Barriers and Supports Experienced by Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Mental Health Services

2021 ◽  
pp. 002202212110398
Author(s):  
Christina Fa’alogo-Lilo ◽  
Claire Cartwright
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Service Users ◽  
The Family

As with minority groups internationally, Pacific peoples in New Zealand (Pasifika) experience higher rates of mental health problems than the general population, and are less likely to access mental health services. This study investigated the barriers and supports for Pasifika accessing and using mental health services with participation of 25 Pasifika (10 service-providers, 11 ex-service-users, and 4 ex-service-users/providers) in order to gain their key informant perspectives. A Pasifika-appropriate Talanoa approach was used to guide the data-collection process and the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Barriers included stigma among Pasifika regarding mental health problems, commitment to finding solutions within the family, and both mistrust and lack of knowledge of services. Within the services, non-Pasifika providers often lacked understanding of the collectivist cultural values and practices of Pasifika, including spiritual beliefs. They were more likely to use services if the providers were respectful of Pasifika practices and paid attention to developing relationships in a culturally appropriate way. This included involvement of the Pasifika family, when possible. Service-users often benefited from contact with Pasifika providers within mainstream services. These results support previous cross-cultural research that indicates the importance of offering evaluation and intervention services grounded in an understanding and respect for the cultural significance and meaning of mental health problems for the person, the family, and their community. While efforts are made to address these issues in New Zealand, change is slow and ongoing cultural training for service-providers along with psychoeducation for Pasifika about mental health services is strongly desirable.

Young service users from refugee backgrounds: their perspectives on barriers to accessing Australian mental health services

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Claire Valibhoy ◽  
Josef Szwarc ◽  
Ida Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine barriers to accessing mental health services, from the perspective of young people of refugee background who have been service users, and to suggest strategies to improve access to mental health services. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study was conducted with 16 young people (aged 18-25), who had been refugees and who had attended mental health professionals in Australia. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically to examine participants’ perspectives on what hinders initial access to mental health services. Findings Stigma about mental health problems was particularly prominent. Many believed a high level of disturbance was the threshold for entering services, and for some there was no knowledge of such services’ existence. Options for assistance other than mental health services were often preferred, according to young people’s explanatory models. Apprehension was expressed that sessions would be uncomfortable, distressing or ineffective. The desire to be self-reliant functioned as a further barrier. Finally, structural obstacles and social exclusion deterred some young refugees from accessing services. Practical implications Implications include the need for service providers to be equipped to provide culturally sensitive, responsive services that ideally offer both practical and psychological assistance. Potential referrers, including health professionals and community leaders, could facilitate increased access if trained to recognise and address barriers. Finally, findings indicate potential content for awareness-raising initiatives for young refugees about mental health problems and services. Originality/value This paper is original in its sample, method, topic and findings; being drawn from the first known qualitative research exploring views of young mental health service users who have been refugees about barriers to accessing mental health services.

Recovery Star: validating user recovery

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Dickens ◽  
Judy Weleminsky ◽  
Yetunde Onifade ◽  
Philip Sugarman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Addictive Behaviour ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
The Uk

Aims and methodMental Health Recovery Star is a multifaceted 10-item outcomes measure and key-working tool that has been widely adopted by service providers in the UK. We aimed to explore its factorial validity, internal consistency and responsiveness. Recovery Star readings were conducted twice with 203 working-age adults with moderate to severe mental health problems attending a range of mental health services, and a third time with 113 of these individuals.ResultsMental Health Recovery Star had high internal consistency and appeared to measure an underlying recovery-oriented construct. Results supported a valid two-factor structure which explained 48% of variance in Recovery Star ratings data. Two Recovery Star items (‘relationships’ and ‘addictive behaviour’) did not load onto either factor. There was good statistically significant item responsiveness, and no obvious item redundancy. Data for a small number of variables were not normally distributed and the implications of this are discussed.Clinical implicationsRecovery Star has been received enthusiastically by both mental health service providers and service users. This study provides further evidence for its adoption in recovery-focused mental health services and indicates that items relating to addictive behaviour, responsibilities and work could be further developed in future.

“Walking wounded or wounded healer?” Does personal experience of mental health problems help or hinder mental health practice? A review of the literature

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Conchar ◽  
Julie Repper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Wounded Healer ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – A systematic review of the literature on “wounded healers” was undertaken to identify, define and interpret the term and its application within the mental health environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Eight key medical/social sciences databases were interrogated. In total, 835 papers were identified in the systematic database search and abstracts were obtained for each to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. In total, 237 sources were retrieved for critical reading, to assess relevance and value to the review, and 125 documents were subsequently included. Through thematic analysis a number of themes and sub themes were identified Findings – The archetypal image of the wounded healer originates in ancient mythology and crosses many cultures. There are many interpretations and applications of the belief that having healed their own wounds a person is in a better position to heal others, however, the evidence to support this is not so robust. Of more direct relevance to contemporary practice are reports of supporting staff with mental health problems to make a contribution to mental health services, most recently through the employment of peer support workers. Originality/value – As peer support workers are increasingly being employed in mental health services, it is helpful to consider the many existing staff who bring personal experience of mental health problems. This paper explores the evidence that their lived experience makes a difference to the way that they work and considers their employment support needs.

