scholarly journals Citizen Science: Society takes centre stage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Delicado ◽  
Isabel Mendoza-Poudereux
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Bird Migrations ◽  
Work Done

In the past decade, scientific research that relies on the collaboration of citizens has grown exponentially. Be it for collecting data on bird migrations, noise pollution, or empty houses in a neighborhood, or for analyzing pictures of malignant cells or distant stars, or for transcribing ship logs or translating Egyptian hieroglyphs (all examples of real citizen science projects), there are countless opportunities for society to get involved in the work done by scientists and contribute to the accumulation of scientific knowledge. Also, other levels of engagement are possible beyond collecting or analyzing data: suggesting research topics, designing research methods, interpreting research results, discussing and disseminating findings. This Metode SSJ monograph brings together contributions from several countries and from the perspective of diverse kinds of citizen science. From consultations to understand ways to improve science communication to increasing science and sustainability awareness through games and activities, exploring mental health support networks and analysing instruments for measuring radioactivity after a nuclear disaster. Concomitantly, issues such as levels of participation, the potential for doing citizen science in the social sciences, the impacts of education, or the role of digital applications are discussed.

Providing Telemental Health Services after Disasters

2011 ◽  
pp. 1051-1065
Author(s):  
Shashi Bhushan Gogia
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Healing Touch ◽  
It Projects ◽  
Tsunami Disaster ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Role Of Information

The role of information technology (IT) in managing disasters is increasingly being recognized. The Healing Touch project was started after the tsunami disaster in Tamilnadu to address the healthcare needs of the survivors through IT. Specifically; it provided mental health support to the victims near their place of residence. This project has been different from other telemedicine projects because: It was sponsored and managed entirely by NGOs. The local community and local NGOs were directly trained to manage there own health problems after the natural disaster. Success was linked to the intensive pre and post execution work done. We believe that preparation and involvement of people is the key to success in most IT projects. Some problems we faced were related to a general lack of awareness and nonpenetration of IT in the community we served. If people are using IT in their day to day work; adoption of telemedicine and other e-services will be far simpler after a disaster.

Providing Telemental Health Services after Disasters

2010 ◽  
pp. 238-252
Author(s):  
Shashi Bhushan Gogia
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Healing Touch ◽  
It Projects ◽  
Tsunami Disaster ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Role Of Information

The role of information technology (IT) in managing disasters is increasingly being recognized. The Healing Touch project was started after the tsunami disaster in Tamilnadu to address the healthcare needs of the survivors through IT. Specifically; it provided mental health support to the victims near their place of residence. This project has been different from other telemedicine projects because: It was sponsored and managed entirely by NGOs. The local community and local NGOs were directly trained to manage there own health problems after the natural disaster. Success was linked to the intensive pre and post execution work done. We believe that preparation and involvement of people is the key to success in most IT projects. Some problems we faced were related to a general lack of awareness and nonpenetration of IT in the community we served. If people are using IT in their day to day work; adoption of telemedicine and other e-services will be far simpler after a disaster.

Supporting the mental health of children with speech, language and communication needs: the views and experiences of parents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Hobson ◽  
Mya Kalsi ◽  
Louise Cotton ◽  
Melanie Forster ◽  
Umar Toseeb
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Children’S Mental Health ◽  
Children's Mental Health ◽  
Language And Communication ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Language Needs ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Communication Needs

Background & aims: A high rate of children in mental health services have poor language skills, but little evidence exists on how mental health support is delivered to and received by children with language needs. This study looked at parental experiences, asking parents of children speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) about their experiences seeking help for their children’s mental health. We were particularly interested on the experiences of parents of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), a specific SLCN that remains relatively unknown to the general public. Methods: We conducted an online survey of 74 parents of children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). Survey respondents included parents of children with a range of difficulties, including DLD, autism, verbal dyspraxia, global intellectual delay, a history of hearing problems, and SLCN without a primary diagnosis. Survey respondents were asked what sources of support they had accessed for their child’s mental health and to provide comments on what was good and what was not good about this support. We then conducted 9 semi-structured interviews of parents of children with DLD about their experiences. These were parents of children with DLD aged 7 to 17 years, from across a range of educational settings, and with a range of present mental health concerns. Results: Content analyses of the survey responses from parents of children with SLCN highlighted three broad factors of importance to parents’ experiences: relational aspects of care, organisational aspects of care, and professionals’ knowledge. Thematic analyses of the interviews of parents of children with DLD identified 5 themes: the effects of language problems on the presentation of distress; the role of the school environment; the role of key professionals; standard approaches to mental health support might not be appropriate; and the role and impact on parents. Parents expressed concerns that their children’s mental health problems and need for support would not be recognised, and felt interventions were not accessible, or delivered in a manner that was not comfortable for their children due to high reliance on oral language skills. Some parents were left feeling that there was no provision suitable for their children.Conclusions: Parents of children with SLCN face barriers accessing support for their children’s mental health, including a lack of professional knowledge about their children’s language needs. Parents argued that language and communication needs can significantly affect the delivery and success of psychological therapies and interventions.

