Harassment, stalking, threats and attacks targeting New Zealand politicians: a mental health issue

The harassment of politicians has significant psychosocial costs for both the victim and the perpetrator and represents an opportunity for mental health intervention. Abstract Objective: Due to the nature of their work, politicians are at greater risk of stalking, harassment and attack than the general population. The small, but significantly elevated risk of violence to politicians is predominantly due not to organised terrorism or politically motivated extremists but to fixated individuals with untreated serious mental disorders, usually psychosis. Our objective was to ascertain the frequency, nature and effects of unwanted harassment of politicians in New Zealand and the possible role of mental illness in this harassment. Methods: New Zealand Members of Parliament were surveyed, with an 84% response rate (n = 102). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on Parliamentarians’ experiences of harassment and stalking. Results: Eighty-seven percent of politicians reported unwanted harassment ranging from disturbing communications to physical violence, with most experiencing harassment in multiple modalities and on multiple occasions. Cyberstalking and other forms of online harassment were common, and politicians felt they (and their families) had become more exposed as a result of the Internet. Half of MPs had been personally approached by their harassers, 48% had been directly threatened and 15% had been attacked. Some of these incidents were serious, involving weapons such as guns, Molotov cocktails and blunt instruments. One in three politicians had been targeted at their homes. Respondents believed the majority of those responsible for the harassment exhibited signs of mental illness. Conclusion: The harassment of politicians in New Zealand is common and concerning. Many of those responsible were thought to be mentally ill by their victims. This harassment has significant psychosocial costs for both the victim and the perpetrator and represents an opportunity for mental health intervention

Combat and the possibility of posttraumatic growth

The psychological impact of war has been observed across time and culture. In the aftermath of wars throughout history, societies have experienced devastating post-war mental health and readjustment problems (Wells et al., 2011). The consequences of modern-day warfare have become amplified; specifically, with military operations in Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom. The increase in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other co-morbid mental health disorders among our nation's veterans has sparked the development of research in both treatment and prevention. As the demands of treatment have increased, there has been a shift towards a preventative mindset, focused on discovering what makes an individual resilient in the face of trauma and capable of growth post-trauma: posttraumatic growth (PTG). Understanding post-combat functioning in OIF and OEF veterans is vital, as it guides the development of interventions to enhance resilience and support, as well as promote successful re-integration into civilian life (Pietrzak et al., 2010). Concepts of mental health training which endeavor towards resilience and PTG do not transfer to these high-risk occupational contexts without being tailored to military culture. This qualitative, multiple case study, aims to unearth a rich description of the lived experiences of three combat arms veterans. Focusing on the phenomenon of PTG, this study clarifies resilience factors in combat, PTG from combat, and insight into time-course development. Ultimately, the goal of this work is to illustrate that combat trauma does not necessarily lead to a damaged life; there is hope for personal change and growth.Includes bibliographical reference

Plenary Session II – Medical Track: Substance and Medication Use

This session will provide information on drivers’ use of prescription medications, poly-pharmacy, alcohol, “medical” marijuana, and illegal drugs and the impact these substances may have on one’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Adaptation of a Standard Extended-Release Naltrexone (XR-NTX) Protocol for Rural Re-Entering Offenders with OUD

BACKGROUND: Despite a growing body of empirical support for the effectiveness of extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) to reduce opioid relapse among people with opioid use disorder (OUD) transitioning from a correctional facility to the community, continuity of care following release remains challenging. This paper describes a research-based adaptation of a state\u27s standard of care XR-NTX protocol using the ADAPT-ITT framework for delivery in a non-traditional, non-treatment, community criminal justice setting (P&P office), as well as the expansion of services by a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) provider who would, for the first time, be going to the jail and P&P office to provide XR-NTX and related treatment. METHOD: The present study focuses on the first seven phases (Assessment through Training) of the ADAPT-ITT framework in the adaptation of the Department of Corrections (DOC) protocol in preparation for a pilot trial for induction in a rural jail and during the transition to a rural community. Expert clinical review and focus groups with key stakeholders in criminal justice supervision and the local providers in the FQHC informed the needed adaptations to the existing XR-NTX protocol for initiation at the jail and ongoing administrations in the community. RESULTS: Findings from stakeholder focus groups, study team review, topical expert review, and a theater test suggested that there were critical adaptations needed in both content and context at the patient and clinic level. CONCLUSION: Health and justice officials should consider the need to tailor and adapt evidence-based approaches for real-world locations that high-risk, justice-involved individuals visit in order to reduce barriers and increase access to critically needed treatment for OUD

