scholarly journals Maternal Deaths in NSW (2000–2006) from Nonmedical Causes (Suicide and Trauma) in the First Year following Birth

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene Thornton ◽  
Virginia Schmied ◽  
Cindy-Lee Dennis ◽  
Bryanne Barnett ◽  
Hannah Grace Dahlen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Mental Health Issue ◽  
First Year ◽  
Accidental Injury ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Term Identification ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Introduction. Trauma, including suicide, accidental injury, motor traffic accidents, and homicides, accounts for 73% of all maternal deaths (early and late) in NSW annually. Late maternal deaths are underreported and are not as well documented or acknowledged as early deaths.Methods. Linked population datasets from births, hospital admissions, and death registrations were analysed for the period from 1 July 2000 to 31 December 2007.Results. There were 552 901 births and a total of 129 maternal deaths. Of these deaths, 37 were early deaths (early MMR of 6.7/100 000) and 92 occurred late (late MMR of 16.6/100 000). Sixty-seven percent of deceased women had a mental health diagnosis and/or a mental health issue related to substance abuse noted. A notable peak in deaths appeared to occur from 9 to 12 months following birth with the odds ratio of a woman dying of nonmedical causes within 9–12 months of birth being 3.8 (95% CI 1.55–9.01) when compared to dying within the first 3 months following birth.Conclusion. Perinatal services are often constructed to provide short-term support. Long-term identification and support of women at particular risk of maternal death due to suicide and trauma in the first year following birth may help lower the incidence of late maternal deaths.

scholarly journals Maternal deaths by suicide in Queensland, Australia, 2004–2017: an analysis of maternal demographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Modini ◽  
Stuart Leske ◽  
Susan Roberts ◽  
Nikki Whelan ◽  
Andrea Chitakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Termination Of Pregnancy ◽  
First Year ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Health Diagnosis

AbstractTo characterise the demographic and clinical characteristics of women who died by suicide in the perinatal period to inform and improve suicide prevention strategies. Retrospective analysis of maternal suicides during and within 1 year after the end of pregnancy in Queensland between January 2004 and December 2017. Outcomes measured included timing of death in relation to pregnancy, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and health service use prior to death. There were 65 deaths by suicide in the study period; six occurred during pregnancy, 30 occurred after a live birth, 22 occurred after a termination of pregnancy and seven followed a miscarriage or stillbirth. Most suicides were late maternal deaths. Women were younger, and more likely to identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, when compared to all women giving birth for the same time period. Most women had a prior mental health diagnosis, most commonly depression. Over half of women had recent relationship separation or conflict prior to death. Perinatal women had higher rates of death by violent means than all women in Queensland who died by suicide during the same time period. The demographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics of a group of women who died by suicide have been described, and this shows a high proportion of women with a prior mental health diagnosis. To reduce maternal mortality, psychosocial screening must be implemented broadly and continued until the end of the first year postpartum. Similar screening attention is needed for women who had a termination of pregnancy, miscarriage or stillbirth.

A Long-Term Study of What Best Predicts Graduating From University Versus Leaving Prior to Graduation

2021 ◽  
pp. 152102512098799
Author(s):  
Teena Willoughby ◽  
Victoria W. Dykstra ◽  
Taylor Heffer ◽  
Joelle Braccio ◽  
Hamnah Shahid
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Enrollment Status ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
University Degree ◽  
The University

Despite the importance of obtaining a university degree, retention rates remain a concern for many universities. This longitudinal study provides a multi-domain examination of first-year student characteristics and behaviors that best predict which students graduate. Graduation status was assessed seven years after students entered university. Participants (N = 1017; 71% female; mean age in Year 1 was 19 years) enrolled in a Canadian mid-sized university completed a survey, provided their enrollment status over the next 6 years (regardless of whether they left university), and consented to have their grades and status provided by the Registrar. Overall, 79% of students graduated by Year 7 (44% in 4 years). The strongest predictor of graduation was first-year grades. Social engagement in the university also predicted graduation. Surprisingly, mental health was not a significant predictor of graduation. Only a minority of students may experience mental health difficulties to such an extent that it affects their ability to succeed at university.

scholarly journals Health system influences on potentially avoidable hospital admissions by secondary mental health service use: A national ecological study

