Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 6 of 6
Let's talk mental health: a booklet for people who are using mental health services
- Author:
- NORTHERN IRELAND. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 42p.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This booklet is for adults who are experiencing mental health difficulties. It offers guidance on what to expect from Mental Health Services and to show how users can become more involved in decisions about care and treatment. Contents include: why should you get actively involved?; coming into contact with Mental Health Professionals; your General Practitioner; specialist psychological therapies; admission to a mental health unit; discharge and aftercare; taking medications and medication safety; contacting mental health services in times of crisis; some terms used in mental health and what they mean; mutual respect; giving feedback and making complaints. Details useful organisations are also provided.
The drugs don't work
- Author:
- WADDELL Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 19.09.02, 2002, p.26.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Psychiatric service users and mental health professionals have long debated the merits of therapy as opposed to medication, or at the very least therapy in addition to psychiatric drugs. And with the safety of so-called "clean" SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) antidepressant drugs being brought into question by users and professionals, the need for effective, client-focused rather than "clock-focused" therapies seems ever more important.
Medication, healing and resistance in East Malaysia
- Author:
- CRABTREE Sara Ashencaen
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Religion and Culture, 8(1), March 2005, pp.17-25.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper considers some findings from an ethnographic study of psychiatric patients in hospital care in East Malaysia. The subject of treatment is considered with regard to professional attitudes towards patient 'compliance' and the demonstration of resistance by users within a multicultural context in which traditional healing continues to be a popular alternative to biomedicine. 'Resistance' here is used in its literal meaning, rather than as an abstract, theoretical construct. The narratives of Malaysian patients in relation to resisting treatment in this study form some direct comparisons with, for example, the quotes from service users on the topic of medication, 'control and coercion' in the UK. Resistance to treatment then is interpreted by staff as the outcome of sickness behaviour, which frequently results in coercive strategies. The undisputed power of the medical profession in Malaysia has contributed to the lack of an evolved 'service-user' perspective in which few patient rights are recognised, especially non-treatment. These responses remain embedded in a paternalistic and custodial attitude that does not acknowledge issues of spirituality or alternative healing practices that are important to hospitalised patients. Modernisation of services have not led to a parallel development with regard to patient participation or in terms of appropriate cultural responses. It is concluded that until this takes place professionals will continue to ignore the personal meaning users attach to treatment resistance.
Services for people with physical impairments and mental health support needs
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
People with physical impairments who also have mental health support needs have tended to be overlooked by both policy-makers and those commissioning services. The majority of respondents said they had difficulty accessing mental health services because of their physical impairments. The majority also had difficulty using physical disability services because of inadequate recognition of mental health needs and negative attitudes amongst staff towards mental health issues. In-patient experiences were often characterised by inaccessible physical environments and a lack of assistance for even simple things. There was a lack of understanding of the assistance that people needed, and staff were often too busy to provide it. Medication required for a physical condition was commonly withdrawn on admission to a psychiatric ward and was not always available when needed. This caused considerable distress, particularly when the medication was required for the control of pain. Community mental health services were appreciated when needs relating to physical impairment as well as mental health were addressed. However, this was unusual. Staff were often unfamiliar with needs relating to physical impairment and this could be associated with unhelpful attitudes. There was commonly poor or no communication between mental health and physical disability services. Many respondents found that services accessed because of physical impairment ignored mental health issues; some staff had negative reactions to such needs. Medication given for mental health needs often had an impact on physical impairment, but most people said they had not been warned about these potential effects. 'Talking treatments' received the highest rating of any service, but it was often difficult to find an accessible and, within the private sector, affordable therapist or counsellor. When people were asked what they wanted from mental health and physical disability services, they said they wanted to be seen as "a whole person", with attention paid to both mental health needs and those relating to physical impairment. They wanted services and professionals to communicate and work together, and easy access to flexible services which could address individual needs. Above all, they wanted to be listened to and treated with respect.
Educating acute inpatients about their medication: Is it worth it? an exploratory study of group education for patients on a psychiatric intensive care unit
- Authors:
- KAVANAGH Kathy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 12(1), February 2003, pp.71-81.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Anti-psychotic drugs are the cornerstone of the management of psychotic disorders but despite their ubiquity in clinical practice, many psychiatric patients lack knowledge about the medication that is prescribed to them. Education for out-patients does improve knowledge but these patients are relatively stable. In response to calls from users on a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU), a medication education group was provided. The aim was to explore the effectiveness of a medication education group on knowledge about drug treatment, insight and treatment adherence. Fifteen patients with psychotic disorders according to DSM-111-R criteria recruited from a psychiatric intensive care unit, received two sessions of medication education. Changes post education were compared to 15 comparison patients, who did not attend a medication education group but were individually matched for primary treatment team, age, sex, number of admissions and length of illness. The experimental group improved significantly over time compared with the comparison group on knowledge about drug treatment. Sessions of education also led to an increase in insight, but there were no effects on compliance or attitudinal/behavioural factors that influence medication compliance. Symptom change did not account for the improved knowledge. Group education on drug issues was successful in increasing knowledge of medication and insight even in an acutely ill group.
Meeting of minds: best practice case studies in mental health services
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 46p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Contains examples of best practice of partnership working in the implementation of mental health policy. The establishment of the National Institute for Mental Health presents an opportunity to reshape services and practice in line with the evidence base. The 'Meeting of minds' project represents some of the wide range of joint NHS and industry initiatives that have been developed through the foresight of those working in mental health.