Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Mapping arts and mental health projects
- Authors:
- SPANDLER Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- A Life in the Day, 10(3), August 2006, pp.8-12.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The authors report on the first phase of a project to map arts and mental health projects in England. The project, commissioned by the Department of Culture Media and Sport in partnership with the Department of Health, aims to evaluate the benefits of arts projects in terms of participants' mental health and how well they promote social inclusion, both in promoting peer friendships and networks and in supporting the development of links with the wider community.
A mixed‐methods evaluation of a Recovery College in south east Essex for people with mental health difficulties
- Authors:
- WILSON Ceri, KING Matthew, RUSSELL Jessica
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(5), 2019, pp.1353-1362.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Recovery Colleges aim to assist people with mental health difficulties in the journey to recovery through education. They bring together professional and lived experience of mental health challenges in a non‐stigmatising college environment and operate on college principles. All courses are designed to contribute towards well‐being and recovery. Despite the ever‐growing number of Recovery Colleges (both in the UK and internationally), the evaluative evidence is limited; comprising mostly non‐peer‐reviewed evaluations, audits and case studies. The present article comprises a mixed‐methods evaluation of a newly established Recovery College in South East Essex, UK. The evaluation comprised questionnaires of mental well‐being and social inclusion at baseline and 3 and 6 month follow‐up, in addition to three focus groups. There were significant improvements in both mental well‐being and social inclusion from baseline to 6 month follow‐up (25 participants completed the measure of well‐being at both time points and 19 completed the measure of social inclusion). This was supported by additional free‐text questionnaire comments and focus group findings (17 participants participated across the focus groups), with reports of increased confidence, reduced anxiety and increased social inclusion/reduced social isolation. Additionally, at 6 month follow‐up a majority of respondents were planning on attending courses external to the Recovery College, volunteering and/or gaining paid employment. Challenges and recommendations identified through the focus groups indicate the importance for standardisation of processes (which is particularly important when multiple organisations are involved in the running of a Recovery College), as well as consideration of longer‐running courses. Funders should continue to invest in the Recovery College movement as the growing evidence‐base is demonstrating how these colleges can help address the high prevalence of mental health difficulties, by promoting mental well‐being and social inclusion. (Edited publisher abstract)
Promoting mental wellbeing and social inclusion through art: six month follow-up results from Open Arts Essex
- Authors:
- WILSON Ceri, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 19(5), 2017, pp.268-277.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Previous evaluations have demonstrated improvements in well-being and social inclusion for people with mental health difficulties after participating in Open Arts’ introductory participatory arts courses. This evaluation aimed to ascertain whether improvements are maintained long-term. Course participants completed measures of well-being and social inclusion at the beginning and end of their course and after three and six months. At initial follow-up participants rated their experience of their course, and at three and six months they reported activities taken up after attending. Scores significantly increased from baseline to first follow-up and remained significantly higher than at baseline at three and six months. End-of-course ratings were positive and most participants continued their art work. Other activities included education/training and voluntary/paid work. Further studies are needed to examine whether improvements can be attributed with confidence to arts participation, but these results add to a growing weight of evidence pointing to that conclusion. (Publisher abstract)
Developing high relational support services for individuals with long term mental health needs: scheme description and service evaluation
- Authors:
- DAVIES Jason, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 16(1), 2012, pp.31-40.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Community care for individuals with severe and enduring mental health problems is an important aspect of mental health care. The purpose of this paper is to describe a not-for-profit social care facility designed to provide tenancy and high-relational support, and to report on an initial multi-method systematic evaluation of this service during its first year of operation. The property provides 6 individual en-suite rooms with other communal areas. It is intensively staffed with 4 daytime staff and 2 staff at night. The evaluation aimed to determine: the level and type of individual support provided; the impact of support on the tenants; and the views of the tenants, carers and professionals of the service provided. Data were gathered using routine information collected on a daily basis over the course of the year, semi-structured interviews and pre-post testing. The findings showed that support needs vary over time and across tenants, with almost all support provided during waking hours. With appropriate support, the health and wellbeing, personal and community safety, independence and social integration of all the tenants was maintained or enhanced. The article concludes that high-relational support delivered by not-for-profit social care providers can be effective, sustainable and cost efficient.
If the support's right, she's right: an evaluation of Partners for Inclusion
- Author:
- MACINTYRE Gillian
- Publisher:
- Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 58p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Partners for Inclusion is a voluntary organisation that provides support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems. It has adopted a person-centred approach to supporting people with ‘high’ or ‘complex’ support needs in order to provide services based on individual needs, wants and desires. This report presents the findings of an evaluation aiming to measure the progress made in the 4 years since the service was last evaluated. Specifically, it aimed to address: whether people are living the life they choose; whether people are living in the place that makes sense for them now; in what ways people’s lives have changed since receiving a service from Partners for Inclusion; and the experiences of staff who work for Partners for Inclusion. The research included a total of 50 interviews with individuals who receive services, support staff, family members, friends, and other professionals. The findings show that, for some people, lives have changed in significant ways since receiving support from Partners for Inclusion. However, further work is needed in areas of social inclusion, such as participating in education and employment. In common with other person-centred organisations, the staff often experience lone working with a resultant reduction in collegial support. A number of recommendations are provided in the areas of: personalisation; creating opportunities; and organisational capacity.
