Showing papers by "Rob Whitley published in 2014"
TL;DR: This paper identifies seven mis‐uses (“abuses”) of the concept of recovery and identifies ten empirically‐validated interventions which support recovery, by targeting key recovery processes of connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment (the CHIME framework).
656 citations
TL;DR: It is found that people with mental illness frequently state that recovery is a journey, characterized by a growing sense of agency and autonomy, as well as greater participation in normative activities, such as employment, education, and community life, but most people with SMI still live in a manner inconsistent with recovery.
Abstract: The notion of recovery has been embraced by key stakeholders across Canada and elsewhere. This has led to a proliferation of definitions, models, and research on recovery, making it vitally important to examine the data to disentangle the evidence from the rhetoric. In this paper, first we ask, what do people living with severe mental illness (SMI) say about recovery in autobiographical accounts? Second, what do they say about recovery in qualitative studies? Third, from what we have uncovered about recovery, can we learn anything from quantitative studies about proportions of people leading lives of recovery? Finally, can we identify interventions and approaches that may be consistent or inconsistent with the grounded notions of recovery unearthed in this paper? We found that people with mental illness frequently state that recovery is a journey, characterized by a growing sense of agency and autonomy, as well as greater participation in normative activities, such as employment, education, and community life. However, the evidence suggests that most people with SMI still live in a manner inconsistent with recovery; for example, their unemployment rate is over 80%, and they are disproportionately vulnerable to homelessness, stigma, and victimization. Research stemming from rehabilitation science suggests that recovery can be enhanced by various evidence-based services, such as supported employment, as well as by clinical approaches, such as shared decision making and peer support. But these are not routinely available. As such, significant systemic changes are necessary to truly create a recovery-oriented mental health system.
239 citations
TL;DR: The ongoing activities of the Opening Minds Anti-Stigma Initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada regarding the 4 groups targeted are summarized, some of the key methodological challenges are highlighted, and lessons learned are reviewed.
Abstract: ObjectiveTo summarize the ongoing activities of the Opening Minds (OM) Anti-Stigma Initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada regarding the 4 groups targeted (youth, health care providers...
96 citations
TL;DR: A key finding of this study is that stigma and discrimination were not perceived as commonly experienced problems by participants, and were perceived as omnipresent potential problems to which participants remained eternally vigilant, taking various preventive measures.
84 citations
TL;DR: The psychosocial supports that infertile couples desire to help cope with infertility-related distress are described and peer mentoring is suggested to fulfill needs for coping, shared experience, and guidance through the treatment process.
67 citations
TL;DR: The background and rationale of the approach taken by the Mental Health Commission of Canada's Opening Minds Anti-Stigma Initiative, which incorporates a grassroots, community development philosophy, uses contact-based education as the central organizing element across interventions, and has a strong evaluative component, are summarized.
Abstract: ObjectiveTo summarize the background and rationale of the approach taken by the Mental Health Commission of Canada's Opening Minds (OM) Anti-Stigma Initiative.MethodThe approach taken by OM incorporates a grassroots, community development philosophy, has clearly defined target groups, uses contact-based education as the central organizing element across interventions, and has a strong evaluative component, so that best practices can be identified, replicated, and disseminated. Contact-based education occurs when people who have experienced a mental illness share their personal story of recovery and hope.ResultsOM has acted as a catalyst to develop partnerships between community groups who are undertaking anti-stigma work and an interdisciplinary team of academic researchers in 5 universities who are evaluating the results of these programs.ConclusionsBuilding partnerships with existing community programs and promoting systematic evaluation using standardized approaches and instruments have contributed to ...
54 citations
TL;DR: The self-reported barriers to employment in a sample of individuals with mental illness when they were homeless include current substance abuse, having a criminal record, work-impeding shelter practices, and difficulties obtaining adequate psychiatric care.
Abstract: Background: The rate of unemployment among homeless people is estimated to exceed 80%. A high prevalence of mental illness partially explains this figure, but few studies about the relationship bet...
49 citations
TL;DR: Understanding patients' CAM use may help clinicians provide culturally sensitive, patient-centered care in a multicultural healthcare setting and to compare Western and non-Western infertility patients' reasons for using CAM.
Abstract: Objectives: To explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for infertility in a multicultural healthcare setting and to compare Western and non-Western infertility patients' reasons for using CAM and the meanings they attribute to CAM use. Design: Qualitative semi-structured interviews using thematic analysis. Settings/location: Two infertility clinics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Participants: An ethnoculturally varied sample of 32 heterosexual infertile couples. Results: CAM used included lifestyle changes (e.g., changing diet, exercise), alternative medicine (e.g., acupuncture, herbal medicines), and religious methods (e.g., prayers, religious talismans). Patients expressed three attitudes toward CAM: desperate hope, casual optimism, and amused skepticism. Participants' CAM use was consistent with cultural traditions of health and fertility: Westerners relied primarily on biomedicine and used CAM mainly for relaxation, whereas non-Westerners' CAM use was often influenced by...
