scholarly journals Can we expect an increased suicide rate due to Covid-19?

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Devitt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Historical Paper ◽  
Economic Recessions ◽  
Insight Into

Human disasters come in all shapes and sizes including wars, terrorist violence, natural events, economic recessions and depressions as well as infection. As a species more fragile than we often allow, humans would be expected to adversely react to these types of disasters in terms of mental ill health and possibly suicidal behaviour leading to increased demands on the Mental Health services. This narrative historical paper examines relevant studies into how previous disasters affected mental health and suicidal behaviour. The characteristics of what is known of the current Covid-19 disease are analysed and compared to other types of disasters with a view to gaining some insight into what we might expect. Of all the types of disasters, economic recession appears most toxic. Mitigating the worst effects of recession appears to be protective. Particularly vulnerable groups are identified in whom we might expect an increase in suicidal behaviour.

scholarly journals The impact of strengthening mental health services to prevent suicidal behaviour

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 642-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo-An Atkinson ◽  
Andrew Page ◽  
Mark Heffernan ◽  
Geoff McDonnell ◽  
Ante Prodan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Service Capacity ◽  
Forecast Period ◽  
Hospital Staffing

Objective: Successive suicide prevention frameworks and action plans in Australia and internationally have called for improvements to mental health services and enhancement of workforce capacity. However, there is debate regarding the priorities for resource allocation and the optimal combination of mental health services to best prevent suicidal behaviour. This study investigates the potential impacts of service capacity improvements on the incidence of suicidal behaviour in the Australian context. Methods: A system dynamics model was developed to investigate the optimal combination of (1) secondary (acute) mental health service capacity, (2) non-secondary (non-acute) mental health service capacity and (3) resources to re-engage those lost to services on the incidence of suicidal behaviour over the period 2018–2028 for the Greater Western Sydney (Australia) population catchment. The model captured population and behavioural dynamics and mental health service referral pathways and was validated using population survey and administrative data, evidence syntheses and an expert stakeholder group. Results: Findings suggest that 28% of attempted suicide and 29% of suicides could be averted over the forecast period based on a combination of increases in (1) hospital staffing (with training in trauma-informed care), (2) non-secondary health service capacity, (3) expansion of mental health assessment capacity and (4) re-engagement of at least 45% of individuals lost to services. Reduction in the number of available psychiatric beds by 15% had no substantial impact on the incidence of attempted suicide and suicide over the forecast period. Conclusion: This study suggests that more than one-quarter of suicides and attempted suicides in the Greater Western Sydney population catchment could potentially be averted with a combination of increases to hospital staffing and non-secondary (non-acute) mental health care. Reductions in tertiary care services (e.g. psychiatric hospital beds) in combination with these increases would not adversely affect subsequent incidence of suicidal behaviour.

scholarly journals MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DURING THE PANDEMIC: THE EXPERIENCES OF LITHUANIAN PSYCHOLOGISTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 217-229
Author(s):  
Rita Vaičekauskaitė ◽  
Jurgita Babarskienė ◽  
Jūratė Grubliauskienė
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis

With the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, many countries face an unprecedented mental health crisis, which is being addressed in various ways, including the use of remote mental health services. Lithuania faced two quarantines: in March-June of 2020 and starting November 2020 up to Spring of 2021.  The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of Lithuanian psychologists providing mental health services during the pandemic.  Using the qualitative content analysis method, the following categories were made: from shock to discovery of new opportunities (differences in two lockdowns, better accessibility of services, help-seeking during the pandemic, and the importance of self-care) and contextual challenges (confidentiality, computer literacy, and blurred home/work boundaries). Implications for addressing psychological service issues are discussed, with an emphasis on self-care, setting boundaries, and finding new ways to enhance mental health via mediated communication as well as to reach out to vulnerable groups.

scholarly journals Promoting meaningful recovery with digital mental health care

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Carpenter-Song
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Integration Of Technology ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract There is growing interest in digital mental health as well as accumulating evidence of the potential for technology-based tools to augment traditional mental health services and to potentially overcome barriers to access and use of mental health services. Our research group has examined how people with mental illnesses think about and make use of technology in their everyday lives as a means to provide insight into the emerging paradigm of digital mental health. This research has been guided by anthropological approaches that emphasise lived experience and underscore the complexity of psychiatric recovery. In this commentary I describe how an anthropological approach has motivated us to ask how digital technology can be leveraged to promote meaningful recovery for people with mental illnesses and to develop a new approach to the integration of technology-based tools for people with mental illnesses.

Mental health and human rights in Morocco: The urgent need for new policy

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S568-S568
Author(s):  
C. Aroui ◽  
A. Khoubila ◽  
K. Mchichi Alami ◽  
M. Agoub ◽  
O. Battas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health And Human Rights

