scholarly journals Emotional abuse and neglect in a clinical setting: challenges for mental health professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Margaret DeJong ◽  
Simon Wilkinson ◽  
Carmen Apostu ◽  
Danya Glaser
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
The Common

Summary This article addresses some of the common uncertainties and dilemmas encountered by both adult and child mental health workers in the course of their clinical practice when dealing with cases of suspected emotional abuse or neglect (EAN) of children. We suggest ways of dealing with these according to current best practice guidelines and our own clinical experience working in the field of child maltreatment.

scholarly journals Consensus Among International Ethical Guidelines for the Provision of Videoconferencing-Based Mental Health Treatments

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula M Sansom-Daly ◽  
Claire E Wakefield ◽  
Brittany C McGill ◽  
Helen L Wilson ◽  
Pandora Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Special Populations ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Mental Health Treatments

Background Online technologies may reduce barriers to evidence-based mental health care, yet they also create numerous ethical challenges. Recently, numerous professional organizations and expert groups have produced best-practice guidelines to assist mental health professionals in delivering online interventions in an ethically and clinically sound manner. However, there has been little critical examination of these international best-practice guidelines regarding appropriate electronic mental health (e-mental health) service delivery via technologies such as videoconferencing (including Skype), particularly for specific, vulnerable populations. Further, the extent to which concordance exists between these guidelines remains unclear. Synthesizing this literature to provide clear guidance to both mental health professionals and researchers is critical to ensure continued progress in the field of e-mental health. Objective This study aims to review all currently available ethical and best-practice guidelines relating to videoconferencing-delivered mental health treatments in order to ascertain the recommendations for which international consensus could be found. Additionally, this review examines the extent to which each set of guidance addresses several key special populations, including children and young people, and populations living with illness. Methods This systematic review examined guidelines using a two-armed search strategy, examining (1) professional organizations’ published guidance; and (2) MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE for the past ten years. In order to determine consensus for best-practice, a recommendation was considered "firm" if 50% or more of the reviewed guidelines endorsed it and "tentative" if recommended by fewer guidelines than these. The professional guidelines were also scored by two raters using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE-II) criteria. Results In the study, 19 guidelines were included, yielding 11 specific "firm" and a further 123 "tentative-level" recommendations regarding the appropriateness of e-mental health, competence, legal and regulatory issues, confidentiality, consent, professional boundaries, and crisis management. International consensus yielded firm guidance across almost all areas except professional boundaries and some aspects of determining the appropriateness of e-mental health. Few guidelines specifically addressed special populations. Overall guideline quality varied; however, 42% (8/19) of the guidelines scored at least 5 out of 7. Conclusions This synthesis of guidelines provides a foundation for clinicians and researchers utilizing e-mental health worldwide. The lack of specific guidance relating to special populations is an area warranting further attention in order to strengthen mental health professionals’ and researchers’ capacity to ethically and effectively tailor e-mental health interventions to these groups.

Attitudes of Black Clergy toward Mental Health Professionals: Implications for Pastoral Care

1989 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Semantic Differential ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Black Clergy ◽  
The Social

Reports on research in which 27 pastors and 81 parishioners in a Michigan city responded to a Semantic Differential instrument in an attempt to measure attitudes of black clergy toward mental health professionals. Statistical analyses suggest that black clergy tend to hold favorable attitudes toward mental health workers, a propensity running counter to some popular notions. Postulates a variety of possible reasons for the finding and urges additional research to guide cooperate efforts of black clergy and mental health professionals in their common desire to foster the social, spiritual, and psychological well-being of persons in the black community.

scholarly journals Chinese mental health workers’ family-focused practices: a cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Yao ◽  
Lili Guan ◽  
Changchun Zhang ◽  
Yang Pan ◽  
Jinxiang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Psychiatric Nurses ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample

