Psr Mental Health

PSR Mental Health: Understanding and Addressing the Unique Challenges

Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just plain burnt out? You're not alone. In today's fast-paced world, maintaining good mental health is a constant challenge, especially for those in demanding professions. This comprehensive guide delves into the specific mental health concerns faced by individuals in Public Safety Roles (PSR), exploring the unique pressures, stressors, and resources available to help navigate these complexities. We’ll examine the contributing factors, common mental health conditions affecting PSR professionals, effective coping mechanisms, and pathways to seeking professional help. This article is your roadmap to understanding and prioritizing PSR mental health.

The Unique Pressures Faced by Public Safety Professionals

Public safety roles – encompassing police officers, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and correctional officers – demand immense physical and emotional resilience. These professionals routinely confront traumatic events, witness human suffering, and grapple with life-or-death situations. This constant exposure to high-stress environments takes a significant toll, creating a fertile ground for mental health challenges.

Exposure to Trauma: The daily exposure to violence, accidents, and death is a significant contributor to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, and depression within the PSR community. Witnessing horrific events, even indirectly, can leave lasting psychological scars. The cumulative effect of these experiences is often underestimated.

Shift Work and Irregular Schedules: The demanding nature of shift work disrupts sleep patterns, impacting overall health and well-being. Irregular hours strain personal relationships and make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, increasing stress levels and contributing to burnout.

High-Stakes Decision-Making: PSR professionals are often faced with split-second decisions that carry immense consequences. The weight of these decisions, coupled with the potential for negative outcomes, can lead to chronic stress and anxiety.

Organizational Culture and Stigma: Historically, there has been a culture of stoicism and suppression of emotions within many public safety agencies. This creates a significant barrier to seeking help, perpetuating a cycle of silence and suffering. The stigma associated with mental health challenges prevents many from acknowledging their struggles and accessing necessary support.

Limited Resources and Support Systems: Many public safety agencies lack adequate resources and support systems specifically designed to address the unique mental health needs of their personnel. This inadequate support further compounds the existing challenges.

Common Mental Health Conditions Affecting PSR Professionals

Several mental health conditions are disproportionately prevalent among PSR professionals. Understanding these conditions is crucial in addressing them effectively.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a common consequence of exposure to traumatic events. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, emotional numbness, and hypervigilance.

Anxiety Disorders: High levels of stress and anxiety are commonplace in PSR roles. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder are frequently diagnosed among these professionals.

Depression: The cumulative stress, coupled with irregular schedules and exposure to trauma, significantly increases the risk of depression. Symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite and sleep, and feelings of hopelessness.

Substance Use Disorders: Some PSR professionals may turn to substances as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress and trauma they experience. This can lead to substance abuse and addiction, further exacerbating existing mental health challenges.

Burnout: Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It manifests as feelings of cynicism, detachment, and reduced professional efficacy.

Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care Strategies

Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining mental well-being in demanding professions. These strategies can help mitigate the impact of stressors and promote resilience.

Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques can help manage stress, improve focus, and promote emotional regulation.

Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity is crucial for both physical and mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.

Healthy Diet and Sleep Hygiene: A balanced diet and consistent sleep schedule are fundamental to overall well-being. Prioritizing these aspects helps improve energy levels and mood.

Strong Social Support Network: Connecting with family, friends, and colleagues provides a crucial source of support and emotional resilience.

Time Management and Stress Reduction Techniques: Effective time management strategies and stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, can help manage overwhelming workloads and prevent burnout.

Seeking Professional Help: Breaking the Stigma and Accessing Resources

Seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Overcoming the stigma associated with mental health is crucial for accessing support and improving outcomes.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many public safety agencies offer EAPs, providing confidential counseling and support services to their employees.

Mental Health Professionals: Therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists specializing in trauma-informed care can provide effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Peer Support Programs: Connecting with other PSR professionals who understand the unique challenges of the job can provide invaluable support and camaraderie.

Support Groups: Support groups offer a safe and supportive environment for sharing experiences and connecting with others facing similar challenges.

Ebook Outline: "Navigating the Mental Health Landscape of Public Safety Roles"

Author: Dr. Emily Carter, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in first responders' mental health.

Outline:

Introduction: The unique mental health challenges faced by PSR professionals.
Chapter 1: Understanding the Stressors: Trauma exposure, shift work, high-stakes decisions, organizational culture.
Chapter 2: Common Mental Health Conditions: PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, substance use disorders, burnout.
Chapter 3: Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care Strategies: Mindfulness, exercise, diet, sleep, social support, stress reduction.
Chapter 4: Seeking Professional Help: EAPs, mental health professionals, peer support, support groups.
Chapter 5: Building Resilience and Promoting Well-being: Long-term strategies for maintaining mental health.
Conclusion: A call to action, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing mental health within the PSR community.


(The following sections would comprise the individual chapters detailed above, expanding on each point with further detail, case studies, and practical advice. Due to the length constraints, these detailed chapters are omitted here. They would, however, form the core of the ebook.)

