Looking at the facts about suicide

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 236-237
Author(s):  
Brendan D. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Rational Suicide ◽  
Human Actions ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Do So

SUMMARYMost human actions, including suicide, are motivated by variable mixes of rational and irrational factors. Notwithstanding debates about rational suicide, the vast majority of people who die by suicide suffer deeply beforehand. Those who present to mental health services in suicidal crises do so in search of treatment, care and support. It is a privilege to try to provide it.

scholarly journals Opening up while locking down: how an Irish independent sector mental health service is responding to the COVID-19 crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-177
Author(s):  
Paul Fearon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Competing Demands ◽  
The Face ◽  
Opening Up ◽  
Do So

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a particular set of challenges for health services. Some of these are common across all services (e.g. strategies to minimise infections; timely testing for patients and staff; and sourcing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)) and some are specific to mental health services (e.g. how to access general medical services quickly; how to safely deliver a service that traditionally depends on intensive face to face contact; how to isolate someone who does not wish to do so; and how to source sufficient PPE in the face of competing demands for such equipment). This paper describes how St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) chose to address this unfolding and ever-changing crisis, how it developed its strategy early based on a clear set of objectives and how it adapted (and continues to adapt) to the constantly evolving COVID-19 landscape.

scholarly journals Loneliness and Isolation as Barriers to Mental Health Services in a Rural Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1046-1046
Author(s):  
Robert Maiden ◽  
Danielle Gagne ◽  
Bert Hayslip
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Close Friendships ◽  
Do So

Abstract As America grapples with COVID-19, issues regarding mental health have been of rising concern, particularly among those who are isolated. According to the May 2021 American Perspectives Survey, “Americans report having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support1.” Additionally, 49% have three or fewer close friends in 2021, compared to 27% in 1990. 17% have no friends in their core social network. Loneliness has been associated with physical and mental health risks. We sought to explore whether loneliness was also a barrier to seeking mental health services. 90 surveys were collected from rural New York. Respondents were aged 51 to 90, Caucasian (96.6%), and female (73.3% vs, 26.7%). Overall, 34.8% said they lived alone. 29.2% would seek mental health services for feelings of loneliness, while 75.4% would do so if isolated from family. Those who felt detached or isolated from others were significantly less likely to seek help from a counselor (r = - 0.25) or MD (r = - 0.37). Isolation also negatively related to measures on the resiliency scale. Purpose: - 0.22, Perseverance: - 0.33, being ok alone: - 0.32), and positively related to depression (r = .65). Those scoring higher on the “okay with being alone” scale had an increased likelihood of seeking counseling (r = 0.22). Thus, isolation and loneliness are complex topics. Intervention ought to be based on perceptions of being alone. Further research is needed.

scholarly journals Where next for youth mental health services in Ireland?

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. McMahon ◽  
F. Ryan ◽  
M. Cannon ◽  
G. O’Brien ◽  
M. O’Callaghan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Resource Investment ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Mental Care

To date, Ireland has been a leading light in the provision of youth mental health services. However, cognisant of the efforts of governmental and non-governmental agencies working in youth mental health, there is much to be done. Barriers into care as well as discontinuity of care across the spectrum of services remain key challenges. This editorial provides guidance for the next stage of development in youth mental care and support that will require significant national engagement and resource investment.

Ligature Points and Ligature Types Used by Psychiatric Inpatients Who Die by Hanging

Crisis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle M. Hunt ◽  
Kirsten Windfuhr ◽  
Jenny Shaw ◽  
Louis Appleby ◽  
Nav Kapur
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Trends Over Time ◽  
Clinical Survey ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Do So

Background: Approximately three-quarters of patients who die by suicide on psychiatric wards do so by hanging/strangulation. Increased awareness of the methods used by these patients may benefit prevention strategies in mental health services. Aims: To describe the ligature points and ligatures used in ward hangings; to identify any trends over time in ligature points and ligatures used; and to compare these patient characteristics with other inpatient suicides. Methods: A national clinical survey of suicide cases in recent (< 1 year) contact with mental health services in England and Wales (1999–2007). Results: Of the 448 suicides that occured on psychiatric wards, 77% were by hanging. The number of hanging cases, however, has fallen by 74% since 1999. The most common ligature points and ligatures were doors, hooks/handles, windows, and belts or sheets/towels, respectively. Use of shoelaces, doors, and windows increased over time. These patient suicides had had high rates of self-harm, alcohol/drug misuse, and were more likely than other cases to have died early in admission and been formally detained for treatment. Conclusions: Despite the decrease in inpatient suicides by hanging, regular reviews of ward structures are needed, particularly as ligatures and ligature points change over time. Improving the ward environment to engage patients, especially early in admission, may also contribute to reducing risk.

scholarly journals What have we learned about what works in sustaining mental health care and support services during a pandemic? Transferable insights from the COVID-19 response

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Cogan ◽  
Heather Archbold ◽  
Karen Deakin ◽  
Bethany Griffith ◽  
Isabel Sáez Berruga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Care And Support

Efforts have been made to adapt the delivery of mental health care and support services to the demands of COVID-19. Here we detail the perspectives and experiences of mental health workers (MHWs), in relation to what they found helpful when adapting mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and responding to its demands. We were interested in exploring what has helped to support MHWs’ own health and wellbeing given that staff wellbeing is central to sustaining the delivery of quality mental health services moving forward. Individual interviews were conducted with MHWs (n = 30) during the third COVID-19 lockdown. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and managed using NVIVO. Qualitative data was analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Three major themes were created, which emphasized the importance of: (1) 'self-care and peer support (checking in with each other)', (2) 'team cohesion and collaboration' and (3) 'visible and supportive management and leadership (new ways of working)'. Our findings emphasize the importance of individual, team and systems-based support in helping MHWs maintain their own wellbeing, whilst adapting and responding to the challenges in providing mental health care and support during this pandemic. Guidance and direction from management, with adaptive leadership in providing sustained, efficient, and equitable delivery of mental healthcare, is essential. Our findings support future policy, research and mental health practice developments through sharing important salutogenic lessons learned and transferable insights which may help with preparedness for future pandemics.

Hotlines and Mental Health Services

Crisis ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Mary Frances Seeley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document