scholarly journals The Emergency Assessment and Management of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-99
Author(s):  
Sindhu A. Idicula ◽  
Amy Vyas ◽  
Nicole Garber
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Levels Of Care ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inpatient Units

Background and Goals: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common presenting issue mental health providers experience in all levels of care from outpatient clinics to inpatient units. It is common among adolescents seen in emergency settings, either as a presenting problem or as a covert condition that may not be detected unless specifically assessed for. The presence of NSSI increases the risk of suicide. This article aims to help the clinician develop a better understanding of NSSI – what it may entail, the prevalence, and the motivations for why young people engage in it. Methods: We review the reasons adolescents injure themselves, the link between NSSI and psychiatric diagnoses and suicide, the assessment of NSSI, and treatment planning, with emphasis on ways to screen for NSSI and interventions that can be implemented in the Emergency Department. We illustrate the complexity of NSSI with the case of a young patient with a complex psychiatric history and an extensive history of self-injury. Results and Discussion: Despite the seeming intractability of NSSI, a number of evidencebased treatments exist. Treatment primarily involves specialized forms of psychotherapy, but interventions can be implemented in the ED that will reduce the immediate risk of NSSI while more definitive intervention is awaited. Conclusion: Mental health consultations in the ED should always include screening for NSSI. Mental health professionals in the ED can play an important role in the detection and treatment of this condition..

scholarly journals Putting meaning into medicine: why context matters in psychiatry

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Carpenter-Song
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Illness Experiences ◽  
Care Demands

Mainstream psychiatry emphasises controlling symptoms by taking medications. This approach ignores the role of context in shaping illness experiences and how people engage with mental health professionals. The focus on symptom control and medication management also narrows the function of the psychiatrist. This editorial argues that knowledge of patients’ lives is important for providing empathic care that is oriented to the outcomes that matter to patients. In addition, care that attends to the person-in-context motivates and sustains mental health providers by putting meaning back into medicine. Truly patient-centred care demands pushing back against the reductionism of contemporary psychiatry to thoughtfully engage with the complexities of patients’ lives.

A Voice in the Room: The Function of State Legislative Bans on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts for Minors

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arcangelo S. Cella
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Orientation Change ◽  
Mental Health Profession ◽  
History Of ◽  
Change Efforts

Throughout the history of the mental health profession, many psychotherapists have asserted that homosexuality is a mental condition or defect that may be corrected through treatment. Homosexuality was not officially declassified as a mental illness until 1973, and it was not until recently that mainstream mental health organizations renounced the claim that therapy can alter sexual orientation. Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) involve various types of psychotherapy, from the familiar and seemingly benign talk therapy to forms of behavioral therapy that include “masturbatory reconditioning, rest, visits to prostitutes[,] excessive bicycle riding,” and even physical abuse. SOCE are now widely regarded by mainstream mental health practitioners as unscientific, ineffective, and mentally and emotionally harmful. Nevertheless, due to persistent societal disapproval of homosexuality, some mental health providers continue to engage in SOCE, often causing their patients to experience shame and anxiety well into adulthood.

The Limitations and Strengths of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale as a Measure of Correctional Employees’ Attitudes: A Psychometric Evaluation

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 3947-3964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanna Boppre ◽  
Jody Sundt ◽  
Emily J. Salisbury
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Correctional Staff ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Evidence Based Practices

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) hold tremendous potential for improving the outcomes of corrections interventions. The implementation of EBPs requires support from staff at all levels of an organization; however, the study of correctional staff attitudes toward organizational change and EBPs is in its infancy. The current study examines the psychometric properties of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS), an instrument originally designed for mental health professionals, to measure correctional employees’ readiness to implement EBPs. The results indicate mixed conclusions regarding the use of the EBPAS with correctional staff. We found that the total scale and subscales are reliable and exhibit high internal consistency. However, the results of an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis failed to replicate the factor structure from previous research with mental health providers. The findings indicate potential drawbacks regarding the construct validity of the EBPAS for use with correctional personnel.