FAQs

1. What are the most common mental health issues among public safety personnel? PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use disorders are prevalent.

2. How can I tell if I or a colleague needs professional help? Look for persistent changes in mood, behavior, sleep, appetite, and social interaction. Persistent feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, or irritability are also warning signs.

3. Are there specific therapies effective for PSR mental health challenges? Trauma-focused therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are often helpful for PTSD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective for anxiety and depression.

4. What role do peer support programs play in improving mental health outcomes? Peer support provides a safe space to share experiences, reduce feelings of isolation, and build resilience.

5. How can public safety agencies improve support for their personnel's mental health? Invest in robust EAPs, provide training on mental health awareness, promote a culture of open communication, and offer access to peer support programs.

6. Is there a difference between burnout and PTSD? While both involve chronic stress, burnout is a state of emotional exhaustion and cynicism, while PTSD is triggered by specific traumatic events and involves intrusive memories and avoidance behaviors.

7. What are some self-help strategies I can use immediately? Practice mindfulness, engage in physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, and ensure sufficient sleep.

8. Where can I find mental health resources specifically for public safety professionals? Check your agency’s EAP, search online for relevant organizations (e.g., national associations for police, firefighters, etc.), and consult with your healthcare provider.

9. Is seeking mental health support a sign of weakness? Absolutely not. It is a sign of strength and commitment to maintaining well-being and effectiveness in a demanding profession.

Related Articles

1. Understanding PTSD in First Responders: A detailed look at the causes, symptoms, and treatments of PTSD in public safety roles.

2. The Impact of Shift Work on Mental Health: Exploring the effects of irregular schedules on sleep, mood, and overall well-being.

3. Building Resilience in High-Stress Environments: Strategies for cultivating mental toughness and coping with challenging situations.

4. The Importance of Peer Support for Public Safety Professionals: The role of peer support in fostering a culture of mental health awareness and reducing stigma.

5. Effective Stress Management Techniques for First Responders: Practical strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout.

6. Trauma-Informed Care for Public Safety Personnel: Understanding the principles of trauma-informed care and how it applies to mental health treatment.

7. The Role of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): A guide to utilizing EAPs effectively for mental health support.

8. Substance Abuse and Addiction in Public Safety Roles: Addressing the specific challenges of substance abuse within the PSR community.

9. Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Public Safety Agencies: Strategies for creating a supportive work environment that prioritizes mental well-being.


