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Objective: Mental health problems and vocational disengagement are often linked for young people in a self-reinforcing cycle. Integrated Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services can help to not only overcome educational/vocational challenges but also improve mental wellbeing. Methods: In a matched cohort study, we compared improvement rates in mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people aged 15 to 25 who had received at least two integrated IPS services with those who had received standard youth mental health services only. Data came from headspace, Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation. The sample comprised 2128 participants: 544 received integrated IPS services; 1584 received standard mental health services. Results: Four out of five IPS clients (81%) achieved positive outcomes on at least one of three mental health measures, a significantly higher proportion than matched clients who received standard services (75%). Logistic regressions estimated a 22% to 36% higher likelihood of achieving significant improvement for IPS clients. Greater improvements were evident for quality of life and potentially psychosocial functioning, but not psychological distress. Conclusions: Integrating an IPS program within a clinical setting not only achieves positive vocational outcomes, but also supports improvements in quality of life, psychosocial functioning and psychological distress that are greater or equal to the outcomes achieved through standard clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated and collaborative care models, in which mental/behavioral health providers work closely with primary care providers within a primary care setting, help support the quadruple aim of improved health outcomes, patient satisfaction, provider experience, and lower cost. In this paper, we describe patients' general perspectives of integrated care and their unique experiences accessing this care within one health system. Qualitative (interviews with patients) and quantitative (surveys with patients) methods were used to collect and analyze these results separately and together. The results highlight important features to the provision of integrated care from the perspective of patients using integrated care. They include the importance and experience of access, whole-person care and a team-based approach, the availability and use of telehealth when appropriate, having high quality mental health providers, scheduling and service usage suggestions, and means to connect with longer-term services for ongoing mental health care when needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medication non-adherence (MNA) presents a significant obstacle that negatively impacts treatment effectiveness in mental health disorders. The objective of this review is to study different types of MNA and interventions designed to enhance medication adherence among individuals with mental health disorders. Methods: We conducted an electronic search on PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as adherence, non-adherence, compliance, non-compliance, mental health disorders, psychotropic drugs, major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorders (BD). From the search results, we selected studies pertinent to the objective of the review. Results: Non-adherence can be categorized into primary nonadherence (not starting medication) and secondary non-adherence (not taking the medication as directed). Generally, we can group the reasons for non-adherence into unintentional and intentional. Unintentional non-adherence (UNA) arises when patients genuinely desire to comply with their prescribed course of therapy but are hindered by factors beyond their control. When addressing UNA, interventions should simplify medication regimens, utilize long-acting injectable (LAIs) medications, offer tools to manage medication and provide follow-up reminders. When a patient deliberately decides not to follow their treatment plan, this is known as intentional non-adherence. To improve intentional non-adherence, the focus should be on patient-centred care and shared decision-making, psychoeducation, effective doctor-patient communication, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and addressing concerns related to the side effects of psychotropic drugs. Conclusion: It is crucial to understand that there is no universal solution to address non-adherence in mental health disorders. Each patient has distinct needs and characteristics, making personalized strategies and interventions of utmost significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: An emerging field of research seeks to understand the experiences of non-offending adults who experience sexual attraction towards children. Research indicates that this largely hidden population can experience significant mental ill health and suicidal ideation, yet are reluctant to seek professional mental health support. Furthermore, mental ill health has been identified as a factor that can increase the likelihood of offending. This study, undertaken by a social work practitioner researcher, aimed to assist in understanding suicidality factors within this population, and to identify how statutory mental health services could be developed for this client group, thus contributing to child protection and suicide prevention agendas. A qualitative analysis was undertaken of data gathered from an online forum used by adults who have sexual attraction towards children, and are committed to non-offending. The data related to forum members' experiences of suicidality, and key themes were identified through thematic analysis. Findings: The study found that a pattern of suicidal ideation commonly appears to manifest and identified risk and protective factors that can influence suicidality. The benefits of peer support and the strengths and limitations of professional support were also identified. Applications: The findings from this study contribute to an improved understanding of this client group for mental health practitioners. The findings also lay the foundation for further investigations, to inform the development of mental health services to facilitate improved outcomes for this client group, and for child protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health disparities persistently cause inequity and social exclusion. Extensive research underpins the need to embrace the social determinants of health and facilitate network learning at various ecosystem levels. Despite valuable quality frameworks and ratified conventions, local practices which counter health inequity are scarce. Methods: The Dutch HOP-TR study collected health and needs of Homeless Service Users (HSU) in a rights-based, transdiagnostic, recovery framework. We assessed the survival modes and conducted a socio-ecological analysis, exploring what happened in care pathways at three ecosystem levels: individual HSU, caregiver networks, society. While documenting vital conditions for growth and citizenship, we explore major opportunities to develop 'fair space for life'. Results: Under low distress levels, prosocial behavior is prominent (32.9%). High distress levels are found with an avoidant (42.0%) or aggressive mode (24.9%). Rising distress levels give more frictions in relations, psychiatric admissions, and police-justice contacts. The distress-induced descent in the social hierarchy causes social withdrawal, alienation, and marginalization. At society level, fair conditions for growth and citizenship are challenged by the cumulative impact of distress over the HSU' lives. Discussion: This care monitor uncovers the impact of distress on caregiver interactions. The care pathways reveal that the survival strategies reflect a systematic, pervasive neglect. Unfair representations hold HSU personally responsible of their situation, disregarding the cumulative impact of environmental conditions over their lives. The diverse sources of unfairness are intrinsic to the health care system and culture. Therefore, the survival modes ask for profound culture transformations in a whole-system-whole-society approach. Conclusion: Given the need for action on health equity and the social determinants of health, this paper provides an example of a dynamic care monitor. The actionable data elicit dialogs and stimulate to enrich opportunities for inclusion and growth in communities and societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amid the increasing trend and huge impact of mental illness, psychosocial support (PSS) has been asserted to support individuals' recovery. Unfortunately, about 80% of affected people cannot access care as needed. Meanwhile, digital technology has a considerable role in closing service gaps. Aims: This convergent parallel mixed methods study examines existing mental health service utilization, users' needs for PSS, and feasibility of online PSS development. Methods: A cross-sectional interview survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire at a super tertiary psychiatric hospital in Thailand from March to May 2023, with three groups of service users, having self-perceived