scholarly journals Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavioural Responses of Healthcare Students towards Mental Illnesses—A Qualitative Study

Author(s):  
Taylor Riffel ◽  
Shu-Ping Chen

Background: The stigma of mental illness causes delays in seeking help, and often compromises victims’ therapeutic relationships with healthcare providers. The knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural responses of future healthcare professionals toward individuals with mental illnesses are explored here to suggest steps that will reduce mental illness stigma in healthcare providers. Methods: A generic qualitative approach—Qualitative Description—was used. Eighteen students from nine healthcare programs at a Canadian University participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Participants answered questions regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural responses towards individuals with mental illnesses. Thematic content analysis guided the data analysis. Results: Four main themes were constructed from the data: positive and negative general perceptions toward mental illness; contact experiences with mental illnesses; mental illness in a healthcare setting; and learning about mental illness in healthcare academia. Conclusions: Students showed well-rounded mental health knowledge and mostly positive behaviours toward individuals with mental illnesses. However, some students hold stigmatizing attitudes and do not feel prepared through their academic experiences to work with individuals with mental illnesses. Mental health education can reduce the stigma toward mental illness and improve the care delivered by healthcare professionals.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Pui-Hing Wong ◽  
Cun-Xian Jia ◽  
Mandana Vahabi ◽  
Jenny Jing Wen Liu ◽  
Alan Tai-Wai Li ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Chinese students are extremely vulnerable to developing mental illness. The stigma associated with mental illness presents a barrier to seeking help for their mental health. OBJECTIVE The <i>Linking Hearts—Linking Youth and ‘Xin’ (hearts)</i> project is an implementation science project that seeks to reduce mental illness stigma and promote the mental health of university students in Jinan, China. The Linking Hearts project consists of 3 components. In this paper, we outline the protocol for the first component, that is, the contextual assessment and analysis of the mental health needs of university students as the first step to inform the adaptation of an evidence-based intervention to be implemented in Jinan, China. METHODS Six local universities will participate in the Linking Hearts project. A total of 100 students from each university (n=600) will engage in the contextual assessment through self-report surveys on depression, anxiety, stress, mental health knowledge, and mental health stigma. Quantitative data will be analyzed using several descriptive and inferential analyses via SPSS. A small number of participants (144 students and 144 service providers) will also be engaged in focus groups to assess the socio-environmental contexts of university students’ health and availability of mental health resources. Qualitative data will be transcribed verbatim and NVivo will be used for data management. Social network analysis will also be performed using EgoNet. RESULTS Linking Hearts was funded in January 2018 for 5 years. The protocol of Linking Hearts and its 3 components was approved by the research ethics boards of all participating institutions in China in November 2018. Canadian institutions that gave approval were Ryerson University (REB2018-455) in January 2019, University of Alberta (Pro00089364), York University (e2019-162) in May 2019, and University of Toronto (RIS37724) in August 2019. Data collection took place upon ethics approval and was completed in January 2020. A total of 600 students were surveyed. An additional 147 students and 138 service providers took part in focus groups. Data analysis is ongoing. Results will be published in 2021. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this contextual assessment and analysis will generate new knowledge on university students’ mental health status, mental health knowledge, and resources available for them. These findings will be used to adapt and refine the <i>Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment-Linking Youth N’ Xin</i> intervention model. The results of this contextual assessment will be used to inform the adaptation and refinement of the mental health intervention to promote the mental health of Chinese university students in Jinan. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR1-10.2196/25009


2021 ◽  
pp. 136346152110550
Author(s):  
Patrícia Neves Guimarães ◽  
Duncan Pedersen

