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In this paper we explore and discuss the use of mindfulness in group work. We present a definition of mindfulness along with the differences in conceptualizations of mindfulness-based group work based in Buddhist and other nonwestern perspectives compared to Western stances. A brief history of mindfulness in Western psychology is provided along with an outline of the current research on mindfulness; both correlational research and controlled studies involving specific therapeutic modalities. Future research, limitations, and the use of mindfulness with those who have experienced trauma are then presented. An exploration of existing groups that incorporate mindfulness, is followed by suggestions on where mindfulness could be integrated. Finally, the paper concludes by exploring the implications for social work and the use of mindfulness in group therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the effect of dance and exercise on the health promotion of adults with mental health disorders. As mental health is a social issue, the characteristics of physical movement through dance and exercise were reviewed to find ways to effectively approach mental health services and treatment. Based on existing papers, a systematic review was conducted using Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus to comprehensively investigate and organise the correlation between physical movement and mental health, the characteristics of dance therapy, and psychotherapy of exercise. Studies have shown that dance and exercise therapy helps reduce side effects, relieve depression and anxiety from actual antipsychotics, and helps to recognise one's problems and increase the willingness to treat them. New therapy development according to the online era and limitations according to difficulty need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents two case studies in mental health co-design through a community of practice lens and involving collaborators that extend the traditional binary of 'users' and 'stakeholders'. The co-design was undertaken outside the service sector and oriented towards creating and producing innovative praxis and creative products in service to community-based mental health and rural suicide prevention. By inviting lived experience and creative design practitioners into a mental health co-design community of practice, the paper contends that relational engagements form the container for co-design and allow forms of ethically sensitive and creative community-based mental health design that embody therapeutic activism grounded in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the therapeutic setting there have been few ethical considerations deliberated when examining the language barrier between therapists and Non-Native English-Speaking Immigrant (NNESI) clients. The literature reports NNESIs encounter several challenges such as the migration process, experiencing acculturative stress, discrimination, and racism, which in turn impacts their mental health outcomes. These accrued barriers lead NNESI to seek out mental health services. This paper explores the ethical considerations Native-English Speaking and Bilingual Psychologists must consider when providing counseling services to Non-Native English Speakers. These considerations include Third-Party Services, Informed Consent, Cultural Competency, Boundaries of Competency, and Multiple Relationships. For the purpose of this paper, the terms “bilingual” and “multilingual” will be used interchangeably to refer to a person who speaks another language in conjunction with English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This position paper reviews four intersecting trends impacting the burnout and turnover of clinical staff in counseling centers in the 2020s: ever expanding service demand, mismatched clinical models, the emergence of third party vendors, and uncompetitive salaries. The authors provide a framework and make recommendations for institutions to take deliberate steps to align the mental health needs of a campus, the resources offered, and the services provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMethodResultsDiscussionPeople experiencing psychosis in acute crisis should be offered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) however there are no protocols developed to inform delivery specifically for people in acute crisis receiving inpatient mental health care. This paper narratively describes a CBTp-informed crisis-focused therapy protocol to inform the delivery of therapy in inpatient settings.This study draws on relevant systematic reviews, qualitative interview studies with stakeholders, Delphi studies, and coproduction to develop the protocol. It draws upon crisis theories and CBTp theories to underpin it.This paper outlines a modularised approach to working with people with psychosis and in crisis. It outlines the key values underpinning the protocol, and the key modules of: engagement, assessment and identifying priorities; formulation of the crisis, stabilisation, safety, and problem solving, crisis plans and crisis cards, change strategy work focusing on crisis appraisals, and discharge and relapse planning.A crisis-focused cognitive behavioural therapy protocol is presented which can be used to inform therapy for people experiencing psychosis and in crisis. More research is required to explore the efficacy of such therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental illness is a significant public health concern prevalent in America. Over one in five U.S. adults are affected, yet less than half receive treatment. Among African Americans, only one in three seek treatment with statically lower rates among Black males. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment, while misdiagnosis leads to stigma, discrimination, and untreated illness. This paper examines the implications of misdiagnosing trauma responses in Black men, highlighting systemic biases that impede suitable care and perpetuate negative narratives. The authors propose a conceptual framework incorporating historical trauma, discrimination, and traumatic stress reactions, emphasizing the need for cultural competence and humility. This framework involves public narratives that influence perceptions and judgments, reviewing research evidence, advocating for competent trauma assessments, community empowerment, and future research directions. This paper underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the unique challenges Black men face in mental health diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advances in HIV-treatment, adolescents and young adults (AYA) with HIV (AYAHIV) face myriad challenges. They are less likely than children and older adults to be virally suppressed and are at higher risk for mental health conditions compared to their peers who do not have HIV. AYA are also developing in the context of numerous biomedical, neurocognitive, and psychosocial developmental changes. Normative challenges during this time can be exacerbated by HIV and can result in significant physical and mental health problems. Yet, many AYAHIV have shown resilience with positive assets and resources and few health or mental health problems. Historically research has had a risk-focused approach to understanding AYAHIV needs. This paper discusses the rationale for a shift from a risk-focused only approach to one that examines AYAHIV needs from both a risk and resilience perspective. This paper presents: (1) epidemiological data on AYAHIV; (2) conceptual models for understanding both risk (e.g., poverty, stress, trauma, limited resources) and resilience/protective factors (e.g., family and peer support, future orientation, problem-solving skills); (3) global data examining risk and protective factors for physical and mental health challenges; and (4) promising interventions that incorporate elements of resilience to improve overall outcomes among AYAHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature regarding reported risks, adverse effects and mitigation factors related to providing mental health services using telehealth. The paper aims to describe risks and risk management strategies. Publications were included if they reported upon risks, adverse events or mitigation factors experienced, hypothesised or discussed for: any population (any country, any age), service (any mental health services), intervention (telehealth), English language, 2010 to 10 July 2021, any publication type (commentary, research, policy), excluding protocol papers, and self-help tools. The following databases were searched: PsycINFO (from 2010 to 10 July 2021), MEDLINE (2010 to 10 July 2021) and the Cochrane Database from 2010 to 10 July 2021. The search strategy resulted in 1,497 papers and after exclusions a final 55 articles were selected. Results of this scoping review are presented in terms of types of risk, risk by client population, risk by modality (eg group therapy using telehealth) and risk management. Recommendations for future research include gathering and publishing more detailed information regarding near-miss and actual adverse events when delivering mental health assessment and care using telehealth. In clinical practice, training is required for potential adverse events, and to prevent them and reporting mechanisms in place to collate and learn from these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex and enduring mental health problems require greater treatment resources, usually in the form of multidisciplinary support, including providing psychological therapies. This paper reports on an NHS, tertiary-level specialist psychotherapy service offering Psychodynamic therapies with longer-term, exploratory transdiagnostic approaches to support complexity and sustained personality functioning. This paper adopts a naturalistic study design evaluating the effectiveness of Psychodynamic therapy using pre- and post-outcomes across a 10-year period. A total of n = 474 participants self-report pre- and post-outcome measures were used as the marker of effectiveness along with therapist assessments during intake and engagement. The findings showed that Psychodynamic therapy was effective in reducing psychological distress based on service-user self-report and therapist assessments. While intake scores varied by socio-demographic factors, the rate of change across most groups was similar. There were several limitations relating to data quality and completeness which reflect the naturalistic design. Despite the limits of a naturalistic design, this study provides evidence of support for the place of Psychodynamic therapies within NHS mental health care, catering to those with complex and enduring mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-episode psychosis (FEP) refers to the first time someone experiences an episode of psychosis, which can be frightening and confusing, leading people to make their first contact with early intervention services. Early intervention is widely accepted as beneficial for long-term recovery and symptom management. A universal feature of intervention is a relationship with mental health practitioners. Therapeutic relationships experienced as positive are also associated with better outcomes across mental health settings. However, little is known about what is helpful within therapeutic relationships for people with FEP The current review aimed to develop a rich understanding of beneficial features of therapeutic relationships for people with FEP to enhance service delivery. Databases searched were: APA PsycInfo, MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL. A systematic search yielded 178 papers, of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. Publications reviewed were from Singapore, Western Finnish Lapland, England, Canada, the United States of America, Denmark, and Australia. The papers were published across 12 journals; 81% were qualitative, 12% were quantitative, and one was a mixed methods study. It is recommended that creating a safe space to talk, taking a non-judgemental approach, and developing trust between practitioner and client should be prioritised for people with FEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tells the story of the work of a parent-infant psychoanalytic psychotherapist with an infant girl and her mother, from the age of four to 19 months old. It became clear, very quickly, that she was a replacement child. She was born four years after the death of her profoundly disabled brother and before her mother had begun the process of mourning her dead son. The mother was struggling to see the infant as a person in her own right and felt that she wanted her daughter to be a reincarnation of her dead brother. Although the infant was always dressed as a girl, there was also something boyish about her presentation. The work centred around us playing together and helping her mother to see her as a person in her own right, as well as observing and trying to make sense of the infant's play. The therapist used her metaphoric function to hypothesise what the infant might be trying to understand in her play, especially with two identical plastic oranges that were the same and yet different. What emerged was that the mother was herself an identical twin, who never felt fully separated from her twin sister, and always felt that she was two people. An interpretation to the infant that perhaps she also thought that she needed to be two people, herself but also her dead brother, was met with a confirmatory response from the infant; it felt pivotal in elucidating for both mother and infant their respective challenges in the wake of the death of their son/sibling. The paper illustrates the importance of early intervention, of both observing and playing with infants and young children; and the importance of the therapist's use of metaphor, which could be viewed as an inductive statement, summarising a guess about inner reality expressed in a skewed or displaced way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People on the move are increasingly immobilised between and within state borders, having left 'there' but not allowed to be fully 'here'. This paper presents a nuanced examination of this state of enforced in--betweenness, exploring how refugees and other migrants negotiate collective existence through, despite, and alongside liminality. Drawing on ethnographic data collected at a Swiss Red Cross psychotraumatology centre, the study identifies factors that impede and facilitate the formation of collective identities, with temporal and spatial liminality emerging as the most central collective experience for refugees and other migrants. The findings illustrate how therapists reinforce these bonds by fostering an idealised sense of therapeutic communitas that promotes unity in adversity. However, the paper refrains from reducing the collective significance of liminality to a mere act of defiance. Instead, it critically reflects on how refugees and other migrants forge collective connections within politically and legally imposed disconnection. It accounts for the paradox of refugees and other migrants making collective lives in liminality while confronting the always-imminent possibility of this very liminality dismantling their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers matters of time in online mental health peer support. Significant evidence of the value of peer support exists, with new digital platforms emerging as part of the digitisation of mental health support. This paper draws from a project exploring the impact of digital platforms on peer support through interviews with users of a major UK-based online peer support platform. Drawing