Inequalities in mental health

1998 ◽  
Vol 173 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Henderson ◽  
Graham Thornicroft ◽  
Gyles Glover
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
The Government

The Government emphasis on tackling health inequalities and the availability of recent data on mental health inequalities from the Office of Population Censuses and Survey's (OPCS) National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (NPMS) (Meitzer et al, 1995) suggest that it is time to review the evidence on inequalities in mental health. We aim to summarise the relevant research on rates of psychiatric morbidity within the general population, and define specific populations at high risk of mental disorder. The theories put forward to account for these inequalities are considered, noting the limitations of the data they are based on and highlighting their implications for the data required to facilitate further research. Inequalities in access, provision and appropriateness of services are also discussed. We make policy recommendations for reducing these inequalities at national, regional and district levels.

Mental health disorders and alcohol misuse among UK military veterans and the general population: a comparison study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Rebecca Rhead ◽  
Deirdre MacManus ◽  
Margaret Jones ◽  
Neil Greenberg ◽  
Nicola T Fear ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Male Veterans ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background For a small minority of personnel, military service can have a negative impact on their mental health. Yet no studies have assessed how the mental health of UK veterans (who served during the recent operations in Afghanistan or Iraq) compares to non-veterans, to determine if they are at a disadvantage. We examine the prevalence of mental disorders and alcohol misuse in UK veterans compared to non-veterans. Methods Veteran data were taken from the third phase of the King's Centre for Military Health Research cohort study (n = 2917). These data were compared with data on non-veterans taken from two large general population surveys: 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (n = 5871) and wave 6 of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS, n = 22 760). Results We found that, overall, UK veterans who served at the time of recent military operations were more likely to report a significantly higher prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) (23% v. 16%), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (8% v. 5%) and alcohol misuse (11% v. 6%) than non-veterans. Stratifying by gender showed that the negative impact of being a veteran on mental health and alcohol misuse was restricted to male veterans. Being ill or disabled was associated with a higher prevalence of CMD and PTSD for both veterans and non-veterans. Conclusion Whilst the same sociodemographic groups within the veteran and non-veteran populations seemed to have an increased risk of mental health problems (e.g. those who were unemployed), male veterans, in particular, appear to be at a distinct disadvantage compared to those who have never served.

scholarly journals Trends in mental health, non‐suicidal self‐harm and suicide attempts in 16–24-year old students and non-students in England, 2000–2014

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McManus ◽  
D. Gunnell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Over Time

Abstract There are concerns about high levels of mental ill-health amongst university students, but little is known about the mental health of students compared to non-students over time. Using data on young people (16–24) from three UK National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys (2000, 2007, and 2014), we found no evidence that the overall prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD), suicide attempts, or non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) differed between students and non-students, although there was an indication that CMDs rose markedly in female students between 2007 and 2014. A rise in NSSH is apparent in both students and non-students.

scholarly journals Physical examination in psychiatric practice

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Garden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Psychiatric Practice ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Physical Disease

Physical disease is more prevalent in people with mental disorder than in the general population. It is important for psychiatrists to maintain skills in physical examination to ensure that physical illness is diagnosed and treated appropriately. A sound knowledge of medical illness ensures that examination is targeted at the relevant diseases. Mental health units should provide adequate facilities and equipment. All detailed examinations should be undertaken in the presence of a chaperone. Opportunities for psychiatrists to refresh their knowledge and skill are suggested.

scholarly journals Mental health morbidity among people subject to immigration detention in the UK: a feasibility study

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Sen ◽  
J. Arugnanaseelan ◽  
E. Connell ◽  
C. Katona ◽  
A. A. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Psychiatric Research ◽  
Foreign National ◽  
Immigration Detention ◽  
The Uk

