Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Exploring suicide risk history among youth in residential care
- Authors:
- HURLEY Kristin Duppong, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 31(4), 2014, pp.316-327.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Adolescents in residential care settings have double the national average of suicide risk histories (attempts, threats, and ideation). However, little is known about youth with specific suicide-risk histories. This study explored differences in demographic characteristics and mental health variables for 509 youth in residential care with high and low suicide-risk histories. Overall, nearly 40% of participants had a high suicide-risk history, and significant differences between low and high suicide-risk history groups were found for multiple variables (e.g., gender, ethnicity, number of diagnoses). This study highlights a need for research into areas associated with suicide-risk history in residential care. (Publisher abstract)
Utilising a computer game as a therapeutic intervention for youth in residential care: Some preliminary findings on use and acceptability
- Authors:
- AVENTIN Aine, HOUSTON Stan, MACDONALD Geraldine
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 47(3), 2014, pp.362-369.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Mental illness is common amongst young people living in residential care, many of whom are reluctant to avail of therapeutic help. The potential value of computer games as therapeutic tools for these young people has received very little attention, despite indications of their potential for promoting engagement in therapeutic work and improving mental health outcomes. This study aimed to fill this research gap through the development, introduction, and preliminary evaluation of a therapeutic intervention in group care settings. The intervention incorporated a commercially available computer game (The SIMS Life Stories™) and emotion regulation skill coaching. Qualified residential social workers were trained to deliver it to young people in three children's homes in Northern Ireland, where therapeutic approaches to social work had been introduced. The research was framed as an exploratory case study which aimed to determine the acceptability and potential therapeutic value of this intervention. The evidence suggests that computer-game based interventions of this type may have value as therapeutic tools in group care settings and deserve further development and empirical investigation to determine their effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes (Publisher abstract)
Visits to young people in secure care settings: visit and monitoring report
- Author:
- MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 37
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
Findings from the joint Mental Welfare Commission and Care Inspectorate visits to young people in secure care settings in Scotland. The visits took place in five secure care establishments and were completed in early 2014. Inspectors spoke to 27 young people and examined an additional eight records. A staff questionnaire was completed at each site and, in addition, staff were interviewed about each individual young person about whom information had been gathered. The report covers a range of thematic areas, including: journey into secure care and reasons for admission to secure care; contact with mental health supports prior to being received into secure care, and while in the placement; how is information about a young person’s mental health care needs communicated between external agencies and secure care units, and shared with care staff within units; how are young people involved in decisions about their mental health care and support; appropriate crisis management to ensure that young people with mental health difficulties remain safe at times when their behaviour is stressed and agitated; the importance of supportive services, both internal and external, focussing on the mental health needs of the young people in their care; and the interaction of unit staff with young people and external agencies in the planning of and providing support on discharge. For each areas the report sets out key messages and recommendations. (Edited publisher abstract)
What works in preventing and treating poor mental health in looked after children?
- Authors:
- LUKE Nikki, et al
- Publisher:
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 214
- Place of publication:
- London
A review of the evidence on poor mental health prevention and treatment in looked after children. Looked after children have a higher than average risk of developing mental health difficulties as a result of a range of individual factors (biology, personal characteristics) as well as environmental factors (experiences before and in care, situational context. A biological or behavioural response that is a strength in one context can become problematic in a different context. The report considers the evidence on general features of the care environment and children’s well-being and assesses the choice between being at home and being in care, between different forms of permanence for those not returned to their families and between residential care, foster care, and multi-dimensional foster care for those who have not achieved family-based permanence. It also examines some of the assessment instruments used with looked after children and reviews a number of specific interventions for mental health issues. The report offers some recommendations for policy, practice and research, emphasising the importance of early interventions, strong relationships, carer training, continuity of care, child-centred interventions and a flexible interpretation of children’s behaviour. (Edited publisher abstract)
A trust-based intervention for complex developmental trauma: a case study from a residential treatment center
- Authors:
- PURVIS Karyn B., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(4), 2014, pp.355-368.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This case study, conducted in a Midwest residential treatment center, reports results from an attachment-based intervention that addressed the needs of a 16-year-old female, Rachel. Rachel had a long and documented history of severe abuse and neglect before her adoption from a Bulgarian orphanage at age 12 and numerous psychiatric hospitalizations in the years subsequent. Upon entering this residential treatment center, Rachel did not respond to traditional residential treatment modalities and was considered one of the most difficult children the facility had ever attempted to help. After the intensive attachment-based intervention for Rachel, her adoptive parents, and facility staff, dramatic increases in pro-social and attachment behaviors were noted, as well as a significant decrease in violent and self-injurious behaviors. The intervention consisted of three phases of differing levels of intensity and was designed to address the attachment system and related sub-systems in order to facilitate the development of healthy attachments. (Publisher abstract)
Health literacy in high-risk youth: a descriptive study of children in residential care
- Authors:
- TROUT Alexandra L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Youth Services, 35(1), 2014, pp.35-45.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Although previous studies have demonstrated that children in out-of-home care present with elevated levels of mental and physical health, educational, and behavioural problems, little is known about youth's ability to manage health care needs or access health information and support. This study evaluates the health literacy skills of 229 youth served in a residential setting. Results revealed that the majority of youth demonstrated some level of risk, and anywhere from one-quarter to one-third demonstrated significant health literacy deficits suggesting a need for additional research and treatment intervention. Implications, study limitations, and recommendations for practice and future research are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Unit costs of health and social care 2014
- Author:
- CURTIS Lesley
- Publisher:
- Personal Social Services Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 302
- Place of publication:
- Canterbury
This publication provides unit costs for a wide range of health and social care services using a standardised methodology. The report is organised into five main sections. Section I covers services used by a particular client group, and includes services for older people, people with mental health problems, people who misuse drugs/alcohol, people with learning disabilities, younger adults with physical and sensory impairments, services for children and their families, hospitals, and care packages. Sections II, III and IV deal with the unit costs of professionals in community-based health care, community-based social care, and hospital-based health care. These include social care staff, health and social care teams, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. Section V details the sources of information used. This volume also includes three focused articles which explore: approaches to costing for those involved in planning and implementing integrated care initiatives; understanding the costs of shared lives, and the intervention costs of the reminiscence intervention Remembering Yesterday Caring Today (RYCT) and the Carer Support Programme (CSP). (Edited publisher abstract)