scholarly journals Mental health of refugees: global perspectives

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 79-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed T. Abou-Saleh ◽  
George N. Christodoulou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Global Solution ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Refugee Crisis ◽  
International Organisations ◽  
Global Perspectives ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Syrian Crisis ◽  
Issue Report

Refugees have high rates of mental health morbidity as a result of conflict. However, their needs for mental healthcare and psychosocial support are often unmet, despite the efforts of professional and humanitarian organisations. The war refugee crisis is a global challenge that needs a global solution. We call on all governments, regional and international organisations to take responsible humanitarian actions to intervene and support people affected by these disasters and for all humanity to unite against the forces of injustice and degradation. The thematic papers in this issue report on the Syrian crisis from a variety of perspectives.

scholarly journals Access to community-based mental healthcare and psychosocial support within a disaster context

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine P O'Hanlon ◽  
Boris Budosan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Clear Vision ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Effects

After a large-scale humanitarian disaster, 30–50% of victims develop moderate or severe psychological distress. Rates of mild and moderate mental disorders increase by 5–10% and severe disorders by 1–2%. Those with such disorders need access to mental healthcare. Primary care clinics are appropriate due to their easy accessibility and the non-stigmatising environment. There is a consensus among experts that the mental health effects of disaster are best addressed by existing services, that is, through capacity building rather than by establishing parallel systems. Mental health interventions in emergencies should begin with a clear vision for the long-term advancement of community services.

scholarly journals The global challenge of providing mental health services in poverty: the situation of Northern Haiti

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Jude Mary Cénat ◽  
Boniface Harerimana ◽  
Guesly Michel ◽  
Sara-Emilie McIntee ◽  
Joana N. Mukunzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Mental Health Centre

When people living in poverty are asked to describe their living conditions, mental health issues quickly come to mind (grief, sadness, anger, fear, bitterness, frustration, discontent, anxiety, and emotional damage consisting of low mood and depression, fatigue, hypersensitivity, sleep difficulties and physical pain). Although the association between poverty and mental health have been widely demonstrated in the literature, care must be taken to avoid the psychiatrization of poverty. However, how can healthcare be provided to people living in poverty when basic needs are not met? This article explores the global challenge of providing mental health services in impoverished populations, using the example of the poorest country in America: Haiti. It examines the availability of services offered through the Mental Health Centre at Morne Pelé, and the necessity for innovative and comprehensive approaches to provide culturally appropriate care that meets the real needs of populations. It highlights effective measures that policy makers should implement to develop an efficient mental healthcare system based on the lessons of the Mental Health Centre at Morne Pelé.

Psychosocial and mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown: A rapid qualitative study in migrant shelters at the Mexico-United States border

Salud Mental ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-175
Author(s):  
Ietza Bojórquez ◽  
Olga Odgers-Ortiz ◽  
Olga L. Olivas-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
The One

Introduction. Migrants could be at increased risk of the psychosocial and mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research is needed to assess their needs and the most useful interventions in this regard. Objective. To describe the mental health consequences of the pandemic and lockdown measures among migrants living in shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, during the COVID-19 pandemic, barriers to mental healthcare during this period, and the key elements of psychosocial support provided by civil society organizations (CSOs), as described by shelters’ staff. Method. In April-May 2020, we conducted a rapid qualitative study through interviews with persons providing services at eight migrant shelters, complementing the information with data from an ongoing ethnographic project. We situated the results within the levels of the United Nations’ Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) pyramid of psychosocial and mental health support. Results. In addition to fear of contagion and economic insecurity, migrants experienced emotional distress associated with hardening migration policies, and the difficulties of having to find shelter in place in non-private spaces. Some CSOs continued or adapted previous psychosocial support activities, helping migrants navigate these issues, but other activities stopped amidst physical distancing measures and because of limited resources. Migrants themselves implemented some group activities. There was a surge of civil society initiatives of online support, but some shelters laeked the technological and other resources to benefit from them. Discussion and conclusion. Migrants require a tailor made response to their mental health needs in the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the one provided by CSOs.

scholarly journals Reducing coercion in mental healthcare

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 605-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Sashidharan ◽  
Roberto Mezzina ◽  
Dainius Puras
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Coercive Care ◽  
Urgent Action

