scholarly journals Managing Mentally Ill Inmates in Prisons

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 913-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Adams ◽  
Joseph Ferrandino
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Correction Officers ◽  
Role Definitions ◽  
And Control

Mentally ill inmates now comprise a substantial portion of the prison population and pose administrative and therapeutic challenges to prison administrators and mental health professionals. Some evidence suggests that both the size of the population and the seriousness of their illnesses are increasing. Given this context, several issues are highlighted and discussed in terms of contemporary efforts to deal with mentally ill inmates. Specifically, discussion centers on the use of actuarial devices for prediction and classification, the conflict between treatment and control and the relation between treatment and management, the distinction between risks and stakes and use of the environment as therapy, use of medication and isolation, and the role of correction officers in mental health treatment. The authors make an argument for more sophisticated approaches in dealing with mentally ill inmates that rely on expanded therapeutic options, broader role definitions for prison staff, and an evidence-based approach for individualizing treatment.

Preventing Soldiers' and Veterans' Suicide by Pastoral Counseling and Mental Health Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-182
Author(s):  
Tatsushi Hirono
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Pastoral Counseling ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
The Us ◽  
Spirituality And Religion

Suicide prevention for active duty soldiers and veterans is a serious issue in the US, particularly in communities that are home to these populations. A body of research has addressed the prevention of veterans' suicide with therapy and medication. However, few researchers have focused on the role of spirituality and religion in suicide prevention. This paper will address the potential for collaboration between mental health professionals and clergy in the prevention of military-related suicide.

The future role of the psychiatrist in Europe – a UEMS perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
M. Hermans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Future Role ◽  
Personal Opinion ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Many

SummaryThe author presents his personal opinion inviting to discussion on the possible future role of psychiatrists. His view is based upon the many contacts with psychiatrists all over Europe, academicians and everyday professionals, as well as the familiarity with the literature. The list of papers referred to is based upon (1) the general interest concerning the subject when representing ideas also worded elsewhere, (2) the accessibility to psychiatrists and mental health professionals in Germany, (3) being costless downloadable for non-subscribers and (4) for some geographic aspects (e.g. Belgium, Spain, Sweden) and the latest scientific issues, addressing some authors directly.

Staying alive: A 21st century agenda for mental health, child protection and forensic services

2021 ◽  
pp. 263440412110078
Author(s):  
Patricia M Crittenden ◽  
Andrea Landini ◽  
Susan J Spieker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Common Basis ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Protective Strategies

Mental health treatment, child protection and forensic services for criminality need major reorganisation in conceptualisation and service provision. This need results from the failure of current diagnostic methods, administrative organisations and treatment approaches to reduce the prevalence of mental illness, child maltreatment or criminal behaviour. We propose that defining these problems as individual deficits and responding to them by category of harm (to self, progeny and others, respectively) stands in the way of effective prevention and treatment. We address four topics: (1) the common basis of all of these problems in unprotected and uncomforted exposure to danger, (2) the developmental process of psychological maladaptation that occurs interpersonally in endangered families, (3) the behavioural expression of psychological development as protective strategies that can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending upon the context in which they are used, and (4) proposals for systemic change that could improve prevention and treatment. These proposals include using functional formulations to guide treatment planning, single portal entry to assessment and services, integrated universal transdisciplinary training followed by specialisation for all mental health professionals, delivering customised treatment through transitional attachment relationships and consolidating disparate disciplines in ‘departments of human adaptation’.

Asking the Hard Questions: Psychologists’ Discomfort With Inquiring About Sexual Abuse Histories

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110145
Author(s):  
Belinda Nixon ◽  
Elly Quinlan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Early Career Psychologists ◽  
University Training

The literature on sexual abuse indicates low rates of inquiry by mental health professionals. This study explores early career psychologists’ experiences of inquiry into their clients’ sexual abuse histories. Twelve Australian psychologists participated in semi-structured interviews with transcripts analyzed using thematic analysis. The vast majority of participants reported that they did not routinely inquire about sexual abuse with barriers including not knowing what to do, discomfort, stigma, and fear of negative outcomes. Participants asserted that their university training in sexual abuse inquiry was inadequate. Findings emphasize the need for the development of an evidence-based framework for sexual abuse training.

The DEMoBinc Study in Portugal: Development and First Results

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
G. Cardoso ◽  
C. Coelho ◽  
J. Caldas de Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Physical Restraint ◽  
National Literature ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Delphi Exercise

The DEMoBinc study's main objective is to develop an instrument for assessing the living conditions, the quality of care, and the human rights of long-term mentally ill patients in psychiatric and social residential care. It started on March 2007, with 11 centres and 10 countries participating.The Portuguese centre has carried out a national literature review of mental health legislation, standards of care related with residential care for mental patients, and mandatory procedures for physical restraint and seclusion.A three-round Delphi exercise with four groups of experts - advocates, mental health professionals, service users, and carers - was also developed. In the first round the participants were asked to state the ten more important components of care helping recovery in institutional care for the long-term mentally ill. The results were sent back to be rated for their importance on a 5-point scale. Finally, the participants were asked to confirm or change their own scores in comparison with the calculated group median. Between twelve and 18 participants by group were contacted, and the overall rate of participation was 73%.A pilot study using the first draft of the DEMoBinc instrument was done, and refinement of the instrument is being carried out in twenty institutions and will be completed during the next months.The results of the Portuguese centre on the national literature review, the Delphi exercise, and the first phase refinement of the DEMoBinc instrument will be presented and discussed.

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