Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Mental health and psychological support in UK armed forces personnel deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011
- Authors:
- JONES Norman, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 204(2), 2014, pp.157-162.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Data are presented relating to the burden of mental ill health in UK armed forces personnel and the effect of support measures including operational, family, welfare and medical support obtained on two occasions some 18 months apart. A total of 2794 personnel completed a survey while deployed to Afghanistan; 1363 in 2011 and 1431 in 2010. Their responses were compared and contrasted. The prevalence of self-report mental health disorder was low and not significantly different between the surveys; the rates of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 2.8% in 2010 and 1.8% in 2011; for common mental health disorders the rates were 17.0% and 16.0% respectively. Remembering receiving predeployment psychoeducation, perceptions of good leadership and good family support were all significantly associated with better mental health. Seeking support from non-medical sources and reporting sick for medical reasons were both significantly associated with poorer mental health. Over a period of 18 months, deployment mental health symptoms in UK armed forces personnel were fewer than those obtained from a military population sample despite continuing deployment in a high-threat context and were associated with perceptions of support. (Edited publisher abstract)
Who can I talk to? Self-harm and seeking help among 16 year olds: changes between 2008 and 2013
- Author:
- McCANN Mark
- Publisher:
- ARK
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 47
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This briefing compares questionnaire results from the 2008 and 2013 Young Life and Times survey on self-harm and help seeking behaviour for young people in Northern Ireland, to identify any changes in young people's behaviours. The survey invites every 16-year old born in February and March of the survey year who receives Child Benefit Payments to take part. The numbers of 16 year olds responding to the survey was 941 in 2008 (23% response rate) and 1,367 in 2013 (35% response rate). Key findings include: a slight increase in the number of 16-year old's who said they self-harmed from 2008 to 2013; in both years, more females were more likely than males to say they thought about self-harm or did self-harm; a smaller percentage had talked to someone or tried to get help before self-harming; there was also a large drop in the number of young people who talked to friends before self-harming. However, the survey also found that most self-harming people do not use helplines for support. More work needs to be done to encourage young people to show young people where they can go for support. (Original abstract)
The physical functioning and mental health of informal carers: evidence of care-giving impacts from an Australian population-based cohort
- Authors:
- KENNY Patricia, KING Madeleine T., HALL Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(6), 2014, pp.646-659.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Informal carers represent a substantial proportion of the population in many countries and health is an important factor in their capacity to continue care-giving. This study investigated the impact of care-giving on the mental and physical health of informal carers, taking account of contextual factors, including family and work. The authors examined health changes from before care-giving commenced to 2 and 4 years after, using longitudinal data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. The sample comprised 424 carers and 424 propensity score-matched non-carers. Health was self-assessed, measured with the SF-36 Health Survey Mental Health (MH) and Physical Functioning (PF) scales. Care-giving was classified as non-carer, low (<5 hours/week), moderate (5–19 hours/week) and high (20 or more hours/week). PF and MH change scores were regressed on baseline scores, care-giving, covariates (including work, family and socio-demographic characteristics) and interactions to identify impacts for subgroups. The physical and mental health impacts differed by gender, and care-giving hours and carer work hours were important contextual factors. Deterioration in both PF and MH was worse for females after 2 years and deterioration in MH was worse for males after 4 years. Among carers aged 40–64 years, there was a 17-point decline in PF (P = 0.009) and a 14-point decline in MH (P < 0.0001) after 2 years for female high caregivers working full-time and 9.3 point improvement (P = 0.02) for non-working male high caregivers. Change was not significant for non-carers. The study found that not all carers suffer adverse health impacts; however, the combination of high levels of care-giving with workforce participation can increase the risk of negative physical and mental health effects (particularly in female carers). Working carers providing high levels of care represent a vulnerable subgroup where supportive and preventive services might be focused. (Publisher abstract)
Anti-social behaviour and mental health: a London Councils Member briefing
- Author:
- LONDON COUNCILS
- Publisher:
- London Councils
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 3
- Place of publication:
- London
Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a priority for many community safety partnerships in London. ASB is also one of the three priority areas of focus for the London Crime Reduction Board in 2014. Boroughs have consistently raised the point that a sizeable proportion of their ASB cases have a mental health dimension. Preventing and tackling ASB, and supporting people with mental health needs are two important areas of work for local authorities and their partners. Reducing crime and improving community safety are critical to London local government’s role in building and sustaining safe and prosperous communities. A key element of this is preventing and tackling ASB. London Councils conducted a survey of all heads of community safety in the 32 London boroughs and the City of London, to explore mental health and ASB issues and challenges, to find out what practical responses are delivering results, also what the professionals feel they need to improve work in this area. Seventeen boroughs responded, of which 15 completed the survey. This report uses survey responses to distinguish between instances where mental health issues apply in anti-social behaviour cases and those that fall below the Mental Health Act threshold. Identification of risk, vulnerability and support needs are also of key importance. The report presents case studies and examples of what works in particular boroughs’ practice. The survey found that well-developed systems for information sharing between London Crime Reduction Board partners and the boroughs is essential to effective working on ASB and mental health. Recommendations are made accordingly. (Edited publisher abstract)
Attitudes to mental health in Scotland: Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2013
- Authors:
- REID Susan, HINCHLIFFE Stephen, WATERTON Jennifer
- Publisher:
- Scottish Centre for Social Research
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 5
