Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital’s Post

The Global Mental Healthcare Crisis: Transitioning from Institutionalization to Community-Based Treatment discusses global mental healthcare systems through the examination of institutionalization, deinstitutionalization, transinstitutionalization, community-based treatment, substance misuse provisions, mental healthcare providers, pandemics, and governmental strategies related to mental health. Part I of the book focuses on global mental healthcare systems. The chapters cover laws related to institutionalization in the U.K., Italy, Canada, France, and the U.S.; historical treatments and modalities, including now-controversial methods such as restraint, electroconvulsive therapy, and sterilization, among others; and the positive attributes that arose in the wake of global deinstitutionalization movements. Part II discusses impacts, discrepancies, and adversities with chapters that address the roles of psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, therapists, technicians, and psychiatric nurses within the mental healthcare system; comorbidity and substance use disorder; the impact of COVID-19 on mental health worldwide; and obstacles to quality mental health treatment. The final part provides strategies for improved mental healthcare services.

I am not a Psychiatrist nor do I work in the public system nowadays. But this situation affects everyone in NSW and arguably beyond. Some things to bear in mind: 1. If you are thinking psychiatry is one small area of specialised health care, you may have forgotten the broad preventative role that public mental health services play in our community. The Bondi Westfield incident, for example, involved a person with mental illness, and just the coronial inquest into this single tragic incident cost the government $18 million. NSW police (annual budget $4.8 billion) attend a mental health incident every nine minutes. 2. My back-of-the envelope calculation is that the pay increase being requested for psychiatrists would cost around $40 million. Current NSW mental health budget: $2.9 billion. 'But the NSW government is in deficit, it can't afford a generous pay increase'. Other states found money to pay their mental health workforce more via a targeted levy on some large businesses. 3. 40% of NSW psychiatrist positions were already vacant before the mass resignation became a thing. This means that many psychiatrists had already quit (or cut back hours), possibly for the same reason (inadequate working conditions and pay). This mass resignation action might therefore be seen as an attempt to bring public attention to a problem that has been known about for a very long time. 4. This must be agonising for the psychiatrists involved, who have a front-row seat to the consequences of their resignations. To imagine this is a money grab by them, as is the line taken by some, seems a bit unfair. The attached article raising grave concerns about the issue is from 2023. https://lnkd.in/gQVN7r_q

I am pleased to share my latest publication, co-authored with Anna Björkdahl, now available through Springer Nature. This chapter critically explores the use of restraint in mental health care, shedding light on its harmful impact on autonomy, dignity, and recovery. It presents patient-centred alternatives such as sensory rooms, open door policies, peer support, and more, emphasizing the need for compassionate, human-rights-focused practices. This work highlights the importance of transforming mental health care to be more humane, respectful, and recovery-oriented. A must-read for those shaping the future of mental health care. Thanks to Nutmeg Hallett, Richard Whittington, Dirk Richter and Emachi Eneje for this wonderful opportunity to share about this topic. Torrents, E.G., Björkdahl, A. (2024). Alternatives to Coercion. In: Hallett, N., Whittington, R., Richter, D., Eneje, E. (eds) Coercion and Violence in Mental Health Settings. Springer, Cham.

Excited that Anthem Blue Cross is partnering with local organizations to bring a Mobile Mental Health Clinic to rural areas of California, where residents often have trouble accessing mental health support. https://lnkd.in/ez55gZMT

The mhGAP orientation on 5 and 6 October in Birmingham will focus on the WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), which seeks to expand care for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, especially in low-resource settings. The first day will be held in person, followed by a half-day online session on the second day. We’ll discuss how reverse innovation—bringing global mental health solutions to local contexts—can enhance services here in the UK. We’ll also explore how voluntary organizations can play a pivotal role in supporting NHS mental health services, particularly through the new 24/7 initiative, a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan. These partnerships are vital in ensuring mental health services are accessible to everyone who needs them. Due to high demand, a few additional registration spots have been opened, but they will close by the end of Wednesday—or sooner if filled. Don’t miss this chance to engage in this important discussion and help shape the future of mental health care through collaboration. https://lnkd.in/ekTQjJuy

Kids shouldn’t have to struggle through a system that isn’t designed to meet their mental health needs. In an op-ed for Fast Company, I shared how the shortage of child psychiatrists has placed an undue burden on pediatricians to manage youth mental health care without the proper support or resources. Collaborative care offers a better solution by integrating psychiatrists and therapists into pediatric practices. This model provides pediatricians with direct access to expertise on medications, therapy coordination, and comprehensive care planning—so that kids get the specialized support they need while reducing the strain on primary care providers. It’s time for us to rethink policies, break down silos, and equip providers with the tools to truly support families. What do you think is the biggest barrier to effective youth mental health care today? 📖 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gwq8zVwT #mentalhealth #collaborativecare #integratedbehavioralcare

