scholarly journals The Effectiveness of the Pilot Implementation of Iran’s Comprehensive Mental and Social Health Services (the SERAJ Program): A Controlled Community Trial

Author(s):  
Ahmad Hajebi ◽  
Vandad Sharifi ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Asgardoon ◽  
Behzad Damari

Objective: A national program on providing comprehensive social and mental health services, entitled “SERAJ” was developed and piloted in three districts of Iran. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SERAJ by conducting assessments before and after the implementation in the intervention and the control areas. Method: This was a controlled community trial that was assessed by conducting repeated surveys in the intervention and the control areas. In total, 2952 and 2874 individuals were assessed in the intervention and the control areas, respectively. The change in prevalence of mental disorders (using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview; CIDI), service utilization, mental health literacy, happiness, and perceived social support were measured over 18 months in three districts of Osko, Bardsir, and Quchan as the intervention areas, which were compared with three matched districts as the control areas. Results: No significant difference was found in the mean score of happiness between the intervention and the control areas throughout the study period. Most aspects of mental health literacy were improved in the intervention areas after implementing the intervention. The mean score of social support decreased after implementing the intervention in all areas. The prevalence of mental disorders in the intervention districts was significantly reduced after 18 months. The rate of using any mental health services after the intervention was not statistically different between the intervention and the control areas. Conclusion: There was no significant change in some indicators in the intervention compared with the control areas. We suggest evaluating SERAJ’s achievements and challenges in the three intervention districts before expanding the implementation of this pilot experience into other districts.

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Sun Kim ◽  
T. Greg Rhee ◽  
Hee Yun Lee ◽  
Byung Hyun Park ◽  
Monica L. Sharratt

ABSTRACTBackground:Existing literature suggests that mental health literacy is positively associated with mental health services utilization. Despite an aging population that faces significant mental health concerns in Korea, the role of mental health literacy on mental health services utilization is not known among older adults in Korea. This study aimed to (1) identify whether mental health literacy mediates the association between population characteristics and mental health services utilization and (2) identify an optimal path model for mental health services utilization among Korean older adults.Methods:Using a cross-sectional survey with a quota sampling strategy, we collected and analyzed responses from 596 community-dwelling individuals ages 65 years and older. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to estimate the effect of mental health literacy as a mediator.Results:When controlling for other relevant covariates in the optimal path model, mental health literacy mediated the relationships between three socio-demographic factors (education, general literacy, and health status) and mental health services utilization. The model fit index shows that the SEM fits very well (CFI = 0.92, NFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07).Conclusions:Efforts to improve mental health literacy through community-based education programs may need to particularly target Korean older adults with the relevant socio-demographic characteristics to enhance their utilization of appropriate mental health services.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1096-2409-21.1. ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayna Mumbauer ◽  
Viki Kelchner

Considering that one in five children has or has had a mental disorder in a given year (National Institute of Mental Health, 2010), the demand for mental health services within the school setting is immense. Bibliotherapy can serve as a preventative and responsive treatment for increasing mental health literacy within the school setting. The authors review relevant bibliotherapy and mental health literacy research, introduce the concept of mental health literacy in the school setting, and provide counselors and educators with practical tools to implement the concept.


