Family support study. A study of experiences, needs, and support requirements of families with enduring mental illness in Ireland.

This study explores the experiences of families enduring mental illness, the effects of mental health issues on members of the family, their adjustment to the burden of mental illness, the service requirements and resource needs of family members and satisfaction levels with current services

Exploring the effectiveness of an integrated exercise/CBT intervention for young men's mental health

Objective. This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a team-based sport/psychosocial intervention (Back of the Net, BTN) with an individual exercise (IE) and a control condition for the mental health of young men. Design. Ten-week randomized control trial and eight-week post-intervention follow-up. Methods. A total of 104 sedentary males aged between 18 and 40 years were recruited and randomly assigned to the BTN, IE, or a control condition. The BTN programme integrated team sport (i.e., football) and cognitive-behavioural techniques. IE sessions included aerobic and resistance training. The control group refrained from exercise. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory – 2nd Edition (BDI-II), the Social Provisions Scale (SPS) and a short qualitative questionnaire at pre-intervention, week 5, post-intervention and at 8-week follow-up. Results. Participants in both the BTN and the IE condition demonstrated a significant decrease in BDI-II scores compared to the control condition at post-intervention and at 8-week follow-up. The IE condition demonstrated significantly greater perceived social support than the BTN condition at week 5 and the control group at 8-week follow-up. Qualitative data support the main empirical findings. Conclusion. Exercise-based interventions were effective in reducing symptoms of depression in a non-clinical community sample of young men. The BTN programme demonstrated potential for improving the mental health of young men however larger scale community-based research is warranted to further examine the effectiveness of this type of intervention

A qualitative exploration of men's experiences of an integrated exercise/CBT mental health promotion programme

This study investigated qualitatively the experiences of men who took part in a 10 week integrated exercise/psychosocial mental health promotion programme, "Back of the Net" (BTN). 15 participants who completed the BTN programme were recruited to participate in either a focus group discussion (N = 9) or individual interview (N = 6). A thematic analytic approach was employed to identify key themes in the data. Results indicated that participants felt that football was a positive means of engaging men in a mental health promotion program. Perceived benefits experienced included perceptions of mastery, social support, positive affect and changes in daily behaviour. The findings support the value of developing gender specific mental health interventions to both access and engage young men. © 2012 by the Men's Studies Press

Psychosocial, socio-cultural, and environmental influences on mental health help-seeking among African-American men

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jomh.2012.03.00

"Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place": How Mental Health Nurses' Experience Psychosocial interventions in Irish Mental Health Care Settings.

What is known on the subject? Psychosocial interventions (PSI) are recognized and recommended internationally as they primarily focus on improving a client's mental health and preventing relapse. Limited qualitative studies focus on the similarities and differences on offering PSI in practice across many countries. What this paper adds to existing knowledge? This manuscript provides readers with qualitative findings of mental health nurses’ (MHNs) experiences of using PSI in practice and the need for regular clinical supervision to increase MHNs confidence and enhance the offering of PSI. MHNs want PSI guidelines for the offering of these skills to their client groups across practice settings. MHNs require work release from practice to attend supplementary training on PSI so that they can do their job adequately. What are the implications for practice? This study sheds light on the similarities and differences on PSI in Irish mental health services. It also highlights what MHNs recognize as important for PSI to be implemented. Clinical supervision and the development of PSI guidelines are necessary so that MHNs feel confident delivering these skills. They also need ongoing work release from practice to attend supplementary PSI training to provide best evidence to enhancing client experiences and positive PSI recovery outcomes. Abstract 4.1 Description The paper will report on the interview data of trained MHNs’ experiences of using PSI within the Irish context. This observational data will be reported elsewhere (Smyth et al. 2020—under review). 4.2 Introduction This research is conducted when the current reform of Irish mental health governance demands clarification of key psychosocial skills (PSI) required for mental health nurses (MHNs) to embrace recovery-orientated ways of working. There is limited evidence about this important topic in Ireland and across countries. 4.3 Aim To explore PSI-trained MHNs’ experiences of using PSI within Ireland. 4.4 Method A multiple case study methodology was used and situated within an interpretive paradigm. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with 40 PSI-trained MHNs. 4.5 Findings Three overarching themes developed from the analysis. These included (a) PSI-trained MHNs’ understanding and use of PSI; (b) facilitating factors supporting the use of PSI by PSI-trained MHNs; and (c) obstacles limiting the use of PSI by PSI-trained MHNs. 4.6 Discussion MHNs recognize that regular clinical supervision is required to increase their confidence, along with PSI guidelines for the offering of these skills across practice settings. MHNs also need work release to attend supplementary training on PSI so that they can do their job adequately. 4.7 Implications for practice This study suggests that MHNs are often stuck between a rock and a hard place when delivering PSI in practice. MHNs need to be aware that this can affect client outcomes. 4.8 Relevance statement This research identified a gap in knowledge within the Irish context but also across the world on this important topic. MHNs need access to regular clinical supervision, PSI guidelines and ongoing PSI training to feel confident in order to keep abreast of the changes happening in mental health practice and research

It's good to talk: distress disclosure and psychological wellbeing. HRB Research Series 1.

This paper investigated the relationship between levels of distress disclosure and psychological wellbeing in the general population. Two measures of psychological wellbeing were used – the 12–item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) and a self–reported rating of participants’ mental health in the previous 12 months. Distress disclosure was measured using a 12–item Likert scale called the Distress Disclosure Index. Distress disclosure was defined as an individual’s willingness to disclose distressing personal information to others. A nationally representative sample of 2,711 adults aged 18 years and over living in private households in Ireland was surveyed. Four socio–demographic determinants of levels of distress disclosure were explored including gender, age, marital status and geographic location. The association between distress disclosure and psychological wellbeing was investigated. The Distress Disclosure Index was found to be a statistically valid, unidimensional measure. Statistically significant differences were found in levels of distress disclosure in terms of the four socio–demographic variables and significant correlations were found between levels of distress disclosure and psychological wellbeing. Those most willing to disclose distressing information to others were females and those in the younger age groups. Furthermore a greater willingness to disclose distressing information was related to better mental health. The findings have implications for the promotion of psychological health and wellbeing and help seeking behaviour

Happy living here... A survey and evaluation of community residential mental health services in Ireland.

The study describes and evaluates the nature and quality of community residential accommodation and the extent to which it met the needs of residents. The functioning of community residences with reference to the appropriateness of premises and their operational role in providing for the residents is discussed. Residents themselves were the prime reporting agents as to the view of their lives and their degree of satisfaction with current service provision. The interaction of the residents with their neighbourhood and environment was also investigated. Enquiry was made as to their ‘citizenisation’, such as voting registration, participation in social amenities and use of community services. In addition, staff understanding of the aims and functions of the residences and their perceptions of the factors that promoted or impeded independent living were investigated

High support community residences census 2006. HRB Statistics Series 1.

A census of high support community residences in Ireland was carried out on the night of the 31 March 2006. The purpose of the census was to gather information on resident in high support community residences provided by the mental health services on the night of the census. The 2006 census, the second in the series, has expanded the scope of the previous census by gathering information on diagnosis and daytime activities such as employment, attendance at day centres, and training. All residences operating under the provisions of the Mental Health Act (2001) were reviewed