Mental Health Services (mental + health_services)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Mental Health Services

  • acute mental health services
  • adolescent mental health services
  • adult mental health services
  • and adolescent mental health services
  • child and adolescent mental health services
  • community mental health services
  • public mental health services
  • specialist mental health services

  • Terms modified by Mental Health Services

  • mental health services research

  • Selected Abstracts


    A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA: 1883,84 TO 2003,04

    AUSTRALIAN ECONOMIC HISTORY REVIEW, Issue 2 2009
    Article first published online: 22 JUN 200, Darrel Phillip Doessel
    Australia; deinstitutionalisation; mental health expenditure; mental health policy; public psychiatric hospitals This paper describes changes in the number of residents and admissions to public psychiatric hospitals in Australia, and in the state of Queensland in particular, from 1883 to 2003. It identifies when the deinstitutionalisation of dedicated psychiatric institutions began in Queensland and finds that the policy described as ,opening the back door' (discharging residents) began around 1952,53, while the policy of ,closing the front door' (reducing admissions) began in 1962,63. Deinstitutionalisation in Queensland thus began earlier than most contemporary writers suggest. [source]


    Violence among schizophrenia out-patients compliant with medication: prevalence and associated factors

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009
    J. Bobes
    Objective:, Aggressive behaviour has been related to schizophrenia both in in-patient and out-patient samples. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with aggressive behaviour in out-patient compliant with their prescribed medication. Method:, Eight hundred and ninety-five patients were interviewed at Community-Based Mental Health Services about aggressive,violent behaviour within the week prior to the study visit. Adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and receiving stable pharmacological treatment were enrolled. Presence of aggressive episodes, including type of aggression, severity and frequency, was assessed with the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). Violence was defined as a score of 3 or more in any of the MOAS subscores. Results:, Prevalence of recent aggressive behaviour was 5.07%, (95% CI 5.04,5.10), where 47% (43 behaviours 91) reached the violent threshold. Among the 91 violent episodes rated, most episodes were verbal (44%), followed by physical violence towards objects (29%), violence towards others (19%) and self-directed violence (8%). Recent episodes of any severity were more likely among patients with a history of violence and also with relapses within the previous year and with low treatment satisfaction. Conclusion:, Five per cent of the studied cases showed aggressive behaviour in the week prior to assessment, despite having been compliant with their medication. Most aggressive behaviour was verbal rather than physical. [source]


    A pilot examination of social context and everyday physical activity among adults receiving Community Mental Health Services

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009
    B. P. McCormick
    Objective:, Community mental health center (CMHC) clients include a variety of people with moderate to severe mental illnesses who also report a number of physical health problems. Physical activity (PA) has been identified as one intervention to improve health among this population; however, little is known about the role of social context in PA. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of social context in everyday PA among CMHC clients. Method:, Data were collected from CMHC clients in two cultures using accelerometery and experience sampling methods. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Results:, Independence in housing nor culture was significantly associated with levels of PA. Being alone was significantly negatively related to PA level. Conclusion:, Social isolation appears to be negatively related to PA at the level of everyday life. Physical activity interventions with this population should consider including social components as a part of PA. [source]


    The Australian experience of deinstitutionalization: interaction of Australian culture with the development and reform of its mental health services

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2006
    A. Rosen
    Objective:, To describe the Australian experience of deinstitutionalization of the Australian National Mental Health Strategy in the context of the history of mental health services in Australia, and of Australian culture. Method:, The development of Australian Mental Health Services is described with reference to developments in both psychiatric intervention research and Australian culture. The effects and achievements of national mental health reforms are described and critically examined. Results:, The relationship in Australia between the development of mental health services and the development of Australian society includes the stories of colonization, gold rushes, suppression of indigenous peoples' rights, incarceration of mentally ill people, and incompatible state service systems. Mental health services required reform to provide consistent services and support for full citizenship and rights for such individuals who are still on the margins of society. Recent national developments in service models and service system research have been driven by the Australian National Mental Health Strategy. The translation of national policy into state/territory mental health service systems has led to a ,natural' experiment between states. Differing funding and implementation strategies between states have developed services with particular strengths and limitations. Conclusion:, The effects of competition for limited resources between core mental health service delivery and the shift to a population-based public health approach (to prevention of mental illness and promotion of mental health), leaves our services vulnerable to doing neither particularly well. The recent loss of momentum of these reforms, due to failure of governments to continue to drive and fund them adequately, is causing the erosion of their considerable achievements. [source]