  psr mental health: Mental Health, United States , 1998
  psr mental health: A Handbook for the Study of Mental Health Allan V. Horwitz, Teresa L. Scheid, 1999-04-13 This book offers the first comprehensive presentation of the sociology of mental health and illness, including original, contemporary contributions by experts in the relevant aspects of the field. Divided into three sections, the chapters cover the general perspectives in the field, the social determinants of mental health, and current policy areas affecting mental health services. The Sociology of Mental Health and Illness is designed for classroom use in sociology, social work, human relations, human services, and psychology. With its useful definitions, overview of the historical, social, and institutional frameworks for understanding mental health and illness, and non-technical style, the text is suitable for advanced undergraduate or lower level graduate students.
  psr mental health: Community Mental Health in Canada, Revised and Expanded Edition Simon Davis, 2013-11-15 Community Mental Health in Canada offers a timely, critical overview of the provision of public mental health services in Canada, past, present, and future. This new edition has been substantially revised and expanded and includes a deeper discussion of stigma, the recovery vision, the pharmaceutical industry, and mental health law, in addition to an array of new topics. Recent developments such as the creation of the Mental Health Commission of Canada in 2007 and the release of its national mental health strategy document in 2012 are also discussed. Accessibly written and highly informative, it is an indispensable resource for students, practitioners, and policy makers, as well as service recipients and their families.
  psr mental health: Communicating Mental Health Lance R. Lippert, Robert D. Hall, Aimee E. Miller-Ott, Daniel Cochece Davis, 2019-11-13 Communicating Mental Health: History, Contexts, and Perspectives explores mental health through the lens of the communication discipline. In the first section, contributors describe the major contributions of the communication discipline as it pertains to a broader perspective and stigma of mental health. In the second section, contributors investigate mental health through various narrative perspectives. In the third and fourth sections, contributors consider many applied contexts such as media, education, and family. At the conclusion, contributors discuss the ways in which future inquiries regarding mental health in the communication discipline can be investigated. Scholars of health communication, mental health, psychology, history, and sociology will find this volume particularly useful.
  psr mental health: Mental Health, United States, 1996 Ronald W. Manderscheid, Mary A. Sonnenschein, 1998-05 Provides summaries of statistical information on topics that will be of concern in health care. Chapters on managed care include policy considerations, lessons learned from behavioral managed care approaches, the status of managed behavioral health care in America, & behavioral health care in HMOs. Other chapters provide mental health epidemiological data for adults & children, information on mental health in Medicare & Medicaid programs, mental health services in rural areas, & data on mental health providers. Most chapters cover topics not included in previous editions.
  psr mental health: Recovering the US Mental Healthcare System Meaghan Stacy, Charlie A. Davidson, 2022-02-24 This is a vital resource for anyone looking to better support people with psychosis and serious mental illnesses.
  psr mental health: Mental Health and Illness of Women Prabha Chandra, Helen Herrman, Jane Fisher, Anita Riecher-Rössler, 2020-02-28 This book discusses psychiatric disorders among women in a manner that is relevant to clinical practice and keep cultural and social realities in perspective. The book is important in the face of rapidly changing conditions globally (including better education and more opportunities for work for women); challenges such as migration, war and violence and emerging areas such as newer reproductive technologies, Women's mental health cannot be divorced from social and cultural realities and while the book emphasises these areas, it also gives due importance to the current advances in neurobiology and psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders among women. Chapters in the book are written by multiple authors, many of the chapters use the life stage approach, and have been written by authors from different parts of the world to ensure cultural relevance and diverse viewpoints.
  psr mental health: Mental Health and Palestinian Citizens in Israel Itzhak Levav, Muhammad M. Haj-Yahia, Ora Nakash, 2019-10-01 Minorities face particular social strains, and these are often manifested in their overall mental health. In Israel, just under a quarter of the citizens are Arab Palestinians, yet very little has been published exploring the spectrum of mental health issues prevalent in this population. The work collected here draws on the first-hand experience of experts working with Israeli Palestinians to highlight the problems faced by service users, their families, and their communities. Palestinians in Israel face unique social, gender, and family-related conditions that also need reliable research and assessment. Mental Health and Palestinian Citizens in Israel offers research and observation on three central topics: socio-cultural determinants of mental health, mental health needs, and mental health service utilization. From suicidal behaviors and addiction to generational trauma and the particular concerns of children and the elderly, this broad and careful collection of research opens new dialogues on treatment, prevention, and methods for providing the best possible care to those in need.
  psr mental health: Serious Mental Illness Abraham Rudnick, David Roe, 2018-08-17 Practical and evidence-based, this unique book is the first comprehensive text focused on person-centered approaches to people with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It reflects a range of views and findings regarding assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, self-help, policy-making, education and research. It is highly recommended for all healthcare professionals, students, researchers and educators involved in general practice, psychiatry, nursing, social work, clinical psychology and therapy. Healthcare service providers, and policy makers and shapers, will find the book's wide-ranging, multi-professional approach enlightening. 'Serious Mental Illness reflects a continued distancing from the outmoded and unsubstantiated belief that people with severe mental illnesses could not recover, and that they would respond positively only to goals and treatment plans chosen, designed and implemented by providers in order to prevent their further deterioration. Anyone with an interest in the concept of person-centered approaches will discover new ideas in this book. Indeed, anyone with an interest in person-centered approaches has to read this book. Not only is it the first such book on person-centered approaches, but it will serve as the gold standard in this topic area for years to come.' William A Anthony, in the Foreword
