Overcoming difficult conversations: Training medical professionals to discuss mental health with cancer survivors.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19155-e19155
Author(s):  
Shelby Roberts ◽  
Marti Macchi ◽  
Samaha Hodges ◽  
Ron Goldman ◽  
John Patton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Difficult Conversations ◽  
Control And Prevention

e19155 Background: Cancer survivors have overcome a significant health challenge, and now face the physical, social and emotional effects of surviving cancer. These psychosocial side-effects are often not addressed in the clinic due to time constraints, false perceptions of reimbursement and discomfort toward the subject from both the patient and medial professional. The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kognito Solutions have developed a series of conversation simulations led by virtual human, digital characters to help medical professionals practice these patient interactions. Methods: The simulation was developed after an extensive literature review and interviews with cancer survivors and 12 professionals in oncology and primary care. Scripts were developed that included hundreds of conversation pathways for providers to choose from. Scripts were tested by subject matter experts in clinical psychology, oncology and survivorship. Three video interviews with survivors were included along with a didactic teaching segment to provide instruction to medical professionals participating in the simulation. Results: The resulting learning experience is a self-guided conversation pathway where the medical professional chooses responses to the virtual cancer survivor’s questions guiding the survivor toward a discussion focused on distress. The simulation offers feedback and suggests conversational improvements throughout the process. The simulation is now complete and freely available online. Full rollout and dissemination including CME credits will begin in March. To date,197 distinct users have engaged in the simulation. Users self-reported the simulation was high quality and resulted in them listening more, asking more open-ended questions, and discussing mental health issues routinely with patients. Conclusions: This innovative approach to learning offers an interactive and highly engaging way to practice difficult discussions with patients. Increasing the quality and frequency of mental health screenings with cancer survivors will empower survivors and improve their adherence to other health behaviors reducing the risk of recurrence. Increased use of the simulation after the national rollout will allow a more robust evaluation of future impact on patient mental health and changes in medical practice.

scholarly journals Attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S288-S289
Author(s):  
Brishti Sengupta ◽  
Pritha Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Attitude Shift

AimsTo survey the effect of COVID-19 on mental health of both medical professionals and the general population, as well as attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness.MethodAn online survey comprised of two questionnaires, one for medical professionals and one for the general population, were conducted via social media. Both questionnaires asked respondents of the effect of COVID-19 on their mental health, and the former asked respondents about the effect of COVID-19 on their patient group's mental health. The questionnaires went on to ask respondents about their attitudes to mental health disclosure in various scenarios, to varying groups of people. The general population group was also asked how they would react if someone else disclosed their mental illness to them.ResultThe questionnaire for the medical professionals gained 62 respondents and the one for the general population had 122 respondents, with responses from multiple nations. Overall, COVID-19 has affected everyone's mental health to a degree, and all groups had reservations about disclosing their mental health issues to others. The medical professionals were especially reluctant to disclose mental illness to their patients, but were more comfortable when it came to disclosing mental illness to colleagues. The general population, however, was much more reluctant to disclose mental health issues to their colleagues. The general population were, on the whole, willing to listen to and help anyone who came to them with mental health concerns. Both groups surveyed showed reluctance toward disclosure to the wider community.ConclusionCOVID-19 appears to significantly affect not only physical health, but mental health as well. There is at least some degree of stigma surrounding the disclosure of mental health issues. While most would be happy to help anyone who came to them with their mental health problems, there seems to be an attitude shift when people must contend with mental health issues of their own.

scholarly journals Training-of-Trainers Neuroscience and Mental Health Teacher Education in Liberia Improves Self-Reported Support for Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Brick ◽  
Janice L. Cooper ◽  
Leona Mason ◽  
Sangay Faeflen ◽  
Josiah Monmia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Tier Ii ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Training Of Trainers ◽  
Teacher Mental Health

Education programs have been central to reestablishing social norms, rebuilding public educational institutions, and addressing public attitudes toward mental illness in Liberia following a protracted civil war and the Ebola epidemic. The aim of this study was to determine if a program combining an understanding of neuroscience with mental health literacy content could increase teachers’ awareness of students’ mental health issues and produce changes in teacher attitudes and classroom practices. A tiered Training-of-Trainers approach was employed. The first workshop trained 24 Liberian secondary science teachers in the neurobiology of learning, memory, emotions, stress and adolescent brain development. A Leadership Team formed from eight of the Tier I participants then adapted the curriculum, added in more mental health literacy content and led four Tier II workshops and four follow-up Refresher sessions. Participants completed a neuroscience knowledge test and surveys assessing stigma, general perceptions of people with mental illness, and burnout. A subset of Tier II teachers participated in a structured interview at the Refresher time point. Teachers in both tiers acquired basic neuroscience knowledge. Tier I, but not Tier II teachers significantly improved their surveyed attitudes toward people with mental illness. No changes were found in overall teacher burnout. Despite these survey results, the interviewed Tier II teachers self-reported behavioral changes in how they approached their teaching and students in their classrooms. Interviewees described how they now understood social and emotional challenges students might be experiencing and recognized abnormal behaviors as having a biopsychosocial basis. Teachers reported reduced use of verbal and corporal punishment and increased positive rewards systems, such as social and emotional support for students through building relationships. Refresher discussions concurred with the interviewees. In contrast to previous teacher mental health literacy programs which did not bring about a change in helping behaviors, this pilot program may have been successful in changing teacher knowledge and self-reported behaviors, improving teacher–student relationships and decreasing harsh discipline. The combination of basic neuroscience concepts with training on how to recognize mental health issues and refer students should be investigated further as a strategy to promote teacher mental health literacy.