conditions/diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 100), mood disorders (n = 84), and others including alcohol and substance use, anxiety and personality disorders (n = 52). Four focus group discussions with three user groups (n = 16) and one multidisciplinary provider group (n = 7) were parallelly executed. Quantitative and qualitative data were convergently analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematic and content analysis. Results: Critical shortcomings of PSS were indicated by 75.8% of user participants. Six common types of self-determined PSS were psychoeducational program, support group, skills training, counseling, supported employment, and complimentary therapy. While psychoeducational program was feasible, support group, and counseling were possibly featured within the 'all-at-once' online intervention development. Conclusions: PSS development based on users' needs can promote clinical and personal recovery outcomes, and close the service gaps. Users with mood disorders have the potential for online interventions. Peer-provider formalization, co-production approach, community engagement, digital literacy, infrastructures, and equal access factors are crucial for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This research aimed to determine the stigma toward people with mental illness among mental health personnel and identify individual, professional, and contextual predictors. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational design was used. The sample consisted of 218 mental health personnel working in Outpatient Psychiatric Units belonging to hospitals and Community Mental Health Centers in Chile. Stigma was evaluated using a scale of humanized treatment, a scale of social distance, and a scale of attitudes in health personnel. In addition, sociodemographic and professional information was collected from mental health personnel and contextual information, particularly the type of outpatient mental health center and the technical-administrative unit that groups all the health centers in a territory. Results: It was found that mental health personnel, in general terms, present low levels of stigma expressed in behaviors of comfort and support toward users, a desire for closeness and social interaction, and reduced stigmatizing beliefs and attitudes of infantilization toward individuals with MHPs. However, intimacy and trust were lower than expected. Only educational levels and health centers were related to stigma. Conclusions: The low levels of stigma may be due to the evolution of this phenomenon and the country's mental health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescence is a critical period for mental health and social exclusion, a key social determinant of mental health. Early intervention approaches are key to mitigating the impact of mental ill-health during adolescence, however social exclusion can create additional barriers to accessing care. Aim: We aimed to better understand help-seeking experiences of adolescents facing co-occurring social exclusion and mental ill-health, including sources of support, barriers and preferences for service provision. Method: Cross-sectional data were analysed, from the 2022 Mission Australia Youth Survey (N = 18,800). Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were recruited from around Australia, through schools, community organisations and digital platforms. Indices of four domains of social exclusion (housing, finances, relational and education/employment) were created using existing Youth Survey variables, and supplemented with demographic characteristics, psychological distress and help-seeking behaviours (perceived need, mental health supports, barriers to access and preferences). Relationships between social exclusion domains, mental health concerns and help-seeking behaviours were explored using logistic regression models. Results: A total of 9,743 young people reported having needed mental health support, yet only 58.1% reportedly sought support (n = 5,565). Social exclusion domains were associated with different help-seeking behaviours: housing challenges with higher help-seeking (OR = 1.28; 95% CI [1.15, 1.42]); relational difficulties and edu-employment issues with lower (OR = 0.75; 95% CI [0.68, 0.83] and OR = 0.82; 95% CI [0.75, 0.89]). Stigma, confidentiality concerns, cost and not knowing where to seek help were common barriers to help-seeking; those experiencing social exclusion more likely to report these. Participants reported a strong preference for face-to-face support. Conclusions: This study highlights the additional needs and challenges faced by adolescents dealing with both social exclusion and mental ill-health. With greater barriers to help-seeking, concerted efforts are needed to reduce stigma, improve mental health literacy and increase access to trusted information sources. Further initiatives should focus on structural factors that socially exclude young people and exacerbate inequitable access to mental healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental Health support to military operations is well established as an integral part of military medicine. Unfortunately, Commanders often receive little or no training in how best to use their mental health assets or what their capabilities are. Conversely, members of a Field Mental Health Team frequently have no operational experience and try to merely translate their civilian practice onto the battlefield. Aim: This article describes what mental health professional can, and should do on military deployments and calls for greater training and awareness of both Mental Health professionals and Operational Commanders to foster mutual understanding and use the Field Mental Health Team to best effect. Method: The paper drawson the experience of working in a Field Mental Health Team on six operational deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Results: Military mental health professionals work mostly in peacetime and this work ill prepares them for the very different type of work required of them on operations. Conclusion: More training is required to prepare both practitioners and commanders for the mental health issues that confront them on operational deployments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A higher prevalence of depression is found among patients with a migration background within the Belgian population. Nevertheless, this group is underrepresented in ambulant and residential mental health care services. Since general practitioners (GPs) have a crucial gatekeeping role, this led some researchers to investigate the possibility of a provider bias influencing GPs' assessment and referral of depressed patients with a migration background. However, GPs' accounts may be influenced by wider professional discourses present at the policy level, which are inevitably linked to institutions regulating the conduct of GPs. Therefore, this study applied a Foucauldian discourse analysis (a) to identify broader professional discourses in Belgian policy documents regarding patients with a migration background and depression in general practices, (b) to examine how patients with a migration background are discursively positioned and (c) to investigate which different balances of power in the relationship between GPs and patients with a migration background are demonstrated in the identified discourses. We identified three recurring discourses: (a) the othering discourse, (b) the health literacy discourse, and (c) the person-centred discourse. Our analysis demonstrated that the former two discourses illustrate the perpetuation of a biomedical discourse. While the last discourse is aligned with a counter-discourse associated with the person-centred care model in health care. Consequently, our analysis demonstrated the construction of a contradictory discursive framework throughout the various policy documents on which GPs might rely when speaking about patients with a migration background suffering from depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficits in positive emotion regulation skills may be an important factor in the development and maintenance of anxiety and mood disorders. A treatment, which includes strategies to build and strengthen positive emotion regulation skills has been provided to patients primarily diagnosed with an anxiety and or mood disorder in an adult mental health outpatient service setting. To study the effects on positive and negative emotion, emotion regulation skills, emotional disorder symptoms, quality of life, and wellbeing during a new developed treatment. An exploratory clinical trial was used to conduct a preliminary assessment of a novel intervention. The intervention was provided in a group format over a 6-week period and independent practice over an 8-week period. Outcome variables were assessed pre- and post-treatment and at a 2-month follow up. Life quality, subjective wellbeing ratings, depressive and anxiety symptoms improved at follow up. The data suggests that the intervention may have the potential to produce desired change in positive emotion regulation. Preliminary findings suggest the intervention can have beneficial