Improving interprofessional teamwork in a community mental health team: a team building circle program based on the restorative justice paradigm.

Improving teamwork among mental health practitioners is crucial. However, there have been few intervention studies on teamwork enhancement among community mental health practitioners in South Korea. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Team Building Circle program (TBC) based on the restorative justice paradigm, which sought to promote integration and cohesion. The TBC was developed to improve conflict interpretation mind-set, interpersonal skills, and teamwork among practitioners in community mental health centers. We conducted a quasi-experimental study using a pre and posttest design with a non-equivalent control group. The participants were 44 practitioners from four community mental health centers. Data were collected before the implementation TBC (pretest), just after (posttest), and 3 months after TBC (follow-up test). A generalized estimating equation model was used for analysis. Our findings indicate that the intervention group had improved scores in the ability to cope with interpersonal stress in a constructive way, interpersonal relationship skills, and teamwork compared to the control group. To improve teamwork among community mental health practitioners, managers are encouraged to consider providing TBC intervention.

Informe de rotación electiva

El presente informe recupera la experiencia de trabajo y los aprendizajes alcanzados durante el proceso de rotación electiva en el tercer año de la Residencia Interdisciplinaria de Educación y Promoción de la Salud (RIEPS). En el mismo se presentan las características del lugar de rotación y los fundamentos de la elección; los objetivos de rotación y las actividades realizadas para alcanzarlos; algunos obstáculos y dificultades y los principales aprendizajes y conclusiones. Además, se adjunta como anexo la evaluación realizada por la referente de rotación. Esta primera parte de la rotación electiva tuvo lugar en la Asociación de Musicoterapeutas del Uruguay y se desarrolló por un período de cuatro semanas, desde el 31 de enero al 25 de febrero de 2022. (AU)

Integrating primary care into a community mental health center.

Our initiation of a reverse-integration practice model revealed numerous advantages and rewards, as well as many challenges, for which we found solutions.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation training with music therapy on sleep and anger of patients at Community Mental Health Center.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to examine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training and music therapy applied to chronic psychiatric patients attending the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) on their anger level and sleep quality. METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of 66 chronic psychiatric patients (n = 32 in the control group; n = 34 in the intervention group). Progressive muscle relaxation training with music therapy were implemented in the intervention group as 2 sessions per week for 3 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test mean scores of the intervention group (p ≤ .001). After the intervention, a statistically significant difference was found between the PSQI, anger-in, anger-out, anger-control, and trait anger scale scores of the two groups (p ≤ .001). CONCLUSION: Relaxation training and music therapy are effective in controlling anger and increasing sleep quality in chronic psychiatric patients. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT04620122.

The relationship of mindfulness-based psychoeducation provided to schizophrenic patients with their sociodemographic characteristics in increasing insight.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and mindfulness-based psychoeducation given to schizophrenic patients for increasing insight. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was conducted as pre-experimental single group pretest-posttest model in a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) located in the city center of Balikesir, Turkey, with 55 patients. FINDINGS: In patients graduating from university, posttest mean score of overall Beck Cognitive Insight Scale was higher than its pretest mean score and the difference between the mean scores was statistically significant (P < .05). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended to place mindfulness-based psychoeducation programs into routine treatment in CMHCs to increase the insight of schizophrenic patients.

The Hope Health and Wellness Clinic: Outcomes of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness in a Bidirectional Integrated Care Clinic.

The integrated health home, the Hope Health and Wellness Clinic, provides comprehensive primary and behavioral health services to adult clients of a Community Mental Health Center in Aurora, Colorado. A program evaluation of the effectiveness of this clinic was conducted over a 4 year period. Physical health data (Body Mass Index BMI, HbA1c, cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference measurements) and self-report data (social connectedness, everyday functioning, psychological distress, perceived health, satisfaction with services) were tracked across time. Individuals enrolled (N = 534) experienced significant improvements over time in LDL and total cholesterol, as well as self-reported social connectedness, everyday functioning, perceived health, and psychological distress. At risk individuals demonstrated significant improvements in HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, tobacco and alcohol use. Individuals with serious mental illness show improvements in physical health and self-reported health after being involved in bidirectional integrated care.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Psychosocial Skills Training on Functioning and Insight Level in Patients with Schizophrenia.