IntroductionAll over the world, there is global emergency when it comes to respecting human rights in providing good mental health services. Morocco as an African and a developing country has always had a mental health policy defined by several glitches and failures, which had not helped him improve its mental health services quality. Nevertheless, huge improvements were achieved through time.ObjectivesThis report, aims to draw attention on how compulsory it is to think and act all together to promote mental health and provide patients with better health services in Morocco.MethodsThe National Human Rights Council conducted an information and investigation mission in Morocco's main mental health hospitals and facilities between March 27 and July 6, 2012.ResultsStructures are insufficient and inadequate in terms of geographical distribution, architecture and equipment. There is a big shortage of medical and paramedical staff and little interest is given to vulnerable groups. Nevertheless, huge improvements have also been achieved through time with mental health issues becoming a cornerstone of the ministerial program, the involvement of the NGOs, the construction of newer facilities, the implementation of an information gathering system and the presence of a substance use policy.ConclusionPsychiatry in Morocco has come a long way since it was firstly implemented in the country as a medical specialty. Undoubtedly, a lot has been done but much more remains to be achieved. The current situation requires relevant actions and that clearly includes the implementation of a new mental health policy and the update of the legal framework.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Psychotic experiences in a mental health clinic sample: implications for suicidality, multimorbidity and functioning

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1615-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Kelleher ◽  
N. Devlin ◽  
J. T. W. Wigman ◽  
A. Kehoe ◽  
A. Murtagh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Global Functioning ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Wide Range

BackgroundRecent community-based research has suggested that psychotic experiences act as markers of severity of psychopathology. There has, however, been a lack of clinic-based research. We wished to investigate, in a clinical sample of adolescents referred to a state-funded mental health service, the prevalence of (attenuated or frank) psychotic experiences and the relationship with (i) affective, anxiety and behavioural disorders, (ii) multimorbid psychopathology, (iii) global functioning, and (iv) suicidal behaviour.MethodThe investigation was a clinical case–clinical control study using semi-structured research diagnostic psychiatric assessments in 108 patients newly referred to state adolescent mental health services.ResultsPsychotic experiences were prevalent in a wide range of (non-psychotic) disorders but were strong markers of risk in particular for multimorbid psychopathology (Z = 3.44, p = 0.001). Young people with psychopathology who reported psychotic experiences demonstrated significantly poorer socio-occupational functioning than young people with psychopathology who did not report psychotic experiences, which was not explained by multimorbidity. Psychotic experiences were strong markers of risk for suicidal behaviour. Stratified analyses showed that there was a greatly increased odds of suicide attempts in patients with a major depressive disorder [odds ratio (OR) 8.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59–49.83], anxiety disorder (OR 15.4, 95% CI 1.85–127.94) or behavioural disorder (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.11–8.79) who also had psychotic experiences compared with patients who did not report psychotic experiences.ConclusionsPsychotic experiences (attenuated or frank) are an important but under-recognized marker of risk for severe psychopathology, including multimorbidity, poor functioning and suicidal behaviour in young people who present to mental health services.

scholarly journals Coping with a coroner's inquest: a psychiatrist's guide

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul St John-Smith ◽  
Albert Michael ◽  
Teifion Davies
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Community Psychiatrist

SummaryDuring the period 2000–2004 the average annual suicide rate in England and Wales was 10.2 deaths per 100 000 population over 10 years of age. About a quarter of those who take their own lives are in contact with mental health services in the year before their death. This means that an average in-patient, sector or community psychiatrist is likely to experience the death of at least one patient by suicide in most years. Suicides by patients cause considerable distress for the psychiatrist that is unlikely to resolve until after the coroner's hearing. This article discusses suicide prevention and provides guidance for psychiatrists on preparing for a coroner's inquest following a patient's death that may have been by suicide.

Population needs for mental health services. Introduction to the theme

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (S1) ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
Ville Lehtinen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Public And Private

All over the world large sums of both public and private money are expended on the operation of psychiatric health care services. In most of the European countries mental health care expenditures, as well as the total health care budget, increased quite rapidly during the 80s. But in the 90s the economic recession has forced to cut down costs which has meant a decrease in mental health resources and, evidently, an increase of the unmet need for these services in the population.The problem is that the development of mental health services has been, for the most part, merely accidental and random, usually not clearly planned and based neither on real knowledge of the population needs nor on setting priorities when all needs can not be satisfied. During the period of increasing resources there was no real need for priority setting; somewhat exaggerating one can say that every emerging demand for services could be met by allocating new resources. During the recession, on the other hand, the cutting of costs have been the main goal, leading again to an unplanned development: the cuts of resources have been rather forced and panicky, not based on consideration of true population needs or the consequences of the development.

Maximising resilience resources for mental healthcare staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-53
Author(s):  
Nicole S. Gevaux ◽  
Stephanie Petty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate optimal resources to promote resilience in staff working in inpatient mental health services. The study also provides an example of card sorting methodology used as an efficient way to identify the most helpful resources for resilience. Design/methodology/approach In total, 25 clinical staff participated in the study. A preliminary focus group and brief literature search identified resources used in two tasks. Two card sorting tasks identified resources participants found helpful vs unhelpful and abundant vs scarce, and resources they would find valuable to use more often. Findings The results indicate that most resources helpful to resilience and available to staff were personal resources (relating to positive outlooks or ways of working), whereas resources valuable to resilience but scarce in the working environment were organisational resources (relating to management or social workplace culture). Resources found to not be valuable to resilience were largely personal tangible resources (e.g. smoking, massages). Practical implications The findings and method may be generalisable to other mental health services, giving insight into promoting resilience within individuals and organisations. This information could serve as guidelines to streamline the allocation of organisational resources to best promote resilience across various mental health settings. Originality/value Staff resilience to working in mental health services contributes to high-quality, sustainable patient care. This study provides further insight into how personal and organisational resources are both vital to resilience in staff working in highly challenging environments.

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