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Understanding advocacy practice in mental health: a multidimensional scalogram analysis of case records
- Authors:
- MORRISON Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 27(2), 2018, pp.127-134.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Few studies have examined mental health consumers’ motives for seeking advocacy assistance. Aims: This study aimed to identify factors that influenced mental health consumers’ use of advocacy services. Methods: The analysis was based on 60 case records that were sourced from a community advocacy service. Each record was dichotomously coded across 11 variables to generate a series of categorical data profiles. The data set was then analysed using multidimensional scalogram analysis to reveal key relationships between subsets of variables. Results: The results indicated that mental health consumers commonly reported a sense of fear, which motivated them to contact the advocacy service in the hope that advocates could intervene on their behalf through effective communication with health professionals. Advocates often undertook such intervention either through attending meetings between the consumer and health professionals or contacting health professionals outside of meetings, which was typically successful in terms of achieving mental health consumers’ desired outcome. The resolution of most concerns suggests that they were often legitimate and not the result of a lack of insight or illness symptoms. Conclusion: Health professionals might consider exploring how they respond when consumers or carers raise concerns about the delivery of mental health care. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘When you haven't got much of a voice’: an evaluation of the quality of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) services in England
- Authors:
- NEWBIGGING Karen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 23(3), 2015, pp.313-324.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Given the context of increasing numbers of people detained under the Mental Health Act and heightened awareness of the potential for neglect and abuse in human services, statutory advocacy is an important safeguard supporting human rights and democratising the social relationships of care. This article reports findings from a national review of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) provision in England. A qualitative study used a two-stage design to define quality and assess the experience and impact of IMHA provision in eight study sites. A sample of 289 participants - 75 focus group participants and 214 individuals interviewed - including 90 people eligible for IMHA services, as well as advocates, a range of hospital and community-based mental health professionals, and commissioners. The research team included people with experience of compulsion. Findings indicate that the experience of compulsion can be profoundly disempowering, confirming the need for IMHA. However, access was highly variable and more problematic for people with specific needs relating to ethnicity, age and disability. Uptake of IMHA services was influenced by available resources, attitude and understanding of mental health professionals, as well as the organisation of IMHA provision. Access could be improved through a system of opt-out as opposed to opt-in. Service user satisfaction was most frequently reported in terms of positive experiences of the process of advocacy rather than tangible impacts on care and treatment under the Mental Health Act. IMHA services have the potential to significantly shift the dynamic so that service users have more of a voice in their care and treatment. However, a shift is needed from a narrow conception of statutory advocacy as safeguarding rights to one emphasising self-determination and participation in decisions about care and treatment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Improving mental health support for refugee communities: an advocacy approach
- Author:
- MIND
- Publisher:
- MIND
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 45p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The Refugee and asylum-seeker mental health advocacy project was developed to build a better understanding of the mental health concerns of refugees and asylum-seekers in England and to use these data to improve their ability to find pathways to appropriate mental health support. The core approach was to work with advocates from refugee community organisations to develop a robust form of mental health advocacy. This form of advocacy includes not only focused support for individuals, but also advocacy for the community as a whole. In the community function the aim was to create a dialogue with the community on issues of mental health (including stigma) and to engage with primary care trusts and other provider agencies to develop community-focused services. In this report, Mind worked with Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) to examine the role they play in refugee and asylum seeker mental health and found that PCTs and Local Authorities need to do more to improve their engagement with RCOs and develop more culturally appropriate services.
Transforming services: changing lives: a guide for action
- Authors:
- CLARK Marion, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Birmingham. Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health; Suresearch
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
This guide suggests ways of engaging with user involvement which will assist mental health practitioners in mental health trusts and the voluntary sector to improve practice in this area. It combines ideas and advice with direct quotes from some of the users and staff who contributed to the research on which it is based.
Mental health and incapacity for work: an information pack for people claiming incapacity benefit, income support and severe disablement allowance
- Authors:
- BETTERIDGE Jean, DAVIS Ann
- Publisher:
- University of Birmingham. Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health; Suresearch
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 54p.
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
This Information Pack has been written for people using mental health services and their advocates who are concerned to maximise benefit income. Research has shown that the Incapacity for Work Test, brings with it complex and worrying procedures for people with mental health problems who are unable to work and who claim Incapacity Benefit, Income Support and Severe Disablement Allowance.