  psr mental health: Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Patrick W. Corrigan, Kim T. Mueser, Gary R. Bond, Robert E. Drake, Phyllis Solomon, 2012-08-22 This comprehensive, authoritative text provides a state-of-the-art review of current knowledge and best practices for helping adults with psychiatric disabilities move forward in their recovery process. The authors draw on extensive research and clinical expertise to accessibly describe the “whats,” “whys,” and “how-tos” of psychiatric rehabilitation. Coverage includes tools and strategies for assessing clients’ needs and strengths, integrating medical and psychosocial interventions, and implementing supportive services in such areas as housing, employment, social networks, education, and physical health. Detailed case examples in every chapter illustrate both the real-world challenges of severe mental illness and the nuts and bolts of effective interventions.
  psr mental health: The Evidence-Based Practice Chris E. Stout, Randy A. Hayes, 2004-11-17 Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), a trend started in the medical community, is rapidly becoming of critical importance to the mental health profession as insurance companies begin to offer preferential pay to organizations using it. Featuring contributions from top researchers in the field, this groundbreaking book covers everything from what EBP is and its relevance to behavioural health to specific models for application and implementation, building best practice protocols, and evaluating bottom-line effectiveness in your organization.
  psr mental health: Mental Health, United States, 1998 Ronald W. Manderscheid, Marilyn J. Henderson, 1999-07 Covers: the emergence of managed behavioral health care; assess. of outcomes and assess. of performance; key factors in managed care, including risk adjust., workforce competencies, and rural serv.; population-based analyses for populations who are seriously mentally ill and severely emotionally disturbed and for costs incurred through Medicare, Medicaid, and private sector insur. plans. National stat. on mental health org's., mental health serv. in jails, the role of neighborhood factors in relation to prevalence of depressive disorders and the dist. of mental health providers, and the character. of the current mental health work force.
  psr mental health: Handbook of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Robert King, Chris Lloyd, Tom Meehan, 2013-05-20 The Handbook of Psychosocial Rehabilitation is designed as a clinical handbook for practitioners in the field of mental health. It recognises the wide-ranging impact of mental illness and its ramifications on daily life. The book promotes a recovery model of psychosocial rehabilitation and aims to empower clinicians to engage their clients in tailored rehabilitation plans. The authors distil relevant evidence from the literature, but the focus is on the clinical setting. Coverage includes the service environment, assessment, maintaining recovery-focussed therapeutic relationships, the role of pharmacotherapy, intensive case management and vocational rehabilitation.
  psr mental health: Manual of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Robert King, Chris Lloyd, Tom Meehan, Frank Deane, David Kavanagh, 2012-08-06 Psychosocial Rehabilitation is a comprehensive ready- reference for mental health practitioners and students, providing practical advice on the full range of interventions for psychosocial rehabilitation. It contextualises the interventions described and provides pointers to enable the reader to explore the theory and research. This manual recognises the wide-ranging impact of mental illness and its ramifications on daily life, and promotes a recovery model of psychosocial rehabilitation and aims to empower clinicians to engage their clients in tailored rehabilitation plans. The book is divided into five key sections. Section 1 looks at assessment covering tools available in the public domain, instruments, scoring systems, norms and applications for diagnosis and measurement of symptoms, cognitive functioning, impairment and recovery. Section 2 covers the full range of therapeutic interventions and offers advice on training and supervision requirements and evaluation of process, impact and outcome. Section 3 provides manuals and programs for interventions effectively provided as group activities. Section 4 explains how to design a full programme that integrates therapeutic interventions with group programmes as well as services provided by other agencies. The final section looks at peer support and self help, providing manuals and resources that support programmes and interventions not requiring professional or practitioner direction.
  psr mental health: Modern Community Mental Health Kenneth Yeager, David Cutler, Dale Svendsen, Grayce M. Sills, 2013-03-21 This is the first truly interdisciplinary book that examines how professionals work together within community mental health. It takes into account the key concepts of community mental health and combines them with current technology to develop an effective formula that redefines the community mental health practice.
  psr mental health: Hearing on Pending Health Care Legislation United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 2007
  psr mental health: Recovery of People with Mental Illness: Philosophical and Related Perspectives Abraham Rudnick, 2012-08-30 It is only in the past 20 years that the concept of 'recovery' from mental health has been more widely considered and researched. Before then, it was generally considered that 'stability' was the best that anyone suffering from a mental disorder could hope for. But now it is recognised that, throughout their mental illness, many patients develop new beliefs, feelings, values, attitudes, and ways of dealing with their disorder. The notion of recovery from mental illness is thus rapidly being accepted and is inserting more hope into mainstream psychiatry and other parts of the mental health care system around the world. Yet, in spite of conceptual and other challenges that this notion raises, including a variety of interpretations, there is scarcely any systematic philosophical discussion of it. This book is unique in addressing philosophical issues - including conceptual challenges and opportunities - raised by the notion of recovery of people with mental illness. Such recovery - particularly in relation to serious mental illness such as schizophrenia - is often not about cure and can mean different things to different people. For example, it can mean symptom alleviation, ability to work, or the striving toward mental well-being (with or without symptoms). The book addresses these different meanings and their philosophical grounds, bringing to the fore perspectives of people with mental illness and their families as well as perspectives of philosophers, mental health care providers and researchers, among others. The important new work will contribute to further research, reflective practice and policy making in relation to the recovery of people with mental illness.It is essential reading for philosophers of health, psychiatrists, and other mental care providers, as well as policy makers.
