Mental health and policing: Picking up the pieces in a broken system

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-99
Author(s):  
Eileen Florence Pepler ◽  
Clay G. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
High Utilizers ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Impact

A key theme of this article is the need to view the intersection of public safety and public health through a new lens to break down the traditional information silos of the many agencies that serve vulnerable populations and the impact of inadequate community-based mental health services that contribute to the increasing number of calls to police in responding to people in or approaching a mental health crisis. The manifestation of this crisis in the community is that the police are too often the first port in the storm. This article suggests the system is broken and needs fixing. Implementing a population health approach to identifying the high utilizers in the community and building a case for sustained funding, partnerships, resources, and accountability together with data sharing agreements, community partners and police collaboratively design and evaluate outcome approaches aimed at prevention and recovery to minimize contact with the police.

scholarly journals The mental state of Americans amid the COVID-19 crisis: How socially vulnerable populations face greater disparities during and after a crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 69-80
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Dubois, MBA ◽  
Xiaojun (Jenny) Yuan, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Challenges

The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis has accentuated divides and caused millions of Americans to suffer from increased mental health challenges. Although these challenges are seen throughout the country, socially vulnerable populations including frontline workers, older adults, and children, among others, face increased risk of mental health issues. There has been a notable mental health crisis in the country due to the isolation, stay-at-home orders, and preventive measures put in place to curb the spread. This study investigates the mental health challenges that socially vulnerable populations often face during crises and presents the factors affecting these populations during (and following) the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on an analysis of these factors, several recommendations are made to aid emergency managers, public health officials, policymakers, and academics in better addressing mental health challenges as we continue to battle COVID-19 and in preparation for future public health crises.

scholarly journals Fear as a mental health crisis in the context of global risks and changes

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
M.I. Rozenova ◽  
V.I. Ekimova ◽  
A.S. Ognev ◽  
E.V. Likhacheva
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
The State ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Structural Concept ◽  
Emergency Events ◽  
The Impact

The paper presents the analysis of the results of international and national research in the field of studying the impact of global crises and pandemic situations (including COVID-19) on the state of mental health of people. Traditionally, the fear that accompanies emergency events and situations is considered as a source of mental and psychological traumatology of various kinds, however, the authors consider fear in a period of global risks and changes, from the point of view of not the cause, but an indicator of a decrease in the integrity of a person's mental health. The initial theoretical model that allows us to differentiate and diagnose different qualities of fear was the "I-structural" concept of G. Amon, which allows us to describe and understand the specific phenomenology of fears in the pandemic period. The qualities of fear, manifested in its constructive, destructive and deficient form, according to the authors, reflect the resource reserve of a person's mental health and the level of his psychological stability.

scholarly journals The Role of Non-governmental Organizations in Community-based COVID-19 Education: A Qualitative Study in South Africa and Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Johnston ◽  
Kelly Zhang Aluri ◽  
Kira-Leigh Kuhnert ◽  
Nophiwe Job ◽  
Charles Prober
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BackgroundEnsuring access to accurate and actionable health information is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low-resource settings. Among marginalized groups, there are disparities in access to information, along with significant mistrust of government sources. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in community-level health education can play an important role in bridging mistrust and targeting information to reach vulnerable populations. There is a lack of research on the experiences and needs of organizations involved in disseminating health information during the pandemic. MethodsThis study uses a qualitative approach to investigate the current strategies, challenges, and needs of community-based organizations involved in COVID-19 public education. From May to June 2020, we conducted 19 semi-structured interviews with leaders of organizations in South Africa and Zambia. Participants were asked a series of open-ended questions in three domains: 1) the impact of the pandemic on the communities served by the organization, 2) their COVID-19 response, and 3) organization needs and challenges during the pandemic. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. Coding and analysis were conducted by four study authors and every interview was independently coded by 2 separate authors to maximize internal validity and consistency.Results5 themes relevant to the roles and challenges of locally active NGO’s were identified: (1) they intimately understand community needs during the pandemic; (2) they adapt to pandemic constraints to continue supporting vulnerable populations; (3) they play a unique role in educating the public about COVID-19 due to established access and trust within communities; (4) they are able to customize health education and information to address nuanced needs of local communities served; and (5) they need external support to effectively respond to the pandemic.ConclusionsOverall, our study contributes a deeper understanding of the role of NGOs in providing needed support and customized health education for vulnerable communities during a global public health crisis. To maximize their ability to support their communities, NGO’s would benefit from access to educational resources designed to be easily modified, support in navigating technological and safety challenges during the pandemic, and sustainable funding.

