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Objective: To examine the factors associated with psychological distress in parents and carers of Aboriginal children living in urban communities in New South Wales.Design: Cross-sectional survey (phase one of the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health [SEARCH], November 2007 - December 2011).Setting and Participants: Primary care; 589 parents and carers of Aboriginal children were recruited when attending one of the four Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in urban NSW that participated in SEARCH.Main Outcome Measure: Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) scores; a score of 22 or higher was deemed to indicate high levels of psychological distress.Results: High levels of psychological distress were identified in 18% of our sample. The factors most strongly associated with this distress were functional limitations (v those with K10 scores under 22: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.2; 95% CI, 1.3-13.5), previous hospitalisation (aOR, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.5-19.4) or other treatment for social and emotional wellbeing (aOR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3-8.4), low satisfaction with feeling part of the community (aOR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70-0.98) and low involvement in clubs and groups (aOR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.3).Conclusions: Clinicians should note that those with functional limitations or a history of treatment for mental health problems are at higher risk of psychological distress and may require additional support. Increased funding that allows ACCHSs to provide mental health services, and funding and promoting programs and activities that increase social connectedness should remain focuses for ACCHSs and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study of the perceptions of terrorism by survivors of the 2002 Bali, Indonesia bombing of factors that influence coping and recovery, as well as aimed at determining whether coping supports vary based on demographic, physical and mental health, incident-exposure and bereavement variables. Findings highlight the perceived value of counselling-related services provided to terrorism-affected groups, wherein, male survivors may benefit more from mental health intervention.

The article presents a study which examines the health status of individuals, mentally and physically, after eight years of being affected by the 2012 Bali bombing. It mentions that the main outcome measures include the past-month psychological distress and daily functioning and traumatic stress-related symptoms. The result of the study shows that directly affected individuals had good physical health but relatively high rates of psychological distress, eight years after the incident.

The article presents an Australian study which aims to determine changes in public threat perception and compliance with health-protective behaviors in response to future pandemic. Data used in the study were collected before and after the H1N1 influenza pandemic in Australia. Participants surveyed by the research were residents of New South Wales numbering some 2,081 in 2007 and 2,038 in 2010. The article also discusses the study's main outcome measures and its results and conclusion as well.

Resettled refugees living in Western countries frequently report high levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This study sought to measure levels of physiological arousal in a group of resettled Iraqi refugees in Australia receiving psychological treatment. A continuous recording of electrocardiogram (ECG) data was used to examine baseline heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in refugees ( n = 25) and healthy age- and sex-matched controls ( n = 23). Descriptively, PTSD (48%) was the most commonly noted disorder followed equally by major depressive episode (36%) and dysthymia (36%) in the refugees. Examination of the physiological data indicated that the refugee group had increased resting HR compared with healthy controls (78.84 vs. 60.08 beats per minute, p < .001). No significant differences were noted in the HRV data with age, gender, and years of education included in the model. This finding highlights the importance of examining levels of arousal in refugees presenting with mental health complaints to provide appropriate treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the threat of major and complex health disasters known in the Asia-Pacific region. The author discusses the initiatives that targets to extenuate the hazards and their effects which requires the knowledge of threats and its prevention as well as the strategies to help people in communities. She also asserts that mental health problems are a leading and prevalent component of health burden of disease worldwide.