  psr mental health: First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery Craig W. LeCroy, Jane Holschuh, 2012-08-06 In First Person Accounts of Mental Illness, case studies of individuals experiencing schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental ailments will be provided for students studying the classification and treatment of psychopathology. All of the cases are written from the perspective of the mentally ill individual, providing readers with a unique perspective of the experience of living with a mental disorder. In their book First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery, LeCroy and Holschuh offer the student, researcher, or layperson the intimate voice of mental illness from the inside. First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery is a wonderful book, and it is an ideal, even indispensable, companion to traditional mental health texts. I am grateful that they have given the majority of this book to the voices that are too often unheard. —John S. Brekke, PhD, Frances G. Larson Professor of Social Work Research, School of Social Work, University of Southern California; Fellow, American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare This is absolutely a must-read for anyone who has been touched by someone with a mental illness, whether it be personal or professional. It is imperative that this book be required reading in any course dealing with psychopathology and the DSM, whether it be in psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, or counseling. —Phyllis Solomon, PhD, Professor in the School of Social Policy & Practice and Professor of Social Work in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania A unique volume of first person narratives written from the perspective of individuals with a mental illness Drawing from a broad range of sources, including narratives written expressly for this book, self-published accounts, and excerpts from previously published memoirs, this distinctive set of personal stories covers and illustrates a wide spectrum of mental disorder categories, including: Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders Mood disorders Anxiety disorders Personality disorders Substance-related disorders Eating disorders Impulse control disorders Cognitive disorders Somatoform disorders Dissociative disorders Gender identity disorders Sleep disorders Disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence Reflecting a recovery orientation and strengths-based approach, the authentic and relevant stories in First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery promote a greater appreciation for the individual's role in treatment and an expansion of hope and recovery.
  psr mental health: Arts Therapies in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Umberto Volpe, 2021-07-28 This book explores possible approaches to and uses of art therapy in mental health settings. Reflecting the latest scientific evidence, it represents a major step toward the harmonization of practices in the field, filling the gap between the theory and practice of art therapy. The book is divided into four major sections, corresponding to the main artistic domains: visual art therapy, music therapy, dance movement therapy, and drama therapy. Gathering the research and insights of leading professionals from around the globe, the book offers a diverse and balanced mix of perspectives. Accordingly, it will appeal to a broad readership including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatric rehabilitation technicians, nurses, educators, art therapists, and students.
  psr mental health: Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development , 2007
  psr mental health: Crisis Services, An Issue of Psychiatric Clinics of North America, E-Book Margie Balfour, Matthew Goldman, 2024-08-12 In this issue of Psychiatric Clinics, guest editors Drs. Margie Balfour and Matthew Goldman bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Crisis Services. Crisis services are specially designed for people who need immediate, same-day access to psychiatric care. In this issue, top experts keep psychiatrists well-informed on mental health crisis intervention, including recent developments and major expansions to come. - Contains 13 relevant, practice-oriented topics including equity/disparities: designing crisis services as a way to decriminalize mental illness; crisis contact centers: phone, chat and text-based crisis intervention; mass violence and crisis response; low-threshold crisis services for people experiencing homelessness and other structural barriers; and more. - Provides in-depth clinical reviews on crisis services, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. - Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.
  psr mental health: The Oxford Handbook of Parasocial Experiences Forster, Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, 2023-04-28 Many media users feel as if they are engaging in an interaction or have a personal relationship with people they see in the media. These psychological experiences, that are collectively referred to as parasocial experiences (PSEs). This Handbook offers a thorough synthesis of the fast-growing, international, and multi-disciplinary research of PSEs, celebrating the field's accomplishments to date but also outlining a blueprint for future growth. The book is organized in six sections covering: (1) theoretical, conceptual, and operational definitions of PSEs; (2) theoretical models and state-of-the-art review of research on PSEs across the lifespan; (3) the effects of PSEs on media users' self and their social life (e.g., intergroup relationships, marginalized sexual groups); (3) the effects of PSEs in various contexts such as health, politics, and marketing; and (4) identifying understudied areas of research that call for further investigation (comparative cross-cultural research, marginalized racial/ethnic identities, non-amicable PSRs). In addition to a thorough synthesis of the literature, the handbook identifies several critical theoretical questions that the PSEs research faces today. Across the thematic chapters, the authors debate several overarching critical theoretical issues in PSEs research, such as the boundaries between parasocial and social phenomena and the distinctions between PSEs and other forms of involvement with media. The book also includes a hands-on methodological chapter that provides detailed information about measurement and manipulation of PSEs--