Abstract Background Mental disorders impose heavy burdens on patients’ families and children. It is imperative to provide family-focused services to avoid adverse effects from mental disorders on patients’ families and children. However, implementing such services requires a great deal of involvement of mental health workers. This study investigated the attitudes, knowledge, skills, and practices in respect to family-focused practices (FFP) in a sample of Chinese mental health workers. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed to examine the attitudes, knowledge, skills, and practices of a convenience sample of Chinese mental health workers in respect to FFP, using the Chinese version of the Family-Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire (FFMHPQ). Results In total, 515 mental health workers participated in our study, including 213 psychiatrists, 269 psychiatric nurses, and 34 allied mental health professionals (20 clinical psychologists, 9 mental health social workers, and 4 occupational therapists). Compared with psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists and allied mental health professionals provided more support for families and children of patients with mental illness and were more willing to receive further training in FFP. However, there were no significant differences on knowledge, skills, and confidence across different profession types. After adjusting for demographic and occupational variables, previous training in FFP was positively associated with mental health workers’ knowledge, skills, and confidence about FFP, but not actual support to families and children. Conclusions Professional differences on FFP exist in Chinese mental health workers. Training is needed to engage psychiatrists and other allied workforce in dissemination and implementation of FFP in China.

Referrals from General Practitioners to Psychiatrists and Paramedical Mental Health Professionals

1989 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
The Individual

The literature on referral of patients by GPs to psychiatrists and mental health specialists is examined. Referrals to psychiatrists account for 3% of all those made by GPs, but the individual rates vary widely. The proportion of patients referred to psychiatrists and paramedical mental health workers in general practice is unknown, but probably substantial.

Views of general public, mental health professionals and patients’ relatives about schizophrenia: An Italian multi-centric survey

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 532-532
Author(s):  
A. Fiorillo ◽  
C. De Rosa ◽  
C. Malangone ◽  
M. Luciano ◽  
D. Giacco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Civil Rights ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
General Public ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Italian Population

IntroductionViews on the causes and psychosocial consequences of schizophrenia of the Italian population, patients’ relatives and mental health professionals can influence detection and outcome of these disorders.AimsTo investigate the opinions on schizophrenia in a sample of 614 lay respondents, 465 mental health professionals and 709 key-relatives.MethodsThe survey was conducted in 30 randomly selected geographical areas with the Questionnaire about Opinions on mental illness (QO).ResultsThe results show significant differences among the three groups as regards opinions about patients’ civil rights and social competence of patients with schizophrenia. In particular, the belief that patients’ behaviors are unpredictable is maintained by 18% of mental health workers and by 35% of family members and the general public. As regards causes, 68% of relatives, 20% of mental health workers and 34% of general public believe that schizophrenia is caused by psychosocial factors only. Forty-eight percent of the relatives affirmed that they are fully convinced of the usefulness of pharmacological treatment compared to 28% of professionals and 25% of the Italian population. With respect to civil rights, about half of the relatives is fully convinced that patients with schizophrenia should not have children compared to 17% of mental health workers and to 19% of the general public.ConclusionsThese results underline the need to conduct sensitization campaigns about schizophrenia focused on specific aspects of the disease, such as unpredictability, civil rights and opportunities to recovery of patients, taking into account the target population to which they are addressed.

Attitudes of mental health professionals and lay-people towards involuntary admission and treatment in England and Germany—a questionnaire analysis

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Lepping ◽  
Tilman Steinert ◽  
Ralf-Peter Gebhardt ◽  
Hanns Rüdiger Röttgers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Involuntary Admission ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Lay People ◽  
Legal Frameworks

AbstractObjectivesTo identify attitudes about involuntary admission and treatment in mental health professionals and lay-people and to compare results between England and Germany.MethodThree scenarios of potentially detainable patients were presented to identify attitudes. A questionnaire asked about attitudes towards involuntary admission as well as treatment. A questionnaire analysis was then performed.ResultsThere were similar attitudes towards involuntary admission and treatment between lay-people and mental health professionals with the exception of professionals not actively involved in the detention process. The different legal frameworks between Germany and England did not influence attitudes much. Support for involuntary admission and treatment broadly increased with age.ConclusionsPsychiatrists and other mental health workers are in tune with society with regards to attitudes towards involuntary admission. People involved with mentally ill patients but not in the detention process have negative attitudes towards involuntary admission.

