This 'Spotlight' report focuses on victims and survivors of domestic abuse who experience mental health problems and the barriers they experience in accessing services. It focuses on six key findings from evidence gathered within the Spotlight series and wider SafeLives' research which are used to make recommendations for change. The key findings show: there is a strong association between having mental health problems and being a victim of domestic abuse; domestic abuse often goes undetected within mental health services and domestic abuse services are not always equipped to support mental health problems; that survivors with mental health problems are more likely to be experiencing multiple disadvantage; the need for available trauma-informed services for survivors and perpetrators; improved integration of domestic abuse services into the health sector; and the need for a greater awareness of the relationship between domestic abuse and mental health within organisations and the general public. The report provides 21 recommendations, including recommendations for governments, multi-agency partnerships and domestic abuse and mental health services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This 'Spotlight' report focuses on victims and survivors of domestic abuse who experience mental health problems and the barriers they experience in accessing services. It focuses on six key findings from evidence gathered within the Spotlight series and wider SafeLives' research which are used to make recommendations for change. The key findings show: there is a strong association between having mental health problems and being a victim of domestic abuse; domestic abuse often goes undetected within mental health services and domestic abuse services are not always equipped to support mental health problems; that survivors with mental health problems are more likely to be experiencing multiple disadvantage; the need for available trauma-informed services for survivors and perpetrators; improved integration of domestic abuse services into the health sector; and the need for a greater awareness of the relationship between domestic abuse and mental health within organisations and the general public. The report provides 21 recommendations, including recommendations for governments, multi-agency partnerships and domestic abuse and mental health services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
domestic violence, unmet need, mental health problems, traumas, access to services, complex needs, offenders, training, interagency cooperation, mental health services;
This report provides an overview of the mental health needs of unaccompanied young people living in England and Wales, and the barriers they face in accessing mental health support and in receiving a good standard of care, once they are engaged in mental health support services. It then considers best practice models in providing adaptable and sensitive mental health support to unaccompanied young people, highlighting ways of working that may improve engagement between unaccompanied young people and mental health services. The research included desk research of the existing literature and interviews with key stakeholders, including 10 unaccompanied young people and 10 mental health and advocacy professionals. The report shows that the traumatic events that young people have faced prior to their arrival in the UK can continue to affect them for substantial periods through symptoms such as such as flashbacks, anger and disruptive behaviour, self- harm and suicide. Their mental health can also deteriorate if they face barriers in settling their lives. It highlights the importance for mental health services of using sensitive referral and assessment procedures, joint working across services, training to up-skill professionals, improving language and communication, and for consistency among services. Key recommendations include: for the use of more comprehensive tools for assessing mental health, services that are better connected with young people’s communities, and providing guardians to represent the best interests of all unaccompanied young people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report provides an overview of the mental health needs of unaccompanied young people living in England and Wales, and the barriers they face in accessing mental health support and in receiving a good standard of care, once they are engaged in mental health support services. It then considers best practice models in providing adaptable and sensitive mental health support to unaccompanied young people, highlighting ways of working that may improve engagement between unaccompanied young people and mental health services. The research included desk research of the existing literature and interviews with key stakeholders, including 10 unaccompanied young people and 10 mental health and advocacy professionals. The report shows that the traumatic events that young people have faced prior to their arrival in the UK can continue to affect them for substantial periods through symptoms such as such as flashbacks, anger and disruptive behaviour, self- harm and suicide. Their mental health can also deteriorate if they face barriers in settling their lives. It highlights the importance for mental health services of using sensitive referral and assessment procedures, joint working across services, training to up-skill professionals, improving language and communication, and for consistency among services. Key recommendations include: for the use of more comprehensive tools for assessing mental health, services that are better connected with young people’s communities, and providing guardians to represent the best interests of all unaccompanied young people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health care, unaccompanied asylum seeking children, mental health problems, mental health services, access to services, good practice, young people, young adults, training;
A Life in the Day, 13(1), February 2009, pp.23-26.
