scholarly journals Anxious and depressed women's experiences of emotional suffering and help seeking in a Rio de Janeiro favela

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Athié ◽  
Christopher Dowrick ◽  
Alice Lopes do Amaral Menezes ◽  
Luanda Cruz ◽  
Ana Cristina Lima ◽  
...  

Abstract Taking into consideration issues such as stigma and the mental health gap, this study explores narratives of anxious and depressed women treated in a community-based primary care service in a Rio de Janeiro favela about their suffering and care. We analysed 13 in-depth interviews using questions from Kadam's study. Framework analysis studied Access, Gateway, Trust, Psychosocial Issues, and Primary Mental Health Care, as key-concepts. Vulnerability and accessibility were the theoretical references. Thematic analysis found “suffering category”, highlighting family and community problems, and “help seeking category”, indicating how these women have coped with their emotional problems and addressed their needs through health services, community resources and self-help. Women's language patterns indicated links between implicit social rules and constraints to talk about suffering, especially if related to local violence. High medical turnover and overload are barriers for establishing a positive relationship with family physicians and continuity of care is a facilitator that promotes trust, security and adherence. Concluding, to plan community-based primary mental health care of this population, cultural and social factors must be comprehended as well as the work health teams conditions.

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennart Reifels ◽  
Bridget Bassilios ◽  
Matthew J. Spittal ◽  
Kylie King ◽  
Justine Fletcher ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo examine patterns and predictors of primary mental health care service use following 2 major Australian natural disaster events.MethodsUtilizing data from a national minimum dataset, descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to identify levels and predictors of the use of the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program over a 2-year period following 2 major Australian bushfire and flood/cyclone disasters.ResultsThe bushfire disaster resulted in significantly greater and more enduring ATAPS service volume, while service delivery for both disasters peaked in the third quarter. Consumers affected by bushfires (IRR 1.51, 95% CI 1.20–1.89), diagnosed with depression (IRR 2.57, 95% CI 1.60-4.14), anxiety (IRR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21-3.49), or both disorders (IRR 2.15, 95% CI 1.35-3.42) utilized treatment at higher rates.ConclusionsThe substantial demand for primary mental health care services following major natural disasters can vary in magnitude and trajectory with disaster type. Disaster-specific ATAPS services provide a promising model to cater for this demand in primary care settings. Disaster type and need-based variables as drivers of ATAPS use intensity indicate an equitable level of service use in line with the program intention. Established service usage patterns can assist with estimating capacity requirements in similar disaster circumstances. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness.2015;9:275-282)


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e039858
Author(s):  
Sithum Munasinghe ◽  
Andrew Page ◽  
Haider Mannan ◽  
Shahana Ferdousi ◽  
Brendan Peek

ObjectivesRecommendations of the recent mental health reforms provided an opportunity to implement regional approaches to service provision through Primary Health Networks. This study is designed to identify the determinants of sociodemographic, diagnostic and referral-level factors and first treatment session non-attendance among those referred to primary mental health care (PMHC) services in Western Sydney, Australia.DesignThis study used routinely collected retrospective PMHC data between July 2016 and December 2018.SettingThe study was based on a geographical catchment that covers four local government areas of Blacktown, Parramatta, Cumberland and Hills Shire in Western Sydney, Australia.ParticipantsAll individuals 5 years of age or older referred to PMHC services.Primary outcome measureFirst treatment session non-attendance, following a referral to receive psychological treatments.ResultsThere were 9158 referrals received for 8031 clients, with 1769 (19.32%) referrals resulting in non-attendance to the first treatment session. Those with younger age (ORs ranging from 1.63 to 1.92), substance use (OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.06), poor English proficiency (OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.20), lower socioeconomic status (OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.83), psychotropic medication use (OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.36), and a referral by a social worker (OR=2.04, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.05), allied health (OR=1.49, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.16) or other professional (OR=1.72, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.29) were associated with a higher likelihood of first treatment session non-attendance. Those with a risk of suicide, who mainly speak a language other than English, and a previous use of PMHC services were more likely to attend their first treatment session.ConclusionYouth-specific treatment approaches, behavioural engagement strategies, facilitation of transport services for those live in deprived regions and improvements in capacity for mental health training among allied health professionals are areas of focus for primary care service and policy responses.


2021 ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
E.V. Rezun ◽  
◽  
H.R. Slobodskaya ◽  
N.B. Semenova ◽  
T.O. Rippinen ◽  
...  

The mental health problems among adolescents have long-lasting effects throughout life. However, research evidence indicates that only 10–30% of adolescents who needed mental health care had received specialized help. The present study reports the prevalence of mental health problems and help-seeking among adolescents, taking into account gender and age differences. The sample included 1752 adolescents (47 % boys,) aged 12-17 years. Data were collected on in two Siberian cities (Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk) using an international self-report questionnaire developed for the school-based Eurasian Child Mental Health Study. Participants were recruited from 18 schools, students completed questionnaires anonymously during school lessons. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple regression analysis, and crosstabs using a chi-squared test. The level of emotional and behavioral problems in Siberian adolescents was slightly higher than that found in European and Asian countries. Twenty three percent of adolescents reported frequent headaches (at least once a week), 11 % reported frequent abdominal pain and 14% suffered from frequent sleep disturbances (3–5 times a week or more). Girls reported a significantly higher level of problems than boys, with the largest gender differences for emotional problems, recurrent pains and sleep disturbances. Weekly consumption of alcohol and daily use of nicotine among boys was more common than among girls (3 % and 6 %, respectively), whereas less frequent use of alcohol and nicotine was commoner in girls (16 %) than in boys (10 %); 7 % of boys and girls had tried drugs at least once. Suicidal thoughts were reported by 22 % of adolescents, 6 % reported suicide attempts and 6 % reported repeated self-harm. One third of adolescents considered seeking outside help and 9 % had actually done so. Girls reported more help-seeking than boys; older girls sought help more often than younger and middle-aged ones. Around one third of adolescents sought help from their relatives; 26 % from friends, the Internet or other non-professional sources; 5 % reported seeking help from a doctor or nurse, and 3 % from a psychologist. The most important independent predictors of seeking help were emotional symptoms, suicidal ideation and hyperactivity/inattention. The results suggest a need for future investigation of the factors associated with help-seeking behavior among adolescents. It is also necessary to develop mental health promotion programs for adolescents, interventions to improve mental health literacy and access to mental health care.


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