Author(s):  
Trisni Handayani ◽  
Dian Ayubi ◽  
Dien Anshari

ABSTRAK Latar belakang. Prevalensi penduduk Indonesia yang menderita gangguan mental emosional mengalami peningkatan, dimana prevalensi sebesar 6% pada tahun 2013 meningkat menjadi 9,8% pada tahun 2018. Pelayanan kesehatan jiwa bagi setiap orang dengan masalah kejiwaan (ODMK) belum diwujudkan secara optimal di wilayah Kecamatan Bogor Timur. Masih sedikit ODMK yang memanfaatkan pelayanan kesehatan jiwaTujuan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan literasi kesehatan mental dengan pemanfaatan pelayanan kesehatan jiwa.Metode. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain cross-sectional dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Responden adalah orang dengan masalah kejiwaan yang bertempat tinggal di Kecamatan Bogor Timur. Teknik multistage random sampling digunakan untuk memilih 139 responden. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara menggunakan kuesioner. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji regresi logistik ganda.Hasil. Nilai rerata literasi kesehatan mental sebesar 73,08 (skala 100). Sebanyak 56,1% ODMK telah memanfaatkan pelayanan kesehatan jiwa dan 57,6% responden berumur ≥30 tahun. Pada mereka yang mempunyai literasi kesehatan mental tinggi, sebanyak 64,9% telah memanfaatkan pelayanan kesehatan jiwa. Hasil analisis multivariat menunjukkan hubungan signifikan antara literasi kesehatan mental dengan perilaku pemanfaatan pelayanan kesehatan jiwa pada ODMK setelah variabel jenis kelamin dan ketersediaan pelayanan kesehatan jiwa dikendalikan.Kesimpulan. Orang dengan literasi kesehatan mental yang tinggi cenderung memanfaatkan pelayanan kesehatan jiwa dibanding dengan mereka dengan literasi rendah.  ABSTRACTBackground. In Indonesia, prevalence of emotional mental disorder has increased from 6% in 2013 to 9.8% in 2018. Mental health service has not optimally utilized by people with mental health problems in East Bogor sub-district. Objective. This study aimed to determine the relationship of mental health literacy with mental health service use. Method. This study used a cross sectional design with a quantitative approach. Respondents were people with mental health problems who lived in East Bogor Sub-District. A total of 139 respondents were selected using multistage random sampling technique. Data were collected by in-person interview using a questionnaire. Data were analysed using a multiple logistic regression test for multivariate model selection. Results. The results of this study showed that the mean score of mental health literacy was 73.08 (scale of 100). There were 56.1% respondents utilized mental health services. As many as 57.6% respondents aged ≥30 years. Among those who have high mental health literacy, 64.9% of them have utilized mental health services.  Results from multivariate analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between mental health literacy and the use of mental health service in people with mental health problems, after adjustment with gender and mental health service availability.Conclusion. People with high mental health literacy tended to use mental health services compared to those with low literacy.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e044929
Author(s):  
Meaghen Quinlan-Davidson ◽  
Kathryn J Roberts ◽  
Delan Devakumar ◽  
Susan M. Sawyer ◽  
Rafael Cortez ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo evaluate the quality of adolescent mental health service provision globally, according to the WHO Global Standards of adolescent mental health literacy, appropriate package of services and provider competencies.Design and data sourcesSystematic review of 5 databases, and screening of eligible articles, from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2020.Study eligibility criteriaWe focused on quantitative and mixed-method studies that evaluated adolescent mental health literacy, appropriate package of services and provider competencies in mental health services, and that targeted depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder among adolescents (10–19 years). This included adolescents exposed to interventions or strategies within mental health services.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsStudy quality was assessed using the National Institutes for Health Study Quality Assessment Tools. Data were extracted and grouped based on WHO quality Standards.ResultsOf the 20 104 studies identified, 20 articles were included. The majority of studies came from high-income countries, with one from a low-income country. Most of the studies did not conceptualise quality. Results found that an online decision aid was evaluated to increase adolescent mental health literacy. Studies that targeted an appropriate package of services evaluated the quality of engagement between the therapist and adolescent, patient-centred communication, mental health service use, linkages to mental health services, health facility culture and intensive community treatment. Provider competencies focused on studies that evaluated confidence in managing and referring adolescents, collaboration between health facility levels, evidence-based practices and technology use.Conclusions and implicationsThere is limited evidence on quality measures in adolescent mental health services (as conforms to the WHO Global Standards), pointing to a global evidence gap for adolescent mental health services. There are several challenges to overcome, including a need to develop consensus on quality and methods to measure quality in mental health settings.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020161318.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirenei Taua'i ◽  
Rose Richards ◽  
Jesse Kokaua

Aims: To explore associations between experiences of mental illness, migration status and languages spoken among Pacific adults living in NZ. Methods: SURVEY FREQ and SURVEY LOGISTIC procedures in SAS were applied to data from Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand (NZ) Mental Health Survey, a survey of 12,992 New Zealand adults aged 16 and over in 2003/2004. Pacific people were over sampled and this paper focuses on the 2374 Pacific participants but includes, for comparison, 8160 non-Maori-non-Pacific (NMNP) participants. Results: Pacific migrant respondents had the lowest prevalence of mental disorders compared to other Pacific peoples. However, Pacific immigrants were also less likely to use mental health services, suggesting an increased likelihood of experiencing barriers to available mental health care. Those who were born in NZ and who were proficient in a Pacific language had the lowest levels of common mental disorders, suggesting a protective effect for the NZ-born population. Additionally, access to mental health services was similar between NZ-born people who spoke a Pacific language and those who did not. Conclusions: We conclude that, given the association between Pacific language and reduced mental disorder, there may be a positive role for Pacific language promotion in efforts to reduce the prevalence of mental health disorder among Pacific communities in NZ.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110361
Author(s):  
Anwar Khatib ◽  
Fareeda Abo-Rass

