Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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'Drone strikes
- Author:
- DALY Max
- Journal article citation:
- Druglink, 27(6), November 2012, pp.8-11.
- Publisher:
- Drugscope
- Place of publication:
- London
In this article, the author reports on the results of the Druglink Street Drug Trends 2012 survey. The survey, undertaken between September and November 2012, was based on information from police forces, drug action teams, frontline treatment services and user groups in 20 towns and cities, and from interviews and questionnaires involving drug experts, national drug services and drug workers across the UK. The article focuses in particular on the survey findings concerning use of mephedrone. It reports that despite a ban in 2010 mephedrone is becoming a significant problematic drug, and that more people are requesting help with physical and psychological problems associated with their mephedrone use. It notes mephedrone's relatively low cost, easy availability and reliable potency, and that it is being taken by a more diverse population. It discusses trends in use of the drug and possible reasons for this, and includes a brief user case example and a Barnsley case study report for Addaction on mephedrone injecting. It also reports on other major trends revealed in the 2012 survey.
Enhancing public mental health and wellbeing through creative arts participation
- Author:
- GILLAM Tony
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 17(4), 2018, pp.148-156.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how participation in creative arts activity can enhance public mental health and wellbeing. It is informed by both the author’s clinical practice with service users and carers and by research. Design/methodology/approach:The approach taken is to draw selectively on research in the field of creativity, creative arts and wellbeing, focusing in particular on the use of music and creative writing, and to incorporate learning from clinical experience to explore what is understood about the health and wellbeing benefits of creative arts activity. Findings: There is evidence that creative arts activity is beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. Arts activities that involve active participation appear to offer the greatest benefits. Creative arts participation can help people with diagnosed mental health difficulties to recover from mental illness. Moreover, creative arts activities can also promote wellbeing in the general population. Research limitations/implications: The paper does not provide a comprehensive review of the literature in this field. Practical implications: The paper suggests that if nurses and other mental health professionals are to play a full role in facilitating flourishing then they will need to learn more about using creative arts in practice and will need to become involved and encourage others to do so. Social implications: The paper suggests it is important that creative arts activities should be participatory, so they become a vehicle not only for self-expression but also for participation in groups and communities, increasing connectedness and social inclusion. Originality/value: This paper fulfils a need for a wider understanding of the health and wellbeing benefits of creative arts activity.
“Here if you need me”: exploring peer support to enhance access to physical health care
- Authors:
- BOCKING Julia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 27(4), 2018, pp.329-335.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: People diagnosed with mental illness (hereinafter “consumers”) have higher rates of chronic disease and significantly shorter lives than the wider population. Peer workers have become increasingly involved in facilitating access to physical health care, yet the consumer perspective regarding peer involvement is unknown. This absent voice is needed to inform strategic planning and generate solutions to address the current inequity in health status. Aim: To articulate the views of consumers in regards to the potential use of peer workers to further the physical health of people with mental illness. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted involving four focus groups with 31 consumer participants. Focus group responses were analysed thematically. Results: Three themes pertaining to enhancing physical health care emerged: (1) the potential of peer workers in mitigating existing barriers, (2) consumer advocacy organisations expanding their agenda and (3) benefits of segregated activities as a segue to mainstream options. Conclusions: The envisaged forms of peer contribution have far greater scope and depth than is currently considered in policy, the research literature and health practice. Innovative solutions are required for this neglected population. Individual and systemic advocacy led by peer workers can enhance access to physical health care and have the potential to reduce physical health inequalities. (Publisher abstract)
Patient experience of MDT care and decision-making
- Authors:
- O'DRISCOLL William, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 19(4), 2014, pp.265-278.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper explores physical and mental health patients’ experience of multidisciplinary team (MDT) care and decision making in order to highlight factors underlying effective care and to identify areas in which patient experience could be improved. Design/methodology/approach: Totally, 12 MDTs within the North Thames area participated; the authors recruited 13 patients from physical health MDTs and seven patients from mental health MDTs. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with each participant and thematically analysed the transcripts. Findings: The study found a marked contrast in patient experience: physical health patients emphasised their faith in the judgement of MDT clinicians, described experiencing high quality care and expressed a strong preference not to attend MDT meetings; mental health patients highlighted a range of negative experiences, were frequently sceptical about their diagnosis, and expressed a desire to have greater involvement in the decisions directing their care. Research limitations/implications: It was necessary to revise the initial target of interviewing six patients per MDT due to recruitment difficulties. Practical implications: In order to improve care, mental health MDTs should focus on promoting a shared understanding of illness by increasing the transparency of the diagnostic process. Key factors underlying effective MDT care in physical health services include enabling patients to determine their level of involvement in decision making and ensuring patients have a clear understanding of their care plan. Originality/value: The paper highlights the importance of mental health MDTs focusing on developing a shared understanding of illness with their patients. (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)
Spirituality and mental health: a handbook for service users, carers and staff wishing to bring a spiritual dimension to mental health services
- Editors:
- GILBERT Peter, (ed.)
