4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Findings from the Investigation of Cross-Border Collaborative Mental Health Promotion Practices Post-natal depression is a significant public health problem experienced by 10- 15% of mothers, which causes considerable distress to mothers, children, families and society. The distress caused by post-natal depression is often misunderstood both by the public and health care professionals alike. It is therefore frequently hidden and suffered alone (O’Callaghan 2000). Although it is a common disorder, only half of those affected seek medical help (Health Promotion Unit 1998). Postnatal depression occurs at a time when contact with health care professionals is at its peak. All interactions with mothers can be used more effectively for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of post-natal depression (O’Callaghan 2000). Research suggests that effective interventions can help prevent, detect and reduce the impact of post-natal depression. Prompt interventions may reduce the following adverse effects: • the unhappiness caused by post-natal depression. • the adverse effects on the child’s behavioural, emotional and cognitive development. • possible adverse effects on the parent’s relationship which may lead to family breakdown or divorce (O’Callaghan 2000). Following research by O’Callaghan (2000) on post-natal depression, a gap in service provision was identified at Louth County Hospital, Dundalk. To address this gap, a post-natal support service was set up to offer information, assessment, screening and counselling to distressed mothers. It was felt that by extending this project to include the post-natal services in Northern Ireland, the service could be improved by the sharing of resources, ideas, information and best practice. Project Aims The aims of this project are: • To provide a cross-border multi-disciplinary service to develop greater awareness of post-natal depression. • For all disciplines to facilitate identification of mothers at risk of post-natal depression. • To offer increased support, counselling and assistance to reduce the impact of depression on the mother, the child and the family. Project Objectives The objectives set out to achieve these aims are: • Provision of a cross-border multi-disciplinary service on post-natal depression to reduce the adverse effects on mothers and families. • Mothers at risk will be identified and offered increased support, counselling and medical assistance to reduce the incidence or impact of post-natal depression. 39
Findings from the Investigation of Cross-Border Collaborative Mental Health Promotion Practices Duration The Cross-Border Service for Managing Post-Natal Depression was proposed in July 2000. Health visitors in Northern Ireland had already received awareness training and have been using the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) for several years. A meeting with health mangers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland took place in September 2000 and the project in its present form was due to run to March 2001. Health professionals from each side of the border have been trained to participate in this work and to help integrate it into normal board practice so the work can continue into the future. Funding Funding for Phase 1 of this project was sought and received from CAWT (Cooperation and Working Together). Phase 2 will be funded by different budgets within the boards involved. Intervention Approaches A strategic approach, involving multi-disciplinary training and service provision for health care professionals, was developed. The mother is offered screening, using the EPDS. Outcomes will be monitored and evaluated using the same scale. An empowering approach is used where information on post-natal depression is distributed to all new mothers in contact with the service. Phone support is offered and, if required, counselling is offered to enable the new mother to develop coping strategies. In Northern Ireland all mothers are offered listening visits if post-natal depression is identified. Health professionals involved in maternal and child health have been trained within both health board areas to use these approaches and to deliver this service. In this way awareness is created, information is shared, and the service can expand and cascade to community level. The planned outcome of this is the prevention of post-natal depression at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. This service has been advertised locally to GPs and public health nurses. Cross-Border Co-operation Structures This project was guided and driven by a multi-disciplinary steering group consisting of a psychiatrist (North), GPs (North and South), community managers (North), director of nursing (South), public health physician (South), midwife (South), health visitors (North) and health promotion officers (North and South). Regular reports on progress are produced and copies of these progress reports are available. There are six members from the North and six members from the South actively involved in both the management of the project and its delivery. The Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) is being used to screen new mothers and this aspect of the project is evaluated by audit. As this project is being funded by CAWT under their Cross-Border Acute Project (CBAP) banner, a 40
Page 1 and 2: A Report for the Centre For Cross B
Page 3 and 4: About the Authors Dr. Margaret Barr
Page 5 and 6: Acknowledgements We would like to t
Page 7 and 8: Introductory comments by the Depart
Page 10 and 11: Background and Rationale 1 There is
Page 12 and 13: Background and Rationale of mental
Page 14 and 15: Background and Rationale underlined
Page 16 and 17: Background and Rationale • Produc
Page 18 and 19: Project Aims and Objectives 2 This
Page 20 and 21: Methodology 3 Phase 1: Methodology
Page 22 and 23: Methodology semi-structured intervi
Page 24 and 25: Methodology Methods for Review and
Page 26 and 27: Methodology Lifestyle risk factors
Page 28 and 29: Methodology • To identify the str
Page 30 and 31: Findings from the Investigation of
Page 62: Findings from the Investigation of
Page 65 and 66: Collaborative Practice and Policy
Page 67 and 68: Collaborative Practice and Policy t
Page 69 and 70: Collaborative Practice and Policy o
Page 71 and 72: Collaborative Practice and Policy R
Page 73 and 74: Collaborative Practice and Policy c
Page 75 and 76: Collaborative Practice and Policy T
Page 79 and 80: Collaborative Practice and Policy B
Page 81 and 82: Collaborative Practice and Policy f
Page 83 and 84: Collaborative Practice and Policy A
Page 85 and 86: Collaborative Practice and Policy O
Page 87 and 88: Collaborative Practice and Policy T
Page 91 and 92:
Collaborative Practice and Policy A
Page 93 and 94:
Collaborative Practice and Policy W
Page 96 and 97:
Findings from the Compatibility and
Page 98 and 99:
Page 100 and 101:
Page 102 and 103:
Page 104 and 105:
Page 106 and 107:
Page 108 and 109:
Page 110 and 111:
Page 112 and 113:
Page 114 and 115:
Page 116 and 117:
Page 118 and 119:
Page 120 and 121:
Page 122 and 123:
Page 124 and 125:
Conclusions and Recommendations 7 G
Page 126 and 127:
Conclusions and Recommendations Dat
Page 128 and 129:
Conclusions and Recommendations The
Page 130 and 131:
Conclusions and Recommendations pos
Page 132 and 133:
Conclusions and Recommendations are
Page 134 and 135:
References Adult Mental Health Serv
Page 136 and 137:
References Department of Health and
Page 138 and 139:
References Health Education Board f
Page 140 and 141:
References Layte, R., Jenkinson, C.
Page 142 and 143:
References Sindall, C. (1997) Inter
Page 144 and 145:
Promoting Positive Mental Health: C
Page 146 and 147:
Page 148 and 149:
Page 150 and 151:
Page 152 and 153:
Page 154 and 155:
Promoting Positive Mental Health an
Page 156 and 157:
Promoting Positive Mental Health an
Page 158 and 159:
Organisations which contributed to
Page 160 and 161:
159
Page 162:
The Centre for Cross Border Studies
show all

4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?