Counseling Military Veterans: Advocating for Culturally Competent and Holistic Interventions

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Carrola ◽  
Marilyn Corbin-Burdick
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Culturally Competent ◽  
Unique Nature

The large number of military personnel returning from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with symptoms of mental illness has led to increased focus on specialized veteran mental health treatment and posttraumatic stress disorder. While this focus is both beneficial and warranted, it may lead to a myopic view of the experiences and needs of veterans. This article examines the responsibility of mental health professionals to balance the unique nature of veterans' experiences with their individual diversity rather than viewing them or their experiences through a strictly pathological lens. Failing to take a holistic approach to counseling each veteran may inadvertently stigmatize veterans as a group. The value of wellness counseling and the risks of over-pathologizing symptoms underscore the need to take a more diverse approach to counseling veterans and assist them with reintegration into their communities.

Specialist mental health treatment in general practice: a meta-analysis

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 711-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Balestrieri ◽  
Paul Williams ◽  
Greg Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Practice Setting ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
General Practice Setting

SynopsisA meta-analysis of studies was carried out to compare treatment by specialist mental health professionals in the general practice setting and ‘usual GP treatment ’. Overall, treatment by specialist mental health professionals had a 10% greater success rate.

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 Primary health professionals’ beliefs, experiences, and willingness to treat minor attracted persons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Lievesley ◽  
Helen Swaby ◽  
Craig A. Harper ◽  
Ellie Woodward
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Treatment Priorities

There is a desire and need among minor attracted persons (MAPs) to access support within the community, and this often begins with an approach to healthcare providers working in general medical/mental health settings. However, little is known about the experiences of these non-specialist professionals in relation to their beliefs, knowledge, and decision-making processes when working with patients who disclose sexual attractions to children. Using an online survey, this study explored the knowledge, comfort, competence, and treatment willingness of 220 non-specialist healthcare providers when faced with patients who disclose sexual attractions to children. We investigated the prevalence of these disclosures, clinician stigma, treatment priorities, and professionals’ willingness to report MAPs to external agencies because of their sexual attractions. Some key differences were found when comparing primary medical vs mental health professionals, including increased likelihood to view MAPs as dangerous, unable to control behaviors and that sexual attractions are an avoidable choice, in the former group. Both groups prioritized mental health treatment targets above controlling attractions and living with stigmatized attractions, although controlling or changing attractions were still relatively high priorities. Results indicated a need for further training, focusing on increasing comfort around working with MAPs, as this was associated with a greater willingness to work with this group. We identify current gaps in service provision for MAPs seeking professional support and discuss recommendations for professional training.

Delivering Psychological Services to Religious and Spiritual Clients

2019 ◽  
pp. 145-162
Author(s):  
Gina Magyar-Russell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Psychological Services ◽  
Religion And Spirituality ◽  
Culturally Competent ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Beliefs And Practices

Spiritual and religious beliefs and practices in the United States are becoming increasingly diverse. This chapter reviews some of the fundamental problems and obstacles to providing culturally competent and compassionate mental health care to religious and spiritual clients, highlights the recent progress that has been made toward better serving the mental health needs of these clients, and provides a summary of best practices and future directions. Although religious and spiritual individuals continue to be underserved, there is increasing consensus among mental health professionals that religion and spirituality represent important cultural and clinical dimensions associated with treatment outcomes. As such, the field continues to work toward narrowing the gap in service delivery for religious and spiritual individuals seeking psychotherapy.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Vicarious Trauma in Mental Health Professionals

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. e25-e31 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Finklestein ◽  
E. Stein ◽  
T. Greene ◽  
I. Bronstein ◽  
Z. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Vicarious Trauma ◽  
Stress Disorder

scholarly journals Enhancing the Capacity of the Australian Health Care Workforce to Support Veterans’ Mental Health: A Collaborative Interdisciplinary Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 185 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 499-505
Author(s):  
Chris Gibbs ◽  
Barbara Murphy ◽  
Kate Hoppe ◽  
Patricia Clarke ◽  
Deepika Ratnaike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mental Health Workforce ◽  
Veteran Mental Health

Abstract Introduction Military personnel and veterans can have higher rates of mental health problems than the general population, but are no more likely to receive appropriate mental health care. A lack of experience among Australia’s mental health workforce in treating veteran-specific issues has been identified, pointing to a need for strategies to strengthen the workforce capacity. To this end, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs joined with the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) to produce and deliver a series of veteran-specific webinars for health professionals working with military personnel, veterans and their families. Materials and Method Five webinars were produced and delivered between August 2016 and July 2017. Each involved a panel of health professionals with content expertise and was facilitated by a nationally recognized expert in veteran mental health. Each webinar was evaluated using an online survey to address whether learning needs were achieved, likely improvements to work practice, and improvements in knowledge of and confidence in treating veteran mental health issues. Results Of the 5,127 attendees across the five webinars, registration data was collected for 4,809 (94%) and post-webinar data for 3,334 (70%) of registrants. Of these, over 90% indicated that their learning objectives were achieved, that the content was relevant to their practice, and that their work practices would be improved as a result of their participation. Further, almost three quarters reported increased knowledge and skills, and two-thirds increased confidence in treating veterans’ mental health needs. Conclusions The Veterans’ webinar series was effective in engaging a large number and a wide range of professionals working in mental health care in Australia, underscoring the strength of MHPN’s initiatives in terms of scale and reach. With its emphasis on interdisciplinary practice and collaborative care, MHPN is well-placed to continue to support Australia’s mental health workforce.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document