How to Mitigate the Mental Health Care Consequences of the COVID-19 Financial Crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to record unemployment claims and a weakened U.S. economy. This column reviews results of past research to examine how a recession might affect behavioral health and the treatment of mental and substance use disorders and suggests potential policy solutions. Despite increases in suicide and substance use, losses in employment-related health insurance could dampen treatment seeking. Federal, state, and local officials should be vigilant regarding suicide prevention. Individuals who lose employee insurance coverage should be protected through insurance marketplaces and Medicaid outreach and enrollment. Public and private coverage of telehealth, which has already been expanded, should continue beyond the pandemic. Federal support for community behavioral health organizations should continue to offset state and local budget cuts and ensure provision of needed treatment. The capacity of social services should be expanded as well as systems that facilitate client connection to social services.

Use of Reimbursed Psychology Videoconference Services in Australia: An Investigation Using Administrative Data.

BACKGROUND: In November 2017, the Australian government approved reimbursement for psychology consultations conducted by videoconference under the Better Access initiative to address inequitable access of mental health services across regions in Australia. OBJECTIVE: This project uses publically available activity data from the Medicare Benefits Scheme to quantify the uptake of videoconference for psychology resulting from the initiative change. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Medicare Benefits Schedule item reports using the item codes for standard consultations and the new item codes for videoconference consultations. Activity data from 2 years before and the first year of the change to the Better Access initiative were compared to examine the uptake of videoconference for psychology. Data were stratified by allied health profession, sex, age and state jurisdiction. RESULTS: In the 1-year period after the introduction of reimbursed videoconference consultations, approximately 5.7 million in-person consultations and 4141 videoconference consultations were funded by Medicare in Australia. Videoconference consultations comprised 0.07% of the total consultations performed in that 1-year period and showed an increased trajectory. The results can guide future research into evaluating the clinical outcomes of patients via both in-person and videoconference delivery modes. CONCLUSIONS: Videoconference mental health services were used in the first year that they were available, although they only accounted for a small percentage of all mental health consultations provided by allied health professionals. This finding lays the foundation for future work which could examine the effectiveness of the scheme in reducing inequity and investigating the economic benefits of the expanded initiative to the government and society.

Mala praxis en psiquiatría / Mal practice in psychiatry

La responsabilidad profesional médica (RPM) es la obligación de reparar las consecuencias de los actos profesionales y las omisiones que hayan causado un daño o perjuicio, ya sea por no haber puesto los medios necesarios o el cuidado adecuado en la asistencia a un paciente, ya sea por negligencia en su conducta o por incumplimiento de la lexartis. Actualmente, la lexartis ad hoc constituye el criterio para valorar la corrección de un acto médico concreto ejecutado por el médico. El interés y preocupación por la RPM son a la vez una problemática antigua y actual y en respuesta a dicha preocupación, desde hace años se dedican grandes esfuerzos a la denominada Seguridad Clínica. La Psiquiatría posee una serie de características específicas que deben tenerse en cuenta a la hora de valorar dicha RPM. La Psiquiatría tiene un riesgo muy bajo de reclamación y el porcentaje de casos en los que se considera probada la existencia de responsabilidad resulta igualmente bajo, pero existen ciertas actuaciones específicas que deben abordarse para la mejora de la seguridad clínica

Medical professional liability (MPL) is the duty to repair the consequences of professional acts and omissions that caused injury or prejudice either for failing means necessary or proper care in assisting a patient, whether they performed a negligent conduct or breached the lex artis. Currently, the lexartis ad hoc is the criterion for assessing the correctness of a particular medical procedure performed by the physician. The interest and concerns for the MPL are both ancient and current problems and in response to this concern, great efforts have been made regarding Clinical Safety. Psychiatry has a number of specific characteristics that must be taken into account when assessing this MPL. Psychiatry has a very low risk of claim and the percentage of cases in which responsibility is considered proven is equally low, but there are some specific actions to be taken to improve clinical safety in Psychiatry

Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: In 1983, an article and accompanying editorial was published on the state of psychiatry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which was described as "a mental health system in statu nascendi." METHODS: We provide a 30-year update on advances in mental health care in KSA. Data are reported from a wide range of sources, including the 2007 Saudi Arabian Mental and Social Health Atlas, which compares services in KSA with the rest of the world. RESULTS: We examine how the current mental health system operates in KSA, including recent changes in mental healthcare policy and development of a national mental healthcare plan. Discussed are current needs based on the prevalence and recognition of mental disorders; availability of services and providers (psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and social workers); education and training in psychiatry; developments in consultation-liaison, addictions, child-adolescent, and geriatric psychiatry; and progress in mental health research. CONCLUSIONS: Mental healthcare in Saudi Arabia has come a long way in a very short time, despite cultural, religious, social, and political challenges, although there still remain areas where improvement is needed. The development of psychiatry in KSA serves as a model for countries in the Middle East and around the world.

