Psychiatry Information in Brief

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapies for Behavioral Health Disorders

Jeremiah Slutsky et al. — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:29:00 PST

This issue brief provides a brief history of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) followed by a focus on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). An overview and literature review of MBCT describes the emergence of MBCT as an intervention addressing depression. This Issue Brief concludes with recent findings that call for further MBCT research in the areas of anxiety and addiction relapse.

A Jail Diversion Program for Veterans with Co-occurring Disorders: MISSION - DIRECT VET

Paul Christopher et al. — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:41:48 PST

MISSION DIRECT VET (Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach, and Networking Diversion & Recovery for Traumatized Veterans, “MDV”) is a study funded by a grant from SAMHSA to the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) being conducted by UMass Medical School, UMass Boston, the Veterans Administration, the DMH, and other state agencies. This court-based diversion program serves Massachusetts veterans with trauma-related mental health and substance use problems.

Do I Tell My Boss?: Disclosing My Mental Health Condition at Work

Amanda Costa et al. — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 06:03:09 PST

This publication provides some guidance to young adults living with a mental health condition as to whether or not to disclose that information in the workplace.

Preparing the Open Dialogue Approach for Implementation in the United States

Douglas M. Ziedonis et al. — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:57:39 PST

Open Dialogue is a recovery-oriented psychosocial approach that has been found to be effective with persons in acute psychiatric crisis. Drs. Douglas Ziedonis and Mary Olson are leading a multi-disciplinary team at the University of Massachusetts Medical School / UMass Memorial Health Care to develop implementation tools (manuals, fidelity scales, etc.) that are needed to implement and evaluate the Open Dialogue approach in the United States.

Treatment Retention Strategies in Transition Age Youth

Maryann Davis et al. — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:27:36 PST

This study tests Motivational Interviewing as a treatment retention intervention in transition age youth to determine whether sufficient evidence can be found to justify a full scale clinical trial.

Overcoming Barriers to Addressing Perinatal Depression: Perspectives of Women

Nancy Byatt et al. — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:04:37 PDT

Despite the availability of effective evidence-based treatmentsand frequent contact with OB/Gyn providers, perinatal depression remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. Understanding the perceptions of women who have experienced perinatal depression may inform needed changes in screening, assessment, treatment, and prevention.

Harmonizing Databases? Evaluating Effectiveness of A Statewide Public Mental Health Reentry Program

Stephanie W. Hartwell et al. — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:34:28 PDT

Describes a study which will establish a combined dataset “harmonizing” existing administrative databases to evaluate the effectiveness of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s Forensic Transition Team (FTT). The FTT is a case coordinator-based reentry program that serves persons with serious mental illness (SMI) transitioning from prisons. As needed, the FTT coordinators advocate for clients by attending discharge-planning meetings, providing linkages to providers, and tracking clients’ progress for three months post-release.

Informed Consent and the Clinician-Client Relationship

Charles W. Lidz — Thu, 31 May 2012 07:33:35 PDT

Informed consent creates a continuing dialogue and promotes a clinician-client relationship that fosters mutual respect, shared decision-making and client autonomy. Informed consent done correctly involves clinicians providing clients with the information necessary to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): A Young Adult’s Guide

Jennifer Whitney et al. — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:15:06 PDT

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies are located in every US state. VR helps people with physical or mental health disabilities achieve employment and live independently by offering vocational counseling and related individualized services. This tip sheet explains how young adults with serious mental health conditions can take advantage of the VR services in their state.

Originally published as: Transitions RTC, The Word on Work, Tip Sheet 6, April 2012.

Mental Illness, Advocacy & Recovery: Ready or Not?

Jeffrey L. Geller — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:58:53 PDT

Mental health advocates in America have been in existence since the opening of the first public asylum – Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia – in 1772. Advocacy and the role of advocates still continues today, 240 years later, as the mental health community lobbies for the rights and concerns of individuals living with mental illness. Advocacy efforts focus on various issues such as comprehensive health insurance coverage (e.g., the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), the implementation of advance directives, and the need for specialized services for children with mental health conditions and their families. This Psychiatry Issue Brief explores the history of recovery and advocacy, barriers and strategies to the advocacy movement, and potential pitfalls of advocates not working together toward shared goals.

