WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Publisher:
World Health Organization
Publication year:
2004
Pagination:
66p., bibliog.
Place of publication:
Geneva
Mental disorders are inextricably linked to human rights issues. The stigma, discrimination and human rights violations that individuals and families affected by mental disorders suffer are intense and pervasive. At least in part, these phenomena are consequences of a general perception that no effective preventive or treatment modalities exist against these disorders. Effective prevention can do a lot to alter these perceptions and hence change the way mental disorders are looked upon by society.
Mental disorders are inextricably linked to human rights issues. The stigma, discrimination and human rights violations that individuals and families affected by mental disorders suffer are intense and pervasive. At least in part, these phenomena are consequences of a general perception that no effective preventive or treatment modalities exist against these disorders. Effective prevention can do a lot to alter these perceptions and hence change the way mental disorders are looked upon by society.
Extended abstract:
Author
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
Title
Prevention of mental disorders: effective interventions and policy options: summary report.
Publisher
World Health Organization, 2004
Summary
Prevention of Mental Disorders: Effective Interventions and Policy Options , on which this summary report is based, offers an overview of international evidence-based programmes and policies for preventing mental and behavioural disorders, focusing on primary prevention rather than secondary or tertiary prevention and describing the concepts relating to prevention; the relationship between prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health; malleable individual, social and environmental determinants of mental disorders; the emerging evidence on the effectiveness of preventive interventions; the public health policy and practice implications; and the conditions needed for effective prevention.
Context
Mental disorders are inextricably linked to human rights issues. The stigma, discrimination and human rights violations that individuals and families affected by mental disorders suffer are intense and pervasive. At least in part, these phenomena are consequences of a general perception that no effective preventive or treatment modalities exist against these disorders. Effective prevention can do a lot to alter these perceptions and hence change the way mental disorders are looked upon by society.
Method
Contents
A preface gives the background. The development of the summary report is described. Key messages are listed: Prevention of mental disorders is a public health priority; mental disorders have multiple determinants; prevention needs to be a multipronged effort; effective prevention can reduce the risk of mental disorders; implementation should be guided by available evidence; successful programmes and policies should be made widely available; knowledge on evidence for effectiveness needs further expansion; prevention needs to be sensitive to culture and to resources available across countries; population-based outcomes require human and financial investments; effective prevention requires intersectoral linkages; levels; and protecting human rights is a major strategy to prevent mental disorders. An introduction asks what is evidence-based prevention and promotion in mental health?, with sections on p revention of mental disorders as a public health priority, promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorders, and developing the evidence for successful programmes and policies. Part then discusses evidence-based risk and protective factors: th e concept of risk and protective factors; social, environmental and economic determinants, and individual and family-related determinants.
Part 2 is on m acro-strategies to reduce risk and improve quality of life: i mproving nutrition. improving housing, improving access to education, reducing economic insecurity, strengthening community networks and reducing the harm from addictive substances.
Part 3 covers r educing stressors and enhancing resilience: pr omoting a healthy start in life, reducing child abuse and neglect. coping with parental mental illness, enhancing resilience and reducing risk behaviour in schools. dealing with family disruption, intervening at the workplace, supporting refugees and ageing mentally healthy.
Part 4 comes on to the core subject of preventing mental disorders, discussing co nduct disorders, aggression and violence; depression and depressive symptomatology, anxiety disorders. eating disorders, substance-related disorders, psychotic disorders and suicide.
Part 5 describes the way forward: s teps to be taken, needs assessment and programme development, dissemination and adoption, adaptation and tailoring, implementation, evaluation and monitoring, ensuring sustainability, conditions needed, policy, capacity building and training, research and advocacy, and resources and infrastructures.
79 references
Subject terms:
human rights, mental health problems, United Nations, discrimination, families;
Argues that a new draft Disability Discrimination Bill will help people with mental health problems by bringing them further within the remit of discrimination law.
