Reimagining Community Mental Health Care Services: Case Study of a Need Based Biopsychosocial Response Initiated During Pandemic

Community mental health systems worldwide have undergone transformation in order to accommodate enormous demands of the pandemic and its mitigation efforts. The pandemic created unprecedented challenges that required Mehac Foundation (further referred as Mehac), a not for profit organization based in Kerala, to reassess our care delivery model. The aim of this report is to present a flexible, need-based biopsychosocial response; a case study effectuated by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with a focus on minimizing the impact of COVID 19 on vulnerable communities, while adhering to timely regulations issued by the government. The key aspect of our biopsychosocial response was implementation of a phased approach that was rooted in real time need identification. The strategies will be described under broad headings of (i) adaptations for maintaining continuity of care, (ii) identifying vulnerable subgroups and need based psychological response, (iii) exploring social dimensions of the pandemic and implementing strategies to address them, (iv) ensuring team well-being and enhancing skills to effectively respond to the challenges.

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The Legal and Social Significance of Aftercare Systems: A Review and Analysis

The Journal of Psychiatry & Law ◽

10.1177/009318537700500204 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 229-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John J. Ensminger ◽

Patrick Reilly

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Community Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Health Care Delivery ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Community Mental Health Care ◽

Mental Health Systems ◽

Social Significance ◽

Mental Health Care Delivery

There have been a number of findings in the research on aftercare which have significance for courts and legislatures faced with choices involving planning and implementation of mental health systems. Both the older and newer methods of community mental health care delivery are analyzed. There appear to be cogent reasons for emphasizing the provision of aftercare facilities to poverty communities. Certain reasons for failures in aftercare treatment are identified. An analysis of the literature on aftercare indicates that there are certain elements important for the effective functioning of an aftercare system.

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COVID-19 and mental health: Anxiety disorders among immigrants due to COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.1177/00912174211042695 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009121742110426

Author(s):

Shiva Raj Acharya ◽

Deog Hwan Moon ◽

Jin Ho Chun ◽

Yong Chul Shin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

South Korea ◽

Low Income ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact ◽

Severe Anxiety

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected various facets of health. While mental health became a major concern during the COVID-19 outbreak, the impact on the migrants’ mental health has still been neglected. The purpose of this study was to examine the COVID-19 outbreak's impact on the mental health of immigrants in South Korea. Methods A total number of 386 immigrants in South Korea participated in this quantitative cross-sectional study. The standardized e-questionnaire, including the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, was used to measure the anxiety level. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the determinants of anxiety disorders among immigrants. Results The prevalence of severe anxiety among immigrants was found to be 47.2%. Female immigrants (28.6%) had a lower anxiety disorder than males (71.4%). Immigrants who were married, living alone, had a low income, had a history of health problems were suffered from moderate to severe anxiety. Immigrants who were unemployed (OR 2.302, 95% CI = 1.353–3.917) and lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak (OR 2.197, 95% CI = 1.312–3.678) have a higher anxiety disorder. Immigrants aged over 30 years were found to suffer from a high level of anxiety (OR 2.285, 95% CI = 1.184–4.410). Relief support from the government was significantly associated with anxiety disorder among immigrants (p < 0.01, OR = 3.151, 95% CI = 1.962–5.061). Conclusion With very limited studies on immigrants’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper provides scientific research evidence of the COVID-19 outbreak's impact on the mental health of migrants. Our study has consequences for implementing integrated psychological interventions and health promotion strategies for the well-being of immigrants’ mental health.

