Structural and Professional Correlates of Ideologies of Community Mental Health Workers

1974 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morton O. Wagenfeld ◽  
Stanley S. Robin ◽  
James D. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Community Mental Health Workers

Transcultural issues in the dynamics of a Balint clinical reflection group for community mental health workers

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Leggett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Reflection Group ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Community Mental Health Workers

The author presents transcultural issues in the content, process, and group dynamics of consecutive meetings of a Balint clinical reflection group for community mental health workers at Inala, Australia. Balint work and the context and evolution of the group process are briefly described, as is the consultative research methodology. The process of a Balint group meeting is reported in detail, following the author’s consultation with group members. The collaborative work of a culturally diverse team of mental health professionals is examined in the context of discussion of a practitioner–patient relationship in which transcultural, gender, and family conflicts were the focus of affective and cognitive dissonance. For mental health workers engaging with communities of cultural diversity, Balint reflection groups can facilitate insight into cultural countertransferences that adversely affect clinical work. The group served to support the caseworkers’ engagement with patients of different cultures, and provided a safe environment for the creative consideration and exploration in fantasy of the emotional pressures and complex ethical dilemmas related to boundaries in transcultural client–practitioner relationships, including those in which open discussion would otherwise be avoided.

Has there been a Failure to Prepare and Support Parish-Based Clergy in their Role as Frontline Community Mental Health Workers: A Review

1995 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Health Network ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Community Mental Health Workers ◽  
Do So

Addresses the issue that parish-based clergy, functioning as frontline community mental health workers, often do so with inadequate training and limited support from the mental health community. Claims that although a clergyperson is as likely to have a severely mentally distressed person seek her or his assistance as is a mental health specialist, there is inadequate research on the function of clergy in the mental health network or the psychological dynamics of religion. Suggests that clergy can serve most effectively in the mental health network as skilled facilitators, identifying the needs of persons, and connecting them to a larger circle of specialized helpers. Argues that the mental health and religious communities share many common values and goals and need to work together more effectively for the best interest of those they are called to serve.

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