Mental health service users' and practitioners' experiences of engagement in assertive outreach: a qualitative study

Objective.Mental health service users experience high rates of cardiometabolic disorders and have a 20–25% shorter life expectancy than the general population from such disorders. Clinician-led health behavior programs have shown moderate improvements, for mental health service users, in managing aspects of cardiometabolic disorders. This study sought to potentially enhance health initiatives by exploring (1) facilitators that help mental health service users engage in better health behaviors and (2) the types of health programs mental health service users want to develop.Methods.A qualitative study utilizing focus groups was conducted with 37 mental health service users attending a psychosocial rehabilitation center, in Northern British Columbia, Canada.Results.Four major facilitator themes were identified: (1) factors of empowerment, self-value, and personal growth; (2) the need for social support; (3) pragmatic aspects of motivation and planning; and (4) access. Participants believed that engaging with programs of physical activity, nutrition, creativity, and illness support would motivate them to live more healthily.Conclusions and Implications for Practice.Being able to contribute to health behavior programs, feeling valued and able to experience personal growth are vital factors to engage mental health service users in health programs. Clinicians and health care policy makers need to account for these considerations to improve success of health improvement initiatives for this population.

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Influences on uptake of cancer screening in mental health service users: a qualitative study

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-016-1505-4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Abigail Clifton ◽

Caroline Burgess ◽

Sarah Clement ◽

Ruth Ohlsen ◽

Pras Ramluggun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Service Users

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The role and impact of social relationships upon well-being reported by mental health service users: A qualitative study

Journal of Mental Health ◽

10.1080/09638230020023912 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 565-579 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Gill Green ◽

Catherine Hayes ◽

David Dickinson ◽

Andy Whittaker ◽

Barry Gilheany

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Well Being ◽

Service Users

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Barriers and facilitators of disclosures of domestic violence by mental health service users: qualitative study

Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health ◽

10.1016/j.ypsy.2011.08.109 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 171-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R.J. Frances

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Domestic Violence ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Service Users

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Barriers and facilitators of disclosures of domestic violence by mental health service users: qualitative study

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.109.072389 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 198 (3) ◽

pp. 189-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 95

Author(s):

Diana Rose ◽

Kylee Trevillion ◽

Anna Woodall ◽

Craig Morgan ◽

Gene Feder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Domestic Violence ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Service ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Community Mental Health Service ◽

Service Users

BackgroundMental health service users are at high risk of domestic violence but this is often not detected by mental health services.AimsTo explore the facilitators and barriers to disclosure of domestic violence from a service user and professional perspective.MethodA qualitative study in a socioeconomically deprived south London borough, UK, with 18 mental health service users and 20 mental health professionals. Purposive sampling of community mental health service users and mental healthcare professionals was used to recruit participants for individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to determine dominant and subthemes. These were transformed into conceptual maps with accompanying illustrative quotations.ResultsService users described barriers to disclosure of domestic violence to professionals including: fear of the consequences, including fear of Social Services involvement and consequent child protection proceedings, fear that disclosure would not be believed, and fear that disclosure would lead to further violence; the hidden nature of the violence; actions of the perpetrator; and feelings of shame. The main themes for professionals concerned role boundaries, competency and confidence. Service users and professionals reported that the medical diagnostic and treatment model with its emphasis on symptoms could act as a barrier to enquiry and disclosure. Both groups reported that enquiry and disclosure were facilitated by a supportive and trusting relationship between the individual and professional.ConclusionsMental health services are not currently conducive to the disclosure of domestic violence. Training of professionals in how to address domestic violence to increase their confidence and expertise is recommended.

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