Argues that a new draft Disability Discrimination Bill will help people with mental health problems by bringing them further within the remit of discrimination law.
Subject terms:
law, mental health problems, stigma, disability discrimination, discrimination;
Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma, 9(1/2), 2004, pp.175-184.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Maintained by the desires of the Catholic community to see Northern Ireland unified with the rest of Ireland and the Protestants' desire to remain part of the United Kingdom, violence in Northern Ireland lasted for 30 years, causing 3,585 deaths. This violence impacted people's lives through mental health and intergroup relations. While some individuals were deeply scarred by “the troubles,” most learned to cope partly by habituation, distancing, and/or denial. The impact on intergroup relations has been subtler but more damaging. Segregation in housing and education is widespread. This in turn has made it harder to reach a long-term settlement.
Maintained by the desires of the Catholic community to see Northern Ireland unified with the rest of Ireland and the Protestants' desire to remain part of the United Kingdom, violence in Northern Ireland lasted for 30 years, causing 3,585 deaths. This violence impacted people's lives through mental health and intergroup relations. While some individuals were deeply scarred by “the troubles,” most learned to cope partly by habituation, distancing, and/or denial. The impact on intergroup relations has been subtler but more damaging. Segregation in housing and education is widespread. This in turn has made it harder to reach a long-term settlement.
Subject terms:
housing, mental health problems, social exclusion, Christianity, discrimination, education;
Health inequalities for those with learning difficulties and mental health problems are to be the subject of a ground-breaking investigation by the Disability Rights Commission who are launching their investigation 'Equal treatment: closing the gap'. Asks if it will blame GPs.
Health inequalities for those with learning difficulties and mental health problems are to be the subject of a ground-breaking investigation by the Disability Rights Commission who are launching their investigation 'Equal treatment: closing the gap'. Asks if it will blame GPs.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mental health problems, access to services, discrimination, general practitioners, health care;
GREAT BRITAIN. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Social Exclusion Unit
Publisher:
Great Britain. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Social Exclusion Unit
Publication year:
2004
Pagination:
144p.
Place of publication:
London
This report marks the start of a sustained programme of change to challenge discriminatory attitudes and significantly improve opportunities and outcomes for adults with mental health problems. This will mean people with mental health problems regaining hope and recovering control of their lives, whatever their diagnosis or ongoing symptoms. Government has an important role to play, but the active involvement of the voluntary and community sector,employers and, crucially, people with personal experience of mental health problems will be essential to achieve real change. The report features case studies of many successful local projects and the experiences of individuals who have overcome the challenges posed by mental health problems to lead fulfilling lives. These examples demonstrate what can be achieved and the benefits that result for individuals and society.
This report marks the start of a sustained programme of change to challenge discriminatory attitudes and significantly improve opportunities and outcomes for adults with mental health problems. This will mean people with mental health problems regaining hope and recovering control of their lives, whatever their diagnosis or ongoing symptoms. Government has an important role to play, but the active involvement of the voluntary and community sector,employers and, crucially, people with personal experience of mental health problems will be essential to achieve real change. The report features case studies of many successful local projects and the experiences of individuals who have overcome the challenges posed by mental health problems to lead fulfilling lives. These examples demonstrate what can be achieved and the benefits that result for individuals and society.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, social exclusion, stereotyped attitudes, community care, community mental health services, discrimination, employment;
Reports on findings from an international scoping review of programmes and interventions to combat stigma and discrimination commissioned by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) to inform its strategic approach to anti-stigma work. The evidence from the scoping review supports six key principles to inform appropriate programmes and interventions: user/carer involvement; multi-level approaches; behaviour change; clear messages; evaluation; and long term funding.
