{"title":"Exploring Police Training Models for Addressing Mental Illness in Rural Communities.","authors":"Chunghyeon Seo, Jimmi Jo Winn","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01481-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01481-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A growing number of police departments in the United States have adopted specialized training models to handle situations involving people with mental illness (PWMI), including the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model and other models with reduced training hours (OMRTH). However, research on police chiefs' attitudes toward these training models, especially those working in rural areas, remains limited. To address this gap in the literature, this study explored the attitudes of rural police chiefs across two states regarding two categories of police training models (the CIT model and OMRTH) and examined factors influencing their viewpoints. The results revealed that chiefs in rural areas demonstrated favorable attitudes toward the CIT model but negative attitudes toward OMRTH. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144474169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aurora Elmes, Robert Campain, Chris Brown, Erin Wilson
{"title":"Psychosocial Recovery Coaching and the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Outcomes and their Alignment with the CHIME-D Recovery Framework.","authors":"Aurora Elmes, Robert Campain, Chris Brown, Erin Wilson","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01477-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01477-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides individualised funding to eligible people with disability to purchase required services and supports. However, people with psychosocial disability have experienced challenges in accessing these supports. In response, the NDIS introduced psychosocial recovery coaching as a 'recovery oriented' support for people with psychosocial disability. This study, based on research undertaken with an Australian organisation providing psychosocial recovery coaching, aims to identify outcomes of this support and how these relate to the CHIME-D recovery framework and broader evidence on peer-delivered mental health support. The study shows that overall, participant experiences and outcomes of psychosocial recovery coaching align strongly with the CHIME-D recovery framework, and with the NDIS stipulated goals and responsibilities of psychosocial recovery coaching service delivery. This paper contributes new knowledge on the outcomes of psychosocial recovery coaching and suggests that future iterations of NDIS psychosocial supports should align with personal recovery outcomes-including those identified by people with psychosocial disability.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144474170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leah A Holcomb, Caitlin Koob, Bonnie Treado, Rachel Mayo, Kathleen B Cartmell, Jennifer Barkin, Lori Dickes, Kacey Eichelberger
{"title":"Recovering Together: The Socioecological Impact of Social Networks on Postpartum Substance Use Disorder Recovery.","authors":"Leah A Holcomb, Caitlin Koob, Bonnie Treado, Rachel Mayo, Kathleen B Cartmell, Jennifer Barkin, Lori Dickes, Kacey Eichelberger","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01482-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10597-025-01482-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explored the experiences of postpartum individuals in early substance use disorder (SUD) recovery and key aspects of their social networks using the Socioecological Model (SEM). We conducted a qualitative study of 22 postpartum individuals (< 1 year since delivery) in residential SUD treatment from July to November 2023. Transcribed, audio-recorded interviews were analyzed using Atlas.ti, with findings organized by SEM levels. Participants, primarily White (81.8%), single (86.3%), and living below the poverty line (81.8%), reported opioid (40.1%) and stimulant (81.8%) use disorders. Challenges spanned SEM levels, including navigating parenthood, accessing trauma-informed care, and overcoming structural barriers such as housing instability, transportation, and childcare access. Findings underscore the need for family-centered, trauma-informed recovery programs and flexible policies addressing childcare and social service barriers to support long-term recovery and maternal well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Leisure Activities of Service Users in Psychiatric Rehabilitation- An Overlooked Avenue for Social Inclusion? Results from a Comparative Cross-Sectional Survey.","authors":"Julia Häberli, Dirk Richter, Sonja Mötteli","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01472-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01472-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leisure engagement plays a crucial role in people's health. Although the effects of physical activity on mental health have been studied extensively, social leisure activities have been neglected so far. This study compares leisure satisfaction, behaviour and perceived barriers of 110 service users of sheltered workshops to those of 40 mental health professionals (MHPs). It examines factors associated with greater leisure satisfaction using a cross-sectional questionnaire. Main analyses were performed using ANCOVA and linear regression analyses. The frequency and variety of leisure activities were higher in MHPs (p < 0.001), with no difference in leisure satisfaction (but different perceived barriers) between the groups. Service users participating in regular group-based activities (42%) were more satisfied than service users who did not regularly participate (p < 0.05). Improving the service users' leisure satisfaction might foster social inclusion and well-being. MHPs need to include those with the most severe mental health problems who usually refuse to participate in social activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144316055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilyse Kramer, Sarah Zagorac, Nuriya Hefron, Lauren Walker, Caitlyn Taylor, Elizabeth C Thomas, Halley Read
