Assessing Needs

For law enforcement agencies and the mental health professionals who serve them, one question is always foremost: How can we provide the right services to improve officers' wellbeing? These decisions are typically made without any data about what officers want. This chapter details one agency's attempt to solicit such feedback with an anonymous online survey about mental health and overall wellness. A brief background describes the context of the survey, which occurred at the same time as other mental health initiatives in the department. The authors discuss the choices involved in developing and promoting the survey, in hopes that readers will make better informed choices should they survey their own first responders. The survey results are reviewed, many of which (including the high response rate) were surprising, and the changes the department has begun to make in response to this feedback. The responses from 14 other public safety agencies throughout Virginia are also summarized.

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Occupational Suicide Exposure and Impact on Mental Health: Examining Differences Across Helping Professions

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.1177/0030222820933019 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 003022282093301

Author(s):

Rosalie S. Aldrich ◽

Julie Cerel

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

First Responders ◽

Helping Professions ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Crisis Workers

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship of suicide exposure with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder across three occupational groups likely to be exposed to suicide (i.e., first responders, crisis workers, mental health professionals). An online survey was completed by 1,048 participants. Results indicated that first responders, mental health professionals, and crisis workers were all exposed to suicide in the routine course of their occupation. Exposure to suicide significantly impacted mental health, specifically on depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. The level of exposure to suicide was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

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Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of the Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.685423 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Eun Sol Lee ◽

Vin Ryu ◽

Ji Hyun Lee ◽

Hyeon Hong ◽

Hyeree Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Social Workers ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Factor Model ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Stress Scale

Background: Job stress of mental health professionals can have a negative impact on them, particularly their psychological health and mortality, and may also affect organizations' and institutions' ability to provide quality mental health services to patients.Aim: This study aimed to: (1) investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale (K-MHPSS), (2) develop K-MHPSS cut-off points to measure clinical depression and anxiety, and (3) examine whether specific stressors vary by area of expertise.Methodology: Data were collected via an online survey over 3 months, from August to October 2020. An online survey using a survey website was administered to volunteers who accessed the link and consented to participate. Data from 558 participants (200 clinical psychologists, 157 nurses, and 201 social workers) were included in the final analysis. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted to examine the factor structure of the K-MHPSS; concurrent validity of the scale was determined by analyzing correlation; internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In addition, ROC curve analysis and Youden's index were used to estimate optimal cut-off points for K-MHPSS; one-way ANOVA was performed to investigate the difference among the three groups.Results: The seven-factor model of the original scale did not be replicated by Korean mental health professionals. The K-MHPSS had the best fit with the six-factor model, which consists of 34 items. Concurrent validity was confirmed, and overall reliability was found to be good. The K-MHPSS cut-off points for depression and anxiety appeared to slightly different by professional groups. Furthermore, nurses and social workers showed significantly higher total scores compared to clinical psychologists, and there are significant differences in subscale scores among professionals.Conclusion: The Korean version of the MHPSS has appropriate psychometric properties and can be used to assess the occupational stress of mental health professionals. It can also serve as a reference point for screening clinical level of depression and anxiety in mental health professionals.

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Associative stigma among mental health professionals in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028179 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e028179 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Louisa Picco ◽

Sherilyn Chang ◽

Edimansyah Abdin ◽

Boon Yiang Chua ◽

Qi Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Job Satisfaction ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Latent Class ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Associative Stigma

Objectives(1) Investigate and explore whether different classes of associative stigma (the process by which a person experiences stigmatisation as a result of an association with another stigmatised person) could be identified using latent class analysis; (2) determine the sociodemographic and employment-related correlates of associative stigma and (3) examine the relationship between associative stigma and job satisfaction, among mental health professionals.DesignCross-sectional online survey.ParticipantsDoctors, nurses and allied health staff, working in Singapore.MethodsStaff (n=462) completed an online survey, which comprised 11 associative stigma items and also captured sociodemographic and job satisfaction-related information. Latent class analysis was used to classify associative stigma on patterns of observed categorical variables. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between sociodemographic and employment-related factors and the different classes, while multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between associative stigma and job satisfaction.ResultsThe latent class analysis revealed that items formed a three-class model where the classes were classified as ‘no/low associative stigma’, ‘moderate associative stigma’ and ‘high associative stigma’. 48.7%, 40.5% and 10.8% of the population comprised no/low, moderate and high associative stigma classes, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression showed that years of service and occupation were significantly associated with moderate associative stigma, while factors associated with high associative stigma were education, ethnicity and occupation. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that high associative stigma was significantly associated with lower job satisfaction scores.ConclusionAssociative stigma was not uncommon among mental health professionals and was associated with sociodemographic factors and poorer job satisfaction. Associative stigma has received comparatively little attention from empirical researchers and continued efforts to address this understudied yet important construct in conjunction with future efforts to dispel misconceptions related to mental illnesses are needed.

