Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Evaluating the impact of participatory art projects for people with mental health needs
- Authors:
- HACKING Sue, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 16(6), December 2008, pp.638-648.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Participatory art projects for people with mental health needs typically claim outcomes such as improvements in confidence, self-esteem, social participation and mental health. However, such claims have rarely been subjected to robust outcome research. This paper reports outcomes from a survey of 44 female and 18 male new art project participants attending 22 art projects in England, carried out as part of a national evaluation. Outcomes were quantified through self-completed questionnaires on first entry to the project, during January to March of 2006, and 6 months later. The questionnaires included three measures: empowerment, mental health [Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE)] and social inclusion. Paired t-tests were used to compare overall change, and mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance to compare subgroups, including age, gender, educational level, mental health and level of participation. Results showed significant improvements in empowerment, mental health and social inclusion. Participants with higher CORE scores, no new stress in their lives and positive impressions of the impact of arts on their life benefited most over all three measures. Positive impressions of the impact of arts were significantly associated with improvement on all three measures, but the largest effect was for empowerment rather than mental health or social inclusion. This study suggests that arts participation positively benefits people with mental health difficulties. Arts participation increased levels of empowerment and had potential to impact on mental health and social inclusion.
Pathways in health and well-being
- Author:
- WILTSHIRE Kim
- Journal article citation:
- A Life in the Day, 11(1), February 2007, pp.9-11.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The author describes how Pathways, a Manchester-based three-year arts programme, helped people overcome challenges of living with mental ill health.
Factors that influence decision making by 8-12 year olds in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS): a systematic review
- Authors:
- COX Annette, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 31(3), 2016, pp.195-209.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
There is significant legal guidance and case law available to support clinicians in assessing whether young people aged over 13 years are able to make informed decisions about their own healthcare; however when working with children aged 8-12 years, the guidance is unclear. In order to assess whether 8-12 year olds are able to make decisions in their own healthcare, we first need to understand the factors that influence this process. A systematic literature review of five electronic databases (PsycINFO, EBSCO, Science Direct, Science Full Text, Web of Science All Databases) was conducted. The search identified 12 studies and one piece of government guidance. The studies were identified from a variety of health and social research journals. The six factors that were identified were: 1) consent, competence and capacity, 2) best interests, 3) communication, 4) risks and conflicts, 5) legal frameworks, and, 6) parental role. The review concludes that it is possible for some children 8-12 years of age to make decisions regarding their own healthcare. The necessary conditions are that age specific language is used through a variety of mediums which will include risks, benefits and options for the proposed interventions. Clinicians need to be skilled in the assessment of the child’s ability to make decisions and be effective communicators with a commitment to children’s involvement. Further research in both these areas is needed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Stronger together
- Author:
- GLYN Jennifer
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, November 2012, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
There are now more than 250 formal peer support worker positions in the UK. Peer support is central to the implementation of recovery-focused practice and it can inspire hope and empower others to take control of their own recovery. Peer support workers are required to explicitly draw on and share their own experiences of emotional distress, or of using mental health services, to inspire, support and inform people in a similar situation. This article describes the work of a peer support worker at Richmond Fellowship, a voluntary sector provider of mental health care, based in West Sussex. The peer support project model used by Richmond Fellowship is based on the delivery of 10 support sessions. During these visits, knowledge and expertise is shared, and relationships built on mutual trust. The peer workers also arrange regular meetings between themselves to support each other.
Changes 12 Steps to Mental Health
- Author:
- WAIN Barbara
- Journal article citation:
- A Life in the Day, 13(4), November 2009, pp.25-30.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Changes 12 Steps to Mental Health is a peer-led charity providing person-focused, recovery-rooted services that aim to promote recovery, enabling people to become contributing members of society again. This article traces its history, achievements and the challenges faced in developing the services that it provides today.
