scholarly journals Mental Health Practitioners’ Immediate Practical Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Questionnaire Study

10.2196/21237 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e21237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon E Reilly ◽  
Katherine L Zane ◽  
William T McCuddy ◽  
Zachary A Soulliard ◽  
David M Scarisbrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The Future ◽  
Therapeutic Services

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased psychological distress, signaling the need for increased mental health services in the context of stay-at-home policies. Objective This study aims to characterize how mental health practitioners have changed their practices during the pandemic. The authors hypothesize that mental health practitioners would increase tele–mental health services and that certain provider types would be better able to adapt to tele–mental health than others. Methods The study surveyed 903 practitioners, primarily psychologists/doctoral-level (Psych/DL) providers, social workers/master’s-level (SW/ML) providers, and neuropsychologists employed in academic medical centers or private practices. Differences among providers were examined using Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and one-way Bonferroni-adjusted analyses of covariance. Results The majority of the 903 mental health practitioners surveyed rapidly adjusted their practices, predominantly by shifting to tele–mental health appointments (n=729, 80.82%). Whereas 80.44% (n=625) were not using tele–mental health in December 2019, only 22.07% (n=188) were not by late March or early April 2020. Only 2.11% (n=19) reported no COVID-19–related practice adjustments. Two-thirds (596/888, 67.10%) reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19–related concerns. Neuropsychologists were less likely and Psych/DL providers and SW/ML providers were more likely than expected to transition to tele–mental health (P<.001). Trainees saw fewer patients (P=.01) and worked remotely more than licensed practitioners (P=.03). Despite lower rates of information technology service access (P<.001), private practice providers reported less difficulty implementing tele–mental health than providers in other settings (P<.001). Overall, the majority (530/889, 59.62%) were interested in continuing to provide tele–mental health services in the future. Conclusions The vast majority of mental health providers in this study made practice adjustments in response to COVID-19, predominantly by rapidly transitioning to tele–mental health services. Although the majority reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19–related concerns, only a small subset endorsed offering such services to medical providers. This has implications for future practical directions, as frontline workers may begin to seek mental health treatment related to the pandemic. Despite differences in tele–mental health uptake based on provider characteristics, the majority were interested in continuing to provide such services in the future. This may help to expand clinical services to those in need via tele–mental health beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Mental Health Practitioners’ Immediate Practical Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Questionnaire Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon E Reilly ◽  
Katherine L Zane ◽  
William T McCuddy ◽  
Zachary A Soulliard ◽  
David M Scarisbrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The Future ◽  
Therapeutic Services

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased psychological distress, signaling the need for increased mental health services in the context of stay-at-home policies. OBJECTIVE This study aims to characterize how mental health practitioners have changed their practices during the pandemic. The authors hypothesize that mental health practitioners would increase tele–mental health services and that certain provider types would be better able to adapt to tele–mental health than others. METHODS The study surveyed 903 practitioners, primarily psychologists/doctoral-level (Psych/DL) providers, social workers/master’s-level (SW/ML) providers, and neuropsychologists employed in academic medical centers or private practices. Differences among providers were examined using Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and one-way Bonferroni-adjusted analyses of covariance. RESULTS The majority of the 903 mental health practitioners surveyed rapidly adjusted their practices, predominantly by shifting to tele–mental health appointments (n=729, 80.82%). Whereas 80.44% (n=625) were not using tele–mental health in December 2019, only 22.07% (n=188) were not by late March or early April 2020. Only 2.11% (n=19) reported no COVID-19–related practice adjustments. Two-thirds (596/888, 67.10%) reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19–related concerns. Neuropsychologists were less likely and Psych/DL providers and SW/ML providers were more likely than expected to transition to tele–mental health (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). Trainees saw fewer patients (<i>P</i>=.01) and worked remotely more than licensed practitioners (<i>P</i>=.03). Despite lower rates of information technology service access (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), private practice providers reported less difficulty implementing tele–mental health than providers in other settings (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). Overall, the majority (530/889, 59.62%) were interested in continuing to provide tele–mental health services in the future. CONCLUSIONS The vast majority of mental health providers in this study made practice adjustments in response to COVID-19, predominantly by rapidly transitioning to tele–mental health services. Although the majority reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19–related concerns, only a small subset endorsed offering such services to medical providers. This has implications for future practical directions, as frontline workers may begin to seek mental health treatment related to the pandemic. Despite differences in tele–mental health uptake based on provider characteristics, the majority were interested in continuing to provide such services in the future. This may help to expand clinical services to those in need via tele–mental health beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Defining Mental Health Practitioners’ LGBTIQ Cultural Competence in Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 158-176
Author(s):  
Timo Tapani Ojanen ◽  
◽  
Darunee Phukao ◽  
Pimpawun Boonmongkon ◽  
Somporn Rungreangkulkij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Culturally Competent ◽  
Sexual Diversity ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Knowledge Competencies ◽  
The Impact