This great article by Monika Roots, MD, FAPA highlights challenges in youth mental health care that are strikingly similar to the ones we face in addressing childhood obesity. In both cases, primary care providers are often asked to manage these complex conditions without the time or specialized training required to provide effective, long-term care. This increases the burden on doctors, leaving many children without the support they need. The lack of insurance coverage for evidence-based services further compounds the problem. Just as youth with mental health concerns often cannot access therapy, children with obesity face significant barriers to accessing proven behavioral health interventions. This systemic failure usually leaves families unable to navigate these challenges on their own. Furthermore, research shows that children with obesity are more likely to experience depression, and vice versa. The prevalence of depression is 25% higher in youth with obesity. Similarly, depression in childhood can lead to unhealthy behaviors, increasing the risk of weight gain and obesity over time. This overlap between depression and childhood obesity is another critical factor that underscores the need for integrated care. Unfortunately, youth health is often neglected despite its long-term importance. Only 29% of children with obesity receive counseling or behavioral interventions to manage their condition, and less than 50% of youth with mental health disorders receive any treatment at all. This neglect has far-reaching consequences. Untreated conditions in childhood increase the risk of chronic diseases, poor mental health, and reduced quality of life in adulthood. We need a better model of care for both youth mental health and childhood obesity, one that reduces the burden on primary care providers and ensures access to the comprehensive, multidisciplinary support that children and families need to thrive. Programs that incorporate behavioral health coaching, family-based interventions, and adequate insurance coverage could dramatically improve outcomes. It’s time to prioritize children’s health and dedicate the attention and resources they deserve. Pediatric Health Coach Academy #pediatrichealth #familyhealth #childobesity #youthmentalhealth #healthcoaching #AAP

Hayley Fry, APRN is one of the incredible psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners on our clinical team. She currently works with patients ages 4 to 17 who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we're featuring providers like Hayley, who are dedicated to their patients' mental health and wellbeing. 💚 Hayley has a background in serving patients of all ages, including those living with dementia or more than one mental health condition. While diagnosis is helpful in directing treatment, Hayley said it's important to keep in mind that a diagnosis does not define a person. It should be a guide, not a definition. "The first facet of stabilization is hearing someone's story and providing validation and acceptance." Hayley said. "There's so much power in being heard and understood. Then, my goal is to help make sense of it for my patient and for their family." 💡 As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Hayley wants people to know that more medicine isn't always the answer to addressing mental health concerns. "Sometimes, it's a lower dose of medication or a different time to give the medicine," she said. "And it doesn't always need to be more medicine or higher doses. Sometimes it's just solving the mystery of 'How can we tweak things a little bit to make someone feel or function better?'" Hayley prioritizes her mental wellbeing and self-care through yoga, which allows her to move while creating space for meditation and connect with herself and her body. 🧘♀️ "As many people in a helping profession would say, it's easier to care for others than take care of ourselves. But for me, I have to spend intentional time each day focusing on gratitude and finding joy," Hayley said. "If I just take a moment to breathe in what's good around me, even on the hardest days, that really helps me reset my mind." Thank you for sharing your expertise, Hayley! We appreciate all that you do! 👏 #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #providerinsights #mentalhealthmatters #providerspotlight #behavioralhealth #mentalhealth #psychiatry #pmhnp #nursepractitioner #thankyou

 Why Choose a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)? Your mental health matters, and finding the right support is key to your journey. Here’s why working with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner can make all the difference:  Holistic Care: PMHNPs consider your physical, emotional, and mental health to provide comprehensive support.  Expert Medication Management: Skilled in prescribing and adjusting medications tailored to your unique needs.  Therapeutic Approach: Many PMHNPs incorporate talk therapy, creating a well-rounded treatment experience.  Accessible Support: Often have shorter wait times and flexible options for care, including telehealth appointments.   Focus on Collaboration: Partner with you to create a treatment plan that aligns with your goals.  Your mental wellness is our priority! Let’s break the stigma and work together toward a brighter tomorrow. #MentalHealthMatters #PsychiatricCare #HolisticHealing #PMHNP #MentalWellnessJourney

How is it possible that this has not had government intervention at the highest level and more public pressure. I have experienced this first hand in support of someone close to me. The level of support for children with serious mental health issues in Australia is 3rd world in wait times and solutions. when employees are quiting in mass, your organisation is broken. Fair Work is not going to resolve this problem so how is the government managing this very real crisis?? Reading the current resolutions, its clear that we have the most incompetent people who have no idea when it comes to managing complex problems. It is scary to watch this unfold with the level of incompetence leading the way. I am in disbelief.... https://lnkd.in/gN68WQeg