effects. These findings are promising and support the possibility that disturbances in positive emotion regulation may be a generative target for treatment research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses data from a doctoral thesis concerning service users' views on what works for them in relation to their mental health wellness following a suicidal ideation/attempt in Aotearoa New Zealand. In particular, it focuses on the experiences of service users regarding mental health crisis team responses and what they wanted from their crisis teams specifically. Participants indicated that what they wanted was to feel heard, respected and not judged, consistent with the core conditions of therapeutic alliance within such professions as social work, counselling and psychology. Social work has a valuable role to play in emphasising and advocating for social, contextual and non-medical responses within crisis teams and service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the final issue of 2024, which compiles nine insightful articles that delve into critical themes in social work practice and policy. Topics include the identity construction of social workers, client perceptions of care, reflexive analyses of participatory research methodologies, and the lived experiences of diverse individuals, emphasizing the significance of context and critical reflection in ethical social work.

Many women experiencing homelessness and intimate partner violence (IPV) often do not use formal support services due to barriers such as finances, inaccessibility, controlling partners, and stigma. The current literature lacks studies that examine the formal service experiences of women who have undergone both homelessness and IPV. Therefore, the current study used a qualitative-dominant design and explored the formal service needs of these women, barriers and facilitating factors associated with accessing services, and how the women's identities affected their experiences with formal services. Interviews with 10 women were conducted, and a reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using a critical feminist and intersectionality lens. The most common factors that led to homelessness were conflict and precarious circumstances leading to housing instability. Common barriers were systemic, psychological, dismissal, minimization, and financial barriers. The most common needs were health, finances, and basic necessities. The most common facilitating factors were support networks and resilience, growth, and proactivity. The social positionings most commonly affecting their experiences were class and race/ethnicity. These findings highlighted the voices of marginalized women and can be used to implement positive change in formal services that cater to this subgroup of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the association between women's migrant status (majority, immigrant, descendant) and use of postpartum mental healthcare and investigate whether migration characteristics are associated with mental healthcare use. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. We included all mothers of children born between 2002 and 2018 in 34 municipalities of Denmark who had an identified mental health need as clinically assessed by a child health visitor (CHV) or by a score of 11 or more on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Women were followed until the first mental healthcare received 2 years' postpartum, death or emigration. Using Cox regression models, we estimated the time to mental healthcare by migrant status and explored the role of migration characteristics. Results: A total of 29% of women (n = 45,573) had a mental health need identified by the CHV, and 7% (n = 4968) had an EPDS ⩾ 11. Immigrants accounted for 19.5%, and descendants for 4.7% of the sample. Immigrants were at lower risk of using mental healthcare than the majority group (CHV: hazard ratio adjusted (HRa) 0.75 (0.70–0.79), EPDS: HRa 0.67 (0.58–0.78)), as were descendants (CHV: HRa 0.77 (0.70–0.86), EPDS: HRa 0.69 (0.55–0.88)). Among migrants, those not refugees, newly arrived, whose partners were immigrants or descendants, and those originally from Africa showed a lower risk of using postpartum mental healthcare. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the need to strengthen access to mental healthcare for immigrants and descendants experiencing postpartum mental health concerns and consider migration characteristics as indicators of potential inequalities in access to maternal mental healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of collaboration in achieving health equity, particularly in the context of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). It focuses on the efforts of Harmony Healthcare Long Island (HHLI), a not-for-profit FQHC in Nassau County, New York, to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. HHLI collaborates with various stakeholders, including community-based organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, and school districts, to better understand and address the needs of their patients and the community. The article also highlights specific initiatives, such as the Perinatal Infant Community Health Collaborative (PICHC), that aim to improve perinatal and infant health outcomes and reduce disparities. HHLI's partnerships with organizations like the Women's Diversity Network and Hofstra University further contribute to their efforts. The article concludes by discussing the financing collaborations for a sustainable future, including the New York State 1115 Demonstration Waiver, which integrates primary care providers with community-based organizations to address health-related social needs. Overall, HHLI strives to address health equity and improve outcomes through collaboration and community partnerships. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the establishment and work of the Health Equity Taskforce (HET) by Northwell Health and community organizations in the New York City metropolitan area. The HET was formed to distribute COVID-19 vaccines equitably and has expanded its focus to address various health disparities. The taskforce has faced challenges such as healthcare inaccessibility, vaccine scarcity, mistrust, misinformation, and cultural factors. However, they have overcome these obstacles by engaging with communities, incorporating community input, providing tailored outreach and education, and using data to assess needs. The HET has successfully distributed vaccines and identified new priorities for collaboration and programs to address health needs. They take a holistic approach to health equity, utilizing models such as cultural competence, community-based research, and integrating health into various sectors. They also prioritize mental health and community engagement for effective initiatives. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Over 50% of hospitalized patients have comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, resulting in increased risk of morbidity such as longer lengths of stay, worse health-related quality of life, and increased mortality. However, data regarding colorectal surgery postoperative outcomes in patients with psychiatric diagnoses (PD) are limited. Methods: We queried a single institution's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2013-2019 for major colorectal procedures. Postsurgical outcomes for patients with and without PD were compared. Primary outcomes were prolonged length of stay (pLOS) and 30-day readmission. Results: From a total of 1447 patients, 402 (27.8%) had PD. PD had more smokers (20.9% vs 15%) and higher mean body mass index (29.1 kg/m2 vs 28.2 kg/m2). Bivariate outcomes showed more surgical site infections (SSI) (10.2% vs 6.12%), reoperation (9.45% vs 6.35%), and pLOS (34.8% vs 29.0%) (all P values <.05) in the PD group. On multivariate analysis, PD had higher likelihood of reoperation (OR 1.53, 95% CI: [1.02-2.80]) and SSI (OR 1.82, 95% CI: [1.25-2.66]). Discussion: Psychiatric diagnoses are a risk factor for adverse outcomes after colorectal procedures. Further studies are needed to evaluate the benefit of perioperative mental health support services for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 40 years after the reforms leading to the closure of psychiatric hospitals (Ospedale Psichiatrico [OP]) in Italy in favor of a widespread model with a strong rehabilitation emphasis, Italy has chosen to close High Security Hospitals as well (Ospedale Psichiatrico Giudiziario [OPG]). The new forensic treatment model is expected to be more respectful of the person, including the perpetrators of violent crimes, and aims to be less stigmatizing and more rehabilitative. Despite the favorable premises of the reform (Law n. 81/2014), Italian psychiatrists are now obliged to answer calls to give evidence on strictly legal issues such as the social dangerousness of the mentally ill offender drawing on evidence or paradigms that many believe do not belong to medical knowledge. Psychiatrists must now learn to communicate about the relationship between psychiatry and society as required by law. This public expression engages with the cultural