on Gilles Deleuze's concept of the 'living present', the paper highlights how notions of past, present and future operate as co-existing dimensions of the present. The analysis highlights how the immediacy of digital platforms elicits expectations of peer support being 'on tap', which creates challenges when support is not received synchronously. Unlike in-person support, digital platforms facilitate the archiving of support, which can (re)enter the present at any moment through asynchronous communication. Anticipations of the future feature as dimensions of the present in terms of feelings regarding when support may no longer be needed. The paper offers potential implications for social scientific understanding of digital peer support, which include valuable insight for mental health services designing and delivering digital peer support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are significant disparities in mental health care between First Nations and non-Indigenous people in settler-colonial nations. This paper, authored by a crosscultural and interdisciplinary team, argues that settler-colonial legislation, the tools and technologies of architecture, and the clinical practice of psychiatry are all implicated. Taking inspiration from Tanganekald, Meintangk-Bunganditj legal scholar Irene Watson, who yearns for freedom to roam across Country and connect with the land of her ancestors, we propose tactics for 'roaming' from the conventions of architecture and psychiatry to decolonize our practices. These include yarning, walking Country, and representing these itinerant practices through wandering lines. The outcomes are processes for developing new therapeutic places and practices for mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are associated with several mental health, family, and social consequences. This paper analyzes the few studies on BIs in primary care in Chile and Latin America through a culturally critical view. Future research should address the need of culturally appropriate BI for AUD, so that decisions on policies and programs are made based on evidence-based, culturally appropriated practices. The Chilean context presents a unique opportunity to implement BI, since primary care counts on resources and protocols already installed. Clinical social workers should play a key role in this challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is not a new concept. Despite TIC being at the forefront of international acute public mental health services policy, and researched since 2006, implementation has been hampered. This paper reports findings from a scoping study examining clinical and lived experience workers experience of TIC in Acute Adult Public Mental Health Services. In this scoping study five databases and grey literature were scanned in 2021 and updated in 2023, to address the question: What is known about TIC concerning the clinical and mental health lived experience workforce in the acute adult public mental health service? Forty-six papers met the inclusion criteria. Analysis revealed commitment in conceptualisation of TIC in mental health policy, requirements for incorporating TIC in acute adult mental health care, and barriers to implementation, including dissonance towards role expectations. The literature calls for investment in implementing TIC, which includes an increased workforce consisting of mental health lived experience workers, clinical staff with TIC knowledge and skills, and specialist TIC experts. Further research is needed to understand more fully the opportunities and barriers to implementing TIC in acute public mental health settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the press for services at university counseling centers increases, so does the need to provide optimal therapeutic services. Ethnic glossing in previous research has combined rather disaggregated the mental health treatment experiences of American Latinx (AL) students and International Latinx (IL) students. The purpose of this paper was to examine potential differences in (1) the number of attended sessions, (2) symptom severity, and (3) treatment improvement rates. We used a nationwide dataset including 13,156 AL students and 911 IL students. Results indicated that (1) there was no significant difference in attendance rates, (2) AL students had significantly worse initial symptom severity (d = 0.24), and (3) there were no significant differences in improvement rates. We discuss the importance of understanding the different clinical presentations of AL and IL students, as well as the importance of addressing ethnic glossing in future research and clinical work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holistic approaches, such as the Biopsychosocial model, have become mainstream frameworks for organizing mental health services in recent decades. However, little research has explored how frontline social workers embrace and synthesize the different dimensions within this holistic approach. This paper uses semi-structured interviews to investigate diverse conceptualizations of mental health issues among frontline social workers. Fourteen social workers from Hong Kong and twelve from Sydney were interviewed. Three prevalent positions were identified: prioritizing chemical imbalance, questioning the concept of illness, and refusing a fixed understanding of mental health issues. The analysis also reveals how these understandings influence frontline social work practice, uncovers broader socio-cultural influences through s cross-cultural lens, and highlights implications for social work education for navigating the inclusivity of holistic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive perspective on recovery, highlighting the significance of cultural awareness and the use of intersectionality theory to further the understanding of the influence of diverse identities on the recovery journey. A conceptual model is being introduced for culturally safe recovery-oriented practices, encompassing key domains: ways of knowing, presence, doing, and operating. Social workers are urged to lead the adoption of these practices, addressing service delivery gaps and promoting cultural safety for mental health service users. The model encourages mental health practitioners to engage in self-reflexivity, challenge power structures, and dismantle social inequities that hinder mental health recovery. The holistic embrace of all four practice domains can enhance service delivery and foster cultural safety for service users in recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMental health issues among children and adolescents have increased, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite awareness, less than half get needed care, leading to long-term consequences. The World Health Organization calls for integrated, preventive community interventions. In this paper, we present The Mental Health Clinical Liaison Programme for Schools in the Community of Madrid, Spain, which features school-based activities delivered by multidisciplinary mental health teams, offering early detection, intervention, and prevention strategies for children and adolescents. We describe the activities implemented, present the evidence supporting them, provide preliminary data, and discuss the scope and challenges of the programme. In 2023–2024, the programme intervened in 53 primary and secondary schools, helping identify in 876 cases, evaluating 356, and referring 122 to other services. It supported interventions for 179 patients already in mental healthcare and 34 reintegrations after psychiatric hospitalization. Anti-stigma workshops have been conducted, involving approximately 1620 students. Ongoing research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these interventions to ensure continuous improvement in mental health services for