Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Public health implications of spiritual healing practice, in conditions such as depression
- Author:
- BELL Charles J.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 12(1), 2013, pp.6-9.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper examines the public health implications of spiritual healing practice in mental health care for conditions such as depression. It reviews the current research into spiritual healing, and in particular its use in depression. Scientific and anecdotal evidence was considered, and areas of improvement were identified. The attitudes of physicians and patients may affect the efficacy of patient-defined spiritual healing, which is currently lacking in rigorous academic research. A better scientific understanding may aid in a cost-benefit analysis of such treatments in the future. This paper should aid those involved in public health-care planning or who practice psychotherapeutic methods to ensure they utilise all possible methods, whilst working within a rigorous evidence-based framework. (Edited 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)
Ten questions for your council
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 2
- Place of publication:
- London
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) provides a description of the health and wellbeing status of the local population and informs the local Health and Wellbeing Board’s strategy and commissioning priorities for health, public health and social care. However, there is huge variation in how well mental health is covered in JSNAs. This briefing provides ten questions to ensure that relevant mental health information is included in the JSNA to promote good mental health and to prevent and treat mental health conditions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Gardening as a mental health intervention: a review
- Authors:
- CLATWORTHY Jane, HINDS Joe, CAMIC Paul M.
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 18(4), 2013, pp.214-225.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The number of gardening-based mental health interventions is increasing, yet when the literature was last reviewed in 2003, limited evidence of their effectiveness was identified. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current evidence-base for gardening-based mental health interventions and projects through examining their reported benefits and the quality of research in this field. Design/methodology/approach: Studies evaluating the benefits of gardening-based interventions for adults experiencing mental health difficulties were identified through an electronic database search. Information on the content and theoretical foundations of the interventions, the identified benefits of the interventions and the study methodology was extracted and synthesised. Findings: Ten papers published since 2003 met the inclusion criteria. All reported positive effects of gardening as a mental health intervention for service users, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants described a range of benefits across emotional, social, vocational, physical and spiritual domains. Overall the research was of a considerably higher quality than that reviewed in 2003, providing more convincing evidence in support of gardening-based interventions. However, none of the studies employed a randomised-controlled trial design. Research limitations/implications: There is a need for further high-quality research in this field. It is important that adequate outcome measures are in place to evaluate existing gardening-based mental health interventions/projects effectively. Originality/value: This paper provides an up-to-date critique of the evidence for gardening-based mental health interventions, highlighting their potential clinical value. (Publisher abstract)
Clinically significant effects of group cognitive behavioral therapy on spouse caregivers' mental health and cognitive functioning: a pilot study
- Authors:
- MACKENZIE Corey S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 56(8), 2013, pp.675-692.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The objective of this pilot study was to investigate whether group cognitive behavioural therapy resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in mood, burden, and cognition of carergivers of older adults with dementia. Ninety seven caregivers in Toronto, Canada, of whom 25 with DSM-IV disorders began the 13-week cognitive behavioural therapy intervention, and 12 completed therapy and the 3-month follow-up. Each caregiver experienced clinically significant improvement on at least 2 of the following outcomes: diagnostic criteria, mood, attention, memory, and caregiver burden. Despite effectiveness, the challenges of recruiting distressed caregivers for therapy suggest that cognitive behavioural therapy might be most useful as part of a stepped care model of treatment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Football metaphor and mental well-being: an evaluation of the It's a Goal! programme
- Authors:
- SPANDER Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 22(6), 2013, pp.544-554.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
The It's a Goal! programme utilises football metaphor and football venues as a means to frame and deliver a non-clinical, group-based therapeutic intervention, targeting men with mental health needs. The article evaluates the impact of a pilot in the North West of England hosted by seven professional football clubs in partnership with local Primary Care Trusts and identifies the benefits and key components of the approach from the perspective of participants. Analysis of impact utilised before and after well-being scores measured on a modified version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Focus groups provided additional qualitative data that were analysed thematically. Findings suggest that It's a Goal! had a significant impact upon participant's well-being. In addition, participants reported a range of positive benefits especially in relation to confidence, self-esteem and developing better coping mechanisms. Participants related these benefits to a number of key components, not least the therapeutic value of football metaphor, the focus on goal-setting and the mutual support developed within the groups.Using football metaphor to deliver a group therapeutic programme aimed at men appears to be an effective means of facilitating mental health benefits. (Edited publisher abstract)
Criticalthinkrx may reduce psychiatric prescribing to foster youth
- Authors:
- COHEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 23(3), 2013, pp.284-293.
