scholarly journals E-Mental health in Pakistan: a pilot study of training and supervision in child psychiatry using the internet

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 149-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Rahman ◽  
Asad Nizami ◽  
Aisha Minhas ◽  
Rashda Niazi ◽  
Munir Slatch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Brain Drain ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk

The ‘brain drain’, resulting from the recruitment by the UK of highly qualified mental health professionals from middle- and low-income countries, has been described as a serious problem effecting the service provision, training and research capacity of these countries (Doku & Mallett, 2003; Thara et al, 2004). Although this issue is important, the benefits of such migration are seldom highlighted. Professionals who migrate often invest in families and businesses in their home country and are a source of valuable foreign income. Many professionals undergo specialised training and gain experience not available in their home countries and then return to provide an enhanced level of service (Tareen, 2000). Such movement may also serve a catalytic purpose. An example of a sector that has gained enormously from the so-called brain drain is information technology in India, which is built largely around expatriates in the USA and their networks back home. The high profile of Indian information technology experts has encouraged a whole new generation to pursue excellence in this field.

scholarly journals Barriers and opportunities for refugee mental health services: clinician recommendations from Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majd Al-Soleiti ◽  
Mahmoud Abu Adi ◽  
Ayat Nashwan ◽  
Eric Rafla-Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Jordan has received more than three million refugees from bordering countries during times of conflict, including over 600 000 Syrian refugees between 2011 and 2021. Amidst this humanitarian crisis, a new mental health system for Syrian refugees has developed in Jordan, with most clinical services administered through non-governmental organizations. Prior studies have identified increased risk of psychiatric disorders in refugee populations and significant barriers for Syrian refugees seeking mental health treatment, but few have reviewed the organization or ability of local systems to meet the needs of this refugee population. Methods Qualitative interviews of mental health professionals working with refugees in Jordan were conducted and thematically analyzed to assess efficacy and organizational dynamics. Results Interviewees described barriers to care inherent in many refugee settings, including financial limitations, shortages of mental health professionals, disparate geographic accessibility, stigma, and limited or absent screening protocols. Additional barriers not previously described in Jordan were identified, including clinician burnout, organizational metrics restricting services, insufficient visibility of services, and security restrictions. Advantages of the Jordanian system were also identified, including a receptive sociopolitical response fostering coordination and collaboration, open-door policies for accessing care, the presence of community and grassroots approaches, and improvements to health care infrastructure benefiting the local populace. Conclusions These findings highlight opportunities and pitfalls for program development in Jordan and other middle- and low-income countries. Leveraging clinician input can promote health system efficacy and improve mental health outcomes for refugee patients.

scholarly journals The multiplier role of psychiatrists in low income settings

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Kigozi ◽  
J. Ssebunnya
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Wide Range

Mental health care is receiving increased attention in low-income countries with the availability of a wide range of effective evidence-based treatments for acute and chronic mental disorders amidst scarce resources. Availability of these treatments and competent human resources enables the use of a variety of interventions at several levels of care for persons with mental illness and makes it feasible to ensure observance of quality in the treatment approaches that go beyond institutionalisation. However, unlike developed countries which are endowed with many and relatively well-paid mental health specialists, low-income countries face a dire shortage of highly trained mental health professionals in addition to several other challenges. In light of this, there is need to re-assess the role of the few available psychiatrists, with a shift to new core tasks such as designing mental health care programmes that can be delivered by non-specialists, building their health system's capacity for delivering care, including supporting front-line health workers through support supervision, raising awareness on mental health and patients’ rights in addition to promoting essential research. This requires a fundamental paradigm shift from the current training for mental health specialists to a public health oriented approach and providing incentives for community engagement.

scholarly journals The therapeutic power of volunteering

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colette Fegan ◽  
Sarah Cook
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
List Type ◽  
Paid Work ◽  
Type Number ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk

SummaryThere is growing evidence from smaller evaluative studies in the USA and anecdotal papers in the UK that supported volunteering can help recovery and can be a pathway into paid work for people with serious and fluctuating mental health conditions. It allows the person to take risks and test out a working environment. This opportunity can integrate their experience of mental illness into a valued identity and provides opportunities to engage with a world of work. We recommend that mental health professionals consider ways of providing volunteering opportunities as part of a recovery-oriented service within their organisations.LEARNING OBJECTIVESAppreciate the benefits patients gain from volunteering.Understand the principles of a supported volunteering scheme.Appreciate the potential value to the patient of volunteering within health and social care settings.

scholarly journals A North–South-South partnership in higher education to develop health research capacity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the challenge of finding a common language

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Horwood ◽  
Sphindile Mapumulo ◽  
Lyn Haskins ◽  
Vaughn John ◽  
Silondile Luthuli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Nutritional Epidemiology ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
English Speaking

Abstract Background Globally, increasing numbers of higher education institutions (HEIs) in non-English-speaking countries have adopted English as a medium of instruction (EMI), because of the perception that this provides opportunities to attract high-calibre students and academic staff, and engage with the international research community. We report an evaluation of a North–South-South collaboration to develop health research capacity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology at the Kinshasa School of Public Health (KSPH), where EMI was adopted. We report experiences and perceptions of stakeholders, facilitators and students about using EMI. Methods In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted between October and December 2019 among convenience sampled stakeholders (8), facilitators (11) and students (12) involved in the programme from all three partner institutions (University of Kinshasa; University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; University of Bergen, Norway). Interviews were conducted in participants’ language of preference (English or French), audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English when required. Analysis employed a thematic approach. Results Most participants viewed EMI positively, reporting that studying in English created opportunities to access relevant literature, improve interactions with the scientific community and advance their careers. As a result of adopting EMI, some students had opportunities to present research findings at international conferences and publish their research in English. English-speaking researchers from partner institutions were able to participate in supervision of students’ research. However, inadequate English competency, particularly among students, was challenging, with some students reporting being unable to understand or interact in class, which negatively affected their academic performance. Further, EMI created barriers at KSPH among academic staff who were not proficient in English, leading to poor participation among non-English-speaking staff and lack of integration with other postgraduate programmes. Participants suggested additional English language support for EMI. Conclusion Partnerships between HEIs could be a powerful tool to develop research capacity in low-income countries in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. EMI could be a solution to language barriers faced by many such partnerships, but wide-ranging support to develop English proficiency among staff and students is essential to ensure that the challenges do not outweigh the benefits.

Self-inflicted injuries: The intersection of mental health and traumatic injury in Malawi

2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552110131
Author(s):  
Brittney M Williams ◽  
Linda Kayange ◽  
Laura Purcell ◽  
Jared Gallaher ◽  
Anthony Charles
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Trauma Registry ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Intentional Injury ◽  
Fall From Height

Self-inflicted injury, the most common form of intentional injury, disproportionately affects low-income countries, but is poorly described in this setting. This retrospective review of the 2008–2018 trauma registry at a referral hospital in Malawi included all victims of intentional injury ≥10 years. Self-inflicted injuries were compared to assaults. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Common mechanisms of self-inflicted injuries were fall from height, poisoning, and penetrating injury. In-hospital mortality from self-inflicted injury was 8.8% vs. 1.9% for assault. Those who died from self-inflicted injury were more often older (median 34 vs. 26 years, p < 0.001), male (91.9% vs. 67.8%, p < 0.001), unemployed (32.8% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.001), and most commonly died by hanging (60%). The odds of in-hospital mortality after self-inflicted injury was four times assault (OR 4.0 [95% CI 1.4–11.5], p = 0.01). The trauma registry proved useful for describing self-inflicted injury in this setting.