Objective: To determine factors associated with risk perception of continuing drought in Australia. Design and setting: Computer Assisted Telephone Interview survey. The sample was weighted to the New South Wales population. Participants: A total of 2004 adults aged 16 years and over. Results: Overall 55.9% of the respondents thought drought was extremely or very likely to continue, 60.1% were extremely or very concerned that they or their family would be affected, and 86.3% reported that they had made some level of change to the way that they lived their lives because of the perceived risk of continuing drought. After controlling for confounding factors, the odds of perceived drought being extremely or very likely to continue, concern for self or family and making changes to behaviour because of the possibility of continuing drought were significantly higher in women than men by 43%, 59% and 86%, respectively. Compared with those who lived in highly accessible geographical areas, respondents who lived in remote or very remote geographical areas were 3.22 (adjusted odds ratios = 3.22; 95% CI, 1.69–6.14) times more likely to think that drought would continue and were 3.72 (adjusted odds ratios = 3.72; 95% CI, 1.10–12.56) times more likely to have changed the way they lived their lives because of the possibility of continuing drought. Conclusion: Over half of the New South Wales population thought drought was very or extremely likely to continue. The baseline data collected in this survey will be useful for monitoring changes over time in the population's perceptions of continuing drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the role and involvement of general practitioners (GPs) in disaster preparedness, response and recovery systems in Australia. Topics include the experience and strong sense of responsibility and moral obligation of GPs to their patients and in responding to disasters, the principles of disaster management, and support from general practice organisations (GPOs).

This paper considers many of the theoretical and practical issues underlying the provision of bereavement counseling, and discusses (a) risk factors for bereaved people, (b) therapeutic assessment of bereaved people and planning of care, (c) provision of services aimed at diminishing risk and facilitating grief and mourning, (d) key issues of family and social support in bereavement counseling, and (e) the need for further development and coordination of services for the bereaved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used a 25-item questionnaire to examine the perceptions of 128 people with a close interest in bereavement and its literature. The study is part of a project to identify key aspects and the bereavement process. Subjects were asked to rate their perceptions of key bereavement phenomena with regards their frequency in the acute and later stages of bereavement. Descriptive results are presented and discussed, and a profile of phenomena perceived to be common to both stages is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper overviews the development of Australian mental health services during disasters as well as recording research conducted and outcomes published. A comprehensive review of disaster research conducted on the Australian continent over the past 15 years has been undertaken. This includes ‘natural disasters’ of flood, bush fire, cyclone, and earthquake; as well as ‘man-made’ disasters of rail accident, bus crash, shipwreck, and mass shootings. The Australian mental health response to disasters has evolved progressively through a changing focus from broad evaluations in early studies to systematic exploration of the mental health impact. Ongoing research should consider prevention at every level, further exploration of etiology, and the issues of service provision across the diverse nature of Australian society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the emerging mental health themes for children and adolescents in several Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) in Sydney, New South Wales. The study participants were interviewed to gather data characterizing the mental health conditions of Aboriginal young people concerned. Several mental health themes were identified and categorized including issues related to kinship relationships and identity.

The authors discuss the issue of sexual abuse in the medical profession in Australia. Topics discussed include the sexual abuse of physicians to medical students, the impact of the abuse on victims and the medical practice, the potential means of healing from the abuse, and the need for professional culture change in the future.

The author expresses his views on the courage, compassion and connectedness that arose during the December 2014 siege in Sydney, New South Wales. Topics include the response by police, counterterrorism agencies and other experts to the incident, the leadership shown by civic agencies through the hours of uncertainty, and the concerns for outcomes and outpouring of grief over the tragedy. Also mentioned is the role played by general practitioners in helping those who may be vulnerable.

The article discusses the highlights of a workshop offered by Australia in an effort to support China's response to mental health problems. A team, composed of core members of the National Mental Health Disaster Response Taskforce, collaborated with Chinese officials to tackle mental health-related concepts such as psychological first aid, resilience building and evidence-based strategies for trauma. The workshop was held in Chengdu in Sichuan Province in July 2009, and was funded by AusAID.

The author reflects on compassionate response and practical support given by local communities to the victims of the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires in South Australia. Studies by Australian researchers have shown that the most important early responses are protecting and comforting those who are affected and linking them to loved ones and ensuring assessment and follow-up. General practitioners, nurses and social workers played an important role in caring for the victims.

Comments on an article exploring the words patient, client and customer in medical care. Relation of the word patient to medical care; Essential elements of health care.