Remote crisis intervention and suicide risk management in COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers.

Introduction: Despite the propagation of virtual mental health services for vulnerable groups during COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation and evaluation of remote evidence-based practices (EBP) to manage them in low- and middle-income countries remains scarce. In the current study, we describe and evaluate the implementation process and clinical impact of brief, remote, manualized EBP for crisis intervention and suicide risk management among healthcare workers attending patients with COVID-19 (COVID-19-HCWs) in Mexico. Methods: The implementation process comprised community engagement of volunteer mental health specialists, creation of new clinical teams with different disciplines and skills, intervention systematization through manuals and education through 4-h remote training as main strategies. Mexican COVID-19-HCWs who had used a free 24-h helpline rated their pre- and post-intervention emotional distress. Therapists recorded patients' pre-intervention diagnosis, severity, and suicide risk, the techniques used in each case, and their post-treatment perception of COVID-19-HCWs' improvement at the end of the intervention. Results: All techniques included in the intervention manual were employed at least in one case (n = 51). At the beginning of the intervention, 65.9% of the COVID-19-HCWs were considered moderately ill or worse according to Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores, whereas at the end, 79.4% of them were perceived as much or very much improved according to CGI-Improvement scores (CGI-I), and their emotional distress had been significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Discussion: This prospective study provides evidence that implementation of remote EBP is feasible and useful to reduce emotional distress and suicide risk among COVID-19-HCWs from a middle-income country. However, this study was limited by lack of a control group, improvement ratings provided by therapists and non-anonymous satisfaction ratings.

Developing an App to Screen for Dual Disorders: A Tool for Improving Treatment Services in Mexico.

Background: Previous studies in Mexico undertaken at residential facilities for treating substance use disorders (SUDs) reported that the prevalence of Dual Disorders (DDs) is over 65%. DDs pose a major challenge for the Mexican health system, particularly for community-based residential care facilities for SUDs, due to the shortage of certified professionals to diagnose and treat these patients. Moreover, the lack of standardized algorithms for screening for and evaluating DDs to refer patients to specialized services (whether private or public) hinders timely care, delaying the start of integrated treatment. The use of new technologies provides a strategic opportunity for the timely detection of DDs through the development of standardized digital applications for the timely detection of DDs. Objective: To develop an app to screen for DDs, which will contribute to referral to specialized services in keeping with the level of severity of psychiatric and addictive symptomatology, and be suitable for use by community-based residential care facilities for SUDs. Method: The research project was implemented in two stages. Stage 1 involved obtaining the psychometric properties of the Dual Diagnosis Screening Interview (DDSI). Stage 2 consisted of two steps to test the Beta version of the app and the quality of version 1.0. Results: The DDS obtained sensitivity and specificity scores above 85%. The app and its algorithm to screen for and refer DDs proved to be efficient and easy to apply with satisfactory community acceptance. Conclusion: The app promises to be a useful screening tool at residential addiction treatment centers.

Mental Health Problems among COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers and the Other Country-Level Epidemics: The Case of Mexico.

COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (FHCW) are struggling to cope with challenges that threaten their wellbeing. We examine the frequency and predictors of the most frequent mental health problems (MHP) among FHCW during the first COVID-19 peak in Mexico, one of the most severely affected countries in terms of FHCW's COVID-19 mortality. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 8 and August 18, 2020. A total of 47.5% of the sample (n = 2218) were FHCW. The most frequent MHP were insomnia, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and health anxiety/somatization (whole sample: 45.7, 37.4, 33.9, and 21.3%; FHCW: 52.4, 43.4, 40.3 and 26.1, respectively). As compared to during the initial COVID-19 phase, depression and health anxiety/somatization symptoms as well as experiences of grieving due to COVID-19, personal COVID-19 status, and having relatives and close friends with COVID-19 were more frequent during the COVID-19 peak. Obesity, domestic violence, personal COVID-19 status, and grieving because of COVID-19 were included in regression models for main FHCW's MHP during the COVID-19 peak. In conclusion, measures to decrease other country-level epidemics contributing to the likelihood of COVID-19 complications (obesity) and MHP (domestic violence) as well as FHCW´s probability of COVID-19 infection could safeguard not only their physical but also mental health.