climate of society. Otherwise, the risk is of increasing the level of complexity leading to real misunderstandings that paradoxically may feed the stigma. The Italian reform provides an opportunity for reflection on some issues concerning psychiatric action, on how the public perceives the mentally ill and their psychiatrists, on the relationship between psychiatry and the world of law, on clinical methodologies for structured professional judgment, on public communication regarding severe mental illness, and the risk that psychiatrists may inadvertently be blamed for conveying an unwelcome message about mental illness and social dangerousness—we have called this social sensitivity against psychiatrists "hermanoia," blaming the messenger. The authors do not provide certain solutions but propose good practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School nurses are members of the school-based mental and behavioral health support team. This consensus document was developed by school nurses and school nurse leaders in collaboration with leaders from national associations and organizations with a vested interest in K-12 mental and behavioral health. The document is also publicly available on the National Association of School Nurses website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Both structural (e.g., ageism) and personal (e.g., stigma) barriers hinder older adults' access to and engagement with mental health care. These barriers are particularly problematic for those vulnerable to interpersonal violence and abuse (e.g., due to social isolation). This study presents a quality improvement program aimed at older adults who have experienced significant stressful events, particularly elder mistreatment, within a larger trauma specialty clinic. Leveraging home-based telemedicine, the clinic provides evidence-based psychotherapy tailored to the needs of older adults. Methods: From 2021 through 2023, the authors retrospectively examined treatment initiation, engagement, completion, and clinical outcomes among 231 older adults age 60+ who reported trauma that met DSM-5 criterion A criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or other mental health comorbid conditions related to their traumatic event. The clinic uses an automated measurement-based care approach that facilitates Quality Improvement projects, allowing the tracking of treatment initiation, engagement, completion, and clinical outcomes for all patients. Results: The results indicated high treatment completion, high engagement with telemedicine-delivered interventions, and, most importantly, significant changes in clinical outcomes. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of expanding telemedicine-based mental health services for older adults, challenging ageist norms, and prioritizing older adults' mental health needs by providing tailored services to this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship with the treating gastroenterologist has been shown to significantly influence the quality of life of patients with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Still, the expectations of patients have not been studied in detail. This study aimed to explore the messages and recommendations of IBD patients towards their gastroenterologists who treat them. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the DIPEx method developed by the Health Experiences Research Group at Oxford University. Semi-structured interviews with 36 participants (19 with Crohn's disease and 17 with ulcerative colitis) were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main areas emerged as relevant for patients: doctors' expertise, patient-physician relationships, and the organisation of the healthcare system. Participants underscored the importance of comprehensive information, symptom recognition, exceptional care, and addressing outcome disparities by their treating physicians. Patient-centeredness, including dignified treatment, collaborative management of embarrassment, and trust, was mentioned as crucial for a good patient-physician relationship. The patients stressed the importance of sufficient time for care and the incorporation of mental health interventions. They emphasised professionalism, expertise, and friendly rapport as crucial for building trust in treating the unpredictable nature of IBD. The study also highlights the systemic impact of these interactions on healthcare systems. Conclusions: Patients actively engaged in their treatment bring novel perspectives, underscoring the value of a collaborative, respectful, and patient-physician dynamic. The implementation of this approach requires systemic healthcare shifts. This qualitative study on patient expectations underscores factors for a robust patient-physician bond, including gastroenterologists' expertise, personalised care, and adequate time provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), up to 40% of patients report elevated depressive symptoms which is associated with a two-fold increase in mortality risk due to behavioral and biological mechanisms. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) delivered via synchronous group videoconferencing could help reduce depressive symptoms. Objective: To guide MBCT adaptation for ACS patients for a future clinical trial, this qualitative study aimed to explore ACS patients' (1) symptoms after ACS, (2) needs for behavioral health treatment, (3) perspectives on mindfulness intervention and group videoconference delivery, and (4) willingness to self-collect dried blood spots in a research study. Methods: We compared ACS patients with and without depressive symptoms to highlight particularly relevant treatment topics for patients developing depression following ACS experience. From 2/2019-11/2019, we conducted semi-structured individual telephone interviews with N = 23 patients after ACS (N = 13 with and N = 10 without elevated depressive symptoms; 63.4 (SD = 8.5) years, 87% male, 96% non-Hispanic white, 7.1 (SD = 7.5) years since ACS). In qualitative content analyses, four independent coders coded each interview. Results: Participants with depressive symptoms experienced emotional, physical, social, and health behavior problems, while those without depressive symptoms made positive health behavior changes and struggled with anxiety symptoms. Both groups were interested in a behavioral health treatment for emotional and social support. Most were willing to participate in a mindfulness group via videoconferencing; some preferred in-person, but accessibility and convenience outweighed these cons. Almost all were willing to self-collect dried blood spots and some were already familiar with this technique. Conclusion: ACS patients, especially those with depressive symptoms, need help managing a multitude of quality of life concerns that can be targeted with an adapted MBCT approach. A videoconference-delivered MBCT approach is of interest. Suggestions for adapting MBCT to target the needs of ACS patients are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown the negative impact of institutional care on children's physical and mental health. However, in addition to the form of care, the quality of care is an important factor in children's mental health. This study explored the quality of care and the association between the quality of care and mental health issues among adolescents in Vietnam social support facilities (SSFs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 273 institutionalized adolescents who lived in SSFs and 273 adolescents cared for by family. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, sleep problems, behavioral problems, and quality of care were measured. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Results: The quality of care was rated as quite high by institutionalized adolescents. However, the mean score for quality of care was significantly lower for institutionalized adolescents than for the comparison group. The quality of physical care did not show a significant relationship with mental health risk, except for anxiety. In contrast, emotional care was negatively associated with all common mental health problems including anxiety (beta = –0.40, P <.001), depression (beta = –0.31, P <.01), conduct behavior (beta = –0.30, P <.01) and sleep problems (beta = –0.30, P <.01). An increase in emotional care was therefore associated with a decrease in mental health problems. Conclusions: Emotional care is more important than physical care for adolescents in SSFs. It is necessary to improve the quality of care, particularly emotional care, for adolescents to reduce the risk of mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing phenomenon, yet there is still a limited understanding of the behavior, intent behind the behavior and what individuals themselves say about their behavior. This study collected pro-NSSI public blog posts from Reddit and analyzed the content linguistically using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software, to examine the use of NSSI specific words, linguistic and psychological linguistic properties. The results inform current mental health practices by dispelling myths and providing insight into the