scholarly journals ‘Something needs to change’: Mental health experiences of young autistic adults in England

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 477-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Crane ◽  
Fern Adams ◽  
Georgia Harper ◽  
Jack Welch ◽  
Elizabeth Pellicano
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autistic Adults

There is a high incidence and prevalence of mental health problems among young people, with several barriers to help-seeking noted in this group. High rates of mental health problems have also been reported in children and adults on the autism spectrum. Taken together, young autistic people may be a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to mental health. Yet, there has been remarkably little work on the mental health needs and experiences of young autistic adults (16–25 years). Adopting a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach – in which academic researchers and young autistic adults collaborated in an equitable research partnership – we explored young autistic people’s experiences of mental health problems and their perspectives on the support they sought, if any, for these problems. A total of 130 young autistic adults took part in the research: 109 completed an online survey and 21 took part in detailed interviews. The results highlight how young autistic people find it difficult to evaluate their mental health, experience high levels of stigma and often face severe obstacles when trying to access mental health support. The findings also demonstrate how listening to – and learning from – young autistic people is crucial in ensuring that their mental health needs are met.

scholarly journals Is social camouflaging associated with anxiety and depression in autistic adults?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Hull ◽  
Lily Levy ◽  
Meng-Chuan Lai ◽  
K. V. Petrides ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background There is inconsistent evidence for a clear pattern of association between ‘camouflaging’ (strategies used to mask and/or compensate for autism characteristics during social interactions) and mental health. Methods This study explored the relationship between self-reported camouflaging and generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety in a large sample of autistic adults and, for the first time, explored the moderating effect of gender, in an online survey. Results Overall, camouflaging was associated with greater symptoms of generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety, although only to a small extent beyond the contribution of autistic traits and age. Camouflaging more strongly predicted generalised and social anxiety than depression. No interaction between camouflaging and gender was found. Limitations These results cannot be generalised to autistic people with intellectual disability, or autistic children and young people. The sample did not include sufficient numbers of non-binary people to run separate analyses; therefore, it is possible that camouflaging impacts mental health differently in this population. Conclusions The findings suggest that camouflaging is a risk factor for mental health problems in autistic adults without intellectual disability, regardless of gender. We also identified levels of camouflaging at which risk of mental health problems is highest, suggesting clinicians should be particularly aware of mental health problems in those who score at or above these levels.

scholarly journals ‘People like me don’t get support’: Autistic adults’ experiences of support and treatment for mental health difficulties, self-injury and suicidality

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1431-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Camm-Crosbie ◽  
Louise Bradley ◽  
Rebecca Shaw ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
Sarah Cassidy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Treatment Pathways ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Autistic Adults

Autistic people are at high risk of mental health problems, self-injury and suicidality. However, no studies have explored autistic peoples’ experiences of treatment and support for these difficulties. In partnership with a steering group of autistic adults, an online survey was developed to explore these individuals’ experiences of treatment and support for mental health problems, self-injury and suicidality for the first time. A total of 200 autistic adults (122 females, 77 males and 1 unreported) aged 18–67 (mean = 38.9 years, standard deviation = 11.5), without co-occurring intellectual disability, completed the online survey. Thematic analysis of open-ended questions resulted in an overarching theme that individually tailored treatment and support was both beneficial and desirable, which consisted of three underlying themes: (1) difficulties in accessing treatment and support; (2) lack of understanding and knowledge of autistic people with co-occurring mental health difficulties and (3) appropriate treatment and support, or lack of, impacted autistic people’s well-being and likelihood of seeing suicide as their future. Findings demonstrate an urgent need for autism treatment pathways in mental health services.

scholarly journals Academic health services and health needs of college students around the era of the Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-197
Author(s):  
Eirini Kotsalou ◽  
Evanthia Sakellari ◽  
Areti Lagiou ◽  
Evaggelia Kotsalou
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Public Health Care

Objective: The university medical services vary around the world (even within each university), but there are only a few publications on the utilization of these services by the students. The available on-campus services of public health care might include general health care, women’s centers, mental health care, disability services, wellness resource centers, career counseling, and alcohol and other drug education programs. Evidence Acquisition: This paper reviews the current literature on the overtime and current (due to Covid-19 pandemic) public health needs of college students based on studies that report the commonest specific diagnostic reasons for using the on-campus health care services. Results: Special reference is done on mental health problems among students generally and the students of health professions fields (a specific category themselves). Besides, other issues of interest are the substance-related problems among students and their perceptions about mental health problems and on- campus help- seeking services. Conclusions: It is unanimous that we need further educational and promotional campaigns to enhance the students; help-seeking behaviors, reduce stigmatizing behaviors and create more preventive public health services on campus, but also out-campus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