Publisher:
Emerald
At present there is no strategic national plan that adequately considers the specific needs of students with mental health difficulties. The author, Mental Health Co-ordinator at Nottingham Trent University, describes how the Mental Health Support Team improves access for students with mental health difficulties and explores how the Disability Discrimination Act applies to such students within a higher education context.
At present there is no strategic national plan that adequately considers the specific needs of students with mental health difficulties. The author, Mental Health Co-ordinator at Nottingham Trent University, describes how the Mental Health Support Team improves access for students with mental health difficulties and explores how the Disability Discrimination Act applies to such students within a higher education context.
Subject terms:
higher education, mental health problems, students, training, access to services, attitudes, educational assessment, health education;
Looks at the importance of close support from other services if Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are to be successful. Often children are not in contact with specialist services so it is important that staff in other children's services are trained to identify mental distress in children and signpost where appropriate.
Looks at the importance of close support from other services if Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are to be successful. Often children are not in contact with specialist services so it is important that staff in other children's services are trained to identify mental distress in children and signpost where appropriate.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, joint working, mental health problems, training, young people, access to services, child and adolescent mental health services, children;
An independent evaluation of a programme to increase the opportunities people with lived experience of disability, mental health issues and long-term health conditions, to get active, including people in receipt of personal budgets regularly participating in physical activity or sport. The programme was led by Disability Rights UK between February 2015 and March 2019. The programme evolved into three strands: Local Coordinators which operated across 2 sites; Supporting social workers across 8 sites; and Co-production by supporting DPULOs and sports providers across 3 sites. The main barrier to participation identified within the programme was a lack of knowledge about accessible opportunities. The evaluation found good evidence that the three, interconnected strands have helped to overcome barriers and make a positive difference in the lives of disabled people, as well as to the work of sports providers and health and social care professionals. The Local Coordinators strand increased the proportion of respondents who undertook physical activity; and over half social workers who responded to a survey felt that the training and guidelines had made a difference to their practice. Although the Co-production initiatives took time to develop, there was some evidence to suggest this was helping to improve provision, including small changes to sports facilities and services to make them work better for disabled people. Recommendations to build on the successes and lessons of the programme are included.
(Edited publisher abstract)
An independent evaluation of a programme to increase the opportunities people with lived experience of disability, mental health issues and long-term health conditions, to get active, including people in receipt of personal budgets regularly participating in physical activity or sport. The programme was led by Disability Rights UK between February 2015 and March 2019. The programme evolved into three strands: Local Coordinators which operated across 2 sites; Supporting social workers across 8 sites; and Co-production by supporting DPULOs and sports providers across 3 sites. The main barrier to participation identified within the programme was a lack of knowledge about accessible opportunities. The evaluation found good evidence that the three, interconnected strands have helped to overcome barriers and make a positive difference in the lives of disabled people, as well as to the work of sports providers and health and social care professionals. The Local Coordinators strand increased the proportion of respondents who undertook physical activity; and over half social workers who responded to a survey felt that the training and guidelines had made a difference to their practice. Although the Co-production initiatives took time to develop, there was some evidence to suggest this was helping to improve provision, including small changes to sports facilities and services to make them work better for disabled people. Recommendations to build on the successes and lessons of the programme are included.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
physical exercise, social workers, sport, co-production, evaluation, access to services, personal budgets, training, disabilities, mental health problems, long term conditions, outcomes;