The process of stigmatization within different cultural contexts has long been viewed as essential in understanding the course and outcomes of mental illness. However, little research has examined which cultural constructs and categories are used to explain mental illness, and how they contribute to the way people with mental illness experience stigma and social exclusion, as well as how these beliefs affect healthcare practices. This study examines meanings ascribed to mental illness and experiences of stigma among four groups in urban settings of Minas Gerais, Brazil: persons with mental illness; their families; members of the lay public; and health professionals working at an alternative community-based psychosocial treatment service or a local university hospital. Qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and participant observation, were conducted with a purposive sample of 72 participants. Data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings suggest that stigma and discrimination are intrinsically rooted in a systemic process of social exclusion generated by meanings ascribed to mental illness and the structural vulnerabilities of the mental healthcare system. The findings further suggest that structural inequality is a powerful factor behind lay concepts of mental illness and that this is particularly harmful because it reinforces personal blame attributions instead of addressing the hidden structural forces that contribute to mental illness. The study highlights the subtle interrelations between cultural beliefs and structural vulnerabilities that should be addressed in mental health policy in order to diminish the effects of stigma on people with mental illnesses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Hook ◽  
Julia Kozishkurt ◽  
Olga Kovalchuk ◽  
Evelina Goncharenko ◽  
Vitalii Kodovbetskyi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Increasing access to quality, evidence-based mental health treatments, including psychotherapy, is a global priority. Knowledge of factors associated with delivery settings is critical to ensure that new practices are appropriate and effectively adapted for novel settings. Understanding perceived needs for training and interest in ongoing education is one key factor. This qualitative study aimed to identify perspectives on contemporary evidence-based psychotherapies, perceived needs for mental health training, and existing barriers and facilitators to provision of mental health services in community clinics in Ukraine. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit 18 physicians and psychologists employed in community clinics in Kyiv. A combination of free-listing and semi-structured interviews was used to collect data, which were thematically coded using emergent coding. Results Findings from this study indicated that participants recognize a need for improved mental health knowledge and training, as well as suggested interest and openness to learning short-term, structured psychological interventions. Additional barriers and existing strengths described by participants provide insight into possible factors that may impact future trainings in and implementation of modern mental health approaches.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S479-S479
Author(s):  
J. Millman ◽  
K. Galway ◽  
O. Santin ◽  
J. Reid

IntroductionSerious mental illness (SMI) is associated with poorer cancer outcomes. Reasons for such inequalities are unclear; those with this comorbidity receive fewer specialist interventions and die earlier than the general population. Further exploratory work is required.ObjectivesExploring the experience of SMI and cancer from the perspective of those affected by this comorbidity and those caring for them professionally or informally.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with ‘key patients’ living with SMI who had received a cancer diagnosis (n = 7), significant others who had supported key patients (n = 4) and healthcare professionals who had worked with at least one KP (n = 17). A panel of patients and professionals ratified interview guides. Interviews were analysed thematically.ResultsMental health professionals were more confident in their knowledge of the needs of this population than oncology professionals, but were challenged by working with patients with major physical health needs. Key patients’ mental health appeared to remain stable after cancer diagnosis, and they expressed altruism towards others with comorbid cancer and SMI. Significant others and healthcare professionals were more likely to critique systemic aspects of care than were key patients.ConclusionsProfessionals feel challenged when working outside of their usual job role. Training needs include mental illness awareness in an oncology setting. Improved coordination and communication is required, encompassing significant others as well as professional groups. SMI may protect against the psychological impact of cancer. Key patients were keen to provide advice and support to others in similar situations. Further research is needed into these areas.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


Curationis ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.P. Mkize ◽  
L.R. Uys

The understanding of popular beliefs about mental health care and the pathways clients take prior to admission to a mental health institution is vital in planning to reduce delays in seeking treatment. The objectives of this exploratory survey were to determine pathways of care the clients with mental illness take, which ultimately lead to the mental health institution, the effects of socio-cultural and economic factor on the pathways to mental health care and the satisfaction with different service providers consulted. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that African clients interpret mental illness as bewitchment. Delays in seeking appropriate mental health care are experienced because traditional and faith healers are the first port of call. The short pathways are used when the first signs of psychotic features are severe, including like aggressive or violent behaviour. Financial constraints seem to be the problem for most of the clients in accessing mental health care. Furthermore, defaulting treatment was also observed due to the fact that mental illnesses are stigmatised in African communities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-263
Author(s):  
BH. Szokolai Katus

