Treatment FAQ

how treatment helps mental health patients scholarly articles

by Prof. Angel Harvey Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

How can we improve mental health outcomes?

Mental health outcomes will need to be assessed more routinely, and measurement‐based care should become part of the overall culture of the mental health care system.

What is the best treatment for mental illness?

Medications can play a role in treating several mental disorders and conditions. Treatment may also include psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”) and brain stimulation therapies (less common). In some cases, psychotherapy alone may be the best treatment option.

Are there evidence-based psychological treatments for Mental Disorders?

Evidence-based psychological treatments for mental disorders: Modifiable barriers to access and possible solutions Allison G. Harveyand Nicole B. Gumport Author informationCopyright and License informationDisclaimer Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley

Do current treatments address the complex challenges of mental illness?

Abstract Current treatments and the dominant model of mental health care do not adequately address the complex challenges of mental illness, which accounts for roughly one-third of adult disability globally.

Does treatment improve mental health?

Medication does not outright cure mental illness. However, it may help with the management of symptoms. Medication paired with psychotherapy is the most effective way to promote recovery.

Why is treatment important for mental illness?

Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering. Untreated mental health conditions can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and suicide, and poor quality of life.

What can treatment of mental illness improve?

Psychological treatments can reduce the distress associated with symptoms and can even help reduce the symptoms themselves. Depending on the person, these therapies may take time (often months) to show benefits. There are many different psychological therapies used in the treatment of mental illness.

What is the most effective mental health treatment?

Psychotherapy or counseling. This also is called talk therapy. It is one of the most common treatments for mental health disorders.

What are the benefits of treatment?

5 Long-Term Benefits of TherapyTherapy can help you learn life-long coping skills. ... Therapy can change how you interact with people in your life – in a good way. ... Therapy can make you feel happier. ... Through its link to happiness, therapy leads to more productivity. ... Therapy can help improve chronic stress.

What is importance of treatment?

For example, treatments for chronic illnesses focus on reducing symptoms and preventing or delaying complications. If you stop treatment, these may occur more quickly, which could have a major impact not only on your quality of life, but also on your life expectancy.

How can you treat a patient with mental disorder?

Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, involves talking about your condition and related issues with a mental health professional. During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behavior.

How has the treatment of mental illness changed over time?

Mental health has been transformed over the last seventy years. There have been so many changes: the closure of the old asylums; moving care into the community; the increasing the use of talking therapies. They have all had a hugely positive impact on patients and mental health care.

What is the goal of mental health treatment?

The overall goal of mental health therapy is to help you better understand and manage how to overcome life's challenges. Whether you are experiencing obstacles you believe to be minor or significant, it's never too soon to work towards your life goals in a constructive way.

What are the problems with mental health?

The first problem is that the prevalence of mental disorders is high and growing. The second problem is that the majority of individuals diagnosed with a mental disorder are not able to access an adequate treatment.

Why is Nice so special?

NICE is particularly remarkable because, for each disorder, a panel of experts including clinicians, researchers and consumers is formed to carefully review the scientific evidence on the best treatment/s available for each physical and mental health problem.

How does motivational interviewing work?

For example, motivational interviewing aims to reduce motivational barriers via a stance that emphasizes accepting the patient as an individual, avoiding argumentation, giving lectures or ultimatums and by focusing on the process of eliciting and shaping language in favor of change (i.e. change talk).

What was the national health care spending in 1960?

In 1960, national health care spending was 5.4% of the gross domestic product. In 2007, the 16.2% that was spent on national health care was far more than any other developed nation and the rise is unlikely to be attributable to the aging or growing population (Peterson & Burton, 2007).

How much did antidepressants increase in 1993?

In particular, antidepressant use rose from 0.16% in 1993 to 2.02% in 2000. Over the same period, the overall prevalence of mental disorders did not change markedly and the use of EBPTs did not increase significantly (Brugha et al., 2004).

Is mental illness undertreated?

In sum, the evidence that has accrued across multiple studies conducted across multiple countries indicates that mental disorders are prevalent and that the number of people meeting diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder appears to be steeply growing. Mental disorders are undertreated.

Is evidence based treatment effective?

Evidence-based psychological treatments (EBPTs) are effective. The Director of the National Institutes of Mental Health in the USA observed that ‘while psychosocial interventions have received much less marketing attention than pharmacological treatments, the results are arguably more encouraging’(p. 29) (Insel, 2009).

Why is there a gap in the evidence base for mental health?

On the other hand, there are many important gaps in the evidence base to support mental health quality measurement, especially for outcomes that are most meaningful to consumers, as well as for specific populations such as children.