Reinserção social de portadores de sofrimento psíquico: o olhar de usuários de um centro de atenção psicossocial / Social rehabilitation of patients with psychological distress: the gaze of users of a psychosocial care center

Com o objetivo de possibilitar o convívio social mais amplo dos portadores de sofrimento psíquico, a Reforma Psiquiátrica preconiza a ruptura do modelo de internação hospitalar e a consequente reinserção social desses sujeitos. Considerando que a reforma encontra-se em processo de construção, são necessárias pesquisas sobre a reinserção social visando contribuir para uma maior eficácia da rede de saúde mental. O presente artigo objetiva analisar a visão dos usuários de um serviço de saúde mental acerca da reinserção social dos portadores de sofrimento psíquico. O estudo contou com a participação de 20 usuários de um CAPS, que responderam a uma entrevista semiestruturada; os dados obtidos foram submetidos a uma análise discursiva. A análise aponta que o serviço é percebido como um local de acolhimento, seguro para os usuários; no entanto, os portadores de sofrimento psíquico ainda são vistos com preconceito por frequentarem um local de assistência psicológica. Além disso, os usuários do serviço não estão inseridos no mercado de trabalho. A partir do exposto, considera-se que o serviço ainda não proporciona plenamente a reinserção social dos usuários. Fica clara a positiva mudança nos modos de tratamento da saúde mental, sendo o CAPS sinônimo de liberdade em seus diversos sentidos. Contudo, a reinserção ainda não atingiu outros espaços que não o próprio CAPS.

With the objective of enabling the broader social life of people with mental disorder, the Psychiatric Reform advocates to disrupt the hospitalization model and subsequent reintegration of these individuals. Whereas the reform is in process of construction, research is needed on the social reintegration to contribute to greater effectiveness of mental health network. This paper aims to analyze the views of users of a mental health service about the social rehabilitation of patients with psychological distress. The study involved the participation of 20 users of a CAPS, who responded to a semistructured interview, data were subjected to discourse analysis. The analysis indicates that the service is perceived as a place of welcome, safe for users, however, patients with psychological distress are still viewed with prejudice by attending a place of psychological assistance. Additionally, users of the service are not included in the labor market. Thus it is considered that the service still does not provide full social reinsertion. It is clear the positive shift in ways of mental health treatment, and the CAPS becomes synonymous with freedom in its various senses. However, the reinsertion not yet reached spaces other than the CAPS itself.

Descripción de la consulta psiquiátrica en centros penitenciarios de la Comunidad Valenciana / Description of the psychiatric unit in prisons in the Autonomous Community of Valencia

Introducción: Existen pocos trabajos sobre el contenido de las consultas psiquiátricas en las prisiones. Objetivos: Explorar el perfil sociodemográfico, clínico y de tratamiento de los pacientes valorados en la consulta psiquiátrica de tres centros penitenciarios. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico multicéntrico, descriptivo, longitudinal, y prospectivo de los pacientes valorados en la consulta psiquiátrica de tres prisiones de la Comunidad Valenciana durante 2009, 2010 y 2011. Se obtuvieron variables clínicas, sociodemográficas y penitenciarias de cada paciente. Las frecuencias se compararon mediante la Ji2 de Pearson y las medias por el test de ANOVA o el método de Kruskall-Wallis. Se calculó la probabilidad de mantenerse en agenda psiquiátrica mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier, estableciéndose las diferencias con el método de Mantel- Haenzsel (Logrank). Se diseñó un modelo de regresión logística para determinar las variables asociadas a hiperfrecuentación. Resultados: Se valoraron 786 pacientes en 2.006 consultas (2,5 visitas/paciente). El 90% eran varones y el 88,2% españoles, con una edad media de 36,0 años. El 29,9% tenían patología infecciosa crónica asociada. El 69,5% consume algún tipo de sustancia. El 59,2% sufría un trastorno de personalidad y el 11,6% del espectro de la esquizofrenia. Los cuadros clínicos más frecuentes fueron; 49,1% cuadros ansiosos, 20,8% depresivos y 11,7% síntomas psicóticos. Los trastornos psicóticos supusieron 1,5 veces más probabilidad (IC 95%; 1,1-1,9) de mantenerse más tiempo en agenda. Los fármacos más prescritos fueron quetiapina, mirtazapina, pregabalina y diacepam. Conclusiones: Los trastornos mentales en prisión son muy prevalentes. Es necesario potenciar los recursos disponibles para una adecuada atención de estas patologías(AU)