  psr mental health: The Proceedings of the 18th Annual History of Medicine Days Conference 2009 Aleksandra Loewenau, Kerry Sun, 2011-12-08 This volume is the first one in a peer-reviewed series of Proceedings Volumes from the Calgary History of Medicine Days conferences, which are now produced with Cambridge Scholars Publishing. The History of Medicine Days are two-day Nation-wide conferences held annually in spring at the University of Calgary (Canada), where undergraduate and early graduate students from across Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Europe give paper and poster presentations on a wide variety of topics from the history of medicine and health care. The selected 2009 conference papers that are assembled in this volume, particularly comprise the history of Ancient Medicine, Canadiana, Eugenics, Military Medicine, Public Health, Surgery, Diseases, as well as Sex and Gender perspectives. Distinguished Professor of Biology and Chair of the History of Biology Program at Washington University in St. Louis (USA), Dr. Garland E. Allen, held the 2009 keynote address at the conference. His topic “Evolution, Genetics and Eugenics: The Misuse of Biological Theory, 1900–1945” was largely based on an earlier article in the scholarly journal Endeavour. With the permission of the author and editors-in-chief of Endeavour, this article could be reprinted in the current volume where it represents the 2009 keynote address. This volume also includes the abstracts of all 2009 conference presentations and is well-illustrated with diagrams and images pertaining to the history of medicine.
  psr mental health: Recovery From Disability Robert P. Liberman, 2009-02-20 The time is right for recovery from serious mental disorders. Mental health professionals and state and local mental health agencies are responding to a national call for action on recovery: from the President's Commission on Mental Health, the Surgeon General, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. But how can recovery from mental disorders become a reality? Recovery From Disability describes the principles and practices of psychiatric rehabilitation to bridge the gap between what is known and what actually can be used to achieve recovery for patients in real-life mental health programs. The book draws on Dr. Robert Paul Liberman's 40 years of designing, testing, and disseminating innovative treatments for persons with mental disabilities. Illuminating up-to-date treatment techniques that reflect a consensus of experts regarding evidence-based practices, Dr. Liberman shows how recovery can be the rule rather than the exception. This practical book addresses day-to-day realities faced by practitioners who must wrestle with the individualized needs and personal goals of each patient while drawing up a rehabilitation roadmap to recovery. Written in a down-to-earth manner with minimal jargon, this clinical manual is intended for everyday use. Brimming with clear advice and ideas for effective services, the book is relevant to the work of all mental health disciplines, administrators, consumer advocates, and clinicians with all levels of experience. Practice-based evidence is highlighted by an abundance of real-life examples and a host of graphic aids. The author addresses the particular needs of Latino patients and takes up the latest developments in rehabilitation, such as illness management, social and independent living skills training, neurocognitive pharmacology, cognitive remediation, and use of computers in rehabilitation. Each chapter contains information, techniques, and treatment methods that enable clinicians to: Help patients select realistic yet personally meaningful goals for enriching their lives Teach patients how to stabilize their symptoms and cognitive impairments Train patients in social and independent living skills for empowerment and autonomy Educate family members and other caregivers to collaborate with mental health professionals in overcoming their loved one's disability Provide access to vocational rehabilitation, including supported employment Facilitate comprehensiveness, continuity, and coordination of competency-based rehabilitation, using personal support specialists, assertive community treatment, and integrated mental health care Dr. Liberman also describes how to customize services that are effective for individuals with more than one disorder, whose disorder is refractory to customary pharmacological and psychosocial treatments, or whose adaptation to community life is marred by aggressive behavior. With its wealth of rich and immediately applicable treatment approaches, Recovery From Disability will help professionals equip mentally disabled patients to reach their personally relevant goals and progress on the road to recovery.
  psr mental health: Foster Care Janet Solander, 2013-11-20 In Foster Care: How to Fix This Corrupted System, author Janet Solander presents stories of how Child Protective Services (CPS), Department of Family Services (DFS), and the foster system have failed the very children they are mandated to protect and hold safe. Solander shares heartbreaking incidents taken from the daily news as well as her own firsthand experiences as a foster parent. Only through public awareness is there any chance that the children in the system have any hope of being protected the way they should be. Every child has the right to a safe and secure home, but foster children sometimes find that being in the system brings them to a worse place than the home from which they were taken. Only through public involvement pressuring lawmakers to correct the shortcomings in the system will the innocent victims, the children, have the chance the system promises them. Foster Care explains what is happening with these children and what we can do to help correct this dire situation. When foster parents and children gain a stronger voice to advocate for them, only then will the system be able to take care of those who are most vulnerable.
  psr mental health: Issues in Mental Health Research and Practice: 2013 Edition , 2013-05-01 Issues in Mental Health Research and Practice: 2013 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ book that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses. The editors have built Issues in Mental Health Research and Practice: 2013 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses in this book to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Issues in Mental Health Research and Practice: 2013 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.
  psr mental health: Cultivating Mindfulness in Clinical Social Work Terry B. Northcut, 2017-03-25 This practice-focused resource integrates broad therapeutic knowledge with current neuroscience to present vast possibilities for mindfulness in clinical social work. Seasoned practitioners posit mindfulness practice and process as a significant bridge between taking care of self and taking care of others, demonstrating its implications for physical and mental health in personal and professional contexts. Case studies show timeless concepts (e.g., acceptance) and new mindfulness-based ideas (e.g., learned helpfulness) in use in individual treatment as well as couples counseling and group interventions. Also attesting to the utility of mindfulness across problems, settings, and practitioner orientations, diverse applications are organized along ten robust lenses, among them: • Beginning with the context: the mind-body conundrum.• Beginning with the body: the neurobiology of mindfulness.• Beginning with the training: training clinicians in essential methods for integrating mindfulness in clinical practice.• Beginning with the clients: mindfully reconciling opposites with survivors of trauma/complex traumatic stress disorders.• Beginning with the symptom: incorporating mindfulness in the treatment of substance misuse. • Beginning with the larger social system: mindfulness and restorative justice. Clinicians and research professionals particularly interested in psychotherapy treatment and mindfulness practice will find Cultivating Mindfulness in Clinical Social Work not only stimulating and intriguing, but also a fresh source of real-world wisdom.