young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided self-help is an evidence-based intervention used globally. Self-help is a fundamental part of the stepped care model of mental health services that enables the efficient use of limited resources. Despite its importance, there is little information defining the role of the guide and the key competences required. In this context, the guide is defined as the person who facilitates and supports the use self-help materials. This article sets out the role of the guide in guided self-help. It considers practical issues such as the importance of engagement to motivate clients for early change, personalising the intervention, structuring sessions, how best to use routine outcome monitoring and supervision requirements. Key competences are proposed, including generic competences to build the relationship as well as specific competences such as being able to clearly convey the role of the guide to clients. Guides should be prepared for "self-help drift", a concept akin to therapist drift in more traditional therapies. Knowing how to identify mental health problems, use supervision and manage risk and comorbidity are all key requirements for guides. The paper concludes by calling for increased recognition and value of the role of the guide within mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThere is increasing need to strike a balance between minimizing online risks and encouraging independence and freedom of interaction amongst the young adult population, particularly those with preexisting vulnerabilities. This paper presents the findings from a study exploring how professionals working with care leavers understand social media and perceive their role in recognizing and responding to the online needs of this group. Qualitative data was collected during focus groups, arts-based workshops, and interviews with 17 professionals. Thirteen young adults with experience of leaving the care system in Scotland also provided insights into the impact of social media on their mental health and personal relationships. These multiple voices highlight that professionals could improve their understanding of social media platforms by moving away from risk management and harm minimization to adopt more individualized ways of enhancing online relationships. These views are reiterated by care leavers who perceive social media interactions as both a source of support and a cause of anxiety during complex transitions. Drawing upon the health and social work literature suggests that professionals should work in partnership with care leavers to establish training that acknowledges lived experiences and prioritizes resilience and social capital in the development of positive online interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Existing literature has sought to characterize the broad cognitive impact of non-central nervous system cancer and its treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and hormonal regulation. However, despite the frequency of women that are diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancer, there is limited research on the specific cognitive experiences of women undergoing cancer treatment. Presently, the current literature lacks concise guidance for neuropsychologists to support the cognitive health of women facing cancer, despite the acknowledged impact of cancer interventions and chronic illness on cognitive outcomes. Method: Applying scoping review criteria outlined by Peters et al. (2015) and adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive examination of literature spanning multiple databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, PsychINFO) with a focus on the cognitive impact of cancer treatment on women. Conclusions: Women are subject to unique treatment-related outcomes due to the impact of hormonal alterations, differences in metabolization of certain chemotherapies, and psychosocial risk factors. Despite the known impact of cancer intervention, chronic illness, and cancer-related sequelae on cognitive outcomes, the current literature does not parsimoniously outline best practices for neuropsychologists to promote the health of women experiencing cancer. The current paper (1) provides an overview of the cognitive implications of cancer treatment with an intentional focus on cancers that are more prevalent in women versus men, (2) addresses the characteristics of this impact for women undergoing cancer intervention(s), and (3) provides possible intervention and treatment strategies for mental health providers and neuropsychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesMethodResultsConclusions\nKey PointsTo produce national clinical norms for WASC-Y, examine the internal consistency of the WASC-Y scales, compare scores from a clinical sample with previously published community sample data, and test the degree to which other scales predict the Suicide Scale.We analysed WASC-Y data from 1226 Aboriginal youth who had presented to mental health services between 2007 and 2022 and compared their scores to the original community norms.Our sample shows a higher level of mental health risk than does the normative sample that varied according to gender. We found high levels of suicidal behaviour in the clinical sample: 41.5% admitted to thoughts of suicide and 25.0% reported one or more suicide attempts. One in 23 reported a high likelihood that they would attempt suicide again. Knowing someone who has suicided was associated with higher Suicide Risk. Linear modelling showed that Suicide Risk is predicted by a combination of all other WASC-Y scales and gender, with females at higher risk than males. There is emerging evidence that Cultural Resilience provides some mitigation of Suicide Risk.Our data provide the first culturally and psychometrically valid national mental health profile of Aboriginal youth accessing mental health services, including separate clinical norms for males and females. Aboriginal youth present with serious levels of suicide and mental health risk that urgently require improved access to clinically and culturally competent services. Our findings provide evidence of construct validity, in that scale scores showed meaningful associations with each other and with other variables in expected ways.What is already known about this topic: The WASC-Y stands alone as a culturally valid, psychometrically sound, and clinically valid screening tool to assess Aboriginal youths’ suicide risk, mental health risk, and cultural resilience.WASC-Y norms were derived from a non-clinical sample of 13- to 17-year-old school students in Western Australia.Clinical norms for WASC-Y are needed.The WASC-Y stands alone as a culturally valid, psychometrically sound, and clinically valid screening tool to assess Aboriginal youths’ suicide risk, mental health risk, and cultural resilience.WASC-Y norms were derived from a non-clinical sample of 13- to 17-year-old school students in Western Australia.Clinical norms for WASC-Y are needed.What this paper adds: We now have separate clinical norms for male and female Aboriginal youth that show high rates of suicidal ideation and behaviour.Suicidal ideation and behaviour are significantly higher among Aboriginal youth who know someone close to them who has suicided than among those who do not.Linear modelling indicates that scores on the Suicide Scale are best predicted by a combination of all other WASC-Y scales and gender.We now have separate clinical norms for male and female Aboriginal youth that show high rates of suicidal ideation and behaviour.Suicidal ideation and behaviour are significantly higher among Aboriginal youth who know someone close to them who has suicided than among those who do not.Linear modelling indicates that scores on the Suicide Scale are best predicted by a combination of all other WASC-Y scales and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractNurses are at the forefront of care in mental health services but their role is conflicted; they carry the most responsibility for care and also for restrictive practices. The harmful effects of restrictive practices for mental health patients are well documented, have attracted negative media attention, public concern, and criticism directed specifically at nursing staff. The need to reduce restrictive practices has been highlighted by patients, carer groups, legislators, policy makers, academics, and mental health service providers. Policies and best practice guidelines have resulted, but restrictive practices remain a global problem. This theory paper proposes that inertia is partly due to the absence of a coherent model that explains the initiation and maintenance of restrictive practice in inpatient mental health settings. The conceptual development and synthesis of the model and its practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide an overview of the lived experience of a group of individuals who participated in an adventure therapy project, as an adjunct to their routine clinical care with an Early Intervention Service (EIS) for psychosis. We hope it will support the growing literature in this field as well as encourage other services to adopt these approaches within their settings. A group of individuals who had experienced a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) participated in a programme of outdoor activities, culminating in a six-day residential sailing adventure (N = 5). A semi-structured interview was used to explore their experiences, and an inductive thematic analysis was undertaken to identify themes. Four key themes emerged from the analysis of the transcripts. The themes centred around what people learnt about themselves from taking part in the project: "enhanced self-perception"; "building friendships and being part of a shared experience"; "navigating and overcoming new challenges"; and "working together as a team". Adventure-based approaches offer the opportunity to enhance standard treatment outcomes in EIS, and the unique context in which they occur provides a platform to support social and occupational recovery from psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-registration nursing education has long moved away from preparing nurses with mental health specialisation to nurses with comprehensive knowledge and skills. However, the consumers' experiences of comprehensive-prepared nurses and their nursing care has not been widely explored. This paper reports on a study with consumers to explore their experiences with comprehensive-prepared graduate nurses and the nursing care that they provide in acute mental health settings. An exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was chosen as the research method. Purposeful sampling recruited 12 consumers and data saturation was achieved. Braun and Clarke's method of thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data and three themes emerged. The themes are: (i) You got what it takes to be a mental health nurse, (ii) Slow down and spend quality time with us, and (iii) Read in between the lines when we share our negative lived experiences. The findings are useful for identifying strategies to develop evidence-based nursing education for comprehensive-prepared graduate nurses to improve the consumers' experiences of their nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmatised attitudes are known to be associated with negative outcomes in schizophrenia, yet there is little focus on the role of stigma in the recovery process. Attempts to develop interventions to reduce self-stigma in schizophrenia have not been found effective. This paper presents a theoretical integration based on a narrative review of the literature. PsycINFO, Medline and Embase databases were searched up to the 11th December 2023. Studies were included if they were: i) empirical studies using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods studies investigating mental health stigma; ii) included participants based in the United Kingdom, fluent in English, between the ages of 16 and 70, meeting criteria for a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis. Fourteen studies were included. In Part 1, we propose a novel theoretical model derived from a synthesis of service-user perspectives on the relationship between stigma and schizophrenia. Stigmatised attitudes were commonly perceived to be caused by a lack of education and further exacerbated by disinformation primarily through the media and cultural communities. Stigma led to negative self-perceptions, negative emotional responses, social isolation and increased symptom severity, ultimately acting as a barrier to recovery. In Part 2, we identify several factors that ameliorate the impact of stigma and promote clinical and subjective recovery among service-users: education, empowerment, self-efficacy, self-acceptance, hope and social support. We argue that the notion of stigma resistance may be helpful in developing new interventions aimed at promoting recovery in individuals with schizophrenia. Wider implications are discussed and recommendations for future research and practice are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There will be an increased need for psychologists to provide mental health services in residential aged care facilities. Experience while training is invaluable to improving both confidence and interest in working in this area. Awareness of potential barriers and ethical situations that may impede good mental health care is necessary when providing supervision. This paper reviews issues that supervisors need to be aware of when working with students in this clinical space. Barriers and enablers of clinical placements in residential aged care settings are discussed. Models of care, ethical considerations relating to risk, consent and working systemically, multiple clients, practical difficulties of being off-site and clinical aspects of adapting therapy to residential care settings are identified as key issues related to supervising students. Potential solutions, resources and practical approaches to these issues are also highlighted. A positive approach to the complexities of working in residential aged care settings can lead to quality supervision and clinical care in this much needed area. What is already known about this topic: There is a high degree of mental health issues amongst older adults living in residential aged care. Concerns have been raised about how clinical psychologists will meet future workforce demands. There is a lack of supervisors with experience in providing clinical guidance in this area. What this topic adds: Supervising in residential aged care has been enabled by an increased level of funded psychological services available to aged care residents in Australia. Several unique ethical issues can arise within supervision in residential aged care contexts that need to be discussed with students to improve their competence. There are practical approaches to adapting clinical interventions and working systemically that serve to facilitate a student's placement journey in residential aged care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some people receiving mental healthcare experience distress related to voice hearing and the available support. Some practitioners lack knowledge and confidence in providing this support. Furthermore, coercion in mental healthcare can negatively affect voice hearer-practitioner relationships. Previous research investigating mental health distress, including voice hearing, has largely emphasised an individual-centric perspective. Less is known about voice hearers' and practitioners' relational experiences within mental healthcare contexts and how this might influence voice hearing. This was a qualitative study that utilised a