and talent that she possessed within. Originality/value Stacey is the first person featured in this series to be called a SHEro. In truth and as Patricia Deegan has stated, “try and see the person with mental health problems that you are working with as a hero” (Deegan, 1996). As Pat also says, “Could you have survived what that person has survived?” Stacey has not just survived, she is now flourishing!

Remarkable lives: Shaun Hunt in conversation with Jerome Carson

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Hunt ◽  
Jerome Carson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Shaun Hunt. Design/methodology/approach Shaun provides a short biographical description of his life. Shaun is then interviewed by Jerome. Findings Shaun tells us about the long journey of recovery that he has made to the point where he is now a University Lecturer. Research limitations/implications In large group studies the individual gets lost in statistical tables and the lived experience is absent. Single case studies provide us with stories to nurture and encourage us all. Practical implications Shaun says that we often miss the obvious question in our interactions with people with lived experience. “What happened to you?” seems a simple but telling conversation opener. Social implications As Shaun says there are some amazing people who work in mental health services, but they are the ones who spoke to him and not to a “schizophrenic”. Originality/value As Shaun also says, “Never, ever give up hope, no matter how dark and bad things become, there is always a way back”.

Mind your language!

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Ann Gilfoyle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Traditional Medical Model ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Discussion Topic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore what is meant by the term recovery language and the use of mental health language in today’s society. Design/methodology/approach This paper is an exploration of the use of recovery language and the application in modern day mental health services. Findings The language that is used to describe mental health is often based on a traditional medical model primarily focussing on diagnosis, symptoms and problems. This is a stark difference to the modern day use of recovery orientated language. Practical implications This paper can be used as a discussion topic in teams to explore themes around recovery language. Originality/value This paper explores issues of language in mental health that are central to recovery and the development of recovery-focussed services.

To what extent does Sussex Recovery College reflect its community? An equalities and diversity audit

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Meddings ◽  
Lucy Walsh ◽  
Louise Patmore ◽  
Katie Louise Emily McKenzie ◽  
Sophie Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether one Recovery College reflects its community. Design/methodology/approach Recovery College students’ demographics and protected characteristics were compared with the general population and the population of people using local mental health services. Findings Recovery College students were representative of the local community in terms of ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation. Fewer Recovery College students were over 60 years old or men. Practical implications Recovery Colleges may be more accessible to people who are often under-served and under-represented in mainstream mental health services, including people from BAME backgrounds and people who identify as LGBT. Recovery Colleges may need to engage more men and more older people. Recovery Colleges aim to be inclusive and open to all but need to ensure that this is a reality in practice. Originality/value This is the first study to explore who accesses Recovery Colleges and whether they are inclusive and open to all.

scholarly journals Truth and reconciliation: a welcome dialogue

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-334
Author(s):  
Helen Spandler ◽  
Mick McKeown
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Transitional Justice ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation ◽  
R Process ◽  
Democratic Debate

Purpose This paper is an author’s reply to the article by Cresswell (2017) critiquing the original piece by Spandler and McKeown (2017) on truth and reconciliation (T&R) in psychiatry. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach It continues the dialogue about the nature of reconciliation in mental health services and reflects on distinctions between the nature of historical abuses within the asylum system and the need to understand and prevent further harm within contemporary services. Findings Whilst the authors acknowledge the tension between reconciliation and democratic debate they suggest that the process does not have to mean agreement or acquiescence. They reaffirm their optimistic belief that better mental health services are possible and appreciate that true reconciliation is a process that will require both debate and the building of constructive alliances. Originality/value A grassroots T&R process might be a form of transitional justice which does not negate the need for wider social and policy changes, but may actually help achieve it.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: beginnings

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-173
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Difficult Situations ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the day-to-day challenges and experiences of a peer support worker. Design/methodology/approach – A reflective account of the experience of a first meeting with a peer, offering support through a series of difficult situations. Findings – Reflections are offered on the importance of relationships and overcoming feelings of disillusionment with mental health services. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of Peer Support Working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

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