Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Immigration Removal Centres in England: a mental health needs analysis
- Authors:
- DURCAN Graham, STUBBS Jessica, BOARDMAN Jed
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 49
- Place of publication:
- London
Sets out the findings of a rapid mental health needs assessment across Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) in England. Ten IRCs were assessed to explore the wellbeing of detainees, the services in place and the perspectives of people working with those detained. The report finds that people detained in IRCs often face significant challenges to their mental health and that levels of distress, problems with living conditions and lack of both certainty and liberty, all had a significant impact on the wellbeing of those detained. The most commonly reported problem was depressed mood or anxiety, and the most severe reported problems were hallucinations or delusions. The report finds some positive examples of services, such as psychological therapy, wellbeing groups and the support provided by chaplains. But it also finds that most detainees felt that they were not listened to, not taken seriously, or treated as if they were lying. Similarly, some staff reported that it was easy to become assimilated into a culture which disbelieved detainees. In addition, mental health care staff face significant challenges working in IRCs where people may be removed at short notice and face high levels of uncertainty about their future. The report highlights the multifaceted wellbeing needs of people in immigration detention, and makes recommendations to address this. It calls for greater lengths to ensure that those with a marked vulnerability are not detained; mental health awareness training for all IRC staff; 24/7 access to crisis care; and greater provision of alternative support such as peer support and relaxation groups. (Edited publisher abstract)
Joining the dots: integrating practical support in mental healthcare settings in England
- Authors:
- ISAKSEN Mette, WILLIAMS Richard
- Publisher:
- Citizens Advice
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
This report provides an analysis of the advice needs of Citizens Advice clients in England who report having a mental health problem. It shows how recognising the links between people’s mental health and their wider practical problems is crucial both for preventing mental health problems from escalating and improving recovery rates. The report draws on the results of an analysis of client data, a survey of Citizens Advice advisors and a survey of 2,000 people across England. The analysis shows that a growing number of people who turn to Citizens Advice for advice report having mental health problems. In addition, clients with mental health problems tend to have more complex, urgent and multiple advice needs. The report uses Citizen Advice data to explore the advice needs of people with mental health problems across the areas of: finance, essential services, housing, employment, and benefits. It also provides evidence to show that the provision of practical advice and support alongside mental health services can improve patient wellbeing and outcomes and reduce demand on public services. Despite this, the research found that less than a third of people (32 per cent) nationally who access NHS services are referred to advice services, while twice as many (64 per cent) said this would be helpful. The report recommends that service providers should take action to ensure they are responding effectively to the needs of people with mental health problems and calls for government to fund a pilot for integrated practical support in primary mental healthcare settings. (Edited publisher abstract)
Qualitative systematic literature review: the experience of being in seclusion for adults with mental health difficulties
- Authors:
- MELLOW Amy, TICKLE Anna, RENNOLDSON Michael
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 22(1), 2017, pp.1-15.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic search of the peer-reviewed qualitative literature investigating the lived experience of seclusion for adults with mental health difficulties, to appraise the quality of the existing literature and synthesise findings. Seclusion is a controversial intervention for the short-term management of unsafe behaviours in inpatient mental health services. There has been some sporadic interest in service users’ experiences of this. Design/methodology/approach: Systematic literature review and meta-synthesis: data sources – databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PSYCINFO were searched in July 2015; review methods – the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument tools for critical appraisal and data extraction were used to review papers and synthesise findings. Findings: A small number of papers were found, which were of mixed quality. Originality/value: The existing research is limited in both quantity and quality. Although most participants from the existing research described seclusion as mostly negative with the potential for causing iatrogenic harm, some described more positive experiences, often in the context of compassionate interactions with staff. (Edited publisher abstract)
An evaluation of a vocational group for people with mental health problems based on The WORKS framework
- Authors:
- HITCH Danielle, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 80(12), 2017, p.717–725.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: Attitudinal, social and workplace barriers, as well as poor health, can disrupt participation in education and employment for people experiencing mental illness. The WORKS framework conceptualises support for employment and mental health in relation to three starting points on vocational pathways: Starting Out, Moving Forward, and Keeping Going and Growing. Method: The WORKS ‘Starting Out’ phase was adapted for a vocational group run in an Australian mental health service, and qualitative methods used to evaluate three consecutive programmes. Focus group data about service user participants’ (n = 20) views were subjected to content analysis. Findings: Two themes related to programme experience were identified: ‘Working together’ and ‘Experiencing structured workshops’. Four themes related to the influences of the group on recovery and vocational aspirations: ‘Work and recovery’; ‘What we got from Starting Out’; ‘Promoting vocation’ and ‘Where to next?’ Conclusion: The findings confirmed the importance of employment to people experiencing longstanding mental illness, and demonstrated that the ‘Starting Out’ programme provided a meaningful way of opening conversations about work. Co-facilitation by occupational therapists and peer workers enabled a respectful environment, which supported participants to identify transferable skills, reconnect with vocational goals and redefine themselves as ‘employable’. (Edited publisher abstract)
What staffing structures of mental health services are associated with improved patient outcomes? A rapid review
- Authors:
- LAWES Anna, MARCUS Elena, PILLING Steve
- Publisher:
- NHS Improvement
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- London
This rapid review is a summary of the best available evidence on safe staffing structures of mental health teams to inform the development of specific sustainable safe staffing guidance for the National Safe Sustainable Staffing Guidance Programme Board. The starting point for the review was evidence from mental health settings. It included studies from inpatient and community mental health settings in the following domains: adult mental health; child and adolescent; mental health; forensic mental health; learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders; and older people’s mental health and dementia. The findings cover these four broad areas: staff numbers and skills; staff productivity; staff wellbeing and support; unit culture/organisation and leadership. The review found there were considerable limitations in the available data. The reviews identified were sparse and predominantly of low quality. There was limited evidence for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), forensic services and community mental health teams. (Edited publisher abstract)
Transitioning adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders from most-to-least possible restrictive environments: views of transition service providers
- Authors:
- MAXIMOFF Natasha, TAYLOR Shanon S., ABERNATHY Tammy V.
