New Developments for Family Caregivers in the Context of Mental Health in Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ella Amir
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
National Level ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Grassroots Organizations ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Loved One ◽  
History Of

In Canada, unpaid caregivers in the context of mental health are starting to receive the attention they deserve. To a certain extent, caregiving in other domains has been already recognized as an essential component of care, especially caregiving to frail elderly and those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Caregivers of a loved one with mental illness, however, have hardly been on the radar until recently. This report provides contextual background and a brief history of some recent, positive developments in Canada in addressing the needs of caregivers of family members who have mental health problems or illnesses. The role of family caregivers is being defined with increasing precision. Grassroots organizations and government-sponsored institutions are articulating responsive policies for bringing caregivers into the spotlight. While in its early days, there appears to be growing momentum in recognizing the crucial role family caregivers play in the recovery process in mental illness, the special needs that caregivers themselves have as a result of this role, and the economic burden of failing to accord caregivers a prominent place in any overall strategy for dealing with mental health issues on a national level.

Vietnamese-American family caregivers of persons with mental illness: Exploring caregiving experience in cultural context

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quynh Nhu (Natasha) Bui ◽  
Meekyung Han ◽  
Sadhna Diwan ◽  
Tran Dao
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
American Family ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Vietnamese American

While involvement of family caregivers can play an important role in the recovery process of persons with serious mental illness (SMI), family caregivers often endure poor health and mental health issues due to caregiving-related distress. These challenges may be exacerbated for Vietnamese American families due to cultural values (e.g., familism and stigma). This qualitative exploratory study examined how Vietnamese American family caregivers of persons with SMI describe their caregiving experience. Using convenience and snowball sampling, the study recruited 21 participants who took part in two Vietnamese-language focus groups. Key findings of the study addressed three themes: (1) the influence of cultural and religious values on caregiving and mental health; (2) the negative impact of caregiving on caregivers’ wellbeing; and (3) the stigma attached to mental illness. The study offers useful insights to assist mental health practitioners in tailoring culturally appropriate and effective services for Vietnamese caregivers.

The effects of a community mental health intervention project upon family caregivers of persons with suspected mental illness in the Chinese cultural context

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petrus Ng ◽  
Daniel KW Young ◽  
Jiayan Pan ◽  
King-Keung Law
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
Mental Health Intervention

Family members play an important role in caregiving with more emphasis on early intervention for people suffering from mental illness. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study examines the effects of a community mental health intervention project (CoMHIP) on burdens of caregivers who have family members with suspected mental illness. Results showed that family caregivers’ burden and psychological stress level had been reduced ( p < .001). The caregivers subjectively experienced a significant reduction in stress regarding the caregiving subscales, supervision, tension, worrying and urging after seeking CoMHIP service. Findings for the study have implications on social work interventions regarding family caregiving of people with suspected mental health problems.

scholarly journals Community Perception towards Mental Illness among Residents of Gimbi Town, Western Ethiopia

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misael Benti ◽  
Jemal Ebrahim ◽  
Tadesse Awoke ◽  
Zegeye Yohannis ◽  
Asres Bedaso
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Family History ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Community Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Information ◽  
History Of

Background. Despite the increased burden of mental health problem, little is known about knowledge and perception of the public towards mental health problems in Ethiopia. Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected 845 Gimbi town residents from May 28 to June 28, 2014. Results. Out of the total study participants, 304 (37.3%) were found to have poor perception (a score below mean five semantic differential scales for positive questions and above mean for negative questions) of mental illness. Being above 28 years of age (AOR = 0.48 CI (0.23, 0.78)), private workers (AOR = 0.41 CI (0.19, 0.87)), and lack of mental health information were found to be associated with poor perception of mental illness (AOR = 0.133 CI (0.09, 0.20)). Absence of family history of mental illness was also found to be associated with poor perception of mental illness (AOR = 0.37 CI (0.21, 0.66)). Conclusions. Significant proportions of the community in Gimbi town were found to have poor perception of mental illness. Poor perception is common among old aged, less educated, private workers, those unable to access mental health information, and those with no family history of mental illness. Mental health education on possible causes, treatment options, and possible outcome of treatment to the community is required.