scholarly journals Rates and predictors of uptake of mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of 26,720 adults in the UK in lockdown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifei Bu ◽  
Hei Wan Mak ◽  
Daisy Fancourt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Social Study ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Purpose The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a great strain on people’s mental health. A growing number of studies have shown worsening mental health measures globally during the pandemic. However, there is a lack of empirical study on how people support their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine a number of formal and informal mental health support. Further, it explored factors that might be associated with the use of different types mental health support. Methods Data from 26,720 adults in the UCL COVID-19 Social Study were analysed between 13th April 2020 and 3rd July 2020. Data were analysed using logistic and Poisson regression models. Results About 45% of people reported talking to friends or family members to support their mental health, 43% engaging in self-care activities, 20% taking medication, 9% speaking to mental health professionals, 8% talking to a GP or other health professional, and another 8% using helpline or online services. Gender, education, living status, loneliness, pre-existing mental health conditions, general depression and anxiety, coping and personality were found to be associated with the use of mental health support. Conclusion While the negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are inevitable, people can play an active role in managing their mental health. Understanding the patterns and predictors of various kinds of mental health support during the pandemic is crucial for future service planning and delivery through recognising potential barriers to mental health care faced by certain groups.

scholarly journals Three models of community mental health services In low-income countries

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Cohen ◽  
Julian Eaton ◽  
Birgit Radtke ◽  
Christina George ◽  
Bro Manuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Mental Health Services ◽  
Low Income Countries

The Challenges Facing Mental Health Programs for Post-Conflict and Refugee Communities

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derrick Silove
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Displaced Persons ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Post Conflict

AbstractThe majority of refugees and communities exposed to warfare and oppression live in low-income countries with few resources or special skills. Yet, epidemiological studies have identified high levels of traumatic stress reactions in such populations. These stress reactions can be intensified by harsh policies aimed at deterring survivors from seeking refuge in technologically advanced societies. The scale of the problem of mass violence and displacement creates formidable challenges for mental health professionals in their efforts to develop practical frameworks for responding to the extensive needs of displaced persons. In this article, a model is proposed for low-income, post-conflict countries, based on a two-tiered formulation. At the eco-social level, mental health professionals can play a supportive, but not a lead, role in facilitating recovery of core adaptive systems that hasten natural recovery from stress for the majority of the population. Where small-scale, community mental health services are established, the emphasis should be on assisting persons and their families who are at greatest survival and adaptive risk. Training and promotion of local workers to assume leadership in such programs are essential. In technologically advanced societies in which refugees are in a minority, torture and trauma services can focus more specifically on traumatic stress reactions, acculturation, and resettlement. In a historical epoch in which displaced persons are facing particularly harsh treatment, there is a pressing need for consensus amongst mental health professionals in advocating for their needs.

scholarly journals Enhancing resilience to coastal flooding from severe storms in the USA: international lessons

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1357-1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren M. Lumbroso ◽  
Natalie R. Suckall ◽  
Robert J. Nicholls ◽  
Kathleen D. White
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Coastal Flooding ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Coastal Hazards ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Abstract. Recent events in the USA have highlighted a lack of resilience in the coastal population to coastal flooding, especially amongst disadvantaged and isolated communities. Some low-income countries, such as Cuba and Bangladesh, have made significant progress towards transformed societies that are more resilient to the impacts of cyclones and coastal flooding. To understand how this has come about, a systematic review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature related to resilience of communities to coastal flooding was undertaken in both countries. In both Cuba and Bangladesh the trust between national and local authorities, community leaders and civil society is high. As a consequence evacuation warnings are generally followed and communities are well prepared. As a result over the past 25 years in Bangladesh the number of deaths directly related to cyclones and coastal flooding has decreased, despite an increase of almost 50 % in the number of people exposed to these hazards. In Cuba, over the course of eight hurricanes between 2003 and 2011, the normalized number of deaths related to cyclones and coastal floods was an order of magnitude less than in the USA. In low-income countries, warning systems and effective shelter/evacuation systems, combined with high levels of disaster risk-reduction education and social cohesion, coupled with trust between government authorities and vulnerable communities can help to increase resilience to coastal hazards and tropical cyclones. In the USA, transferable lessons include improving communication and the awareness of the risk posed by coastal surges, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into the education system and building trusted community networks to help isolated and disadvantaged communities, and improve community resilience.

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