2021 ◽  
pp. 135581962110367
Author(s):  
Charlotte Woodhead ◽  
Peter Martin ◽  
David Osborn ◽  
Helen Barratt ◽  
Rosalind Raine
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Objectives Potentially avoidable hospital admissions (PAAs) are costly to health services and potentially harmful for patients. This study aimed to compare area-level PAA rates among people using and not using secondary mental health services in England and to identify health system features that may influence between-area PAA variation. Methods National ecological study using linked English hospital admissions and secondary mental health services data (2016–2018). We calculated two-year average age-sex standardised area-level PAA rates according to primary admission diagnoses for 12 physical conditions, among, first, secondary mental health service users with any non-organic diagnosis, and, second, people not in contact with secondary mental health services. We used penalised regression analyses to identify predictors of area-level variation in PAA rates. Results Area-level PAA rates were over four times greater in the mental health group, at 7,594 per 100,000 population compared to 1,819 per 100,000 in the comparator group. Common predictors of variation were greater density of older age groups (lower PAA rates), higher underlying population morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and, to a lesser extent, urbanity (higher PAA rates). For both groups, health system factors such as the number of general practitioners per capita or ambulance despatch rates were significant but weak predictors of variation. Mental health diagnosis data were available for half of secondary mental health care records only and sensitivity analyses found that urbanity remained the sole significant predictor for PAAs in this group. Conclusions Findings support the need for improved management of physical conditions for secondary mental health service users. Understanding and predicting variation in PAAs among mental health service users is constrained by availability of data on mental health diagnosis, physical health care and needs.

scholarly journals Acute mental health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill M. Newby ◽  
Kathleen O’Moore ◽  
Samantha Tang ◽  
Helen Christensen ◽  
Kate Faasse
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health Diagnosis

AbstractThe acute and long-term mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are unknown. The current study examined the acute mental health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in 5070 adult participants in Australia, using an online survey administered during the peak of the outbreak in Australia (27th March to 7th April 2020). Self-report questionnaires examined COVID-19 fears and behavioural responses to COVID-19, as well as the severity of psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress), health anxiety, contamination fears, alcohol use, and physical activity. 78% of respondents reported that their mental health had worsened since the outbreak, one quarter (25.9%) were very or extremely worried about contracting COVID-19, and half (52.7%) were worried about family and friends contracting COVID-19. Uncertainty, loneliness and financial worries (50%) were common. Rates of elevated psychological distress were higher than expected, with 62%, 50%, and 64% of respondents reporting elevated depression, anxiety and stress levels respectively, and one in four reporting elevated health anxiety in the past week. Participants with self-reported history of a mental health diagnosis had significantly higher distress, health anxiety, and COVID-19 fears than those without a prior mental health diagnosis. Demographic (e.g., non-binary or different gender identity; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status), occupational (e.g., being a carer or stay at home parent), and psychological (e.g., perceived risk of contracting COVID-19) factors were associated with distress. Results revealed that precautionary behaviours (e.g., washing hands, using hand sanitiser, avoiding social events) were common, although in contrast to previous research, higher engagement in hygiene behaviours was associated with higher stress and anxiety levels. These results highlight the serious acute impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of respondents, and the need for proactive, accessible digital mental health services to address these mental health needs, particularly for those most vulnerable, including people with prior history of mental health problems. Longitudinal research is needed to explore long-term predictors of poor mental health from the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Real-world effectiveness of admissions to a tertiary treatment-resistant psychosis service: 2-year mirror-image study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Casetta ◽  
Fiona Gaughran ◽  
Ebenezer Oloyede ◽  
Juliana Onwumere ◽  
Megan Pritchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Mirror Image ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Image Study ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Interactive Search ◽  
Admission Data ◽  
Clinical Records

Background Treatment-resistant schizophrenia is a major disabling illness which often proves challenging to manage in a secondary care setting. The National Psychosis Unit (NPU) is a specialised tertiary in-patient facility that provides evidence-based, personalised, multidisciplinary interventions for complex treatment-resistant psychosis, in order to reduce the risk of readmission and long-term care costs. Aims This study aimed to assess the long-term effectiveness of treatment at the NPU by considering naturalistic outcome measures. Method Using a mirror image design, we compared the numbers of psychiatric and general hospital admissions, in-patient days, acuity of placement, number of psychotropic medications and dose of antipsychotic medication prescribed before and following NPU admission. Data were obtained from the Clinical Records Interactive Search system, an anonymised database sourced from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust electronic records, and by means of anonymous linkage to the Hospital Episode Statistics system. Results Compared with the 2 years before NPU admission, patients had fewer mental health admissions (1.65 ± 1.44 v. 0.87 ± 0.99, z = 5.594, P < 0.0001) and less mental health bed usage (335.31 ± 272.67 v. 199.42 ± 261.96, z = 5.195 P < 0.0001) after NPU admission. Total in-patient days in physical health hospitals and total number of in-patient days were also significantly reduced (16.51 ± 85.77 v. 2.83 ± 17.38, z = 2.046, P = 0.0408; 351.82 ± 269.09 v. 202.25 ± 261.05, z = 5.621, P < 0.0001). The reduction in level of support required after treatment at the NPU was statistically significant (z = −8.099, P < 0.0001). Conclusions This study demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of a tertiary service specialising in treatment-resistant psychosis.