What are the innovations in quality measurement?

International innovations in quality measurement include the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems76, and the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership77, which provides data on reporting, ability to report, and ascertainment of data across countries.

Is measurement based care a clinical tool?

In the US, there are a few notable examples of public and private measurement‐based care programs in primary and specialty mental health care setting s that are adopted as clinic al tools, but to date not widely used for quality measurement.

Is mental health far behind other areas of medicine?

Furthermore, the mental health field is far behind other areas of medicine with regard to the implementation of technologies, notably health information technology to capture relevant health information that could support reporting on mental health care quality measures.

How many people with mental illness receive no treatment?

Globally, more than 70% of people with mental illness receive no treatment from health care staff. Evidence suggests that factors increasing the likelihood of treatment avoidance or delay before presenting for care include (1) lack of knowledge to identify features of mental illnesses, (2) ignorance about how to access treatment, ...

What is increasing evidence?

INCREASING EVIDENCE SUGgests that significantly greater barriers exist to receipt of mental health care in comparison with physical health care. Worldwide, more than 70% of young people and adults with mental illness do not receive any mental health treatment from health care staff.1The difference between true prevalence ...

Did there have to be a reduction in discrimination from mental health professionals?

However, there was no reduction in reports of discrimination from either mental health professionals or physical health care professionals.

What is the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of mental health services?

It includes indicators of mainly economic interests that are important for the sustainability and sustainable development of structures, services, and the mental health system.

What are the three pillars of mental health?

Background: The mental health of the population consists of the three essential pillars of quality of life, economy, and society. Mental health services take care of the prevention and treatment of mental disorders and through them maintain, improve, and restore the mental health of the population. The purpose of this study is to describe ...

What is systematic measurement and monitoring of indicators and the measurement and quantification of quality through them?

The systematic measurement and monitoring of indicators and the measurement and quantification of quality through them, are the basis for evidence-based health policy for improvement of the quality of mental health services. Keywords: mental health and quality, mental health services and effectiveness, psychiatric treatment, psychiatry, medicine, ...

Why is lifelong learning important?

In modern mental health systems, lifelong learning programs for mental health professionals are essential for maintaining the quality of services, productivity, and satisfaction of patients and employees. This is a structure indicator.

How does technology help mental health?

Service to more people: Technology can help mental health providers offer treatment to people in remote areas or to many people in times of sudden need (e.g., following a natural disaster or terror attack).

How can technology complement traditional therapy?

Support: Technology can complement traditional therapy by extending an in-person session, reinforcing new skills, and providing support and monitoring. Objective data collection: Technology can quantitatively collect information such as location, movement, phone use, and other information.

Why are mental health apps so slow?

One reason is that testing is a slow process and technology evolves quickly. By the time an app has been put through rigorous scientific testing, the original technology may be outdated. Currently, there are no national standards for evaluating the effectiveness of the hundreds of mental health apps that are available.

What is anonymity in mental health?

Anonymity: Clients can seek treatment options without involving other people. An introduction to care: Technology may be a good first step for those who have avoided mental health care in the past. Lower cost: Some apps are free or cost less than traditional care.

What are intervention apps?

Intervention apps may help someone give up smoking, manage symptoms, or overcome anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or insomnia. While the apps are becoming more appealing and user-friendly, there still isn’t a lot of information on their effectiveness.

What is the biggest concern with technological interventions?

Effectiveness: The biggest concern with technological interventions is obtaining scientific evidence that they work and that they work as well as traditional methods. For whom and for what: Another concern is understanding if apps work for all people and for all mental health conditions.

Why was the Brighten study so remarkable?

The BRIGHTEN study was remarkable because it used technology to both deliver treatment interventions and also to actually conduct the research trial. In other words, the research team used technology to recruit, screen, enroll, treat, and assess participants.

What is the second line treatment for anxiety?

In the case of panic disorder or social phobia (social anxiety disorder), benzodiazepines are usually second-line treatments, behind SSRIs or other antidepressants. Short half-life (or short-acting) benzodiazepines (such as Lorazepam) and beta-blockers are used to treat the short-term symptoms of anxiety.

Why are older people more sensitive to medications?

Even healthy older people react to medications differently than younger people because older people's bodies process and eliminate medications more slowly.

What is the purpose of antidepressants?

Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. Antidepressants are also used for other health conditions, such as anxiety, pain and insomnia. Although antidepressants are not FDA-approved specifically to treat ADHD, antidepressants are sometimes used to treat ADHD in adults.

What is mood stabilizer?