{"title":"Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Early Psychosis: a Scoping Review.","authors":"Ilyse Kramer, Sarah Zagorac, Nuriya Hefron, Lauren Walker, Caitlyn Taylor, Elizabeth C Thomas, Halley Read","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01475-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01475-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extensive literature documents the benefits of intervening early for psychosis and for using interventions to support individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Occupational therapy (OT) is used in the treatment of early psychosis, yet the specific role of OT within these multidisciplinary teams remains underexplored. By mapping existing evidence, this scoping review aims to present the evidence related to the inclusion of OT in early intervention for psychosis. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in November 2020. Three authors independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts to extract data, adhering to predetermined eligibility criteria. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) level of evidence scale was applied to assess study quality. Six studies met inclusion criteria. Publication dates ranged from 1980 to 2011. Studies were predominantly conducted in outpatient settings (n = 6) across urban locations (n = 4). Results included one non-randomized quasi-experimental study, one analytical observational study with a retrospective cohort design, and four descriptive observational studies, including two case reports and two expert opinions on Early Intervention for Psychosis (EIP) programs, with evidence levels varying across the included studies. Despite OT's documented efficacy in mental health care, reviews specifically exploring OT's role in early psychosis are lacking. This scoping review identified six relevant studies, highlighting significant variability in interventions, outcomes, and study designs. Rigorous research is needed to establish evidence of OT's effectiveness and potential contribution to the treatment of early psychosis to address current gaps in care provision.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144282749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emily Roxburgh, Billie Lever Taylor, Joanne Hodgekins
{"title":"Experiences of Care from Mental Health Services among Partners of Women Accessing Support for Postpartum Psychosis: a Qualitative Study.","authors":"Emily Roxburgh, Billie Lever Taylor, Joanne Hodgekins","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01479-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01479-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Postpartum psychosis (PP) affects one to two per 1,000 women and requires urgent intervention. Whilst PP primarily impacts women, it can place significant strain on partners, who often play a pivotal role throughout postnatal care and recovery. Little is known about how mental health services engage with and support partners during a PP episode. Therefore, this study aims to explore partners' experiences of mental health services to better understand their experiences and needs and inform service provision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 partners of women who received support for psychosis following childbirth. Findings were analysed thematically. Three main themes were identified: 'understanding and responding to PP', 'partners' involvement in PP care' and 'the responsibilities undertaken and partner wellbeing'. Partners struggled to recognise PP and reported variability in healthcare professionals' knowledge of the condition. They urged for greater information and awareness of PP for partners, professionals and society. Most took on advocacy roles yet reported inconsistent involvement from services. Their ongoing responsibilities and PP related experiences significantly impacted their emotional wellbeing, with many finding services unresponsive to their needs. Some felt lucky to receive tailored support from charities and general practitioners. Many highlighted the need for improvements in integrated care frameworks for partners. These findings call for more inclusive and consistent care frameworks that actively involve, inform, and support partners with recognising and responding to symptoms of PP, involvement in care and supporting their wellbeing throughout. Further efforts are required to raise awareness of PP, improve staff training, and explore partners' needs from varying backgrounds, time points, and circumstances.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144233430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Mental Health of Refugee and Migrant Youth after Settlement: Outcomes of a Multinational Study.","authors":"Doukessa Lerias, Tahereh Ziaian, Nancy Arthur, Martha Augoustinos, Tara Pir, Emily Miller","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01474-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01474-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Being of immigrant background is a risk factor for poor mental health among youth. In OECD countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, both immigration and youth are a policy-focus as these countries are popular destinations for immigrants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mental health of immigrant youth to better support their acculturation and mental health. This study compared the mental health of immigrant youth in Australia, Canada and the United States, and refugee and migrant youth within each country. It also explored numerous factors that were previously reported to impact the mental health of immigrant youth needing to acculturate to their settlement country. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a global mental health screen, was used to evaluate 1063 participants recruited through communities in California, Ontario and South Australia. Twenty-four predictor variables were explored, and multivariable linear regression models accounted for substantial proportions of variance in the mental health of immigrant youth in each country. Perceived discrimination, family functioning and resilience were predictive of the mental health of immigrant youth across Australia, Canada and the United States. Additional predictors differed between each settlement country. Similarities and differences in the findings between Australia, Canada and the United States were discussed, and the study provided specific recommendations for policy and practice related to the needs of immigrant youth in the three settlement countries. This study was a timely contribution to the area of youth mental health, whose purpose was to support the acculturation and mental health of youth in OECD countries where great diversity exists due to immigration.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144215112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hiu Yan Lam, Anne Honey, Justin Scanlan, Nicola Hancock