Aims.The UK has one of the largest systems of immigration detention in Europe.. Those detained include asylum-seekers and foreign national prisoners, groups with a higher prevalence of mental health vulnerabilities compared with the general population. In light of little published research on the mental health status of detainees in immigration removal centres (IRCs), the primary aim of this study was to explore whether it was feasible to conduct psychiatric research in such a setting. A secondary aim was to compare the mental health of those seeking asylum with the rest of the detainees.Methods.Cross-sectional study with simple random sampling followed by opportunistic sampling. Exclusion criteria included inadequate knowledge of English and European Union nationality. Six validated tools were used to screen for mental health disorders including developmental disorders like Personality Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability, as well as for needs assessment. These were the MINI v6, SAPAS, AQ-10, ASRS, LDSQ and CANFOR. Demographic data were obtained using a participant demographic sheet. Researchers were trained in the use of the screening battery and inter-rater reliability assessed by joint ratings.Results.A total of 101 subjects were interviewed. Overall response rate was 39%. The most prevalent screened mental disorder was depression (52.5%), followed by personality disorder (34.7%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (20.8%). 21.8% were at moderate to high suicidal risk. 14.9 and 13.9% screened positive for ASD and ADHD, respectively. The greatest unmet needs were in the areas of intimate relationships (76.2%), psychological distress (72.3%) and sexual expression (71.3%). Overall presence of mental disorder was comparable with levels found in prisons. The numbers in each group were too small to carry out any further analysis.Conclusion.It is feasible to undertake a psychiatric morbidity survey in an IRC. Limitations of the study include potential selection bias, use of screening tools, use of single-site study, high refusal rates, the lack of interpreters and lack of women and children in study sample. Future studies should involve the in-reach team to recruit participants and should be run by a steering group consisting of clinicians from the IRC as well as academics.

scholarly journals The new Mental Disorder Tribunal

2014 ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Mark Mullins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Fundamental Principle ◽  
Green Paper ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Committee Report ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
The Government

<p>In its final report the Expert Committee on reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 chaired by Professor Genevra Richardson proposed a new Mental Disorder Tribunal. This tribunal would have fundamentally different functions, composition, procedure and powers to the present Mental Health Review Tribunals (MHRTs). The Committee’s objective was not merely to repair the failings of the present MHRT system but to replace it with a new structure promoting the principles of patient autonomy and non-discrimination. Reading the Committee report and the Government’s Green Paper proposals in response together it soon becomes clear that the Government has rejected the recommendation that the new mental health law should be based on principles of autonomy and nondiscrimination. In their place the Green Paper puts “safety” and “risk”. While it will incorporate safeguards to ensure compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998, the “dual aims” of the new Mental Health Act are to be to ensure the health and safety of patients and safety of the public. Whereas the Committee saw the new tribunal as an active guarantor and promoter of individual rights the Green Paper recasts it as a body preoccupied with risk and safety, stating as a fundamental “principle” that: “Issues relating to the safety of the individual patient and of the public are of key importance in determining the question of whether compulsory powers should be imposed”</p>

Combined effect of mental disorder and low social support on care service use for mental health problems in the Dutch general population

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. TEN HAVE ◽  
W. VOLLEBERGH ◽  
R. BIJL ◽  
J. ORMEL
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mental Health Service Use ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
General Population Study

Background. People with a mental disorder have high rates of service utilization for emotional or addiction problems. Little is known about the role of functional impairments and low social support in such service use. This article investigates: (1) whether the presence of multiple functional impairments mediates the link between mental disorder and service use; and (2) whether social support modifies that association.Methods. Data were derived from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study, NEMESIS, a prospective general population study. Predictors of service use (mental disorder; functional impairments; social support) were recorded in the second wave of the study, and service use in the third wave.Results. Persons with a DSM-III-R disorder and persons with multiple functional impairments were three to seven times as likely to use primary or mental health care. People with low perceived social support were two to three times as likely to use them, and living alone increased the likelihood by 30% to 80%. The effect of mental disorder on service use was mediated by multiple functional impairments. In people with a mental disorder, low levels of social support intensified mental health service use.Conclusion. Service utilization by people with mental problems can be better understood through a model incorporating: (1) independent effects of mental disorder, functional impairments and social support on service use; (2) a mediating effect of multiple functional impairments on the link between mental disorder and service use; and (3) interaction effects of mental disorder and low social support on service use.

scholarly journals Racial surveillance and the mental health impacts of electronic monitoring on migrants

Race & Class ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-36
Author(s):  
Monish Bhatia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Electronic Monitoring ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Surveillance Studies ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Since the late 1990s, the government has used outsourced electronic monitoring (also known as tagging) in England and Wales for criminal sentencing and punishment. Under the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004, s36, the use of this technology extended to immigration controls, and individuals deemed as ‘high risk’ of harm, reoffending or absconding can be fitted with an ankle device and subjected to curfew. The tagging of migrants is not authorised by the criminal court and therefore not considered a punitive sanction. It is managed by the immigration system and treated as an administrative matter. Nevertheless, people who are tagged experience it as imprisonment and punishment. Drawing on data from an eighteen-month ethnographic research project, this article examines the impact of electronic monitoring on people seeking asylum, who completed their sentences for immigration offences. It uncovers the psychological effects and mental health impacts of such technologies of control. The article sheds light on how tagging is experienced by racialised minorities, and adds to the literature on migration, surveillance studies, state racism and violence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document