{"title":"Fertile ground: reproductive health consideration in mental health ward policy.","authors":"E McGuire, C Curtis, R M Duffy","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2020.27","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2020.27","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Women of childbearing age often experience mental health problems, receive psychotropic medication and are admitted to mental health units. Approximately 40% of pregnancies are unplanned and many women experience perinatal mental health problems. It is therefore vital that consideration is given to reproductive health in mental health policy. We aimed to evaluate the consideration of pregnancy and breastfeeding in the policies of an inpatient mental health service.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The policies of a regional inpatient psychiatric unit were independently reviewed by two researchers. Policies that had implications for pregnancy and breastfeeding for patients were identified. Whether or not these policies considered pregnancy and breastfeeding and the detail of this consideration was evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred and thirteen policies were evaluated. Forty had implications for pregnancy but only 10 of these mentioned pregnancy and only 3 in detail. Only 3 of the 28 policies that had relevance to breastfeeding mothers mentioned it and none discussed it in detail. Key areas of omission included prescribing, seclusion and restraint and cultural and religious considerations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pregnancy and breastfeeding were almost entirely absent in the ward policies of our inpatient unit. Their consideration in the acute setting is vital. An individual or group of individuals should be responsible for ensuring that reproductive health is considered in all policies as well as in a larger specific policy suitable for referencing. The rights of the reproductive woman should be comprehensively considered in inpatient mental health care policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"571-576"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38198269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gautam Gulati, Alan Cusack, Valerie Murphy, Brendan D Kelly, Shane Kilcommins, Colum P Dunne
{"title":"The evaluation of a training course to enhance intellectual disability awareness amongst law enforcement officers: a pilot study.","authors":"Gautam Gulati, Alan Cusack, Valerie Murphy, Brendan D Kelly, Shane Kilcommins, Colum P Dunne","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2021.80","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2021.80","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Disability awareness training is mandated by the United Nations Convention on People with Disabilities (UNCRPD), but there is a paucity of evidence regarding the systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of such training. This study describes the evaluation of a pilot intellectual disability awareness programme for law enforcement officers (LEOs) in Ireland.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Pre-and post-training Likert scales and a semi-structured survey were used to evaluate the effectiveness of an intellectual disabilities awareness programme delivered to LEOs. Quantitative differences in Likert scores and thematic analyses of practice-based responses were used in evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-two LEOs participated in the training and 11 completed the evaluation cycle. Statistically significant improvements were found in participants' self-rated knowledge of intellectual disability, their understanding of the challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities in law enforcement interactions, their communication skills and their knowledge of how to approach a person with a disability in crisis. Thematic analysis excavated potential practical application of learning around pre-arrest considerations, recognition of disability, communication skills and need for procedural safeguards.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>An approach grounded in the views of people with intellectual disabilities and with emphasis on recognition of disability, communication, accessibility of information and providing appropriate support in custody, appears to promote improvement in self-reported knowledge and prospective application in LEOs. The findings of this study are potentially applicable to countries that have ratified the UNCRPD.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"629-633"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39941134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bronagh Gallagher, Aaron Neiman, Marie-Claire Slattery, Declan M McLoughlin
{"title":"Online news media reporting of ketamine as a treatment for depression from 2000 to 2017.","authors":"Bronagh Gallagher, Aaron Neiman, Marie-Claire Slattery, Declan M McLoughlin","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2021.47","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2021.47","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Since the first reporting of ketamine's antidepressant effects in 2000, there has been growing public interest in this novel rapid-acting treatment for depression despite its abuse potential. Online media is an increasingly popular way for the general public to source information. Our objective was to examine how online news outlets have portrayed ketamine as an antidepressant by ascertaining the volume and content of relevant articles and trends over time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this semi-quantitative study, we identified articles regarding ketamine's use in depression from the 30 most popular English-language online news-generating sources over 18 years (2000-2017). Articles were then blindly assessed by 2 independent raters, who analysed the texts by quantifying the presence/absence of 12 content items.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 97 articles, the number of which has increased since the first online news report in 2006. Most (69%) came from the USA and nearly all correctly stated the indications for ketamine. About half of the most recent articles mentioned abuse potential and 27% of articles referred to risks of unregulated use of ketamine. Just under 20% of articles referred to the lack of evidence regarding direct comparisons between ketamine and other currently available antidepressants. There was no difference in the overall level of detail within the articles during the study time period.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Online news media articles have been generally positive about ketamine for treating depression but need to be interpreted with caution as many of them did not discuss negative aspects of ketamine and made unsubstantiated claims about ketamine.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"607-615"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39057153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J M Mitchell, O Keenan, A Fakhoury, D Fitzgerald, M M Mohamad, M Imcha