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COVID-19 and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Communities: A Complex Relationship Without Just Cause

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance ◽

10.2196/22581 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. e22581

Author(s):

Peter Phiri ◽

Gayathri Delanerolle ◽

Ayaat Al-Sudani ◽

Shanaya Rathod

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Well Being ◽

Social Risk ◽

Social Risk Factors ◽

Frontline Workers ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact ◽

Minority Ethnic

Emerging evidence has indicated a negative and disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. Previous studies have already reported that biological and social risk factors increase disease susceptibility, particularly in BAME communities. Despite frontline workers in ethnic minority communities in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service attempting to quell the pandemic, disproportionate numbers of BAME physicians and other health care workers have died of COVID-19. This unprecedented situation highlights ethical and moral implications, which could further augment the impact of the pandemic on their mental health. While the government attempts to mitigate the rate of virus transmission, certain key factors inadvertently augment the negative impact of the pandemic on the mental health and general well-being of BAME communities. This study examined the available literature to explore the association between, and the wider impact of, COVID-19 on BAME communities. Furthermore, this study aims to raise awareness and provide a deeper insight into current scientific discussions.

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2020 in the Life of a College Student: A Case Study Using Multi-Modal Assessments to Capture Personalized Contexts of Well-being (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26186 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jocelyn Lai ◽

Amir Rahmani ◽

Asal Yunusova ◽

Alex Rivera ◽

Sina Labbaf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Student ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Well Being ◽

Developmental Phase ◽

Loop Model ◽

Future Directions ◽

College Student Mental Health ◽

The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED 2020 has been a year of tremendous tumult for multiple groups, but young adults have been particularly affected by the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging adulthood is a developmental phase characterized by multiple shifts in identity as well as significant changes in the patterns of daily living -- as such, it is a risky phase for the onset of major mental illness but also a developmental window of opportunity. Individuals who are college students during the time of COVID-19 face significant risk in terms of being in the midst of a developmental transition and then losing several factors that are stabilizing (e.g., housing, routine, social support, job and financial security) for mental health and well-being. Multimodal chronicles of mental health present an opportunity to examine indicators of health in an ongoing and personalized way using mobile sensing devices and wearable internet-of-things. In this paper, in order to provide an in-depth examination of the impact of COVID-19 through the utility of multimodal personal mental health chronicles, we present a case study of a college student monitored using a multimodal mental health navigator system over a nine-month period throughout 2020 spanning the pre-COVID-19 period to deep into the pandemic. We use the data emerging from the multimodal personal chronicle to understand patterns that help to explicate dramatic increases in the participant’s depression scores from pre- to early COVID-19, focusing in on two periods within the COVID-19 period, a period a relative calm and a period of tumult. Using the provider in the loop model, we state the recommendations generated by the provider after viewing the data from the mental health navigator system. We discuss future directions of this system and the conclusions we can draw regarding COVID-19 and college student mental health.

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European Integrated Care Horizon 2020: increase societal participation; reduce care demands and costs in Finnish context

Proceedings 5th CARPE Conference: Horizon Europe and beyond ◽

10.4995/carpe2019.2019.10208 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Katja Heikkinen ◽

Mari Lahti ◽

Johanna Berg ◽

Arina Kiseleva ◽

Sini Eloranta

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Integrated Care ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Horizon 2020 ◽

Societal Participation ◽

Mental Health Client

This project is part of larger European level integrated care project led by HU University of Applied Sciences.Background: In Finland, the integration of social and health care services has taken centre stage in both the policy and practice arenas. The needs of many client groups, for example mental health client, older people and families of child, are many and varied.For example, poor mental health considerably impairs well-being of the population and has considerable economic consequences like absence from work, early retirement and productive losses. Efforts to move towards integrated care in social and health care have been met with increased interest and enthusiasm in recent years. This will increase the focus to improve care and population health while containing costs. However, there is a need to better understand different integrated care approaches for social and health care and guide future implementation of new integrated care models.It is now important to move towards integrated care for many client groups e.g. mental disorders. In this, professionals with different training backgrounds co-ordinate their expertise in providing care for theirshared clients. It provides a safe nexus for the exchange of knowledge and opinions, as well as a framework for reaching a consensus about appropriate health care delivery for a particular client or client cohort. The client should have an immediate access to integrated care, with a focus on rehabilitation in patient’s social roles.Aim: Support societal participation, quality of live and reduce care demand and costs in social and health care client, for example mental health client through integration of healthcare and welfare services.

