Neurodiverse Be the Policymakers! A Study Exploring News Text Informed Potential for Anxiety-Enhanced Policymaking and Guiding the Progressive Reporting of Mental Diversity

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-266
Author(s):  
Damian Mellifont
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Stakeholder Consultation ◽  
News Reporting ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Purposive Sample

The Australian government is challenged to address significant mental health policy issues. These problems include those of unemployment, incarceration, homelessness and suicide. It is therefore timely to consider inclusive and innovative approaches in which these issues might be better addressed. This is the first study to critically explore the potential of neurodiverse persons to co-produce a mental health policy as informed by the contemporary news reporting on the concept of high-functioning anxiety. Enabling such investigation, this research has applied the framework analysis technique to a purposive sample of nine news texts obtained from an Internet search enquiry. Exploratory findings reveal themes relating to prospective anxiety-related capabilities and constraints across the policy development dimensions of analysis, timeline management and stakeholder consultation. The study, while concluding that journalists within the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere should be encouraged to report on mental diversity in ethical, balanced and progressive ways, offers a practical guide to support this.

Non-governmental organizations as key partners in mental health in Europe

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Baumann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Health Action Plan

SummaryThe shift towards a rights-based approach to health which has taken place over the past decade has strengthened the role of civil society and their organizations in raising and claiming the entitlements of different social groups. It has become obvious that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are central to any successful multi-stakeholder partnership, and they have become more recognized as key actors in health policy and programme development and implementation. There is a broad spectrum of NGOs active in the area of mental health in Europe which aim to empower people with mental health problems and their families, give them a voice in health policy development and implementation and in service design and delivery, to raise awareness and fight stigma and discrimination, and foster implementation of obligations set by internationally agreed mental health policy documents. With the endorsement of the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 (20) and the European Mental Health Action Plan (19) stakeholders agree to strengthen capacity of service user and family advocacy groups and to secure their participation as partners in activities for mental health promotion, disorder prevention and improving mental health services.

scholarly journals 18.L. Workshop: Public mental health policies - experiences and challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
National Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Policies

Abstract The workshop has the aim to help developing and strengthening policies for Public Mental Health and support experience sharing platform for Public Mental Health policy development. Mental health policy defines the vision for the future mental health of the national population and internationally. The WHOs developed three recommendations for the development of mental health policy, strategic plans and for organizing services which are to deinstitutionalise mental health care; to integrate mental health into general health care; and to develop community mental health services. For each this aim a situational analysis and needs assessment is recommended as first step. Therefore, this workshop consists of four talks in the development of mental health policies at the regional and national level. First, the process of population consultations and participatory research is described (Felix Sisenop). Participatory research enables exchanging experiences, results and key challenges in Public Mental Health. Participatory research can contribute greatly in empowering people to discuss and deal with mental health issues and therefore is a step towards a more involved and active general public. Second, a policy development at the regional level is described (Elvira Mauz). On behalf of the federal ministry of health the Robert Koch Institute as the German public health institute is currently developing a concept for a national Mental Health Surveillance (MHS). In the talk objectives, framework model and work processes are presented. The MHS should systematically gather, process and analyze primary and secondary data, thus an integrating and monitoring system is working. Third, the Public Mental Health policy in Malta will be described (John Cachia) Over the last 7 years CMH Malta developed a strategic framework for the mental health with the input of patients, families, service providers, NGOs and civil society. The Maltese National Mental Health Strategy 2020-2030 was published in July 2019. This strategy will be described in the Talk. Fourth presenter (Ignas Rubikas) will introduce the national perspective on development of Lithuanian mental health policy addressing major public mental health challenges of suicide prevention, alcohol control policies and mental health promotion in a broader context of national mental health care. Key messages Participatory research in Public Mental Health is an approach to involve the population in policy development. Development of mental health policies can benefit from sharing experiences and lessons learned on a national and regional levels.

Mental Health Policy Development and Implementation in Four African Countries

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J . Flisher ◽  
Crick Lund ◽  
Michelle Funk ◽  
Mwanza Banda ◽  
Arvin Bhana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
African Countries

Leadership in Mental Health Policy: The National Context

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Whiteford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Policy Cycle ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Political Decision ◽  
Public Policy Analysis ◽  
National Mental Health

Objective: To describe how mental health policy is developed and implemented. Methods: A review of the literature on public policy analysis and the experience of the author in the development and implementation of national mental health policy. Results: A five-step process of problem identification, policy development, political decision, policy implementation and evaluation provides a framework for understanding the policy cycle. Conclusion: An understanding of this process is essential for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in order to influence the process and content of mental health policy.

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