Reports on the findings from a three year evaluation of Project Future, a community-based wellbeing and mental health service young men aged 16-25 with experience of the criminal justice system, specifically those exposed to serious youth violence or involved in gangs. The project aims to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing, access to services, and education, employment and training opportunities with the long-term aim of reducing marginalisation offending. It draws on the INTEGRATE MODEL where mental health professionals coproduce a service with young people to meet local needs. The evaluation included interviews with young people and community members engaged in the project, outcome monitoring surveys, focus groups, and process of change workshops. A total of 198 young people worked with the project over three years. The evaluation saw a significant improvement in the wellbeing of young people during their contact with the project. The project also enabled young people to access other services, such as health, employment, training, and welfare. Criminal justice stakeholders also reported perceived reduction of offending amongst young people attending the project. Young people also reported the importance of Project Future in providing a safe space, routine, and purpose which helped reduce offending In addition, 18 young people were employed by the project as community consultants, responsible for co-creating the project. Project Future was perceived to be an environment that made young people feel safe, respected, supported and listened to and which enabled young people to see themselves in new ways and access new opportunities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Reports on the findings from a three year evaluation of Project Future, a community-based wellbeing and mental health service young men aged 16-25 with experience of the criminal justice system, specifically those exposed to serious youth violence or involved in gangs. The project aims to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing, access to services, and education, employment and training opportunities with the long-term aim of reducing marginalisation offending. It draws on the INTEGRATE MODEL where mental health professionals coproduce a service with young people to meet local needs. The evaluation included interviews with young people and community members engaged in the project, outcome monitoring surveys, focus groups, and process of change workshops. A total of 198 young people worked with the project over three years. The evaluation saw a significant improvement in the wellbeing of young people during their contact with the project. The project also enabled young people to access other services, such as health, employment, training, and welfare. Criminal justice stakeholders also reported perceived reduction of offending amongst young people attending the project. Young people also reported the importance of Project Future in providing a safe space, routine, and purpose which helped reduce offending In addition, 18 young people were employed by the project as community consultants, responsible for co-creating the project. Project Future was perceived to be an environment that made young people feel safe, respected, supported and listened to and which enabled young people to see themselves in new ways and access new opportunities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
evaluation, intervention, access to services, young people, young adults, outcomes, adolescent boys, men, young offenders, youth justice, training, mental health services, wellbeing, mental health problems;
An evaluation of Solace Women’s Aid’s Refuge ‘Access for All Project’ in five London Boroughs, using qualitative and quantitative data from service users, managers and staff. The project aimed to improve access to, and the outcomes for, women and children in refuges with mental health and/or substance use issues who have experienced domestic abuse. A key aspect was the creation of a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) across Solace refuges, which included improving mental health training for staff and the provision of play therapy for children. The evaluation found that the project led to an increase in the understanding and confidence of staff in dealing with mental ill health and substance use issues and an increase in staff expectations of the support they could expect to receive from Solace for themselves. It also resulted in a reduction in the number and proportion of service users turned away because their mental health needs could not be met and received positive feedback from residents. The report provides lessons for Solace Women’s Aid, commissioners, policy makers and other providers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
An evaluation of Solace Women’s Aid’s Refuge ‘Access for All Project’ in five London Boroughs, using qualitative and quantitative data from service users, managers and staff. The project aimed to improve access to, and the outcomes for, women and children in refuges with mental health and/or substance use issues who have experienced domestic abuse. A key aspect was the creation of a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) across Solace refuges, which included improving mental health training for staff and the provision of play therapy for children. The evaluation found that the project led to an increase in the understanding and confidence of staff in dealing with mental ill health and substance use issues and an increase in staff expectations of the support they could expect to receive from Solace for themselves. It also resulted in a reduction in the number and proportion of service users turned away because their mental health needs could not be met and received positive feedback from residents. The report provides lessons for Solace Women’s Aid, commissioners, policy makers and other providers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
domestic violence, refuges, substance misuse, mental health problems, evaluation, access to services, training, staff, traumas, organisational culture, user views;
