Transcending technology boundaries and maintaining sense of community in virtual mental health peer support: a qualitative study with service providers and users.

BACKGROUND: This qualitative study explores the experiences of peer support workers (PSWs) and service users (or peers) during transition from in-person to virtual mental health services. During and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for accessible and community-based mental health support has become increasingly important. This research aims to understand how technological factors act as bridges and boundaries to mental health peer support services. In addition, the study explores whether and how a sense of community can be built or maintained among PSWs and peers in a virtual space when connections are mediated by technology. This research fills a gap in the literature by incorporating the perspectives of service users and underscores the potential of virtual peer support beyond pandemic conditions. METHODS: Data collection was conducted from a community organization that offers mental health peer support services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 employees and 27 service users. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and synthesize a comprehensive understanding. RESULTS: The findings highlight the mental health peer support needs that were met through virtual services, the manifestation of technology-based boundaries and the steps taken to remove some of these boundaries, and the strategies employed by the organization and its members to establish and maintain a sense of community in a virtual environment marked by physical distancing and technology-mediated interrelations. The findings also reveal the importance of providing hybrid services consisting of a mixture of in person and virtual mental health support to reach a broad spectrum of service users. CONCLUSIONS: The study contributes to the ongoing efforts to enhance community mental health services and support in the virtual realm. It shows the importance of virtual peer support in situations where in-person support is not accessible. A hybrid model combining virtual and in-person mental health support services is recommended for better accessibility to mental health support services. Moreover, the importance of organizational support and of equitable resource allocation to overcome service boundaries are discussed.

Factors influencing integration of mental health screening and treatment at HIV clinic settings in Cameroon: a qualitative study of health providers' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are common among people with HIV (PWH) and are associated with poor HIV outcomes. Despite high unmet mental health needs among PWH, use of evidence-based mental health screening and treatment protocols remains limited at HIV treatment facilities across low-resource settings. Integrating mental health services into HIV care can reduce this gap. This study's objective was to explore factors that influence integration of mental health screening and treatment into HIV clinics in Cameroon. METHODS: We analyzed 14 in-depth interviews with clinic staff supporting PWH at three urban HIV treatment clinics in Cameroon. Interviews focused on current processes, barriers and facilitators, and types of support needed to integrate mental health care into HIV care. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. French transcripts were translated into English. We used thematic analysis to identify factors that influence integration of mental health screening and treatment into HIV care in these settings. Ethical review boards in the United States and Cameroon approved this study. RESULTS: Respondents discussed a lack of standardized mental health screening processes in HIV treatment facilities and generally felt ill-equipped to conduct mental health screening. Low community awareness about mental disorders, mental health-related stigma, limited physical space, and high clinic volume affected providers' ability to screen clients for mental disorders. Providers indicated that better coordination and communication were needed to support client referral to mental health care. Despite these barriers, providers were motivated to screen clients for mental disorders and believed that mental health service provision could improve quality of HIV care and treatment outcomes. All providers interviewed said they would feel more confident screening for mental disorders with additional training and resources. Providers recommended community sensitization, training or hiring additional staff, improved coordination to manage referrals, and leadership buy-in at multiple levels of the health system to support sustainable integration of mental health screening and treatment into HIV clinics in Cameroon. CONCLUSIONS: Providers reported enthusiasm to integrate mental health services into HIV care but need more support and training to do so in an effective and sustainable manner.

[ChatGPT in mental health care]. / ChatGPT in de ggz: kansen en overwegingen.

BACKGROUND: ChatGPT is increasingly used in various sectors, from lawyers to copywriters. However, its implementation in Mental Health Care (MHC) is still largely uncharted territory, both administratively and therapeutically. AIM: This essay provides an informed view on the practical implementation of ChatGPT in MHC, paying special attention to both administrative and therapeutic applications, as well as identifying some challenges. METHOD: Through exploratory contemplation and literature research, the use of ChatGPT in MHC is depicted, considering the applications and limitations of the technology. RESULTS: ChatGPT can be effectively used for administrative tasks such as generating letters and documents. Additionally, it offers potential in treatments, provided it is carefully implemented and evaluated. Practical examples illustrate the versatility of ChatGPT in MHC. CONCLUSION: ChatGPT has the potential to significantly transform MHC, from streamlining administrative tasks to enhancing therapeutic contact. Aspects such as privacy and information accuracy should be central in its implementation. While current scientific evidence is still quite limited, ChatGPT already offers possibilities that should now be utilized by healthcare professionals. It is crucial that therapists form an opinion about ChatGPT, and institutions should be willing to invest in this innovative technology.

