Lived experiences: a focus group pilot study within the MentALLY project of mental healthcare among European users

'C'mon, let's talk: a pilot study of mental health literacy program for Filipino migrant domestic workers in the United Kingdom

PURPOSE

This pilot study of a culturally adapted online mental health literacy (MHL) program called 'Tara, Usap Tayo!' (C'mon, Let's Talk) aims to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and potential effectiveness in improving the help-seeking behavior of Filipino migrant domestic workers in the United Kingdom (UK).

METHODS

Using mixed methods, we conducted a non-randomized single-group study of the online MHL program with 21 participants. The development of this intervention was guided by the Medical Research Council Framework for developing complex interventions and utilized Heim & Kohrt's (2019) framework for cultural adaptation. Content materials from the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP), WHO Problem Management Plus (PM +) and Adult Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) were modified and translated into the Filipino language. The MHL program was delivered online in three sessions for two hours each session. Data were collected at three time points: (T1) pretest; (T2) posttest; and (3) follow-up test. Quantitative data on participants' attitudes towards help-seeking and level of mental health literacy as outcome measures of potential intervention effectiveness were collected at T1, T2 and T3, while focus group discussions (FGDs) to assess participants' feedback on the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of the online MHL program were conducted immediately at T2. Data analysis was done using a thematic approach for qualitative data from the FGDs and descriptive statistics and repeated-measures ANOVA were used to assess the difference in the T1, T2, and T3 tests. Both quantitative and qualitative results were then integrated and triangulated to answer the research questions.

RESULTS

The online MHL program is generally acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for use among Filipino migrant domestic workers. Preliminary findings lend support for its possible effectiveness in improving mental health literacy and help-seeking propensity. The cultural adaptation made in the content, form, and delivery methods of the intervention was acceptable and feasible for this target subcultural group.

CONCLUSION

By improving their mental health literacy and help-seeking propensity, this online MHL program has the potential to provide support to the mental health and well-being of Filipino migrant domestic workers in the UK. Further feasibility study or large-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the preliminary findings of this study.

Differences in how women and men in a Swedish population-based sample think about sick leave: A cross-sectional vignette study

BACKGROUND

Gender differences in attitudes towards depression gives reason to believe that sociocultural gender norms play a role in other areas.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to test (i) if the likelihood to think that sick leave with depression symptoms is not reasonable varies between women and men, and (ii) if the likelihood to think sick leave is not reasonable varies depending on the gender of the individual with depression symptoms.

METHODS

A study population of 3147 participants responded to a web-survey with a written case briefly describing a man or woman with symptoms of depression. Respondents were asked if they thought it is reasonable that the person was sick listed for two weeks. Logistic regression was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, education, self-rated health, and respondent's own experience of sickness absence the adjusted OR was 1.45 (95% CI 1.25-1.67) for men being less likely to think sick-leave was reasonable. Gender difference decreased when adjusting for negative attitudes towards depression (adjusted OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06-1.44). No difference was found between how women and men thought about sick leave in relation to the gender of the case described in the vignette.

CONCLUSION

Men were more likely to think that sick leave was not reasonable with decreased OR after adjustment for negative attitudes towards depression. Gender norms might be part of the explanation for differences but are challenging to test. This study contributes to a bourgeoning research field on gendered attitudes and sick leave, in terms of theoretical reasoning and methodological choice.

Mental Health Professionals' Attitudes Towards People with Severe Mental Illness: Are they Related to Professional Quality of Life?

The present study examines whether attitudes of mental health professionals (MHPs) towards severe mental illness are associated with professional quality of life. The Attitudes towards Severe Mental Illness (ASMI), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 (ProQOL-5) were completed by 287 MHPs in Greece (25.4% males, 74.6% females). The results indicate that MHPs hold predominantly positive attitudes towards people with severe mental illness. Nonetheless, MHPs' attitudes are deemed to be stereotypical according to ASMI concerning treatment duration, prospects of recovery, and whether patients are similar to other people. Higher scores in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, compassion fatigue and ProQOL-5 burn out dimension were significantly associated with MHPs' unfavorable attitudes, whereas higher scores in compassion satisfaction and personal accomplishment were associated with MHPs' positive attitudes. Assessing compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout levels could help identify the processes involved in the development or maintenance of MHPs' stigmatizing attitudes.

Screening and referral is not enough: a qualitative exploration of barriers to access and uptake of mental health services in patients with cardiovascular diseases

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are commonly comorbid with mental health disorders, portending poorer cardiac prognosis. Despite the high prevalence of depression and anxiety, and guidelines recommending routine depression screening and referral, uptake of mental healthcare in CVD populations remains low. Reasons for the underutilisation of mental health and psychological services for this population remain largely unknown.

Methods

Thirteen CVD patients with clinically significant psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety and/or stress) participated in one-on-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Barriers to uptake included the timing of referral and screening, with patients reporting a need for longer term follow-up. A lack of information provision and understanding around mental health and services, especially following cardiac-events were further barriers. A reluctance to report mental health or engage in services was also identified, with patients indicating a preference for informal peer support networks. A range of practical barriers such as mobility, transport and cost were also reported.

Conclusions

Longer term follow-up and routine mental health assessment may be beneficial to facilitate use of mental health services. Upskilling of practitioners around mental health may be a further avenue to promote information provision and enhance service use. Further focus on enhancing informal peer support may be a valuable initial approach for the CVD population. The implications for improving services and enhancing service use are discussed.