Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 12
Chain reaction?
- Author:
- BURKE David
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, July 2007, pp.8-9.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The author investigates whether slavery could be linked to the high levels of mental distress among Afro-Caribbean people. The article looks at some differing opinions.
Profiles of depressive symptoms among African Americans and Caribbean Blacks
- Authors:
- LINCOLN Karen D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 65(2), July 2007, pp.200-213.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Latent profile analysis was used to summarize profiles of depressive symptoms among a nationally representative sample of US-born and Caribbean-born Blacks. Analyses are based on the responses of 4915 African Americans and Caribbean Blacks from the National Survey of American Life. A high symptoms and a low symptoms class were identified. Age, gender, negative interaction within the individual's social network (e.g., conflict, demands, criticism) and racial discrimination were associated with depressive symptoms in the low symptoms class, whereas socioeconomic status, gender, emotional support and negative interaction were associated with depressive symptoms in the high symptoms class. The findings demonstrate the heterogeneity within the Black population in the USA and the distinct sociodemographic, family network and stress correlates of depressive symptoms for each latent class.
Responding to ethnic diversity: black service users' views of mental health services in the UK
- Author:
- BOWL Ric
- Journal article citation:
- Diversity in Health and Social Care, 4(3), 2007, pp.201-210.
- Publisher:
- Radcliffe Publishing
UK literature on mental health services for black service users relies heavily on perceptions of professionals, carers and community representatives. This paper focuses solely on the views of service users on existing services and how they might be improved. It is based on thematic analysis of material derived from focus groups and individual interviews conducted with South Asian and African-Caribbean mental health service users within one local area. It considers the implications for the likelihood of the current UK government's initiative Delivering Race Equality achieving significant improvement in services for black service users. The analysis highlights the role of socio-economic exclusion in shaping black service users' experiences of mental health problems and that this is a barrier to achieving a reduction in black and ethnic minority hospital admissions. Cultural and institutional exclusion compound this, leading to continuing insensitivity towards the needs of black service users within both hospital and community based services. The participants supported many of the initiatives outlined in Delivering Race Equality and wanted to see more culturally appropriate services for recovery; further development of the cultural competence of staff within mainstream services; and educational programmes about mental health directed at minority communities. It was a source of particular disquiet to participants that they perceived so little response by mental health services to their consistently expressed views about what was needed. The paper concludes that more systematic consultation with black service users and a commitment to change within mainstream services is essential, or insensitivity to ethnic diversity will remain a defining characteristic of UK mental health services.
Advocacy services for African-Caribbean men
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 9.8.07, 2007, pp.34-36.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
This article highlights evidence from research and practice on the barriers that prevent African and Caribbean men from participating in mainstream advocacy services and the models and principles support good practice in this area.
Joy of living: a community-based mental health promotion program for African American elders
- Author:
- CREWE Sandra Edmonds
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 48(3/4), 2007, pp.421-438.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
African American elders are often acknowledged for their resilience in overcoming discrimination. Because of their unique historical experience, many have relied upon family support and spirituality to address mental health problems and have shunned professional mental health services. Despite the strengths of African American elders, there are mental health needs that require professional intervention. This article specifically discusses a mental health promotion program sponsored by the Mental Health Association of the District of Columbia. It provides a description of the program and an evaluation of its outcomes. An analysis of pre and post intervention evaluations (n = 228) shows success of the intervention in raising participant awareness of normal and abnormal mental health as well as resources available to them. The article also discusses barriers to mental health care for older people, with particular focus on African Americans.(Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Mtetezi: developing health advocacy with African and Caribbean men
- Authors:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE, NEWBIGGING Karen, et al
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 174p.
- Place of publication:
- London
There is a substantial body of evidence pointing to a negative relationship between mental health services and African and Caribbean men, who are under-represented as users of enabling services and over-represented in the population of patients who are admitted to, compulsorily detained in, and treated by mental health services. The consequences of this are poor engagement with mainstream services, restricted choices and high levels of dissatisfaction with mainstream care. The review identified the potential of advocacy to address these issues and to secure access to the most appropriate forms of support.
Mtetezi: developing health advocacy with African and Caribbean men: summary
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 15p.
- Place of publication:
- London
There is a substantial body of evidence pointing to a negative relationship between mental health services and African and Caribbean men, who are under-represented as users of enabling services and over-represented in the population of patients who are admitted to, compulsorily detained in, and treated by mental health services. The consequences of this are poor engagement with mainstream services, restricted choices and high levels of dissatisfaction with mainstream care. The review identified the potential of advocacy to address these issues and to secure access to the most appropriate forms of support.
Being understood, being respected: an evaluation of the statutory and voluntary mental health service provision in Birmingham for members of the black African and Black African-Caribbean communities
- Authors:
- RABIEE Fatemeh, SMITH Paula
- Publisher:
- Birmingham City University
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 172p.
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
This report presents a study into mental health service provision for black African and African Caribbean people in Birmingham. Previous studies have demonstrated a disparity in mental health service provision between black and white service users, with, for example, black service users being more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication, to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act, and less likely to be offered social and psychological interventions. This research examined statutory and non-governmental organisation (NGO) provision for African and African Caribbean communities in relation to its accessibility, cultural appropriateness, the extent to which it meets the needs of service users, the impact of factors such as racism, discrimination, culture and religion, and issues relating to funding. A range of methods and data sources were used including: a telephone survey of 15 NGOs and statutory providers; 9 focus groups and 4 semi-structured interviews 25 service users and 24 carers; and 3 focus groups and 16 semi-structured individual interviews with professionals from statutory providers, commissioners and independent sector providers. The findings are discussed under a number of themes: the role of NGOs; understanding mental health; accessibility of services; experiences of using services; facilitators and barriers to developing culturally appropriate services; the need for mental health service provision that is targeted to African and African Caribbean people; roles for service users and cares; actions that should be taken to improve services; acknowledging the stress of working in mental health services; and the role of social and family support. Implications of the findings for the providers and commissioners of mental health services are highlighted.
Mental health and physical health of family caregivers for persons with dementia: a comparison of African American and white caregivers
- Authors:
- KNIGHT B. G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), September 2007, pp.538-546.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This investigation analyzed the differences between African American and white caregivers in the effects of family caregiving for a person with dementia on mental health and physical health variables (including subjective health, reported diseases and cardiovascular measures). A population-based sample of 102 caregivers is compared with 102 non-caregivers matched on ethnicity, gender and age. There were no significant group differences for mental health effects. Most significant physical health effects were attributable to main effects of ethnicity rather than caregiving status. However, African American caregivers had higher diastolic blood pressure than all other groups, a finding consistent with group-specific risk for circulatory system disorders.
Predisposition to seek mental health care among Black males transitioning from foster care
- Authors:
- SCOTT Lionel D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 29(7), July 2007, pp.870-882.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study examined the predisposition to seek mental health care in the future for personal and mental health problems among Black males transitioning from the foster care system (n = 74) in Missouri in the United States. Results of simultaneous multiple regression analysis showed that custody status, diagnosis of a DSM-IV psychiatric disorder, and emotional control contributed significantly to the prediction of Black male's predisposition to seek mental health care. Specifically, Black males who were still in foster care were more predisposed to seek mental health care, whereas those diagnosed with a DSM-IV psychiatric disorder and who adhered more to the norm of emotional control were less predisposed to seek mental health care. Implications for mental health service delivery are discussed.