Mental health

About: Mental health is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 183794 publications have been published within this topic receiving 4340463 citations. The topic is also known as: mental wellbeing.

60,000 disaster victims speak: Part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981-2001.

Abstract: Results for 160 samples of disaster victims were coded as to sample type, disaster type, disaster location, outcomes and risk factors observed, and overall severity of impairment. In order of frequency, outcomes included specific psychological problems, nonspecific distress, health problems, chronic problems in living, resource loss, and problems specific to youth. Regression analyses showed that samples were more likely to be impaired if they were composed of youth rather than adults, were from developing rather than developed countries, or experienced mass violence (e.g., terrorism, shooting sprees) rather than natural or technological disasters. Most samples of rescue and recovery workers showed remarkable resilience. Within adult samples, more severe exposure, female gender, middle age, ethnic minority status, secondary stressors, prior psychiatric problems, and weak or deteriorating psychosocial resources most consistently increased the likelihood of adverse outcomes. Among youth, family factors were primary. Implications of the research for clinical practice and community intervention are discussed in a companion article (Norris, Friedman, and Watson, this volume).

DSM-IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Abstract: Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-IV, by the American Psychiatric Association, 358 pp, spiral-bound, $22.50, ISBN 0-89042-064-5, Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press Inc, 1994. DSM-IV Sourcebook , vol 1, edited by Thomas A. Widiger, Allen J. Frances, Harold Alan Pincus, Michael B. First, Ruth Ross, and Wendy Davis, 768 pp, $112.50, ISBN 0-89042-065-3, Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994. DSM-IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , fourth edition, was developed with a great deal of input from mental health professionals and professional organizations. In addition, there was a significant collaboration between the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization, as it developed the tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) . As a result, DSM-IV is a great improvement over the third edition (DSM-III) and the third edition, revised (DSM-III-R) . The Task Force on DSM-IV and 13 work groups (each responsible for a section

Twelve-Month Use of Mental Health Services in the United States Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Abstract: Background Dramatic changes have occurred in mental health treatments during the past decade. Data on recent treatment patterns are needed to estimate the unmet need for services. Objective To provide data on patterns and predictors of 12-month mental health treatment in the United States from the recently completed National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Design and Setting Nationally representative face-to-face household survey using a fully structured diagnostic interview, the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Survey Initiative version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, carried out between February 5, 2001, and April 7, 2003. Participants A total of 9282 English-speaking respondents 18 years and older. Main Outcome Measures Proportions of respondents with 12-monthDSM-IVanxiety, mood, impulse control, and substance disorders who received treatment in the 12 months before the interview in any of 4 service sectors (specialty mental health, general medical, human services, and complementary and alternative medicine). Number of visits and proportion of patients who received minimally adequate treatment were also assessed. Results Of 12-month cases, 41.1% received some treatment in the past 12 months, including 12.3% treated by a psychiatrist, 16.0% treated by a nonpsychiatrist mental health specialist, 22.8% treated by a general medical provider, 8.1% treated by a human services provider, and 6.8% treated by a complementary and alternative medical provider (treatment could be received by >1 source). Overall, cases treated in the mental health specialty sector received more visits (median, 7.4) than those treated in the general medical sector (median, 1.7). More patients in specialty than general medical treatment also received treatment that exceeded a minimal threshold of adequacy (48.3% vs 12.7%). Unmet need for treatment is greatest in traditionally underserved groups, including elderly persons, racial-ethnic minorities, those with low incomes, those without insurance, and residents of rural areas. Conclusions Most people with mental disorders in the United States remain either untreated or poorly treated. Interventions are needed to enhance treatment initiation and quality.

Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General

Abstract: The past century has witnessed extraordinary progress in our improvement of the public health through medical sciencea nd ambitious, often innovative, approachest o health care services.P revious Surgeons General reports have saluted our gains while continuing to set ever higher benchmarks for the public health. Through much of this era of great challenge and greater achievement, however, concerns regarding mental illness and mental health too often were relegated to the rear of our national consciousness. Tragic and devastating disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, the mental and behavioral disorders suffered by children, and a range of other mental disorders affect nearly one in five Americans in any year, yet continue too frequently to be spoken of in whispers and shame. Fortunately, leaders in the mental health field-fiercely dedicated advocates, scientists, government officials, and consumers-have been insistent that mental health flow in the mainstream of health. I agree and issue this report in that spirit. This report makes evident that the neuroscience of mental health-a term that encompasses studies extending from molecular events to psychological, behavioral, and societal phenomena-has emerged as one of the most exciting arenas of scientific activity and human inquiry. We recognize that the brain is the integrator of thought, emotion, behavior, and health. Indeed, one of the foremost contributions of contemporary mental health research is the extent to which it has mended the destructive split between “mental’ and “physical” health.