inner world of people who engage in NSSI. The linguistic properties found in the analysis reflected the predicted results; authors of pro-NSSI posts used first-person singular pronouns extensively, indicating high levels of mental health distress and isolation. This study demonstrates how understanding the language of self-harm can help inform mental health treatment using family therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This retrospective cohort study aims to understand the effectiveness of the Singular Therapeutic Project (STP) implemented in a Child Psychosocial Care Center in preventing recurrence of self-harm and suicide attempt (SA), by comparing the group of patients who adhered to the STP with the group that did not adhere completely. Method: Data were collected from the medical records of adolescents with self-harm or SA during the period from 2015 to 2019. The primary outcomes analyzed were recurrence of SA, self-harm, and hospitalization; and the secondary outcomes analyzed were demographics, diagnosis, number of appointments, and negative life events. Results: A total of 228 adolescents were included. After multivariate analysis, social service consultations decreased risk in 94.6% (HR.054, 95% CI:.004–.681) of the cases, but risk was increased by 23 times if there was an episode of self-harm among family members and/or friends (HR 23.641, 95% CI: 1.394–400.8). Additionally, in terms of SA, adherence to family interventions reduced the risk by 66.2% (HR.338, 95% CI:.125–.913). Victims of prejudice, racism, homophobia, transphobia presented a 3.7-fold increased risk (HR 3.766, 95% CI: 1.058–13.401). Conclusion: The STP interventions were effective in reducing the recurrence of self-harm and SAs in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurse scholar Karen J. Foli has had an unconventional trajectory. She has written everything from mysteries to thrillers to peer-reviewed journal manuscripts and Food and Drug Administration documents. She conceptualized and disseminated two middle-range theories, one surrounding parental postadoption depression and one surrounding nurses' psychological trauma. Foli's research has revealed a new type of nurse-specific trauma, insufficient resource trauma, which calls for efforts at the organizational level. Winner of several book of the year awards, she is now working on a third middle-range theory. Dr. Foli shares her journey and encourages nurses to give theory a shot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite rapid advances in psychedelic sciences and the increasing number of countries legalizing psychedelics for the treatment of mental illnesses, the attitudes, knowledge and readiness of both mental health consumers and the general population remain largely unknown. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Australians, targeting individuals with mental illness as potential mental health service users. A sub-sample of individuals free of mental illness was also surveyed to assess attitudes in the general population. Participants completed the Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire, the Basic Knowledge of Psychedelics Test and a questionnaire by Corrigan et al. to capture attitudes toward psychedelic therapy by mental health service users. Results: Of the 502 respondents, 64.5% self-identified as having a mental illness. A significant proportion favored legalizing psychedelics for medical use (43%) and were open to their use (52.4%), yet fewer viewed their effects positively (24%) or considered them safe (33%). Most participants reported to be psychedelic naive (61%). Participants with mental illness had significantly more experience with psychedelics than participant free of mental illness (44.1% vs 29.7%). Experience, perceived knowledge and actual knowledge significantly predicted attitudes toward legalization, effects, risks and openness to psychedelics. Conclusions: While a large proportion of Australians are in favor of legalizing psychedelics for medical purposes, concerns about safety remain. People with self-identified mental illness, those with previous recreational psychedelic experience and those with greater knowledge of psychedelics were more likely to have positive attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The rate of mental health services provided to children and young people is increasing worldwide, including in Australia. The aim of this study was to describe patterns of hospital and ambulatory mental health service use among a large population cohort of adolescents followed from birth, with consideration of variation by age, sex and diagnosis. Methods: Characteristics of services provided for children with mental disorder diagnoses between birth and age 17.5 years were ascertained for a population cohort of 85,642 children (52.0% male) born between 2002 and 2005, from 'Admitted Patients', 'Emergency Department' and 'Mental Health Ambulatory' records provided by the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Health Departments. Results: A total of 11,205 (~13.1%) children received at least one hospital or ambulatory health occasion of service for a mental health condition in the observation period. More than two-fifths of children with mental disorders had diagnoses spanning multiple categories of disorder over time. Ambulatory services were the most heavily used and the most common point of first contact. The rate of mental health service contact increased with age across all services, and for most categories of mental disorder. Girls were more likely to receive services for mental disorders than boys, but boys generally had an earlier age of first service contact. Finally, 3.1% of children presenting to mental health services experienced involuntary psychiatric inpatient admission. Conclusions: The extent of hospital and ambulatory-based mental healthcare service among children emphasises the need for primary prevention and early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Women living with mental health conditions have lower cervical cancer screening rates and higher mortality. More evidence is needed to target health system improvement efforts. We describe overall and age-specific cervical cancer screening rates in mental health service users in New South Wales. Methods: Cervical cancer screening registers were linked to New South Wales hospital and community mental health service data. Two-year cervical screening rates were calculated for New South Wales mental health service users aged 20–69 years (n = 114,022) and other New South Wales women (n = 2,110,127). Rate ratios were compared for strata of age, socio-economic disadvantage and rural location, and overall rates compared after direct standardisation. Results: Only 40.3% of mental health service users participated in screening, compared with 54.3% of other New South Wales women (incidence rate ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval = [0.74, 0.75]). Differences in age, social disadvantage or rural location did not explain screening gaps. Screening rates were highest in mental health service users aged <35 years (incidence rate ratios between 0.90 and 0.95), but only 15% of mental health service users aged >65 years participated in screening (incidence rate ratio = 0.27, 95% confidence interval = [0.24, 0.29]). Conclusion: Women who use mental health services are less likely to participate in cervical cancer screening. Rates diverged from population rates in service users aged ⩾35 years and were very low for women aged >65 years. Intervention is needed to bridge these gaps. New screening approaches such as self-testing may assist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Specialised mental healthcare delivery is highly labour intensive, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated workforce shortfalls. We explore the information on the mental healthcare labour supply in Australia from a health policy viewpoint. Our purpose is to stimulate discussion, further research and development of interventions. Conclusions: The mental healthcare labour market has a number of features that make it prone to shortages and other distortions. These include: the labour-intensive nature of healthcare work;, long-training periods; that traditional policy levers like pay are only partially effective; as well as other challenges in retaining and recruiting mental health nurses and psychiatrists, especially in public mental health services. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The RANZCP conducted an anonymous survey of 7200 members (trainees and psychiatrists) in December 2023, receiving 1269 responses, representing the views of roughly 1 in 6 members, and of the respondents, three quarters reported experiencing burnout in the last 3 years. We provide a commentary, citing evidence from relevant previous research, discussing the implications and proposing potential interventions. Conclusions: Members of the RANZCP reported worsening workforce shortages, with 9 in 10 respondents stating that these negatively impacted patient care, and 7 in 10 experiencing symptoms of burnout. Eighty per cent identified workforce shortages as the top contributing factor to such burnout. The aetiology of workforce shortages and burnout is likely due to operational and structural shortfalls in psychiatric services. However, public and private sector employment information was not included in the report. There are a range of strategic, evidence-based interventions to address the psychiatrist and trainee workforce challenges, comprising general healthcare service as well as specific initiatives. Based on the findings of the report, such interventions are needed, now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited data are available on cases presenting for triage by child abuse specialists, particularly data combining patient demographics with presenting concerns and outcomes. This study aims to provide a descriptive analysis of cases presenting to one child abuse medical subspecialty team. Data were collected for all referrals triaged by the Child Protection Program, a child abuse team located within an academic children's medical center. The program triaged a total of 928 cases and completed 345 in-person visits with a medical provider. Nearly, half of all provider visits were for evaluation of children aged 3 years and younger (51%) and for a concern of physical abuse (49%). Of these visits, 26% were determined to be consistent with an accident or medical condition. This descriptive analysis highlights the burden of child abuse cases presenting to one small hospital-based child abuse program, as well as the structural and financial challenges faced by these programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Research shows that participation in political activism on social media is linked to psychological stress. Additionally, race-based stress disproportionately affects minorities and is linked to greater psychological symptoms. Yet, the impact of the social media presence of Black Lives Matter (BLM) on mental health has yet to be meaningfully assessed. Methods: This study assessed whether engagement with BLM-related social media vignettes was related to mental health symptoms in two non-clinical samples (total N = 389), using a mixed-methods design. Participants completed an online survey with social media vignettes, self-report inventories of mental health symptoms, and open-ended questions about experiences with and the impact of BLM. Results: Correlations revealed that greater engagement with BLM-related social media posts was related to more severe mental health symptoms. Further, moderation analyses revealed that race significantly moderated the relationship between engagement and anxiety and trauma-related symptoms, such that these relationships were stronger for participants who identified as racial minorities. Qualitative analyses revealed that most participants who were engaged in mental health treatment had not discussed BLM-related topics with their providers, despite many participants reporting disrupted relationships and negative emotions due to exposure to BLM-related social media content. Discussion: Taken together, results suggest that engagement with BLM-related content online is linked to increased mental health symptoms, but these issues are infrequently addressed in treatment. Future research should extend these findings with clinical samples, assess the comfort of therapists in addressing these topics in therapy, and develop interventions to improve mental health in digital activists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral health needs continue rise in the United States and constitute a key driver of health care utilization, costs, and outcomes. Social workers provide a wide range of services across health, behavioral health, and community settings, and while this heterogeneity in practice benefits care delivery, it complicates health workforce analyses. This analysis compares five commonly used national data sources and details similarities and differences in their estimates of the number, type, and practice characteristics of social workers. The analysis suggests that estimates vary significantly between data sets ranging from 282,425 to 1,022,859 social workers; as well as yield different findings of types of social workers in the United States, depending on the data set used. These differences have the potential to shape how researchers and policy makers assess the adequacy of the social work workforce and identify solutions to address the nation's behavioral health and social care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) may experience emotional, social, and psychological difficulties, heightened due to the interpersonal nature of harm. Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of trauma-focused treatments in the West, a culturally specific understanding of the needs of and treatments for survivors in South Asia is still in its infancy. The study aimed to systematically review research findings on the mental health impacts of CSA on adult survivors and current treatment approaches and their efficacy and acceptability in South Asia. Seven databases (Scopus, Ovid, CINAHL, ProQuest, EThOS, Google Scholar, and Dogpile) and five peer-reviewed South Asian journals were searched from inception until March 30, 2023. Searches included participants who were adult survivors of CSA of South Asian origin residing in South Asia. Studies on their mental health, different treatments, and the efficacy and acceptability of these treatments were included. Quality assessment tools were used to appraise the quality of included studies. The results were synthesized narratively. A total of 3,362 records were retrieved, and 24 articles were included in the final review. Twenty studies reported mental health impacts of CSA on adult survivors, four studies reported current treatments offered, and two studies were on recovery. However, no study focused on the efficacy or acceptability of the treatments being delivered. Even though the needs of adult CSA survivors in South Asia have been partly identified, there is very little research into the treatments for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is known to be an initial early intervention following traumatic exposure, yet little is known about its optimal implementation and effectiveness. This review aims to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of PFA interventions and how PFA interventions have been designed, implemented, and experienced. MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, Embase, Web of Science, PILOTS, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (in Chinese) databases were searched. Twenty studies from 4,735 records were included and quality rated, followed by an integrative synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence. PFA intervention following trauma exposure shows a positive effect for reducing anxiety and facilitating adaptive functioning in the immediate and intermediate term, yet the evidence for reducing Post-traumatic stress disorder/depressive symptoms is less compelling. Furthermore, commonalities in the components and techniques across different PFA approaches identified tend to align with four of Hobfoll's five essential elements: safety, calm, efficacy, and connectedness (as reflected among 7/11 PFA protocols), whereas the "hope" element was less developed. These commonalities include active listening, relaxation/stabilization, problem-solving/practical assistance, and social connection/referral. Intensive techniques such as cognitive reconstruction have also been incorporated, intensifying PFA delivery. The substantial variation observed in PFA format, timing, and duration, coupled with inadequate documentation of fidelity of implementation and adaptation, further constrains the ability to inform best practices for PFA. This is concerning for lay frontline providers, vital in early trauma response, who report implementation challenges despite valuing PFA as a time-sensitive, supportive, and practical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In order to develop a better understanding of students' access to mental health services, we explored the experiences of health care professionals interacting with university students with mental health problems. Methods: We interviewed 23 professionals working across university advice and counselling services, NHS general practice, crisis, and psychological services in North and East London between June 2022 and January 2023. Our approach drew on reflexive thematic analysis and the principles of abductive analysis. The notion of candidacy – that is, how different needs are deemed deserving of health service attention – was particularly helpful to our understanding of the ongoing phenomenon of interest in the data. Results: Each student's access to mental health support was highly contingent on the student's dynamic social context and the pressures and organisation of the local health system. Professionals described how different students viewed different needs as deserving of health service attention. Which students reached the professional's service depended on the resources and relationships a student could draw upon, and the service's relative permeability. Once there, what action professionals took was strongly influenced by the professional's service expertise, resource constraints, the relationships the professional's service had with other organisations, the students' wishes, and whether students regarded treatment offers as acceptable. Conclusions: Candidacy offers a useful lens to view university students' access to mental health support. Access appears to be an increasingly intricate task for students, given the fragmented service landscape, surging demand for mental health care and challenges of emerging adulthood. Our findings suggest that policy goals to increase use of mental health services are unlikely to improve outcomes for students without policy makers and health systems giving holistic consideration of inter-service relationships and available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we applied an intersectional framework to explore service providers' perspectives on the mental health needs of newcomer young men. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 26 service providers in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada. Findings show that service providers made sense of young men's mental health needs and service access in the context of systems. We identified three interconnected themes: newcomer young men's senses of self in relation to macro-systems, including racism and economic marginalization; settling well as a determinant of mental health; and systems capacities and interdependent resilience. While service providers are engaged in cross-sectoral work in support of newcomer young men's mental health, this work is not being sufficiently supported. Further work is needed around cross-sector capacity bridging and advocacy, as well as the tailoring of services to young men without the assumption and reinforcement of gender stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, at least one in every five women has experienced sexual violence since age 15. Research consistently links sexual violence with poor mental health, persisting long after the crisis period. Trauma-informed mental health support is therefore critical. This article draws on interviews with 29 women who had experienced sexual violence to understand their experiences accessing mental health services in Australia. Our findings suggest that, constrained by a biomedical model of care, mental health practitioners' understanding of trauma generally, and sexual violence particularly, may be lacking. Further, women struggle to navigate a "maze" of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Future populations of older adults in the UK, those aged 65+, will demonstrate increased diversity in terms of their ethnic identity resultant from the ageing of the post-war migrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Caribbean. As a consequence, there will be an increase in the numbers of older adults from these communities living with age-related chronic diseases such as dementia. In response to these demographic changes, we need to develop a research, policy and practice agenda that is inclusive and provides evidence for the development of culturally diverse and effective models of service delivery. This requires engagement with three key stakeholder groups: (a) people with dementia; (b) their carers; and (c) the wider community. As part of the IDEAL research programme on living well with dementia, we undertook semi-structured interviews with twelve community leaders, defined as known and trusted individuals active in their respective communities, and six community members (two people living with dementia and four carers). We explored their understandings, experiences, and views of about dementia. Our analysis identified two overarching themes. The migrant lifecourse highlighted issues of not belonging, discrimination and racism. This framed our second theme, the cultural context of dementia, which addressed dementia knowledge and attitudes, service provision and service access, and how being part of a minority ethnic community made a difference to these experiences. Our study highlights how lifecourse experiences of negative hostile social and policy environments and services can be profound and long-lasting and provide a prism through which accessing dementia care is experienced. Our findings argue for the inclusion of diverse views and lifecourse experiences within the context of developing a dementia strategy for research, policy and practice that is appropriate for a multicultural and heterogenous society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The syndemic of HIV, substance use (SU), and mental illness has serious implications for HIV disease progression among women. We described co-utilization of HIV care, SU treatment, and mental health treatment among women with or at risk for HIV. Methods: We included data from women with or at risk for HIV (n = 2559) enrolled in all 10 sites of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) from 2013 to 2020. Current SU was defined as self-reported, non-medical use of drugs in the past year, excluding use of only marijuana. Tobacco and alcohol were assessed separately. We described co-utilization of SU treatment, tobacco and alcohol use treatment, HIV care, and mental health care in the past year among women who were eligible for each service. We compared service utilization by those who did/did not utilize SU treatment using Wald Chi-square tests. Results: Among women with current SU (n = 358), 42% reported utilizing SU treatment. Among those with current SU+HIV (n = 224), 84% saw their HIV provider, and 34% saw a mental health provider. Among women with current SU+heavy alcohol use (n = 95), 18% utilized alcohol use treatment; among current SU+tobacco use (n = 276), 8% utilized tobacco use treatment. Women who utilized SU treatment had higher utilization of alcohol use treatment (59% vs. 5%; P <.001) and tobacco use treatment (12% vs. 5%; P =.028). HIV care engagement was high regardless of SU treatment. Conclusions: We found high engagement in SU and HIV care, but low engagement in alcohol and tobacco use treatment. Integrated SU treatment services for women, including tobacco/alcohol treatment and harm reduction, are needed to optimize treatment engagement and HIV care continuum outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of theatre and arts-based initiatives for enhancing the health and wellbeing of adults, regardless of mental health status, are well-documented. Theatre methodologies offer a platform for co-produced experiential learning, promoting perspective-taking and effective communication among staff and service users. This project aimed to bring together service users and mental health professionals through workshops conducted by an experiential theatre company, focusing on themes such as relationship dynamics, co-production, empowerment and perspective-taking. Notably, the sessions were conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study sought to explore the experiences, learning outcomes and work-related wellbeing benefits of participating in this innovative project. Methods involved inviting East London Foundation Trust members to eight weekly online workshops, culminating in a co-created filmed performance. Interviews conducted 9 months to a year later with participants and facilitators were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Results revealed four key themes: (1) personal and collective growth through storytelling and embodied acting experiences; (2) the importance of workshop structure for experiential learning; (3) challenging traditional role definitions through diminished hierarchy; and (4) sustained impacts on time management at work and in personal lives. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, participants valued their involvement, indicating that theatre-based co-produced learning enhances communication and interpersonal skills in mental healthcare settings. These findings suggest the potential for integrating such approaches into healthcare education and training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal violence is a common type of trauma experienced by people with opioid use disorder (OUD), especially for people with co-occurring OUD and mental illness (COD). However, little is known about demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with COD who have experienced an interpersonal violence traumatic event compared to those who have experienced a non-violent trauma, and how experiences of interpersonal violence are associated with treatment utilization. Data presented are from a randomized clinical trial testing collaborative care for COD in primary care. Of the 797 patients enrolled in the larger study, 733 (92%) were included in this analysis because they reported a traumatic event. In this sample, 301 (41%) participants experienced a traumatic event involving interpersonal violence. Participants who experienced interpersonal violence were more likely to be younger and female. Among the 301 people who experienced interpersonal violence, 30% experienced child sexual abuse, 23% experienced physical violence, 19% experienced domestic violence, and 28% experienced sexual assault. Those who experienced physical violence were significantly less