Safety and Well-Being Tipsheet Series: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coercion

2011 ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Caron ◽  
A. Liu

Objective This descriptive study compares rates of high psychological distress and mental disorders between low-income and non-low-income populations in Canada. Methods Data were collected through the Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS 1.2), which surveyed 36 984 Canadians aged 15 or over; 17.9% (n = 6620) was classified within the low-income population using the Low Income Measure. The K-10 was used to measure psychological distress and the CIDI for assessing mental disorders. Results One out of 5 Canadians reported high psychological distress, and 1 out of 10 reported at least one of the five mental disorders surveyed or substance abuse. Women, single, separated or divorced respondents, non-immigrants and Aboriginal Canadians were more likely to report suffering from psychological distress or from mental disorders and substance abuse. Rates of reported psychological distress and of mental disorders and substance abuse were much higher in low-income populations, and these differences were statistically consistent in most of the sociodemographic strata. Conclusion This study helps determine the vulnerable groups in mental health for which prevention and promotion programs could be designed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. E1-E15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna E Stewart ◽  
Harriet MacMillan ◽  
Nadine Wathen

• IPV is an underrecognized problem that occurs in all countries, cultures, and socioeconomic groups. • IPV has an enormous impact on personal health, and economic and social well-being. • IPV may occur in heterosexual and LGBTQ relationships and may be perpetrated by either sex. • Canadian data from 1999 show about equal proportions of men and women had been victims of physical (seven and eight per cent, respectively) and psychological (18 and 19 per cent, respectively) IPV in the previous five years. • Exposure to IPV has deleterious effects on children and other family members. • Some populations are at greater risk or have special needs for IPV. These include immigrant women, Aboriginal women, LGBTQ communities, people with ALs, pregnant women, dating adolescents, older people, alcohol and other substance abusing people, low-income people, and those without a current partner (that is, IPV perpetrated by a former partner). • Mental health problems associated with IPV include depression, anxiety disorders, chronic pain syndromes, eating disorders, sleep disorders, psychosomatic disorders, alcohol and other substance abuse, suicidal and self-harm behaviours, nonaffective psychosis, some personality disorders, and harmful health behaviours, such as risk taking and smoking. As IPV is a major determinant of mental health, it is of vital importance to mental health professionals. • Physical health problems associated with IPV include death, a broad range of injuries, reproductive disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain syndromes, fibromyalgia, poor physical functioning, and lower health-related quality of life. Sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and physical inactivity are also increased. • Children's exposure to IPV may have short- and long-term health impacts on the child, especially mental health effects. • Perpetrators of IPV most frequently have personality disorders, but substance abuse and other types of mental illness or brain dysfunction may also occur.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S623-S623
Author(s):  
G. Lyrakos ◽  
D. Menti ◽  
A. Dimitriou ◽  
I. Spyropoulos ◽  
V. Spinaris

IntroductionDifferences between the most frequently reported diagnoses of Greek people and immigrants in Greece are expected due to the different underlying factors which are associated with mental health issues.ObjectivesExamine differences in diagnoses between Greek people and immigrants.AimsTo investigate whether Greek people and immigrants had significant differences with regard to reported diagnoses in a Greek hospital.MethodsThe patients who participated in this study are 5551, among them 2760 (49.7%) were males and 2791 (50.3%) were females. The mean age of the sample was 45.54. The sample consisted of 455 (8.3%) immigrants and 5,042 (91.7%) Greek people. Convenience sampling method was used and the sample was collected at the General Hospital of Nikaia, “Ag. Panteleimon” in Athens, Greece, between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2015.ResultsThere were significant differences between Greek people and immigrant with regard to diagnosis as χ2 (20): 136.875, P < 0.001. More specifically, among Greek people, the most frequently reported diagnosis was psychotic disorder (26.2%), followed by depression (24.7%), general anxiety disorder (9.9%) and substance abuse (8.4%). Among immigrants, the most frequently reported diagnosis was psychotic disorder (22.9%), followed by substance abuse (21.3%), depression (17.4%) and general anxiety disorder (12.1%).ConclusionsThe differences between Greek people and immigrants with regard to diagnoses showcase the different needs between the two populations with regard to mental health. Especially, the higher prevalence of anxiety disorders and substance abuse problems among immigrants highlight the need for protective measures to improve their well-being and reduce their risk of mental health issues.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e049370
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bogaers ◽  
Elbert Geuze ◽  
Jaap van Weeghel ◽  
Fenna Leijten ◽  
Nicolas Rüsch ◽  
...  

ObjectivesMany workers in high-risk occupations, such as soldiers, are exposed to stressors at work, increasing their risk of developing mental health conditions and substance abuse (MHC/SA). Disclosure can lead to both positive (eg, support) and negative (eg, discrimination) work outcomes, and therefore, both disclosure and non-disclosure can affect health, well-being and sustainable employment, making it a complex dilemma. The objective is to study barriers to and facilitators for disclosure in the military from multiple perspectives.DesignQualitative focus groups with soldiers with and without MHC/SA and military mental health professionals. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was done using a general inductive approach.SettingThe study took place within the Dutch military.ParticipantsIn total, 46 people participated in 8 homogeneous focus groups, including 3 perspectives: soldiers with MHC/SA (N=20), soldiers without MHC/SA (N=10) and military mental health professionals (N=16).ResultsFive barriers for disclosure were identified (fear of career consequences, fear of social rejection, lack of leadership support, lack of skills to talk about MHC/SA, masculine workplace culture) and three facilitators (anticipated positive consequences of disclosure, leadership support, work-related MHC/SA). Views of the stakeholder groups were highly congruent.ConclusionsAlmost all barriers (and facilitators) were related to fear for stigma and discrimination. This was acknowledged by all three perspectives, suggesting that stigma and discrimination are considerable barriers to sustainable employment and well-being. Supervisor knowledge, attitudes and behaviour were critical for disclosure, and supervisors thus have a key role in improving health, well-being and sustainable employment for soldiers with MHC/SA. Furthermore, adjustments could be made by the military on a policy level, to take away some of the fears that soldiers have when disclosing MHC/SA.