This study investigated what competencies are crucial for mental health practitioners’ culturally competent practice with LGBTIQ clients in Thailand. The study used two-round Delphi methodology to aggregate views of mental health practitioners with expertise on LGBTIQ issues (n = 14), and of LGBTIQ individuals who had used mental health services (n = 13). Participants proposed competencies in Round 1 through interviews or an online questionnaire, and rated these competencies’ importance in another online questionnaire in Round 2. Forty-one knowledge competencies, 35 awareness/attitude/belief competencies, 14 skill competencies and 35 action competencies were rated. Among key themes were understanding gender/sexual diversity as well as issues affecting LGBTIQ people and their families, and being able to assist on these issues; accepting gender/sexual diversity, respecting clients’ self-determination, and communicating this to clients; being aware of the impact of one’s beliefs, attitudes, identities and values; recognizing and rejecting stereotypes; being open, humble, and willing to learn more; knowing how to use feminist counseling techniques and other specific techniques; refraining from offending actions; social justice action; and obtaining information sensitively. Developing these competencies is likely to improve mental health services’ appropriateness for LGBTIQ clients and should be included in mental health practitioners’ training in Thailand.

Developing a Mental Health Resource for Consumers

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Deborah Saltman ◽  
Bronwyn Veale ◽  
Gina Bloom
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Mental Health Resource

Little is known about how consumers select mental health providers. In the literature there is an absence of information to assist consumers and referral agencies including general practitioners, in making informed choices. This paper reports the research process undertaken to develop such a resource. Interviews were conducted with representatives from a variety of groups identified by consumers and providers as supplying mental health services, including: general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, Relationships Australia (NSW), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), postnatal depression self-help groups, Lifeline, the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW, spiritual healers, and, consumer consultants. The interviews covered issues of cost, type of services provided, goals of management, limitations of therapy, consumer information about the process, sessions, therapist credentials, training, background and experience, professional and personal development, quality assurance, research, referral, access, and confidentiality. Indicators for ascertaining effectiveness of the therapist's work were also delineated. Although there was a great deal of similarity in views concerning the nature of therapy held by a range of providers of mental health services, differences of approach did emerge that need to be brought to the awareness of consumers. Comparing responses of mental health providers to the same questions allows other issues such as priorities and access to be gauged by comparing these responses. The strength of this approach is that it allows the presentation of information in a manner that allows consumers to make comparisons and choices based on information obtained in a context similar to the therapeutic situation.

scholarly journals Community work – a cure for stigma and social exclusion?

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 281-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Cost

SummaryIt is possible to tackle exclusion by altering the nature of transactions between individuals and groups, including mental health services. One way to do this is to cultivate ‘social capital’ or interdependence between individuals and groups – as well as giving, each is entitled, but not compelled, to claim something in return. It is difficult, if not impossible, to sustain stigma and social exclusion when people are meeting mutual needs, building trust and helping each other. Mental health providers can foster social capital by creating community cohesion, namely interdependent relationships between individuals and organisations. This approach has been put into practice in the USA, where providers assert that small investments in building social capital return many times the cost. In the UK there is evidence that community development can make a contribution to mental health but it does not fit well with conventional approaches to mental health services – it calls for different skills and a vision that is collective rather than individualised.

Personal Faith and Professional Ethics: Best Practice with the Families of Sexual and Gender Minority Youths

Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-372
Author(s):  
Sloan Okrey Anderson ◽  
Jenifer K McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Gender And Sexuality ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
Therapeutic Services ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Religious mental health practitioners who hold traditional views of gender and sexuality may face moral and ethical dilemmas when working with sexual and gender minority (SGM) clients. Typical responses to this dilemma include selective positioning, values-based referrals, and attempted objectivity. Grounded in social work ethics and values, this article examines the evidence base, viability, and repercussions of these approaches. This article demonstrates the importance of cultural competence and affirmative therapeutic practices for religious mental health practitioners, whether or not they expect to work with gender and sexual minority clients or their families. In addition, the author tackles the difficult issue of providing ethical, evidence-based therapeutic services for religiously conservative parents of SGM children and adolescents. SGM people exist in every community, in every faith, and in every kind of family. The ethical treatment of SGM clients is relevant to all mental health practitioners, regardless of personal values or the type of practice they maintain.

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