Mental Health Consumer and Carer Participation in Professional Education: ‘Getting There Together’ for Children of Parents with Mental Illness and Their Families

Abstract

‘Getting There Together’ is a professional education seminar developed as a collaborative project by professionals, mental health consumers and carers aimed at service providers who work with children of parents with mental illness and their families. The need for such professional education concerning this group is well recognised and the project reported herein was initiated by a reference group of professionals, consumers and carers focusing on children of parents with mental illness in the Eastern region of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia). The project began and continued as a collaborative effort during development and implementation, which ensured the experience, point of view and voice of consumers and carers was central to the material prepared, and at the time of seminar presentations. Seminar participants were from the family welfare, child care and supported housing sectors. Seminar participants found the first person accounts of consumers and carers the most helpful aspects of the seminars because they gave new insights into the experiences of carers and of mental health consumers as parents, as well as an understanding of ‘… the whole family, and how the child fits into the picture’.     

Using Family-Oriented Treatment to Improve Placement Outcomes for Children and Youth in Residential Treatment

Abstract

Traditionally, caregivers of children with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances have been excluded from treatment planning, and service providers have often blamed caregivers for children's mental health problems. More recently, an approach to treatment based on Systems of Care has emphasized the importance of including caregivers in every aspect of treatment. This article describes a family-oriented residential treatment program in eastern North Carolina and reports initial results of a pilot study in which caregiver participation is valued and emphasized. Implications for practice, policy, and professional training are discussed.     

Spirituality and Faith-Based Social Services

Abstract

Spiritual aspects of faith-based social services are rarely addressed in discussions of policy initiatives encouraging greater involvement of faith-based providers in service delivery. This article reports findings of a qualitative study of the values, beliefs, and practices of non-congregational faith-based service providers. Twenty-two providers in Midwestern and northwestern regions of the U.S. were asked about the spiritual bases of their programs, spiritual dimensions of service relationships, distinctions between service communities and programs, and distinctions between service ministries and social work. Implications for collaborations among providers with different beliefs are discussed.     

The accommodation and support needs of people with a mental illness: A process and framework for action

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a consumer-focused assessment of the accommodation and support needs of people with a mental illness living in a regional city. The study utilises a 'pathway to stability' approach to assess the phase-contingent accommodation and support needs of mental health consumers through interviews and focus groups with consumers, carers and service providers. The study identifies five broad phases of the life course impacted by mental illness—beginnings, long-term needs become clearer, instability as needs evolve, finding stability and ongoing. Five key issues—information, self-competence, comorbidity, coordination and flexibility were expanded upon in focus groups. Principles for planning future service delivery are identified. The implications of the findings and research methodology for social work practice and research are discussed.     

Necessary Steps in Designing a Successful Contract

Abstract

Parents with a history of serious mental illness are vulnerable in many ways and are therefore likely to be accessing services from a range of government and community agencies. The use of multiple services, sometimes with conflicting practice frameworks, can result in sub-optimal management of these families. This study surveyed 77 service providers from a range of government and non-government agencies targeting their views regarding parents with a serious mental illness (specified in this study as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and psychotic depression). They were asked what they perceived were difficulties for this population, interventions required to meet the needs of this group and finally, barriers to effective service delivery. We found that service providers reported that current services were inadequate for these parents. Parent-based interventions were seen as being more beneficial than those targeting children. Lack of liaison between agencies and lack of coordinated service provision were seen as the greatest barrier to effective service delivery. The results highlight the need for policy planners and service providers to develop strategies to ensure effective coordination between services that work with this population.     

Developing Family-Centered Models of Genetic Services

Abstract

This article reports the findings of an exploratory, multi-method study conducted for a state health authority to examine stakeholder perceptions of existing genetic services and service ideals using survey and focus group methodologies. A web-based survey of medical providers and allied health professionals (N = 567) examined the knowledge needed by service providers to deliver competent genetic care. A second web-based survey of programs (N = 15) viewed as potential partners in the delivery of genetic services was conducted to explore the potential for interagency coordination, the family-centered nature of these services, existing training, and general agency ideals and values. Focus groups were also conducted with 4 groups of families and 3 groups of service providers to explore their perceptions of current and ideal services. The strategies yielded important information around service needs, resource issues, barriers to service, psychological issues, and education and information needs related to the delivery of genetic services. Implications for professional education, especially social work education, are also covered.     