Health in All Policies: Working Across Sectors in Cooperative Extension to Promote Health for All

A Health in All Policies approach engages cross-sector stakeholders to collaboratively improve systems that drive population health. We, the members of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP)’s Health in All Policies Action Team, propose that adopting a Health in All Policies approach within the national Cooperative Extension System will better prepare us to contribute meaningfully to improving the nation’s health. We first explain the Health in All Policies approach and argue for why and how it is relevant for Extension. We then present insights gathered from Extension Family and Consumer Sciences program leaders and state specialists to assess whether national and state leadership are poised to adopt a Health in All Policies approach within their affiliated programs. Although participant leaders saw the value of the approach in contributing to population health improvement, they generally saw the Extension system as having lower levels of readiness to adopt such an approach. Six themes emerged as ways to increase Extension’s engagement in Health in All Policies: a paradigm shift within Extension, professional development of competencies, transformational leaders and leadership support, continued and new partnerships, information access for all levels and disciplines of Extension

Early blood pressure, antihypotensive therapy and outcomes at 18–22 months’ corrected age in extremely preterm infants

Investigate relationships between early blood pressure (BP) changes, receipt of anti-hypotensive therapy, and 18 – 22 month corrected age (CA) outcomes for extremely preterm infants

The Grizzly, December 3, 1982

Graterford Prisoners Counseled • Phi Psi Sponsors Santa • Chem Society Rated Outstanding • Renowned Professor Dies • Steinbright Scholarships Offered • News Briefs: Sigma Pi Sigma Inducts New Members; Operation Native Talent; New Evening School Class; Winterfest II Schedules Events; Going for Baroque • Commuters Don\u27t Get No Respect! • Letters to the Editor • Is Tuition Increase Justified? • Recent Thefts and Attacks Prompt Security Questions • Cheating at Ursinus? • A Last Squeeze Before Departing • The Missionary: A Blessing • Roving Reporter: How Do You Feel About the New Security System in the Quad? • Challenge Yourself at Outward Bound • The Perfect Man • UC Faculty Not Burnt Out • Sports Profile: Mullahy and Bazow, Football Captains • Women\u27s Basketball Tops Aggies in Opener: Jankauskas Scoring and Rebounding Was Key • UC Making a Contribution to Olympic Efforthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1090/thumbnail.jp

Resource utilisation and costs in predementia and dementia: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Dementia is the fastest growing major cause of disability globally with a mounting social and financial impact for patients and their families but also to health and social care systems. This review aims to systematically synthesise evidence on the utilisation of resources and costs incurred by patients and their caregivers and by health and social care services across the full spectrum of dementia, from its preceding preclinical stage to end of life. The main drivers of resources used and costs will also be identified. Methods and analysis A systematic literature review was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CDSR, CENTRAL, DARE, EconLit, CEA Registry, TRIP, NHS EED, SCI, RePEc and OpenGrey between January 2000 and beginning of May 2017. Two reviewers will independently assess each study for inclusion and disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted using a predefined data extraction form following best practice. Study quality will be assessed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool. The reporting of costing methodology will be assessed using the British Medical Journal checklist. A narrative synthesis of all studies will be presented for resources used and costs incurred, by level of disease severity when available. If feasible, the data will be synthesised using appropriate statistical techniques. Ethics and dissemination Included articles will be reviewed for an ethics statement. The findings of the review will be disseminated in a related peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences. They will also contribute to the work developed in the Real World Outcomes across the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum for better care: multi-modal data access platform (ROADMAP)