Smoking cessation and serious mental illness

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (5) ◽  
pp. 11-13
Author(s):  
Graham Cope

Graham Cope explains how people with mental health conditions can be encouraged to quit smoking

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinsong Chen ◽  
Joanna Ting Wai Chu ◽  
Samantha Marsh ◽  
Chris Bullen

Abstract Background: Despite decades of global tobacco control efforts, tobacco smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease, death and inequality. Smoking is particularly common in people with mental health conditions. Smartphone apps have been developed as an accessible and affordable tool to support smokers with mental health conditions to quit smoking. However, limited data exists regarding the extent to which these apps are underpinned by evidence from research. Methods: We searched for apps designed to assist smokers with mental health conditions to quit smoking, in two ways: one, from the scientific literature, and two, directly from app stores. For the apps found in app store searches, we determined the extent to which they drew on theories or empirical research evidence for their design, their features, and claims of effectiveness. We assessed and compared usage and rating scores for all apps.Results: The literature search identified eight articles with five apps that were developed based on theories or empirical research evidence. Only two of these apps were available from an app store. Conversely, among the 22 apps found in the major app stores, only nine (41%) were built using theories or research evidence. All apps identified from app stores achieved far larger user numbers (minimum download rate = 1,000 times) and higher user rating scores (average 4.7 out of 5.0) than the apps identified in the literature search (user rating scores average 3.75). Conclusions: In general, smokers with mental health conditions are poorly served by available smoking cessation apps. Most apps developed using theories or empirical evidence are poorly used and have limited longevity. Researchers should plan for ongoing support of research-based apps, beyond the life of the research project. Developers should work in collaboration with researchers to build apps that combine theory and evidence with more engaging end-user design features.


2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Campion ◽  
Ken Checinski ◽  
Jo Nurse

This article reviews the current literature regarding treatments for smoking cessation in both the general population and in those with mental health problems. The gold-standard treatment for the general population is pharmacotherapy (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or varenicline) coupled with individual or group psychological support. This is also effective in helping people with mental illness to reduce or quit smoking, but care must be taken to avoid adverse medication interactions and to monitor antipsychotic medication in particular as cigarette consumption reduces.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-89
Author(s):  
Hyun-Jin Jun ◽  
Jordan E DeVylder ◽  
Lisa Fedina

Abstract Police violence is reportedly common among those diagnosed with mental disorders characterized by the presence of psychotic symptoms or pronounced emotional lability. Despite the perception that people with mental illness are disproportionately mistreated by the police, there is relatively little empirical research on this topic. A cross-sectional general population survey was administered online in 2017 to 1,000 adults in two eastern U.S. cities to examine the relationship between police violence exposure, mental disorders, and crime involvement. Results from hierarchical logistic regression and mediation analyses revealed that a range of mental health conditions are broadly associated with elevated risk for police violence exposure. Individuals with severe mental illness are more likely than the general population to be physically victimized by police, regardless of their involvement in criminal activities. Most of the excess risk of police violence exposure related to common psychiatric diagnoses was explained by confounding factors including crime involvement. However, crime involvement may necessitate more police contact, but does not necessarily justify victimization or excessive force (particularly sexual and psychological violence). Findings support the need for adequate training for police officers on how to safely interact with people with mental health conditions, particularly severe mental illness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-269
Author(s):  
Jennifer Lynn Ostrowski ◽  
Ashley Gray ◽  
Ellen K. Payne ◽  
David Wilkenfeld ◽  
James R. Scifers

Context Mental health is a significant issue in the United States, with approximately 18.5% of adults and 22% of adolescents having a diagnosable mental illness. Athletic trainers are in a prime position to recognize signs of mental health illness in their patients and to facilitate referral to a mental health professional. Objective To introduce interactive approaches for developing mental health first aid and referral skills in professional athletic training students. Background Although the 2020 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education curricular content standards require programs to educate students about identification and referral for mental health conditions, the standards do not provide specific suggestions for instructing this content. Description Three educational activities have been implemented into the curriculum: an exploratory counseling session, Mental Health First Aid certification, and a standardized patient encounter. Clinical Advantage(s) The exploratory counseling session improves athletic training students' empathy for individuals living with mental illness. The Mental Health First Aid curriculum has been shown to raise awareness of mental health conditions and positively influence the number of people who receive professional help. Standardized patient scenarios have been shown to increase critical thinking and confidence with mental health cases and to increase knowledge in mental health assessment. Conclusion(s) Students' reflections support that these components have increased their competence and confidence in recognizing, intervening, and making referrals for individuals with suspected mental health concerns.


10.2196/19860 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. e19860
Author(s):  
Minda A Gowarty ◽  
Nathan J Kung ◽  
Ashley E Maher ◽  
Meghan R Longacre ◽  
Mary F Brunette

Background Young adults with serious mental illness are over twice as likely to have tobacco use disorder than those in the general population and are less likely to utilize proven treatment methods during quit attempts. However, little research has evaluated the efficacy of interventions for this group. Smartphone apps may be an underutilized tool for tobacco use disorder among young adults with serious mental illness. Objective The aim of this study was to explore attitudes toward smoking cessation apps and preferences regarding app design in young adult smokers with serious mental illness. Methods Five focus groups involving 25- to 35-year-old adults with serious mental illness receiving treatment at a community mental health center were conducted between May 2019 and August 2019. Three researchers independently coded transcripts and identified themes using thematic analysis. Results Participants (n=22) were individuals who smoke daily: 10 (46%) self-identified as female, 18 (82%) self-identified as White, and 9 (41%) had psychotic disorders. Key themes that emerged included a general interest in using health apps; a desire for apps to provide ongoing motivation during a quit attempt via social support, progress tracking, and rewards; a desire for apps to provide distraction from smoking; concerns about app effectiveness due to a lack of external accountability; and concerns that apps could trigger cravings or smoking behavior by mentioning cigarettes or the act of smoking. Conclusions Apps have the potential to support smoking cessation or reduction efforts among young adults with serious mental illness. However, they may require tailoring, optimization, and clinical support to effectively promote cessation in this population.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn C. Holley ◽  
Natasha S. Mendoza ◽  
Melissa M. Del-Colle ◽  
Marquita Lynette Bernard

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 128-129
Author(s):  
Karen Fortuna

Abstract Middle-aged and older adults with mental health conditions have a high likelihood of experiencing comorbid physical health conditions, premature nursing home admissions, and early death compared with the general population of middle-aged and older adults. An emerging workforce of certified older adult peer support specialists aged 50 years or above is one of the fastest growing mental health workforces and may be a suitable community-based workforce to simultaneously support the mental health, physical health, and aging needs of middle-aged and older adults with a serious mental illness. Older adult peer support specialists are people with a lived experience of aging into middle age and older adulthood with a mental health condition. This presentation will present three single-arm pilot studies examining how certified older adult peer support specialists’ incorporate technology, including text messaging, ecological momentary assessments, and smartphone applications into practice and clinical outcomes among older adults with serious mental illness.


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