Search results for ‘Author:"johnson robin"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 22
Do “complex needs” need “complex needs services”? – part one
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 17(3), 2013, pp.127-134.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – This paper – the first of two – aims to trace the origins of, and suggest the underlying intentions behind, the recent appearance of the new term “complex needs”, amongst commissioners, service providers and some service user groups. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes a narrative approach, describing the early appearance of the term “complex needs” in services for those excluded from and/or stigmatised in mental health services. This is then contextualised with UK Government policy papers. Findings – Contemporary usage of the term “complex needs” may at times be inconsistent and confusing; but it reflects government concerns that service provision has become too narrow in focus, and less needs-led. The concept embodies an implicit critique of overly narrow practice, and holds the prospect of more systemic change. Originality/value – “Complex needs” is relatively new, as a quasi-technical term; as is any analysis locating its usage in the context of current overly narrow service definitions. (Publisher abstract)
Pervasive interactions: a purposive best evidence review with methodological observations on the impact of housing circumstances and housing interventions on adult mental health and well-being
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 16(1), 2013, pp.32-49.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
There is a widespread view, derived primarily from the lived experience of mental health service staff and service users, that housing has a significant impact on mental health. The aim of this purposive review is to describe the current state of evidence on the effect of housing circumstances, and housing-related interventions, on adult mental health and well-being. The review covers the entire range of health from chronic illness to positive thriving, and both individual and community-level/public health. It gives priority to research relevant to public policy considerations, in particular to the UK context. The complexity of methodological issues emerges as a key challenge for research in this field, and for the prospect of evidence-based national policy. The limited available evidence gives conditional support to: policies accentuating empowerment at individual and community levels; early intervention; locality or place-based interventions; and integrated working practice.
A commentary on: Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Housing Support Services for People with Mental Health Problems: A Review by Nicholas Pleace and Alison Wallace, Centre for Housing Policy, University of York
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 14(4), 2011, pp.127-133.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper provides a commentary on a recently published study by the Centre for Housing Policy (CHP) which discusses the complexities of research in housing related support in the UK context. It aims to explore the strengths and limitations of the study; and the potential wider relevance outside the UK research context. The CHP report raises important questions over the complexities of evidencing innovative services. Despite some omissions, it should be helpful to health local commissioners in assessing the value of services; and the further research the report proposes is to be welcomed. The report also provides an introduction to “housing related support” for an international research audience, less familiar with the UK social policy and funding context.
Public health and social housing: a natural alliance
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 14(1), 2011, pp.6-14.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In November 2010, the UK Coalition Government unveiled its White Paper on the future course of the new national public health services. The White Paper offers significant advances in the promotion of public health, and especially the role of local government in brokering local partnerships. The aim of this paper is to summarise and comment on evolving UK policy in public health and social housing, using mental health is as an example. It especially aims to outline the gaps in conventional health research approaches that have tended to obscure the evidence and potential in collaborative working. The paper describes how the evidence base relating to public health policy remains scattered across different disciplines and their various disparate communication channels. Any new public health strategy focussed on health inequalities needs to recognise the role that social housing already plays in supporting concentrations of the more vulnerable. Better recognition of the everyday social and mental health problems that social housing staff deal with illustrates the central role of housing management as the defining factor in social housing, and the potential for partnerships with public health.
Hidden healthcare
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, April 2011, pp.14-17.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Some of the mental health problems that social housing staff have to deal with in their work are discussed. These include paranoia, hoarding and personality disorders. The article highlights how social housing is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society and argues that social housing should be include in partnerships and joint initiatives to identify needs.
Metrics and measures in tackling the social determinants of health - the example of mental health and housing
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 9(3), September 2010, pp.36-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article reports on the conclusions of 'The Places we Live – the housing and neighbourhood’s sub-group of the Mental Health Inequalities: Measuring What Counts Partnership' seminar of 2009. Five current or potential health service metrics were proposed as having particular value as signal indicators, two of which are still being formulated as new services and approaches are still evolving. Among existing health datasets, the Mental Health Minimum Dataset, SITuation REPorts, and the Summary Care Record data were singled out, though each is thought to need more work to improve the current data categories as well as data collection. One point made was that the identifying, assessing and encouraging of effective inter-sector partnership work will be the key to tackling health inequalities. The use of other, non-health services data therefore holds great potential for a better recognition both of needs and of outcomes in successful partnership work, especially where this can be interpreted at local level. The article ends with a Codex, updating the relevant policy frameworks context since the seminar and especially in the context of a new coalition government with aspirations to promote public health in the context of the local performance framework and the new localism agenda.
Medical-social divide hindering homeless people
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 12.8.10, 2010, p.28.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The need for homelessness services to develop a greater understanding of the emotional needs of homeless people is highlighted. The author draws on the new guidance 'Meeting the psychological and emotional needs of people who are homeless' issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the government's National Mental Health Development Unit.
Mental health and the settled accommodation indicator in the SEA PSA: priority areas for local action
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 12(1), April 2009, pp.9-18.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Four routes or pathways have now been identified by which individuals may come within the scope of PSA 16 National Indicator 149, which is concerned with monitoring efforts to achieve settled accommodation for individuals with significant mental health problems. This article focuses on their needs and the identification of those with mental health needs as seen through these four principal routes. An understanding of these four possible pathways can help to identify areas for priority action, local delivery chains and partnerships, and also highlight some of the challenges and risks in and for delivery.
This is not a pipe
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- A Life in the Day, 13(2), May 2009, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article explores the role that housing support workers can have in reaching out to and engaging with individuals who would ordinarily be reluctant to put themselves in the hands of conventional care or therapy services.
Bringing it all back home: mental health and housing
- Author:
- JOHNSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 11(3), November 2008, pp.30-35.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article calls for better co-operation and co-ordination between mental health and housing support services, and greater recognition of the important role of social housing in community mental health care. The article was originally published as: Johnson R (2008) A Life in the Day 12(2), pp.9-13.