Background: There has been a noticeable increase in the number of studies concerned with mental health literacy (MHL), specifically among students. Still, very few studies have examined MHL among students of non-Western minority groups. Aims: This study examined MHL among Arab students in Israel based on Jorm’s conceptual framework. Methods: Twenty-eight Arab students in Israel took part in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Most were single and Muslim, in their second year of studies, and most reported low socioeconomic status. The data were analyzed thematically, guided by the Jorm’s six MHL dimensions. Results: Different levels of literacy were found in the various MHL dimensions. The participants identified severe mental disorders more easily than mood disorders; reported a variety of possible causes of mental disorders; were well aware of available professional help (apart for rehabilitative services); identified significant barriers to mental health help seeking, as Arabs; and reported the internet as a major source of information about mental health problems and their treatment Conclusions: The participants’ MHL appeared to be associated with their unique sociocultural characteristics. This study stresses the need to raise MHL among Arab students in Israel, and in particular to promote positive attitudes to seeking professional help. It also highlights the need to develop culturally adapted mental health interventions for the Arab population in Israel.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Eriksson ◽  
A M Arnasson ◽  
N Lyyra ◽  
K R Madsen ◽  
T Torsheim ◽  
...  

Abstract At present there are different positions regarding trends in adolescent mental health. Can we trust trend data on the mental health among adolescents in the Nordic countries? Some question the trustworthiness of adolescent self-reports, which describe ordinary daily hassles as health complaints, which cannot be interpreted as signs of mental disorders. In addition, today there is a more open climate for talking about mental issues, which can lead to an overestimation of the prevalence of mental disorders. Statistics on mental health services statistics report increased psychopharmaceutic prescriptions as well as consumption of professional care. Such data argues for increased governmental investment in adolescent mental health services. Is this pattern due to increased availability of mental health services and/or increased prevalence of mental health problems in the adolescent population? A concern is that data availability influences policymaking and allocation of resources. If there is an emphasis on self-reported data from adolescents that may an increased risk of medicalization of young people's dealing with their daily lives. If on the other hand the reported problems among young people is disregarded, this would be against the UN Child Convention. The survey data has important qualities especially if the data is analysed and reported properly. The validation of survey measure has been done both regarding psychometric quality and content validity. Advanced analysis of the data can draw a more nuanced picture. Moreover, some screening instruments have been developed as a first step towards making diagnosis. Instead the HBSC surveys ask boys and girls about their health and well-being, social environment and health behaviours. HBSC uses findings at national and international levels to gain new insights into young people's health and wellbeing, understand the social determinants of health, and inform policy and practice to improve young people's lives.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perla Werner

Studies on laypersons' beliefs and knowledge about mental disorders have proliferated in recent years. However, attention has been focused mainly on depression and schizophrenia and on young adults. The aim of this paper is to summarize research in the area, and to discuss the need to expand research in the elderly population. The unique characteristics of older persons in terms of the prevalence and type of mental disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, as well as in terms of their being victims of “double jeopardy” require special attention and research. The present review has three main objectives. First, it summarizes the findings of studies examining different aspects of mental health literacy. Second, the importance of age in the study of mental health literacy is discussed. Third, findings of the few studies examining laypersons' beliefs in the area of AD are presented. Finally, research directions are suggested with special emphasis on the importance of geriatric mental health and mental health literacy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-80
Author(s):  
Daniel Kwai Apat ◽  
Wellington Digwa

This paper examines mental health policies in relation to African communities residing in New South Wales, Australia and the attitudes of African communities toward mental disorders and mental health services. Current mental health policy frameworks have shown an inadequate inclusion of African communities. This may negatively affect the design of mental health interventions and how African communities engage with mental health services. The available mental health literature on African communities showed disjointed and uncoordinated data which focuses on specific community-groups within African communities. Insufficient mental health or suicide data, combined with African community members’ perception toward mental disorders and mental health services, makes it very difficult to progress engagement and interventions. There is a need for proper and sizable data on mental health related to people of African descent in NSW and Australia wide, if positive outcomes are to be realised.


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