Mental health conditions and receipt of mental health care by illicit lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use status among young adults in the United States

BACKGROUND Many people are affected by mental health conditions, yet its prevalence in certain populations are not well documented. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to describe the attributes of people with mental health conditions in U.S and SG in terms of: perception of mental health recovery and its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. With the findings, not only could the knowledge base for mental health recovery in both countries be enhanced but interventions and policies relating to self-efficacy, resourcefulness and de-stigmatization for mental health recovery could be informed. METHODS A A cross-sectional, descriptive study with convenience sample of 200 community dwelling adults were selected, 100 pax from the United States (U.S) and 100 pax from Singapore (SG). Adults with serious mental illnesses without substance abuse impacting on their recovery were recruited. Participants completed self-administered questionaires measuring their mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. RESULTS This study offered the unique opportunity to examine mental health recovery as well as its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience from both the United States and Singapore. While the perception of mental health recovery and positive attributes like strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness remained strong in participants with serious mental illnesses across both countries, people with serious mental illnesses in both countries still experienced negative perception like stigma. The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries. CONCLUSIONS The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries.

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Experiences of living with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a coproduced, participatory qualitative interview study

10.1101/2020.11.03.20225169 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Steven Gillard ◽

Ceri Dare ◽

Jackie Hardy ◽

Patrick Nyikavaranda ◽

Rachel Rowan Olive ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

The Impact

AbstractPurposeResearch is beginning to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on people with pre-existing mental health conditions. Our paper addresses a lack of in-depth qualitative research exploring their experiences and perceptions of how life has changed at this time.MethodsWe used qualitative interviews (N=49) to explore experiences of the pandemic for people with pre-existing mental health conditions. In a participatory, coproduced approach, researchers with lived experiences of mental health conditions conducted interviews and analysed data as part of a multi-disciplinary research team.ResultsExisting mental health difficulties were exacerbated for many people. People experienced specific psychological impacts of the pandemic, struggles with social connectedness, and inadequate access to mental health services, while some found new ways to cope and connect to community. New remote ways to access mental health care, including digital solutions, provided continuity of care for some but presented substantial barriers for others. People from black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities experienced heightened anxiety, stigma and racism associated with the pandemic, further impacting their mental health.ConclusionThere is a need for evidence-based solutions to achieve accessible and effective mental health care in response to the pandemic, especially remote approaches to care. Further research should explore the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on people with pre-existing mental health conditions. Particular attention should be paid to understanding inequalities of impact on mental health, especially for people from BAME communities.

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On the same page or in a different book? A pilot project on the perceptions of educational needs in an era of shifting mental health care to primary care (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.32422 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie Sutherland ◽

Dahn Jeong ◽

Michael Cheng ◽

Mireille St-Jean ◽

Alireza Jalali

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Medical Management ◽

Family Physicians ◽

Educational Needs ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Care Providers ◽

Mental Health Conditions

BACKGROUND There is an unmet need for mental health care in Canada. Seventy-five percent of visits for mental health services are related to mood and anxiety disorder, which occur most frequently in the primary care setting. Primary care providers such as general practitioners and family physicians are essential part of mental health care services. However, it is currently not well known what is needed to increase care providers’ willingness, comfort and skills to adequately provide care. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to understand the caregiver and family physician needs regarding the care and medical management of individuals with mental health conditions. METHODS A needs assessment was designed to understand the educational needs of caregivers and family physicians with regard to the provision of mental health care, specifically, to seek advice of the format and delivery mode for an educational curriculum to be accessed by both stakeholder groups. Exploratory qualitative interviews were conducted and data was collected and analysed iteratively until thematic saturation was achieved. RESULTS Caregivers of individuals with mental health conditions (n=24) and family physicians (n=10) were interviewed. Both caregivers and family physicians expressed dissatisfaction with the status quo regarding the provision of mental health care at the family physician’s office. They stated that there was a need for more educational materials as well as additional supports. Caregivers expressed a general lack of confidence in family physicians to manage their son/daughter’s mental health condition, while family physicians sought more networking opportunities to improve and facilitate provision of mental health care. CONCLUSIONS Robust qualitative studies are necessary to identify the educational and medical management needs of caregivers and family physicians. Understanding each other’s perspectives is an essential first step to collaboratively designing, implementing, and the subsequent evaluation of community-based mental health care. Fortunately, there are initiatives underway already to address these need areas (e.g. websites such as eMentalHealth.ca/PrimaryCare as well as mentorship and collaborative care network) and information from this study can help inform the gaps in those existing initiatives. CLINICALTRIAL NA