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Going Back to School and Work

The First Episode of Psychosis ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190920685.003.0013 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155-160

Author(s):

Beth Broussard ◽

Michael T. Compton

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Supported Employment ◽

Young Person ◽

First Episode ◽

The Right ◽

Supported Education ◽

First Job ◽

Work Goals

Finishing high school, going off to college, and getting a first job are visible signs of adult independence and set the foundation for future employment, income, and achievements. Though some may think that going back to school or work could be too stressful for a young person who has recently experienced a first episode of psychosis, psychosocial treatments called supported employment and supported education have been shown to be beneficial. These specialized supports help many young people get back into school, find and keep a job, or pursue both school and work goals. Doing well in school, or going to work, gives one a sense of purpose and achievement. These are important steps in recovery that can be achieved with the right supports from family, friends, and mental health professionals.

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Why Do Approved Mental Health Professionals Think Detentions under the Mental Health Act Are Rising and What Do They Think Should Be Done about It?

The British Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1093/bjsw/bcaa001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 616-633 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Bonnet ◽

Nicola Moran

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Social Risk ◽

Social Risk Factors ◽

Mental Health Act ◽

The Impact

Abstract The number of people detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act has risen significantly in recent years and has recently been the subject of an independent review. Most existing research into the rise in detentions has tended to prioritise the perspectives of psychiatrists and failed to consider the views of Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), usually social workers, who ultimately determine whether detention is appropriate. This mixed-methods study focused on AMHPs’ views on the reasons behind the rise in detentions and potential solutions. It included a national online survey of AMHPs (n = 160) and semi-structured interviews with six AMHPs within a Community Mental Health Team in England. AMHPs reported that demand for mental health services vastly exceeded supply and, due to inadequate resources, more people were being detained in hospital. AMHPs argued that greater investment in preventative mental health services and ‘low intensity’ support would help to mitigate the impact of social risk factors on mental health; and greater investment in crisis services, including non-medical alternatives to hospital, was required. Such investment at either end of the spectrum was expected to be more effective than changes to the law and lead to better outcomes for mental health service users.

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How Do Mental Health Professionals Evaluate Candidates for Bariatric Surgery? Survey Results

Obesity Surgery ◽

10.1381/096089206776944986 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 567-573 ◽

Cited By ~ 124

Author(s):

Anthony Fabricatore ◽

Canice Crerand ◽

Thomas Wadden ◽

David Sarwer ◽

Jennifer Krasucki

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Survey Results

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On-scene Mental Health Counseling Provided Through Police Departments

Journal of Mental Health Counseling ◽

10.17744/mehc.30.4.m125r35864213208 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 345-361 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Andrew Young ◽

Jill Fuller ◽

Briana Riley

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Police Officers ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Counseling ◽

Police Departments ◽

Crisis Counseling ◽

Health Counseling ◽

Survey Results ◽

The Impact

The expectation that police officers can address every need in every situation is daunting and unrealistic. Recognizing this, some police departments have instituted special training or used other resources to better serve the needs of citizens. One example is an on-scene crisis counseling unit comprised of volunteer mental health professionals who respond to calls with police officers. These counselors provide mental health services that police officers cannot. This article explains the usefulness of this type of program, and crisis counseling in general, for both officers and victims as they deal with crises like domestic violence, homicide, suicide, and sexual assault. The study examines survey results from victims and police officers about the impact of this intervention. The data support the helpfulness of the program. Implications and recommendations for further research are included.