Necesidades de atención en salud mental y uso de servicios en población mexicana con trastornos mentales graves / Mental health care needs and use of services in Mexican population with serious mental disorders

Resumen: Objetivo: Analizar las demandas de atención de los trastornos mentales graves (TMG) y factores asociados con la utilización de servicios en México. Material y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio analítico transversal en dos fases: la primera con una base de datos nacional de servicios disponibles y su utilización; la segunda, una muestra de registros médicos de un hospital psiquiátrico. Resultados: La esquizofrenia es el TMG más prevalente; más de 50% de hospitalizados fueron hombres, con edad promedio 37 años. La utilización de servicios estuvo asociada con la edad (β=1.062; p=.000), ingreso familiar (β=1.000, p=.000) y no tener ocupación (β=3.407; p=.000). La población con esquizofrenia tiene cuatro veces más la probabilidad de requerir estar exenta de pago (β=4.158; p=.000). Conclusiones: La población con TMG es más vulnerable por la discapacidad funcional y social asociada; requiere de intervenciones específicas de salud acompañadas de una política de protección financiera adaptada a sus necesidades de atención.

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the mental health care needs of the serious mental disorders (SMD) and factors associated with the use of services in Mexico. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in two phases, the first with a national database of available services and its utilization; the second, a sample of medical records of a psychiatric hospital. Results: Schizophrenia is the most prevalent MDS; more than 50% of those hospitalized were male, with an average age of 37 years. The use of services was associated with age (β=1.062, p=.000), family income (β=1.000, p=.000) and no laboral occupation (β=3.407, p=.000). The population with schizophrenia is four times more likely to require to be exempt from payment (β=4.158, p=.000). Conclusions: The population with SMD as schizophrenia is more vulnerable due to the associated functional and social disability and it requires specific heath interventions and a financial protection policy adapted to their mental health care needs.

[Mental health care needs and use of services in Mexican population with serious mental disorders]. / Necesidades de atención en salud mental y uso de servicios en población mexicana con trastornos mentales graves.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the mental health care needs of the serious mental disorders (SMD) and factors associated with the use of services in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in two phases, the first with a national database of available services and its utilization; the second, a sample of medical records of a psychi- atric hospital. RESULTS: Schizophrenia is the most prevalent MDS; more than 50% of those hospitalized were male, with an average age of 37 years. The use of services was associated with age (ß=1.062, p=.000), family income (ß=1.000, p=.000) and no laboral occupation (ß=3.407, p=.000). The population with schizophrenia is four times more likely to require to be exempt from payment (ß=4.158, p=.000). CONCLUSIONS: The population with SMD as schizophrenia is more vulnerable due to the associated functional and social disability and it requires specific heath interventions and a financial protection policy adapted to their mental health care needs.

OBJETIVO: Analizar las demandas de atención de los trastornos mentales graves (TMG) y factores asociados con la utilización de servicios en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio analítico transversal en dos fases: la primera con una base de datos nacional de servicios disponibles y su utilización; la segunda, una muestra de registros médicos de un hospital psiquiátrico. RESULTADOS: La esquizofrenia es el TMG más prevalente; más de 50% de hospitalizados fueron hombres, con edad promedio 37 años. La utilización de servicios estuvo asociada con la edad (ß=1.062; p=.000), ingreso familiar (ß=1.000, p=.000) y no tener ocupación (ß=3.407; p=.000). La población con esquizofrenia tiene cuatro veces más la probabilidad de requerir estar exenta de pago (ß=4.158; p=.000). CONCLUSIONES: La población con TMG es más vulnerable por la discapacidad funcional y social asociada; requiere de intervenciones específicas de salud acompañadas de una política de protección financiera adaptada a sus necesidades de atención.