- Journal article citation:
- Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 34(3-4), 2017, pp.266-291.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examined the transition from most-to-least possible restrictive environments for youth with emotional and behavioural disorders. Components of positive transition experiences were identified from the literature as planning for transition at intake in such a way as to promote continuity of care, family involvement, academic and employment success, and assistance in navigating the adult mental health system and services. In this phenomenological study, transition service providers were interviewed to explore the transition practices currently utilised, and results were compared to recommended practices in the literature. Transition professionals were able to identify consistency, gradual change, individualisation, communication between providers, opportunities for community experiences, and youth involvement in the transition as necessary to successful transition. (Edited publisher abstract)
Spice boys: an exploratory study around novel psychoactive substance use on a male acute ward
- Authors:
- PLACE Charlie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 10(3), 2017, pp.97-104.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) – often known as “legal highs” – are a varied group of substances that are causing concern due to their possible effects on mental health. Particular concerns have been raised about synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists often known as “Spice”. The purpose of this paper is to identify the prevalence of NPS use and explore any association with acute psychological disturbance. Design/methodology/approach: The authors reviewed the case notes for 153 admissions to a male acute inpatient ward. Prevalence of reported NPS use and admissions to psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) were recorded. Findings: In total, 18.9 per cent of individuals admitted to acute inpatient care were reported to have used NPS. NPS users were almost ten times as likely as their non-NPS using peers to require care in PICU. This result was statistically significant (Fisher exact test: p<0.001). Although caution is required given the limitations of this study, the data and clinical experience suggest that synthetic cannabinoids may be the specific type of NPS that is being used by this group. Practical implications: Mental health professionals can expect to care for people using NPS in acute inpatient environments, and so they need to understand the nature and effects of these substances. It is possible that NPS use may be associated with sustained acute psychological disturbance. Originality/value: There have been few studies on the prevalence of NPS use in inpatient environments and none of them have published that explore the association with PICU admission. Despite the limitations of this study, it has significant value by identifying an urgent need for comprehensive research in this area. (Publisher abstract)
Neglected minds: a report on mental health support for young people leaving care
- Author:
- SMITH Nicholas
- Publisher:
- Barnardo's
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
This report looks at the mental health needs of care leavers and what could be done to better support them. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative research carried out with Barnardo's services, the research found that 46 per cent of the Barnardo's care leaver cases which were reviewed as part of the research involved young people who had mental health needs. In addition, 65 per cent of young people identified as having mental health needs were not currently receiving any statutory service. Barriers facing care leavers in accessing support included: information about mental health needs not being passed to leaving care teams; those supporting care leavers, such as personal advisers lacking expertise in mental health; and mental health services available are often too inflexible to meet the needs of care leavers. The report highlights good practice ideas to help overcome these barriers and better support care leavers with mental health needs. These include embedding mental health workers in leaving care teams, youth specific provision designed around the needs of young people and more training for personal advisers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Commissioning cost-effective services for promotion of mental health and wellbeing and prevention of mental ill-health
- Authors:
- PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES RESEARCH UNIT, MCDAID David, WILSON Emma, KNAPP Martin
- Publisher:
- Public Health England
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 105
- Place of publication:
- London
Building on earlier work carried out by the PSSRU in 2011, this report summarises the findings of modelling work to estimate cost effectiveness of a number of different interventions which can help reduce the risk mental health problems and promote good mental health and wellbeing. The interventions examined are: school based programmes to prevent bullying and initiatives to prevent depression in children and young people; workplace programmes to promote mental health; mental health support and interventions for people with long term physical health problems; group based social activities, including volunteering, to address loneliness as a way of promoting mental health; financial advice services for people with debt problems located in primary care; and initiatives to identify and support people who have self-harmed and are potentially suicidal. The report identifies which sectors are likely to pay for each of the eight interventions (eg health, education, employers), and the potential costs that can be avoided. It also notes the potential for achieving cashable savings or a freeing up resources for alternative uses. The report is one of a set of resources to support local commissioners in designing and implementing mental health and wellbeing support services. (Edited publisher abstract)
A theory of mental health and optimal service delivery for homeless children
- Author:
- MARCAL Katherine E.
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 34(4), 2017, pp.349-359.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Homeless children are a vulnerable group with high risk for developing mental health disorders. The environments of homeless children are uniquely chaotic, marked by frequent moves, family structure changes, household and neighbourhood disorder, parenting distress, and lack of continuous services. Despite high rates of service use, mental health outcomes remain poor. This paper reviews the literature on homeless children’s mental health, as well as prior theoretical explorations. Finally, the paper proposes a theoretical model that explains elevated rates of mental health problems among homeless children as consequences of harmful stress reactions triggered by chronic household instability along with repeated service disruptions. This model draws upon existing conceptual frameworks of child development, family poverty, health services utilisation, and the biology of stress to clarify the role of environmental chaos in the development of child emotional and behavioural problems. Potential strategies to mitigate the risk for mental health disorders among homeless children and future research directions are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)