This study aims to determine the effect of mindfulness-based psychosocial skills training (MBPST) on the functional recovery and insight level in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, 40 patients with schizophrenia registered in the Aksaray Community Mental Health Centre were divided into two groups: the intervention group (n = 20) and the non-intervention group (n = 20). The Functional Recovery Scale in Schizophrenia (FRSS) and the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) were measured at preintervention and postintervention. The posttest mean scores of FRSS and BCIS of the intervention group were statistically higher than the non-intervention group (p < 0.05). The MBPST program improved functional recovery and cognitive insight in schizophrenia. In line with these results, it has been recommended that MBPST program should be provided along with medical treatment in Community Mental Health Centres.

Fútbol y psicoanálisis: una experiencia entre varios

En el Centro de Salud Mental Nº 1 de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, el equipo de Niños Tarde comenzó en 2018 a integrar a los niños en tratamiento a un taller de fútbol, pensado como un espacio en el cual pudieran jugar con otros, y posibilitar múltiples transferencias e intervenciones. Se describe cómo fueron desarrollándose las actividades de este dispositivo.

A Case Study of Implementing Grant-Funded Integrated Care in a Community Mental Health Center.

The US government funds integrated care demonstration projects to decrease health disparities for individuals with serious mental illness. Drawing on the Exploration Preparation Implementation Sustainability (EPIS) implementation framework, this case study of a community mental health clinic describes implementation barriers and sustainability challenges with grant-funded integrated care. Findings demonstrate that integrated care practices evolve during implementation and the following factors influenced sustainability: workforce rigidity, intervention clarity, policy and funding congruence between the agency and state/federal regulations, on-going support and training in practice application, and professional institutions. Implementation strategies for primary care integration within CMHCs include creating a flexible workforce, shared definition of integrated care, policy and funding congruence, and on-going support and training.

Four reasons why early detection centers for psychosis should be renamed and their treatment targets reconsidered: we should not catastrophize a future we can neither reliably predict nor change.

Since the 1990s, facilities for individuals at putative risk for psychosis have mushroomed and within a very short time have become part of the standard psychiatric infrastructure in many countries. The idea of preventing a severe mental disorder before its exacerbation is laudable, and early data indeed strongly suggested that the sooner the intervention, the better the outcome. In this paper, the authors provide four reasons why they think that early detection or prodromal facilities should be renamed and their treatment targets reconsidered. First, the association between the duration of untreated psychosis and outcome is empirically established but has become increasingly weak over the years. Moreover, its applicability to those who are considered at risk remains elusive. Second, instruments designed to identify future psychosis are prone to many biases that are not yet sufficiently controlled. None of these instruments allows an even remotely precise prognosis. Third, the rate of transition to psychosis in at-risk patients is likely lower than initially thought, and evidence for the success of early intervention in preventing future psychosis is promising but still equivocal. Perhaps most importantly, the treatment is not hope-oriented. Patients are more or less told that schizophrenia is looming over them, which may stigmatize individuals who will never, in fact, develop psychosis. In addition self-stigma has been associated with suicidality and depression. The authors recommend that treatment of help-seeking individuals with mental problems but no established diagnosis should be need-based, and the risk of psychosis should be de-emphasized as it is only one of many possible outcomes, including full remission. Prodromal clinics should not be abolished but should be renamed and restructured. Such clinics exist, but the transformation process needs to be facilitated.

Who is driving change, and where is it taking us? Interview with an expert.