The Life Course: A Sociological Introduction

Abstract

Recognition of the deleterious effects of domestic violence on women's mental health has highlighted the potential benefits for women of collaboration between mental health and domestic violence services. Yet the different histories, knowledge bases, and organisational cultures of the mental health and domestic violence sectors present formidable challenges to the development of effective collaborative work. This article draws on a large research enquiry, involving four separate but related studies, which explored aspects of collaboration between these two service sectors. It focuses particularly on data collected in interviews with practitioners from mental health and domestic violence services who were participants in an action research study (one of the four studies), which was aimed at discovering the factors that contributed to enhanced collaboration and the benefits of this for women who experience both domestic violence and mental health issues.     

Barriers to Utilization of Mental Health Services amongst Male Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Service Providers’ Perspective

ABSTRACT

Most research on child sexual abuse has been on survivors to the exclusion of service providers. This paper focuses on one group of findings from a larger qualitative study. The aim of the paper is to identify existing services and highlight the gaps in the current programs available for male CSA survivors from the perspective of service providers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 mental health service providers, recruited from two Southern and Central Ontario cities. Findings presented here report service providers’ perspective of gaps in services for male CSA survivors. “Limited Male CSA Programs”, “Institutional Barriers”, “Attitudinal Barriers”, and “Systemic Gaps” emerged as four major themes from the data analysis. Findings demonstrate the need to re-evaluate currently available service and highlights gaps in mental health service available for male CSA survivors. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.     

Reshaping Responses to Children When Parents are Separating: Hearing Children's Voices in the Transition

Abstract

The present paper reports on the findings of a research project involving a literature review and telephone interviews with children whose parents had separated or divorced. The aim of the research was to hear children's accounts of their experiences and needs during the transition in order to inform the development of a child-centred model of service delivery. The author recommends a number of strategies to assist service providers to enhance the wellbeing of children experiencing family separations.     

The College Student Psychiatric Emergency: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

The authors utilized computerized records of a psychiatric emergency department to study the nature of psychiatric emergencies among college students. The 1156 visits made by students over an eight-year period are described using demographic variables, times of visit, and accompaniment. Implications of the findings for campus administrators and mental health service providers are discussed.     

Personal control and service connection as paths to improved mental health and exiting homelessness among severely marginalized homeless youth

ObjectiveNon-service connected, continuously homeless youth are arguably one of the most vulnerable populations in the U.S. These youth reside at society's margins experiencing an accumulation of risks over time. Research concludes that as vulnerabilities increase so do poor long-term outcomes. This study tested the mediating effects of service connection and personal control as mediators of cumulative risk and housing, health and mental health outcomes. By understanding the processes associated with therapeutic change among those with the most vulnerabilities, service providers and researchers can target those factors to enhance positive outcomes.MethodSeventy-nine, non-service connected, substance using homeless youth were offered a strengths-based outreach and engagement intervention and were assessed at baseline 3, 6 and 9 months post-baseline.ResultsPersonal control mediated the effects of cumulative risk on housing stability, and service utilization mediated the effects of cumulative risk on mental health.ConclusionsThis study specifies important targets of intervention for a population at high risk for continuing homelessness. In particular, service providers should target youths' sense of personal control and link them to needed community-based services in order to help them exit street life and improve mental health outcomes.     

A report of an intervention with staff in a hostel for people with learning difficulties

Abstract

This article is a report of a group designed to help staff in a hostel for people with learning difficulties. The group was led by the writer, who at that time was a clinical psychologist based at a local hospital and provided a service to clients and staff in a variety of situations. The group sessions are described, and the implications for leadership and contracting with the group briefly discussed     

An Evaluation of Mental Health Services for the Culturally Diverse

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project was to examine the needs of multicultural populations in the mental health system, and see how these needs get addressed in current policies. As a social worker in the mental health system, I wanted to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of service providers in their ability to meet the needs of diverse populations. In doing this research, I hoped to make a space for people whose families have had to deal with mental health services, and explore the experiences of those who have not had the opportunity to discuss them. In addition, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to a body of increased knowledge on how the mental health system treats people who belong to a cultural minority.     