constructivist Grounded Theory methodology to explore the experiences of voice hearers (n = 15), through semi-structured interviews, and practitioners (n = 18) through focus group discussions (n = 3). A tripartite relationship theory situates experiences of voice hearing within a mental healthcare context, mediated through a tripartite voice hearer – voice – practitioner relationship. This consists of five themes: Level of agency; Interpersonal dynamic; Who's making sense; Medication: helping or hindering; and Personal bully. This paper presents a novel theory, grounded in voice hearers' and practitioners' experiences. This expands on current knowledge about voice hearing by situating voice hearing experiences within relational and clinical contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a systematic review that assessed the different types of mental health programs and interventions available for young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia, and identified core elements of practice for supporting the mental health of CALD youth, and key barriers that preclude CALD youth from engaging with mental health services. A total of 19 articles met inclusion criteria and a total of six distinct practices were identified: (1) personalization, identity and recognition of trauma; (2) creative expression; (3) cultural competence; (4) self-efficacy and empowerment; (5) social connections and relationships; and (6) information and content delivery. Key barriers related to engagement with CALD youth mental health programs included language and literacy barriers, stigma and shame, and service providers' limited cultural competency, and lack of diverse understandings of wellbeing. The findings from this review suggest several avenues for ensuring practice that effectively meets the unique mental health needs of CALD young people and reduces barriers to their access and engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary care health checks, screenings and GP consultations are often the gateway for people with intellectual disabilities to access their physical and mental healthcare. For a population who experience greater levels of health difficulties alongside significant health inequality, improving care quality and access is of major importance. This meta-ethnographic, qualitative review aims to explore people with intellectual disabilities experiences of health checks, screenings and GP visits, while assessing the quality of the current literature and synthesising findings to consider clinical and research recommendations based on third order constructs. A systematic search identified 20 studies that met inclusion criteria. Quality assessment of each paper was conducted. Meta-ethnography methods were used to analyse and synthesis findings. One overarching concept was identified: Include Me, along with seven core concepts; Empowerment and Disempowerment, Communication and Interpersonal Factors, Access and Adaptations and Biased Narratives and Shifting Perspectives. Implications for practice and future direction are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported among Latinxs in the U.S. Among those most affected by the pandemic are marginalized families, including those that are undocumented and mixed-status, in which some, but not all members are undocumented. Undocumented and mixed-status families face multiple and chronic daily stressors that compromised their health and wellbeing. Salient stressors faced by undocumented Latinx families include poverty, social disadvantage, discrimination, dangerous living and working conditions, and limited access to healthcare. These stressors are frequently compounded with trauma, fear of detention, deportation, and family separation. Informed by the literature and insights from our community-based work to address the health needs of undocumented and mixed status Latinx families during the pandemic, this paper uses a social determinants of health lens to present a narrative summary that highlights four primary psychosocial stressors faced by these families and their implications for mental health. These include stressors pertaining to (a) anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions; (b) family stressors and disruptions in family dynamics; (c) economic changes and financial losses; and (c) limited access to healthcare. Implications of the aforesaid stressors on the mental health of undocumented families and youth are also discussed. In addition, recommendations are provided for the provision of mental health services, best practices, and resources from a strengths-based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and mental health of necessary entrepreneurs in Brasilian favelas, the social problems they experienced and implications for public health social work. The study used structured in-person interviews within selected Favela's, with a sample size of 721 entrepreneurs, aged between 16–70 years. All participants both worked and were resident in 15 out of the 27 Brasilian federal states. The bespoke questions explored socio-demographic questions, sought information on their entrepreneurship, health and administered the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale for Health. The results highlighted that many entrepreneurs have engaged in this form of enterprise due to economic necessity, with 64% of women and 43.6% of men identifying increased levels of anxiety through the pandemic, with the presence of children in the family being statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05 chi-square test) for anxiety. Of the 9.8% sample respondents have accessed the health care service and for women with children, the impact of the pandemic accentuated existing problems of childcare and patriarchy. We conclude by highlighting the importance of universal and accessible health and mental health support and care, their ongoing accessibility, along with the importance of social work during crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people in Colombia present high rates of mental health problems, to which the country’s history of armed internal conflict contributes in complex ways. Mental health services in Colombia are fragmented, inadequate, and difficult to access for many. Young people’s help)seeking is often hindered by mental health stigma and/or poor experiences with services. This paper presents a thematic analysis of qualitative data from a mixed-methods study aimed at developing and testing a mental health intervention for Colombian youths. We draw upon theoretical lenses from scholarly work on stigma and Sen’s ‘capabilities approach’ to inform our analysis of interviews and group discussions with staff and young people involved in the state-funded human capital building programme ‘Jovenes en Acción’ (JeA). By illustrating how study participants talked about stigma, vulnerability, mental health services organisation, and the challenges of discussing mental health topics in a learning environment, we illuminate aspects of mental health support and anti-stigma interventions that might need enhancing. In particular, we suggest that more emphasis on ‘community competencies’ as complementary to and interrelated with individual competencies would strengthen young people’s individual and collective resources for mental wellbeing while being in line with the sociocritical principles of existing human capital-enhancing programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although people with a migration background (MB) have more unmet mental health needs than the general population, patients with a MB are still underrepresented in mental health care services. Provider bias towards these patients has been evidenced repeatedly but its driving factors remain elusive. We assessed the moderating effect of the individual (e.g. age and ethnicity), interpersonal (e.g. healthcare provider