scholarly journals Defining COVID-19 as a Disaster Helps Guide Public Mental Health Policy

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e44-e45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Alkhayyat ◽  
Kishan Pankhania
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Physical Effects ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Mental Health Effects

ABSTRACTThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a devastating chapter in history. The consequences of the pandemic unfold daily and they extend beyond physical health. Current research suggests that it is a public mental health crisis. With regard to the physical effects of COVID-19, policy-makers have drawn from past experiences, such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003, to craft unique responses. A similar approach must be taken to address the mental health effects of the pandemic. Because COVID-19 can fit the definitions of a mental health disaster, it can be addressed using the principles of disaster mental health management. This letter to the editor presents arguments for defining COVID-19 as a mental health disaster, the challenges facing policy-makers in addressing it as such, and calls upon researchers to fill this gap in the literature.

At the Cliff: Partnership and Collaboration to Address our Public Mental Health Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. xiii-xviii
Author(s):  
Suzie C. Nelson ◽  
Jessica K. Jeffrey ◽  
Mark S. Borer ◽  
Barry D. Sarvet
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis

The Making of Mental Health Policy: The 1980s and the Challenge of Sanity in Quebec and Ontario

1987 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Françoise Boudreau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Political Language ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Volunteer Organizations ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Convergence And Divergence

This paper examines the current socio-political language in the formulation of mental health policy in Ontario and Quebec. “Before long,” coherent and rational policy has been promised in each province to “solve” today's mental health crisis—often identified as that of “deinstitutionaliztion.” However, there is not just one view. Here, we examine the arguments presented in the form of briefs, reports, and working documents on the part of mental health professionals, governments and unions, patient groups, and volunteer organizations in both provinces. We analyze the areas of convergence and divergence and attempt to make sense of this mass of material so important in the formulation of a sensible and sensitive government policy of action.

scholarly journals The importance of psychiatry in public mental health

2015 ◽  
Vol 207 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Mehta ◽  
Sally C. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The World

SummaryThere is a lack of consensus over fundamental issues in public mental health in England. A move away from poorly evidenced ‘well-being’ policy approaches is needed. The authors have developed a more inclusive model using the World Health Organization's approach to public mental health. Public mental health policy makers must acknowledge the importance of psychiatry within the field.

scholarly journals Mental health crisis in midlife – a proposed research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawid Gondek ◽  
Bettina Moltrecht ◽  
George Ploubidis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Increased Risk

There is a growing amount of evidence indicating increased levels of psychological distress, suicide rates and decreased well-being in midlife (age 45-55). We refer to this phenomenon as the ‘midlife mental health crisis’. As there is little empirical evidence or theoretical grounds to explain the midlife mental health crisis, we propose a research agenda. In order to facilitate further research, we consulted members of public, mental health professionals and researchers on potential reasons for the midlife mental health crisis. Subsequently, we translated those into research questions testable with the British birth cohorts. We propose a series of studies using three statistical modelling approaches: descriptive (what is the midlife mental health crisis?), predictive (who is at increased risk of experiencing the midlife mental health crisis?) and explanatory (what are the processes leading to the midlife mental health crisis?).

scholarly journals Mental health crisis in midlife – a proposed research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawid Gondek ◽  
Bettina Moltrecht ◽  
George Ploubidis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Increased Risk

There is a growing amount of evidence indicating increased levels of psychological distress, suicide rates and decreased well-being in midlife (age 45-55). We refer to this phenomenon as the ‘midlife mental health crisis’. As there is little empirical evidence or theoretical grounds to explain the midlife mental health crisis, we propose a research agenda. In order to facilitate further research, we consulted members of public, mental health professionals and researchers on potential reasons for the midlife mental health crisis. Subsequently, we translated those into research questions testable with the British birth cohorts. We propose a series of studies using three statistical modelling approaches: descriptive (what is the midlife mental health crisis?), predictive (who is at increased risk of experiencing the midlife mental health crisis?) and explanatory (what are the processes leading to the midlife mental health crisis?).

scholarly journals Supporting Young People’s Mental Health: Reconceptualizing the Role of Schools or a Step Too far?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Glazzard ◽  
Samuel Stones
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
The Government

This article provides an overview of the United Kingdom government’s strategy for children’s mental health in schools. Critique of the mental health policy document demonstrates that the government has adopted a clinical approach to resolving the mental health “crisis” among children and young people. We argue that a clinical solution, implemented in schools, is not based on robust evidence and that the policy reflects a medical model which positions children and young people with mental ill health through a deficit lens. We argue that the government should, instead, adopt a systemic response which directly addresses the underlying factors which cause mental ill health rather than implementing a clinical approach in schools. We argue that a clinical response at the level of the individual is not appropriate for most children and young people with mental ill health and that there needs to be an urgent review of policy.

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