Introduction: Little work has been done on the contents of psychiatric consultancies in prisons. Aims: To explore the sociodemographic, clinical and treatment profile of the patients who were assessed in the psychiatric consultancy of three prisons. Methods: This is a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive and multicenter-based epidemiological study of patients who were assessed in the psychiatric consultacy of three prisons in the Autonomous Community of Valencia from 2009 to 2011. Sociodemographic, clinical and prison data was obtained from each patient. Their frequency was compared with Pearson’s Ji2 and averages with the ANOVA test or with The Kruskall-Wallis method. The probability of keeping the patients in schedule was calculated with Kaplan-Meier’s curves and differences with the Mantel-Haenzsel method (Logrank) were established. A logistic regression model was designed to determine the data linked to frequent users. Results: 786 patients were assessed in 2,006 visits (2.5 visits/patient). 90% were male, 88.2% Spanish and their average age was 36 years. 29.9% suffered from an infectious chronic pathology. 69.5% used some kinds of substance. 59.2% suffered from personality disorder and 11.6% from the spectrum of schizophrenia. The most frequent medical profiles were: 49.1% with anxiety disorder, 20.8% depressive disorder and 11.7% psychotic disorder. These psychotic disorders meant a greater probability of 1.5 times for maintaining in schedule. The most commonly prescribed medications were quetiapine, mirtazapine, pregabalin and diazepam. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of mental disorders in prisons. It is necessary to improve the available resources to deal with these pathologies in the most effective way(AU)

Reducing barriers to mental health and social services for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: outcomes of an integrated primary care clinic.

BACKGROUND: Despite high rates of post-deployment psychosocial problems in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, mental health and social services are under-utilized. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) integrated care (IC) clinic (established in April 2007), offering an initial three-part primary care, mental health and social services visit, improved psychosocial services utilization in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans compared to usual care (UC), a standard primary care visit with referral for psychosocial services as needed. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using VA administrative data. POPULATION: Five hundred and twenty-six Iraq and Afghanistan veterans initiating primary care at a VA medical center between April 1, 2005 and April 31, 2009. MAIN MEASURES: Multivariable models compared the independent effects of primary care clinic type (IC versus UC) on mental health and social services utilization outcomes. KEY RESULTS: After 2007, compared to UC, veterans presenting to the IC primary care clinic were significantly more likely to have had a within-30-day mental health evaluation (92% versus 59%, p < 0.001) and social services evaluation [77% (IC) versus 56% (UC), p < 0.001]. This exceeded background system-wide increases in mental health services utilization that occurred in the UC Clinic after 2007 compared to before 2007. In particular, female veterans, younger veterans, and those with positive mental health screens were independently more likely to have had mental health and social service evaluations if seen in the IC versus UC clinic. Among veterans who screened positive for ≥ 1 mental health disorder(s), there was a median of 1 follow-up specialty mental health visit within the first year in both clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans new to primary care, an integrated primary care visit further improved the likelihood of an initial mental health and social services evaluation over background increases, but did not improve retention in specialty mental health services.

Estratégia da Atenção Psicossocial e participação da família no cuidado em saúde mental / The Psychosocial Care Strategy and family participation in mental health care

Este trabalho tem como objetivo discutir como familiares de portadores de transtornos mentais têm experienciado as mudanças nas políticas da área, o que pensam sobre as novas demandas de participação e como as mesmas têm impactado na sua relação cotidiana com os serviços de saúde mental e nas práticas de cuidado junto a seus familiares. A pesquisa foi realizada no ambulatório de saúde mental de Natal entre novembro de 2008 e fevereiro de 2009, como parte de um trabalho de mestrado que objetivava analisar processos de cronificação em curso nesse serviço. Foram realizadas 12 entrevistas, sendo sete com familiares e cinco com usuários. Os resultados evidenciam as inúmeras dificuldades dos familiares junto às novas propostas de cuidados em saúde mental, que interferem diretamente na perspectiva de corresponsabilização posta pela Estratégia da Atenção Psicossocial. Acreditamos que tal construção entre técnicos e familiares deve vir acompanhada de ações de suporte às famílias, de mudanças nos modos de trabalho e gestão, bem como de avanços em relação às políticas de inclusão social e reabilitação psicossocial, de fortalecimento de mecanismos de controle social, de estímulo ao empoderamento dos usuários e familiares no sentido de fazer avançar o processo de desinstitucionalização em saúde mental.

