The Use of Mass Media in Mental Health

1986 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 617-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Lamontagne ◽  
Richard Verreault

This paper summarizes the theoretical aspects and the experimental studies on the efficacy of mass media in mental health information campaigns. In theory, most authors agree to give mental health information to the lay public but they caution against the overestimation of the power of mass media. Regarding research on the use of mass media in mental health very few experimental studies have been published and they refer mainly to primary prevention with children. The authors discuss reasons which may explain the mental health professionals’ lack of interest in this area of research, suggest new approaches for the elaboration of educational programs for the population and emphasize the importance of secondary and tertiary prevention.

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1117-1117
Author(s):  
A. Jauhari ◽  
M.K. Tiptur ◽  
A. Jauhari ◽  
M. Krishna

IntroductionInternet is the fastest growing medium and more than 50 million people seek health information online1. Almost a third of internet users with history of psychiatric disorder had used the internet to seek mental health information2.MethodA survey was conducted amongst North Wales, UK mental health professionals to understand their knowledge, attitude and practice about this topic. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed out of which 71 responses were received.ResultAbout 39% mental health professionals believed that consultation is the best way to give mental health related information to the patients. Only 5% of mental health professionals always and 46% sometimes advised patients to look at internet for mental health related information. About 50% felt that internet will increase patient's understanding of their illness and 37% felt that it will improve their compliance. Sixty percent people felt that mental health information on internet is evidence-based. About 30% of the mental health professionals thought that the use of internet by mental health patients will increase the patient's anxiety and will increase their visit to the doctor. Majority did not have enough knowledge of websites to suggest to the patients.ConclusionMost professionals thought that it is a useful concept but further awareness about evidence-based website for professionals is needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 2011-2029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Ivanova ◽  
Adela Grando ◽  
Anita Murcko ◽  
Michael Saks ◽  
Mary Jo Whitfield ◽  
...  

Integrated mental and physical care environments require data sharing, but little is known about health professionals’ perceptions of patient-controlled health data sharing. We describe mental health professionals’ views on patient-controlled data sharing using semi-structured interviews and a mixed-method analysis with thematic coding. Health information rights, specifically those of patients and health care professionals, emerged as a key theme. Behavioral health professionals identified patient motivations for non-sharing sensitive mental health records relating to substance use, emergency treatment, and serious mental illness (94%). We explore conflicts between professional need for timely access to health information and patient desire to withhold some data categories. Health professionals’ views on data sharing are integral to the redesign of health data sharing and informed consent. As well, they seek clarity about the impact of patient-controlled sharing on health professionals’ roles and scope of practice.


2009 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
I. T. Calliess ◽  
K. Treichel ◽  
J. Nikitopoulos ◽  
A. Malik ◽  
M. Rojnic Kuzman

SummaryAs society’s expectations of mental health professional change radically, educational programs and policies need to keep pace with this change. Trainees and young psychiatrists have established their distinct identity and assured that educational policies are reformed to create competent mental health professionals who are fit for purpose in tomorrow’s world. In order for this to happen, it has taken over a decade of dedication, hard work and motivation from past and present psychiatric trainees and young psychiatrists to travel the journey from having a vision of an international network to develop the existing highly structured network. Networking and empowerment facilitated by national and international young psychiatrists’ organizations has allowed young psychiatrists to participate in decision-making processes and create frameworks for their own professional development. This paper outlines the principles and objectives that underpin the existing networks of national and international young psychiatrists’ organizations. It also describes the various educational and networking activities undertaken by these organizations and uses the case study from Croatia to describe the role of these networks in the formation of national associations of young psychiatrists and trainees.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 507-514
Author(s):  
Ben Butlin ◽  
Keith Laws ◽  
Rebecca Read ◽  
Matthew D Broome ◽  
Shivani Sharma