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Alcohol Use Among Mental Health Professionals in China: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Survey

Alcohol and Alcoholism ◽

10.1093/alcalc/agaa065 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rui Tao ◽

Feng Jiang ◽

Kaiyuan Min ◽

Tingfang Liu ◽

Yuanli Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Northeast China ◽

Large Scale ◽

Online Survey ◽

Clinical Psychologists ◽

Male Sex

Abstract Aim To survey the use of alcohol, and its correlates by mental health professions in China, a nation where there is rapid increase in alcohol consumption and problems. Methods As a part of a large-scale, nation-wide online survey of healthcare professionals, we collected demographic variables and other health-related variables anonymously. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) was used to collect data on alcohol use. Results 13,980 mental health professionals completed the survey (4382 doctors, 9339 nurses and 259 clinical psychologists), representing 64% of the total targeted. Respondents were predominantly female (75.1%). Alcohol consumption was reported by 41.8% of participants (by 53.9% of doctors, 36.2% of nurses and 40.5% of clinical psychologists). Based on the cut-off scores of the AUDIT-C (≥3 for women and ≥4 for men), 7.5% were classified as probable alcohol misusers in the past year, and the rates were 10.2% in doctors, 6.3% in nurses and 5.8% in clinical psychologists. Multiple logistic regression showed that male sex (OR = 3.772; CI = 3.206–4.439), being a doctor (OR = 1.259; CI = 1.052–1.506), being divorced or widowed (OR = 1.979; CI = 1.467–2.666), having an associate degree or less (OR = 1.809; CI = 1.040–3.147), working in Northeast China (OR = 1.538; CI = 1.281–1.848) and the habit of smoking (OR = 3.345; CI = 2.280–3.967) were significantly associated with alcohol misuse. Conclusions Alcohol use and misuse were relatively common among mental health professionals in China, and male sex, being a doctor, with lower education, working in Northeast China and cigarette smoking were significant associations. Awareness and interventions are recommended to promote healthier use of alcohol in this professional group, especially among risk subgroups.

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Roles and expectations for mental health professionals in law enforcement agencies

American Journal of Community Psychology ◽

10.1007/bf00903204 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 207-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stuart Brown ◽

Barry R. Burkhart ◽

Glen D. King ◽

Roger Solomon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Law Enforcement ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Law Enforcement Agencies

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Attitudes towards seclusion and restraint in mental health settings: findings from a large, community-based survey of consumers, carers and mental health professionals

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796016000585 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 535-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

S. A. Kinner ◽

C. Harvey ◽

B. Hamilton ◽

L. Brophy ◽

C. Roper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Human Rights ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Service Providers ◽

Consumer Safety ◽

Mental Health Settings

Aims.There are growing calls to reduce, and where possible eliminate, the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health settings, but the attitudes and beliefs of consumers, carers and mental health professionals towards these practices are not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare the attitudes of mental health service consumers, carers and mental health professionals towards seclusion and restraint in mental health settings. In particular, it aimed to explore beliefs regarding whether elimination of seclusion and restraint was desirable and possible.Methods.In 2014, an online survey was developed and widely advertised in Australia via the National Mental Health Commission and through mental health networks. The survey adopted a mixed-methods design, including both quantitative and qualitative questions concerning participants’ demographic details, the use of seclusion and restraint in practice and their views on strategies for reducing and eliminating these practices.Results.In total 1150 survey responses were analysed. A large majority of participants believed that seclusion and restraint practices were likely to cause harm, breach human rights, compromise trust and potentially cause or trigger past trauma. Consumers were more likely than professionals to view these practices as harmful. The vast majority of participants believed that it was both desirable and feasible to eliminate mechanical restraint. Many participants, particularly professionals, believed that seclusion and some forms of restraint were likely to produce some benefits, including increasing consumer safety, increasing the safety of staff and others and setting behavioural boundaries.Conclusions.There was strong agreement across participant groups that the use of seclusion and restraint is harmful, breaches human rights and compromises the therapeutic relationship and trust between mental health service providers and those who experience these restrictive practices. However, some benefits were also identified, particularly by professionals. Participants had mixed views regarding the feasibility and desirability of eliminating these practices.

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