Survey of early predictive signs of poor mental health and socio-cultural beliefs about mental illness in Enugu state, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
OC Ekwueme ◽  
F Chukwueneke ◽  
AC Ekwueme ◽  
AC Ndu ◽  
CA Idoko ◽  
...  
CNS Spectrums ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-304
Author(s):  
Napoleon B. Higgins

Abstract:There are many barriers to mental health care in the Black Community. These barriers lead to racial disparities in access to treatment and quality of life, along with inappropriate treatment and misdiagnosis in mental and physical health. These disparities directly lead to increased morbidity, mortality and poor mental health in the our communities. Many would question if Black people are not interested in mental health and don’t see it as a needed concern. This talk will address that all cultures are not the same and that there is a fundamental need to address communities on their terms and not make them conform into a "majority culture" approach and perception of mental health care, but rather focus on the individual patient and community needs for mental health care. Often psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are trained in a very academic scientific approach to identification and treatment of mental illness. Too often this model does not fit the needs of all patients due to it not taking into account ethnic differences in communication of mental health and desired outcomes of the patient. This often leads to a lack of understanding on with both sides, the mental health professional and the patient. Too often a patient may see the physician, be given a diagnosis, starts taking a prescription, but then not be able to explain what is their diagnosis, the name of the medication, what it is for, nor what is the medication supposed to do for them. This could lead to unexpected poor outcomes due to the lack of effective communication. This talk will attempt to explain the barriers of communication to the Black community while appreciating and supporting cultural nuance and effective communication. This is needed to help bring mental health to the community in a digestible way and to meet the communities needs on their level. To do this, psychiatry needs to shift it’s focus to understanding cultural characteristics, such as how Black patients may have different cultural needs and may benefit from a unique, customized approach to their mental health. There is a need for psychiatry to take into consideration the spiritual aspects of patients and how many focus not only on needing to improve themselves, but also on how their mental health and behavior are impacting their family and the community as a whole. The traditional model of interview, diagnosis with medication, and follow up for medication adjustment is not fitting all communities leading to the detriment of their mental health.


Author(s):  
Haleigh M. Scott ◽  
Susan M. Havercamp

A large, nationally representative sample from a preexisting dataset, the National Core Indicators, was used to examine the impact of stress and social support on the mental health of adults with intellectual disability (ID). Stress was significantly correlated with both mental illness and severity of behavior problems, with each additional stressor increasing the odds of poor mental health by 20%. This relationship held, even after controlling for level of ID, gender, and place of residence. Lack of social support was associated with having a mental illness; individuals who lacked social support were twice as likely to have a mental illness. The importance of considering these factors in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health in this population is discussed.


Author(s):  
Amy Weisman de Mamani ◽  
Merranda McLaughlin ◽  
Olivia Altamirano ◽  
Daisy Lopez ◽  
Salman Shaheen Ahmad

This book is primarily designed for clinicians and researchers interested in learning how to conduct an empirically supported culturally informed therapy for schizophrenia (CIT-S) that integrates core components of evidenced-based family therapy. It is estimated that approximately 1% of adults in the United States will be diagnosed with schizophrenia or a related schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Without treatment, prognosis is generally poor. Fortunately, traditional family therapies have shown increasing promise in reducing relapse rates and improving mental health for this population. As more and more societies become multicultural, however, there is an increasing expectation that mental health providers will also be prepared to meet the needs of unique and culturally diverse clients in an efficient, skillful, and culturally relevant manner. CIT-S is a 15-week, family-focused, cognitive behavioral approach for managing schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The intervention draws upon clients’ cultural beliefs, practices, and traditions to help them conceptualize and manage mental illness. It aims to improve the quality of clients’ lives in a manner that is in line with their values and takes into account their cultural norms when discussing important issues and addressing challenges (such as mental illness) within the family. CIT-S contains five distinct modules: (a) family collectivism, (b) psychoeducation, (c) spirituality, (d) communication training, and (e) problem-solving. For each module, a detailed rationale, background information, therapy instructions, suggested homework assignments, and a sample case vignette are provided in an accessible, easy-to-use manner.


2021 ◽  
pp. 070674372198915
Author(s):  
Michael Liu ◽  
Cilia Mejia-Lancheros ◽  
James Lachaud ◽  
Eric Latimer ◽  
Tim Aubry ◽  
...  

