Effects of brief training on mental health provider’s knowledge of working with youth at risk of suicide in Guatemala

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402098386
Author(s):  
Dana Alonzo ◽  
Marciana Popescu ◽  
Pinar Zubaroglu – Ioannides
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Youth At Risk

Background: Resources for mental healthcare are lacking in Guatemala, yet rates of mental illness and suicide are quite high. Mental healthcare providers often lack the knowledge needed to effectively work with young at-risk of suicide. To address this gap, we developed a training program for mental health professionals focused on increasing knowledge and understanding of engaging and working with youth at risk of suicide and present its acceptability and preliminary effectiveness. Methods: Mental health providers ( N = 17) from a low SES community participated in the training, Formacion CUIDAR (Comunidades Unidos para Individuales De Alto Riesgo; CARE Training; Communities United for Individuals at High Risk). Mixed methods were used to explore outcomes including, self-reported knowledge and understanding of warning signs; risk and protective factors; effective risk assessment; and, techniques for working with at-risk youth. Results: Findings indicate that the training was effective at increasing all targeted domains of knowledge ( t = 2.46, p < .05, Cohen’s d = .56). Acceptability was also rated as high. Conclusion: Scarcity of mental health specialists and lack of training on suicide assessment and management have resulted in inadequate resources for at-risk youth in need of mental health services in Guatemala. Results of our study demonstrate that our training is an acceptable, effective program for practicing mental health providers to address their lack of specialized training on how to work with individuals at risk of suicide. Further examination of the training in a larger RCT is required to attain more robust indictors of effectiveness and to assess long-term impact.

Suicide Assessment in a Prison Environment

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEVIN M. CORREIA
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Suicide Assessment ◽  
Primary Responsibility ◽  
Prison Environment ◽  
Inmate Suicide

A primary responsibility of any mental health professional working within the field of corrections is to coordinate an effective suicide prevention program. The present article discusses various aspects of successfully accomplishing this objective. It reviews some of the major warning signs that should be examined by mental health providers evaluating inmates referred as suspected of significant suicidal risk. A method of organizing the suicide assessment and categorizing referrals as inappropriate, malingering, or at true risk is discussed, along with methods of distinguishing among the three types. Some of the primary differences in inmate suicide attempts, as opposed to suicidal gestures, are reviewed as well as other special considerations mental health professionals should consider in formulating recommendations following suicide risk assessments. Finally, various outcome recommendations that can be used as a result of the assessments are presented.

scholarly journals Mental Healthcare for refugees

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-216
Author(s):  
Julio Torales ◽  
Israel González ◽  
Iván Barrios ◽  
João Castaldelli-Maia ◽  
Margarita Samudio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Practical Advice

The aim of this paper is to highlight some of the difficulties that mental health providers face when trying to provide the best standard of mental healthcare to refugees, especially in countries where the political environment is skeptic of, or even hostile to, creating programs specifically designed to improve the standard of living of this population. We also focus briefly on the dichotomy between the need to do research in this population in order to obtain data that will help us offer the best care possible to them, and the peril of undermining their autonomy by subjecting them to studies they might have otherwise refused to be part of, if they were in a less precarious position. Throughout the article, we offer practical advice that mental healthcare providers can follow to ensure that they are offering the best possible care to their patients while remaining respectful of their rights.  Keywords: Mental health providers; Mental healthcare; Refugees.

scholarly journals The Emergency Assessment and Management of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-99
Author(s):  
Sindhu A. Idicula ◽  
Amy Vyas ◽  
Nicole Garber
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Levels Of Care ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inpatient Units

Background and Goals: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common presenting issue mental health providers experience in all levels of care from outpatient clinics to inpatient units. It is common among adolescents seen in emergency settings, either as a presenting problem or as a covert condition that may not be detected unless specifically assessed for. The presence of NSSI increases the risk of suicide. This article aims to help the clinician develop a better understanding of NSSI – what it may entail, the prevalence, and the motivations for why young people engage in it. Methods: We review the reasons adolescents injure themselves, the link between NSSI and psychiatric diagnoses and suicide, the assessment of NSSI, and treatment planning, with emphasis on ways to screen for NSSI and interventions that can be implemented in the Emergency Department. We illustrate the complexity of NSSI with the case of a young patient with a complex psychiatric history and an extensive history of self-injury. Results and Discussion: Despite the seeming intractability of NSSI, a number of evidencebased treatments exist. Treatment primarily involves specialized forms of psychotherapy, but interventions can be implemented in the ED that will reduce the immediate risk of NSSI while more definitive intervention is awaited. Conclusion: Mental health consultations in the ED should always include screening for NSSI. Mental health professionals in the ED can play an important role in the detection and treatment of this condition..

