scholarly journals Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Moral Injury in Nurses on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-76
Author(s):  
Marsha Lesley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Moral Injury ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Moral Hazards ◽  
Self Blame ◽  
Ego Strengths

OBJECTIVE: To raise awareness of the potential for moral injury in nurses working on the frontlines of COVID-19 patient care and to present aspects of mental functioning that may increase the likelihood of psychological distress. Approaches that draw on psychoanalytic thinking to support frontline nurses’ mental health are explained. METHOD: This article draws on recent work that is available from multiple sources, including published journal articles on moral injury, recent reports from news services highlighting the crisis state of the pandemic and effects on nurses, established literature on the structural model of the mind, and recent webinars and online lectures addressing mental health crisis interventions. The author draws on expertise from years of training in the Adult Psychoanalytic Training Program at the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and graduation as an academic analyst. RESULTS: How nurses navigate moral hazards inherent in the current state of frontline health care may depend on their existing ego strengths and levels of self-blame and guilt from a harsh superego. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health professionals need to be aware of the mental minefields that frontline nurses must navigate when providing care that, due to circumstances beyond their control, may be morally ambiguous. Educating nurses about the meaning of their own emotional and psychic responses amid the realities in the field may help to decrease the damaging effects of moral injury.

India is going partway to easing mental health crisis

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Indian Government ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tertiary Healthcare ◽  
The Government ◽  
National Mental Health

Subject India's efforts to address a mental health crisis. Significance The Indian government is aiming to convert 150,000 primary health centres into health and wellness centres (HWCs) providing comprehensive care, including management of mental disorders. Its plans for secondary and tertiary healthcare include medical insurance for poorer families that will cover treatment of mental illness. According to a 2016 study conducted by India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 150 million out of the country’s 1.3 billion people urgently need mental healthcare. Impacts Expanding mental healthcare infrastructure could lead to an overemphasis on a biomedical model of treatment for mental health disorders. The government will come under pressure to increase funding for mental health professionals as well as technological resources. Future budgets will be key indicators of the government’s commitment to its National Mental Health Programme.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Emergence of Mental Health Upheaval and Transition in Human Future Perspectives: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 94-100
Author(s):  
Saba Khurshid ◽  
Sidra Mumtaz ◽  
Hafsa Khalil Toor ◽  
Rubina Hanif
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Services ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Major Transition

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is constantly posing warning and creating mental health crisis among people without any discrimination. Therefore, the current study purpose is to explore mental health upheaval and transition in future perspectives due to COVID-19. Using exploratory study design, semi structure interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by using Thematic Content Analysis. The major themes which were identified showed that COVID-19 is constantly eliciting panic and mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression, fears of death, xenophobia, OCD and uncertainty about future among general population. Results also indicated the major transition in public future perspectives and perception. Concern related to adjustability in life after pandemic is major emerging future concern among Pakistani People. During pandemic outbreak, people are becoming vulnerable to different mental health problems. To overcome these issues successfully, role of mental health professionals cannot be denied. There is strong need to devise activities and strategies which help people to increase resilience and build strong relationships during the period of social distancing. This paper gives a deep insight into mental health problems among general population due to COVID-19 and it also implicates need of psychological services to overcome these issues.

Digital psychiatry: implications for patients and services

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
James P Pandarakalam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased burden on all medical services and healthcare professionals are applying new strategies to cope with the added demands. During the pandemic mental healthcare services in many parts of the world have been reorganised to incorporate modern technology and maintain efficient service delivery. Mental health professionals are playing a major role in alleviating the suffering resulting from this pandemic. A selective survey of the literature, including narrative reviews, was carried out to study the implications of digital psychiatry. Historically, epidemics have had a substantial effect on mental health and general health services. Telehealth appears to be the right solution to the present mental health crisis, but technology cannot substitute for human presence and proximity in mental health services, so the newer interventions have advantages and disadvantages. Remote methods of therapy are likely to continue to be used and proper assessment of these new ways of working in psychiatry is required. In the post-pandemic period, the challenge will be to combine digital and in-person therapies. Discussions about digital revolution in the field of psychiatry should be modified to digital evolution.

The Making of Mental Health Policy: The 1980s and the Challenge of Sanity in Quebec and Ontario

1987 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Françoise Boudreau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Political Language ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Volunteer Organizations ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Convergence And Divergence

This paper examines the current socio-political language in the formulation of mental health policy in Ontario and Quebec. “Before long,” coherent and rational policy has been promised in each province to “solve” today's mental health crisis—often identified as that of “deinstitutionaliztion.” However, there is not just one view. Here, we examine the arguments presented in the form of briefs, reports, and working documents on the part of mental health professionals, governments and unions, patient groups, and volunteer organizations in both provinces. We analyze the areas of convergence and divergence and attempt to make sense of this mass of material so important in the formulation of a sensible and sensitive government policy of action.

scholarly journals Mental health crisis in midlife – a proposed research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawid Gondek ◽  
Bettina Moltrecht ◽  
George Ploubidis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Increased Risk

There is a growing amount of evidence indicating increased levels of psychological distress, suicide rates and decreased well-being in midlife (age 45-55). We refer to this phenomenon as the ‘midlife mental health crisis’. As there is little empirical evidence or theoretical grounds to explain the midlife mental health crisis, we propose a research agenda. In order to facilitate further research, we consulted members of public, mental health professionals and researchers on potential reasons for the midlife mental health crisis. Subsequently, we translated those into research questions testable with the British birth cohorts. We propose a series of studies using three statistical modelling approaches: descriptive (what is the midlife mental health crisis?), predictive (who is at increased risk of experiencing the midlife mental health crisis?) and explanatory (what are the processes leading to the midlife mental health crisis?).