In addition to providing critical behavioral health services for those with mental health issues and substance use disorders, some Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) in the United States have begun integrating primary care services, referred to as "reverse integration". Representing the interests of CMHCs across the United States, the National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH) represents over 3,000 member organizations delivering mental health and/or addictions treatment and services to roughly 10 million patients and families. This article reflects a recent wide-ranging conversation with Linda Rosenberg, the president and CEO of NCBH. Trained as a social worker, Rosenberg was senior deputy commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health prior to joining the NCBH and is a dynamic and high-energy strategist and thought leader in the field of community mental health and integrated care. We discussed issues impacting payment for integrated care, including private equity investment, capitated payment, and the role of risk, and how these market dynamics impact vulnerable populations. For the sake of brevity, we summarize our conversation with Ms. Rosenberg and offer her perspective to integrated care practitioners and researchers who largely operate outside of this world of business built on calculated risks and rewards. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

["I Would Never have done it Without Coercion " - Experiences with Coercion and Compulsion in a Family Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Day Clinic]. / "Freiwillig hätt' ich's nicht gemacht " ­ Erfahrungen mit Zwangskontexten und erzwungenen Aufenthalten in einer familienpsychiatrischen und -psychotherapeutischen Tagesklinik.

"I Would Never have done it Without Coercion …" - Experiences with Coercion and Compulsion in a Family Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Day Clinic Coercion and compulsion have negative connotations, especially in psychiatric therapy. But in families, children are always also affected if parents do not want or are not able to make use of therapy. The avoidance of therapy can be a symptom of illness, e. g. separation anxiety. Perceived or real external coercion, e. g. from the youth welfare office or school, can be used to initially open up access to therapy and to allow parents to become capable of acting again. Coercion can initially reduce the ambivalence of the parents. The Family Therapeutic Centre (FaTZ) is a psychiatric and psychotherapeutic day clinic for parents and children. Family constellations are described in which initial coercion was a door-opener to therapy. During courses of treatment therapeutic alliances could be established, hope for positive change emerged, and the outcome was favourable. School avoidance of the child (e. g. due to separation anxiety) in combination with mentally ill parents is an exemplary constellation in which initial coercion can pave the way to therapy for families that otherwise wouldn't get access. Afterwards, voluntary cooperation should be intended, as the overriding objective is to reduce coercive measures to a minimum.

A Sociodemographic Profile of Asian Americans Served in Community Mental Health Centers for a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder.

Little is known about Asian Americans treated for serious psychiatric disorders in the public mental health system. We characterized 75 Asian Americans seen at community mental health centers for a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder to anticipate likely clients and gain insights into their service needs. Participants completed in-person interviews and self-report questionnaires on their demographic and social characteristics. The ethnically diverse sample featured mostly foreign-born individuals with long-standing schizophrenia. Findings highlighted participants' differential experience of social adversities and stressful events, but also revealed salient cultural resources that shielded some from the social sequelae of schizophrenia. Recovery-oriented mental health programs staffed by culturally and linguistically compatible providers remain key to engaging this marginalized population in service. Findings also uphold a holistic management of schizophrenia spectrum disorder among racial and ethnic minorities, taking into account the complex social needs of afflicted individuals.

Availability of Integrated Primary Care Services in Community Mental Health Care Settings.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the availability of primary care and wellness services in community mental health centers (CMHCs) and outpatient mental health facilities (OMHFs). METHODS: This study used data from the 2016 National Mental Health Services Survey to examine the proportion of facilities that reported offering integrated primary care and wellness services (smoking and tobacco cessation counseling, diet and exercise counseling, and chronic disease and illness management). The study used logistic regression to model the odds that a facility offered integrated primary care as a function of facility characteristics. RESULTS: Across states, 23% of CMHCs and 19% of OMHFs offered integrated primary care. The odds of offering integrated primary care were significantly higher among facilities that reported more quality improvement practices, prohibited smoking, or offered wellness services. Less than one third offered smoking and tobacco cessation counseling or other wellness services. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated primary care remains uncommon in CMHCs and OMHFs and is more likely among facilities with certain characteristics.