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report analysed data from a module of questions in the 2013 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey and compared the results with data from four previous surveys between 2002 and 2008 to explore whether there were trends in attitudes over time. The analysis shows that attitudes towards those with mental health problems have been fairly stable in Scotland over the last decade, with no clear trends towards either an overall reduction or increase in stigmatising attitudes, although there were notable changes in relation to a few questions. Analysis showed that across a range of attitudes, those who have experienced a mental health problem or know someone with a mental health problem were less likely to hold stigmatising attitudes. Consistently, women and those aged under 55 reported more personal experience of mental health problems and held less stigmatising attitudes. Differences in attitudes by gender and age may be partly explained by the differential extent to which demographic subgroups have personal experience of a mental health problem. Continued work to break down the barriers which prevent people with mental health problems being open about their condition should decrease stigma and prejudice in the longer term. (Edited publisher abstract)
Attitudes to mental illness 2013: research report
- Author:
- TNS-BMRB
- Publisher:
- TNS-BMRB
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 59
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents the findings of a survey of attitudes towards mental illness among adults in England. The data show public attitudes towards mental illness have improved significantly with the biggest annual improvement in the last decade taking place in 2013. The report shows that more people than ever before are acknowledging that they know someone with a mental health problem. However, despite these improvements attitudes around employment are lagging behind and nearly half of respondents said they would feel uncomfortable talking to an employer about their own mental health. Other major improvements include 79 per of people now acknowledging that people with a mental illness have for too long been the subject of ridicule, compared with 75 per cent in 2008 and 83 per cent agreed that no one has the right to exclude people with a mental illness from their neighbourhood compared with 74 per cent in 2008. The overall the picture is one of a general shift to more tolerant attitudes and greater recognition that people should not be discriminated against on the grounds of their mental health. (Edited publisher abstract)
An urgent need: We Need to Talk’s manifesto for better talking therapies for all
- Author:
- WE NEED TO TALK COALITION
- Publisher:
- MIND
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 4
- Place of publication:
- London
Sets out an action plan for improving access to psychological therapies for people with mental health problems, drawing on findings from a 2014 survey of 2,000 people who have tried to access talking therapies within the last two years. The study showed that one third of people had to ask for therapy, rather than being offered and half had waited more than three months for an assessment, with 1 in 10 waiting more than a year for assessment. While waiting for therapy 67 per cent of people became more mentally unwell, 40 per cent harmed themselves and 1 in 6 attempted to take their own life. The manifesto calls on the Government to invest in psychological therapies, so that the NHS in England can offer a full range of evidence-based psychological therapies to all who need them within 28 days of requesting a referral. In particular, it advocates: a commitment to equality between physical and mental health; greater investment in talking therapies; the introduction of national access standards and waiting times; improving the choice of therapies people are able to access, choice about when and where they access them, as well as help to take informed decisions; increasing access to psychological therapies for children and young people; and expanding research and evidence base for talking therapies. (Edited publisher abstract)
Activity and views of service users involved in mental health research: UK survey
- Authors:
- PATTERSON Sue, TRITE Jenny, WEAVER Tim
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 205(1), 2014, pp.68-75.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Aims: This article describes activities, roles and experiences of service users involved in mental health research. Method: National cross-sectional online questionnaire survey, using snowball sampling. A final sample of 166 service users were analysed. Descriptive statistics and framework analysis undertaken collaboratively with a service user reference group. Results: The survey revealed a previously undescribed, highly qualified service user research workforce. Positioned within and alongside mainstream research, respondents reported drawing on extensive service use, and passion for service improvement to challenge perceived clinical academic dominance of research. The support of peers was crucial to involvement, which typically enhanced mental health but for some, pervasive stigma and scrutiny undermined self-confidence and practical difficulties challenged equitable participation. Conclusions: Recognition of the service user research workforce will support the constructive amalgamation of academic and experiential expertise needed to shape and realise investment in mental health research. (Edited publisher abstract)
General self-efficacy and its relationship to self-reported mental illness and barrier to care: a general population study
- Authors:
- ANDERSSON Lena M.C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 50(6), 2014, pp.721-728.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This study investigates whether general self-efficacy (GSE) was associated with self-reported mental illness and help-seeking behaviour and barriers to care in a randomized population. The study used a mailed questionnaire completed by 3,981 persons aged 19-64 years who resided in Western Sweden. GSE was measured and logistic regression models calculated, controlling for various sociodemographic variables. Results showed that 25 % of men and 43 % of women reported a lifetime prevalence of mental illness that they felt could have benefitted from treatment. Of those, 37 % of the men and 27 % of the women reported barriers to care. Men and women with low GSE were more likely to suffer from mental illness compared with persons high in GSE, but GSE did not enhance help-seeking behaviour or perceived barriers to care. The most prevalent barriers to care for both sexes were beliefs that the illness will pass by itself, doubt whether treatment works, lack of knowledge of where to go and feelings of shame. Overall, GSE scores did not differ among those who experienced various barriers to care with the exception of two barriers only among women. (Edited publisher abstract)
Discrimination against people with a mental health diagnosis: qualitative analysis of reported experiences
- Authors:
- HAMILTON Sarah, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 23(2), 2014, pp.88-93.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Aims: The study explores experiences of reported discrimination described by mental health service users in a national survey in England. Method: Structured telephone interviews were conducted with 537 mental health service users, randomly selected from five National Health Service Trusts in England. Interviews asked about experiences of discrimination in different life areas. Twenty-three interviews were audio-recorded and qualitatively analysed to develop a typology of discrimination experiences. Results: Seven types of discrimination experiences were identified: organisational decisions; mistreatment; social distancing; stereotyping; lack of understanding; dismissiveness; and over-protectiveness. Conclusions: Discrimination should be understood as occurring within social relationships and influenced by expectations of contact within these relationships. A better understanding of these processes can help target more effective messages in anti-discrimination campaigns. (Edited publisher abstract)