    Improving transfer of mental health care for rural and remote consumers in South Australia

    HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 2 2009
    Judy Taylor BA Dip Soc Wk MSW PhD
    Abstract In Australia, it is commonplace for tertiary mental health care to be provided in large regional centres or metropolitan cities. Rural and remote consumers must be transferred long distances, and this inevitably results in difficulties with the integration of their care between primary and tertiary settings. Because of the need to address these issues, and improve the transfer process, a research project was commissioned by a national government department to be conducted in South Australia. The aim of the project was to document the experiences of mental health consumers travelling from the country to the city for acute care and to make policy recommendations to improve transitions of care. Six purposively sampled case studies were conducted collecting data through semistructured interviews with consumers, country professional and occupational groups and tertiary providers. Data were analysed to produce themes for consumers, and country and tertiary mental healthcare providers. The study found that consumers saw transfer to the city for mental health care as beneficial in spite of the challenges of being transferred over long distances, while being very unwell, and of being separated from family and friends. Country care providers noted that the disjointed nature of the mental health system caused problems with key aspects of transfer of care including transport and information flow, and achieving integration between the primary and tertiary settings. Improving transfer of care involves overcoming the systemic barriers to integration and moving to a primary care-led model of care. The distance consultation and liaison model provided by the Rural and Remote Mental Health Services, the major tertiary provider of services for country consumers, uses a primary care-led approach and was highly regarded by research participants. Extending the use of this model to other primary mental healthcare providers and tertiary facilities will improve transfer of care. [source]


    Costs of community-based public mental health services for older adults: variations related to age and diagnosis

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2006
    Todd Gilmer
    Abstract Background Several studies have examined service use among older adults although, to our knowledge, none has examined costs from a systems perspective. This study examined use and costs of mental health services among older adults in San Diego County in order to determine how expenditures and modes of service varied by age cohort and psychiatric diagnosis. Methods Utilization data from San Diego County Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Services (AOAMHS) were used to identify older adults (age,,,60) receiving services in the community during fiscal year 2003,2004. Cost data were derived from detailed examination of cost reports, and Medicaid fee schedules. Trends in demographic and clinical characteristics by six age cohorts were described. Multivariate models were used to estimate the relationships between costs, age, and clinical diagnosis while controlling for other demographic and clinical characteristics. Components of costs were also examined. Results Total expenditures declined from age cohorts 60,64 through ages 85 and over. Expenditures were similar, and greatest, for clients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while outlays were lower for those with major depression, other psychotic disorder, other depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and cognitive disorders. Clients diagnosed with cognitive disorder had high use of emergency services and little connection to outpatient services. Conclusions Expenditures were related to age and clinical diagnosis. Future efforts should investigate older adults' pathways to care, and should determine whether older adults presenting in emergency services would benefit from a specialized case management program providing linkages to community based resources. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Managing Mental Health Services

    JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2000
    Amanda Reynolds & Graham Thornicroft
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Aggression and violence in mental health services: categorizing the experiences of Irish nurses

    JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 2 2007
    J. MAGUIRE msc ba(hons) ffnrcsi rpn rgn dip
    There is growing evidence that nurses in mental health services are likely to be victims of violence or aggression. One of the key difficulties in comparing international findings, however, has been that there has been an inadequate categorization of the types of incident to which staff are exposed. The current study aimed to identify the types of violent or aggressive incidents that staff in Irish Mental Health Services were exposed to within a 1-month long period. A cross-sectional study was undertaken with all nurses working in one of the Mental Health Services in Ireland, serving both an urban and rural population. Data were collected through a questionnaire (Scale of Aggressive and Violent Experiences) adapted from the Perceptions of Prevalence of Aggression Scale. The questionnaire was designed to collect data relating to both personal and professional demographics of the sample as well as experiences of aggressive or violent incidents respondents may have encountered in their work situation. There was a response rate of 31%. Data were analysed utilizing SPSS-11. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were undertaken. The relevant data were subjected to a series of one-way anovas and chi-squared analysis. The findings suggest that nursing staff in this Mental Health Service experienced high levels of verbal aggression, with distinctions obvious between threatening and non-threatening aggression, suggesting discernment in terms of intentionality. Additionally, respondents encountered greater levels of covert or indirect violence or aggression than forms that were overtly directed towards staff. The implications are discussed in relation to both policy and practice. [source]


    School Mental Health Services for Homeless Children

    JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 7 2002
    Laura A. Nabors PhD
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Changes in Maltreated Children's Emotional,Behavioral Problems Following Typically Provided Mental Health Services