My Mental Health Rights on Campus

Lisa M. Smith et al. — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:39:25 PDT

Tip sheet for youth and young adults with mental health conditions which provides information about mental health rights, rules, and resources for college students.

Originally published as: Transitions RTC Tip Sheet 5, Jan. 2012.

Applying for a Job: The Young Adult’s Guide

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:29 PDT

Tip sheet for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions about finding, applying for, and interviewing for jobs.

Originally published as a: Transitions RTC Northeast Massachusetts Community of Practice Tip Sheet, 2011.

My “Must Have” Papers

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:27 PDT

Tip sheet for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions with tips about keeping and protecting important personal records and information.

Originally published as a: Transitions RTC Northeast Massachusetts Community of Practice Tip Sheet, 2011.

TTYL: Keeping in Contact With Your Professional

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:24 PDT

Tip sheet for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions about simple ways of keeping in communication with professionals (doctors, counselors, psychiatrists, etc.) via cell phones, texting, and internet. Also includes tips for mental health professionals for keeping in contact with young adults.

Originally published as: Transitions RTC Northeast Massachusetts Community of Practice Tip Sheet, 2011.

Teens on IEPs: Making My “Transition” Services Work for Me

Jennifer Whitney et al. — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:22 PDT

An IEP is an individualized education plan written in public school for children ages 3 to 21 that by law, describes the special education services and goals for a student with an identified disability. Special ed services involve different techniques that help the student in a way that typical instruction cannot. Transition services are plans within the IEP that address specific needs in relation to life after high school.

Originally published as: Transitions RTC Tip Sheet 4, 2011.

Getting Accommodations at College: Tools for School

Amanda Costa — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:19 PDT

This tip sheet is for college students having trouble with school due to mental health. Schools are obligated to provide extra supports and services to help students succeed called accommodations. Topics covered include what accommodations can be asked for, how to get accommodations, and confidentiality.

Originally published as: Transitions RTC Tip Sheet 2, 2011.

Becoming an Adult: Challenges for Those with Mental Health Conditions

Maryann Davis et al. — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:16 PDT

This brief will describe psychosocial development and family life cycle changes during the transition to adulthood in typical youth and youth with serious mental health conditions (SMHC). We also describe additional challenges this population faces, and what can be done to support them and improve their outcomes.

Originally published as: Transitions RTC Research Brief 3, 2011.

Incorporating Tobacco Cessation Activities in ICCD Clubhouses

Colleen E. McKay et al. — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:13 PDT

The Clubhouse Model of Psychosocial Rehabilitation offers a variety of supports for members (individuals diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness [SMI]) to help them recover and lead productive and satisfying lives. Clubhouse services include community-based employment, education, housing, outreach, advocacy, assistance with accessing health care, and social supports. Research shows that people with SMI smoke more than the general population, and are at greater risk of co-morbid health problems and premature death associated with tobacco use, obesity and inadequate health care. The purpose of this tobacco cessation project is to address tobacco use and establish health promotion interventions in clubhouses affiliated with the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD).

Originally published as: Research You Can Use, Issue 5, 2011.

Young Adults Getting Involved: Participatory Action Research and Transition Age Youth

Jonathan Delman — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:10 PDT

Describes the positive outcomes when young adults take part in participatory action research.

Originally published as: Research You Can Use, Issue 4, 2011. Also issued as Transitions RTC Tip Sheet 1, Feb. 2011.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): What Happens to Your SSI When You Turn 18?

L. Long — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:45:08 PDT

Answers the following questions about Social Security's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a child who has turned 18: Can I keep my SSI? Can I work? Are there ways to earn money without reducing my SSI check? What if Social Security turns me down when I turn 18?

Originally published as: Research You Can Use, Issue 3, 2011. Also issued as Transitions RTC Tip Sheet 3, Apr. 2011.