In general, cancer patient care

Statistics speak for themselves: more than 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lives. Fortunately, advances in medical technology and understanding, we often can be an effective treatment for cancer. Nevertheless, in general, less successful in the care of mental and social needs of cancer patients. Cancer patients often need assistance in learning skills and knowledge to manage their disease. They and their loved ones, also need assistance to deal with emotional problems, find transportation and other resources and the fight against interruptions in the work, school and family life.


These unmet needs, could cause more suffering and the patient may prevent full payment of debt. In treating illness rather than the entire people, our health care system to ensure efficient and quality care.

The Institute of Medicine report, for the treatment of cancer patients of all: meeting mental health, [1] suggests the level of provision of psychosocial services at regular assistance biomédica.

This level of attention processes include:

• Identify psychosocial health needs;
• Connect patients and families to needed services;
• Support them in managing the illness;
• Coordinate the psychosocial and biomedical healthcare; and
• Follow-up on care delivery to evaluate the effectiveness of the services.

Successful implementation of this plan, all stakeholders in the process - from cancer specialists for health insurers - must act independently and collectively.

That vision attention not only for patients with cancer, but for all people with the disease. Redefine care for all patients, we can help ensure high-quality medical care.

That is my opinion. I am Dr. Harvey Fine Berg, president of the Institute of Medicine.

Source : http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/580158?src=rss

Meditation is good for psychiatrists' mental health

Meditation sessions proved to be a success for the members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists at its annual meeting at Imperial College, London - the growing number are on the argument that the spiritual discipline against anxiety and burnout.

Meditation workshops under the guidance of college spirituality 2000 - a strong group of special interests, are overbooked. "How to be a reference to the need for spiritual food, that the members of the College not so easily to the outside world," said Dr. Sarah Eagger, Chairman of the Group of spirituality.

Dr. Eagger, consultant psychiatrist at St. Charles Hospital, London, said that his daily practice of meditation is so important in their daily work, as their medical training. "The strength of spiritual practice really happening in his own when the patient is in distress himself, while dealing with pressure of work in groups with a huge burden, and then have to spend time filling forms that you think are not reliable. I have enough . Without the practice of meditation to cultivate the area was still inside, I want to suffer burnout. "

Dr Andrew Powell, founder Chairman of the Group of spirituality, said: "There is the degree of concern in the profession to be caught up in a culture of measurement and in the box score. The result is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to practice Psychiatry, anxiety and concern for our patients to maintain human values and not caught up in "us and them" mentality. "

Nevertheless, many psychiatrists struggle to understand the importance of spirituality to their work, the meeting was told. Julia Head, a specialist chaplains in the Maudsley Hospital in London, told the conference that spirituality is increasingly recognized as an important part of good mental health.

"National Institute of Mental Health in England, is only the latest body to recognize the limits of modern medicine with the recommendation that experts in the field of spiritual support and physical therapy, including drugs," said Dr. chief, coordinates "the exploitation of training programmes for mental health 300 Specialists in areas of London Southwark and Lambeth.

"Experts should encourage hope and desire for change and the possibility of recovery. Nevertheless, the idea of healing, in contrast to clinical treatment, is that alien to many experts," he said. "You feel trapped in a culture where measuring clinical activities is a priority. It is time to realize that in order to support their patients recover, they must feel the assessment and allow time for their own growth."

The meeting also said that the evidence for the therapeutic benefits of meditation for a wide range of health problems was significantly stronger than most drugs. The new meta-analysis of 823 randomized controlled trials of meditation in which the United States - the National Institute of alternative and complementary medicine, showed clinical benefits of meditation through a wide range of physical and emotional disorders.

"Meditation is a way of life, not a rapid solution achieved through the payment of eight sessions or to use tricks, such as smoking, music and light", Dr Avdesh Sharma, former president of Psychiatric Association of India, he said. "It does not work immediately. We need to practice for several weeks before the consequences will be felt gradually."

Dr. Sharma added: "If meditation is a drug that we all want to see it in action. He has a positive influence on most of the problems of physical health and very effective for mental health significantly reduce depression and improve Fear relaxation, oxygen to the brain, insomnia and energy. "

Reference:

The Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Imperial College, London, 1 - 4 July 2008

adapted from www.rcpsych.ac.uk

The declaration of the death of mental health patients in psychiatric emergency room at Kings County Hospital

Reports of the death of mental health patient Kings County Psychiatric Hospital emergency room are deeply troubling and need more investigation to determine the cause of the incident. Given the problems that arise in the first federal complaint a year ago, should also provide greater control of hospital management and practices.

Mental Health America is feared that the incident showed the general public to reduce the relationship that people with serious mental disorders in public systems. We appeal to those who are our revulsion at such actions in the fight against ignorance and discrimination that still exists against people with mental illness. If people are properly treated, even with the most serious diseases and can be restored. Hope and respect are key elements of the regime. The devaluation of the most prolonged incapacity, and probably contributes 25 years of life lost for people with serious mental illness, are in government systems.