AbstractAimsTo examine the extent and nature of coercive practices in mental healthcare and to consider the ethical, human rights challenges facing the current clinical practices in this area. We consider the epidemiology of coercion in mental health and appraise the efficacy of attempts to reduce coercion and make specific recommendations for making mental healthcare less coercive and more consensual.MethodsWe identified references through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL Plus. Search was limited to articles published from January 1980 to May 2018. Searches were carried out using the terms mental health (admission or detain* or detention or coercion) and treatment (forcible or involuntary or seclusion or restraint). Articles published during this period were further identified through searches in the authors' personal files and Google Scholar. Articles resulting from searches and relevant references cited in those articles were reviewed. Articles and reviews of non-psychiatric population, children under 16 years, and those pertaining exclusively to people with dementia were excluded.ResultsCoercion in its various guises is embedded in mental healthcare. There is very little research in this area and the absence of systematic and routinely collected data is a major barrier to research as well as understanding the nature of coercion and attempts to address this problem. Examples of good practice in this area are limited and there is hardly any evidence pertaining to the generalisability or sustainability of individual programmes. Based on the review, we make specific recommendations to reduce coercive care. Our contention is that this will require more than legislative tinkering and will necessitate a fundamental change in the culture of psychiatry. In particular, we must ensure that clinical practice never compromises people's human rights. It is ethically, clinically and legally necessary to address the problem of coercion and make mental healthcare more consensual.ConclusionAll forms of coercive practices are inconsistent with human rights-based mental healthcare. This is global challenge that requires urgent action.

scholarly journals Greece and the refugee crisis: mental health context

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 89-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
George N. Christodoulou ◽  
Mohammed T. Abou-Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Southern Europe ◽  
Refugee Crisis ◽  
Refugee Mental Health ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Rich Countries ◽  
The Church

The recent influx of refugees and immigrants to Greece has coincided with the ongoing and deteriorating financial crisis. This situation does not allow the Greek authorities to provide help to the desired extent. Yet, the church, local communities, medical societies and non-governmental organisations are offering good psychosocial support. In parallel with support for refugees it is important to provide support for the citizens of the host country. The rich countries of northern Europe should help the poorer countries of southern Europe cope with the refugees. A number of important declarations on refugee mental health and related issues have been produced recently, including the Anti-war Declaration of Athens.

scholarly journals Nurses' Coping Mechanisms in a Mental Health Establishment

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keorapetse Molehabangwe ◽  
Leepile Alfred Sehularo ◽  
Abel Jacobus Pienaar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Contextual Design ◽  
North West Province ◽  
Data Saturation

The aim of this study was to explore and to describe nurses’ coping mechanisms in a mental health establishment in the North West province of South Africa so as to improve the methods of how they manage stressful situations in their care for mental healthcare users. A qualitative-explorative-descriptive and contextual design was followed to deal with the researcher’s concern. The target population included all categories of nurses who are caring for mental healthcare users in a mental health establishment in the North West province. Participants were selected purposively based on a set of selection criteria. The size of the sample was determined by data saturation which was reached after interviewing 10 nurses. Information obtained was transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, dependability, transferability and confirmability techniques. The findings of the study revealed four main themes, namely psychosocial support, coaching and mentoring, stakeholder support, and suggestions for improving nurses’ coping mechanisms. From the findings of the study, recommendations were made for the nursing practice, education and research.

The EPA Guidance Project: Guidance for Mental Healthcare in Europe

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
I. Großimlinghaus ◽  
J. Zielasek ◽  
W. Gaebel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Graduate Training ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
World Health ◽  
Post Graduate Training ◽  
Health Organization

Summary Background: The development of guidelines is an important and common method to assure and improve quality in mental healthcare in European countries. While guidelines have to fulfill predefined criteria such as methodological accuracy of evidence retrieval and assessment, and stakeholder involvement, the development of guidance was not standardized yet. Aim: In 2008, the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) initiated the EPA Guidance project in order to provide guidance in the field of European psychiatry and related fields for topics that are not dealt with by guideline developers – for instance due to lack of evidence or lack of funding. The first three series of EPA Guidance deal with diverse topics that are relevant to European mental healthcare, such as quality assurance for mental health services, post-graduate training in mental healthcare, trust in mental health services and mental health promotion. Results: EPA Guidance recommendations address current and future challenges for European psychiatry. They are developed in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) European Mental Health Action Plan.

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