Os organismos comunitários em saúde mental no Quebec, Canadá / The mental health community organizations from Quebec (Canada)

Resumo Este estudo apresenta os organismos comunitários em saúde mental (OCSM) do Quebec, Canadá. Especificamente, traça reflexões considerando sua origem, inserção no sistema público de saúde, princípios, características e formatos. Os OCSM são serviços autônomos, originados na comunidade, que oferecem atividades sem fins lucrativos no setor da saúde e assistência social. Realizou-se estudo descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, com revisão não sistemática da literatura. Os resultados apontaram o surgimento dos OCSM no contexto de desospitalização de pacientes, mas com déficit de recursos substitutivos ao hospital psiquiátrico. Apontaram também sua consolidação como alternativa à psiquiatria tradicional, reconhecimento e financiamento parcial, pelo governo, como parte da assistência à saúde mental. Constatou-se que os OCSM compartilham certos princípios, mas concretizam-se em vários formatos, destacando-se por estimular a defesa dos direitos e a convivência em comunidade de pessoas em sofrimento psíquico. Contudo, observaram-se limitações quanto ao alcance e à interação entre OCSM e estabelecimentos públicos, e questiona-se o papel do Estado frente a tais organismos. Conclui-se apontando aproximações e distanciamentos entre características da assistência em saúde mental promovida pelos OCSM no Quebec e pelo Brasil; e indica-se a continuidade das discussões, visando à sedimentação de políticas e práticas em saúde mental, que garantam o cuidado na comunidade.

Abstract This study presents the Mental Health Community Organizations (MHCO) from Quebec (Canada). The authors draw up reflections considering its origin, insertion into the public health system, principles, characteristics and formats. The MHCO are autonomous, community-based services that provide nonprofit activities in health and social service fields. A descriptive, qualitative study based on a non-systematic review of the literature was done. The results point to the emergence of the MHCO in a context of dehospitalization of patients, but without enough resources replacing the psychiatric hospital. They were consolidated as an alternative to traditional psychiatry, recognized by the government as part of mental health care, and partially financed by the State. The MHCO share some principles, but they materialize in several formats. They stand out for encouraging the defense of rights, and socially reintegrating people in psychological distress. However, there are limitations considering their reach and interaction with public establishments, and the role of the State over these institutions is questioned. We conclude by pointing out similarities and differences between mental health assistance promoted by the MHCO from Quebec and by Brazil. It is necessary to continue dialoguing, aiming to establish policies and practices in mental health that guarantee community-based care.

The effect of mindfulness-based psychoeducation on insight and medication adherence of schizophrenia patients.

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to determine the effect of mindfulness based psychoeducation program on insight and medication adherence of schizophrenia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a true experiment design with pre-test and post-test control groups. The study population consisted of 369 schizophrenic patients enrolled in Community Mental Health Centers located in Balikesir and Eskisehir province centers. The sample consisted of 135 patients, 55 from experimental and 80 from control groups selected by randomized sampling. The data was collected between February and May 2016. The Descriptive Information Form, Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) and Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) were used. In the experimental group, the psychoeducation program was applied. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, t-test in both dependent and independent groups, were used in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: The mean post-test score of the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale was 4.89 ±â€¯6.05 in the experimental group, 1.68 ±â€¯5.67 in the control group and the difference between the mean scores was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The mean post-test score of Medication Adherence Rating Scale was 1.76 ±â€¯0.42 in the experimental group, 1.50 ±â€¯0.50 in the control group and the difference between the mean scores was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that psychoeducation program was effective in increasing cognitive insight level and medication adherence of patients and can be used by nurses in addition to medication.

Community Mental Health Center Integrated Care Outcomes.