The incident is a tragic example of systemic problems in the field of mental health, if necessary mental health, it is often used as a last resort and not as an initial reaction, and when medical problems are too often not recognized and treatment.

System problems that go far deeper than failures in psychiatric emergency services. By its very nature, rescue services are not enough alternatives for many people whose disease can be managed before they can cause a crisis

On the contrary, this tragic incident demonstrates the real crisis in mental health services - the inability to adequately invest in the beginning of his speech and other community services and supports, even though hospitals have reduced the possibility of psychiatric beds. The facts are that more than two-thirds of the adult population and more than half of children with a diagnosable mental condition did not receive psychiatric treatment and services they need. At the same time, people with serious mental illness in the public system, on average die 25 years earlier than planned, to prevent health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

What we discuss and debate health reform, "These data underscore the importance of striking that the reforms in the field of mental health is an important part of the health care system needed reform.

Mental health is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization to support all people live mentally healthier. With over 320 branches across the country, which is a growing movement of Americans who strengthen mental wellness for the health and welfare of the nation - every day and in times of crisis.

adapted from www.mnha.org

Scottish murder and suicide rates, fueled by drink and drugs

Alcohol and drug addiction means Scots, almost two times more likely to kill or their own lives, compared with people in England and Wales, published research shows.

Results of the National University of Manchester confidential investigation of the killings and suicides of people with mental disorders (NIR), also show that the number of psychiatric patients to commit murder or suicide was proportionally much higher in Scotland.

"Lessons for the mentally ill in Scotland report, in Scotland, raises these high mortality rates north of the border for alcohol and drugs, as among the population in general and mental health patients.

NCI examined all suicides and murders in the total population in Scotland, as well as those committed by persons in support mental health services, and compared their results for England and Wales.

Suicide rates in Scotland equate to 18.7 per 100000 population, compared with 10.2 per 100000 in England and Wales, while murder rates north of the border was 2.12 per 100000 people, compared with 1.23 at 100000 in England and Wales. North and South is the highest among young people, the report found.

"During the period of training - six years for suicide and five years for murder - there were about 5000 suicides, homicides and 500 in Scotland," said Louis Appleby, professor of psychiatry and director of the NCI. "But the survey showed that only 28% of people her own life and 12% of the murderers, recently mental health patients.

"It was a positive recent decline in suicides among the general population of Scotland, but the most striking features of Boards north of the border is much higher than that in England and Wales.

"Even murder in Scotland is significantly higher than in England and Wales. But unlike the performance of suicides, homicides domestic prices are high mainly because of the high prices in some parts of the country, namely Glasgow and Argyll and Clyde."

In Scotland, as in England, Wales and elsewhere in the report notes that the murder was a crime committed mostly young people, against young people. The Panel noted that in the cases studied, alcohol and drugs often took a weapon, and usually a knife or other sharp objects.

"The drugs and knives are dangerously confused, so that the political reaction to these deaths are due to focus on alcoholism and drug addiction among youth and bear arms sheet of young people," said Professor Appleby.

"The growing number of crimes, killing in recent years, is the result of an increase of killings of young people, mostly men under the age of 25 years, but most of them are not mentally ill. This is a public health approach should be focused on the murder of alcohol and drugs, mental health until the disease.

"Alcoholism and drug addiction on the basis of these results, and that seems to be an important contribution to the risk for mental health and society at large. The results indicate that alcohol and drugs in Scotland are high suicide and homicide, and how often occurring as background in our report, frightening. "

Of the 1373 patients in the report was suicide history of alcoholism in 785 cases on average 131 deaths a year, the stories of drug abuse in 522 cases and 87 deaths per year.

Of the 58 patients, reported murders, 41 were stories of alcoholism and drug abuse were 45. Of all the authors, whether patients, drug addiction and alcoholism are the most common diagnoses. In both suicide and murder, most of them are not under the control of passions.

"Our results confirm the view that alcohol and drugs are the most pressing problems in the field of mental health in Scotland and psychiatric care can play its role", said Professor Appleby, based in Manchester School of Medicine and Humanities.

"They must ensure that frontline medical staff are qualified and confident in the assessment and management of abuse that the development of services dedicated dual diagnosis, and to establish close relations with groups of drug addiction."

The report also makes the following recommendations for clinical care:

• Specialist mental health teams, outreach services for patients who are at risk of losing contact with caution


• Fundamentals follow discharge after hospital, that risk management in the cooperative and patient and community groups


• More intensive monitoring of patients recently hospitalized


• Withdrawal of ligature points patient stations


• Prevention of room air into the hall of improvements in environmental protection and strict control exits


• Carefully assess risk during the prior consent to discharge from hospital
  
• To improve mental health for young people who have greater access and early intervention


• Clinical positive approach to risk management in a dialogue with the public


• An analysis of the reasons for detention of offenders with severe mental illness.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.

Mental Health America Honors Outstanding Mental Health Advocates for Dedication, Innovation and Outreach to Underserved Communities

Mental Health America honored four leading mental health advocates today for their tireless efforts to improve conditions for mental health consumers, during its 2008 Annual Conference, featuring the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit in Washington, D.C.