Objective: The associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychopathology have been well-established in the general population. Research on ACEs in the homeless population has been limited. This study examined whether ACE exposure is associated with specific mental health outcomes among a national sample of homeless adults with mental illness and whether this association varies according to ACE dimension and gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from a national sample of 2,235 homeless adults with mental illness in Canada to evaluate their sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to ACEs, and mental health outcomes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to identify and confirm ACE dimensions (maltreatment, sexual abuse, neglect, divorce, and household dysfunction) from individual ACE items. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations between total ACE score and ACE dimensions with mental illness diagnoses and psychopathology severity. Results: The mean total ACE score among all study participants was 4.44 (standard deviation [ SD]: 2.99). Total ACE score was positively associated with several mental illness diagnoses and psychopathology severity. Unique associations were found between specific ACE dimensions and poor mental health outcomes. The prevalence of almost all ACEs was significantly higher among women. Yet, associations between several ACE dimensions and poor mental health outcomes existed uniquely among men. Conclusions: There are unique and gender-specific associations between specific ACE dimensions and mental health outcomes among homeless adults. Better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these associations is needed to inform screening, prevention, and treatment efforts, particularly given the very high prevalence of ACEs among this vulnerable and marginalized population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica E. Lambert ◽  
Fred Nantogmah ◽  
Adam Yahaya Dokurugu ◽  
Hanan Alhassan ◽  
Sandow Stanislaus Azuure ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The maltreatment of people with mental illness in Ghana's traditional and faith-based healing centres, including shackling, flogging, and forced fasting, has been documented by numerous sources. Such treatment is potentially traumatising and may exacerbate mental health problems. Despite widespread use, few studies have focused on experiences and characteristics of people who seek traditional healing for mental illness or healers' perspectives treatment of these conditions. Method Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 82 individuals who were treated in healing centres and 40 traditional healers; all took part in semi-structured interviews. Those treated were asked about experiences in centres and assessed for prior trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress, and functional impairment. Healers were asked about beliefs and practices related to the treatment of mental illness. Results Individuals treated in centres and healers generally believed that mental illness has a spiritual cause. Approximately 30.5% of those treated in centres were exposed to maltreatment; despite this, half would return. Individuals with a history of trauma were more likely to report maltreatment in the centre and had higher symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Most participants had impaired functioning. Healers who used practices like shackling believed they were necessary. Most healers were willing to collaborate with the official health structure. Conclusion Results provide insight into the treatment of mental illness by traditional healers in Ghana and the need for trauma-informed mental health services. Findings also highlight the importance of considering cultural beliefs when attempting to implement mental health interventions in the region.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 373-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McDaid ◽  
A-La Park ◽  
Kristian Wahlbeck

Poor mental health has profound economic consequences. Given the burden of poor mental health, the economic case for preventing mental illness and promoting better mental health may be very strong, but too often prevention attracts little attention and few resources. This article describes the potential role that can be played by economic evidence alongside experimental trials and observational studies, or through modeling, to substantiate the need for increased investment in prevention. It illustrates areas of action across the life course where there is already a good economic case. It also suggests some further areas of substantive public health concern, with promising effectiveness evidence, that may benefit from economic analysis. Financial and economic barriers to implementation are then presented, and strategies to address the barriers and increase investment in the prevention of mental illness are suggested.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2199-2199
Author(s):  
D. Bhugra

Prevention of mental illness and promotion of mental health are a significant component of any clinician's clinical work load. However, often this aspect is omitted from training and service delivery due to insufficient resources and the sheer volume of clinical load. Considerable evidence confirms that prevention can significantly reduce the onset of and subsequent related burdens to mental illness, and associated personal, social and economic costs. Often prevention and promotion get confused, and further mental illness and mental health are related but distinct dimensions. Acute mental illness usually prevents positive mental health or wellbeing, yet similarly someone without mental illness can have poor mental health and poor well being. Prevention of mental illness relates closely to and can result from promotion of mental health and associated resilience.Prevention can be categorised in multiple ways and most clinicians regularly utilise secondary and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention addresses wider determinants across whole populations. Selective prevention targets groups at higher risk of developing disorder. Secondary prevention involves early detection and intervention and corresponds to indicated prevention. This lecture summarises these challenges and the impact of mental illness, and develops the case for prevention. The risk and protective factors for mental illness and various ages of onset are presented. Interventions at different life stages are also outlined. The lecture relies on the EPA Guidance on prevention of mental ill health and promotion of mental well being using the development of UK policy as structure. Future steps will be presented within European and global context.


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