Háttér és célkitűzések: Önkéntes beteglátogatóként és a kórházakban gyógyuló felnőtt betegek mentálhigiénés gondozásával foglalkozó szakemberként gyakran foglalkoztat az a kérdés, hogyan lehet a kórházakban kezelt betegek mentális állapotán javítani, a kórházban eltöltött heteket mentálisan segíteni. Egyre többet hallani az „empatikusabb gyógyításról", vagyis a betegekkel szembeni megértőbb hozzáállásról, de az empatikus magatartás rendkívül nagy energiát igényel. Meglátásom szerint a kedvesség, a másokkal szembeni kedves hozzáállás és cselekedet már önmagában nagyon sokat tehet a betegek mentális egészségének megőrzésében. Módszer: A vizsgálat során a klinikán dolgozó betegkísérők közül négy fővel készítettem félig strukturált interjút. Az interjúk mellett a retrospekció, továbbá extrospekció módszerét alkalmaztam. Eredmények: A betegkísérőkkel készült interjúk összegzése és saját tapasztalataim alapján a kedvességnek öt olyan alappillérét határoztam meg (a bemutatkozás, a mosoly, az együttérző érintés, a figyelmesség, valamint a biztatás és beszélgetés), amelyek sokat jelenthetnek a betegek gyógyulása során, és amelyeket bárki elsajátíthat a betegek mentális egészégének megőrzése vagy javítása érdekében. Következtetések: A betegek iránti tisztelet és törődés nemcsak a segítségnyújtás különböző formáiban, de a kedvesség gyakorlásában is megmutatkozhat. Sokszor nem tudhatjuk, hogy egy beteg ember mit él át, hogyan éli meg az adott élethelyzetet, milyen érzései vannak, de egy kedves cselekedet már az egész napját meghatározhatja, erősítheti a gyógyulásba vetett hitét, a beteg és a gyógyító személyzet tagjai között pedig elősegítheti a bizalmi kapcsolatot. A betegekkel való jó kapcsolat kialakítása nemcsak a betegek mentális egészségére van jó hatással, de az egészségügyi dolgozókat is védheti a kiégéstől.Background and aims: As a voluntary patient visitor and a specialist working for the mental health of hospital-treated adult patients, I frequently dwell on the question how the mental state of hospitalized patients could be improved, and how the weeks spent in a hospital could be supported mentally. Although the healing power of empathy, thus a more emphatic attitude towards patients is recognized today, emphatic behaviour requires a lot of energy. In my view, kindness, and a kind attitude or action can greatly improve the mental health of patients. Methodology: In the course of the analysis, I have done semi- structured interviews with four patient escorts working at the clinic. Besides the interviews, I have also applied the methods of retrospection and extrospection. Results: Based on the summary of the interviews with the patient escorts and my own experiences, I distinguished five basic elements of kindness (introduction, smile, compassionate touch, thoughtfulness, and encouragement) that may greatly contribute to the healing of the patients, and are easily adaptable for the sake of the preservation or improvement of their mental health. Conclusions: The respect and concern for patients can not only be manifested in the various forms of medical assistance, but also in the practice of kindness. In many cases we might not even suspect what a sick person experiences, and what she/he goes through in a certain situation. There is no doubt, however, that a kind act can determine a person's whole day, strengthen one's faith in healing, and promote trust between patients and healthcare providers. Maintaining a good relation is not only beneficial for the mental health of the patients, but it could also prevent healthcare professionals from burnout.


Author(s):  
Nazanin Jannati ◽  
Jamile Farokhzadian ◽  
Leila Ahmadian

Objectives: This study aims to describe healthcare professionals' experience in providing mental health services to women with postpartum depression. Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five physicians, five midwives, and five psychologists from fourteen urban healthcare centers in Kerman, Iran, from April 2019 to September 2019. We used purposeful sampling to select the participants. Data were qualitatively analyzed using a content analysis approach. Results: Data analysis revealed the main theme of the study, "the long way ahead of comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health services." This theme includes four categories: "postpartum depression challenges, "social and personal factors," "structural challenges," and "need to change in the mental health services." The participants described that the diagnosis of depression is difficult due to insufficient knowledge of healthcare providers and hidden signs of postpartum depression. The participants described how different factors might cause depression. These factors were economic, cultural factors in the society, personality traits, community lack of knowledge, negative attitude toward depression, and limited family support. Moreover, providing mental health services has some challenges, such as limited human resources, insufficient financial resources, and incomplete or inefficient policy makings. Conclusion: Although measures have been taken to provide mental health services, there are many challenges regarding providing mental health services to mothers. Therefore, there is a need to take serious measures to improve mental health services and re-define the existing measures. Informing the community, empowering the healthcare providers, and planning to change the community's attitude and belief can affect women's mental health care with depression. Keywords: Postpartum Depression, Mental Health Services, Community Mental Health Services, Mental Disorders, Depressive Disorder.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rim Taleb ◽  
Nayla Kassab ◽  
Asmaa Kebbe ◽  
Nour Kreidieh

