Occupation, Mental Illness and Medium Security: Exploring Time-Use in Forensic Regional Secure Units

2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 416-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Stewart ◽  
Christine Craik
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Medium Security ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies

Research investigating occupational experience among people with mental illness has highlighted their difficulties in selecting, organising, valuing, enjoying and competently performing occupations. Although occupational therapy literature consistently identifies environmental factors as key in facilitating successful and valued engagement, few authors have studied the implications of detention in secure mental health settings for this population. This study investigated the occupational experiences of five people with schizophrenia in two forensic regional secure units. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used, with semi-structured interviews adding depth and subjectivity to Occupational Questionnaire (Smith et al 1986) responses. The quantitative data were analysed using non-parametric analysis, with content analysis applied to the qualitative data. Time-use was characterised predominantly by engagement in passive leisure and rest occupations. This reflects the findings of both inpatient and community-based studies elsewhere and suggests that mental illness is a common factor influencing time-use. The participants chose occupations based on expectations of enjoyment and success, and associations with independence and normality. Significant correlations were found between perceived competence, value and enjoyment (p<0.01), and the participants were more likely to enjoy self-chosen occupations (p<0.05). Forensic occupational therapists must use evidence to optimise resources and deliver interventions that facilitate choice and autonomy and reflect individual needs. Further research with larger samples and longitudinal methodologies will facilitate generalisation and establish temporal perspectives.

Wellbeing and experiences of Chinese and Vietnamese carers of people with mental illness in Australia

2020 ◽  
pp. 136346152095262
Author(s):  
Abner Weng Cheong Poon ◽  
Maria Cassaniti ◽  
Michele Sapucci ◽  
Rosaleen Ow
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Many studies show that carers of people with mental illness experience a negative impact on their wellbeing. Given the growing number of people relocating to Australia every year, there are limited studies examining the experience of carers of people with mental illness from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. Using cultural safety as a conceptual framework, this exploratory study recruited 14 carers of Chinese and Vietnamese heritage who were attending culturally and linguistically oriented support groups in Sydney, Australia. Standardised, validated scales were administered to measure carers’ wellbeing and knowledge of recovery. Structured interviews were conducted to understand carers’ perceived needs. Descriptive statistical and qualitative thematic analysis were used. Findings show that carers experienced social isolation and psychological distress, had multiple diverse needs and had a reasonably good understanding of recovery. Six themes were identified: i) obtaining information in own language; ii) attaining emotional support from support groups; iii) needing respite services to cope with caregiving responsibilities; iv) involvement in planning of treatment and care; v) migration process influencing caregiving, and; vi) cultural and transcultural factors influencing caregiving experience. Findings indicate that some carers might be experiencing some level of culturally unsafe practices in mainstream mental health services. Implications for support groups and mental health services are discussed.

Beyond the Barriers: First-Voice Perspectives on Facilitators of Leisure Participation

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-131
Author(s):  
Catherine M. White ◽  
Susan Hutchinson ◽  
Karen Gallant ◽  
Barbara Hamilton-Hinch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Supports ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Leisure Participation ◽  
People With Mental Illness

Participation in community-based leisure activity can be beneficial for supporting recovery for people with mental illness, but many barriers are faced. Drawing on first-voice perspectives, this study examined personal, social, and organizational factors that facilitate community-based leisure participation and suggests practical ways to create leisure environments that they would find supportive and more accessible. Five focus groups were conducted with adults in urban and rural communities in Nova Scotia. Through thematic analysis, five types of facilitators were identified: self-management and self-care; finding meaning; active social supports and connections; welcoming environments; and, educating others. Implications for practice are presented.

scholarly journals Exploration of the Independent Housing Experience of People with Mental Illness in a Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-351
Author(s):  
Hee Jung Kim ◽  
Hee-Young Oh ◽  
Hyeon-Joo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Community Integration ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mentally Disabled ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Housing Services ◽  
Active Interest

Purpose: This study aims to explore the independent housing experiences of people with mental illness who receive supported independent housing services provided by the public sector.Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interviews. Twelve participants, who had been living independently in the community for around 11 months, were included. A qualitative descriptive method and a content analysis method were applied.Results: Independent housing experiences of people with mental illness were classified into the following four domains: house effect, growth, challenges and limitations, relationships, and support. Eleven categories included the starting point of life, environmental & psychological comfort, inspire independence and confidence, recognition of goals and responsibilities, positive self-awareness, psychological difficulties, immaturity of daily coping, unstable self-protection, relationship improvement, and importance of support resources.Conclusion: For successful community integration of mentally disabled people, continuous legal institutional preparation for stable housing, government active interest, and flexible financial support are needed. In addition to housing support, a recovery-based independent housing case management model needs to be developed for successful maintenance of independent living. We also suggest a study on the effectiveness of independent housing to determine evidence for making a policy.