  psr mental health: Psychology in Probation Services David A. Crighton, Graham J. Towl, 2008-04-15 This book serves as a route map for psychologists and probation officers working in probation services. Outlines the strategic framework for psychological services across prisons and probation. Gives an up-to-date picture of some key emerging areas of applied psychological practice in probation settings. Covers the development of applied psychological services, court work, mental health, working with sex offenders, risk assessment, group work, cognitive skills, multi-agency public protection panels, and lifer assessments. The editors are Deputy Head and Head of Psychology for Prisons and Probation Services, and therefore well placed to compile this book. Complements Graham Towl’s book Psychology in Prisons (BPS Blackwell, 2003).
  psr mental health: Recovery of People with Mental Illness Abraham Rudnick, 2012-08-30 It is only in the past 20 years that the concept of 'recovery' from mental health has been more widely considered and researched. This book is unique in addressing philosophical issues - including conceptual challenges and opportunities - raised by the notion of recovery of people with mental illness.
  psr mental health: The Science and Pseudoscience of Children's Mental Health Sharna Olfman, 2015-03-30 This book explains how studies in brain development and epigenetics—the inextricable interplay of genes and environments—have led to breakthroughs in the understanding of children's psychological disturbances and serve to discredit the scientifically unsupported chemical imbalance theory of mental illness. Intended for mental health practitioners, concerned parents, and child advocates alike, this book presents a powerful new paradigm for understanding the causes of children's psychological disturbances—and as a result, the proper treatment of these symptoms. Based in cutting-edge research on the developing brain and epigenetics, this important volume serves to inform readers about the latest scientific conclusions and clinical practices that need to supplant pervasive and often dangerous drug prescriptions to millions of children. Sharna Olfman, PhD, and contributors including leading researchers, clinicians, and childhood advocates present their research findings and explain the implications for treatment of a range of symptoms, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), concussion syndromes, and mood disorders. The book definitively lays to rest the chemical imbalance theory of mental illness, a theory that has been roundly discredited by the scientific community but kept alive by the pharmaceutical industry. Chapters focus on the real science of epigenetics and the sensitivity of the developing brain to environmental influences such as trauma and chemical toxins—legitimate research findings that are largely ignored by mental health practitioners and rarely influence practice.
  psr mental health: Yale Textbook of Public Psychiatry Dr Selby Jacobs, Dr Jeanne Steiner, 2016-01-15 Yale Textbook of Public Psychiatry is a comprehensive resource on treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, and public health of persons cared for in organized, publically funded systems of care. Edited and authored by experts in public psychiatry at the Yale Department of Psychiatry, this text provides up-to-date information on clinical work in the public sector. This book will be a useful reference for professionals and students of public psychiatry, administrators, and policy makers.
  psr mental health: Mental Health Nursing in the Community Nancy K. Worley, 1997 The only psychiatric nursing reference with a community focus! MENTAL HEALTH NURSING IN THE COMMUNITY arms psychiatric nurses with information they need when they're in the field. Throughout, it provides nursing inter ventions specific to treatment modalities, settings, and at-risk populations. All information is dispensed in a practical, realistic manner, with numerous real-world clinical examples that apply the principles to practice. Eleven quick-reference appendixes offer instant access to everything from assessment scales to DSM-IV classifications.
  psr mental health: Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide Phyllis Solomon, Lisa T. Schmidt, 2010-05 This ebook is a selective guide designed to help scholars and students of social work find reliable sources of information by directing them to the best available scholarly materials in whatever form or format they appear from books, chapters, and journal articles to online archives, electronic data sets, and blogs. Written by a leading international authority on the subject, the ebook provides bibliographic information supported by direct recommendations about which sources to consult and editorial commentary to make it clear how the cited sources are interrelated related. A reader will discover, for instance, the most reliable introductions and overviews to the topic, and the most important publications on various areas of scholarly interest within this topic. In social work, as in other disciplines, researchers at all levels are drowning in potentially useful scholarly information, and this guide has been created as a tool for cutting through that material to find the exact source you need. This ebook is a static version of an article from Oxford Bibliographies Online: Social Work, a dynamic, continuously updated, online resource designed to provide authoritative guidance through scholarship and other materials relevant to the study and practice of social work. Oxford Bibliographies Online covers most subject disciplines within the social science and humanities, for more information visit www.aboutobo.com.
  psr mental health: The Practice of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Jonathan W. Kanter, Mavis Tsai, Robert J. Kohlenberg, 2010-06-14 Since the earliest years of its development, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) has been hailed for its clinical innovation and transformative power with clients across the range of disorders. Building on the foundations of their earlier volumes about this versatile therapy, the editors of The Practice of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy bring together noted clinicians and researchers to explain in depth how FAP can be used in conjunction with a broad spectrum of therapeutic approaches, and with diverse client populations. The hallmarks of the method, including therapist sensitivity and responding to client behavior in the moment, courage, mindfulness, acceptance, and egalitarianism, inform a wide array of interventions and strategies, among them: Integrating FAP with other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, behavioral activation, psychodynamic therapies, and feminist therapies. Applying FAP across cultures, nationalities, and ethnicities. Employing FAP with couples. Increasing sensitivity to and effectiveness with sexual minority clients. Modifying FAP for developmentally appropriate use with adolescents. Enhancing a team approach with severely mentally ill patients in institutional settings. Strengthening the power of interpersonal process groups. As a new tool or an enhancement to current practice, these applications of FAP will give therapists an empowering complement to their work. The Practice of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy points to compelling directions in personal growth and change—on both sides of the therapeutic bond.