scholarly journals Long term health effects of NEET experiences: evidence from a longitudinal analysis of young people in Scotland

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Feng ◽  
Kevin Ralston ◽  
Dawn Everington ◽  
Chris Dibben
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Scottish Population ◽  
Employment Education

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis paper examines whether experiences of young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) are associated with adverse long-term outcomes in health. We used the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS), which includes information from the 1991, 2001, and 2011 censuses as well as from vital events, for a 5.3% representative sample of the Scottish population. Linked health data such as hospital admissions and prescribing in general practice are also available. We followed around 14,000 young people who were aged 16-19 in 1991 up to 2011. MethodWe explored whether NEET young people in 1991 displayed higher risks of poor physical and mental health in the follow-up period. Poor physical health is measured by any admission into hospital and poor mental health is measured by prescription of anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medicine. We used descriptive and modelling approaches in our analysis. Covariates include a number of individual socioeconomic characteristics and local area characteristics in the models. ResultsOur research found that over 40% of the cohort members have been admitted into hospital, while over 30% have been prescribed with anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs. The NEET status in 1991 appears to be associated with hospitalisation with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.24 (95% Confidence Intervals (CIs): 1.08 – 1.42). Also the NEET experiences are associated with poor mental health with OR of 1.47 (95% CI: 1.27 – 1.71). Policy intervention is necessary in assisting NEET young people to re-engage in education or employment.

scholarly journals Transitional Care of Service Members With Genitourinary Injury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humberto Villareal ◽  
Sam Al-Bayati ◽  
Chen-Pin Wang ◽  
Mary Jo Pugh ◽  
Michael A Liss
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Health Diagnosis

ABSTRACT Objective To improve urotrauma care by describing veterans’ current demographics and needs assessment during transitional care to the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) system. Methods We utilized our previously identified cohorts obtained from the DoD Trauma Registry data for male service members injured in theater linked with VHA electronic health records. We included veterans who received care at VHA at least once from October 2001 through September 2011 for chart review. We investigate demographics, opportunities for care, combat-related trauma, disability, and associated mental health or urologic conditions specifically at the initial encounter with a VHA healthcare provider. Results We queried 580 veterans’ records in VHA from the linked databases. We idenfied that 141 (24.4%) veterans received addional care outside VHA and 17.1% (n = 99) of charts had insufficient data for injury validation. Reference to the urotrauma was mentioned in 72% of VHA initial visits (n = 416/580). The most common urotrauma occurred to the lower/external genitourinary injury (298, 51%). Of all the veterans identified with genitourinary trauma, approximately 28% (n = 160) were referred for urologic consultation, but only 14% were related to the original urotrauma. Ninety percent (522/580) of service members with urotrauma also had a mental health diagnosis, largely post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, 70.8%). Conclusions The majority of men with urotrauma did have contact with VHA, yet there is no systematic approach to baseline assessment or long-term care strategy. However, only a small proportion of DoD-documented urotrauma requires ongoing care. We identified that coordinating care with mental health pathways (PTSD/traumatic brain injury) may be an opportunity to evaluate the long-term effects of urotrauma.

Therapy and prevention for mental health: What if mental diseases are mostly not brain disorders?

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. A. Ioannidis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disease ◽  
Brain Disorders ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
Labor Education ◽  
Mental Diseases ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Political Decisions

AbstractNeurobiology-based interventions for mental diseases and searches for useful biomarkers of treatment response have largely failed. Clinical trials should assess interventions related to environmental and social stressors, with long-term follow-up; social rather than biological endpoints; personalized outcomes; and suitable cluster, adaptive, and n-of-1 designs. Labor, education, financial, and other social/political decisions should be evaluated for their impacts on mental disease.

Physical and Psychological Benefits of Written Emotional Expression

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éva Kállay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. The last several decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from both diagnosable and subsyndromal mental health problems. Consequently, the development of cost-effective treatment methods, accessible to large populations suffering from different forms of mental health problems, became imperative. A very promising intervention is the method of expressive writing (EW), which may be used in both clinically diagnosable cases and subthreshold symptomatology. This method, in which people express their feelings and thoughts related to stressful situations in writing, has been found to improve participants’ long-term psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social functioning. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the published literature (also including most recent meta-analyses), the present paper presents the expressive writing method, its short- and long-term, intra-and interpersonal effects, different situations and conditions in which it has been proven to be effective, the most important mechanisms implied in the process of recovery, advantages, disadvantages, and possible pitfalls of the method, as well as variants of the original technique and future research directions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document