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2010
    Julie S. McCrae
    Child welfare agencies serve as gate keepers for children's mental health services (MHS). Yet, the impact of offered services on behavioral outcomes has not been well studied. Data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) were examined to measure caregivers' reported change in children's emotional,behavioral problems. Over 600 children in three age groups were matched and problem levels compared across 3 years. Although behavioral problems for the total group improved across time, scores for children who received MHS slightly worsened. Children who received MHS scored 1.4,3.7 points worse than children who did not receive MHS. Additionally, young Black, Hispanic, and other racially identified children had more problems than young White children, regardless of service. Higher behavior problem scores were noted for school-age children and adolescents. Although child welfare appears to rely on a cluster of MHS, including school-based counseling and private practitioner services, future service delivery should expand from improving access to achieving outcomes. [source]


    Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Children After Hurricane Katrina: Predicting the Need for Mental Health Services

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2009
    Howard J. Osofsky MD
    The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents after Hurricane Katrina. It was hypothesized that a positive correlation would exist between trauma exposure variables and symptoms indicating need for mental health services experienced 2 years after Hurricane Katrina. Specifically, the authors hypothesized that experiences associated with natural disaster including personal loss, separation from family and/or community, and lack of community support as well as previous loss or trauma would be related to increased symptomatology in both children and adolescents. This study included 7,258 children and adolescents from heavily affected Louisiana parishes. Measures included the Hurricane Assessment and Referral Tool for Children and Adolescents developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN, 2005). Results were generally supportive of our hypotheses, and specific exposure and demographic variables were found to be strongly related to posttraumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents. [source]


    Seeking Help a Second Time: Parents'/Caregivers' Characterizations of Previous Experiences With Mental Health Services for Their Children and Perceptions of Barriers to Future Use

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2006
    Dara Kerkorian PhD
    This study examines the relationship between urban parents'/caregivers' previous experiences obtaining mental health care for their children and their perceptions of barriers to their children's use of services in the future. Assessments of prior treatment outcome and aspects of relationships with former providers were linked to endorsements of doubt about the utility of treatment as a potential barrier to the children's use of services in the future and the number of barriers parents endorsed. Implications for urban child mental health service delivery are drawn. [source]


    Privatizing Medicaid-Funded Mental Health Services: Trading Old Political Challenges for New Ones

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2002
    Matthew N. I. Oliver
    States have aggressively pursued privatizing the management of Medicaid-funded mental health services. Although privatized managed care addresses many concerns, it brings several challenges. This article evaluates the impact of privatization on Medicaid-funded mental health services and highlights several contracting issues that should be considered to ensure high-quality mental health care. [source]


    Annotation: The therapeutic alliance , a significant but neglected variable in child mental health treatment studies

    THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 5 2006
    Jonathan Green
    Background:, There has been relatively little research into therapeutic alliance in child and adolescent mental health and virtually no incorporation of alliance measures as a variable in treatment trials in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Method:, A selective literature review on studies in therapeutic alliance in adulthood and childhood along with a theoretical formulation of possible mechanisms of alliance. Results:, Therapeutic alliance is reliably measurable both by observation and questionnaire methods at all points in the treatment cycle. In both adult and child studies it shows a consistent, albeit modest, association with treatment outcome. In specific adult studies it has shown a high predictive validity in relation to outcome compared to other variables. In child studies alliance is particularly salient in externalising disorder and predicts outcome of inpatient treatment. Child alliance and parental alliance are independent factors. Theoretical models of alliance outlined in this paper suggest testable hypotheses regarding predictors for positive and negative alliance. Conclusions:, Therapeutic alliance in CAMHS is measurable and worth measuring. It is likely to be an important variable for treatment outcome studies and should be included in future trial designs. [source]


    Beyond the Water Towers: The Unfinished Revolution in Mental Health Services 1985,2005

    BRITISH JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2006
    Anne Borsay
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Emotional well-being and mental health of looked after children in England

    CHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 2 2009
    Colette McAuley
    ABSTRACT The national prevalence studies of the mental health of looked after children in Great Britain provide sobering reading. Forty-five per cent of looked after children in England were found to have a diagnosable mental health disorder. In contrast, this is to one in 10 in the general population. Carers estimated that mental health problems were even more widespread. Children with mental health disorders were also more likely to have education, health and social issues. This paper discusses the findings and argues for early intervention along with inter-departmental and interdisciplinary approaches. The recent Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Review clearly indicates that issues of access to appropriate and timely Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services remain. However, the introduction of evidence-based approaches is encouraging. Young people's views on the services they want and on what is important for emotional well-being and mental health are important considerations. [source]