Design of a Decision Support Application to Support Individuals in Mental Health Crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-217
Author(s):  
Amanda J. Johnson ◽  
Ann M. Bisantz ◽  
Amy L. Reynolds ◽  
Scott T. Meier
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Safety Systems ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
The Impact

Mental health and suicide are two substantial issues facing our society. They have far reaching impacts on the healthcare and public safety systems, the economy, and human life. Despite their impact and importance, the amount of research is disproportionate to the magnitude of the problem. The current study sought to determine decision requirements of those in mental health crisis and to translate them into a user-friendly mobile application. Individuals who had been in mental health crises and mental health professionals were interviewed. Results showed that both the availability of resources and the impact of anxiety and overwhelm on decision making are areas in which individuals in crisis can be better supported. Outcome of research included design of a prototype mobile application designed to support decision making during mental health crisis.

scholarly journals Low Cost Community Health Interventions to Address the Mental Health Crisis Arising From Greece’s Financial Austerity Measures

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-31
Author(s):  
Eleni Styliani Ramphos ◽  
Raywat Deonandan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Social Spending ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Community Based Programs

In response to the European financial crisis of 2008-2009, Greece reduced funding for social spending as part of its austerity program, which may have reversed past progress in Greece’s mental health system. Significant increases in depression and suicide rates coincided with the start of the crisis. A slower economic recovery may result from the combination of a less productive work force and out-migration of mental health professionals. In order to alleviate the detrimental effects of this crisis, mental health crisis training, as well as low cost community-based programs should be prioritized in Greece. 

scholarly journals Mental health crisis in midlife – a proposed research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawid Gondek ◽  
Bettina Moltrecht ◽  
George Ploubidis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Increased Risk

There is a growing amount of evidence indicating increased levels of psychological distress, suicide rates and decreased well-being in midlife (age 45-55). We refer to this phenomenon as the ‘midlife mental health crisis’. As there is little empirical evidence or theoretical grounds to explain the midlife mental health crisis, we propose a research agenda. In order to facilitate further research, we consulted members of public, mental health professionals and researchers on potential reasons for the midlife mental health crisis. Subsequently, we translated those into research questions testable with the British birth cohorts. We propose a series of studies using three statistical modelling approaches: descriptive (what is the midlife mental health crisis?), predictive (who is at increased risk of experiencing the midlife mental health crisis?) and explanatory (what are the processes leading to the midlife mental health crisis?).

Symbolism of Community II: The Boundary between Community Mental Health Professional and Community

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-324
Author(s):  
Damon B. Parker ◽  
Robert J. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Privacy And Confidentiality

Objective: To study the symbolism of community as understood and practised within a mental health Crisis and Assessment Service in an Australian city. Theoretical approaches: The paper draws on anthropological theories of symbolism, boundary work and social networks. Method: Ethnographic fieldwork techniques were employed for data collection. Ethnographic analysis was then applied to these data. Results: In mental health practice, rules of professional behaviour established a boundary that prohibited mental health professionals from social engagement with members of the community they served. Ethical imperatives prevented them from forming interpersonal bonds with their clients. Rules of privacy and confidentiality meant that they could not relate to the client's social network as a whole. Conclusions: The companion to this paper identified a summarizing symbol, which we designated community, and it specified the social values it represented when appropriated to the task of drawing a boundary between hospital and community. This paper specifies additional social values represented by community when it is appropriated to the task of drawing a boundary between community mental health professionals and the community.

scholarly journals Mental health crisis training for non-mental health professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-235
Author(s):  
Rebecca Maindonald ◽  
Chris Attoe ◽  
Melanie Gasston-Hales ◽  
Perah Memon ◽  
Elizabeth Barley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Simulation Training ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Related ◽  
E Learning

Purpose This study aims to evaluate a training in mental health crisis support for non-mental health professionals who work in urgent care settings. The training consists of an e-learning module, a one-day face-to-face (F2F) interactive study day and simulation training. Design/methodology/approach This multi-methods study collected data pre and post training and at three to six months post training. Validated questionnaires, rating scales and open-ended questions were used to measure self-efficacy in health-care skills, attitudes towards mental illness and knowledge and confidence in working in mental health. A subsample of participants was interviewed post training about how they had used the knowledge and skills learned. Findings A total of 706 staff completed the e-learning, 88 attended the F2F training and 203 attended simulation training. Overall satisfaction with the training was high, with F2F and simulation training preferred. Statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy for health-care skills, positive attitudes towards mental illness, and mental health-related knowledge and confidence were found post training. Qualitative analyses of interview and survey data indicated that participants had translated learning to practice through improved attitudes and behavioural changes when working with patients experiencing a mental health crisis. Originality/value This training improved mental health-related knowledge, confidence and self-efficacy and reduced mental health-related stigma in professionals who provide urgent care to people in mental health crisis. Participants reported changes to their practice following training; this is important as care has been inadequate for this group. Workforce planners and leaders should consider implementing this or similar training widely.

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