This study aimed to discuss the way that families of individuals with mental health disturbances experience the political changes in the area, what they think about the new participation demands and about the impact that these demands have on their daily relations with the mental health services, and on their family care practices. The study was conducted from November 2008 to February 2009 in a mental health service in the city of Natal, Brazil. It is part of a masterïs dissertation project that sought to analyze the chronic processes in this service. The results brought into evidence the several difficulties experienced by family members with the new mental health care proposals, that directly interfere in the co-responsibility perspective proposed by the Psychosocial Care Strategy. We believe that in order to promote the mental health deinstitutionalization process, the construction of co-responsibility between technical workers and family members must include: supportive actions to the families; changes in the work and management modes; advances in the social inclusion and psychosocial rehabilitation policies; mechanisms for the strengthening of social control; and empowerment stimulus for the client and his family members.

[The medical social characteristic of patients with psychic disorders addressed to medical institutions with various forms of property].

The article deals with the issues of enhancement of the psychiatric service. The analysis of the results of medical social study of the patients addressed for the medical care to public and commercial structures is given. The substantiation of necessity in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of out-patient psychiatric care service are presented and the various alternative models of its development as well.

Mental health social work and nursing in the USA and the UK: divergent paths coming together?

BACKGROUND: When the mental health systems of the UK and the USA are compared, one of the most striking differences is that social workers are the largest professional group in the USA and community nurses the largest in the UK. AIM AND METHOD: This paper examines the history of the development of both professional groups in both countries, and their education and training. RESULTS: Demand, supply and economic factors are important influences and reasons for these differences. CONCLUSIONS: Both professions have critical future workforce roles, but further consideration needs to be given to the extent to which their skills and values overlap in order to inform future workforce planning, and to reduce the extent to which the workforce pattern in both countries risks being over-determined by supply issues.

Alta-Assistida de usuários de um hospital psiquiátrico: uma proposta em análise / Assisted-Discharge of users of a psychiatric hospital: a proposal under review

Um dos obstáculos atuais à Reforma Psiquiátrica é a ausência de uma rede assistencial ágil, flexível e resolutiva. A proposta de saída dos usuários do hospital de forma planejada e assistida é uma estratégia fundamental no processo de desinstitucionalização, no sentido de evitar o tão acentuado fenômeno da reinternação. Tal situação está relacionada à falta de uma rede de atenção extra-hospitalar, bem como de suporte e acompanhamento do usuário por parte da equipe técnica em parceria com as famílias. Com base nisso, realizou-se uma investigação em um hospital psiquiátrico do município de Natal, visando a avaliar o processo de implantação e o funcionamento do Projeto de Alta-Assistida atualmente em curso nessa instituição. Este trabalho objetiva discutir os resultados dessa investigação.

One of the current obstacles to the psychiatric reform is the absence of an agile, flexible and problem-solving welfare network. The proposed removal of users from the hospital in a planned and assisted is a key strategy in the process of deinstitutionalization, in order to avoid the phenomenon of so marked rehospitalization. This situation is related to the lack of a network of care outside hospitals, as well as supporting and monitoring of the user by the technical team in partnership with families. On this basis, there was an investigation into a psychiatric hospital in the city of Natal, to evaluate the process of deployment and operation of the Project for Assisted Discharge currently in progress at that institution. This work discusses the results of this research.

Deprofessionalization or postprofessionalization? Reflections on the state of social work as a profession.

Recent literature considering the state of the social work profession has primarily focused on concerns about deprofessionalization. This article provides an overview of the literature on professionalization and professional decline in order to situate the social work profession within a broader context. The article then describes the emergence of a new role for social workers in Canada that crosses the boundaries between clinical, managerial, and legal aspects of client care in the area of mental health forensics. It is argued that the future of social work's professionalization project around the world may not be as bleak as has been portrayed in the literature.

Los límites de la reinserción comunitaria en salud mental desde el ámbito penitenciario / No disponible

No disponible