scholarly journals Exploring presentation differences in multi-cultural youth seeking assistance for mental health problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephane Shepherd ◽  
Cieran Harries ◽  
Benjamin Spivak ◽  
Anne-Sophie Pichler ◽  
Rosemary Purcell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Mental ill-health can impact an individual’s capacity to interact with others, make decisions, and cope with social challenges. This is of particular importance for many Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals who may be at various stages of the acculturation process. The increasing diversity of the Australian population necessitates informed and culturally relevant services that meet the needs of a changing demographic. However the extant research on the mental health needs of CALD Australians is limited. This study aimed to further our understanding of the mental health needs of young CALD Australians by exploring the mental health concerns and social factors exhibited by CALD individuals accessing community based youth mental health services in two major cities. Methods We performed a series of logistic regression models to ascertain if a concert of factors (i.e., clinical, socio-economic, criminal justice system involvement, child maltreatment, social support) were associated with CALD status Results Comparisons across factors revealed no significant differences between groups. A small number of correlates differentiated between CALD and non-CALD participants (mental illness diagnosis during childhood, family history of mental illness/suicide, sensation seeking, sensitivity to punishment, maternal overprotection) however these factors were no longer meaningful after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Conclusions In help-seeking mainstream youth populations, cultural differences across clinical and environmental factors appear to be minimal.

Syd Barrett took a left turn and never came back, Andrew Voyce did. Why?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Hopkinson ◽  
Andrew Voyce ◽  
Jerome Carson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Left Turn ◽  
Intractable Problems ◽  
History Of ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the stories of Syd Barrett musician, with Andrew Voyce, and their respective recovery journeys. Design/methodology/approach The authors use collaborative autoethnography to share their own perspectives on Syd Barrett and to contrast his story with that of Andrew, a co-author. Findings Both Syd and Andrew experienced serious mental distress. While Syd had only limited contact with mental health services, Andrew’s contact was extensive, with a 20-year history of admissions and discharges. In the end, when the psychiatric services listened to Andrew’s concerns and acted on them, he was able to enter into the journey of recovery. Research limitations/implications The authors are restricted in the amount of available information on Syd Barrett, especially that related to mental health problems. The story of Andrew shows how recovery is possible even after years of serious mental illness. Practical implications Andrew’s story shows why professionals should never give up on people, with even the most seemingly severe and intractable problems. Could services have done more for Syd? Social implications Mental illness still attracts huge stigma. Today there is a much more open culture. Would Syd have come out about his own struggles with mental health had society been more open? Originality/value Bringing together two stories of mental distress enables the authors to explore the concept of recovery.

Mental health stigma among Oman Medical Speciality Board (OMSB) residents

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S516-S516
Author(s):  
S. Musharrafi ◽  
W. Al-Ruzaiqi ◽  
S. Al-Adawi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Medical Speciality ◽  
External Shame ◽  
Cultural Teaching ◽  
History Of ◽  
Competing Interest

BackgroundArab/Islamic culture such as those in Oman has been prescribed to be part of “collective culture” where family is central to one's identity. It is not clear how mental illness is perceived among young doctors in Oman in the light of modernization and acculturation.AimsExplore the socio-cultural teaching impact on attitudes towards mental health problems among Omani physicians.MethodThe consenting residents were asked to fill self-reported questionnaire Attitudes towards Mental Health Problems (ATMHP). It measure: external shame (beliefs that others will look down on themselves self if one have mental health problems); internal shame (related to negative self-evaluations); and reflected shame (believing that one can bring shame to their family/community). Socio-demographic information was also sought, including age, gender and previous contact with a person with mental illness.ResultsOne hundred and seventy residents filled the questionnaire. The response rate was > 80%. The majority were female. It showed elevated scores in indices of external shame and reflected shame. However, having a history of mental distress or having contact with a person with mental illness have moderate indices external shame and reflected shame.ConclusionThis study suggests that medical education has little eroded societal teaching among physicians under training in Oman. Thus, their attitude toward mental disorder appears to be expressed in term of external shame and reflected shame, which, in turn, encapsulate cultural patterning of shame and the centrality of family identity in Oman. Such socio-cultural teaching could lay groundwork for further research to mitigate mental illness in Oman.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205031211880762 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C Reardon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
History Of ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Time Frames