Background: The lay public often conceptualise mental disorders in a different way to mental health professionals, and this can negatively impact on outcomes when in treatment. Aims: This study explored which disorders the lay public are familiar with, which theoretical models they understand, which they endorse and how they compared to a sample of psychiatrists. Methods: The Maudsley Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ), typically used to assess mental health professional’s concepts of mental disorders, was adapted for use by a lay community sample ( N = 160). The results were compared with a sample of psychiatrists ( N = 76). Results: The MAQ appeared to be accessible to the lay public, providing some interesting preliminary findings: in order, the lay sample reported having the best understanding of depression followed by generalised anxiety, schizophrenia and finally antisocial personality disorder. They best understood spiritualist, nihilist and social realist theoretical models of these disorders, but were most likely to endorse biological, behavioural and cognitive models. The lay public were significantly more likely to endorse some models for certain disorders suggesting a nuanced understanding of the cause and likely cure, of various disorders. Ratings often differed significantly from the sample of psychiatrists who were relatively steadfast in their endorsement of the biological model. Conclusion: The adapted MAQ appeared accessible to the lay sample. Results suggest that the lay public are generally aligned with evidence-driven concepts of common disorders, but may not always understand or agree with how mental health professionals conceptualise them. The possible causes of these differences, future avenues for research and the implications for more collaborative, patient–clinician conceptualisations are discussed.


1998 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 887-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freddy A. Paniagua ◽  
Richard M. Grimes ◽  
Michael O'Boyle ◽  
Karen D. Wagner ◽  
Victor L. Tan ◽  
...  

A total of 6804 mental health professionals, e.g., licensed and certified psychologists, licensed professional counselors, in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas were mailed a questionnaire regarding HIV/AIDS topics professionals might recommend for educational programs. Participants were asked to rate how strongly they would recommend each topic. The return rate was 31% (2121). The percentage of participants who did not recommend the topics was low (0.7%–10.9%). Most topics were either recommended (6.5%–50.2%) or strongly recommended (29.0%–92.8%). Topics with ratings of 80% of participants endorsing the strongly recommended rating included psychological crises associated with learning one is HIV positive, psychosocial issues, and counseling dying clients regarding grief, loss, and legal issues. The results are discussed in terms of continuing to develop educational programs targeting mental health professionals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Jan Nadine DeFehr

Educators are part of in-school discussions about student mental health. At times, teachers may suggest that students consult with mental health professionals. Informed by mental health promotion resources, educator referrals to mental health professionals may lack discussion of critical mental health information. Mental health promotion materials do not acknowledge the extensive scholarly critique of mental health premises and practices. Much of this critique is produced within psychiatry, the disciplinary base of mental health. Critical scholarship discusses profound flaws, misinformation, and potential for harm within conventional mental health. Important critical mental health topics include scientific evidence, psychiatric drugs, and psychiatric diagnosis. Access to both critical and conventional mental health scholarship is necessary for students and parents to provide informed consent to mental health intervention. Some interventions commonly take place in the first meeting and therefore, students and parents need access to critical information prior to their first meeting with a mental health professional. Forming a critical mental health primer for teachers, this article goes beyond promotion of critical mental health awareness to call for institutional divestment from mental health premises and practices that cause harm and lack scientific, ethical, and intellectual integrity.  


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Crowe ◽  
Paige Averett

Because mental health professionals are not immune to negative attitudes toward adults with mental illness, researchers have questioned where these attitudes might originate, as well as what affects them. Although there have been quantitative studies that broadly explore attitudes toward mental illness, in-depth understanding of factors that affect the attitudes of mental health professionals will offer insight to practitioners and researchers alike. This qualitative study explored the impact of educational programs and professional experience on the attitudes of mental health professionals toward their clients. Based on the results, this article describes a continuum of attitudes toward mental illness for counselors, educators, supervisors, and related professionals as a tool to understand their attitudes toward mental illness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Rettew

Background: Many states are currently considering legislature that would legalize and commercialize cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. Physicians and other health professionals are frequently called upon to offer an expert opinion on the public health implications of these bills. For many, the role as a scientific expert and advocate in a political process is new. Objective 1: To outline themes and lessons learned for science-minded clinicians engaged in deliberations over cannabis legislation. Objective 2: To describe how science can get used and misused in the political process. Method: This article describes the experience of a psychiatrist who was actively involved in one state’s deliberations through cannabis legalization bills. Results: Major themes that emerged during the process are described as are recommendations for other health professionals who may find themselves involved in similar processes related to cannabis legalization and other controversial initiatives that rely on the interpretation of scientific information. Conclusion: Psychiatrists and other clinicians can make important contributions to the political process for legislative debates that involve science-based mental health information.


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