Kuntoutus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-17
Author(s):  
Päivi Rissanen ◽  
Sari Jurvansuu

Artikkelissa tarkastellaan vertaistoimintaa päihde- ja mielenterveysjärjestöissä. Tutkimusaineisto koostuu kahdesta kyselystä. Ensimmäisessä kartoitettiin paikallisten päihde- ja mielenterveysyhdistysten (n=187) ja valtakunnallisten järjestöjen (n=28) johtajien käsityksiä vertaisuuden merkityksestä niiden toiminnassa sekä niissä tuotettavia vertaistoiminnan muotoja. Täydentävää aineistoa kerättiin järjestöjen työntekijöille (n=61) ja vertaisille (n=75) kohdistetulla kyselyllä, jossa tarkasteltiin vertaistoiminnan merkitystä, siihen liittyviä tehtäviä, vertaisten roolia ja asemaa sekä heihin kohdistuvia tukitoimenpiteitä ja tuen tarvetta.Vertaistoiminnalla oli keskeinen merkitys päihde- ja mielenterveysjärjestökentällä. Sen painoarvo kuitenkin vaihteli. Vertaistoiminnan merkitys oli suurempi ja siihen liittyviä toimintamuotoja oli enemmän suurilla toiminta-alueilla toimivissa yhdistyksissä. Sen painoarvo korostui etenkin ennen vuotta 1986 perustetuissa yhdistyksissä.Vertaisten rooli ja tehtävät hahmottuivat hieman eri tavoin työntekijöiden ja vertaisten itsensä näkökulmasta.Työntekijät korostivat vertaisten roolia järjestöjen asiakastyössä ja konkreettisessa auttamis- ja tukitoiminnassa, kun taas vertaiset itse näkivät roolinsa laajemmin myös järjestön ulkosuhteissa ja yhteiskunnallisina vaikuttajina. Aineiston vertaisista kolmannes oli kokenut uupumusta tai väsymystä toimiessaan vertaisena. Järjestöissä on tärkeää taata sekä vertaisten oman orientaation huomioiminen toiminnan suunnittelussa ja kehittämisessä että tarvittavat resurssit vertaisten tukemiseen. AbstractThe forms and importance of peer support in substance abuse and mental health organizations The study examines peer support in substance abuse and mental health organizations. The study is based on two sets of data. Information on the importance and forms of peer support provided was collected by a questionnaire sent to local (n=187) and national (n=28) non-governmental organizations in the fields of substance abuse and mental health, addressed to the CEO or chairman of the board. Supplementary data on the roles and tasks of peers as well as their need for support in their own work was collected by a questionnaire sent to the personnel (n=61) and peers (n=75) in these organizations. Peer support had a central role in both substance abuse and mental health organizations but it differed in different kinds of organizations. Peer support had a stronger emphasis and was more common in organizations operating in larger cities. Also, organizations founded especially before year 1986 had a stronger element of peer support in them compared to younger organizations. The peers’ roles and tasks were perceived somewhat differently by the personnel and the peers themselves. The personnel emphasized the peers’ role in the organization’s customer work and practical help and support related tasks, whereas the peers themselves perceived their role more broadly, including in the organizations’ external relations and in advocacy work. Every third of the peers who answered the questionnaire had experienced fatigue or exhaustion in their work as a peer. The results highlight the need to consider the peer workers’ own orientation and expectations in planning peer support in substance and mental health organizations, as well as the need to provide sufficient resources for supporting the peers’ well-being and coping skills in their work. Keywords: peer, peer support, NGO, substance abuse organizations, mental health organizations


2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold G. Koenig

In this second in a series of articles on religion and medicine, I focus on the relationship between religion and mental health. This discussion is based on a comprehensive and systematic review of a century of research examining religion's relationship to mental health, social support, substance abuse, and other behaviors affecting mental or social functioning. This review includes over 630 separate data-based reports that focus on religion and well-being, hope and optimism, meaning and purpose, depression, suicide, anxiety, psychosis, social support and marital stability, alcohol and drug abuse, cigarette smoking, extra-marital sexual behaviors, and delinquency. Reasons for the associations found are discussed and conclusions drawn in light of the findings.


2020 ◽  
pp. 106648072098098
Author(s):  
Kyle N. Weir ◽  
Sergio Pereyra ◽  
Jeff Crane ◽  
Mandy Greaves ◽  
Timothy S. Childs ◽  
...  

Substance abuse in parents is damaging to their children and the family system as a whole. If family treatment is paired with substance abuse treatment for the parents, children have the possibility of having better attachment with their parents and thus increase general functioning skills and overall family well-being. This study examined the impact of Whole Family Theraplay as an effective play therapy treatment with mothers in recovery from substance abuse and their children with attachment issues in an inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation facility. Scores indicated that women/mothers had reduced symptoms of distress and improved their mental health functioning. Their children demonstrated improved interpersonal relationships, reduced interpersonal distress, and improvement in overall mental health functioning. The implications of this study were that by implementing Whole Family Theraplay, in addition to individual and group counseling in substance abuse treatment, subjects showed demonstrated improvement in attachment relationships and mental health outcomes.


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