Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 24(1), 2020, pp.6-12.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine three recent papers on mental health services and how they support recovery following a diagnosis of a severe mental health condition. Design/methodology/approach: A search was carried out for recent papers on mental health and recovery. The author selected three papers that seemed to advance understanding of not only whether, but also how recovery of a meaningful life may be best supported in mental health services. Findings: One paper suggested how staff were able to support service users’ personal goals and focus on recovery in acute inpatient settings, and what got in the way. The author suggests practical ways to address the barriers. A second paper reported the testing of a new model for supporting staff in primary and secondary care to work together so that service users with a diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia were better supported to work towards valued goals. A third paper reviewed 40 studies of how people can experience positive change after a first diagnosis of psychosis, and how change happened. Originality/value: By studying the issues in detail, all three papers show how improved support for recovery and inclusion can
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine three recent papers on mental health services and how they support recovery following a diagnosis of a severe mental health condition. Design/methodology/approach: A search was carried out for recent papers on mental health and recovery. The author selected three papers that seemed to advance understanding of not only whether, but also how recovery of a meaningful life may be best supported in mental health services. Findings: One paper suggested how staff were able to support service users’ personal goals and focus on recovery in acute inpatient settings, and what got in the way. The author suggests practical ways to address the barriers. A second paper reported the testing of a new model for supporting staff in primary and secondary care to work together so that service users with a diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia were better supported to work towards valued goals. A third paper reviewed 40 studies of how people can experience positive change after a first diagnosis of psychosis, and how change happened. Originality/value: By studying the issues in detail, all three papers show how improved support for recovery and inclusion can be implemented against the backdrop of many years of service shortcomings.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
recovery, severe mental health problems, literature reviews, mental health services, social inclusion, personalisation, objectives setting;
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 19(3), 2015, pp.107-113.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight what helps and what is difficult about cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis (CBTp) in relation to recovery and social inclusion, how it can be adapted for a non-western culture, and how inclusion in communities in which people feel comfortable can help their recovery.
Design/methodology/approach: Three journal articles are described. of their recovery.
Findings: UK service users appreciated feeling equal to their therapist in CBTp, receiving an understandable explanation of their difficulties, and support for gradual steps towards activities they valued. However, it was difficult revisiting traumatic pasts to understand their difficulties, and UK mental health culture may hamper taking an active role in treatment. In Pakistan, CBTp can
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight what helps and what is difficult about cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis (CBTp) in relation to recovery and social inclusion, how it can be adapted for a non-western culture, and how inclusion in communities in which people feel comfortable can help their recovery.
Design/methodology/approach: Three journal articles are described. The first summarises six small qualitative studies involving interviews with UK service users about what they found helpful and challenging about CBTp. The second article reports on a pilot trial of CBTp adapted for the culture in Pakistan, where families are seen as more involved in service users’ care. The third article describes USA-based participants’ engagement with different communities as part of their recovery.
Findings: UK service users appreciated feeling equal to their therapist in CBTp, receiving an understandable explanation of their difficulties, and support for gradual steps towards activities they valued. However, it was difficult revisiting traumatic pasts to understand their difficulties, and UK mental health culture may hamper taking an active role in treatment. In Pakistan, CBTp can be successfully adapted to include a key family member and local spiritual beliefs. In a USA context, service users developed competencies in community groups they valued, and these could be minority or service user communities where people felt comfortable and could make a contribution.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoses, social inclusion, communities, recovery, multicultural approach;
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 22(3), 2018, pp.114 -120.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight how mental health recovery may involve family members and supporting the needs of parents who become mental health service users. Policies now recognise the importance of family but how much are they implemented? Design/methodology/approach: A search was carried out for recent papers (past 12 months) on mental health services and the family. Findings: Two papers summarise recent research on family involvement in mental health services. As well as highlighting what prevents families being involved in mental health services and care planning, they discuss what works and some challenges of involvement. A third paper highlights how parents who become service users can have their parenting needs supported as part of their recovery. Originality/value: All three papers highlight recent developments in relation to the family and recovery. Despite policies about family involvement, there is a need for organisational change to fully incorporate the social nature of mental health and recovery. The papers suggest ways forward based on examples of what works.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight how mental health recovery may involve family members and supporting the needs of parents who become mental health service users. Policies now recognise the importance of family but how much are they implemented? Design/methodology/approach: A search was carried out for recent papers (past 12 months) on mental health services and the family. Findings: Two papers summarise recent research on family involvement in mental health services. As well as highlighting what prevents families being involved in mental health services and care planning, they discuss what works and some challenges of involvement. A third paper highlights how parents who become service users can have their parenting needs supported as part of their recovery. Originality/value: All three papers highlight recent developments in relation to the family and recovery. Despite policies about family involvement, there is a need for organisational change to fully incorporate the social nature of mental health and recovery. The papers suggest ways forward based on examples of what works.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
recovery, mental health, families, parents, family members, mental health services, family support, recovery approach, participation;
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 22(2), 2017, pp.73-79.