trust), and organisational (e.g. perceived workload) factors on general practitioners (GPs) differential decision-making regarding diagnosis, treatment, and referral for a depressed patient with or without a MB. An experimental study was carried out in which GPs were shown one of two video vignettes featuring adult male depressed patients, one with a MB and the other without. Belgian GPs (n = 797, response rate was 13%) had to decide on their diagnosis, treatment, and referral. Analysis of variance and logistic regression were used to analyse the effect of a MB, adding interaction terms for the explanatory variables. Overall, we found that there were ethnic differences in GPs' decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment recommendations. GPs perceived the symptoms of the patient with a MB as less severe (F = 7.68, p < 0.01) and demonstrated a reduced likelihood to prescribe a combination of medical and non-medical treatments (F = 11.55, p < 0.001). Those differences increased in accordance with the GP's age and perceived workload; at an interpersonal level, we found that differences increased when the GP thought the patient was exaggerating his distress. This paper showed that lower levels of trust among GPs' towards their migrant patients and high GP workloads contribute to an increased ethnic bias in medical decision-making. This may perpetuate ethnic inequalities in mental health care. Future researchers should develop an intervention to decrease the ethnic inequities in mental health care by addressing GPs' trust in their migrant and ethnic minority patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Social Work in the Age of Disconnection: Narrative Case Studies" is a book that delves into the experiences of social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the challenges faced by social workers as they transitioned to online therapy sessions and explores the impact of technology on therapeutic relationships. The book also addresses the role of social media in fostering both connection and disconnection and highlights the issue of unequal access to technology for marginalized populations. It offers a range of perspectives and insights into the evolving landscape of social work in the digital age. The collection of papers explores the impact of COVID-19 on digital communication and the practice of social workers, considering the preference of many clients for telehealth over in-person sessions. The author reflects on the tension between the power of in-person conversations and the pressure to adapt to an increasingly online business world, questioning the extent to which they should push themselves and their clients to return to in-person work. [Extracted from the article]

This document discusses the importance of promoting mental health and managing stress in the workplace for individual well-being and overall productivity. It highlights the role of both individual factors (such as coping style and support networks) and workplace factors (such as workload and opportunities for development) in contributing to stress and well-being. The document also emphasizes the need to address stigma surrounding mental health and reduce the fear of judgment and negative consequences for employees seeking help. Additionally, it explores the impact of family responsibilities on workplace stress and discusses various sites where mental health promotion and early intervention can be offered, such as the audiology setting, schools, and community-based programs. Overall, the document showcases different approaches to mental health promotion and early intervention in diverse settings. [Extracted from the article]

Communication is fundamental to mental health services for every patient, caregiver and clinician interaction. Without adequate communication skills, the aspiration to inclusion, engagement and recovery is likely to fail. Speech and language therapists provide specialist knowledge directly with patients, and indirectly via clinicians and caregivers. The objective of this study was to explore current UK provision and practice of speech and language therapists supporting working age adults with mental health conditions. A ten question online survey was shared on social media and sent to a network of speech and language therapists interested in mental health services in September 2019. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics supported by free text survey responses. From survey closing in March 2020, 96 responses were received from across the four UK nations describing widely varying services. Respondents reported concerning gaps in SLT provision, other professions not understanding the SLT role, but over 75% of respondents reported multidisciplinary ways of working. Risks associated with communication impairment are often overlooked. The understanding of mental health professionals about the role of speech and language therapists is patchy. Highlighting awareness amongst the mental health workforce about communication impairment will improve access to treatment and care for all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore, from peer workers' perspectives, the supports and strategies they use to optimise their wellbeing and effectiveness in their roles. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with nine peer workers from a community managed organisation in New South Wales, Australia in 2022. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Peer workers described four types of personal strategies: looking after myself; increasing my peer-related skills; recognising and using my skills; and advocating for and promoting peer work. They described five types of organisational support that helped them to use these strategies and influenced their wellbeing and performance: professional development opportunities; a mental health friendly environment; place of peer work in the organisation; team dynamics and support; and logistical support. This research can help stakeholders recognise the strategies and supports that are beneficial to peer workers and facilitate understanding and support between mental health staff. While a small, contextualised study, it could provide strategies for peer workers new to the industry and for organisations seeking to ensure the sustainability of their peer workforce and the quality of services supplied to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online mental health services offer programs and resources for users to better manage their mental health, where part of the process of engaging in these services involves initiatives that attempt to motivate a transition from online to face-to-face support. What can we make of those initiatives through the insight of users? This research, platforming the voices of young adults aged 18–25 years, provides valuable insights into the unique help-seeking experiences of this demographic and the effectiveness of online mental health services in facilitating a transition to face-to-face support. Using an online survey comprising of open-response and Likert scale questions, 101 participants provided qualitative and quantitative feedback. Key quantitative findings revealed 66% of participants had transitioned from online mental health services to face-to-face supports following their initial engagement. Moreover, a substantial 57.05% of participants expressed satisfaction with their online experiences. Mental health education pages were the most accessed resource by service users, with 82.18% of participants having used them. Emerging from a series of 10-point Likert scale questions, "contact with a professional" (7.58) and "receiving a referral" (9.25) were the highest rated predictors of transition, while barriers such as a "lack of motivation" and "bureaucratic complexities" were identified from qualitative data as the dominant inhibiting factors. Lastly, psychoeducation