scholarly journals The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health calls for police service

Crime Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Koziarski
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Delayed Effect ◽  
Police Intervention ◽  
Calls For Service ◽  
Structural Time Series ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Service Data ◽  
Sustained Increase

AbstractDrawing upon seven years of police calls for service data (2014–2020), this study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on calls involving persons with perceived mental illness (PwPMI) using a Bayesian Structural Time Series. The findings revealed that PwPMI calls did not increase immediately after the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Instead, a sustained increase in PwPMI calls was identified in August 2020 that later became statistically significant in October 2020. Ultimately, the analysis revealed a 22% increase in PwPMI calls during the COVID-19 pandemic than would have been expected had the pandemic not taken place. The delayed effect of the pandemic on such calls points to a need for policymakers to prioritize widely accessible mental health care that can be deployed early during public health emergencies thus potentially mitigating or eliminating the need for increased police intervention, as was the case here.

scholarly journals Mental Health and Social Distancing During COVID-19 in African Settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Bives Mutume-N.Vivalya ◽  
◽  
Okesina Akeem Ayodeji ◽  
Hilaire Muhindo Mutuka ◽  
Louis Kasereka Muyisa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Care Services

Social distancing triggers mental health problems worldwide. Limited preparedness and response structures to public health emergencies are associated with an increased disruption of mental health care services either in health-facilities or in the community during COVID-19. The community-based approach should be combined with online psychological interventions, peer group therapy, and systematic medical screening of mental disorders in primary health care settings. The public health officers should promptly act to fit the gap of mental health burden care in Africa and to avoid the related health and socioeconomic problems.

Commentary on the harm reduction reference group of justice health and forensic mental health network and corrective services NSW, Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Anne Silano ◽  
Carla Treloar ◽  
Thomas Wright ◽  
Tracey Brown ◽  
Colette McGrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
New South ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Network ◽  
South Wales

Purpose This commentary aims to reveal how a steering committee has effectively responded to advancing accessibility to harm reduction resources, hepatitis C virus (HCV) policy and health strategies within adult prison settings in New South Wales (NSW). Design/methodology/approach By reviewing the audit approach taken by the of the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network and Corrective Services New South Wales Harm Reduction Reference Group (JHFMHN/CSNSW HRRG), this commentary emphasizes the committee’s success in identifying contemporary harm reduction issues that affect people in custodial settings. This commentary is a compilation of data gathered through the 2018 JHFMHN/CSNSW HRRG audit and corresponding program materials. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the working group’s audit were drawn by critically appraising the JHFMHN/CSNSW HRRG’s Final Audit Report (JHFMHN and CSNSW, 2018) with reference to current harm reduction literature. Findings The HRRG has provided leadership, professional representation and strategic advice on the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of best practice harm reduction strategies in prison settings. The HRRG developed and maintained networks and information exchange between the state-wide HCV health network, corrections services and the NSW harm reduction sector at large. Public health partnerships and advocacy that involve all key players, such as the HRRG, will continue to be crucial to remove barriers to enhancing HCV harm reduction measures especially in NSW prison settings. Social implications Strategies such as primary prevention and treatment can mitigate the spread of HCV in the custodial system. This audit of access to harm reduction resources was conducted on behalf of the diverse group of professionals, scholars and stakeholders comprising the HRRG. This audit and other advocacy efforts of this committee can facilitate future access to quality healthcare and the necessary policies required to support a healthier prison population at large. Originality/value Collaborating with health authorities, researchers and social service workers can enable prison health-care systems to be guided by wider health workforce programs and public health standards. This collaboration can reduce the professional isolation of custodial health-care staff and promote a balanced approach to harm reduction policies by ensuring an equitable focus on both health and security imperatives.

Prevalence and Predictors of Home Health Care Workers’ General, Physical, and Mental Health: Findings From the 2014‒2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 2239-2250
Author(s):  
Madeline R. Sterling ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Jacklyn Cho ◽  
Joanna Bryan Ringel ◽  
Sharon R. Silver
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Home Health Care ◽  
Home Health ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
General Physical

Objectives. To determine the prevalence and predictors of US home health care workers’ (HHWs’) self-reported general, physical, and mental health. Methods. Using the 2014–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we analyzed the characteristics and health of 2987 HHWs (weighted n = 659 000) compared with 2 similar low-wage worker groups (health care aides and health care support workers, not working in the home). We conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine which characteristics predicted HHWs’ health. Results. Overall, 26.6% of HHWs had fair or poor general health, 14.1% had poor physical health, and 20.9% had poor mental health; the prevalence of each outcome was significantly higher than that of the comparison groups. Among HHWs, certain factors, such as low household income, an inability to see a doctor because of cost, and a history of depression, were associated with all 3 aspects of suboptimal health. Conclusions. HHWs had worse general, physical, and mental health compared with low-wage workers not in home health. Public Health Implications. Increased attention to the health of HHWs by public health experts and policymakers is warranted. In addition, targeted interventions appropriate to their specific health needs may be required. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2239–2250. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306512 )

scholarly journals Application of Health-Care Networking in COVID-19: A Brief Report

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Punidha Kaliaperumal ◽  
Tamorish Kole ◽  
Neha Chugh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Delivery Of Care ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Private And Public

ABSTRACT Health-care systems all over the world are stretched out and being reconfigured to deal with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Some countries have flattened the curve, some are still fighting to survive it, and others are embracing the second wave. Globally, there is an urgent need to increase the resilience, capacity, and capability of health-care systems to deal with the current crisis and improve upon the future responses. The epidemiological burden of COVID-19 has led to rapid exhaustion of local response resources and massive disruption to the delivery of care in many countries. Health-care networking and liaison are essential component in disaster management and public health emergencies. It aims to provide logistical support between hospitals; financial support through local or regional governmental and nongovernmental agencies for response; manpower and mechanism for coordination and to implement policies, procedures, and technologies in the event of such crisis. This brief report describes how 4 independent private hospitals in northern India had adopted the principles of health-care networking, pooled their resources, and scaled up 1 of the partner hospitals as Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital (DCH) to treat moderate to severe category of COVID-19 patients. It brings out the importance of a unique coalition between private and public health-care system.

scholarly journals Mental health care for medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Walton ◽  
Esther Murray ◽  
Michael D Christian
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Valuable Resource ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Critical Part ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for society. Supporting the mental health of medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers (staff) is a critical part of the public health response. This paper details the effects on staff and addresses some of the organisational, team and individual considerations for supporting staff (pragmatically) during this pandemic. Leaders at all levels of health care organisations will find this a valuable resource.

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