Breaking down the barriers to mental health crisis care: Evaluation of a training package for emergency department clinicians

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s895-s895
Author(s):  
M. Fernando ◽  
M. Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Crisis Care ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionAbout one in 20 attendances at emergency departments (EDs) in the UK relate to mental health, yet recent work has shown that a majority of people presenting with mental health crises do not report positive experiences (Care Quality Commission, 2015). Although there are many reasons for this, one may be a lack of mental health training for staff working in EDs. In response to this, a new training module for multi-professional ED staff was developed.Objectives and methodsWe aimed to assess the impact of this new module on clinicians’ confidence in managing mental health presentations. Thirty-eight ED doctors and nurses across two centers were asked to complete surveys before and after receiving training.ResultsFollowing training, we found improvements in confidence in each of five domains explored: assessing self-harm; managing someone with personality difficulties; assessing psychotic symptoms; distinguishing between physical and psychotic symptoms; and, managing psychotic symptoms. These improvements were seen for clinicians across both centers.ConclusionsThe results show that training can help to improve confidence around mental health. This is particularly important given that before the training was developed a survey of local ED doctors had shown that 31% felt under-confident in managing mental health conditions. Since developing the training, it has been further enhanced at the request of local EDs to include video-based scenarios. We continue to assess its impact in improving the confidence of ED clinicians (as well as their knowledge, skills and attitudes towards mental health), and ultimately the benefit to patients experiencing mental health crises.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Determinants of dropout in a community-based mental health crisis centre

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Henzen ◽  
Clotilde Moeglin ◽  
Panteleimon Giannakopoulos ◽  
Othman Sentissi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Crisis

scholarly journals Predictors of Mental Health during the Covid-19 Pandemic in the US: role of economic concerns, health worries and social distancing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Kämpfen ◽  
Iliana V. Kohler ◽  
Alberto Ciancio ◽  
Wändi Bruine de Bruin ◽  
Jürgen Maurer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess mental health in the US adult population in the Covid-19 pandemic and explore the roles of economic concerns, health worries and social distancing in shaping mental health outcomes.MethodsWe analyze online survey data from the “Understanding America Study” (UAS) that is representative of the US adult population and covers the period of March 10-31st 2020 (sample size: 6436).ResultsAbout 29% (CI:27.4-.30.4%) of the US adult population reported some depression/anxiety symptoms osver the study period, with symptoms deteriorating over the month of March. Worsening mental health was most strongly associated with concerns about the economic consequences of the pandemic, while concerns about the potential impact of the virus on respondents’ own health and the practice of social distancing also predicted the presence of depression and anxiety symptoms, albeit less strongly.ConclusionsOur findings point towards a major mental health crisis unfolding simultaneously with the pandemic in the US. They also highlight the importance of economic countermeasures and social policy for mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on adult mental health in the US over and above an effective public health response.

The Mental Health Acute Assessment Team: a collaborative approach to treating mental health patients in the community

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven C Faddy ◽  
Kevin J McLaughlin ◽  
Peta T Cox ◽  
Senthil S Muthuswamy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Model Of Care ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Appropriate Care ◽  
Mental Health Patients

Objective: Many models of community-based mental health crisis teams have been reported. We present our experience of an outreach team made up of a paramedic and mental health nurse. Methods: A proof-of-concept was conducted in Western Sydney. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients where the team were able to facilitate the most appropriate care. Results: Nearly 70% of patients were able to be treated outside the Emergency Department, with about two-thirds being transported directly to a mental health facility. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that our model of care is successful in enabling appropriate physical and mental health care for patients suffering an acute mental health crisis.

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