Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Organisational impact of a forensic education programme
- Authors:
- WALKER Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Practice, 15(3), 2013, pp.218-230.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the organisational impact of the New to Forensic Mental Health education programme, developed for use across all forensic services in Scotland. To date, 267 have been trained as a trainer or mentor; 502 have completed the programme and 375 are yet to complete. The programme is designed to promote self-directed learning and is multi-disciplinary and multi-agency in approach. It includes case studies and problem-based learning relating to patients in a variety of settings, from the community to high secure care. Design/methodology/approach: As part of a larger longitudinal study to assess the value of this New to Forensic Mental Health education programme, organisational impact was assessed using semi-structured interviews with (n=13) senior staff working in forensic services. Participants were purposively selected for interview. Findings: Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, which revealed three themes: “Acquiring knowledge: what you learn and how you learn”, “Developing skills” and “Shift in attitudes and behaviour”. The results demonstrate the positive impact the programme has had at an organisational level and what changes can occur when staff become more knowledgeable, skilful and confident. The implications for practice, along with the limitations of the study, are discussed. One of the weaknesses of this type of analysis is that it is always dependent on the analyst's interpretation, and is thus the product of that person's bias, filters or prejudices. Originality/value: This evaluation is one of the limited few that explore organisational impact of an education programme. (Publisher abstract)
Trauma-informed care training in a child welfare system: moving it to the front line
- Authors:
- CONNERS-BURROW Nicola A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 35(11), 2013, pp.1830-1835.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The use of trauma-informed practices in the child welfare system is critically important to prevent system-induced trauma and encourage timely assessment, triage and referral for care when indicated. Ultimately, such measures have the potential over time to decrease the risk for mental health problems in children exposed to a trauma. This study evaluates an initiative in Arkansas to train child welfare front-line staff members in trauma-informed care practices. The impact of the training on knowledge and use of trauma-informed care practices among three types of child welfare staff (caseworkers, program assistants and other front-line staff) was evaluated. Results suggest that this training process was highly successful in improving knowledge of trauma-informed care practices, especially among staff with the least formal education and training. A significant increase in staff use of trauma-informed care practices at the three-month follow-up was also found. Barriers that may prevent staff from full implementation of training concepts are described and strategies to address barriers are proposed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Hoarding in the community: a code enforcement and social service perspective
- Authors:
- McGUIRE Joseph F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 39(3), 2013, pp.335-344.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Hoarding behaviours endanger individuals and their communities. Although there is a growing literature on clinically referred and elderly hoarders, there is limited information about hoarding behaviours beyond these contexts. This study examines the frequency, characteristics, and outcomes of cases involving hoarding encountered by code enforcement officials and social service staff. Prior to an in-service training, 236 social service staff members completed a 43-item survey about their experiences with cases involving hoarding. Respondents reported encountering between two and three cases per year. Although these hoarding cases were estimated to cost more than $3,700 in cleaning fees, 83% of respondents reported having received no prior training on dealing with hoarding. Survey responses suggested that hoarding situations were difficult to resolve and involved multiple community agencies. Collectively, hoarding behaviors appear to be a problem regularly encountered by social service members, who often serve as the initial point of contact. Along with increased training, future research is needed to develop and evaluate collaborative interagency protocols to manage this multifaceted problem. Empirically informed interagency protocols may facilitate the timely referral of community hoarders to mental health professionals and may lead to improved outcomes. (Publisher abstract)
A novel CAMHS risk assessment system: clinicians’ views
- Authors:
- DANIEL Matthew R., WEIR Steve, TIFFIN Paul A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Practice, 15(3), 2013, pp.182-191.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to record and analyse clinicians’ views of the proposed FACE Child and Adolescent Risk Assessment Suite (CARAS). This is a novel risk assessment system comprising a set of screening questions and domain specific sub-schedules intended to be implemented in electronic format within a youth mental health setting. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach was adopted with a series of focus groups conducted with three Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) teams drawn from general and specialised services in a large NHS Trust in North-East England. A thematic analysis was used to explore the perceived clinical relevance, clarity and utility of the items that are contained within the FACE Child and Adolescent Risk Assessment Suite. Findings: Emerging themes highlighted that items such as criminality and fire-setting be added to the violence risk assessment schedule; a structured approach for risk of sexual harm be utilised; and an eating disorder risk assessment be included. Practical implications: Clinicians viewed the FACE Child and Adolescent Risk Assessment Suite as a structured and comprehensive risk management tool that also demonstrated potential clinical utility. CAMHS clinicians’ views of the potential benefits of risk assessment schedules appear to be influenced by the perceived balance between comprehensiveness and ease and rapidity of administration. Further studies relating to validity and reliability are currently ongoing. Originality/value: This is the first qualitative exploration of a comprehensive and flexible approach to risk assessment in a youth mental health setting. (Publisher abstract)
Gender issues for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems: asking what service users and staff think
- Author:
- KROESE Biza Stenfert
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(4), 2013, pp.181-190.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The current qualitative study aims to investigate service users’, support staff's and community team members’ views of gender differences in cause and presentation of mental health problems, whether current services respond differently to men and women with mental health problems and areas in which services can become more gender sensitive. Two focus groups were conducted with service users with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in addition to two focus groups with a variety of staff. Subsequently, individual interviews were conducted with both male and female staff members employed in residential and community intellectual disability services. The number of participants totalled 54 (16 service users and 38 staff). Thematic analysis was adopted in order to identify dominant themes in the discourse of these stakeholder groups. The analysis produced a number of themes which include: compliance versus challenge; vulnerability; expression of emotion; gender equality; same sex support; caring qualities; and boundaries. A number of suggestions for improving services are discussed in the context of the current findings. (Publisher abstract)