Despite the compelling logic for integrating care for people with serious mental illness, there is also need for quantitative evidence of results. This retrospective analysis used 2013-2015 data from seven community mental health centers to measure clinical processes and health outcomes for patients receiving integrated primary care (n = 18,505), as well as hospital use for the 3943 patients with hospitalizations during the study period. Bivariate and regression analyses tested associations between integrated care and preventive screening rates, hemoglobin A1c levels, and hospital use. Screening rates for body-mass index, blood pressure, smoking, and hemoglobin A1c all increased very substantially during integrated care. More than half of patients with baseline hypertension had this controlled within 90 days of beginning integrated care. Among patients hospitalized at any point during the study period, the probability of hospitalization in the first year of integrated care decreased by 18 percentage points, after controlling for other factors such as patient severity, insurance status, and demographics (p < .001). The average length of stay was also 32% shorter compared to the year prior to integrated care (p < .001). Savings due to reduced hospitalization frequency alone exceeded $1000 per patient. Data limitations restricted this study to a pre-/post-study design. However, the magnitude and consistency of findings across different outcomes suggest that for people with serious mental illness, integrated care can make a significant difference in rates of preventive care, health, and cost-related outcomes.

A qualitative study of patient experiences of care in integrated behavioral health and primary care settings: more similar than different.

Integrated behavioral health and primary care is a patient-centered approach designed to address a person's physical, emotional, and social healthcare needs. Increasingly, practices are integrating care to help achieve the Quadruple Aim, yet no studies have examined, using qualitative methods, patients' experiences of care in integrated settings. The purpose of this study was to examine patients' experiences of care in community-based settings integrating behavioral health and primary care. This is a qualitative study of 24 patients receiving care across five practices participating in Advancing Care Together (ACT). ACT was a 4-year demonstration project (2010-2014) of primary care and community mental health centers (CMHCs) integrating care. We conducted in-depth interviews in 2014 and a multidisciplinary team analyzed data using an inductive qualitative descriptive approach. Nineteen patients described receiving integrated care. Both primary care and CMHC patients felt cared for when the full spectrum of their needs, including physical, emotional, and social circumstances, were addressed. Patients perceived personal, interpersonal, and organizational benefits from integrated care. Interactions with integrated team members helped patients develop and/or improve coping skills; patients shared lessons learned with family and friends. Service proximity, provider continuity and trust, and a number of free initial behavioral health appointments supported patient access to, and engagement with, integrated care. In contrast, patients' prior experience, provider "mismatch," clinician turnover, and restrictive insurance coverage presented barriers in accessing and sustaining care. Patients in both primary care and CMHCs perceived similar benefits from integrated care related to personal growth, improved quality, and access to care. Policy makers and practice leadership should attend to proximity, continuity, trust, and cost/coverage as factors that can impede or facilitate engagement with integrated care.

Use of a Mental Health Center Collaborative Care Team to Improve Diabetes Care and Outcomes for Patients With Psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness (compared with usual care) of a collaborative care model to treat community mental health center (CMHC) patients with psychosis and poorly controlled diabetes. METHODS: Stakeholder input was used to adapt a primary care-based collaborative care intervention for CMHC settings. Thirty-five adult CMHC clients with type II diabetes and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) >8% or blood pressure >140/90 were randomized to receive either collaborative care or usual care. Change in HbA1c was evaluated between baseline and three months. Paired t tests were used for within-group comparisons. RESULTS: After three months, intervention participants had a statistically significant mean decrease in HbA1c of 1.1% (p=.049). There was no significant change in HbA1c in the usual-care group. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of implementing collaborative care in CMHC settings and its preliminary effectiveness in improving glycemic control in a high-risk population.

Establishing an Integrated Health Care Clinic in a Community Mental Health Center: Lessons Learned.

Integrating primary care with behavioral health services at community mental health centers is one response to the disparity in mortality and morbidity experienced by adults with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. Many integration models have been developed in response to the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI) initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). One model is a primary care clinic co-located within the mental health center. The Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) Wellness Center is one such co-located clinic developed as a partnership between CMHC and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). In this article, we describe the process of developing this on-site clinic along with lessons learned during implementation. We review different aspects of building and maintaining such a clinic and outline lessons learned from both successes and challenges. We briefly describe the demographics and health characteristics of the patient population served in this clinic. We make recommendations for providers and agencies that are considering or are already developing a model for integrating care. Finally, we briefly review status of our clinic after completion of grant funding.