Purpose This study primarily aims to evaluate the mental health literacy (MHL) of the Lebanese adult population in an attempt to yield results that can help fill the gap in the literature and support the development of new strategies to counter mental health stigma. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was composed of the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule and select questions from the Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill and MHL Scale. The surveys were collected from a representative population of sample size (n = 386) among the different governorates of Lebanon. The participants, aged 18–65 years and literate, were recruited between July 2018 and September 2018 from supermarkets widely distributed across the country. Findings The results showed that the Lebanese population possesses average knowledge and certain stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illnesses. Curricular education and awareness campaigns may help refine the image of mental illness among the population. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first in Lebanon to assess the MHL of its population as a whole. It gives insight into the common misconceptions about mental illness and patterns of the related stigma that are prevalent in the Lebanese society today.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Arsyad Subu ◽  
Del Fatma Wati ◽  
Netrida Netrida ◽  
Vetty Priscilla ◽  
Jacqueline Maria Dias ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Stigma refers to the discrediting, devaluing, and shaming of a person because of characteristics or attributes that they possess. Generally, stigma leads to negative social experiences such as isolation, rejection, marginalization, and discrimination. If related to a health condition such as mental illness, stigma may affect a person’s illness and treatment course, including access to appropriate and professional medical treatment. Stigma has also been reported to affect patients’ families or relatives, along with professionals who work in mental healthcare settings. Stigma is strongly influenced by cultural and contextual value systems that differ over time and across contexts. However, limited information is available on how types of stigma are experienced by patients with mental illness and mental health nurses in Indonesia. Method We explored the stigma-related experiences of 15 nurses and 15 patients in Indonesia. The study design and analysis of interview data were guided by deductive (directed) content analysis. Results Five themes emerged. Four themes were patient-related: personal/patients’ stigma, public/social stigma, family stigma, and employment stigma. The fifth theme related to stigma toward healthcare professionals working with patients with mental illnesses, which we categorized as professional stigma. Conclusions This study has achieved a deep understanding of the concept of stigma in the Indonesian context. This understanding is a prerequisite for developing appropriate interventions that address this phenomenon and thereby for the development of mental health services in Indonesia. This study may also be transferable to other countries that share similar cultural backgrounds and adhere to traditional and religious value systems.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e044855
Author(s):  
Claire Collins ◽  
Pearse Finegan ◽  
Marie O'Shea ◽  
James Larkin ◽  
Ivana Pericin ◽  
...  

BackgroundPeople with enduring mental illness (EMI) have higher morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases than the general population, and this results in a significantly reduced relative life expectancy—accounted for primarily by physical illness. This gap may be partly influenced by the reduced likelihood of access to and uptake of regular physical health screening.AimTo establish Irish service providers’ perspectives regarding the care of the physical health of people with EMI in an effort to inform future service developments aimed at improving the physical health of people with EMI.Design and settingQualitative study of healthcare providers—general practitioners (GPs) and members of the community mental health teams—in Ireland.ParticipantsGPs and mental health service providers.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 service providers. Thematic analysis was undertaken.ResultsParticipants considered that the physical health of people with EMI is not currently regularly addressed by the patient’s GP or the mental health team. Factors associated with this include patient compliance with attendance, time constraints in consultations to adequately support patient self-management, communication difficulties with the patient and between primary and secondary care, and lack of clarity as to whose responsibility it is to ensure physical health is monitored. In participants’ view, a barrier to improvement is the present funding approach.ConclusionThe evidence from this study has the potential to form the basis for innovation and change in service delivery for people with an EMI in Ireland and internationally, specifically in countries where it is not clear who has the overall responsibility to monitor the physical health of patients with EMI. This role requires time and regular contact, and both the organisation and the funding of the health system need to support it.


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