Afterword

2020 ◽  
pp. 523-532
Author(s):  
Philip J. Lazarus ◽  
Ralph Eugene Cash
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Psychologists ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
American Psychological Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
School Based ◽  
Training And Research ◽  
Effective Advocacy

In this afterword, the authors emphasize that all school-based mental health providers must be advocates for the emotional well-being of our youth. They emphasize that advocates are made, not born, and discuss specific knowledge and skills necessary for effective advocacy. They then discuss three top advocacy priorities: (a) increasing the number of mental health professionals in the schools; (b) promoting programs, policies, training, and research that supports the emotional well-being of youth; and (c) supporting models, frameworks, and positions developed by the National Association of School Psychologists, the American Psychological Association, and many other mental health associations that support children’s needs. In closing, they discuss how to be advocates for all children and, most important, our most vulnerable student populations at the personal, local (including school), state, national, and international levels.

An Investigation of Self-Assessment Bias in Mental Health Providers

2012 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 639-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Walfish ◽  
Brian McAlister ◽  
Paul O'Donnell ◽  
Michael J. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Positive Assessment ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Assessment Bias

Previous research has consistently found self-assessment bias (an overly positive assessment of personal performance) to be present in a wide variety of work situations. The present investigation extended this area of research with a multi-disciplinary sample of mental health professionals. Respondents were asked to: (a) compare their own overall clinical skills and performance to others in their profession, and (b) indicate the percentage of their clients who improved, remained the same, or deteriorated as a result of treatment with them. Results indicated that 25% of mental health professionals viewed their skill to be at the 90th percentile when compared to their peers, and none viewed themselves as below average. Further, when compared to the published literature, clinicians tended to overestimate their rates of client improvement and underestimate their rates of client deterioration. The implications of this self-assessment bias for improvement of psychotherapy outcomes are discussed.

Suicide Assessment in a Prison Environment

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEVIN M. CORREIA
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Suicide Assessment ◽  
Primary Responsibility ◽  
Prison Environment ◽  
Inmate Suicide

A primary responsibility of any mental health professional working within the field of corrections is to coordinate an effective suicide prevention program. The present article discusses various aspects of successfully accomplishing this objective. It reviews some of the major warning signs that should be examined by mental health providers evaluating inmates referred as suspected of significant suicidal risk. A method of organizing the suicide assessment and categorizing referrals as inappropriate, malingering, or at true risk is discussed, along with methods of distinguishing among the three types. Some of the primary differences in inmate suicide attempts, as opposed to suicidal gestures, are reviewed as well as other special considerations mental health professionals should consider in formulating recommendations following suicide risk assessments. Finally, various outcome recommendations that can be used as a result of the assessments are presented.

scholarly journals Adapting Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management for Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinics: Iterative Approach

10.2196/10277 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. e10277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Traci H Abraham ◽  
Kathy Marchant-Miros ◽  
Michael B McCarther ◽  
Michelle G Craske ◽  
Geoffrey M Curran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Computer Based

Background A national priority at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is to increase the availability and accessibility of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) across all VA medical facilities. Yet many veterans, particularly those who use remote outpatient VA clinics, still do not receive much needed evidence-based treatment. Strategies are needed for supporting mental health providers at rural VA community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) as they translate their clinical training to routine practice. The Coordinated Anxiety Learning Management (CALM) program is a computer-delivered program that supports the delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by providers in outpatient settings to patients with depression and anxiety, including posttraumatic stress disorder. Objective The objectives of our study were to (1) adapt an existing computer-based program to rural VA CBOCs through feedback from key stakeholder focus groups; (2) develop a prototype of the adapted program; and (3) determine the adapted program’s acceptability and feasibility. Mental health stakeholders included VA leaders (n=4) in the implementation of EBPs, VA experts (n=4) in CBT, VA CBOC mental health providers (n=8), and veterans (n=8) diagnosed with a mental health condition treated using the CALM program and receiving treatment in a VA CBOC. Methods An iterative approach comprising 3 waves of focus group discussions was used to develop a modified prototype of CALM. Following each wave of focus group discussions, template analysis was used to rapidly communicate stakeholder recommendations and feedback to the design team. The original program was first adapted through a process of data collection, design modification, and product development. Next, a prototype was developed. Finally, the redesigned program was tested for acceptability and feasibility through a live demonstration. Results Key stakeholders suggested modifications to the original CALM program that altered its modules’ appearance by incorporating veteran-centric content. These modifications likely have no impact on the integrity of the original CALM program, but have altered its content to reflect better the demographic characteristics and experiences of rural veterans. Feedback from stakeholder groups indicates that changes will help VA patients identify with the program content, potentially enhancing their treatment engagement. Conclusions The development model was effective for economically gathering actionable recommendations from stakeholders to adapt a computer-based program, and it can result in the development of an acceptable and feasible computer-delivered intervention. Results have implications for developing computer-based programs targeting behavior change more broadly and enhancing engagement in EBP.