Reports on findings from an international scoping review of programmes and interventions to combat stigma and discrimination commissioned by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) to inform its strategic approach to anti-stigma work. The evidence from the scoping review supports six key principles to inform appropriate programmes and interventions: user/carer involvement; multi-level approaches; behaviour change; clear messages; evaluation; and long term funding.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, user participation, anti-discriminatory practice, discrimination, evaluation, evidence-based practice, financing;
British Journal of Psychiatry, 185(12), December 2004, pp.479-485.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
There is a dearth of research into the mental health of gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women in the UK. A comprehensive assessment was made of the psychological and social well-being of a sample of gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women, identified using ‘snowball’ sampling. Of the 1285 gay, lesbian and bisexual respondents who took part, 556 (43%) had mental disorder as defined by the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS - R). Out of the whole sample, 361 (31%) had attempted suicide. This was associated with markers of discrimination such as recent physical attack (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3) and school bullying (OR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1-2.0), but not with higher scores on the CIS-R. Gay, lesbian and bisexual men and women have high levels of mental disorder, possibly linked with discrimination.
There is a dearth of research into the mental health of gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women in the UK. A comprehensive assessment was made of the psychological and social well-being of a sample of gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women, identified using ‘snowball’ sampling. Of the 1285 gay, lesbian and bisexual respondents who took part, 556 (43%) had mental disorder as defined by the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS - R). Out of the whole sample, 361 (31%) had attempted suicide. This was associated with markers of discrimination such as recent physical attack (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3) and school bullying (OR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1-2.0), but not with higher scores on the CIS-R. Gay, lesbian and bisexual men and women have high levels of mental disorder, possibly linked with discrimination.
Based on evidence from over 350 Citizens Advice Bureaux and some of the 100 specialist CAB mental health projects around the country, this publication catalogues the social exclusion and lack of support that blights the daily lives of the seven million people in the UK with mental health problemt. Only 18% are in work - the lowest employment rate of all disabled groups. Most have to rely on benefit income, making them some of the poorest people in the UK. But they are up against a benefits system that takes no account of their needs or the difficulties they face in managing their everyday affairs when they are unwell. Unsympathetic treatment by some Medical Service doctors and a system that focuses on physical symptoms and disabilities means that many mentally ill people fail to get the benefits to which they are entitled. Constant reassessment of claims can result in significant breaks in income and almost inevitable debt, exacerbating mental health problems. Many who believed they were protected from loss of income by insurance cover find themselves left high and dry by insurance companies who refuse to pay out on claims involving mental illness, and those who want to take out policies are sometimes excluded. People with mental health problems are also particularly vulnerable to high- pressure sales methods and offers of easy credit that can very quickly lead to unmanageable debt. Too often creditors respond with heavy-handed debt collection tactics instead of offering fair and sympathetic treatment.Those experiencing mental illness are likely to be trapped in poverty for longer periods than most, and persistent low incomes make it more difficult to take part in activities that might help reduce their isolation, further compounding their mental health problems. Lack of support with basic tasks such as claiming benefits and paying bills can lead to a downward spiral into poverty and social exclusion, on top of having to deal with the stigma of mental illness.
Based on evidence from over 350 Citizens Advice Bureaux and some of the 100 specialist CAB mental health projects around the country, this publication catalogues the social exclusion and lack of support that blights the daily lives of the seven million people in the UK with mental health problemt. Only 18% are in work - the lowest employment rate of all disabled groups. Most have to rely on benefit income, making them some of the poorest people in the UK. But they are up against a benefits system that takes no account of their needs or the difficulties they face in managing their everyday affairs when they are unwell. Unsympathetic treatment by some Medical Service doctors and a system that focuses on physical symptoms and disabilities means that many mentally ill people fail to get the benefits to which they are entitled. Constant reassessment of claims can result in significant breaks in income and almost inevitable debt, exacerbating mental health problems. Many who believed they were protected from loss of income by insurance cover find themselves left high and dry by insurance companies who refuse to pay out on claims involving mental illness, and those who want to take out policies are sometimes excluded. People with mental health problems are also particularly vulnerable to high- pressure sales methods and offers of easy credit that can very quickly lead to unmanageable debt. Too often creditors respond with heavy-handed debt collection tactics instead of offering fair and sympathetic treatment.Those experiencing mental illness are likely to be trapped in poverty for longer periods than most, and persistent low incomes make it more difficult to take part in activities that might help reduce their isolation, further compounding their mental health problems. Lack of support with basic tasks such as claiming benefits and paying bills can lead to a downward spiral into poverty and social exclusion, on top of having to deal with the stigma of mental illness.
