scholarly journals An engaged approach to exploring issues around poverty and mental health: A reflective evaluation of the research process from researchers and community partners involved in the DeStress study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Thomas ◽  
Lorraine Hansford ◽  
Katrina Wyatt ◽  
Richard Byng ◽  
Karen Coombes ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742199879
Author(s):  
Selma Musić ◽  
Rosiel Elwyn ◽  
Grace Fountas ◽  
Inge Gnatt ◽  
Zoe M Jenkins ◽  
...  

Although the inclusion of individuals with lived experience is encouraged within the research process, there remains inconsistent direct involvement in many mental health fields. Within the eating disorders field specifically, there is a very strong and increasing presence of lived experience advocacy. However, due to a number of potential challenges, research undertaken in consultation or in collaboration with individuals with lived experience of an eating disorder is scarce. This paper describes the significant benefits of the inclusion of individuals with lived experience in research. The specific challenges and barriers faced in eating disorders research are also outlined. It is concluded that in addition to existing guidelines on working with lived experience collaborators in mental health research, more specific procedures are required when working with those with eating disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa D. Hawke ◽  
Natasha Y. Sheikhan ◽  
Karen MacCon ◽  
Joanna Henderson

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, youth mental health and substance use services rapidly moved to virtual modalities to meet social distancing requirements. It is important to understand youth attitudes toward and experience of virtual services. Objective This study examined the attitudes toward and experiences of virtual mental health and substance use services among youth drawn from clinical and non-clinical samples. Method Four hundred nine youth completed a survey including questions about their attitudes toward and experience of virtual services. The survey included quantitative and open-ended questions on virtual care, as well as a mental health and substance use screener. Results The majority of youth with mental health or substance use challenges would be willing to consider individual virtual services, but fewer would consider group virtual services. However, many have not received virtual services. Youth are interested in accessing a wide variety of virtual services and other supportive wellness services. Advantages and disadvantages of virtual services are discussed, including accessibility benefits and technological barriers. Discussion As youth mental health and substance use services have rapidly gone virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that we hear the perspectives of youth to promote service utilization among those in need. Diverse, accessible, technologically stable virtual services are required to meet the needs of different youth, possibly with in-person options for some youth. Future research, engaging youth in the research process, is needed to evaluate the efficacy of virtual services to plan for the sustainability of some virtual service gains beyond the pandemic period.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Bartsch ◽  
Vicki K. Rodgers ◽  
Don Strong

Outcomes of older adults referred for care management and mental health services through the senior reach gatekeeper model of case finding were examined in this study and compared with the Spokane gatekeeper model. Colorado Senior Reach and the Mid-Kansas Senior Outreach (MKSO) programs are the two Senior Reach Gatekeeper programs modeled after the Spokane program, employing the same community education and gatekeeper model and with mental health treatment for elderly adults in need of support. The three mature programs were compared on seniors served, isolation, and depression ratings. Nontraditional community gatekeepers were trained and referred seniors in need. Findings indicate that individuals served by the two Senior Reach Gatekeeper programs demonstrated significant improvements. Isolation indicators such as social isolation decreased, and depression symptoms and suicide ideation also decreased. These findings for two Senior Reach Gatekeeper programs demonstrate that the gatekeeper approach to training community partners worked in referring at-risk seniors in need, in meeting their needs, and in having a positive impact on their lives.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-404
Author(s):  
Neerosh Mudaly

There is considerable research on the impact of maternal mental health issues on infants’ development. These studies emphasise the importance of early interventions to prevent the development of psychopathology later in life. In many studies infants who are involved in video-recorded studies show an observable distressed reaction. Whilst these studies have made major contributions to the field of child development, a key question that arises is: is it ethically acceptable in research with pre-verbal children for them to experience emotional distress during the research process? This article explores the ethical issues of harm and benefit from the perspective of the child. It aims further to refine discussion and understanding of children’s vulnerability and examines pre-verbal children’s ethical rights in video-recorded observation studies.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Deborah Saltman ◽  
Bronwyn Veale ◽  
Gina Bloom