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Rates and Associated Factors of Secondary Mental Health Care Utilisation among Ex-Military Personnel in the United States: A Narrative Review

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare7010018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 18 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Katharine Mark ◽

Dominic Murphy ◽

Sharon Stevelink ◽

Nicola Fear

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

The United States ◽

Health Care Utilisation ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Care Utilisation

Little is known about ex-serving military personnel who access secondary mental health care. This narrative review focuses on studies that quantitatively measure secondary mental health care utilisation in ex-serving personnel from the United States. The review aimed to identify rates of mental health care utilisation, as well as the factors associated with it. The electronic bibliographic databases OVID Medline, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and Embase were searched for studies published between January 2001 and September 2018. Papers were retained if they included ex-serving personnel, where the majority of the sample had deployed to the recent conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. Fifteen studies were included. Modest rates of secondary mental health care utilisation were found in former military members—for mean percentage prevalence rates, values ranged from 12.5% for at least one psychiatric inpatient episode, to 63.2% for at least one outpatient mental health appointment. Individuals engaged in outpatient care visits most often, most likely because these appointments are the most commonly offered source of support. Post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly re-experiencing symptoms, and comorbid mental health problems were most consistently associated with higher mental health care utilisation. Easily accessible interventions aimed at facilitating higher rates of help seeking in ex-serving personnel are recommended.

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Paying for Mental Health Care in Private Health Insurance in the Netherlands: Some Lessons for the United States

Psychiatric Services ◽

10.1176/appi.ps.202000104 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 538-539

Author(s):

Thomas G. McGuire ◽

Richard C. van Kleef ◽

Suzanne H. C. M. van Veen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Insurance ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Private Health Insurance ◽

The United States

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Challenges to peer support in low- and middle-income countries during COVID-19

Globalization and Health ◽

10.1186/s12992-020-00622-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Richard Mpango ◽

Jasmine Kalha ◽

Donat Shamba ◽

Mary Ramesh ◽

Fileuka Ngakongwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Peer Support ◽

Global Mental Health ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Middle Income ◽

Low Resource Settings ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Middle Income Countries

Abstract Background A recent editorial urged those working in global mental health to “change the conversation” on coronavirus disease (Covid-19) by putting more focus on the needs of people with severe mental health conditions. UPSIDES (Using Peer Support In Developing Empowering mental health Services) is a six-country consortium carrying out implementation research on peer support for people with severe mental health conditions in high- (Germany, Israel), lower middle- (India) and low-income (Tanzania, Uganda) settings. This commentary briefly outlines some of the key challenges faced by UPSIDES sites in low- and middle-income countries as a result of Covid-19, sharing early lessons that may also apply to other services seeking to address the needs of people with severe mental health conditions in similar contexts. Challenges and lessons learned The key take-away from experiences in India, Tanzania and Uganda is that inequalities in terms of access to mobile technologies, as well as to secure employment and benefits, put peer support workers in particularly vulnerable situations precisely when they and their peers are also at their most isolated. Establishing more resilient peer support services requires attention to the already precarious situation of people with severe mental health conditions in low-resource settings, even before a crisis like Covid-19 occurs. While it is essential to maintain contact with peer support workers and peers to whatever extent is possible remotely, alternatives to face-to-face delivery of psychosocial interventions are not always straightforward to implement and can make it more difficult to observe individuals’ reactions, talk about emotional issues and offer appropriate support. Conclusions In environments where mental health care was already heavily medicalized and mostly limited to medications issued by psychiatric institutions, Covid-19 threatens burgeoning efforts to pursue a more holistic and person-centered model of care for people with severe mental health conditions. As countries emerge from lockdown, those working in global mental health will need to redouble their efforts not only to make up for lost time and help individuals cope with the added stressors of Covid-19 in their communities, but also to regain lost ground in mental health care reform and in broader conversations about mental health in low-resource settings.

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