Rural School-Based Mental Health Services: Parent Perceptions of Needs and Barriers

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
Kimberly Searcey van Vulpen ◽  
Amy Habegar ◽  
Teresa Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Parent Perceptions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Behavioral Issues ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
School Based ◽  
Main Challenge

Abstract The benefits of school-based mental health services have been supported in prior research and literature. Studies have shown that approximately one in five youths in schools today have diagnosable mental health disorders. However, research has identified that close to 70 percent of those youths do not receive the services they need. This gap in care has a significant impact on the academic, social, and emotional well-being of youths. Parent involvement is essential in bridging services. However, parents often face barriers in accessing mental health care for their child. The aim of this study was to explore parent perceptions of needs and barriers to school-based mental health services. This exploratory study included 607 parent and guardian respondents. Findings showed that parents were overwhelmingly in support of schools being involved in addressing the mental health needs of students. Anxiety, depression, and bullying were the top emotional and behavioral issues that parents recognized as the main challenge for their child. Lack of parent support, understanding that mental health issues even exist in youths, and lack of supportive school programs were identified as key factors that place youths at risk of not receiving the services they need.

scholarly journals Facilitating a supportive learning experience: The lecturer's role in addressing mental health issues of university students during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 69-81
Author(s):  
Caroline Heim ◽  
◽  
Christian Heim ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
University Professors ◽  
Mental Health Issues

During COVID-19, rates of mental health issues, particularly anxiety, rose significantly in university students. In the scramble to adapt to online learning, university professors were overwhelmed with material aimed at facilitating a supportive learning experience and preserving student academic performance in online contexts yet were ill-equipped to cope with the increased volume of mental health issues encountered. Many studies attest to the association between poor mental health and academic performance. It has been shown that students often report their mental health issues to university professors who are called upon to cope with these issues as best they can. This paper outlines strategies undertaken, in the context of a novel undergraduate mental health program, to address emergent mental health issues during Covid-19 student isolation. These practical, cost effective interventions can be used to successfully give voice to ongoing student mental health issues in a post-Covid world and to help professors feel equipped and empowered enough to contribute to stemming the tide of rising rates of mental illness meaningfully, appropriately and professionally.

scholarly journals Self-perceived Body Image in Relation to Mental Health of South Korean Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sein Lee ◽  
Hyeyoung Jo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health State ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Body Perception ◽  
South Korean ◽  
School Year ◽  
Control And Prevention

My study is designed to investigate the differences in self-perceived body image in terms of gender and school year, as well as mental health state based on self-perceived body image. For this, I utilized data from the 15th Korean Youth Health Behavior Online Survey (2019), conducted by the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The main questions that I address are whether there is a difference of self-body perception between male and female adolescents, whether there is a difference of self-body perception based on school year, and whether there is a difference of mental health state in terms of self-perceived body image. In terms of self-perceived body image differences between gender, it was the case that more girls categorized themselves as fat than boys. In terms of self-perceived body image differences by school year, older students were more likely to categorize themselves as fat. For differences in mental health issues by self-perceived body image, students who categorized themselves as fat ranked the highest percentages in all mental health problems. Based on these findings, I discussed some implications and limitations as well as suggestions for further research.

scholarly journals Characteristics of people who died by suicide: record review of two and half years from the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
Norbu Norbu ◽  
Chencho Dorji ◽  
Kuenzang Norbu ◽  
Kencho Peldon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Stressful Event ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Gainful Employment ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Social And Emotional Skills ◽  
Low Education ◽  
National Information ◽  
Record Review

Introduction To address the suicide issue in the country, the Royal Government of Bhutan implemented a three year suicide prevention action plan from 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2018. As part of that action plan a national suicide registry was established under the Ministry of Health in January 2016 to collect comprehensive national data on suicide. The purpose of this study is to generate national information on suicide by analysing the suicide cases investigated and reported to suicide registry by the Forensic Department during the first two and half years.  Methodology The study is a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative analysis of the suicide cases investigated by the Forensic Department from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2018. The variables included the characteristics of the suicide victims. Result Majority of the victims were young adults with no or low education and were either unemployed or employed with less income. 56.7% of the victims were women. Majority of them did not have physical illness or disability. About 45% had some form of mental health issues. Majority of them experienced some form of acute stressful event prior to committing suicide. Conclusion Improved socioeconomic conditions through gainful employment, easily accessible mental health services and social support networks as well as population with good social and emotional skills will contribute to prevention of suicide in the country.   

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