  psr mental health: Design for Mental and Behavioral Health Mardelle McCuskey Shepley, Samira Pasha, 2017-05-18 Studies confirm that the physical environment influences health outcomes, emotional state, preference, satisfaction and orientation, but very little research has focused on mental and behavioural health settings. This book summarizes design principles and design research for individuals who are intending to design new mental and behavioural health facilities and those wishing to evaluate the quality of their existing facilities. The authors discuss mental and behavioural health systems, design guidelines, design research and existing standards, and provide examples of best practice. As behavioural and mental health populations vary in their needs, the primary focus is limited to environments that support acute care, outpatient and emergency care, residential care, veterans, pediatric patients, and the treatment of chemical dependency.
  psr mental health: Psychosocial Health, Work and Language Stéphanie Cassilde, Adeline Gilson, 2017-02-13 This volume deals with the construction of categorizations of health at work on the basis of individuals’ perceptions and analyses of the psychosocial health effects at their work. The volume approaches the subject from the point of view of those who have experienced psychosocial risks at work, either by being under constraints themselves or by being witness to such constraints. Each chapter sheds light on their representations by examining how the individuals label these constraints. The book compares official categorizations of psychosocial health effects of work to unofficial categorizations, built or expressed. It shows how taking into account subjective narratives may reinforce existing strategies. By giving a central place to language in the analysis of the representations of psychosocial health at work, the volume provides additional information about the various prevention and coping strategies that can be used for dealing with the issue. Beyond some international comparisons, the book covers various national case studies, including in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chechnya, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and Russia.
  psr mental health: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury as Emerging Trends in Force and Veterans Health United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Health, 2007
  psr mental health: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Carlos W. Pratt, Kenneth J. Gill, Nora M. Barrett, Melissa M. Roberts, 2006-10-06 Psychiatric rehabilitation refers to community treatment of people with mental disorders. Community treatment has recently become far more widespread due to deinstitutionalization at government facilities. This book is an update of the first edition's discussion of types of mental disorders, including etiology, symptoms, course, and outcome, types of community treatment programs, case management strategies, and vocational and educational rehabilitation. Providing a comprehensive overview of this rapidly growing field, this book is suitable both as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses, a training tool for mental health workers, and a reference for academic researchers studying mental health. The book is written in an easy to read, engaging style. Each chapter contains highlighted and defined key terms, focus questions and key topics, a case study example, special sections on controversial issues of treatment or ethics, and other special features.*New chapters on supported education and integrated dual diagnosis treatment services*Comprehensive overview of all models and approaches of psychiatric rehabilitation*Special inserts on Evidence-Based Practices*New content on Wellness and Recovery*Class exercises for each chapter*Profiles of leaders in the field*Case study examples illustrate chapter points
  psr mental health: Psychiatric Rehabilitation in Practice Robert W. Flexer, Phyllis L. Solomon, 1993 A practical guide to the best practices and interventions for professionals working with people who have psychiatric disabilities. In a multidisciplinary, integrated approach, defines rehabilitation as a series of interventions such as case management, vocational rehabilitation, house and supports, and supported employment. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
  psr mental health: Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Evidence-based Public Health Measures Fostering Child and Adolescent Mental Health Stephan Bender, Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer , Luis Rajmil, 2024-08-28 The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on infants, children, and adolescents. While the clinical course of SARS-Cov2 is generally mild in young subjects, significant challenges in this age group have been identified regarding mental health. These challenges were associated with social distancing and public health measures employed to limit infection rates. Different countries chose to adopt different public health strategies concerning the extent of social isolation of children, for example, whether and how long schools were closed. Pandemic isolation as a natural experiment allows for assessing the consequences for the psychosocial development and mental health of the next generation. It has become clear that timely research is necessary to guide healthcare and welfare politics to provide adequate surveillance strategies for children and adolescents in order to make a maximum of safe social contact in this context possible. Moreover, the consequences of disease management measures such as social distancing, homeschooling, or mask-wearing for the well-being and mental health of the next generation also need to be quantified. The psychosocial burden on children and adolescents must be addressed and effective measures to return to healthy lives and learn our lesson for future pandemic situations need to be based on solid evidence. Apart from a dimensional assessment of sub-categorical impairments, clinical consequences with respect to categorical mood, anxiety, or eating disorders warrant a thorough examination. Adequate scientific instruments for the monitoring and assessment of psychosocial consequences for children and adolescents need to be provided, addressing both the view of parents and children and adolescents themselves. Finally, apart from safe real-life social contacts, digital technologies, and telemedicine interventions, ranging from videoconference-based psychotherapy to mobile phone apps, need to be further investigated in children and adolescents to provide adequate health care in a pandemic situation.