emerged as a crucial tool for empowering participants toward overcoming stigma, with the theme of trust highlighted as the most critical factor in determining the confidence of young adults attempting to transition from online to face-to-face support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incarcerated people – including those who are parents – have a diverse set of criminogenic needs and responsivity issues, raising questions about how best to support them in prison. Using a sample of 2,120 adults in state prison, this study examined self-reported needs and programs of interest, assessed how these varied by parenting status and between mothers and fathers, and considered predictors of individuals' interest in parenting services. Participants most frequently reported needs related to negative peer influences, substance use, and housing; meanwhile employment and education programs received the most interest. Parents were more likely than non-parents to express needs regarding family relationships; mothers self-identified substance use and mental health treatment, whereas fathers more often called for employment programming. Being younger, a mother, or a parent of color, as well as having younger children and contact during prison, were associated with increased odds of expressing interest in parenting programs. These findings inform decisions around prison programming that better fits individuals' self-identified needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural transgender individuals face heightened disparities relative to other transgender individuals. However, social workers and psychologists receive minimal training in transgender client care. The current study used one-way repeated measures ANOVAs to investigate the effectiveness of transgender-specific cultural competency training for social workers and psychologists working with rural clients to improve knowledge, awareness, and self-efficacy (i.e., competency) concerning transgender clients' needs. Results indicated significant differences in the change of competency among participants assigned to a transgender-specific group compared to those assigned to a general multicultural group. Thematic analysis of participants' responses to course evaluations also supported the course effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group treatment for persons with sexual offense histories has robust empirical support and is preferred by patients over individual therapy. Manuals in this field offer group leaders various topics to explore with patients, such as emotion regulation, sexuality and sexual behavior, and expectations and beliefs about interpersonal relationships – issues that are very relevant to the treatment of this population. However, our clinical experience shows that patients are preoccupied with additional issues, such as the effects of pharmacological treatment and fear of sex offender supervision officers following release from prison. In this practice-informed article, we present a protocol for use in a closed group setting, which can be used by clinicians who are working with this challenging population, whether in a prison or an inpatient or outpatient forensic facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of liturgy and rituals in guiding survivors through the healing process after a traumatic event. It emphasizes the importance of survivor-guided reconnection and the practices within faith communities that facilitate this process. Liturgical expressions, such as singing, praying, and lighting candles, are highlighted as ways to encourage embodied remembering, feelings of belonging, and inspiration. The article also discusses the different phases that survivors often go through, including the rebuilding phase and the wisdom phase, and provides strategies for healing and resilience. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to identify the variables associated with self-reported physical and psychological symptoms and the perceived health status of inmate women in Portugal. Data collection took place in two female Portuguese prisons and participated in the study 232 women. Physical symptomatology was associated with having children, physical abuse in childhood, a higher number of chronic diseases, and anxiety. Older women, the experience of sexual abuse, and chronic diseases were associated with a worse perception of physical health. Psychological symptoms were higher in women that reported substance abuse before prison, chronic diseases, anxiety, and depression. Finally, a combination of the prior variables (sexual abuse, anxiety, and depression) and three additional variables (lower education level, not having contact with mental health services before prison, and being already sentenced) was associated with worse perceptions of mental health conditions. These findings can be used as a platform for future research, as well as a tool for prison policy regarding the particular gender health needs of inmate women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Former asylums are often significant heritage sites for their architecture and what they can tell us about mental health care practices. One example is the historic Mayday Hills asylum in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia. Built in Italianate style and set in extensive grounds, it is under National Trust protection for its heritage and historical significance. In this article, we outline the creation of a pilot online virtual tour of Mayday Hills and the nearby Beechworth Cemetery. We used curation as a methodology, informed by the concept of crystallisation. Innovative digital imagery was crafted through drone footage and virtual technology. The website includes narratives and reminiscences from former staff and others associated with the institution, along with a blog written by the research team. Maydayhills.org.au demonstrates the feasibility of using virtual technology to depict how mental illness was once treated in Australia. The website is available to anyone unable to travel to Beechworth and to enrich the experience of those visiting in person. This online digital space is now essential for the preservation of history, memories and material culture given that many original buildings are being repurposed. It complements the built and natural environment of Mayday Hills asylum and Beechworth Cemetery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This rapid review used a systematic approach to examine the available literature on rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) programs for women and children returning from contexts of violent extremism, examining common assumptions, inputs, activities and outcomes across diverse settings. Fifty-one documents including peer reviewed articles and grey literature were included in the analysis. The most common program activities identified included mental health services, community level social programs, promoting school and vocational enrollment, regular health services, and parenting training & education, though there was a lack of consensus around core program components. The analysis points to the need for a robust set of inputs and resources to implement R&R programs including government officials, child welfare, mental health professionals, teachers, law enforcement, healthcare, community leaders, and extended family. The review also uncovered a number of gaps. This includes the need to create clear and analytically distinct definitions of rehabilitation and reintegration that are applicable and relevant to key stakeholders, delineating age-appropriate activities and outcomes for young children, youth, and adults, defining frameworks for service delivery and coordination of stakeholders, and placing R&R programs within existing domains of public safety and restorative justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]