Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Correlates of psychological distress and major depressive disorder among African American men
- Authors:
- LINCOLN Karen D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 21(3), May 2011, pp.278-288.
- Publisher:
- Sage
African American men encounter numerous life situations that constitute risk factors for poor mental health. This study aimed to examine the demographic correlates of depressive symptoms, serious psychological distress (SPD), and both 12-month and lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) among African American men. The demographic factors that were examined include: age; poverty status; years of education; employment status; marital status; and region. The analyses are based on the responses from 1,271 African American men from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), a comprehensive study of mental health among Americans of African descent conducted from 2001 to 2003. The results provide first-time substantiation of important demographic differences in depressive symptoms, SPD, and 12-month and lifetime MDD among African American men. The findings illuminate the heterogeneity within the African American male population, and demonstrate the need for additional research focusing on within-group differences. A number of implications for practice are discussed.
HIV and mental health
- Author:
- JACOBS Nicola
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, June 2011, pp.29-32.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
There is an increasing awareness of the relationship between HIV and mental health. This article reports on research undertaken by the National AIDS Trust looking at psychological support for people living with HIV. Data gathered from focus groups and an expert seminar showed that: 1) experiences of mental health services varies across the country; 2) psychological support is most valued at times of stress; and 3) psychological intervention can make a considerable difference to long term health and well being.
Parkinson's and associated mental health issues
- Author:
- HEISTRS Daiga
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing and Residential Care, 13(5), May 2011, pp.248-250.
- Publisher:
- MA Healthcare Ltd.
- Place of publication:
- London
The impact of Parkinson's disease on an individual mental health is discussed. The article looks at anxiety, depression, hallucinations, dementia and communication problems.
Coming home may hurt: risk factors for mental ill health in US reservists after deployment in Iraq
- Authors:
- RIVIERE Lyndon A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(2), February 2011, pp.136-142.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
A study was undertaken to examine whether 4 factors (financial hardship, job loss, employer support and the effect of deployment absence on co-workers) were associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in US National Guard soldiers (reservists). Data for the study was obtained from surveys of 4,034 soldiers from 2 National Guard brigades at approximately 3 months and 12 months after their deployments to Iraq. The results showed that the 4 factors were associated with depression and PTSD, with variability based on outcome and time point. The researchers concluded that the results of the study provide substantial evidence that National Guard soldiers have unique concerns affecting their well-being compared with regular soldiers, and that although combat exposure contributes to the development of mental health problems, other experiences are also important.
Quantifying the effect of early retirement on the wealth of individuals with depression or other mental illness
- Authors:
- SCHOFIELD Deborah J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(2), February 2011, pp.123-128.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The aim of this study was to quantify the cost of lost savings and wealth to Australians aged 45 to 64 who retire from the labour force early because of depression or other mental illness. The study used analysis of data from Health&WealthMOD (a microsimulation model of health, employment, income and wealth designed to measure the economic impact of ill health, built on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers), and STINMOD (an income and savings microsimulation model). The results showed that people who are not part of the labour force because of depression or other mental illness have significantly less wealth compared with people of the same age, gender and education who are in the labour force with no chronic health condition, and it is more likely that the wealth that they do have is in cash assets rather than higher growth assets such as superannuation, home equity and other financial investments. The authors conclude that lower accumulated wealth is likely to result in lower living standards for these individuals in the future, to compound the impact of their condition, and to result in a large financial burden on the state.
Demoralization and psychological distress in refugees: from research to practice
- Author:
- BRIGGS Lynne
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 9(1-6), 2011, pp.336-345.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article considers the challenges of meeting the mental health needs of refugees, migrants and their families. Specifically, it considers the concept of demoralisation and whether this may provide a more relevant diagnosis than depression for these individuals. The study participants were 100 refugee and migrant clients recruited from mental health and resettlement services in New Zealand and South Australia. A set of self-report scales revealed a degree of demoralisation and psychological distress among the sample. However, the study was not able to demonstrate that demoralisation is a more relevant diagnosis than depression for these clients, although the concept is worthy of further investigation. Despite the fact that many of the participants had attracted a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, a trial of antidepressants resulted in much lower effective response rates than would be expected. Additional factors known to impact on mental health, such as unemployment, were also apparent, placing emphasis on the need for further development of culturally competent and evidence-based practice in resettlement and mental health services.