Mood stabilizers are used primarily to treat bipolar disorder, mood swings associated with other mental disorders, and in some cases, to augment the effect of other medications used to treat depression.

What is the role of the FDA?

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of drugs (medications), biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation .

Does NIMH recommend medication?

Resources that may help you find treatment services in your area are listed on our Help for Mental Illnesses web page. NIMH also does not endorse or recommend any particular drug, herb, or supplement.

Can you take psychiatric medication while pregnant?

The research on the use of psychiatric medications during pregnancy is limited. The risks are different depending on which medication is taken, and at what point during the pregnancy the medication is taken. Decisions on treatments for all conditions during pregnancy should be based on each woman's needs and circumstances, and based on a careful weighing of the likely benefits and risks of all available options, including psychotherapy (or “watchful waiting” during part or all of the pregnancy), medication, or a combination of the two. While no medication is considered perfectly safe for all women at all stages of pregnancy, this must be balanced for each woman against the fact that untreated serious mental disorders themselves can pose a risk to a pregnant woman and her developing fetus. Medications should be selected based on available scientific research, and they should be taken at the lowest possible dose. Pregnant women should have a medical professional who will watch them closely throughout their pregnancy and after delivery.

What is mental health?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to her or his community" [ 2 ].

What is the Mental Health Care Act?

The Mental Health Care Act No.17 of 2002 (‘the Act') enshrines the right of mental health care users to receive care, treatment and rehabilitation (CTR) close to their homes and in the least restrictive environment [ 14 ].

What is intervention in PHC?

Intervention: Any strategy to strengthen the provision of mental health care at the PHC setting. The strategies could be concerned with general primary care, specialist psychiatric care or any psychiatric treatment offered to those with a mental illness.

What is the life Esidimeni tragedy?

The Life Esidimeni tragedy highlights the desperate need to provide appropriate health care at the community level. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa assures people with mental illness of their basic human rights, including the right to health care.

How many people were transferred to alternative care in 2015?

In 2015, in the Gauteng Province, South Africa, over 1400 people with severe mental illness were abruptly transferred from institutional care at Life Esidimeni hospitals to alternative care facilities, most of which were community-based, and reliant on district health services to provide health care.

What is evidence map?

Evidence maps are an evidence synthesis methodology that systematically selects, identifies and organise a body of knowledge, to provide a high-level picture of the size and nature of the available evidence to inform decision making and practice [ 12 ]. The body of knowledge is usually systematic reviews and their inclusion is one of the characteristics of generating Evidence Maps. The Evidence Map (EM) is usually in a user-friendly visual format that makes it easy for the user to interpret the evidence.

How many outcomes were identified in the 306 reviews?

The 306 identified reviews report on several different outcomes impacted by the strategies mentioned above. Outcomes were grouped into 10 categories as follows: hospital admissions; adherence in care and treatment or retention in care; staff knowledge or skills; psychiatric or clinical symptoms; functional or quality of life; cost-effective; family or societal; feasibility, acceptability, safety and usability; and others. An additional outcome, no studies met the inclusion criteria, was created to cater to reviews that did not find studies to include.

How does nurse delivered intervention help with mental illness?

Currently, there is a small body of high-level evidence to support the impact of nurse-delivered interventions in primary care for mental illness. However, this review demonstrates that the available evidence indicates that nurse-delivered interventions in primary care can significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and are acceptable to consumers. Further robust research is required to identify specific aspects of interventions that are most effective and explore interventions that are effective across multiple outcome measures. Given the subjective nature of recovery from mental illness, it is important that this research considers clinically significant change and qualitative measures of recovery, in addition to quantitative measures.

What is mental health nursing?

Mental health nursing is a specialist practice that requires specific qualifications and expertise ( 12 ). However, it does mean all nurses need to possess knowledge and skills in mental health assessment, care and treatment, appropriate to their practice setting and in alignment with their scope of practice ( 12 ).

How many randomized controlled trials are there?

Nine randomized controlled trials were identified, which reported nurse-delivered interventions in primary care for the management of mental health in adults with mental illness. The heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes made comparison of studies difficult. Seven studies demonstrated significant improvement in at least one outcome following the intervention. In some studies, these improvements were sustained well beyond the intervention. Additionally, consumers were satisfied with the interventions and the role of the GPN.

How many people have mental health issues?

Mental health issues are a growing burden for global economies and health care systems ( 1 ). Internationally, it is estimated that one in two individuals will experience a mental illness during their lifetime and, at any one time, around one in five adults will be experiencing a mental health issue ( 2 ).