{"title":"Collaboration for Recovery: Expert Mental Health Worker Experiences with the Recovery Assessment Scale - Domain and Stages (RAS-DS).","authors":"Hiu Yan Lam, Anne Honey, Justin Scanlan, Nicola Hancock","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01476-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01476-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Recovery Assessment Scale - Domains and Stages (RAS-DS) was designed as a tool to promote collaboration between mental health workers and consumers. However, many workers use it solely for its other purpose-as an outcome measure - and lack knowledge and confidence to use it collaboratively. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the strategies adopted by mental health workers who successfully utilize RAS-DS to facilitate collaborative recovery planning. Using a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with expert collaborative RAS-DS users and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Participants described implementing a range of strategies to facilitate collaborative practice when using RAS-DS. These included strategies to both encourage consumers to complete RAS-DS in a meaningful way and to facilitate discussions about the results for consumer-driven goals and interventions. Findings provide guidance for mental health workers seeking to use RAS-DS collaboratively to support recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144215111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aderonke Oyetunji, Ishrath Zamani, Carrie Kriz, Ethan Johnston, Olurinde Oni, Sara Agha, Saja Necibi, Shazia Saleem, Jared Bruce
{"title":"Self-Reported Perception of Voluntary Psychiatric Hospitalization and Underlying Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients on a Psychiatric Unit in a Safety Net Hospital.","authors":"Aderonke Oyetunji, Ishrath Zamani, Carrie Kriz, Ethan Johnston, Olurinde Oni, Sara Agha, Saja Necibi, Shazia Saleem, Jared Bruce","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01469-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01469-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Unmet social needs are a significant reason for increased psychiatric readmission rates. However, there is a paucity of literature to suggest patients contribute to this increased rate by reporting more severe symptoms. Our study assessed voluntarily hospitalized psychiatric patients' perceptions of underlying needs within a safety net hospital. In a cross-sectional anonymous survey, 58 of 100 voluntarily hospitalized English-speaking psychiatric patients reported they would not need hospitalization if they had stable housing. Forty-one reported similarly if they had disability income. Thirty-one percent of participants indicated that they had reported more severe symptoms in the past to gain psychiatric admission, and 26% indicated they reported more severe psychiatric symptoms at the time of the survey. Of those reporting more severe symptoms, 73% reported they needed help with housing, and 57% needed help with disability benefits. This preliminary work represents a starting point to better understand patient needs and provide appropriate levels of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144136024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identifying Solutions for the Workforce Challenges Facing Community Mental Health Support Workers: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Megan Rattray, Emma Milanese, Tania Shelby-James","doi":"10.1007/s10597-025-01473-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-025-01473-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Addressing workforce issues such as recruitment, retention, and skill development is essential for ensuring that community psychosocial and mental health programs can meet growing demand and provide high-quality care. This paper examines current efforts to tackle these challenges and explores additional measures required. This qualitative study, framed within a naturalistic paradigm, employed semi-structured interviews with mental health support staff across Australia. Interviews, lasting approximately 37 min (range, 23-55 min), were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a combination of inductive and deductive thematic analysis, whereby participants' verbatim codes were initially mapped across the three workforce issues: recruitment, retention, and skill development. Solutions for each issue were then analysed inductively, with subthemes emerging from common concepts. Themes and subthemes were discussed among the authors until consensus was reached. Sixteen staff members were interviewed, most of whom were female (n = 9, 56%) and held management roles (n = 10, 62%), while the rest were in client-facing positions (n = 6, 38%). To improve staff recruitment, subthemes included revising recruitment processes and standards, dispelling misconceptions and promoting the field and leveraging existing networks and resources. Staff retention subthemes included offering competitive salary packages and incentives, fostering a positive work culture with engaged leadership and encouraging supportive and effective practices. Lastly, upskilling staff subthemes included engaging in regular or mandatory training and supervision, encouraging resource sharing and networking and supporting and granting opportunities to upskill. The findings offer insights and recommendations for policymakers, administrators, and practitioners to strengthen the community mental health workforce.</p>","PeriodicalId":10654,"journal":{"name":"Community Mental Health Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144119108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}