Using Linkage-enhancement Strategies to Bridge Treatment Gap among Inmates and Former Inmates in Correctional Settings with Inadequate Mental Health Care.

Service linkage and skill enhancement strategies were devised in Nigerian prisons with inadequate mental health resources to support the provision of psycho-legal services, including the assessments, identification, and care of inmates and former inmates with mental illness. Over the study period, 74 individuals, consisting of 64 (86.5%) males with a mean age of 33.25 (SD=11.2) years received care or psycho-legal services through these strategies. Clinically, 49% of the participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis code: F20.0-9), 66.7% had first formal clinical diagnosis of mental illness, and as many as 56.1% of the participants endorsed using psychoactive substances. Most participants (73.0%) were assessed and treated within the prison's general medical services with support from a multidisciplinary team from a regional psychiatric hospital. Of the 50 psycho-legal assessments conducted, eight (10.8%) and 12 (16.2%) participants were not criminally responsible and unfit to stand trial, respectively. We included an action-plan to support the implementation of collaborative care, skill-enhancement, and linkage of services as viable strategies in correctional settings with inadequate mental health care.

Trabalho multiprofissional e integralidade do cuidado na percepção dos profissionais do CAPS / Trabajo multiprofesional y atención integral en la percepción de profesionales de CAPS / Multiprofessional work and comprehensive care in the perception of CAPS professionals

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a percepção dos profissionais dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) de São Paulo/SP da importância do trabalho multiprofissional em saúde mental para os usuários dos serviços e as relações possíveis com a integralidade do cuidado. Com as reformas sanitária e psiquiátrica, a integralidade passou a ser um princípio fundamental das ações de saúde, conceito que vem sendo entendido a partir de diversas influências. Foram entrevistados 27 profissionais de nível superior e utilizado o referencial metodológico da análise de conteúdo. Os participantes não apresentaram clareza sobre a noção de integralidade do cuidado, valorizando a integralidade e o trabalho de integração disciplinar de forma concomitante a ações tutelares e não favorecedoras de autonomia. Tal fato se deve ao pouco conhecimento teórico do tema sobre a integralidade e a prática ainda persistente centrada na falta de autonomia e ausência de contratualidade na relação profissional e usuário. A efetivação da integralidade do cuidado é aspecto fundamental na compreensão dos usuários de saúde mental como sujeitos de direitos, importante desafio à reforma psiquiátrica brasileira.

RESUMEN Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar la percepción de los profesionales de los Centros de Atención Psicosocial (CAPS) en São Paulo / SP de la importancia del trabajo multiprofesional en Salud Mental para los usuarios del servicio y las posibles relaciones con la atención integral. Con las reformas de salud y psiquiátricas, la integralidad se ha convertido en un principio fundamental de las acciones de salud, un concepto que se ha entendido desde diferentes influencias. Veintisiete profesionales de la educación superior fueron entrevistados y se utilizó el marco metodológico del Análisis de Contenido. Los participantes no tenían claro el concepto de atención integral, valorando el trabajo integral y de integración disciplinaria al mismo tiempo que las acciones tutelares que no favorecen la autonomía. Este hecho se debe a la falta de conocimiento teórico sobre el tema de la exhaustividad y la práctica aún persistente centrada en la falta de autonomía y la ausencia de contractualidad en la relación profesional y de usuario. La efectividad de la atención integral es un aspecto fundamental en la comprensión de los usuarios de salud mental como sujetos de derechos, un desafío importante para la reforma psiquiátrica brasileña.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify professionals' perceptions of Psychosocial Care Centers (Centros de Atenção Psicossocial - CAPS) in São Paulo / SP regarding the importance of multiprofessional work in Mental Health for service users and the possible relationships with comprehensive care. The Health and Psychiatric Reforms made comprehensiveness a fundamental principle of health actions, a concept understood through various influences. Twenty-seven higher education professionals were interviewed, and the Content Analysis methodological framework was used. The participants were unclear about integrality care, valuing comprehensiveness and disciplinary integration work concomitantly to tutelage actions that do not favor autonomy. This fact is due to the lack of theoretical knowledge on comprehensiveness issues and the still persistent practice centered on the absence of autonomy and contractuality in the professional-user relationship. The effectiveness of comprehensive care is fundamental to understanding Mental Health users as subjects of rights, an important challenge for Brazilian Psychiatric Reform.