Effectiveness of augmented Individual Placement and Support interventions for competitive employment in people with schizophrenia: Systematic review and meta-analysis / Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de la efectividad de intervenciones aumentadas de IPS para la obtención de empleo competitivo en personas con esquizofrenia

Abstract: Background: It has been estimated that over 70% of people living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia wish to work. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model has proven to be highly effective in enhancing competitive employment in people with schizophrenia. However, the efficacy of augmented IPS interventions, in other words, those that incorporate a psychosocial intervention into the model, has not been evaluated in this population. Objective: To assess the efficacy of augmented IPS interventions designed to obtain competitive employment in people with schizophrenia. Method: A systematic review of the literature on randomized clinical trials of augmented IPS interventions, published in English between 2007 and 2017, was conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, Science Direct, and EBSCO. Risk of bias and competitive employment rates were calculated. A meta-analysis was performed using the random effects method to estimate the effect of augmented IPS interventions. Results: Twelve articles were identified in which 10 augmented IPS interventions were compared with other interventions. In eight studies conducted on people with schizophrenia, the intervention was based on IPS + social skills/work skills/cognitive remediation vs. IPS or modified IPS. No general effect favoring augmented interventions (RR = 1.37, 95% CI [.97, 1.95], I2 = 52%) was found. Augmented IPS interventions tend to be more effective when they are implemented during the first psychotic episode. Discussion and conclusion: It is not possible to conclude that augmented IPS interventions have a significant effect over standard IPS interventions in obtaining competitive employment in people with schizophrenia.

Resumen: Antecedentes: Se ha estimado que más del 70% de las personas que viven con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia desean trabajar. El modelo Individual Placement and Support (IPS) ha mostrado efectividad para que las personas con esquizofrenia consigan un empleo competitivo. Sin embargo, en esta población no se ha evaluado la eficacia de las intervenciones aumentadas de IPS -es decir, aquellas que añaden al modelo una intervención psicosocial. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de las intervenciones aumentadas de IPS dirigidas a la obtención de empleo competitivo en personas con esquizofrenia. Método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados sobre intervenciones aumentadas de IPS publicados en inglés entre 2007 y 2017, en las bases de datos electrónicas de PubMed, Science Direct y EBSCO. Se calcularon el riesgo de sesgo y las tasas de empleo competitivo. Se realizó un metaanálisis mediante el método de efectos aleatorios para estimar el efecto de las intervenciones aumentadas de IPS. Resultados: Se identificaron 12 artículos en los que se comparaban 10 intervenciones aumentadas de IPS con alguna otra intervención. En ocho estudios realizados en personas con esquizofrenia, la intervención se basó en IPS + habilidades sociales/habilidades laborales/remediación cognitiva vs. IPS o IPS modificadas, sin que se encontrara un efecto general en favor de las intervenciones aumentadas (RR = 1.37, 95% IC [.97, 1.95], I2 = 52%). Las intervenciones aumentadas de IPS tienden a ser más efectivas cuando se llevan a cabo en el primer episodio psicótico. Discusión y conclusión: No se puede concluir que las intervenciones aumentadas de IPS tengan un mayor efecto sobre las intervenciones estándar de IPS para la obtención de empleo competitivo en personas con esquizofrenia.

Motivos y expectativas de los adolescentes sobre la utilización de servicios de salud / Motives and expectations related by adolescents for using health services

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los motivos y expectativas que refirieron los adolescentes de una escuela preparatoria de Guadalajara para utilizar servicios de salud. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo mediante entrevistas a grupos focales, El análisis de los datos constó de la transcripción de la grabación relectura, identificación de elementos claves para la construcción de categorías y análisis interpretativo. La utilización de los servicios de salud se asocia con el diagnóstico y pronóstico de los adolescentes y su red de apoyo les asignan. Los motivos referidos para utilizarlos varian según su sexo: para no hacerlo se relacionan con timidez, verguenza, no asertividad y distorciones del pensamiento. El grupo de pares juega roles contradictorios (facilitador/oponente) para que acudan a los servicios. Se concluye que la utilización de los servicios de salud esta influida por características de la personalidad, por la percepción de género y por la red de apoyo (familiares, amigos, maestros)