scholarly journals Attitudes in Healthcare Students Towards Mental Illness - A Pre- and Post Multicenter University Program Survey

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Gyllensten ◽  
Bengt Sevensson ◽  
Tommy Bjorkman ◽  
Lars Hansson ◽  
Christel Leufstadius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Stigmatizing Attitudes ◽  
Public Health Workers

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of naturalistic educational interventions on attitudes towards persons with mental illness. Methods: In a pre-post test design, 456 students in vocational University programmes to become nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and public health workers were studied after a course in mental illness, using questionnaires focusing on familiarity with mental illness and attitudes towards the mentally ill in general and towards schizophrenia in particular. Results: The results revealed a significant improvement for the total group in their being afraid of people with mental illness in general and being more positive towards having mentally ill people living in their neighbourhood. Differences between the student groups were found. Some educational features positively influencing stigmatizing attitudes were identified. Conclusion: Education has some effect on attitudes towards patients with mental illness, mostly on fear. To understand the effective educational ingredients for change, further research is needed.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of the Implementation of a Court Outreach Program for People With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness Who Are Legally Involved

2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (S5) ◽  
pp. 139-156
Author(s):  
John Sylvestre ◽  
Tim Aubry ◽  
Jaclynne Smith ◽  
Todd Bridger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Intake Assessment ◽  
Implementation Evaluation ◽  
Persistent Mental Illness ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Community Supports

This paper describes an implementation evaluation of a Court Outreach Program that provides outreach and community-based treatment and support to people with mental illness in the legal system. The paper describes the Court Outreach Program and presents evaluation findings. Program strengths included competent and knowledgeable court outreach staff who contribute to the legal and mental health systems and provide access for clients to a range of community supports and treatments. Challenges included a limited program capacity to serve all potential clients and bottlenecks in the intake/assessment process. Recommendations are made to improve the implementation of the program.

scholarly journals Mental illness stigma research in Argentina

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 86-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Agrest ◽  
Franco Mascayano ◽  
Sara Elena Ardila-Gómez ◽  
Ariel Abeldaño ◽  
Ruth Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
National Mental Health ◽  
Community Based Services

Studies regarding stigma towards mental illness in Argentina blossomed after the first National Mental Health Law was passed in 2010. Methodological limitations and contradictory results regarding community perceptions of stigma hinder comparisons across domestic and international contexts but some lessons may still be gleaned. We examine this research and derive recommendations for future research and actions to reduce stigma. These include tackling culture-specific aspects of stigma, increasing education of the general population, making more community-based services available and exposing mental health professionals to people with mental illness who are on community paths to recovery.

scholarly journals Mental illness in Bwindi, Uganda: Understanding stakeholder perceptions of benefits and barriers to developing a community-based mental health programme

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen L. Sessions ◽  
Lydia Wheeler ◽  
Arya Shah ◽  
Deenah Farrell ◽  
Edwin Agaba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychiatric Disease ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Wide Range

Background: Mental illness has been increasingly recognised as a source of morbidity in low- and middle-income countries and significant treatment gaps exist worldwide. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of task sharing through community-based treatment models for addressing international mental health issues.Aim: This paper aims to evaluate the perceptions of a wide range of mental health stakeholders in a Ugandan community regarding the benefits and barriers to developing a community-based mental health programme.Setting: Bwindi Community Hospital (BCH) in south-west Uganda provides services through a team of community health workers to people in the Kanungu District.Methods: Thematic analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews and 6 focus group discussions involving 54 community members and 13 mental health stakeholders within the BCH catchment area.Results: Stakeholders perceived benefits to a community-based compared to a hospital-based programme, including improved patient care, lower costs to patients and improved community understanding of mental illness. They also cited barriers including cost, insufficient workforce and a lack of community readiness.Conclusions: Stakeholders express interest in developing community-based mental health programmes, as they feel that it will address mental health needs in the community and improve community awareness of mental illness. However, they also report that cost is a significant barrier to programme development that will have to be addressed prior to being able to successfully establish such programming. Additionally, many community members expressed unique sociocultural beliefs regarding the nature of mental illness and those suffering from a psychiatric disease.

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