scholarly journals Putting meaning into medicine: why context matters in psychiatry

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Carpenter-Song
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Illness Experiences ◽  
Care Demands

Mainstream psychiatry emphasises controlling symptoms by taking medications. This approach ignores the role of context in shaping illness experiences and how people engage with mental health professionals. The focus on symptom control and medication management also narrows the function of the psychiatrist. This editorial argues that knowledge of patients’ lives is important for providing empathic care that is oriented to the outcomes that matter to patients. In addition, care that attends to the person-in-context motivates and sustains mental health providers by putting meaning back into medicine. Truly patient-centred care demands pushing back against the reductionism of contemporary psychiatry to thoughtfully engage with the complexities of patients’ lives.

The Limitations and Strengths of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale as a Measure of Correctional Employees’ Attitudes: A Psychometric Evaluation

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 3947-3964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanna Boppre ◽  
Jody Sundt ◽  
Emily J. Salisbury
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Correctional Staff ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Evidence Based Practices

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) hold tremendous potential for improving the outcomes of corrections interventions. The implementation of EBPs requires support from staff at all levels of an organization; however, the study of correctional staff attitudes toward organizational change and EBPs is in its infancy. The current study examines the psychometric properties of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS), an instrument originally designed for mental health professionals, to measure correctional employees’ readiness to implement EBPs. The results indicate mixed conclusions regarding the use of the EBPAS with correctional staff. We found that the total scale and subscales are reliable and exhibit high internal consistency. However, the results of an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis failed to replicate the factor structure from previous research with mental health providers. The findings indicate potential drawbacks regarding the construct validity of the EBPAS for use with correctional personnel.

Afterword

2020 ◽  
pp. 523-532
Author(s):  
Philip J. Lazarus ◽  
Ralph Eugene Cash
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Psychologists ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
American Psychological Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
School Based ◽  
Training And Research ◽  
Effective Advocacy

In this afterword, the authors emphasize that all school-based mental health providers must be advocates for the emotional well-being of our youth. They emphasize that advocates are made, not born, and discuss specific knowledge and skills necessary for effective advocacy. They then discuss three top advocacy priorities: (a) increasing the number of mental health professionals in the schools; (b) promoting programs, policies, training, and research that supports the emotional well-being of youth; and (c) supporting models, frameworks, and positions developed by the National Association of School Psychologists, the American Psychological Association, and many other mental health associations that support children’s needs. In closing, they discuss how to be advocates for all children and, most important, our most vulnerable student populations at the personal, local (including school), state, national, and international levels.

scholarly journals Best Practices for Working with Latinx Older Adults in Mental Healthcare

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 857-857
Author(s):  
Kendall Weber ◽  
Lisa Stone
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Starting Point

Abstract Background The number of older adults in the United States is growing rapidly. The percentage of individuals from ethnic minority groups that make up this population is also rapidly increasing, with Latinx older adults comprising the fastest growing subgroup. However, Latinx older adults historically underutilize mental health services, in large part due to the lack of culturally sensitive and informed care provided by mental health professionals (de Guzman et al., 2015). However, to date, comprehensive, evidence-based best practices for mental healthcare for Latinx older adults do not exist. Method: A literature review was conducted of research on the developmental, social, cognitive, biological, and affective bases of behavior among Latinx older adults. Results Taking an integrated, evidence-based psychological approach with cultural considerations, we found that the literature could broadly be organized into six best practice guidelines. We propose assessing for and incorporating the following topics into mental health treatment of Latinx older adults: immigration status, acculturation, attitudes towards mental health, physical and cognitive health disparities, discrimination, and unique preferences for care structure in later life. Discussion These guidelines are intended to represent basic principles to incorporate into practice and do not represent an exhaustive list of factors to consider for a heterogenous group of older adults. Instead, the six, empirically-based guidelines proposed in this study can serve as a starting point for increasing mental health providers’ awareness of the unique experiences of Latinx older adults, with the aim of improving the experience of this historically underserved population in mental healthcare treatment.

