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Aim: This paper uses the public record to explore the relationship between reputation damage and suicide. Method: The public record of the last 20 years was examined for examples of individuals without evidence of mental disorder who suffered actual or threatened reputation damage and suicided shortly thereafter. Results: Fifteen individual cases were identified; 18 additional cases, less comprehensively detailed, were mentioned in reports of The Wood Royal Commission and Operation Auxin. All cases were male. Of the 15 individual cases, the average age was 55 years, with a range of 40 to 76 years. The available details of the 18 additional cases were consistent with these findings. Conclusion: Middle-aged males without clear evidence of mental disorder, who suffer actual or threatened reputation damage, may be at increased risk of suicide. Naming and shaming needs to be conducted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this paper is to advance and enrich innovative thinking about mental health issues from an Indigenous perspective, through consideration of the gap between Indigenous mental health research and Indigenous mental health practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To pilot an art and mental health project with Samoan and Australian stakeholders. The aim of this project was to provide a voice through the medium of art for people experiencing mental illness, and to improve the public understanding in Samoa of mental illness and trauma.Methods: Over 12 months, a series of innovative workshops were held with Samoan and Australian stakeholders, followed by an art exhibition. These workshops developed strategies to support the promotion and understanding of mental health in Samoa. Key stakeholders from both art making and mental health services were engaged in activities to explore the possibility of collaboration in the Apia community.Results: The project was able to identify the existing resources and community support for the arts and mental health projects, to design a series of activities aimed to promote and maintain health in the community, and to pilot these programs with five key organizations.Conclusions: This project demonstrates the potential for art and mental health projects to contribute to both improving mental health and to lowering the personal and social costs of mental ill health for communities in Samoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our aim was to determine the views and experiences of carers of people with severe mental illness in regard to Community Treatment Orders (CTOs). Method: Questionnaires were posted using the mailing lists of two well-established carer support organisations in Victoria. The questionnaires included information about the person with a mental illness, the carer and their experience of care (ECI) and knowledge of recovery (RKI). Results: In total, 278 questionnaires were sent and 63 returned, of which 62 provided valid data. Those who responded were predominantly female (90%) and older (mean age 63 years), and were the carer of a person with a severe and recurrent mental illness. Some 60% had experience of caring for a person on a CTO. Most felt the CTO had been of benefit, and in 89% the person relapsed and needed further treatment when the CTO was stopped. Conclusion: Mental health legislation is shifting to bring a greater focus on rights, individual choice and autonomy in line with recovery-oriented care. This study describes the impact of severe mental illness and decisions in relation to CTOs on carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Community treatment orders (CTOs) have been used in New Zealand since 1992 and are now used in most Commonwealth countries. There is little research on the rate of use of CTOs in New Zealand. This study compares the prevalence of CTO use across New Zealand's 20 health districts and makes comparisons with international prevalence rates.Methods: New Zealand Ministry of Health reports provided data on rates of CTO use in New Zealand between 2005 and 2011. International rates were obtained from published reports and academic literature on CTO use.Results: Rates of CTO use in New Zealand show marked and persistent regional variation over the period of data collection. National average rates increased from 58 per 100,000 in 2005 to 84 per 100,000 in 2011. Rates of use of CTOs are increasing internationally. New Zealand's CTO use is high by international comparisons.Conclusions: New Zealand's high and increasing rate of CTO use by international standards raises questions about the delivery and functioning of mental health services, and about mental health service users' experience of mental health care. The high rate of CTO use needs to be addressed as a human rights issue as well as a clinical issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]