Recovery and dementia: promoting choice and challenging controversy
- Authors:
- HAMMOND Laura Louise, DEBNEY Conrad
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 21(5), 2017, pp.297-303.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a viewpoint about why people with dementia should be able to choose Recovery and how this approach might be experienced by them. Design/methodology/approach: This paper addresses some key challenges to accepting Recovery as an approach for people with dementia by making comparisons with people with mental health difficulties. It then discusses key concepts of Recovery using the connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment framework and how each one might be experienced by the person with dementia. Findings: The challenges which cause concerns about the applicability of Recovery to people with dementia are shared by people with mental health difficulties, therefore Recovery should be perceived as an approach suitable for anyone regardless of their diagnosis. Recovery for people with dementia could mean: connecting to the self, others and the world to promote feelings of purposefulness; having hope for the here and now; preserving one’s identity; finding meaning in retaining skills and incorporating dementia into one’s life; and, feeling empowered by keeping one’s mind working, adopting a positive attitude, having control and making decisions. Practical implications: People with dementia can choose to access Recovery, and commonly voiced concerns can be answered and supported with evidence. Originality/value: This is one of the only papers written to provide an understanding of how Recovery might be experienced by people living with dementia, and directly answers some concerns. (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)
Implementing personalisation for people with mental health problems: A comparative case study of four local authorities in England
- Authors:
- LARSEN John, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 22(2), 2013, pp.174-182.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Enhancing choice and control for people using services is a mental health and social-care service priority in England. Personalisation is a new policy and practice for delivery of social-care services where eligible adults are allocated a personal budget to spend to meet their agreed support needs. Aims: To describe approaches to introducing personal budgets to people with severe and enduring mental health needs, and to identify facilitators or barriers encountered. Method: Within four English local authority (LA) areas, purposively selected to provide maximum variation, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 58 participants from LAs, NHS trusts and third-sector organisations. An Interpretive Framework analysis considered within- and across-site insights. Results: Issues arising from the implementation of personalisation for people with mental health needs are presented under two general themes: “responsibility and power” and “vision and leadership”. Key challenges identified were complexities of working across NHS and LAs, the importance of effective leadership and engagement with service user representatives. Conclusions: Implementing personal budgets in mental health requires effective engagement of health and social-care systems. Change processes need strong leadership, clear vision and personal commitment, with ownership by all key stakeholders, including front-line practitioners. (Publisher abstract)
Roma mental health advocacy project: evaluation report
- Authors:
- SMOLINSKA-POFFLEY Gabriela, INGMIRE Sylvia
- Publisher:
- Roma Support Group
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 109p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This paper reports the evaluation of a three-year (2008-2011) Roma mental health advocacy project delivered by the Roma Support Group. The project employed one part-time project co-ordinator and two part-time bilingual mental health advocates and supported over one hundred community members in accessing mental health services. A further fifty Roma individuals were informed about the project, its aims and the support offered. The aims of the project were: to improve access to mental health services for Roma community members and to increase their satisfaction with these services; to improve well-being and empowerment of Roma service users with mental health needs; and to raise awareness of Roma culture and Roma patients’ specific needs amongst mental health service providers. The demographics of those supported by the project were identified; most were female (66%), came to the UK from Poland (88%) before 2004 and were asylum seekers (77.5%). The majority (63%) were Catholic, over 60% did not acquire education at a level higher than secondary school and 72% were unemployed. Over 90% stated that they also suffered from physical health and/or socioeconomic problems. Most of the service users reported increased satisfaction with mental health services with changes indicating improved well-being and empowerment. Recommendations for further work focus on personalisation and an holistic approach.
Using Appreciative Inquiry to promote choice for older people and their carers
- Authors:
- SEEBOHM Patience, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 14(4), November 2010, pp.13-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes how an ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ approach was used in south London to enhance the levels of choice that older adults with dementia or mental health problems and their carers have in relation to the care and support they receive. During this project, a wide range of participants across the borough of Lewisham took part in conversations about making the choices that matter most to them. This article tells the story of this project, its background, the Appreciative Inquiry approach, and what was learnt. The Appreciate Inquiry approach comprises 4 stages: discovery; dream; design; and delivery. In the discovery stage, over 60 people with different roles and backgrounds shared stories in appreciative interviews. The Design Group read all these stories and drew out their common and different themes. On 9 July 2010, 120 people including managers, practitioners, carers, and service users met to share more discovery stories and to convey their visions of the best possible future for older people and their carers, building on what works. Later, the Design Group drew up on action plan for taking the work forward. Through looking at successful stories about making real choice in Lewisham, the project provided information about the conditions that support choice, including the importance of good relationships, building trust, making time, giving and receiving encouragement, and support.