- Publisher:
- Sage
In a quasiexperimental, longitudinal study, the monthly proportion of medicated foster children and the average number of prescriptions per medicated child at Agency 1 (669 clients) exposed to the CriticalThinkRx curriculum were compared to Agencies 2–9 (3,346 clients) in the same two-county service network. Data were collected during 6 months of preintervention, 1 month of intervention, and 9 months of postintervention. Practitioners were not informed of data collection. During postintervention months 1-8, the proportion of medicated children declined from 17.5% to 11.0% at Agency 1, while the mean proportion rose slightly at Agencies 2-9, statistically significant effects. At 9 months, the proportion at Agency 1 rose again though not reaching preintervention level. Average numbers of prescriptions per child remained unchanged. Use of CriticalThinkRx may reduce psychiatric prescribing in foster care. (Edited publisher abstract)
Gang mentality
- Author:
- COSH Jackie
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, September/October 2013, pp.10-11.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Reports on a pilot project, MAC -UK which aims to reach out to gang members and address issues of mental ill health that is rife in gangs. (Edited publisher abstract)
A randomised controlled study to explore the effect of life story review on depression in older Chinese in Singapore
- Authors:
- CHAN Moon F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 21(5), 2013, p.545–553.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There is little evidence to support the efficacy of the life storybook creation process, which incorporates the use of narratives, in mediating depression levels. The study aimed to examine the effects of the life storybook creation process on depressive symptoms among older community-dwelling Chinese adults in Singapore. A randomised controlled trial was conducted from January 2011 to March 2012. Twenty-six Chinese aged over 60 years, who were able to communicate in Chinese and/or English, and with mild to severe depression were randomly allocated to either the life storybook (intervention) group (n = 14) or the non-life storybook (control) group (n = 12). Subjects in the intervention group were interviewed on a one to one basis on five sessions over 8 weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine the effects of the intervention on the elderly peoples’ depression level. Significant reductions in depression scores were found in the intervention group from baseline (mean 7.9 [SD 3.0]) to week 8 (2.5 [1.7], χ2 = 15.25, P < 0.001). At week 8, the intervention group showed a lower level of depression than the control (χ2 = 4.33, P = 0.037). This study supports the life storybook creation process as an effective intervention for depressed older Chinese adults living in the community. The findings suggest that this intervention may enhance the quality of care provided by healthcare providers as the therapeutic relationship between provider and client is being established. (Publisher abstract)
Barriers to employment: what works for people with mental health problems
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing identifies where the main barriers to employment still lie, what we know about which interventions work (and should be provided more widely), and where there are gaps in evidence-based interventions and what might be tested to develop that evidence. The briefing describes supports which are currently available for people wanting to work, and calls for a more widespread implementation of best practice. One such instance is Individual Placement and Support (IPS), an approach to helping people with severe mental illness to get back into employment; but although Its evidence base is well-established, its availability across the UK is patchy..Using personal budgets is suggested as an option for funding IPS. The briefing comments on the effects of policies such as universal credit (UC), and the work capability assessment (WCA): these do little to tackle inequalities in employment rates for those with mental health problems or other disabilities. The briefing urges commissioners and providers of both employment services and health and social care to make support into employment a priority: employers also need support to be able to help existing employees who develop mental health problems. . (Edited publisher abstract)