Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Organisational impact of a forensic education programme
- Authors:
- WALKER Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Practice, 15(3), 2013, pp.218-230.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the organisational impact of the New to Forensic Mental Health education programme, developed for use across all forensic services in Scotland. To date, 267 have been trained as a trainer or mentor; 502 have completed the programme and 375 are yet to complete. The programme is designed to promote self-directed learning and is multi-disciplinary and multi-agency in approach. It includes case studies and problem-based learning relating to patients in a variety of settings, from the community to high secure care. Design/methodology/approach: As part of a larger longitudinal study to assess the value of this New to Forensic Mental Health education programme, organisational impact was assessed using semi-structured interviews with (n=13) senior staff working in forensic services. Participants were purposively selected for interview. Findings: Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, which revealed three themes: “Acquiring knowledge: what you learn and how you learn”, “Developing skills” and “Shift in attitudes and behaviour”. The results demonstrate the positive impact the programme has had at an organisational level and what changes can occur when staff become more knowledgeable, skilful and confident. The implications for practice, along with the limitations of the study, are discussed. One of the weaknesses of this type of analysis is that it is always dependent on the analyst's interpretation, and is thus the product of that person's bias, filters or prejudices. Originality/value: This evaluation is one of the limited few that explore organisational impact of an education programme. (Publisher abstract)
Demon Drink? A study of alcohol and youth offending in London
- Authors:
- ALCOHOL CONCERN, MENTOR
- Publishers:
- Alcohol Concern, Mentor
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- London
Using quantitative data from 388 young offenders, and qualitative interviews with 19 young offenders in London, this study examined the links between alcohol misuse and youth crime. The study found evidence of strong relationships between mental health risks, educational disaffection (especially school exclusion and truanting) and alcohol use. No direct link between alcohol use and violent crime was found, though drinking was associated with fighting and violence. Risky alcohol use often presents as one of many risk factors, and it is recommended that practitioners address it before it reaches crisis point. Interview findings suggest that alcohol related offending may not be consistently identified or interventions in youth justice consistently delivered. The 12-month study was carried out with research overseen by Middlesex University. It is noted that the quantitative data analysed was not collected specifically for research purposes, therefore findings should be interpreted with caution. (Original abstract)
Caregiver's burden, coping and psycho-education in Indian households with single- and multiple-affected members with schizophrenia
- Authors:
- CHAKRABORTY Satabdi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 15(2), 2013, pp.288-298.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
There is considerable evidence that family psycho-education combined with pharmacological intervention for patients with schizophrenia increases family understanding of the illness, reduces familial burden of care and improves patient outcomes. However, no studies have determined whether the burden of care is greater for those families with more than one ill member (multiplex), than for families with a single-affected individual (simplex), and whether psycho-educational programmes should be adapted to meet the specific needs of multiplex families. The study was conducted at a tertiary care postgraduate teaching hospital in New Delhi, India. Caregivers in simplex (N = 50) and multiplex families (N = 30) were compared with regard to levels of burden, coping and the impact of psycho-education on family functioning. All the caregiver participants attended eight bimonthly psycho-educational intervention sessions. They were assessed on the Burden Assessment Schedule (BAS) and the Coping Check List (CCL) before and after psycho-education. Caregivers from the multiplex families reported significantly more burden on two domains of the BAS, but there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to coping on the CCL. Following psycho-education, significant improvement occurred in the majority of domains of the BAS and the CCL; the effect sizes varied by domain and family type. Multiplex families face a greater burden of care compared with simplex families. Currently available psycho-education programmes are moderately effective for such families. (Publisher abstract)
Common threads: improving the mental health of Bhutanese refugee women through shared learning
- Authors:
- MITSCHKE Diane B., AGUIRRE Regina T. P., SHARMA Bonita
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 11(3), 2013, pp.249-266.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are disproportionately experienced by refugees who have often witnessed traumatic events in the process of fleeing their homelands. This study examined the effect of a group-based financial education program for Bhutanese refugee women who had been recently resettled in the United States. Participants were divided into three groups, two that were provided a version of the intervention and one that served as a control. Results from pre/post and follow-up assessments indicate that participants in both intervention groups experienced significantly less depression, anxiety, somatization, and PTSD symptoms at posttest and that these improvements in mental health status persisted at 3-month follow-up. Control participants' mental health symptoms became more severe over time. These results suggest that a structured group-based educational intervention can have a positive impact on the mental health of recently resettled refugees. The results also provide evidence that without intervention, recently resettled refugees may actually experience declines in mental health status over time in their host country. (Edited publisher abstract)
Improving social inclusion for young people diagnosed with “first episode psychosis”: employment, education and online support
- Author:
- HOLTTUM Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 17(3), 2013, pp.112-117.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – This article aims to summarise two papers from Australia on supporting young people in early intervention for psychosis. Both have implications for young people's social inclusion and the design of early intervention services. Design/methodology/approach – The first paper reports a new analysis of a trial of specialist employment and education support in an early intervention service. It used a statistical method called logistic regression to test whether only employment support predicted 41 participants’ success in getting into employment and education, or whether things like condition severity also mattered. The second paper reports on a new online support package for young people with “first episode psychosis” and how acceptable it was. The authors looked at 20 participants’ use of the package, and examined their well-being before and after using it. Findings – The first paper reported that nothing except getting specialist employment and education support predicted young people's entry to work or education. They recommend that young people in early intervention should not be denied vocational support because of things like “psychiatric symptoms”. In the second paper, young people in early intervention who used the online package reacted positively. The authors recommend a full controlled trial of the package. It could help young people when leaving the service to maintain their gains. Originality/value – These papers advance research on early intervention psychosis services regarding young people's social inclusion needs. Specialist vocational support could prevent life-long social exclusion. An innovative online support package has not yet been proven, but with fast-evolving technology, it might help future service users stay well when leaving the service. (Publisher abstract)
A critical review and analysis of current research and policy relating to disabled children and young people in Scotland: a report to Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
- Authors:
- STALKER Kirsten, MOSCARDINI Lio
- Publisher:
- Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 65
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
The authors provide an overview of issues facing disabled children and young people in Scotland, and draws attention to the specific barriers faced by deaf children, children with learning disabilities and those with mental health problems. The overall aim is to inform the work of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People in relation to disabled children and young people who have already been identified as a priority group. The report reviews six key studies published since 1999 that give a holistic overview of disabled children’s lives from their perspectives. It also reviews information on relevant research conducted by 31 voluntary organisations and 15 academic researchers. It analyses these key policy areas and related research: welfare benefits reform; Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC); the National Review of Services for Disabled Children in Scotland; education; self-directed support; short breaks; and transition to adulthood. Options for action by the Commissioner are suggested. (Edited publisher abstract)