{"title":"Is perinatal substance abuse falling through the cracks?","authors":"J M Mitchell, O Keenan, A Fakhoury, D Fitzgerald, M M Mohamad, M Imcha","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2023.22","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2023.22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Perinatal substance abuse (PSA) is associated with increased risk of prematurity, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome, behavioral issues and learning difficulties. It is imperative that robust care pathways are in place for these high-risk pregnancies and that staff and patient education are optimized. The present study explores the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals toward PSA to identify knowledge gaps to enhance care and reduce stigma.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a cross-sectional study using questionnaires to survey healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in a tertiary maternity unit (<i>n</i> = 172).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority of HCPs were not confident in the antenatal management (75.6%, <i>n</i> = 130) or postnatal management (67.5%, <i>n</i> = 116) of PSA. More than half of HCPs surveyed (53.5%, <i>n</i> = 92) did not know the referral pathway and 32% (<i>n</i> = 55) did not know when to make a TUSLA referral. The vast majority (96.5%, <i>n</i> = 166) felt that they would benefit from further training, and 94.8% (<i>n</i> = 163) agreed or strongly agreed that the unit would benefit from a drug liaison midwife. Among study participants, 54.1% (<i>n</i> = 93) agreed or strongly agreed that PSA should be considered a form of child abuse and 58.7% (<i>n</i> = 101) believe that the mother is responsible for damage done to her child.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study highlights the urgent need for increased training on PSA to enhance care and reduce stigma. It is imperative that staff training, drug liaison midwives and dedicated clinics are introduced to hospitals as a matter of high priority.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"584-587"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9516782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services: the door of opportunity.","authors":"M Wrigley, F O'Riordan","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2023.3","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2023.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services in Ireland in recent years (2018-2021) is described. The paper highlights the role of unexpected opportunity in advancing this much needed service for women, infants and their families. It also emphasises the need for funding combined with an implementation mechanism to ensure that the service emerging is true to the Model of Care designed and is available in a uniform manner to women nationally.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"577-583"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9137779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David Mothersill, Gerard Loughnane, Gabriela Grasso, April Hargreaves
{"title":"Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism: a pilot study.","authors":"David Mothersill, Gerard Loughnane, Gabriela Grasso, April Hargreaves","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2021.81","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2021.81","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Lack of knowledge and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours towards individuals with mental disorders is a worldwide problem but may be particularly damaging for young people. This pilot study examined knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism within a large sample of adults in Ireland, a country with the youngest population in Europe, in order to better understand public views on these groups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a correlational, cross-sectional design, 307 adults in Ireland over the age of 18 completed a questionnaire over Google Forms examining knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism. Responses to questions specifically relating to each diagnosis were compared using trimmed mean ANOVA to examine whether responses to questions differed depending on diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results indicate varied knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards these groups, but a majority believe it should be a research priority. ANOVA and <i>post hoc</i> tests revealed significant differences in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards each of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism (p < 0.005), and reported attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia were more negative than either bipolar disorder or autism. A majority of participants (54.8%) felt not informed enough about mental health by the media.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In our Irish sample, type and level of stigma varies according to mental health diagnosis. Our sample also report feeling inadequately informed about mental health by the media. Thus future policy and campaigns could consider targeting individual mental health diagnoses, with a focus on increasing familiarity and knowledge.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"634-640"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39685832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D Mongan, J Lynch, J Anderson, L Robinson, C Mulholland