The abortion and mental health controversy is driven by two different perspectives regarding how best to interpret accepted facts. When interpreting the data, abortion and mental health proponents are inclined to emphasize risks associated with abortion, whereas abortion and mental health minimalists emphasize pre-existing risk factors as the primary explanation for the correlations with more negative outcomes. Still, both sides agree that (a) abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion; (b) the abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least some women; (c) there are risk factors, such as pre-existing mental illness, that identify women at greatest risk of mental health problems after an abortion; and (d) it is impossible to conduct research in this field in a manner that can definitively identify the extent to which any mental illnesses following abortion can be reliably attributed to abortion in and of itself. The areas of disagreement, which are more nuanced, are addressed at length. Obstacles in the way of research and further consensus include (a) multiple pathways for abortion and mental health risks, (b) concurrent positive and negative reactions, (c) indeterminate time frames and degrees of reactions, (d) poorly defined terms, (e) multiple factors of causation, and (f) inherent preconceptions based on ideology and disproportionate exposure to different types of women. Recommendations for collaboration include (a) mixed research teams, (b) co-design of national longitudinal prospective studies accessible to any researcher, (c) better adherence to data sharing and re-analysis standards, and (d) attention to a broader list of research questions.

When mental illness and cancer collide: An investigation of the predictors of outcomes for cancer patients with a history of mental health problems

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Hemmington ◽  
Daisy Huang ◽  
Christin Coomarasamy ◽  
Marie J. Young ◽  
Nathan S. Consedine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
History Of ◽  
Predictors Of Outcomes

Stigmatisation of mental illness in the workplace: evidence and consequences

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 102-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Bezborodovs ◽  
G. Thornicroft
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Stigma And Discrimination ◽  
Workplace Stigma

SummaryWork plays an important part in everyday life. For people experiencing mental health problems employment may both provide a source of income, improved self-esteem and stability, and influence the course and outcomes of the disorder. Yet in many countries the work-place consistently surfaces as the context where people with mental health problems feel stigmatised and discriminated the most. This paper will review the existing evidence of stigma and discrimination in the workplace, consider the consequences of workplace stigma on the lives of people experiencing mental health problems, and discuss implications for further action.

Socio Demographic and Clinical Profile of Indoor Female Patients of RINPAS

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Rajni Suri ◽  
Anshu Suri ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Amool R. Singh ◽  
Manisha Kiran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional

The role of women is very crucial in our society. She cares for her parents, partner, children and other relatives. She performs all types of duties in family and also in the society without any expectations. Because of playing many roles, women often face many challenges in their life including both physical and mental. Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some problems are more common among women including both physical and mental health problems. Aim of the study - The present study is aimed to describe and compare the clinical and socio-demographic correlates of female mentally ill patients. Methods and Materials: The study includes 180 female mentally ill patients based on cross sectional design and the sample for the study was drawn purposively. A semi structured socio-demographic data sheet was prepared to collect relevant information as per the need of the study. Result: The present study reveals that the socio-demographic factors contribute a vital role in mental illness. Findings also showed that majority of patients had mental problems in the age range of 20-30 have high rate. Illiterate and primary level of education and daily wage working women as well as low and middle socio-economic status women are more prone to have mental illness. Other factors like marital status, type of family and religion etc also important factors for mental illness. Keywords: Socio demographic profile, female, psychiatric patient

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