Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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The Stigma Scale: a Canadian perspective
- Authors:
- MEIER Amanda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 39(4), 2015, pp.213-222.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Stigma is a devastating psychosocial issue for many individuals with mental illness. This study examined the mental illness stigma experiences of 380 individuals with a self-reported psychiatric diagnosis in London, Ontario, Canada, using the Stigma Scale, a tool recently developed in the United Kingdom (UK). Data for the Canadian sample were examined and compared with those from the UK pilot group. Results indicated that both samples experienced mental illness stigma, with Canadian participants reporting fewer stigma experiences on close to half of the scale items. In general, the results suggested that antistigma efforts have achieved some successes, particularly for targeted recipient groups; however, the need remains for continued and varied methods of stigma reduction to eliminate stigma within society. (Publisher abstract)
Evidence for effective interventions to reduce mental health-related stigma and discrimination in the medium and long term: systematic review
- Authors:
- MEHTA N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 207(5), 2015, pp.377-384.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: Most research on interventions to counter stigma and discrimination has focused on short-term outcomes and has been conducted in high-income settings. Aims: To synthesise what is known globally about effective interventions to reduce mental illness-based stigma and discrimination, in relation first to effectiveness in the medium and long term (minimum 4 weeks), and second to interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Method: Searches were conducted on six databases from 1980 to 2013 and a multi-language Google search was carried out for quantitative studies addressing the research questions. Effect sizes were calculated from eligible studies where possible, and narrative syntheses conducted. Subgroup analysis compared interventions with and without social contact. Results: Eighty studies (n = 422 653) were included in the review. For studies with medium or long-term follow-up (72, of which 21 had calculable effect sizes) median standardised mean differences were 0.54 for knowledge and −0.26 for stigmatising attitudes. Those containing social contact (direct or indirect) were not more effective than those without. The 11 LMIC studies were all from middle-income countries. Effect sizes were rarely calculable for behavioural outcomes or in LMIC studies. Conclusions: There is modest evidence for the effectiveness of anti-stigma interventions beyond 4 weeks follow-up in terms of increasing knowledge and reducing stigmatising attitudes. Evidence does not support the view that social contact is the more effective type of intervention for improving attitudes in the medium to long term. Methodologically strong research is needed on which to base decisions on investment in stigma-reducing interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health in later life: striving for equality
- Author:
- NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR INCLUSION
- Publisher:
- National Development Team for Inclusion
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 13
- Place of publication:
- Bath
The issue of older people’s mental health often receives a lower priority than that of children, young people and adults of ‘working’ age. This paper makes the case that equal attention needs to be paid to older people’s mental health, and the services and support they experience, need and want. Drawing on research undertaken by NDTi and others in the sector, this paper highlights the changes required to enable a shift in attitudes and approach in health and social care. It sets out the five key areas where it believes action needs to be taken: overcoming age discrimination in mental health services; increasing voice, visibility and influence of older people with mental health problems; focusing on the common mental health problems experienced by older people, such as depression and substance misuse; clarifying responsibility for commissioning of older people’s mental health services; and developing a coalition on older people’s mental health. It then identifies three priorities for change to help older people have better experiences and responsive and personalised services. The changes are: tackling the ‘double stigma’ of mental health and ageism; developing a shared vision and agenda for change for mental health in later life; and enabling equal access to a range of services, treatments and interventions. The paper aims to prompt for further debate and discussion. (Edited publisher abstract)
Queen of the owls: metaphor and identity in psychiatric diagnosis
- Author:
- PROBST Barbara
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 13(3), 2015, pp.235-251.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Clinical social workers’ commitment to social justice makes them acutely concerned about discrimination and dis-empowerment, and thus they are sensitive to the impact of stigma on persons diagnosed with a mental disorder. At the same time, it is important to explore whether clinicians’ assumptions about psychiatric diagnoses as stigmatizing mesh with the views and experiences of those who actually receive and live with these diagnoses. To address this question, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 individuals carrying a range of psychiatric diagnoses. Narrative and thematic analysis yielded several distinct narratives about living with a mental health label. For many participants, diagnosis brought validation; to be "named" was to be welcomed into one’s tribe. For others, diagnosis meant reduction and mistranslation. Findings raise questions about the assumption that diagnostic labels necessarily bring shame and/or loss of self-efficacy. Without minimizing the impact of stigma, clinicians need to remain open to discovering how each client finds meaning in the diagnostic experience. Based on participants’ use of deeply personal images, metaphor is proposed as a creative means for re-claiming identity. Implications for practice and further research are suggested. (Edited publisher abstract)
Attitudes and stigma held by healthcare and mental health care professionals towards people with mental illness
- Authors:
- NOBLETT Jo, HENDERSON Claire
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, January/February 2015, pp.24-27.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Summarises the key findings from a narrative review investigating the attitudes of health care professionals (excluding students and counsellors) towards people with mental health problems (excluding dementia and learning disability). Searches were carried out on five databases, including Medline and AMED. Key findings are discussed under the themes of: whether mental health professionals hold stigmatised attitudes to people using their services; the attitudes of other health professionals towards people using their services; the effects on quality of care of stigmatising attitudes of mental health and health professionals; and whether stigma and discrimination in the healthcare context can be reduced. Generally, mental health professionals tended to have move positive attitudes when compared to the general health professionals or the population. Theories put forward to explain negative attitudes included stress and burnout. Interventions identified to reduce stigma and discrimination included educational based interventions and improved supervision and training policies. (Original abstract)
Recovery from mental illness: a service user perspective on facilitators and barriers
- Authors:
- PETERSEN Kirsten Schultz, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 51(1), 2015, pp.1-13.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Mental health services strive to implement a recovery-oriented approach to rehabilitation. Little is known about service users' perception of the recovery approach. The aim is to explore the service user's perspectives on facilitators and barriers associated with recovery. Twelve residents living in supported housing services are interviewed. The analysis is guided by a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach and the interpretation involves theories from critical theory, sociology, and learning. Learning, social relations, and willpower are identified as having an impact on recovery. Stigmatisation and social barriers occurred. Social relations to peer residents and staff were reported as potentially having a positive and negative impact on recovery. Studies have explored the user's perspectives on recovery but this study contributes with knowledge on how recovery-oriented services have an impact on recovery. (Publisher abstract)
Social support, mental health, and quality of life among older people living with HIV: findings from the HIV and Later Life (HALL) project
- Authors:
- ROSENFELD Dana, et al
- Publisher:
- Keele University
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 67
- Place of publication:
- Keele
This report presents the findings of a two-year study which used qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate the social support, mental health and quality of life (QoL) of people over the age of 50 living with HIV. The study was carried out in London between 2011 and 2103 and involved 17 Stakeholder interviews, 3 focus groups (23 participants), 76 life-history interviews, and 100 surveys. Participants reported many of the same challenges as those faced by younger people living with HIV. These included HIV-related stigma, the difficulties of disclosure, uncertainties of life with a chronic condition, and the impact of HIV on work, social relations, sexual and romantic relationships, and financial security. Additional challenges associated ageing with HIV included the differential stigmatisation of older people living with HIV, concerns over long-term care, interruptions to plans for older age, and a lack of information about how ageing, HIV, and long-term use of antiretroviral medications intersect to affect health in later years. Results also found that the mental health and QoL of this older population varies, with two-thirds of people taking part in the study reporting good mental health and QOL. Factors associated with poor mental health and QoL were predominantly social rather than related to physical health. Participants also felt that only those living with HIV could fully appreciate what it was like to live and age with the virus. Consequently most participants supplemented the support provided by members of their social networks who were not known to be living with the virus with support from other people with HIV. The report makes recommendations in relation to education; diagnosis, health and long-term care; mental health and quality of life; and social support. (Edited publisher abstract)
Should youth disclose their mental health challenges? Perspectives from students, parents, and school professionals
- Authors:
- BUCHHOLZ Blythe, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 14(3), 2015, pp.159-168.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Disclosure seems to be a useful strategy for adults to deal with both the public and self-stigma of mental illness. However, youth may face a different set of risks when coming out with their experiences. The purpose of this paper is to examine youth, parent, and teacher perspectives on the costs and benefits of disclosure by middle- and high school-aged youth to better understand these risks. Design/methodology/approach: Focus groups were conducted with questions framed to elicit the different ways mental health challenges are discussed in schools and families. Findings: Surprisingly, the benefits of disclosure seemed to far outweigh the costs across groups. Benefits included ways to deal with stigma, reducing isolation, and “differentness,” as well as the pursuit of mental health services if needed. Costs included harsh responses to disclosure by peers and family members. Participants shared strategies used to minimise risk, including where and with whom youth might share their stories. Social implications: The results suggest many youth have disclosed their experiences with mental health challenges and have received mixed responses; these reactions often serve as the barometer for future disclosure decisions. Other youth are considering disclosure in a variety of settings, but are unsure how to go about it safely. Implications for addressing stigma are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Assessing risk of sex offenders with major mental illness: integrating research into best practices
- Authors:
- KELLEY Sharon M., THORNTON David
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 7(4), 2015, pp.258-274.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Sex Offenders with a Major Mental Illness (SOMMI) are doubly stigmatised, as these individuals are members of two highly marginalised social groups (Guidry and Saleh, 2004). Within each of these groups SOMMI only represent a small minority. For professionals seeking to base their practice in empirical research this has led to a significant problem since the literature related specifically to this group is both limited and hard to locate. Additionally, intensity of psychological risk factors varies as a function of psychiatric decompensation for some SOMMI making it hard to apply certain procedures that work with ordinary sexual offenders. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the relevant literature and recommendations for clinical practice that are responsive to the particular challenges posed by this unusual group of sexual offenders. Design/methodology/approach: The current paper provides a review of literature on risk factors for sexual recidivism and validity of current risk tools as it pertains to SOMMI. Recommendations for risk assessment with SOMMI are provided. Findings: The static actuarial tools appear to be useful with SOMMI. However, risk assessments measuring dynamic risk factors have poorer predictive validity. Additional factors that will need to be considered involve a possible higher recidivism rate for SOMMI and a variable relationship between major mental illness and sex offending with it sometimes predisposing, sometimes exacerbating existing risk factors, and sometimes mitigating risk. Originality/value: There is a paucity of research and guidance in assessment and risk management of SOMMI. The current paper is the first to thoroughly explore the efficacy of current sex offender risk assessment tools with SOMMI and provide structured guidance for making decisions about risk and risk management needs for this challenging population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Making use of elephants: lived experience and organisations
- Authors:
- PAYNTER Sarah, RIVERS Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 19(3), 2015, pp.148-154.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper examines the surrounding attitudes, culture and workplace environment in which Oxleas NHS Foundation trust developed a network for staff with lived experience of mental ill health. Design/methodology/approach: Sarah Paynter completed an interview talking about her experiences with a peer, which was recorded, then the authors picked out relevant themes from this which are grounded in lived experience. The paper examines the theme of lived experience in the workplace in more depth, from a personal perspective (Sarah) and from an organisational perspective (Christine). Findings: There is a lack of dialogue about staff lived experience of mental ill health within the workplace. There are compelling reasons from both the perspective of the organisation and staff with lived experience for setting up a lived experience staff network. The authors note that increased dialogue and visibility has added value on both sides. (Edited publisher abstract)