{"title":"Perinatal mental healthcare in Northern Ireland: challenges and opportunities.","authors":"D Mongan, J Lynch, J Anderson, L Robinson, C Mulholland","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2021.71","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2021.71","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Perinatal mental health is a vital component of public mental health. The perinatal period represents the time in a woman's life when she is at the highest risk of developing new-onset psychiatric disorders or relapse of an existing mental illness. Optimisation of maternal mental health in the perinatal period is associated with both short- and long-term benefits not only for the mother, but also for her infant and family. However, perinatal mental health service provision remains variable across the world. At present in Northern Ireland, 80% of women do not have access to specialist community perinatal mental health services, and without access to a mother and baby unit, mothers who require a psychiatric admission in the postnatal period are separated from their baby. However, following successful campaigns, funding for development of specialist perinatal mental health community teams has recently been approved. In this article, we discuss the importance of perinatal mental health from a public health perspective and explore challenges and opportunities in the ongoing journey of specialist service development in Northern Ireland.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"601-606"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39762612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pregnancy and breastfeeding in mental health policy: a narrative review.","authors":"E McGuire, S Murray, R M Duffy","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2023.32","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2023.32","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Mental health difficulties are often exacerbated during the perinatal period. Policy and guidelines are increasingly being used to enhance the quality of healthcare. We conducted a literature review of published research relating to pregnancy and breastfeeding in mental health policy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Relevant terms were searched in Medline, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO and EMBASE for articles published in English from 1970 until 2020. Only papers that referenced policy, guidance, legislation or standards were included. While a systematic approach was used, the nature of the results necessitated a narrative review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Initially, 262 papers were identified, 44 met the inclusion criteria. Reproductive health is given sparse consideration in research relating to mental health policy. Despite this, some key areas emerged. These included: the need for proactive preconception psychoeducation, proactive screening of mothers of infants and young children for perinatal mental health issues, enhanced prescribing practice for women of child-bearing age, enhanced monitoring during pregnancy, development of safe modification of coercive practices should they need to be employed in emergency circumstances and targeted measures to reduce substance misuse. Themes that arose relating to breastfeeding and bonding are also described.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Female reproductive health is often ignored in research relating to mental health policy, guidelines and standards. These tools need to be harnessed to promote good healthcare. Reproductive health should be included in the care plan of all mental health patients. These topics need to be integrated into existing relevant policies and not isolated to a separate policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"592-600"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10078118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Catherine Hinds, Stephen W Lindow, Mona Abdelrahman, Mark P Hehir, Michael P O'Connell
{"title":"Assessment of antenatal anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder in pregnant women in the COVID-19 era.","authors":"Catherine Hinds, Stephen W Lindow, Mona Abdelrahman, Mark P Hehir, Michael P O'Connell","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2021.57","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2021.57","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the mental health of pregnant women, with reference to anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ireland during the third wave of the pandemic between February and March 2021. Psychiatric, social and obstetric information was collected from pregnant women in a Dublin maternity hospital, alongside self-reported measures of mental health status.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 392 women responding, 23.7% had anxiety, scoring >9 for GAD-7 (7-item generalised anxiety disorder), 20.4% had depression, scoring >9 for PHQ-9 (9-item depression screening tool: Patient health questionnaire) and 10.3% had obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), scoring >13 for Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale symptom checklist (Y-BOCS). Amongst self-reported OCD symptoms, there was a preponderance for obsessions rather than compulsions. Of 392 women, 36.2% described their mental health as worse during the pandemic, most frequently describing symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbance. When analysed against test scores, self-reported worsening of mental health was significantly associated with higher scores on the GAD-7, PHQ-9 and Y-BOCS scales. The three scores were positively interrelated. Poor mental health scores were associated with self-reported strain in relationship with the baby's father, and current or previous history of mental illness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found high levels of depression, anxiety and OC symptoms amongst pregnant women during COVID-19. This highlights the vulnerability of this group to mental illness and the importance of enhanced screening and support during pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":" ","pages":"547-553"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39343253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Specialist perinatal mental health services: future developments to meet the needs of families.","authors":"Richard M Duffy, Catherine Hinds, Colm Cooney","doi":"10.1017/ipm.2023.49","DOIUrl":"10.1017/ipm.2023.49","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46220,"journal":{"name":"IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE","volume":"40 4","pages":"541-542"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139543268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}