Child and adolescent mental health services in a devolved healthcare system: a qualitative exploration of sustainable practices.

BACKGROUND: The transference of research evidence into routine healthcare practice remains poorly understood. This includes understanding the prerequisites of longer-term viability. The present study investigated the sustainable practices of GM i-THRIVE, a programme which reconceptualizes mental health services for children and young people (CYP) in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. We aimed to establish whether a sustainable future was likely, and to identify areas of focus to improve that likelihood. METHODS: The NHS Sustainability Model, typically completed as a questionnaire measure, was converted into interview questions. The responses of nine professionals, from a variety of roles across the CYP mental health workforce, were explored using inductive thematic framework analysis. Selected participants completed the original questionnaire. RESULTS: Five themes (communication; support; barriers to implementation; past, present, and future: the implementation journey; and the nuances of GM i-THRIVE) and 21 subthemes formed the final thematic framework. Relationships with senior leaders and with colleagues across the workforce were seen as important. Leaders' roles in providing meaning and fit were emphasized. Whilst training delivered the programme's aims well, monitoring its dissemination was challenging. Widespread issues with dedicating sufficient time to implementation were raised. The flexibility of the programme, which can be applied in multiple ways, was discussed positively. This flexibility links to the idea of GM i-THRIVE as a mindset change, and the uniqueness of this style of intervention was discussed. To varying degrees, themes were supported by responses to the quantitative measure, although several limitations to the use of the questionnaire were discovered. Consequently, they were used to infer conclusions to a lesser degree than originally intended. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals involved with GM i-THRIVE reported many elements that indicate a positive future for the programme. However, they suggested that more attention should be given to embedding the core concepts of the model at the current stage of implementation. Limitations relating to its use within our study are discussed, but we conclude that the NHS Sustainability Model is a suitable way of guiding qualitative implementation research. It is especially valuable for localized interventions. The constraints of our small sample size on transferability are considered.

Cultural competence in multi-family psychoeducation groups: The experiences of Russian-speaking immigrant mothers of adults with severe mental illness.

The successful integration of cultural competence with evidence-based practices in mental health services is still limited for particular cultural populations. The current study explored culturally adapted family psychoeducation intervention for immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU) in Israel who care for a family member with severe mental illness (SMI). Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 immigrant mothers about their experience of taking part in Russian-speaking multi-family psychoeducation groups (MFPGs). Qualitative content analysis revealed five salient processes and changes that participants attributed to their engagement in the intervention: 1) from a language barrier to utilization of and satisfaction with services; 2) from a lack of information to acquiring new mental health knowledge; 3) from harboring a family secret to exposure and sharing; 4) from social isolation to cultural belonging and support; 5) from families blurring boundaries to physical and emotional separation. The results showed that these changes-linguistic, cognitive, emotional, socio-cultural and relational-improved family coping and recovery. Implications for cultural adaptation of family psychoeducation for Russian-speaking immigrants are discussed.

Novel Approach to Integrating Mental Health Care into a Primary Care Setting: Development, Implementation, and Outcomes.

It is now widely accepted that there is a growing discrepancy between demand and access to adequate treatment for behavioral or mental health conditions in the United States. This results in immense personal, societal, and economic costs. One rapidly growing method of addressing this discrepancy is to integrate mental health services into the primary care setting, which has become the de facto service provider for these conditions. In this paper, we describe the development and implementation of a novel integrated care program in a large mid-western university-based healthcare system, drawn from the collaborative care model, and describe the benefits in terms of both health care utilization and depression outcomes. Limitations and proposed future directions are discussed.