likely to be female (28.6% vs 74.2% to 88.2% in other groups). Those who reported domestic violence had significantly fewer days of drug use (4.1 days vs 9.0 to 11.5 in the other groups) and lower opioid use severity scores (mean = 13.0 vs 16.6 to 19.5 in the other groups). Multivariable regression results examining the associations between interpersonal violence experiences on treatment utilization revealed no statistically significant differences. Rates of receipt were high for medication for opioid use disorder (∼80%) in this sample while rates of mental health counseling were around 35% and rates of receiving mental health medication around 48%. These findings make an important contribution to understanding the associations between patient characteristics and traumatic experiences, and receipt of treatment for OUD and mental health problems among a sample of patients with COD. Clinical trial registration: clinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04559893 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This interdisciplinary scoping review addresses the involvement of spoken and signed language interpreters in statutory mental health assessments. Specifically, this inquiry seeks to identify and review pre-existing literature concerning the barriers to and facilitators of effective practice in interpreter-mediated statutory mental health assessments, and the extent to which interpreter mediation supports or impedes a person's legal rights and best interests in this context. An interdisciplinary team applied the revised Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review framework to review 44 items, including empirical and grey literature covering relevant aspects of the available body of knowledge across the fields of social work, mental health, and interpreting studies. The review concludes that there is a lack of direct evidence on interpreting practice in the context of statutory mental health assessments, which is significant considering the high-stakes scenarios that may lead to the deprivation of liberty. The findings suggest that there is insufficient evidence regarding necessary modifications to standard interpreting practices for such assessments, as well as how assessors should adapt their own practice in response to the need for interpreting. This work highlights the need for more focused research on good practices for interpreting within this context and calls for guidance to facilitate effective interprofessional collaboration between interpreters and other professionals engaged in these assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-Blackness and heteronormativity are the driving forces that determine access to reproductive healthcare and services in the United States, and the rate of Black birthing-related deaths continue to skyrocket. Still, there is a dearth of literature that includes the reproductive experiences of Black birthing people and their interactions with the healthcare system. This current study builds power with 10 Black Queer birthing people (or Partners) by centering on their gestation-based storytelling within discourse about reproduction. By blending these Partners' self-examination of their lived experiences with gestation with health research, Black feminism, and researcher interpretation of their stories, this study reveals the unparalleled truths of Black Queer reproduction. Six thematic areas within the healthcare system as experienced by Partners are explored. Additionally, through this disruptive approach, this study identifies the lived and material needs that necessitate reproductive justice for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Women's Mental Health (WMH) Post-doctoral Fellowship Program in India, which aims to increase trained human resources in WMH. It highlights the growing demand for specialized mental health care for women in India, emphasizing the gender disparities in mental health and the various factors that contribute to women's mental health issues. The article also outlines the curriculum of the PDF in WMH course at NIMHANS, which covers topics such as sex and gender differences, reproductive health, trauma, and psychosocial rehabilitation. The program provides clinical training at various sites, including outpatient perinatal psychiatry services, mother-baby wards, joint clinics with obstetricians and gynecologists, psychiatric rehabilitation services, and somatization clinics. The text discusses the services and training programs offered at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in India. The services provided include psychotherapy and support for women who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual assault, treatment for female sexual dysfunction, and multidisciplinary treatment for women with addiction-related problems. The training programs focus on various aspects of women's mental health, including clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and psychiatry social work. The text emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and the need for more specialized services and training in women's mental health in India. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Contact with health services prior to offences committed by people with mental illness is an opportunity for intervention and prevention. This study examines the pattern and correlates of health service contact by people with severe mental illness before a serious offence. Method: Linkage of a cohort of 477 Forensic Patients found not guilty due to mental illness between 1990 and 2016, and statewide databases of contact with emergency departments, hospital admission and outpatient mental health services in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Results: A total of 84% of the sample had contact with any health service and 76% had contact with an outpatient mental health service prior to the index offence. About two-thirds of the sample had contact with a mental health service in the year before the offence. Factors independently associated with the absence of contact at any point prior to the index offence were non-English-speaking background, being engaged in employment or study, and an absence of childhood abuse or neglect. Although nearly every Forensic Patient had a psychotic illness at the time of the index offence, psychosis was not diagnosed at the time of 61/106 (57.5%) emergency department presentations, in 54/174 (31.0%) hospital admissions and 149/222 (67.1%) attendances at outpatient mental health services prior to the offence. Conclusions: Most Forensic Patients had contact with health services prior to their offences but many were not identified as having a psychotic illness. Although the symptoms of psychosis may have emerged in the period between contact and the offence, the findings suggest that emerging or underlying psychosis were missed or attributed to other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective was to describe mental health service and psychotropic medicine use among a cohort of Aboriginal young people and quantify their relation to sociodemographic, family and health factors. Methods: In a prospective cohort study with data linkage, 892 Aboriginal children aged 0–17 years living in urban and regional areas of New South Wales, Australia, were included. We assessed mental health–related service use, paediatric service use and psychotropic medicine dispensing claims covered by the Australian Government Medicare Benefits Schedule and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from July 2012 to June 2017. Results: Most children (71%) did not have a record of mental health service or psychotropic medication use. 18.7% had ⩾1 mental health–related service claim; 26.7% had ⩾1 paediatric service claim; and 20.3% had ⩾1 psychotropic medicine dispensing claim. General practitioner services were the most accessed mental health–related service (17.4%) and 12.7% had been dispensed attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medicines. Child characteristics associated with treatment included emotional and behavioural problems (prevalence ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval = [1.46, 2.64] for mental health services; prevalence ratio: 2.87, 95% confidence interval = [2.07, 3.96] for medicines) and risky behaviour (prevalence ratio: 1.56, 95% confidence interval = [1.12, 2.16] for mental health services; prevalence ratio: 2.28, 95% confidence interval = [1.54, 3.37] for medicines). Parent-related factors included chronic illness (prevalence ratio: 1.42, 95% confidence interval = [1.03, 1.95] for mental health services; prevalence ratio: 2.00, 95% confidence interval = [1.49, 2.69] for medicines) and functional limitations (prevalence ratio: 1.61, 95% confidence interval = [1.16, 2.24] for mental health services; prevalence ratio: 1.86, 95% confidence interval = [1.34, 2.59] for medicines). Conclusions: Most Aboriginal children and young people did not have claims for mental health services or medicines. Aboriginal children with emotional and behavioural problems, or parents with health problems were more likely to have mental health service or medicine claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]