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Social Participation and Health Outcomes Among Caregivers and Noncaregivers in Great Britain

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464819885528 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (12) ◽

pp. 1313-1322 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Athina Vlachantoni ◽

Zhixin Feng ◽

Ning Wang ◽

Maria Evandrou

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Great Britain ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Social Participation ◽

Well Being ◽

Protective Role ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Intensity Of Care ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

This study investigates the relationship between social participation and health outcomes between caregivers and noncaregivers in Great Britain. Previous studies indicate that the impact of informal caregiving on the carer’s health is complex, and the intensity of care provision has an adverse impact on the caregivers’ health, while social participation could have a protective role in this respect. Using qualitative and quantitative data from Wave 8 of the 1958 National Child Development Study, the analysis shows that social participation has a positive effect on the carers’ mental health and subjective well-being. Individuals who did not engage in social participation reported lower levels of mental health and control, autonomy, self-realization and pleasure (CASP) scores than those engaged in social participation. The qualitative results showed the barriers to social participation of caregivers to be time, energy, and finance. We discuss ways in which the government could address such barriers to improve the level of social participation among caregivers.

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The Recession and the Policy Response for Child Poverty in Japan

10.1093/oso/9780198797968.003.0009 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Aya K. Abe

Keyword(s):

Economic Crisis ◽

Child Poverty ◽

Well Being ◽

Poverty Rate ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Unique Case ◽

Child Deprivation ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

The purpose of this chapter is to describe how the economic crisis affected children and how the government of Japan responded to mitigate the impact on children. The economic crisis worsened child poverty not by increasing worklessness, but rather by decreasing income of those who had poor-quality jobs. However, the crisis brought about an abrupt change in the government. Even though it was short-lived, the new government put in place some measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis and it seems to have had some success in doing so. There was an improvement in child poverty rate as well as in child deprivation. In a way, Japan presents a unique case study in that the economic crisis did trigger some positive changes in the protection of child well-being.

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Mental health policy: protecting community mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal of Public Health Research ◽

10.4081/jphr.2021.2231 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Retno Lestari ◽

Febri Endra Budi Setyawan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Community Mental Health ◽

English Language ◽

Case Reports ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Issues ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

The Impact

Despite the growing interest in the treatment and management of COVID-19, communities still end up experiencing multiple stresses with mental health crisis, due to the pandemic. When this is not addressed, it causes stress in the long run, with further mental health damage in individuals and the communities. Furthermore, relevant policy related to the community mental health was identified as awareness in promoting mental issues, yet there are still failures recorded in the aspect of adequately addressing the well-being concerns. This study aims to support community mental health during the crisis, through useful information from relevant articles. It also explains some perspectives from literature reviews, case reports, with society responses from Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Proquest databases concerning recent community mental health issues, and government policy on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion criteria required articles that were peer-reviewed, by using i) English language March-September 2020; ii) Presented empirical studies related to COVID-19 (quantitative and qualitative); iii) Searched terms related to the general and community mental health, their policy, and COVID-19 pandemic. This study showed 19 articles related to community mental health issues or psychological wellbeing topics. The interventions provided to strengthen community mental health during the pandemic included emergency psychological crisis treatment, hotline assistance, online counseling service with mental care course, and outpatient consultation. Therefore, community mental health issues should be addressed with physical wellness. In addition, the community plays a key role in influencing stakeholders and governments, to increase the priority in supporting mental health.

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Mental health in context. Impact of economic policies on health services

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.873 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S36-S36

Author(s):

N. Sartorius

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Current Trend ◽

Economic Policies ◽

Competing Interest ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

The impact of economic policies on mental health services – and with some differences also on general health services – will be exemplified by an analysis of the current trend of governments’ withdrawal from funding the mental health services it provided until now and the replacement of the government funded services by privately owned services. The analysis will be made on the background of the current worldwide tendency of commoditification, which posits that health care should be considered a commodity and judged using indicators, which have proven their value in commerce and handling of commodities. The analysis leads to the conclusion that the both tendencies – of commoditification and of increasing involvement of private capital in running health care services are likely to lead to a deterioration of care for people with mental illness.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

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