Mental Health Support Workers

2016 ◽  
pp. 200-221
Author(s):  
Julia L. Hennessy ◽  
Liz Smythe ◽  
Max Abbott ◽  
Frances A. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Educational Preparation ◽  
Mental Health Consumers ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Health Consumers ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Community Based Services

This chapter provides the background for policy setting, educational preparation, and emergence of mental health support workers (MHSWs) in New Zealand and examines the work they do in mental health services. New Zealand formally introduced the MHSW role in the early 1990's to provide non-clinical services for mental health consumers or clients through either hospital or community-based services. The work MHSWs undertake and their relationship with other health professionals is discussed. Also discussed, is the relationship that MHSWs have with mental health consumers/clients and the attributes that the MHSW brings to the relationship. Consideration is given to the debate as to whether the role of the MHSW should be regulated, what it means to be considered a health professional, and the possibilities of expanding the scope of practice for MHSWs.

scholarly journals Citizen Social Science in practice: a critical analysis of a mental health community-based project

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Bonhoure ◽  
Anna Cigarini ◽  
Julian Vicens ◽  
Josep Perelló
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Computational Social Science ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Community ◽  
The Social

“Citizen Social Science” is a fast-growing term within Citizen Science world but not many experiences have been shared in the literature to better shape its meaning. This article discusses novel possibilities of these participatory practices through the critical analysis of a concrete community-based project. We here embrace under the “Social” tag of Citizen Social Science both Computational Social Science methodologies and the Social concerns expressed by the mental health community. The interpretation place persons with a mental condition, as well as caregivers and relatives, at the center of the research cycle by taking the role of Competent Experts In-The-Field. A synergetic relation between Citizen Science, Mental Health research and Computational Social Science also imply a conceptual shift in comparison to standard approaches such as the inclusion of research subjects as active co-designers or the consideration of communitarian spaces as most natural experimental spaces. We here describe how these concepts are put into practice during the whole duration of a research project that has studied the social interactions inside the Community Mental Health Care ecosystem. Important steps entail the creation of a Knowledge Coalition, including a diversity of relevant actors with diverse knowledge and expertise, that is later involved in co-designing the research and in embedding experimental settings in communitarian spaces. The experience allows us to open a wider discussion on the possibilities and limitations of Citizen Social Science practices. Having in mind the ethical debate raised by Citizen Science Public Health and Patients’ driven research, we propose a set of values and practices to be agreed on. We also analyse the participation of the scientists in these kind of projects, which forces them to adopt the role of “camaleons” when executing diverse and versatile tasks. We additionally advocate for a more extended collective interpretation of the results in order to produce socially robust knowledge and enhance actions and policies grounded on these results. Exemplified with the experience herein presented, a more horizontal process that include the enhancement of participation and the revision of the notion of experiment offer new opportunities for Social Sciences from a multidisciplinary perspective.

scholarly journals Exploring Pharmacists’ Roles during the 2019–2020 Australian Black Summer Bushfires

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Alexandra Moss ◽  
Toni Green ◽  
Simon Moss ◽  
Janique Waghorn ◽  
Mary-Jessimine Bushell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Qualitative Data Analysis Software