An Investigation of Self-Assessment Bias in Mental Health Providers

2012 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 639-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Walfish ◽  
Brian McAlister ◽  
Paul O'Donnell ◽  
Michael J. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Positive Assessment ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Assessment Bias

Previous research has consistently found self-assessment bias (an overly positive assessment of personal performance) to be present in a wide variety of work situations. The present investigation extended this area of research with a multi-disciplinary sample of mental health professionals. Respondents were asked to: (a) compare their own overall clinical skills and performance to others in their profession, and (b) indicate the percentage of their clients who improved, remained the same, or deteriorated as a result of treatment with them. Results indicated that 25% of mental health professionals viewed their skill to be at the 90th percentile when compared to their peers, and none viewed themselves as below average. Further, when compared to the published literature, clinicians tended to overestimate their rates of client improvement and underestimate their rates of client deterioration. The implications of this self-assessment bias for improvement of psychotherapy outcomes are discussed.

scholarly journals 4151 Understanding barriers and solutions towards access to mental health among rural adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 150-151
Author(s):  
Brandy Davis ◽  
Kimberly B. Garza ◽  
Salisa Westrick ◽  
Edward Chou ◽  
Cherry Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Rural Adolescents ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Preferred Solutions

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: There are two objectives: 1) To identify healthcare providers’ (HCP) barriers and potential solutions towards rural adolescents’ access to mental healthcare. Healthcare providers include pharmacists, physicians, and mental healthcare providers (MHPs). 2) To identify rural high schoolers’ barriers and potential solutions towards access to mental healthcare. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Fifteen HCPs will be recruited via email listserv and the snowball method. Perceived barriers of rural adolescents, personal barriers, current practices to address mental health in adolescents, and preferred solutions will be discussed. Twenty student and parent dyads will be recruited using fliers in school systems and will be interviewed individually outside of class time on school grounds or over the phone. Barriers to care and preferred solutions will be discussed. All interviews will be semi-structured, recorded, conducted in person or over the phone, and last for 30 minutes to an hour. Compensation will be $25 for students and parents each, $50 for pharmacists and mental health providers and $100 for physicians. Thematic qualitative data analysis will be performed using Atlas.ti software. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Data collection is ongoing. Anticipated results for barriers include absence of mental healthcare providers in rural areas, inability to access mental healthcare providers further away, stigma towards mental healthcare, and lack of knowledge of mental health conditions and treatment. Anticipated results for potential solutions may include promoting mobile applications to assist with telehealth and self-care. Other solutions may be collaboration among rural healthcare providers for adolescents with mental health conditions. Preferred solutions may also include pharmacists disseminating knowledge to rural adolescents and their parents or referrals to mental healthcare providers. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This project will identify barriers and solutions to access to mental healthcare among rural adolescents. These solutions can then be applied towards the creation of programs that address salient issues within rural communities with a greater chance of uptake and use so that rates of depression and suicide will decrease. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DESCRIPTION: Funding through UAB TL1 award.

Embedding interagency working between schools and mental health specialists: A service evaluation of theMental Health Services and Schools and Colleges Link Programmeworkshops

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 906-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Cortina ◽  
Judith Shipman ◽  
Felicity Saunders ◽  
Laurie Day ◽  
Rachel Blades ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Continuous Contact ◽  
The Impact

There is increasing focus on the need for schools to work more effectively with specialist mental health providers, but there have been historic challenges in embedding closer interagency working. This article reports the results of a service evaluation of a 2-day workshop designed to facilitate improved working between schools and children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS). Mental health leads from 255 schools, mental health professionals and other key stakeholders all took part in one of 26 two-day workshops across the United Kingdom. The impact on interagency working was examined using changes in pre- and post-survey results, changes in self-reported aspects of interagency working and 10 local reviews of practice. The pre–post questionnaires showed improvements in interagency working (e.g. 55% of school leads reported being in ‘monthly’ or ‘continuous’ contact with the National Health Service (NHS) CYPMHS1at follow-up, compared with 24% at baseline). The group-completed CASCADE framework showed an overall increase in collaborative working, although some areas continued to report significant challenges such as in relation to common outcome measures. The local reviews found positive changes in interagency working, in terms of building relationships, improved communication and sharing good practice. This service evaluation of the workshops found some evidence of improved interagency working between schools and CYPMHS, but more controlled research is needed to consider generalisability and scalability.

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