18th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference Docume

School of Nursing and Midwifery Scoil an Altranais agus an Chnáimhseachais

Adolescents and Young Adults from the General Population’s Views about Mental Health Services Author(s) John Goodwin , Eileen Savage, Aine Horgan Affiliation(s) School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC Abstract Background: Adolescents and young people are known to hold negative views in relation to mental illnesses. There is less known about their views towards mental health services and care. Aim: To systematically examine literature on the views of adolescents and young people from the general population about mental health services and care. Factors that positively and negatively influence these beliefs are also explored. Methods: Relevant electronic databases were searched for papers published in the English language between January 2004 and October 2015. Key words and subject headings/MeSH terms were searched for in titles and abstracts using various combinations. Results: Culture seemed to influence how adolescents and young adults perceived mental health interventions. This was particularly evident in countries such as Palestine and South Africa where prayer was highly valued. Adolescents and young people were uninformed about psychiatric medication. They believed that accessing mental health care was a sign of weakness. Furthermore, they viewed psychiatric hospitals and various mental health professionals negatively. Film was found to have a negative impact on how adolescents and young people perceived mental health services, whereas open communication with family members was found to have a positive impact. Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults hold uninformed and stigmatizing beliefs about mental health treatments, mental health professionals, and access to care. The sources of these beliefs remain unclear although both culture and film have a clear influence. Further research, (particularly qualitative research) in this area is recommended in order to address current gaps in knowledge. Background: Ireland has recently enacted the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The enactment of this legislation has allowed Ireland to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (2008). The convention obliges all member states to assist people with disabilities to make their own decisions with their will and preference taking precedence over their best interests. Implementation of this legislation will require a change in working practice among health and social care providers to promote autonomy and decision making among service users. Aim: To explore the readiness of health and social care providers to implement the 2015 Act for adults with intellectual disability. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study using a focused ethnographic lens and an appreciative approach to inquiry was employed. A total of four focus groups were conducted using a purposive sample of 32 frontline and management staff in a service provider for adults with intellectual disability. Results: Four themes were identified. Evidence of readiness, Enablers to assisted decision making, Barriers to assisted decision making and Finding balance and Readiness for Assisted Decision Making: An Exploratory Qualitative study Author(s) Kay Cronin (Dr. Anna Maire Greaney and Dr. Dawn Farrell, Supervisors). Affiliation(s) IT Tralee Abstract

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