Subject terms:
insurance, mental health problems, mental health services, poverty, social exclusion, vulnerable adults, advice services, discrimination;
Research on Social Work Practice, 14(3), May 2004, pp.137-146.
Publisher:
Sage
The present study examines the relationship between race and treatment outcomes among clients receiving services at a community mental health agency in the rural southeastern United States. A nonprobabilistic sample of clients completed the BASIS-32, a self-report summated rating scale, at an initial assessment and a series of three follow-up assessments conducted at 3-month intervals. The data were analyzed using a hierarchical linear model (HLM) consisting of an individual growth model and a between-client model examining possible differences in growth trajectories attributable to race, diagnosis, socioeconomic status, and gender. Clients’ symptomatology remained stable or decreased during the study period. Of the demographic variables examined, only diagnosis was significantly related to variation in treatment outcomes. No racial differences in treatment outcomes emerged. Although the findings must be considered preliminary, they do suggest that community mental health agencies can effectively respond to various ethnic, cultural, and racial groups by providing appropriate and individualized services.
The present study examines the relationship between race and treatment outcomes among clients receiving services at a community mental health agency in the rural southeastern United States. A nonprobabilistic sample of clients completed the BASIS-32, a self-report summated rating scale, at an initial assessment and a series of three follow-up assessments conducted at 3-month intervals. The data were analyzed using a hierarchical linear model (HLM) consisting of an individual growth model and a between-client model examining possible differences in growth trajectories attributable to race, diagnosis, socioeconomic status, and gender. Clients’ symptomatology remained stable or decreased during the study period. Of the demographic variables examined, only diagnosis was significantly related to variation in treatment outcomes. No racial differences in treatment outcomes emerged. Although the findings must be considered preliminary, they do suggest that community mental health agencies can effectively respond to various ethnic, cultural, and racial groups by providing appropriate and individualized services.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, outcomes, social work, socioeconomic groups, assessment, black and minority ethnic people, community mental health services, cultural identity, diagnosis, discrimination;
This is a revised edition of a collection of over 80 learned articles, personal perspectives, and commentaries designed to shed light on the most common mental disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, alcohol or drug misuse, eating disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders in the hope of dispelling some of the stigma which attaches to them. It has been produced as part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists anti-stigma campaign, ‘Changing Minds’ and covers issues including: the history and stigmatisation of the mentally ill; people's perceptions of the mentally 'ill' and experiences of users and carers; self-inflictions, social adaptation or biological destiny?; models of psychopathology and their relationship to stigmatisation; creativity, spirituality and mental disorder; and strategies to tackle stigmatisation and discrimination.
This is a revised edition of a collection of over 80 learned articles, personal perspectives, and commentaries designed to shed light on the most common mental disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, alcohol or drug misuse, eating disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders in the hope of dispelling some of the stigma which attaches to them. It has been produced as part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists anti-stigma campaign, ‘Changing Minds’ and covers issues including: the history and stigmatisation of the mentally ill; people's perceptions of the mentally 'ill' and experiences of users and carers; self-inflictions, social adaptation or biological destiny?; models of psychopathology and their relationship to stigmatisation; creativity, spirituality and mental disorder; and strategies to tackle stigmatisation and discrimination.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, stereotyped attitudes, spirituality, user views, Alzheimers disease, anxiety, depression, disability discrimination, eating disorders, discrimination, families;