Empowerment and arts participation for people with mental health needs
- Authors:
- SECKER Jenny, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 6(4), December 2007, pp.14-23.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes an evaluation of arts participation for people with mental health needs that both measured empowerment outcomes and explored the processes by which positive outcomes were achieved, through six qualitative case studies. For the outcomes study, 62 arts and mental health project participants returned a questionnaire soon after joining the project, and six months later. Six diverse arts and mental health projects took part in case studies. Results from the outcomes study showed significant improvements in empowerment and were suggestive of a strong causal link with arts participation. Analysis of the case study interviews revealed five processes through which benefits relating to empowerment were brought about. It is argued that psychological empowerment is in itself important for people with mental health needs. In addition, the case studies indicate that some arts and mental health projects do empower participants at a social as well as individual level.
Effect of the connecting people intervention on social capital: a pilot study
- Authors:
- WEBBER Martin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 29(5), 2019, pp.483-494.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Objective: This pilot study evaluated the effect of the Connecting People Intervention (CPI) on access to social capital, social inclusion, and mental well-being. Method: A prospective one-group pretest–posttest preexperimental study of 155 people with a mental health problem or a learning disability receiving care and support from health and social care practitioners trained in the CPI was used. Results: Participants exposed to practice with high fidelity to the CPI model had significantly higher access to social capital (p = .03, partial η2 = .05) and perceived social inclusion (p = .01, partial η2 = .07), and lower service costs (−£1,331, 95% confidence interval = [−£69, −£2593]), posttest than those exposed to low fidelity to the model. All participants had significantly higher mental well-being posttest (p < .001). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that when fully implemented, the CPI can improve social outcomes for people with a mental health problem or learning disability. (Edited publisher abstract)
Evaluation of a peer support specialist led group
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Amber, DORER Gemma, GLEESON Kate
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 22(3), 2018, pp.141-148.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) and NHS practitioner co-produced “Enabling Recovery” group that supports service-users’ recovery whilst providing pathways for appropriate transition from mental health teams. Design/methodology/approach: The sample included 23 service-users (f=10, m=13) with a range of mental health conditions. The evaluation set out to assess how the attendees experienced the group and the impact of the group on subsequent contact with services. The design involved a content analysis of focus groups and group evaluation forms; an assessment of direct and indirect contacts made in the three months prior, and following, the group; and a record of the number of discharges and referrals made following the group. Findings: Group content and social contact were rated as most helpful and cognitive demands and paperwork as least helpful. Number of direct and indirect contacts significantly reduced, four attendees were discharged due to improved mental health and 17 began accessing third-sector/community organisations. Research limitations/implications: Future evaluations could seek feedback from service-users who disengaged from the group and indirect contacts could be broadened to include service initiated contacts. Practical implications: Findings suggest that PSS and NHS Practitioner co-produced group interventions are effective in reducing service demand and increasing service-user satisfaction. Originality/value: This paper adds a novel contribution to the PSS literature offering support to the utility of co-produced PSS interventions in an NHS setting. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ecominds effects on mental wellbeing: an evaluation for Mind
- Authors:
- BRAGG Rachel, WOOD Carly, BARTON Jo
- Publisher:
- MIND
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 112
- Place of publication:
- London
In 2007, Mind called for a new green agenda for mental health, highlighting the growing evidence in support of an accessible, cost-effective and natural addition to existing treatment options, using ecotherapy (sometimes called green care) interventions. Through the management of Ecominds (a £7.5 million Big Lottery Fund supported open grant scheme), Mind subsequently funded 130 ecotherapy projects ranging from horticultural and agricultural schemes, through to walking groups and regeneration initiatives in local parks. Ecominds has helped 12,071 people living with mental health problems to get involved in green activities to improve confidence, self-esteem, and their physical and mental health. This report presents results of projects and “in-depth” evaluations conducted by researchers at the University of Essex School of Biological Sciences and Essex Sustainability Institute. The focus was on three main themes: wellbeing, social inclusion, and connection to nature; and two secondary themes: healthy lifestyles, and environmentally friendly behaviour. The report includes examples of different forms of activity consistent with Ecominds project activities as described by participants. It also includes the texts of questionnaires used for the evaluations. (Edited publisher abstract)
An evaluation of mental health service user involvement in the re-commissioning of day and vocational services
- Author:
- SAINSBURY CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 37p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This is a Sainsbury Centre evaluation report on the process of involving people who use services in the re-commissioning of their day and vocational services. This report provides insight into what worked during re-commissioning day and vocational services, and should help anyone wishing to embark on the re-commissioning of day and vocational services in their own area. The service users remit included: contributing to the design of the review; conducting research including interviews with other service users; contributing to decisions on service redesign in light of the review findings; having input into the development of service specifications for the new configuration; participating in selecting future providers through the tendering process. This report examines feature that worked well with the service users, and featured that did not work so well, and makes suggestions for future service user involvement, such as greater clarity of purpose, more attention to detail, more openness, and issues relating to conflict management and resolution.