An interprofessional internship model for training master’s level social work and counseling students in higher education settings

ABSTRACT

The mental health needs of college students are steadily on the rise, which compels mental health service providers and educators to explore innovative ways to provide more collaborative, supportive, and interdisciplinary service models of practice and professional training. Graduate programs in social work and counseling are at the crux of producing internship training programs to help accommodate the influx of students with persistent mental health concerns across a variety of needs and cultures. This article describes an interprofessional internship program structured and designed to meet the clinical training needs of master’s level students matriculating in social work and counseling who aspire to provide mental health services in higher education settings. The interprofessional internship training model proposes an innovative interdisciplinary approach to field education which may result in positive training outcomes and learning experiences for social work and counseling students. This paper discusses the model’s emphasis on individual and interdisciplinary group supervision, objectives of the internship experience, internship site criteria, and professional and personal benefits to pre-service social workers and counselors. Recommendations for training and limitations of the model are provided.     

Mental Health Among College Students: Do Those Who Need Services Know About and Use Them?

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine connections between university students' mental health and their knowledge and use of campus mental health services. Participants and Methods: In March 2001, a sample of undergraduate students (N = 266) completed a Web-based questionnaire, providing information related to their mental health, knowledge of mental health services, and use of those services. Results: Students who were mentally distressed were more likely to know about and use services; however, some students who reported to be mentally distressed either did not know about services or knew about services but did not use them. Living off campus, identifying as male, and having fewer years in college were related to less knowledge of campus mental health services. In addition, female sex and number of years in college were predictive of higher service use. Conclusions: With the high prevalence rates and severity of mental health problems, university mental health providers must continue to make strategic efforts to disseminate knowledge about mental health services to all students.     

Role Conflict and Ambiguity

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between role conflict and role ambiguity, and burnout of mental health service providers. The study used a sample of 259 mental health service providers who completed a questionnaire that included several measures: role conflict and ambiguity scales, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, social support scales and an involvement scale. Results showed that role conflict and role ambiguity had statistically significant correlations with several of the burnout dimensions. The author discusses the potential implications for increasing workers' quality of work life.     

Provider Dilemmas with Relocation in Assisted Living

Abstract

Support for increasing tenant frailty in assisted living (AL) is a complex and challenging issue. Philosophically, older persons, families, providers, and policymakers want to avoid unnecessary relocation. However, there is considerable opportunity for inconsistency in practice. We examined provider perspectives related to implementing aging-in-place, using information obtained from an evaluation of a three-year AL demonstration project in Illinois. We found differences in approaches to explicit move-out criteria, the actual application of move-out criteria, and provider willingness to develop flexible service plans. These findings raise questions for consideration in all states confronted with implementing the philosophy and intent of AL.     

Implementation of a Mental Health Task Force in a collegiate-based emergency medical services organization

Abstract

Objective: A Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) was implemented in 2016 by a collegiate-based emergency medical services (CBEMS) organization to (1) improve mental health emergency response and to (2) address concerns for the mental health of CBEMS providers. Participants: Skidmore College EMS is a Basic Life Support First Response service staffed by volunteer undergraduate students. Methods: In coordination with faculty and staff, students in the MHTF developed trainings, peer support structures, community events, policies, and informational resources. Results: Sixteen students joined the MHTF within 1 year. Over 35 Skidmore College EMS members received training on mental health emergency response, peer-support, and self-care. Debriefing programs, mindfulness-based events, shift-length limitations, and access to informational resources promoted the mental health of Skidmore College EMS members. Conclusions: Implementing an MHTF is an innovative, student-led approach to coupling education on emergency response with programming that supports the mental health of CBEMS providers.     

Provider and Care Workforce Influences on Quality of Home-Care Services in England

Abstract

A key trend in home care in recent years in England has been movement away from “in-house” service provision by local government authorities (e.g., counties) towards models of service commissioning from independent providers. A national survey in 2003 identified that there were lower levels of satisfaction and perceptions of quality of care among older users of independent providers compared with in-house providers. This paper reports the results of a study that related service users views of 121 providers with the characteristics of these providers. For the most part, characteristics associated with positive perceptions of quality were more prevalent among in-house providers. Multivariate analyses of independent providers suggested that aspects of the workforce itself, in terms of age and experience, provider perceptions of staff turnover, and allowance of travel time, were the most critical influences on service user experiences of service quality.