18th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference Docume

School of Nursing and Midwifery Scoil an Altranais agus an Chnáimhseachais

Mental Health Services: Perceptions of Adolescents with No Service Experience Author(s) Mr. Johnny Goodwin Affiliation(s) School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC Abstract Background: Globally, adolescence is the peak period for the onset of mental distress. However, help-seeking for such distress is poor among adolescents. This reluctance to seek help is often linked with stigma. Stigma also discourages people from pursuing a career in mental health services, which are currently understaffed, particularly in relation to child and adolescent mental health services. However, little is known about which areas within the services are prone to stigma, and how these services are perceived by adolescents. Aim: To investigate the perceptions of adolescents from the general population towards mental health care environments, staff, and treatment, i.e. mental health services. Methods: An interpretive description framework guided this study. Individual interviews were held with 30 adolescents, using a combination of drawings and traditional interviews. Data were analysed using latent content analysis. Results: Adolescents hold stigmatizing perceptions about mental health services; these perceptions are strongly influenced by the mass media – in particular: horror films. Adolescents perceived “mental health” and “psychiatry” as different services, which catered for different illnesses. There is uncertainty about how to access services, and what treatments are provided within these services. There was also uncertainty reported about the career paths of staff. Conclusion: There is a need to educate adolescents about mental health services, in order to improve help-seeking – in both adolescence and adulthood – and to address the current issues with staffing these services. It is expected that provision of education in this area would enhance service delivery and reduce stigma. Barriers to Implementing IPV Universal Screening in Maternity Care Setting – An Irish Perspective Within International Setting Author(s) Ms. Collette Kirwan Affiliation(s) NUI Galway Abstract Background: IPV affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime (35%) (WHO, 2017). Incidences of new cases and severity of pre-existing abuse been found to increase up to 30% during pregnancy (HSE, 2011). Maternity care, due to the dual risk to mother and baby, presents an ideal opportunity for healthcare professionals (HCP`s) to routinely enquire about IPV (WHO, 2013). IPV universal screening, although policy in a number of countries, is impeded by a diversity barriers. Aim: To explore the barriers in implementing IPV universal screening Methods: Using an interpretive case study approach, this study presents perspectives and experiences of women (n: 40) accessing and HCP`s (N: 30) providing maternity care across three Irish maternity care site with IPV universal screening in maternity care setting Results: Critical barriers perceived and experienced by women and HCP`s included the silence and stigma around IPV, IPV screening environment, lack of resourcing of referral systems and level and frequency of HCP education on IPV and IPV screening

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