Is mental health a new phenomenon?

Primary care mental health provision is not a new phenomenon. Managing mental health and mental illness in primary care has been steadily increasing as health policy has moved to deinstitutionalize people with mental illness from hospitals into the community ( 6, 7 ).

Is there evidence of nurse delivered interventions in primary care for adults with mental illness?

There is currently limited evidence of the impact of nurse-delivered interventions in primary care for adults with mental illness. Given the significant improvements in symptoms and the acceptability of interventions seen in included studies, there is a need for further robust research exploring the role of the GPN both individually and within the multidisciplinary team. Such research will enable stronger conclusions to be drawn about the impact of nurse-delivered interventions in primary care for adults with mental illness.

What is integrated mental health?

Full integration of primary care and mental health services requires a systems-level change. This model is actualized when primary care and behavioral health services are colocated within the same clinic space and share the overall care and treatment plan of the patient. 20 Integration provides more fluidity with the collaboration and coordination of a patient’s treatment, where primary care and behavioral health needs are simultaneously addressed, and the culture of the clinic is to holistically evaluate and treat each patient. Integrated teams comprise both primary care and mental health clinicians in an interprofessional manner; however, the exact type of profession within the team may vary, resulting in different service offerings. 20,22 This model encourages population-based care, using routine screening and databases to track behavioral health services, interventions, and outcomes. Rather than referring a patient with identified behavioral health needs outside of the primary care clinic, these needs are addressed by the interprofessional team, which encompasses the primary care team. 20 One of the most common translations of integrated care is the collaborative care management model, based on the chronic care treatment model of medical conditions. Potential disadvantages of this model include the financial and resource stress the model can place on a system, and the requirement of adequate time and appropriate interpersonal relationships to achieve integrated collaboration. 20

How common is mental health?

Mental health disorders are some of the most common health concerns in the United States, with a lifetime prevalence of any mental illness near 20% among US adults. 1 It is estimated that 60% of general mental health conditions and 90% of substance use disorders are not adequately treated in the current health care environment, 2 and two-thirds of primary care providers (PCPs) do not have adequate referral access to mental health specialists. 3 Currently, there is a growing shortage of specialty mental health providers, along with an aging psychiatrist population, causing limited access to high-quality and affordable mental health treatment in many areas of the country. 4, 5, 6 In 2012, there was an estimated 46.1 PCPs per 100,000 US adults. This is in stark contrast to the 2018 estimate of 12.9 psychiatrists per 100,000 US adults. 6,7 It is important to note that although these figures do not include additional health professions within the primary care or mental health discipline (such as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners), the imbalance of provider accessibility remains apparent. The burden of mental health treatment is falling increasingly and overwhelmingly to PCPs, placing primary care nurse practitioners (encapsulating board-certified adult nurse practitioners, gerontological nurse practitioners, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, pediatric nurse practitioners, and women’s health nurse practitioners) in a visible and critical role for screening, treating, and promoting mental health care with their patients. This burden is often carried by PCPs, who may not feel adequately trained or equipped to manage various mental health conditions. 3,4,8

What is SAMHSA responsible for?

SAMHSA is responsible for helping to disseminate research information and policies related to these topics. SAMHSA provides many evidence-based, relevant, and accessible information and resources for the PCP addressing common mental health disorders in the primary care setting.

What is a colocated model of care?

Colocated models of care move beyond coordination, in that the primary care and mental health services are physically located in the same facility. This model incorporates the natural and informal interactions that occur by increasing physical proximity of primary care and mental health.

What happens to mental health with colocation?

With colocation, the mental health specialist still assumes ownership of the mental health care, and the PCP assumes ownership of the medical care, perpetuating the traditional silo of specialty practice. Because of the increased proximity and interaction between the 2 specialty groups, however, there may be a natural increase in PCPs’ comfort in ...

What are the three integrated care models?

The Center for Integrated Health Solutions recommends 3 broad categories of integrated care models: coordinated, colocated, and integrated (see Figure ). 23 Within each of these models are various ways systems have operationalized and translated theory into practice, leading to different iterations of implementation and terminology found in the literature and across various clinical settings throughout the United States. Research supports integrated care models for the treatment of depression and anxiety within primary care, and further research is needed to provide recommendations aimed at addressing severe mental illness and substance use disorders within primary care. 8,24

What is the role of a primary care nurse practitioner in mental health?

Most mental health concerns first present in primary care, placing the primary care nurse practitioner in a critical role for addressing these concerns. Primary care and mental health integrated care models can assist in population-based provision of mental health care within the primary care setting.

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