scholarly journals Writing letters to patients

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 542-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Thomas

Recent changes in the law and mental health policy have forced psychiatrists and other mental health professionals to review the traditional cloak of secrecy that surrounds record keeping and letter writing. This paper establishes what proportion of patients attending a psychiatric out-patient clinic are interested in receiving letters from their psychiatrist. Those who are interested tend to be better educated, whereas those who are not interested are much more likely to have an ICD–10 diagnosis of schizophrenia. Overall, there appear to be high levels of satisfaction with the nature of the letters received. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the difficulty of engaging people with the most severe and enduring forms of mental health problems as active participants in the process of care.

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Galloway ◽  
Billy Boland ◽  
Gareth Williams

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Baumann

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 676-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah McCue Horwitz ◽  
Amy Storfer-Isser ◽  
Bonnie D. Kerker ◽  
Moira Szilagyi ◽  
Andrew S. Garner ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Fitch ◽  
Robert Chaplin ◽  
Simon Tulloch

Aims and methodTo develop a standardised clinical information form which helps health professionals provide clear and relevant information about individuals who believe mental disorders affect their ability to repay debt and have consented to creditor organisations or money advisors approaching professionals for evidence. The six-question form was evaluated by three stakeholder groups.ResultsOverall, 35 responses were received from creditors/money advisors, 28 from mental health professionals and 29 from service users/carers. All questions scored acceptable levels of clarity and three questions scored acceptable relevance levels. Qualitative data were used to revise questions on the basis of concerns expressed by stakeholders about sharing diagnostic data, providing prognoses, and the risk of creditor misunderstanding.Clinical implicationsThe form is likely to be an acceptable standardised means by which health professionals can elicit information on debt from individuals with mental health problems, for use by creditor organisations or money advisors. The results of a pilot study are awaited.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Eneida Frasheri ◽  
Eris Dhamo

Mental health policy is a major challenge in every government engagement. Human wellbeing is threatened by mental health issue, and this is why it is necessary to position mental health as a health priority (WHO, 2001). The reduction of human and economic cost of mental health problems can be achieved by providing equitable and evidence-based mental healthcare and treatment. In Albania, the organization of mental health policy has experienced changes in the past half century, especially after the 90’s. This was driven by political commitment at national and intergovernmental levels in response to the challenges posed by mental health problems. The purpose of this paper is to analyze, present factors, and circulates what affects and prepossess the adoption of new mental health policy. The methodology used for this paper was based on two main elements. The first was the analyzing of Albanian conceptual framework, which is derived from two grounded elements: policy content and health policy process. The second element involves data collection using semistructured interview (12) with three levels of policy: policymakers, health policy administrator, and mental health care provider. Also, we consulted a wide range of electronic databases before underpinning the research with additional search. This search includes the scanning of a range of websites, reference lists of included studies, the legal mental health framework, and the respective documents. The activities stipulated in the First Component of the South-Eastern European Mental Health Project under the Stability Pact urged the process of a new mental health policy formulation and adoption of mental health legislation stressing human rights of patients. The WHO has influenced the whole mental health policy framework. They have instructed the National Policy Document for the Mental Health and the recpective action plans. In addition, they have supervised the impemention of this Documents and has trained mental health experts at all levels. Albanian policymaker are concerned with having an adequate map of mental health facilities. This is because many of the dedicated program are far way to be reached from persons in need. All policymaker actors are focused on the need for identification. In this trend of increase in the number of persons with mental health problems and their need for a more holistic care, finances has a crucial role to play.


1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
Madeline Drake

Homelessness makes mental health problems worse, but inappropriate housing can be damaging, too. We need to be flexible and supportive in our provision, offering options for both independent and supported housing, and easy transfer between them. Government policy on housing should recognise the importance of individual need, as well as the overall picture.


1987 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Françoise Boudreau

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.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Whiteford ◽  
Bronwyn Macleod ◽  
Elizabeth Leitch

The Health Ministers of all Australian States, Territories and the Commonwealth endorsed National Mental Health Policy in April 1992 [1]. This Policy is intended to set clear direction for the future development of mental health services within Australia. The Policy recognises the high prevalence of mental health problems and mental disorders in the Australian community and the impact of these on consumers, carers, families and society as whole. It also clearly accepts the need to address the problems confronting the promotion of mental health and the provision of mental health services.


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