scholarly journals Psychological Capital Qualities and Psychological Well-Being in Australian Mental Health Professionals

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn L. Koller ◽  
Richard E. Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Emotional Coping

<p>The mental health of mental health professionals has not been studied in detail to date, yet the work is stressful and many have left the field. What are the positive qualities that help mental health workers cope with their work and what pressures do they face? The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychological qualities and experiences of 56 Australian mental health professionals and compare these qualities with those of a general working group sample of 78 respondents, in regard to the similarities and differences demonstrated in psychological capital, positive psychological well-being, coping strategies, and mental health (depression, anxiety and stress) characteristics. Results from our online survey showed that the Australian mental health workers in our sample scored significantly higher on positive psychological capital attributes of optimism and goal-directed hope; significantly higher on psychological well-being (especially in valuing personal growth, and environmental mastery); and they scored significantly higher in the ability to use emotional coping effectively. They scored similarly to the general workplace sample on the depression, anxiety and stress scales; and similarly on active coping strategies. Conclusions are that those mental health workers continuing in the profession generally have high psychological well-being, provide a positive environment for their clients through their “psychological capital” emphasising optimism and hope, and they deal with their own pressures through positive emotional coping.</p>

Now they’re listening: involvement in clinical psychology training

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Laura Lea ◽  
Sue Holttum ◽  
Victoria Butters ◽  
Diana Byrne ◽  
Helen Cable ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Psychology ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Service User ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychology Training ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Clinical Psychology Training ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe 2014/2015 UK requirement for involvement of service users and carers in training mental health professionals has prompted the authors to review the work of involvement in clinical psychology training in the university programme. Have the voices of service users and carers been heard? The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe authors update the paper of 2011 in which the authors described the challenges of inclusion and the specific approaches the authors take to involvement. The authors do this in the context of the recent change to UK standards for service user and carer involvement, and recent developments in relation to partnership working and co-production in mental healthcare. The authors describe the work carried out by the authors – members of a service user involvement group at a UK university – to ensure the voices of people affected by mental health difficulties are included in all aspects of training.FindingsCareful work and the need for dedicated time is required to enable inclusive, effective and comprehensive participation in a mental health training programme. It is apparent that there is a group of service users whose voice is less heard: those who are training to be mental health workers.Social implicationsFor some people, involvement has increased. Trainee mental health professionals’ own experience of distress may need more recognition and valuing.Originality/valueThe authors are in a unique position to review a service-user-led project, which has run for 12 years, whose aim has been to embed involvement in training. The authors can identify both achievements and challenges.

Transcultural issues in the dynamics of a Balint clinical reflection group for community mental health workers

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Leggett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Reflection Group ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Community Mental Health Workers

The author presents transcultural issues in the content, process, and group dynamics of consecutive meetings of a Balint clinical reflection group for community mental health workers at Inala, Australia. Balint work and the context and evolution of the group process are briefly described, as is the consultative research methodology. The process of a Balint group meeting is reported in detail, following the author’s consultation with group members. The collaborative work of a culturally diverse team of mental health professionals is examined in the context of discussion of a practitioner–patient relationship in which transcultural, gender, and family conflicts were the focus of affective and cognitive dissonance. For mental health workers engaging with communities of cultural diversity, Balint reflection groups can facilitate insight into cultural countertransferences that adversely affect clinical work. The group served to support the caseworkers’ engagement with patients of different cultures, and provided a safe environment for the creative consideration and exploration in fantasy of the emotional pressures and complex ethical dilemmas related to boundaries in transcultural client–practitioner relationships, including those in which open discussion would otherwise be avoided.

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