    Computer Use and Attitudes Towards Computerised Therapy Amongst Young People and Parents Attending Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2010
    Paul Stallard
    Background:, There has been little research examining attitudes towards computerised therapy in young people. Method:, A self-report survey of 37 young people and 31 parents using Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Results:, Young people reported high levels of computer usage and online help-seeking behaviour. Young people were cautious about computerised therapy whereas parents were more positive, identifying more benefits than concerns. Conclusions:, Mental health professionals need to be aware of young people's online help-seeking behaviour in order to correct inaccuracies and maximise uptake of computerised therapy. [source]


    The Impact of Governmental Guidance on the Time Taken to Receive a Prescription for Medication for ADHD in England

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2010
    David M. Foreman
    The National Health Service in England has deployed guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to assist practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but, though the number of prescriptions has risen since its introduction, the impact of the guidance on prescribing practice has not been studied. Clinic records of all open ADHD cases (296) in three English Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services were examined. The time from referral to either prescription or data collection was extracted for a survival analysis. It was hypothesised that NICE guidance, clinic, patient and referral characteristics would all influence the speed and likelihood of prescription. Following the introduction of NICE guidance, the median time to start prescribing medication fell from 1262 to 526 days: the minimum realistic time to complete a routine assessment was approximately 70 days. Overall, 70% were prescribed medication. Most of the wait was after face-to-face appointments at the clinic had been initiated. Waiting times differed between clinics and shorter waits were likely for older children and those referred from an educational source. While the introduction of NICE guidance has increased the rate of prescription, the time taken before prescription suggests that the tendency in England is still to postpone treatment by medication. The reasons for this require further research. [source]


    Eliciting Children's and Young People's Views of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: A Systematic Review of Best Practice

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2008
    Anne Worrall-Davies
    Background:, A systematic review of children's and young people's views of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) was undertaken to identify the methods used, the ,best practice' methods, and the methods most effective in leading to service changes. Method:, Electronic databases and grey literature were systematically searched. Both authors independently quality-appraised studies using a standard framework. Of 381 studies identified, only 13 were both relevant and of sufficient quality to be included in the review. Interviews, focus groups, brainstorming exercises, and questionnaires were the methods used. Results:, No study reported a change of practice as a result of hearing children's and young people's views. [source]


    Child Mental Health Services Across the World: Opportunities for Shared Learning

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2007
    Panos Vostanis
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Evidence-Based Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Oxymoron or Brave New Dawn?

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2001
    Paul Ramchandani
    Professionals working in child and adolescent mental health services are increasingly encouraged to examine the evidence underlying their clinical practice. Embracing evidence-based practice can present difficulties, as barriers to changing practice exist. These difficulties are examined, along with the meaning of evidence-based practice in a multidisciplinary speciality, and the potential benefits that develop from it. [source]


    Commentary: Evidence-Based Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2001
    Richard Harrington
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Social Workers in Child Mental Health: Securing a Future

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2000
    Philip Messent
    A study was conducted to investigate reductions in the numbers of social work posts located within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the UK. Results suggested that reductions in posts noted in earlier studies are continuing. Interviewees' ideas about factors contributing to the survival of such posts are summarised. The significance of the loss of posts is discussed, with an account of changing ideas about the role of social workers within CAMHS teams, and of an audit undertaken of one service lacking such a post. Conclusions are drawn concerning ways of ensuring the preservation of such posts. [source]


    The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Child & Adolescent Mental Health (HoNOSCA)

    CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2000
    Simon Gowers
    The child and adolescent version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOSCA) represents the first attempt at a routine outcome measure for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the U.K. Extensive field trials suggested that the scales were both acceptable to clinicians from the various disciplines working in this area and also valid and reliable. A growing number of services are now using the scales in audit and research, supported by the national HoNOSCA base that provides training and co-ordinates further developments. [source]


    Commentary: At the Center of Decision Making in Mental Health Services and Interventions Research: Patients, Clinicians, or Relationships?

    CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 1 2006
    Lisa A. Cooper
    Wills and Holmes-Rovner (2006) highlight the fact that despite growing interest in the role of patient preferences and shared decision making with clinicians in the general health services research community, relatively little is known about the impact of these preferences and processes on actual decisions, service delivery engagement, or intervention outcomes in the mental health field. This commentary expands on three important points raised in Wills and Holmes-Rovner's article: (a) the need for more and better research on values assessment, (b) contextual factors in the decision-making process, and (c) the measurement of patient preferences regarding their level of involvement in decision making. [source]


    The Australian experience of deinstitutionalization: interaction of Australian culture with the development and reform of its mental health services

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2006
    A. Rosen
    Objective:, To describe the Australian experience of deinstitutionalization of the Australian National Mental Health Strategy in the context of the history of mental health services in Australia, and of Australian culture. Method:, The development of Australian Mental Health Services is described with reference to developments in both psychiatric intervention research and Australian culture. The effects and achievements of national mental health reforms are described and critically examined. Results:, The relationship in Australia between the development of mental health services and the development of Australian society includes the stories of colonization, gold rushes, suppression of indigenous peoples' rights, incarceration of mentally ill people, and incompatible state service systems. Mental health services required reform to provide consistent services and support for full citizenship and rights for such individuals who are still on the margins of society. Recent national developments in service models and service system research have been driven by the Australian National Mental Health Strategy. The translation of national policy into state/territory mental health service systems has led to a ,natural' experiment between states. Differing funding and implementation strategies between states have developed services with particular strengths and limitations. Conclusion:, The effects of competition for limited resources between core mental health service delivery and the shift to a population-based public health approach (to prevention of mental illness and promotion of mental health), leaves our services vulnerable to doing neither particularly well. The recent loss of momentum of these reforms, due to failure of governments to continue to drive and fund them adequately, is causing the erosion of their considerable achievements. [source]


    The needs of older people with dementia in residential care

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2006
    Geraldine A. Hancock
    Abstract Background People with dementia often move into care homes as their needs become too complex or expensive for them to remain in their own homes. Little is known about how well their needs are met within care homes. Method The aim of this study was to identify the unmet needs of people with dementia in care and the characteristics associated with high levels of needs. Two hundred and thirty-eight people with dementia were recruited from residential care homes nationally. Needs were identified using the Camberwell Assessment of Needs for the Elderly (CANE). Results Residents with dementia had a mean of 4.4 (SD 2.6) unmet and 12.1 (SD 2.6) met needs. Environmental and physical health needs were usually met. However, sensory or physical disability (including mobility problems and incontinence) needs, mental health needs, and social needs, such as company and daytime activities, were often unmet. Unmet needs were associated with psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression, but not with severity of dementia or level of dependency. Conclusion Mental health services and residential home staff need to be aware that many needs remain unmet and much can be done to improve the quality of life of the residents with dementia. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Mental health services for people with intellectual disability: a conceptual framework

    JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2000
    S. Moss
    Abstract The present paper discusses the application of the ,matrix model' to mental health services for people with intellectual disability. There is great variability between the service models in this area, which makes comparisons and conclusions difficult. The present model facilitates the breaking down of these complexities into understandable parts so that future directions for research, service planning and delivery can be logical, coherent and evidence-based. [source]


    Assertive community treatment: development of the team, selection of clients, and impact on length of hospital stay

    JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2002
    A. Jones bn(hons) rmn rn(adult)
    Mental health services have been criticized for the lack of focus and response to people suffering from a serious mental illness (SMI). Assertive community treatment (ACT) offers the potential for greater partnership working between the user and provider of mental health services. The author describes one approach in developing ACT in the UK. Four criteria were developed to identify the most appropriate service users for ACT: those with SMI, illness instability, illness disability and risk to self or others. Fifty-five clients were identified using these criteria and tracked for their length of hospital stay and frequency of admission 2 years before acceptance to an ACT team and for 12 months after. Duration of hospital stay was unchanged although both the frequency and total numbers of bed days were reduced. [source]


    Mental health services in schools: A qualitative analysis of challenges to implementation, operation, and sustainability

    PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 4 2005
    Oliver T. Massey
    Schools are increasingly recognized as a critical venue for the provision of comprehensive behavioral and mental health services for students. Unfortunately, difficulties associated with operating programs in schools often prevent evidence-based practices from being implemented and sustained as intended. In this study, the experiences of school and community providers who were funded through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative to implement mental health services in a large, urban school district were investigated using a qualitative focus group methodology. Providers identified the major challenges they encountered with implementing, operating, and sustaining their programs as well as the strategies that they used to overcome those challenges. Strategies to enhance support of school-based mental health programs are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 361,372, 2005. [source]