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 441p.
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This collection of 23 chapters by experts in the field covers aspects of spirituality and mental health. It aims to promote an understanding of people's beliefs and illustrates the increasing importance of spirituality in health and social care. Chapters include coverage of: user and carer perspectives; ethnicity; spiritual needs in a health care setting; children and young people's wellbeing; dementia and spirituality; dignity and palliative care; valuing staff and staff training for spiritual care; the spiritual identities of LGBT people; and recovery and spirituality.
Depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem: treatment and management
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 397p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This draft national clinical practice guideline was commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and developed within the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH). The guideline is intended for adults with depression and chronic health problems and covers the care provided by primary, community, secondary, tertiary and other healthcare professionals who have contact with, and make decisions concerning the care of, adults with depression and chronic health problems. It makes recommendations for the treatment and management of people with depression and chronic health problems, starting with an introduction to the topic of depression and chronic physical health problems and an explanation of the methods used to develop the guideline, and then providing the evidence that underpins the recommendations about the treatment and management of people with depression and chronic health problems, including personal accounts from service users and carers offering an insight into their experience, and looking at the identification of depression in people with chronic physical health problems, service-led interventions, psychosocial interventions, and pharmacological interventions.
The Physical Health Check: a tool for mental health workers
- Authors:
- PHELAN Michael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 13(3), June 2004, pp.277-284.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
The physical health of people with mental illness is often poor. There is a need for mental health services to address the issue. The Physical Health Check (PHC) is a short tool designed to be used by mental health staff to assess physical health needs. It was developed by a multidisciplinary research group, with the intention that it should be quick and easy to use, and acceptable to service users. When administered to 60 CMHT clients a high level of unmet physical needs were detected. These included the need for health promotion, as well as specific medical or other interventions. A comparison with routine practice in a neighbouring CMHT, suggests that use of the PHC significant improves the recording of physical health information. PHC is a useful tool, designed to be used routinely by mental health staff to assess physical health needs.
Not all in the mind: the physical health of mental health service users
- Author:
- SEYMOUR Linda
- Publisher:
- Mentality
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 41p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
People with severe and enduring mental health problems are at increased risk for physical illness, much of which is undetected. This report, based on qualitative research with service users, looks at user perspectives on all aspects of physical health, from exercise to smoking cessation. The report makes a series of recommendations for improving physical health care for people with mental health problems.
Profile of service users attending a voluntary mental health sector service
- Authors:
- HUTCHINSON G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 24(7), July 2000, pp.251-254.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
This research compares the male service users attending a voluntary sector service in Brixton, South London with those attending a service run by the mental health hospital for that catchment area. Results suggest that service users attending voluntary sector services are likely to be more socially and materially deprived than their counterparts attending statutory services and specific strategies are required to assist these organisations in meeting the many needs of the service users.