Publisher:
Emerald
... studies, in addition to concern about their colleagues’ duty to report impairment to the regulating body. Professionals in the USA-based study were described as potentially helpful in reducing stigma about mental distress because their achievements demonstrated that recovery is possible. However, many of them were also cautious about who they disclosed to, and wanted further reduction in stigma professionals being “out and proud” might help increase recovery and social inclusion for service users more generally.
This paper discusses two recent studies of mental health professionals who have experience of mental distress, one in the USA and one in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to highlight different experiences, first of largely concealing their experience, and second of disclosing and using it.
Design/methodology/approach: The Australian study examined the barriers experienced by mental health professionals, including trainees, in relation to seeking help. The USA study reported on a sample of mental health professionals who were doing well, including leaders of services, despite current or past mental distress.
Findings: Both studies included more psychologists than other mental health professionals. Australian mental health professionals reported similar fears and barriers to those found in other studies, in addition to concern about their colleagues’ duty to report impairment to the regulating body. Professionals in the USA-based study were described as potentially helpful in reducing stigma about mental distress because their achievements demonstrated that recovery is possible. However, many of them were also cautious about who they disclosed to, and wanted further reduction in stigma and discrimination.
Originality/value: The Australian study highlighted specifically that the requirement to report impairment to the regulator deterred people from disclosing distress at work, making it less likely that they would get help. The USA-based study was ground-breaking in documenting achievements of a substantial sample of mental health professionals with experience of mental distress. Potentially more professionals being “out and proud” might help increase recovery and social inclusion for service users more generally.
Subject terms:
stigma, social inclusion, recovery, mental health problems, disclosure, professionals, professional role, service users, attitudes;
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 18(4), 2014, pp.169-175.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The randomised controlled trial, though highly valued, has been criticised as not helping to understand how results occur. This paper summarises and comments on two 2014 research papers concerning new therapeutic approaches for people diagnosed with psychotic disorders that address this challenge of randomised trials.
Design/methodology/approach: The first paper is about what staff thought when adopting a new recovery-focused approach in two mental health services as part of a randomised trial. The second is the plan for a small pilot trial of a new treatment for psychosis called positive psychotherapy. It describes how the researchers planned to study the detail of what happens in their small trial, to help them improve the design of a future, larger trial.
Findings: The first paper recommends avoiding services undergoing too many changes and ensuring managers will visibly support the project. When training staff in a new approach, trainers should recognise staff's existing knowledge and skills and use practical methods like role-play. In the second paper, the plan for the small positive psychotherapy trial seems detailed enough to explain what really happens, except in one area: looking at how clinicians actually select service users for the trial.
Originality/value: These papers concern pioneering therapeutic approaches in psychosis. With randomised trials highly influential, both these papers recognise their potential problems, and seem to represent good attempts to understand what really happens.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The randomised controlled trial, though highly valued, has been criticised as not helping to understand how results occur. This paper summarises and comments on two 2014 research papers concerning new therapeutic approaches for people diagnosed with psychotic disorders that address this challenge of randomised trials.
Design/methodology/approach: The first paper is about what staff thought when adopting a new recovery-focused approach in two mental health services as part of a randomised trial. The second is the plan for a small pilot trial of a new treatment for psychosis called positive psychotherapy. It describes how the researchers planned to study the detail of what happens in their small trial, to help them improve the design of a future, larger trial.
Findings: The first paper recommends avoiding services undergoing too many changes and ensuring managers will visibly support the project. When training staff in a new approach, trainers should recognise staff's existing knowledge and skills and use practical methods like role-play. In the second paper, the plan for the small positive psychotherapy trial seems detailed enough to explain what really happens, except in one area: looking at how clinicians actually select service users for the trial.
Originality/value: These papers concern pioneering therapeutic approaches in psychosis. With randomised trials highly influential, both these papers recognise their potential problems, and seem to represent good attempts to understand what really happens.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
randomised controlled trials, severe mental health problems, psychoses, recovery approach, recovery, psychotherapy, therapy and treatment, staff;