ABSTRACT
This study describes findings from a national search to identify innovative workforce practices designed to improve the lives of direct care workers serving individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, while simultaneously improving client care, and the business vitality of the employer. The search process, conducted by The Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce, resulted in the selection of five programs to receive the Pacesetter Award from among 51 nominations received. Awardees understood the value of investing in direct care workers, who constitute an essential, but often overlooked, group within the behavioral health workforce. A review of these innovations yielded six cross-cutting principles that should inform future workforce efforts (a) supporting educational and career development (b) increasing wages and benefits
Subject(s)
Health Personnel/organization & administration , Mental Health Services , Staff Development/organization & administration , Awards and Prizes , Career Mobility , Cooperative Behavior , Evidence-Based Practice , Health Personnel/education , Humans , Mental Health Services/organization & administration , Organizational Innovation , Quality Improvement , Salaries and Fringe Benefits , United States , WorkforceABSTRACT
This study assessed the mental and physical health status and psychological problems related to the September 11th terrorist incidents among a representative sample of adults living near New York City, using continuously time-sampled data collected throughout 2001. Prevalence estimates for poor mental or physical health after September 11th (October through December) were comparable to those for the entire year of 2001 (i.e. approximately 33%). Psychological problems related to the terrorist incidents were reported by more than half of the respondents, and appeared to peak in prevalence approximately two to three months following the incidents, followed by a decline in the next month and subsequent year. Poor mental health, female gender, media re-exposure, and ongoing or increased alcohol use were risk factors for psychological problems, while older age (65+ years old) and being married were protective factors. Risk factors for poor physical and mental health or psychological problems were generally stable over the three-month period following September 11th, but some changes were identified consistent with stage models of post-disaster psychological adjustment. Implications are discussed for using continuous time-sampling as a strategy to research patterns of relatively acute stress-related sequelae of terrorism in populations whose members are affected despite primarily not having been at the disaster epicenter.
Subject(s)
Health Status , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , September 11 Terrorist Attacks/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Connecticut/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , New York City , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To obtain prevalence estimates and identify factors associated with psychological problems and receipt of help by a geographically proximate population in which some persons had direct exposure but the overall prevalence of direct exposure was low, 5-15 months after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist incidents. METHOD: Telephone survey data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) (Connecticut Module) with a randomly selected cohort of 2741 women and 1899 men aged 18 and older were examined using bivariate Chi Square and multivariate logistic regression analyses of weighted data. RESULTS: One in three respondents reported 9/11-related psychological problems, 26% of whom reported receiving formal services or peer support. Risk factors for reporting psychological problems included being surveyed earlier, female gender, age 64 or younger, Hispanic ethnicity, disability, recent depression, and reporting one day or more in the past 30 of poor mental health, sleep problems or worry. Poor mental health was associated with receipt of formal services, and increased alcohol use was associated with receipt of peer support. CONCLUSION: In the post-impact recovery period following mass trauma, psychological problems by persons with ongoing mental health conditions or increased alcohol use warrant continuing public and professional attention. Women, Hispanics, and disabled adults also may be under-served.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Health , September 11 Terrorist Attacks/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Connecticut/epidemiology , Female , Health Surveys , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/ethnology , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We conducted a population-based telephone survey in an attempt to determine correlates of formal and informal help seeking after September 11, 2001. METHODS: Between October 15 and December 31, 2001, 1774 Connecticut Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked questions directly related to their experiences of September 11. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that receipt of formal help was predicted by sleep problems, close association with a victim, reports of increased smoking or drinking, and receipt of informal help. Age, gender, reports of 1 or more problems, and formal help seeking predicted receipt of informal help. CONCLUSIONS: Public health planning and bioterrorism preparedness should include programs addressing increased smoking and drinking, sleep problems, and bereavement in the wake of disasters.