Little is known about how consumers select mental health providers. In the literature there is an absence of information to assist consumers and referral agencies including general practitioners, in making informed choices. This paper reports the research process undertaken to develop such a resource. Interviews were conducted with representatives from a variety of groups identified by consumers and providers as supplying mental health services, including: general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, Relationships Australia (NSW), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), postnatal depression self-help groups, Lifeline, the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW, spiritual healers, and, consumer consultants. The interviews covered issues of cost, type of services provided, goals of management, limitations of therapy, consumer information about the process, sessions, therapist credentials, training, background and experience, professional and personal development, quality assurance, research, referral, access, and confidentiality. Indicators for ascertaining effectiveness of the therapist's work were also delineated. Although there was a great deal of similarity in views concerning the nature of therapy held by a range of providers of mental health services, differences of approach did emerge that need to be brought to the awareness of consumers. Comparing responses of mental health providers to the same questions allows other issues such as priorities and access to be gauged by comparing these responses. The strength of this approach is that it allows the presentation of information in a manner that allows consumers to make comparisons and choices based on information obtained in a context similar to the therapeutic situation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (14) ◽  
pp. 2343-2350
Author(s):  
Candice M. Waddell ◽  
Rachel V. Herron ◽  
Jason Gobeil ◽  
Frank Tacan ◽  
Margaret De Jager ◽  
...  

Research continues to be a dirty word for many Indigenous people. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a means to disrupt power dynamics by engaging community members within the research process. However, the majority of relationships between researcher and participants within CBPR are structured within Western research paradigms and they often reproduce imbalances of power. The purpose of this article is to reflect on the process of CBPR within a research project focused on Indigenous men’s masculinity and mental health. In doing so, we aim to contribute to reflexive practice in CBPR and flatten research hierarchies to facilitate more equitable knowledge sharing. Our reflections highlight the importance of prioritizing healing, centering cultural protocols, negotiating language, and creating space for Indigenous research partners to lead. These critical lessons challenge Western researchers to ground their practices in Indigenous culture while they “sit outside the circle” to facilitate more equitable and engaged partnerships.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (23-24) ◽  
pp. 4817-4837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkiru Nnawulezi ◽  
Cris M. Sullivan ◽  
Suzanne Marcus ◽  
Latoya Young ◽  
Margaret Hacskaylo

The choice of research design affects not only internal and external validity but ecological validity as well. Ecological validity refers to the extent to which data are based in and relevant to real-world settings. One way for researchers to maximize the likelihood of achieving ecological validity is to design studies with community partners that use participatory approaches. Engaging deeply with community partners in determining what to study, how to measure constructs of interest, interpreting results, and using findings to create change is one means of conducting research that is likely to produce findings that are meaningful to communities. Conducting in-depth, participatory research within agencies providing crisis supports to individuals who have experienced trauma creates an additional level of complexity in the research process. This article presents a case example of how academic researchers and staff members of a nonprofit organization working with survivors of intimate partner violence collaborated on an evaluation of the community partner agency. As part of this process, the team members had to be continually aware of and responsive to the nature of crisis-focused work. We provide a reflexive account of the lessons learned and recommendations for future research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 47-50
Author(s):  
Laura Elliot

Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools in Asheville, N.C., have partnered with the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County to develop strategies for responding to the emotional and mental health needs of middle school students in those districts. More than 40 community partners have joined their efforts, which include a focus on resilience and mindfulness.


2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Salvi ◽  
Julia Jones ◽  
Mirella Ruggeri

SUMMARYAims – Service user involvement in mental health service development and research is becoming more common in countries like the UK. USA and Canada. This systematic review of the international scientific literature has been carried out to assess the stage of development of mental health service users involvement in research. Method – Systematic review of any research project actively involving service users in any part of the research process. Results – Thirty-five studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Nine studies used quantitative techniques, 24 used qualitative techniques and two studies used both quantitative and qualitative techniques. While three studies were user-led, in three other studies the users were simply consulted but did not have any active role in the research. The remaining 29 studies were based on a collaboration between service users and professional researchers. Conclusions – The involvement of mental health service users in the research process is feasible both in quantitative and qualitative research studies. The involvement of service users in research has a number of benefits; such research requires more accurate planning and more time than the traditional research.Declaration of Interest: none.


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