Stigmatizing clients with mental health conditions: an assessment of social work student attitudes
- Authors:
- KUBIAK Sheryl Pimlott, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 9(1-6), 2011, pp.253-271.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Social stigma and stigmatising attitudes have been found to be impediments to effective care and primary practice interventions for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Because social workers provide a significant amount of such services, this study explores what attitudes and beliefs they may have in relation to treating individuals with these conditions. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the level of stigmatising beliefs among student social workers as a function of their willingness to treat clients with 1 of 4 conditions: alcohol dependence; nicotine dependence; depression, and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease was included as a comparison to the disorders associated with behavioural derivations. A survey was completed in-class by 117 MSW students, with 76 of these students later completing an online survey. The findings showed that the students held higher levels of stigma toward nicotine dependent clients and less toward those with depression. Personal histories of depression and student age, but not smoking or alcohol use, were predictive of higher stigma levels toward nicotine dependent clients. Implications for social work are discussed.
Common mental health disorders: the NICE guideline on identification and pathways to care
- Author:
- NATIONAL COLLABORATING CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists; British Psychological Society
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 310p., CD ROM
- Place of publication:
- London
The published version of the full evidence-based clinical guideline on common mental health disorders: identification and pathways to care (Clinical Guideline 123), commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). This guideline aims to help clinicians and service commissioners in providing and planning high-quality care for people with a common mental health disorder, while emphasising the importance of the experience of care for them and their families and carers. It covers depression and anxiety disorders, including phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders and post traumatic stress disorders. The first three chapters provide a summary of the clinical practice and research recommendations, a general introduction to guidelines and the topic, and to the methods used to develop the guideline. Chapter 4 to Chapter 7 cover provide the evidence that underpins the recommendations. These chapters cover: access to healthcare; assessment; risk assessment and outcome monitoring; systems for organising and developing local care pathways. The final chapter provides a summary of the recommendations. The guideline is relevant to those providing primary, community and secondary care, and other healthcare professionals who have direct contact with and make decisions concerning the care of adults with common mental health disorders. It is also relevant for, though doesn't cover the work of, social services.
Perceptions of Chinese Australians on seeking help for mental health problems: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- CHAN Bibiana, RITCHIE Jan
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 13(4), November 2011, pp.36-45.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Studies with Chinese immigrants in Australia and elsewhere have revealed that they make less use of mental health services. The study described in this paper forms part of a larger study aiming to explore how migrants from a non-Western culture residing in a Western culture reach out for help for emotional distress. In order to clarify the reasons for the help-seeking behaviour already identified in the study, 16 community-based focus groups were conducted with 26 Mandarin-speaking, 33 Cantonese-speaking and 17 English-speaking Chinese, and with 25 locally born Australians. Two vignettes describing cases of depression were used to trigger discussion at the focus groups. Analysis of the transcripts revealed the participants’ perceptions of the various levels of helpfulness of a range of potential helpers: general practitioners; psychologists and counsellors; psychiatrists; herbalists; community education; friends and family; and support groups. The findings revealed that informants' patterns of seeking help for mental health problems were strongly influenced by cultural traditions and were different from customary Australian approaches, so opportunities to gain help for emotional distress were limited. There is a need to improve the relevant cultural competence of health professionals and to raise the Chinese community's awareness of service availability.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies for people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- LEYIN Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 16(5), 2011, pp.29-37.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme was established with a focus on relieving distress caused by depression and anxiety disorders, provision of talking therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, and fair and equitable access to all community groups. This article considers the applicability of the IAPT service in meeting the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities. It discusses mainstream psychological interventions for people with learning disabilities, removing barriers and improving access, and whether people with learning disabilities are getting access to IAPT. The author argues that although the IAPT service is well established for the mainstream population, there are deficits and barriers at many levels for people with learning disabilities, and that action needs to be taken to remove existing barriers for people with learning disability, to develop local visions, knowledge, skills and service structures to best meet their needs, and to develop appropriate systems to monitor uptake and outcomes. The article also discusses what is meant by "reasonable adjustments" in the context of IAPT and the need to be aware that IAPT may not be relevant to all people with learning disabilities.