Effects of brief training on mental health provider’s knowledge of working with youth at risk of suicide in Guatemala

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402098386
Author(s):  
Dana Alonzo ◽  
Marciana Popescu ◽  
Pinar Zubaroglu – Ioannides
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Youth At Risk

Background: Resources for mental healthcare are lacking in Guatemala, yet rates of mental illness and suicide are quite high. Mental healthcare providers often lack the knowledge needed to effectively work with young at-risk of suicide. To address this gap, we developed a training program for mental health professionals focused on increasing knowledge and understanding of engaging and working with youth at risk of suicide and present its acceptability and preliminary effectiveness. Methods: Mental health providers ( N = 17) from a low SES community participated in the training, Formacion CUIDAR (Comunidades Unidos para Individuales De Alto Riesgo; CARE Training; Communities United for Individuals at High Risk). Mixed methods were used to explore outcomes including, self-reported knowledge and understanding of warning signs; risk and protective factors; effective risk assessment; and, techniques for working with at-risk youth. Results: Findings indicate that the training was effective at increasing all targeted domains of knowledge ( t = 2.46, p < .05, Cohen’s d = .56). Acceptability was also rated as high. Conclusion: Scarcity of mental health specialists and lack of training on suicide assessment and management have resulted in inadequate resources for at-risk youth in need of mental health services in Guatemala. Results of our study demonstrate that our training is an acceptable, effective program for practicing mental health providers to address their lack of specialized training on how to work with individuals at risk of suicide. Further examination of the training in a larger RCT is required to attain more robust indictors of effectiveness and to assess long-term impact.

Embedding interagency working between schools and mental health specialists: A service evaluation of theMental Health Services and Schools and Colleges Link Programmeworkshops

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 906-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Cortina ◽  
Judith Shipman ◽  
Felicity Saunders ◽  
Laurie Day ◽  
Rachel Blades ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Continuous Contact ◽  
The Impact

There is increasing focus on the need for schools to work more effectively with specialist mental health providers, but there have been historic challenges in embedding closer interagency working. This article reports the results of a service evaluation of a 2-day workshop designed to facilitate improved working between schools and children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS). Mental health leads from 255 schools, mental health professionals and other key stakeholders all took part in one of 26 two-day workshops across the United Kingdom. The impact on interagency working was examined using changes in pre- and post-survey results, changes in self-reported aspects of interagency working and 10 local reviews of practice. The pre–post questionnaires showed improvements in interagency working (e.g. 55% of school leads reported being in ‘monthly’ or ‘continuous’ contact with the National Health Service (NHS) CYPMHS1at follow-up, compared with 24% at baseline). The group-completed CASCADE framework showed an overall increase in collaborative working, although some areas continued to report significant challenges such as in relation to common outcome measures. The local reviews found positive changes in interagency working, in terms of building relationships, improved communication and sharing good practice. This service evaluation of the workshops found some evidence of improved interagency working between schools and CYPMHS, but more controlled research is needed to consider generalisability and scalability.

The Use of the Media in Marketing a Private Practice

2017 ◽  
pp. 338-345
Author(s):  
Nancy A. McGarrah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Private Practice ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Work

This chapter describes the ways mental health professionals in private practice can use the media for marketing their practice as well as for educating the public. The processes for engaging in media work are addressed and the concept of being an “expert” in this field is explained. Ethics issues are emphasized, such as what mental health professionals can and cannot say in interviews. Specific guidance for providing effective interviews and ideas for receiving applicable training are given. Media-trained mental health providers can assist with interview preparation and answer questions about ethics and media work.

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