Autistic spectrum disorder without intellectual impairment in adult mental health services – fostering new perspectives and enhancing existing services

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
N. Crowley ◽  
H. O’Connell ◽  
M. Gervin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Autistic Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Impairment ◽  
Autistic Spectrum ◽  
Adult Mental Health

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disability with multi-systemic impacts. Individuals with ASD without intellectual impairment (DSM-V) or Aspergers (DSM-IV) are often particularly vulnerable to mental health problems such as anxiety disorders including social phobia and generalised anxiety disorder, depressive disorders and psychosis. Adults with ASD without intellectual impairment suffer higher rates of physical and psychiatric morbidity, display a poorer ability to engage with treatment and have a lower chance of recovery compared with the general population. It is widely acknowledged that adults with suspected ASD without intellectual impairment and co-morbid mental health problems are often not best supported through adult mental health services and often require more tailored supports. This review seeks to (a) increase awareness in the area of undiagnosed cases of ASD without intellectual impairment in adult mental health settings and (b) highlights the importance of identifying this population more efficiently by referring to best practice guidelines. The value of future research to examine the benefit of having a team of specialist staff within adult mental health teams who have received ASD training and who are supported to work with the ‘core difficulties’ of ASD is discussed and a model for the same is proposed. It is proposed that a specialist team could form a ‘hub’ for the development of expertise in ASD, which when adequately resourced and funded could reach across an entire region, offering consultancy and diagnostic assessments and interventions.

scholarly journals Digital cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBTi) for adolescents with mental health problems. Results from a feasibility open trial. (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany Cliffe ◽  
Abigail Croker ◽  
Megan Denne ◽  
Jacqueline Smith ◽  
Paul Stallard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Severity Scale ◽  
Sleep Condition ◽  
Condition Indicator ◽  
Insomnia Severity

BACKGROUND Insomnia in adolescents is common, persistent, and associated with poor mental health including anxiety and depression. Insomnia in adolescents attending child mental health services is seldom directly treated and the effects of digital CBTi on the mental health of adolescents with significant mental health problems is unknown. OBJECTIVE This paper reports an open study assessing the feasibility of adding supported online CBT for insomnia to the usual care of young people aged 14-17 years attending specialist child and adolescent mental health services. METHODS Thirty-nine adolescents aged 14-17 attending specialist child and adolescent mental health services with insomnia were assessed and offered digital CBTi. The digital intervention was Sleepio, an evidence based, self-directed, fully automated CBTi that has proven effective in multiple randomized controlled trials with adults. Self-report assessments of sleep (Sleep Condition Indicator, Insomnia Severity Scale, online sleep diaries), anxiety (Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale) and depression (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire) were completed at baseline and post-intervention. Post-use interviews assessed satisfaction with digital CBTi. RESULTS Average baseline sleep efficiency was very poor (52.9%) with participants spending an average of 9.6 hrs in bed but only 5.1 hrs asleep. All scored <17 on the Sleep Condition Indicator with 36/39 (92.3%) scoring ≥15 on the Insomnia Severity Scale, suggesting clinical insomnia. 36 (92.3%) scored ≥ 27 on the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire for major depression and 20 (51.3%) had clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety. The majority (76%) were not having any treatment for their insomnia, with the remaining 24% receiving medication. Sleepio was acceptable with 77% (30/39) activating their account and 67% (21/30) completing the program. Statistically significant pre-post improvements were found in weekly diaries of sleep efficiency (p=.005) and sleep quality (p=.001) and on measures of sleep (SCI; p=.001: ISI; p=.001), low mood (MFQ; p=.024) and anxiety (RCADS; p=.015). Satisfaction was high; with 89% finding Sleepio helpful, 94% would recommend it to a friend with 39% expressing a definite preference for a digital intervention. CONCLUSIONS Our study has a number of methodological limitations, particularly the small sample size, absence of a comparison group and follow-up assessment. Nonetheless, our findings are encouraging and suggest that digital CBTi for young people with mental health problems might offer an acceptable and an effective way to improve both sleep and mental health. CLINICALTRIAL N/a

scholarly journals Deployment, Mental Health Problems, Suicidality, and Use of Mental Health Services Among Military Personnel

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Chu ◽  
Ian H. Stanley ◽  
Melanie A. Hom ◽  
Ingrid C. Lim ◽  
Thomas E. Joiner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems

“When other people try to understand”: exploring the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, who also have mental health problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-101
Author(s):  
Sasha Martine Mattock ◽  
Kieron Beard ◽  
Amy Baddeley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose Recent guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence highlight that service users (SUs) with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health problems rarely get the opportunity to share their experiences of mental health services. Over the past 20 years, policy documents have stated that these individuals (SUs) must be included in decisions about their care. Research suggests that often this is not the case. Therefore, this paper aims to create a space for SUs to share their experiences of mental health services, and what they found helpful. Design/methodology/approach A focus group was held with five SUs, two psychologists and two researchers. The audio recording of the discussion was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Three main themes were identified, namely, “relationships with others”, “inclusion and communication” and “challenges”. This focus group highlighted that although some SUs felt supported, they reported having little control in their lives and wanted to be listened to. Research limitations/implications Including a SU in the planning and facilitation of the focus group would have made this research more inclusive. Practical implications The implications of this research suggest that by listening to and involving SUs and developing more person-centred services, recovery rates may increase as the services provided would be more targeted. Originality/value Very little research has previously been conducted to explore SUs’ experiences. This paper highlights the value of being heard and the knowledge that is often lost if the authors do not take the time to listen to the people for whom a service is designed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document