Designing a virtual mental health consultation program to support and strengthen childcare centers impacted by COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative psychosocial impacts on young children; teachers in childcare centers continue to be overwhelmed by how to address the downstream psychological effects children are experiencing. This randomized controlled trial will study the role of a community-based, childcare center-support system in improving resilience and mitigating the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on children's development. METHODS: This study will be modeled on a successful Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) intervention which utilizes mental health consultants to deliver a Jump Start+: COVID 19 Support (JS + CS) virtual toolkit to childcare centers in Miami-Dade County via a Kubi robot. The toolkit comprises four strength-based strategies likely to be effective in improving resiliency following disasters: Safety Planning, Effective Communication, Adult Self-Care, and Trauma-Informed Behavior Support. Our first aim will utilize a cluster randomized trial to examine the effectiveness of JS + CS on improving the psychosocial functioning of young children, as compared to an obesity prevention intervention control group. Children will be followed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The second aim will examine the mechanisms that contribute to effective uptake by teachers of the JS + CS support strategies on child outcomes. The third aim will explore implementation barriers/facilitators as well as potential societal contextual factors (e.g., vaccine uptake) to help centers serving disproportionately affected minority communities recover from and prepare for future crises. CONCLUSION: This design will inform the refinement and scaling of JS + CS and generalize impacts to other childcare center interventions in the context of disasters.

Caring for Refugees with Mental Health Problems: Difficulties Encountered by Providers Requesting Exemptions from United States Citizenship Examinations.

Mental health providers caring for refugees should be aware that obtaining citizenship is critical to stability and safety for their patients. In the United States (U.S.), obtaining citizenship requires applicants to pass an examination exhibiting working knowledge of English and foundational knowledge of U.S. civics. For refugees with mental health disorders that impair cognition, this may present insurmountable barriers. The United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers form N-648 to request exemption from these requirements. However, the form can be difficult to complete in a manner acceptable to USCIS. In this paper, the authors present preliminary data on citizenship-related mental health evaluations and subsequent applications for 40 patients seen in a university-based refugee mental health clinic. We simplify the process into three phases, and present three cases highlighting specific complexities involved. Our experiences and recommendations may help other mental health providers prepare to advocate for their refugee patients.

Características clínicas e sociodemográficas dos usuários de um centro de atenção psicossocial infantojuvenil em Porto Alegre a partir do Sistema de Gerenciamento de Consultas (GERCON) / Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of users of centro de atenção psicossocial infantojuvenil in Porto Alegre since the implementation of Sistema de Gerenciamento de Consultas (GERCON)

Introdução: Desde maio de 2019, o acesso aos serviços especializados de saúde mental infantojuvenil do município de Porto Alegre ocorre através da regulação assistencial por intermédio do sistema Gerenciamento de Consultas (GERCON). O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o perfil clínico e sociodemográfico dos usuários encaminhados para um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenil (CAPSi) nos dois primeiros anos do GERCON. Métodos: Estudo transversal em que foram resgatados dados dos prontuários eletrônicos de crianças e adolescentes encaminhados para primeira consulta em um CAPSi de Porto Alegre, capital do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, no período de maio de 2019 a abril de 2021. Resultados: A maioria dos 134 usuários era do sexo masculino (59,8%), autodeclarados brancos (69,7%), naturais de Porto Alegre (87,9%) e com hipótese diagnóstica inicial de Retardo mental (28,9%), Transtornos emocionais e de comportamento com início usualmente ocorrendo na infância e adolescência (24,2%) e Transtornos do humor (20,3%). A média de idade foi 13,4 anos e a mediana 15 anos. A taxa de absenteísmo na primeira consulta foi de 24,7%. Conclusão: A maioria dos usuários encaminhados para o CAPSi HCPA era do sexo masculino, adolescente, natural de Porto Alegre e com a hipótese diagnóstica inicial de transtornos do neurodesenvolvimento. Há uma elevada taxa de absenteísmo. Ao planejar intervenções para crianças e adolescentes que necessitam de atendimento em CAPSi é importante considerar o perfil nosológico e as características sociodemográficas dos usuários, assim como pensar em estratégias para diminuir o absenteísmo.