Background: Australians are no strangers to sudden natural disasters, such as bushfires. The effects of a natural disaster can devastate local communities and health care services. Currently, limited research has explored the role of the pharmacist during a natural disaster. This study explores the role of the Australian pharmacist during the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires. Methods: Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with ten community pharmacists who worked through the Black Summer Bushfires whose daily tasks and work environment were directly affected by the bushfires. Thematic analysis using NVivo®, a qualitative data analysis software was conducted. Results: Analysis of the transcripts generated six main themes: collaboration; trauma and mental health; power and communication; acute presentations; triaging and emergency prescribing. Pharmacists worked in close collaboration with doctors and members of the local community. They provided triaging services, timely health advice about chronic health problems, and managed acute issues, including wound and burn management and mental health support in traumatic conditions, sometimes without power and communication amenities. The challenges presented to pharmacists during the bushfires warranted creative and flexible approaches at times. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for mental health support and training for pharmacists, provisional prescribing privileges, and a clearer set of contingency regulations and legislation related to emergencies and natural disasters. Further research is warranted to gain greater insight into the roles undertaken by Australian pharmacists during natural disasters and their autonomy in decision making processes during such times.

scholarly journals Gender Identity and the Issues of Acceptance in Pakistani Community

2020 ◽  
Vol V (I) ◽  
pp. 24-34
Author(s):  
Muhammad Umair Ali
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Religious Perspective ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Social ◽  
Third Gender ◽  
Identity Paper ◽  
Work Done

Research paper defines the problems, issues and challenges faced by the third gender. Paper also examines the role of social structure towards them and hypothetical constraints builds by the society. Acceptance for third identity is not permitted by social and religious structure, in paper scholar review the literature, different programs which were already done, research theses, books and work done by scholars in the shapes of Articles. For the collection of data Purposive sampling method adopted. Paper focuses on the social acceptance and religious perspective for the construction of third identity. Paper mentions the life of third gender and its limited constraints. It was found that they lead a very difficult life in which family and community support is truly missing.

scholarly journals Exploring radiation measurement after Fukushima: When media ecology meets citizen science

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhito Abe
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Media Studies ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Media Ecology ◽  
Science Practices ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Citizen Sensing ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi

While various scholars have investigated the role of citizens in generating scientific data after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster under the labels of citizen science and citizen sensing, this essay draws on media ecology and explores its potential theoretical usefulness for enhancing our understanding of post-Fukushima citizen science practices. Taking Marshall McLuhan’s perspective of technology as a medium, this essay creates a theoretical framework for foregrounding the role of a measurement device (of radiation levels, in this case) in extending its user’s body and mind. In doing so, this essay attempts to contribute to the fields of media studies and Science, Technology, and Society (STS).

scholarly journals The Microbiome as TED Knows It: Popular Science Communication and Neoliberal Subject

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope Ironstone
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Popular Science ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Social Good ◽  
Microbiome Analysis ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ted Talks

Background  Although criticized for a variety of reasons, TED platforms and conventions have been engaged, often uncritically, as tools for popular science communication. This article critically examines four TED Talks that engage the relatively recent biomedical concept of the human microbiome. Analysis  Neoliberal values underpin both the TED universe and the marketization of science. TED conventions produce a discursive regularity that brings together neoliberal subjectivity and bioeconomic imperatives of contemporary scientific research. This neoliberalization is supported by uncritically championing citizen science and the so-called democratization of science alongside crowdsourcing and crowdfunding appeals.Conclusions and implications  Uncritically embracing TED Talks can implicate science communication in the reproduction of problematic ideological positions that favour economic interests over the social good or even individual health.Contexte  Les plateformes et conférences TED ont contribué à rendre la science accessible, même si elles souvent manqué de discernement en le faisant. Cet article effectue un examen critique de quatre TED Talks portant sur le concept relativement récent de microbiome humain. Analyse Des valeurs néolibérales sous-tendent l’univers TED et la marchandisation de la science. Les conférences TED associent ordinairement une subjectivité néolibérale aux impératifs bioéconomiques de la recherche savante contemporaine. Elles appuient le néolibéralisme en vantant de manière parfois irréfléchie la prétendue démocratisation de la science, les sciences participatives, la production participative et les appels au sociofinancement.  Conclusions et implications  Accepter sans réserve les TED Talks peut entraîner la communication de la science à reproduire des partis pris idéologiques problématiques, favorisant des intérêts économiques au détriment du bien commun ou même de la santé personnelle.

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