Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Assessing health care needs among street homeless and transitionally housed adults
- Authors:
- BARRETT Blake, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(3), May 2011, pp.338-350.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In 2009, there was an estimated 9,566 homeless people in Hillsborough County, FL. This article reports on the results of a survey conducted by the lead agency responsible for coordinating homeless services in Hillsborough. The survey aimed to examine the health care needs and receipt of health services of street and transitionally housed homeless persons in the county. In March-May 2008, a total of 823 homeless individuals were interviewed in street-based locations, shelters, drop-in centres, and meal sites using a comprehensive survey. The participants reported extensive lifetime and current needs for physical and behavioural health care services. More than a third (37.2%) reported having a physical or mental disability that impaired everyday activities. The majority reported a need for dental (60.2%) and eye (54.2%) care. More than a quarter (27.0%) reported an HIV diagnosis. In addition, nearly a half of the sample (49.1%) reported having being diagnosed with a mental or emotional problem, and a third (33.4%) reported currently having a substance abuse problem. The study provides evidence of the wide prevalence of health service needs, the lack of health services received, the accordant gap in unmet medical treatment, and the primary utilisation of costly and acute sources of care among homeless persons.
Impact of psychiatric disorders on health-related quality of life: general population survey
- Authors:
- SAARNI Samuli I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(4), April 2007, pp.326-332.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with generic preference-based instruments enables comparisons of severity across different conditions and treatments. This is necessary for rational public health policy. The aim was to measure HRQoL decrement and loss of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) associated with pure and comorbid forms of depressive and anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence. A general population survey was conducted of Finns aged 30 years and over. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and HRQoL was measured with the 15D and EQ–5D questionnaires. Dysthymia, generalised anxiety disorder and social phobia were associated with the largest loss of HRQoL on the individual level before and after adjusting for somatic and psychiatric comorbidity. On the population level, depressive disorders accounted for 55%, anxiety disorders 30%, and alcohol dependence for 15% of QALY loss identified in this study. Chronic anxiety disorders and dysthymia are associated with poorer HRQoL than previously thought.
Mental health services in primary care: a review of recent developments in London
- Authors:
- ROSEN Rebecca, JENKINS Clare
- Publisher:
- King's Fund
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 58p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This working paper aims to revisit findings from the 1997 King's Fund Inquiry on Mental Health and to examine the extent to which primary care mental health services have developed in line with recommendations made at that time. It takes a narrow view of 'primary care' as relating to general practice. Other community-based mental health services are addressed in other papers being produced as part of the Inquiry. The main focus of this paper is on general practice-based services for people with common mental health problems, and the role of PCTs in developing them. Findings are presented from a postal questionnaire of a 20% sample of London GP practices and a telephone survey of mental health leads in London PCTs.
Health status of juvenile offenders: a survey of young offenders appearing before the juvenile courts
- Authors:
- DOLAN M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adolescence, 22(1), February 1999, pp.137-144.
- Publisher:
- Academic Press
Reports on the health needs of a sample of juvenile offenders appearing before Manchester Court during the month of August 1992. Of the subjects interviewed, 19 percent had significant medical problems, 42 percent a history of substance abuse and 7 percent psychiatric problems requiring further treatment. One quarter engaged in a variety of dangerous behaviours. Custodial remands were common, particularly in those with multiple psychosocial difficulties.
Caring for better health: an investigation into the health needs of care leavers
- Authors:
- BRADEN Jakeb, GODDARD Jim, GRAHAM David
- Publisher:
- Care Leavers' Association
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 54
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
This report summarises the findings of research into the views of care leavers and health professionals on how health services can be improved to better meet the needs of care leavers of all ages, including adult care leavers over the age of 25 years. The project received funding from the Department of Health, and was carried out during 2014-2017. It involved surveys and forums with both health professionals and care leavers to gather their views The Care Leavers Association also worked with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to set up working groups to explore care leaver health needs in different local areas. A total of 418 care leavers also completed a survey on health needs. The initial findings of the survey found that a high number of carer leavers experienced low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and isolation. In some cases these experiences continued over several decades, highlighting the importance of address the causal factors as early as possible. The report makes recommendations designed to improve the commissioning process and improve health outcomes for care leavers. (Edited publisher abstract)
A prevalence study of suicide ideation among older adults in Hong Kong SAR
- Authors:
- YIP Paul S. F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(11), November 2003, pp.1056-1062.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The objective of this paper is to ascertain estimates of the prevalence, and associated risk factors for, suicidal ideation among community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. The study was conducted as part of the General Household Survey (GHS), using face to face interviews of ethnic Chinese people aged 60 or above living in the community. Elders living in institutions or elderly homes were excluded from the study. Six percent of the sample was found to have ever had suicide ideation. The results showed that poor physical health, including poor vision, hearing problems, and a greater number of diseases; and poor mental health, especially in the form of depression, are predictors of suicidal ideation in the elderly population. Also, statistical analysis by linking individual factors to depression showed that financial and relationship problems are significant risk factors as well. Older adults who engaged in active coping, that is, those who actively seek to manage or control the negative events in their lives, fare better with lower levels of suicidal ideation than those who use passive coping styles. The prevalence of suicidal ideation is similar among elders in Hong Kong and western countries. Factors that contribute to risk for suicidal ideation span physical and mental health, social, and psychological domains. Although the association of suicidal ideation to self-destructive acts remains to be determined, these findings indicate a variety of potential foci for late life suicide prevention efforts.
Accessibility of health and social services to immigrant elders: the Islington Study
- Authors:
- LIVINGSTON G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 180, April 2002, pp.369-373.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study examines service utilisation of older immigrants compared with their UK-born counterparts and relate it to health difficulties. It is a cross-sectional study in inner London measuring service use, mental health and disability. The researchers conclude that immigrants could access services. Africans and Caribbeans appear to have poorer physical health and thus have greater contact with services. Cypriots who experience depression may present with prominent somatic symptoms.
Health gain through screening - users' and carers' perspectives of health care: developing primary health care services for people with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- MARTIN D.M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 22(4), December 1997, pp.241-249.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Describes Primary Health Care Project for People with an Intellectual Disability which began early in 1995 in Northern Birmingham to facilitate equal access to health care services for adults with an intellectual disability, and to establish a health screening protocol. The aim of the study was to identify the experiences, expectations and opinions of the people using these services. The implications of this methodology and its findings are discussed.