Introduction: Since May 2019, access to child and adolescent mental health services in the city of Porto Alegre has been managed through a regulatory system called sistema de regulação assistencial (GERCON). The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of users referred to a Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Center (Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenil [CAPSi]) in the first two years of GERCON. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data were retrieved from electronic medical records of children and adolescents referred for their first consultation at a CAPSi in Porto Alegre, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, from May 2019 to April 2021. Results: Most of the 134 users were male (59.8%), self declared white (69.7%), from Porto Alegre (87,9%) and with an initial diagnostic hypothesis of Mental retardation (28,9%), Behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence (24,2%) e Mood disorders (20,3%). The mean age was 13.4 years and the median was 15 years. The rate of absenteeism in the first appointment was 24.7%. Conclusion: Most users referred to the CAPSi HCPA were male, teenagers, born in Porto Alegre and with the initial diagnostic hypothesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. There is a high rate of absenteeism. When planning interventions for children and adolescents who need CAPSi care, it is important to consider the nosological profile and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as thinking about strategies to reduce absenteeism.

Suicidal behavior in new patients presenting to the Telepsychiatry services in a Tertiary Care center: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to expansion of telepsychiatry services and formulation of telemedicine guidelines. However, the telemedicine guidelines are not very clear about psychiatric emergencies, such as suicidal behaviour, resulting in psychiatrists facing dilemma about handling such situations. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of suicidal behaviour in new patients presenting to the Telepsychiatry services in a Tertiary Care centre. METHODS: 1065 new adult patients (aged > 18 years) registered with telepsychiatry services were assessed for suicidal behaviour, in the form of death wishes, suicidal ideations, plans, attempts (lifetime/recent) and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviour (NSSI) (lifetime/recent). RESULTS: In terms of suicidal behaviour, in the last few weeks prior to assessment 14.4% of the patients had death wishes, 2.4% had thoughts of killing themselves, 0.9% had attempted suicide in the lifetime and 0.6% in the last few weeks, 1.1% had active suicidal ideations at the time of assessment, 0.6% had active suicidal plan, 1.3% had history of NSSI in the lifetime and 0.5% had NSSI behaviour in the last few weeks. Based on the current suicidal behaviour, 1.3% of the patients were asked to report to the emergency immediately, 0.5% were given an appointment within 72 h for follow-up, and 14.4% were explained high risk management. CONCLUSIONS: Overall prevalence of suicidal behavior is relatively low in new patients seeking psychiatric help through telepsychiatry services.

Adolescent borderline personality disorder: Does early intervention 'bend the curve'?

OBJECTIVE: The Global Alliance for Prevention and Early Intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) proposed a major change for youth mental health services. The Alliance recommended that early detection and specialised treatment for youth BPD becomes a major focus of their clinical activities. Since structured psychotherapies for BPD are complex and lengthy, this proposal has significant implications for youth policy, planning and resource allocation. Our commentary addresses whether BPD is diagnosable and treatable in youth, and whether early intervention results in longer-term benefits. CONCLUSION: People diagnosed with BPD are highly heterogeneous and experience high levels of comorbidity. The low quality of the evidence for the treatment of BPD in adolescence limits our ability to develop evidence-based guidelines. Accordingly, there is no clear case for BPD early intervention as a major component of youth mental health services. The introduction of ICD-11 classification system may facilitate further empirical studies of personality disorders in adolescence and emerging adulthood.

"Change Doesn't Happen by Itself": A Thematic Analysis of First-Level Leaders' Experiences Participating in the Leadership and Organizational Change for Implementation (LOCI) Strategy.

The Leadership and Organizational Change for Implementation (LOCI) strategy is a multifaceted implementation strategy that aims to support successful evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation by fostering effective general leadership, implementation leadership, and implementation climate. How implementation strategies are experienced by participants is important for their utilization and effectiveness in supporting EBP implementation. The current study is the first in-depth qualitative study exploring first-level leaders' experiences of participating in the LOCI strategy. Data were collected as part of a trial where Norwegian child and adult mental health outpatient clinics implemented EBPs for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eleven first-level leaders from adult and child clinics participated in semi-structured interviews after completing the LOCI strategy. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis generated four themes related to leaders' experiences of participating in the LOCI strategy: (1) structuring the EBP implementation, (2) taking responsibility for the EBP implementation, (3) interacting with others about the EBP implementation, and (4) becoming aware of EBP implementation and their own leadership. Most participants experienced the LOCI strategy as beneficial for implementing EBPs for PTSD in their clinic. The strategy succeeded in raising awareness of leadership for EBP implementation, and simultaneously provided participants with tools and support for leading the implementation in their clinic. Two participants experienced LOCI as less beneficial than the others. Our results support the strategy's potential to engage and empower first-level leaders to get involved in implementation processes and point to important challenges for future research on implementation strategies.