Evaluation report on the effectiveness of a pilot programme to strengthen joint working arrangements between schools and specialist children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS) and improve children and young people’s access to mental health support. The pilot covered 22 areas, incorporating 27 CCGs and 255 schools, who were funded to establish named lead contacts within NHS CYPMHS and schools. Lead contacts also participated in two joint planning workshops, involving other professionals from their local CYPMHS network. The report covers the design and setting up of the programme, the development of local models of joint working; lessons learned from the implementation of the workshops and challenges to implementing lead points of contact. The outcomes of the pilot are presented in relation to: knowledge and understanding of individual practitioners, joint professional working and communication, and services and systems transformation. Case-study examples for pilot sites who were successful in securing funding to scale up the programme are also included. Overall, the evaluation found the pilots were successful in strengthening communication and joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS. There were improvements to the self-reported outcome measures of: frequency of contact between pilot schools and NHS CYPMHS; understanding of the referral routes to specialist mental health support; and increased awareness of mental health issues among school leads. There were also indications that many schools had used the pilot to complement existing funding and support for mental health and well-being. The report provides critical success factors for establishing effective joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS and discusses areas to inform future service development.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Evaluation report on the effectiveness of a pilot programme to strengthen joint working arrangements between schools and specialist children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS) and improve children and young people’s access to mental health support. The pilot covered 22 areas, incorporating 27 CCGs and 255 schools, who were funded to establish named lead contacts within NHS CYPMHS and schools. Lead contacts also participated in two joint planning workshops, involving other professionals from their local CYPMHS network. The report covers the design and setting up of the programme, the development of local models of joint working; lessons learned from the implementation of the workshops and challenges to implementing lead points of contact. The outcomes of the pilot are presented in relation to: knowledge and understanding of individual practitioners, joint professional working and communication, and services and systems transformation. Case-study examples for pilot sites who were successful in securing funding to scale up the programme are also included. Overall, the evaluation found the pilots were successful in strengthening communication and joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS. There were improvements to the self-reported outcome measures of: frequency of contact between pilot schools and NHS CYPMHS; understanding of the referral routes to specialist mental health support; and increased awareness of mental health issues among school leads. There were also indications that many schools had used the pilot to complement existing funding and support for mental health and well-being. The report provides critical success factors for establishing effective joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS and discusses areas to inform future service development.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
access to services, child and adolescent mental health services, communication, evaluation, joint working, referral, schools, training, mental health problems, children, young people;
Summary report on the effectiveness of a pilot programme to strengthen joint working arrangements between schools and specialist children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS) and improve children and young people’s access to mental health support. The pilot covered 22 areas, incorporating 27 CCGs and 255 schools, who were funded to establish named lead contacts within NHS CYPMHS and schools. Lead contacts also participated in two joint planning workshops, involving other professionals from their local CYPMHS network. Overall, the evaluation found the pilots were successful in strengthening communication and joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS. It found improvements to the self-reported outcome measures of: frequency of contact between pilot schools and NHS CYPMHS; understanding of the referral routes to specialist mental health support; and increased awareness of mental health issues among school leads. There were also indications that many schools had used the pilot to complement existing funding and support for mental health and well-being. The briefing list critical success factors for establishing effective joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS, to help inform similar approaches in other areas.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Summary report on the effectiveness of a pilot programme to strengthen joint working arrangements between schools and specialist children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS) and improve children and young people’s access to mental health support. The pilot covered 22 areas, incorporating 27 CCGs and 255 schools, who were funded to establish named lead contacts within NHS CYPMHS and schools. Lead contacts also participated in two joint planning workshops, involving other professionals from their local CYPMHS network. Overall, the evaluation found the pilots were successful in strengthening communication and joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS. It found improvements to the self-reported outcome measures of: frequency of contact between pilot schools and NHS CYPMHS; understanding of the referral routes to specialist mental health support; and increased awareness of mental health issues among school leads. There were also indications that many schools had used the pilot to complement existing funding and support for mental health and well-being. The briefing list critical success factors for establishing effective joint working arrangements between schools and NHS CYPMHS, to help inform similar approaches in other areas.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
child and adolescent mental health services, schools, joint working, access to services, referral, mental health problems, evaluation, training, communication, children, young people;