"Their compassion, dedication and optimism should serve as a benchmark for all of us in the advocacy community," said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. "Mental health consumers and their loved ones are the core of the mental health movement, and I am proud to honor such remarkable individuals."

The Clifford W. Beers Award - Harold House (Indianapolis, IN)

The Clifford W. Beers Award is named for the founder of Mental Health America and America's volunteer mental health advocacy movement. Created in 1976, the Beers award is the highest honor bestowed to an individual, and is presented annually to a consumer of mental health or substance abuse services who best reflects the example set by Beers in his efforts to improve conditions for, and attitudes toward, people with mental illnesses.

On June 6, Mental Health America awarded its highest honor, the Clifford W. Beers Award, to Harold V. House of Indianapolis for combating negative social stigma of mental illness, fighting for legal protection for mental health consumers, and creating programs within his community that help young people with emotional problems develop full, productive lives. House, who has survived bouts of clinical depression in the mid-1990's, has spent the last decade teaching and counseling at-risk and incarcerated youth in his community.

Sandy Brant Volunteer Service Award - Becky Kay (Greenville County, SC)

Mental Health America honors Becky Kay, president of the board of directors for Mental Health America of Greenville County, with the Sandy Brant Volunteer Service Award. In her more than 8 years of volunteering with the support group Survivors of Suicide, Kay-herself a survivor-has built the program into a regional authority on survivor support. Under Kay's leadership, people in need can find a full range of services, including support team calls and home visits, monthly peer support groups, and programs for children and teens.

Betty Humphrey Cultural Competency Award - Mental Health Association in Greensboro (NC)

The Betty Humphrey Cultural Competence Award honors a Mental Health America affiliate for outstanding achievements in creating culturally-competent services that address racial, ethnic and cultural disparities. The 2008 winner, Mental Health Association in Greensboro, NC, is recognized for its Latino Mental Health Campaign. Launched in September of 2006, the campaign has successfully built a network of Latino advocates and bilingual service providers in a community where such support was lacking.

Innovation in Programming - DeAndre Morris (Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas)

Mental Health America recognizes DeAndre Morris, director of Pathways Programs for the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, with The Innovation in Programming Award honoring creativity in program development and implementation. Under DeAndre's leadership, the 20-year-old Pathways Program has grown from a substance-abuse prevention program into a comprehensive, evidence-based model that addresses not only substance-abuse, but also school attendance and performance, violent behavior, and social and emotional development. Schools that have employed Pathways say there is a noticeably positive change in students' attitudes and behaviors, and many request further assistance from the Pathways team in high-stress situations at school and in the community.

Mental Health America is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation - everyday and in times of crisis.

For more information on local services, visit Mental Health America's online Frequently Asked Questions section at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/faqs, contact a Mental Health America affiliate, or contact Mental Health America. Mental Health America strongly encourages people in crisis to seek help immediately. A 24-hour crisis center can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 911 should be called for immediate assistance.

Taken from MentalHealthAmerica.Net

Female Sex Offenders Often Have Mental Problems

Women who commit sexual offences are just as likely to have mental problems or drug addictions as other violent female criminals. This according to the largest study ever conducted of women convicted of sexual offences in Sweden.

Between 1988 and 2000, 93 women and 8,500 men were convicted of sexual offences in Sweden. Given that previous research has focused on male perpetrators, knowledge of the factors specific to female sex offenders has been scant.

A group of researchers at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have now looked into incidences of mental illness and drug abuse in these 93 convicted women, and compared them with over 20,000 randomly selected women in the normal population and with the 13,000-plus women who were convicted of non-sexual crimes over the same period.

Thirty-seven per cent of the women convicted of sex offences had undergone treatment at a psychiatric clinic during the period, and eight per cent had been diagnosed as having a psychosis. There was no difference in incidences of mental illness and drug abuse between these women and women who had committed other kinds of violent crime.

"This is interesting as men who commit sexual offences usually have fewer psychiatric problems than men who commit other violent crimes," says Niklas Långström, Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet's Centre for Violence Prevention and one of the authors of the study. "So it seems as if female sex offenders, more so than male, suffer from mental illness or have drug problems."

However, the figures differ widely from the control group. Incidences of psychosis were 16 times higher amongst the sex offenders than the control group, drug abuse 23 times higher. According to the research team, the results indicate that women suspected or convicted of sexual offences should undergo routine psychiatric examination, something which, at present, is not done.

By sexual offence in this study is meant rape, non-consensual sex, sexual abuse and sexual molestation. The group has earlier published a similar study on male sexual offenders.

Publication:

'Sexual Offending in Women and Psychiatric Disorder: A National Case-Control Study'
Seena Fazel, Gabrielle Sjöstedt, Martin Grann & Niklas Långström
Archives of Sexual Behavior, online Maj 2008, DOI 10.1007/s10508-008-9375-4.

Karolinska Institutet is one of the leading medical universities in Europe. Through research, education and information, Karolinska Institutet contributes to improving human health. Each year, the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

taken from medicalnewstoday