22 citations
TL;DR: There are three essential roles for the anthropology of mental health in an era of biological psychiatry, which are to provide a meaningful critique of practices, beliefs, and movements within current psychiatry, illuminate the socio-cultural, clinical, and familial context of suffering and healing regarding emotional distress/mental illness, and act as a catalyst for positive change regarding healing.
Abstract: The current supremacy of the ‘bio-bio-bio’ model within the discipline of psychiatry has progressively marginalized social science approaches to mental health. This situation begs the question, what role is there for the anthropology of mental health? In this essay, I contend that there are three essential roles for the anthropology of mental health in an era of biological psychiatry. These roles are to (i) provide a meaningful critique of practices, beliefs, and movements within current psychiatry; (ii) illuminate the socio-cultural, clinical, and familial context of suffering and healing regarding emotional distress/mental illness; and (iii) act as a catalyst for positive change regarding healing, services and provisions for people with emotional distress/mental illness. My argument is unified by my contention that a credible anthropology of mental health intending to make a societal contribution should offer no opposition without proposition. In other words, any critique must be counter-balanced by the detailing of solutions and proposals for change. This will ensure that the anthropology of mental health continues to contribute critical knowledge to the understanding of mental suffering, distress, and healing. Such social and cultural approaches are becoming especially important given the widespread disenchantment with an increasingly dominant biological psychiatry.
17 citations
TL;DR: Quebec-based articles were mostly concerned with the politics and financial issues governing ART, and were less likely to report the risks and emotional impact of ART than other North American press.
Abstract: Infertility and its treatment is the subject of considerable media coverage. In order to evaluate the representation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the popular media, we conducted a content analysis of North American newspaper articles. We also explored whether different themes emerged in relation to the implementation of public funding for ART in Quebec, Canada. Print and online newspaper articles from 2005 to 2011 were retrieved using the terms “in-vitro fertilization”, “infertility treatment”, “assisted reproductive technology”, and “IVF treatment”. Totally, 719 newspaper articles met inclusion criteria and were coded according to predetermined categories. Risks (63%) and ethical issues (61%) related to ART were most commonly featured. Quebec-based articles were mostly concerned with the politics and financial issues governing ART, and were less likely to report the risks and emotional impact of ART than other North American press. Newspapers tended to emphasize extreme scenarios ...
12 citations
TL;DR: The authors urge a holistic approach to the spiritual events of epileptic aura, potentially leading to a deeper understanding of the mind and its transcendent potential.
Abstract: Religiosity is a prominent feature of the Geschwind syndrome, a behavioural pattern found in some cases of temporal lobe epilepsy. Since the 1950s, when Wilder Penfield induced spiritual feelings by experimental manipulation of the temporal lobes, development of brain imaging technology has revealed neural correlates of intense emotional states, spurring the growth of neurotheology. In their secular empiricism, psychiatry, neurology and psychology are inclined to pathologise deviant religious expression, thereby reinforcing the dualism of objective and phenomenal worlds. Considering theological perspectives and the idea of cosmic consciousness, the authors urge a holistic approach to the spiritual events of epileptic aura, potentially leading to a deeper understanding of the mind and its transcendent potential.
TL;DR: People with severe mental illnesses experience numerous inequities regarding "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," and governmental and clinical responses to such inequities include the Affordable Care Act and the Olmstead Decision.
Abstract: Topic In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson stated that citizens of the new republic had fundamental and inalienable rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Purpose The purpose of this article is to reframe inequities experienced by people living with severe mental illnesses in terms of violations of Jeffersonian rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." We simultaneously consider governmental and clinical efforts to address identified inequities and uphold these rights. Sources used The broad research literature on severe mental illnesses was examined. Conclusions and implications for practice People with severe mental illnesses experience numerous inequities regarding "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." These inequities include diminished life expectancy, excessive involuntary commitment and elevated rates of unemployment and homelessness. Governmental and clinical responses to such inequities include the Affordable Care Act and the Olmstead Decision, as well as recovery-oriented interventions such as Supported Employment and Supported Housing.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The OM anti-stigma initiative as discussed by the authors aims to support the grassroots, community development approach taken by the MHCC's OM Anti-Stigma Initiative (OMAntiStigma).
Abstract: In this supplement, Stuart et al1 previously outlined the grassroots, community development approach taken by the MHCC’s OM Anti-Stigma Initiative Our paper briefly summarizes the anti-stigma activities and outcomes across the 4 target groups (youth, health care providers, workplaces, and media), identifies some of the key challenges faced, and outlines some of the lessons learned
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The rationale for the approach taken and the way in which programs were identified and engaged in the OM Anti-Stigma Initiative of the MHCC are provided.
Abstract: In 2006, Canada’s Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology completed a national review of mental health and addiction services in Canada1—the first national review since the report of the Royal Commission on Psychiatric Services published almost half a century earlier.2 The Committee recommended that a mental health commission be created, which was subsequently established in 2007 with the full support of all federal parties. The MHCC was funded through Health Canada, with a 10-year mandate to act as a catalyst for improving the mental health system and changing the attitudes and behaviours of Canadians regarding mental health issues. The OM Anti-Stigma Initiative of the MHCC was launched on October 2, 2009. Our paper will provide the rationale for the approach taken and summarize the way in which programs were identified and engaged in this initiative.