scholarly journals Exploring presentation differences in multi-cultural youth seeking assistance for mental health problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephane Shepherd ◽  
Cieran Harries ◽  
Benjamin Spivak ◽  
Anne-Sophie Pichler ◽  
Rosemary Purcell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Mental ill-health can impact an individual’s capacity to interact with others, make decisions, and cope with social challenges. This is of particular importance for many Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals who may be at various stages of the acculturation process. The increasing diversity of the Australian population necessitates informed and culturally relevant services that meet the needs of a changing demographic. However the extant research on the mental health needs of CALD Australians is limited. This study aimed to further our understanding of the mental health needs of young CALD Australians by exploring the mental health concerns and social factors exhibited by CALD individuals accessing community based youth mental health services in two major cities. Methods We performed a series of logistic regression models to ascertain if a concert of factors (i.e., clinical, socio-economic, criminal justice system involvement, child maltreatment, social support) were associated with CALD status Results Comparisons across factors revealed no significant differences between groups. A small number of correlates differentiated between CALD and non-CALD participants (mental illness diagnosis during childhood, family history of mental illness/suicide, sensation seeking, sensitivity to punishment, maternal overprotection) however these factors were no longer meaningful after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Conclusions In help-seeking mainstream youth populations, cultural differences across clinical and environmental factors appear to be minimal.

scholarly journals Feelings of loneliness and mental health needs and services utilization among Chinese residents during the COVID-19 epidemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Bao ◽  
Wen-Tian Li ◽  
Bao-Liang Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Services Utilization ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Abstract Background Due to the implementation of social distancing and quarantine measures, loneliness has been a major public health concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have examined loneliness in Chinese residents during the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as its associations with mental health needs and services utilization. Methods The present study was a cross-sectional survey during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. A total of 7741 adults were invited and completed an online self-administered questionnaire. The Chinese 12-item General Health Questionnaire was used to screen for common mental health problems, loneliness was measured with a single-item self-report question (“How often do you feel lonely in recent days?”), and two standardized questions were used to assess perceived needs for and use of mental health services. Results In total, 24.2 % of the participants felt lonely in recent days. Age of 16–29 years (OR = 1.36, P = 0.020), marital status of never-married (OR = 1.47, P < 0.001), marital status of “others” (re-married, co-habiting, separated, divorced, and widowed) (OR = 1.72, P < 0.001), having infected family members or close relatives (OR = 1.64, P = 0.026), and having infected colleagues, friends, or classmates (OR = 1.62, P < 0.001) were significant correlates of loneliness. Rates of mental health needs (17.4 % vs. 4.9 %, P < 0.001) and services utilization (2.7 % vs. 1.0 %, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in lonely than not lonely participants. After adjusting for socio-demographic and epidemic characteristics and common mental health problems, loneliness was still significantly associated with mental health needs (OR = 2.50, P < 0.001) and services utilization (OR = 1.62, P = 0.020). Conclusions Feelings of loneliness are prevalent among Chinese residents affected by the COVID-19 epidemic and the presence of loneliness is associated with high levels of mental health needs and greater services utilization. Effective measures aiming at preventing or reducing loneliness are potentially beneficial for the mental wellbeing of COVID-19-affected population and reducing the use of the limited mental health service resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Intellectual disability and mental health: is psychology prepared?

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 381-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy J. Razza ◽  
Laura Schwartz Dayan ◽  
Daniel Tomasulo ◽  
Michelle S. Ballan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is threefold: to document the relationship between intellectual disability (ID) and psychopathology; to raise awareness of the ongoing lag in professional training for psychologists in the area of mental health treatment for people with intellectual disabilities; and, to provide recommendations for advancing professional education and, ultimately, adequate mental health treatment availability for people with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literature on prevalence of mental health problems in people with intellectual disabilities. At the same time, the paper reviews the training of psychologists relative to the burgeoning growth in awareness of the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities. Findings – The paper concludes that ID is a significant risk factor for psychopathology. In addition, the paper concludes that the education of psychologists regarding the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities is insufficient. The authors document the need for incorporating research and treatment advances related to intellectual disabilities and mental health into to the professional training of psychologists. The paper also describe the potential this training holds for improving both the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and the overall competence of psychologists. Practical implications – This paper provides a literature-based rationale for the need to include education in the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities into the general training of mental health professionals. In addition, it provides specific recommendations for how such training can be incorporated into graduate psychology programs. Originality/value – This paper provides mental health professionals with a review of the growth in understanding of the enormous, unmet mental health needs of people intellectual disabilities, and of the critical role of ID in development of mental health problems. Moreover, this paper builds the case for an important revision in the training of psychologists to include competence in understanding and treating mental health problems across the full spectrum of intellectual functioning.

scholarly journals Partnership with probation hostels

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 222-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Nadkarni ◽  
Barry Chipchase ◽  
Kim Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Community Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs

With every serious incident of violence involving a person with current or past mental health problems we hear the cry ‘community care has failed’. While an increase in resources for in-patient psychiatric care will be welcomed, the reality is that many individuals with mental health needs, some of whom commit criminal offences, will be living in the community. The probation hostels are an example of such an interface, and offer an opportunity for inter-agency working.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTING GROUP TO REDUCE MENTAL BURDEN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Annette D'Arqom ◽  
Brihastami Sawitri ◽  
Zamal Nasution ◽  
Dimas Setyanto ◽  
Safira Nur Izzah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Economic Education ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Seeking Help

COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of human life, not only health, but also economic, education, and daily activity. The sudden changes caused a mental burden for the majority of people. Moreover, the infodemic might increase the burden. Unfortunately, not all people aware of their mental health, and the negative stigma from the community leads the patient to hesitate for sharing and seeking help. Therefore, an anonymous online supporting group (www.laluibersama.com) is developed to increase awareness of mental health and provided the facility to share and to support users. This site consists of several basic information and articles regarding COVID-19, emphasizes on pharmacotherapy and mental health issues, sharing forum, and mental health calculator based on depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS 21). From the evaluation, 53.61% of users choose mental health calculators as the most favorite page, followed by article (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), and sharing page (4.12%). Most of the respondents agree that the mental health calculator is unique and useful, therefore can be used as a screening of mental health problems prior to seeking health professional help. Taken together, mental health needs more attention in this pandemic due to the increasing burden, and the screening of mental health problems and sharing to alleviate the users’ burden can be performed at www.lalui bersama.com.

Mental Health Problems and Aging: A Short Quiz

1983 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Pruchno ◽  
Michael A. Smyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Theoretical Issues

The mental health needs of older adults remain largely unmet. This gap is due, in part, to a lack of adequately trained professionals and paraprofessionals. The sixteenitem quiz presented in this article has two purposes: 1) to present an overview of salient empirical and theoretical issues in the area of mental health and aging, and 2) to promote discussion of these topics. Each item is documented with supporting literature. In addition, average scores, item difficulties, and item-to-total correlations are presented for two groups of undergraduate students.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTING GROUP TO REDUCE MENTAL BURDEN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Annette D’Arqom ◽  
Brihastami Sawitri ◽  
Zamal Nasution ◽  
Dimas Setyanto ◽  
Safira Nur Izzah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Economic Education ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Seeking Help

COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of human life, not only health, but also economic, education, and daily activity. The sudden changes caused a mental burden for the majority of people. Moreover, the infodemic might increase the burden. Unfortunately, not all people aware of their mental health and with the negative stigma from the community lead the patient to hesitate for sharing and seeking help. Therefore, an anonymous online supporting group (www.laluibersama.com) is developed to increase awareness of mental health and provided the facility to share and to support users. This site consists of several basic information and articles regarding COVID-19, emphasizes on pharmacotherapy and mental health issues, sharing forum, and mental health calculator based on depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS 21). From the evaluation, 53.61% of users choose mental health calculators as the most favorite page, followed by article (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), and sharing page (4.12%). Most of the respondents agree that the mental health calculator is unique and useful, therefore can be used as a screening of mental health problems prior seeking health professional help. Taken together, mental health needs more attention in this pandemic due to the increasing burden, and the screening of mental health problems and sharing to alleviate the burden can be performed at www.lalui bersama.com. Pandemi COVID-19 memengaruhi semua aspek kehidupan manusia, tidak hanya kesehatan, tetapi juga ekonomi, pendidikan, dan aktivitas sehari-hari. Perubahan mendadak tersebut menyebabkan beban mental bagi sebagian besar orang. Apalagi, badai informasi bisa menambah beban. Sayangnya, tidak semua orang menyadari beban mental mereka, dan memiliki orang untuk berbagi dan peduli. Oleh karena itu, kelompok pendukung online anonim (www.laluibersama.com) dikembangkan untuk meningkatkan kesadaran akan kesehatan mental dan menyediakan fasilitas untuk berbagi dan mendukung antar pengguna. Situs ini terdiri dari beberapa informasi dasar dan artikel mengenai COVID-19 dengan penekanan pada farmakoterapi dan kesehatan mental, forum berbagi, dan kalkulator kesehatan mental berdasarkan skala depresi, kecemasan, dan stres (DASS 21). Dari evaluasi tersebut, 53.61% pengguna memilih kalkulator kesehatan mental sebagai halaman favorit, diikuti oleh artikel (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), dan halaman berbagi (4.12%). Sebagian besar responden setuju bahwa kalkulator kesehatan jiwa itu unik dan valid, oleh karena itu dapat digunakan sebagai skrining masalah kesehatan jiwa. Secara keseluruhan kesehatan jiwa perlu mendapat perhatian lebih dalam menghadapi pandemi ini karena beban yang semakin meningkat, dan pemeriksaan dini masalah kesehatan jiwa dan berbagi kekhawatiran dan pemikiran dapat dilakukan di www.lalui bersama.com.

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