The acceptability of cognitive analytic guided self-help in an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service.

BACKGROUND: An Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service in England has implemented cognitive analytic therapy guided self-help (CAT-GSH) alongside cognitive behavioural guided self-help (CBT-GSH) in order to support enhanced patient choice. This study sought to explore the acceptability to psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) of delivering CAT-GSH. METHOD: This study used a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews and associated thematic analysis (TA). A sample of n=12 PWPs experienced in delivering CAT-GSH were interviewed. RESULTS: Five over-arching themes (containing 12 subthemes) were identified and conceptually mapped: (a) the past-present focus (made up of working with clients' pasts and the different type of change work), (b) expanding the treatment offer (from the perspective of PWPs and clients), (c) the time and resources required to effectively deliver CAT-GSH (to enable safe and effective delivery for clients and personal/professional development for PWPs), (d) understanding CAT-GSH (made up of confidence, learning new therapeutic language/concepts and appreciating the difference with CBT-GSH) and (e) joint exploration (made up of therapeutic/supervisory relationships and enhanced collaboration). CONCLUSION: CAT-GSH appears an acceptable (but challenging) approach for PWPs to deliver in IAPT services. Services should prioritise training and supervision for PWPs to ensure good governance of delivery.

Public mental health: required actions to address implementation failure in the context of COVID-19.

Mental disorders account for at least 18% of global disease burden, and the associated annual global costs are projected to be US$6 trillion by 2030. Evidence-based, cost-effective public mental health (PMH) interventions exist to prevent mental disorders from arising, prevent associated impacts of mental disorders (including through treatment), and promote mental wellbeing and resilience. However, only a small proportion of people with mental disorders receive minimally adequate treatment. Compared with treatment, there is even less coverage of interventions to prevent the associated impacts of mental disorders, prevent mental disorders from arising, or promote mental wellbeing and resilience. This implementation failure breaches the right to health, has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and results in preventable suffering, broad impacts, and associated economic costs. In this Health Policy paper, we outline specific actions to improve the coverage of PMH interventions, including PMH needs assessments, collaborative advocacy and leadership, PMH practice to inform policy and implementation, training and improvement of population literacy, settings-based and integrated approaches, use of digital technology, maximising existing resources, focus on high-return interventions, human rights approaches, legislation, and implementation research. Increased interest in PMH in populations and governments since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic supports these actions. Improved implementation of PMH interventions can result in broad health, social, and economic impacts, even in the short-term, which support the achievement of a range of policy objectives, sustainable economic development, and recovery.

Mental healthcare for children with chronic conditions: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore parent perspectives on accessing mental healthcare for children with a chronic physical health condition. DESIGN: Qualitative research using semistructured interviews and Framework Analysis. Rankings were used to select attributes for a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE). SETTING: Four specialty outpatient clinics (diabetes, epilepsy, bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis and epidermolysis bullosa) at an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen parents of children with a chronical physical health condition. RESULTS: Most parents identified the child's general practitioner and/or hospital team as an initial pathway to seek help if they were worried about their child's mental health. Parents see mental healthcare as part of care for the whole child and want the outpatient clinics to proactively discuss child and family mental health, as well as refer to appropriate services as needed. The hospital being a familiar, child-friendly environment was identified as a key reason the hospital might be a desired place to access mental healthcare, as previous research has found. Six attributes of mental health services were identified as important and will be included in an upcoming DCE: travel time, cost, wait time, available hours, knowledge of physical health condition, and recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the opportunity presented in specialist outpatient clinics to address the often unmet mental healthcare needs of children with chronic physical health conditions. Parents identified practical ways for outpatient clinics to better facilitate access to mental healthcare. These will be further explored through a quantitative study of parent preferences.