Reactions and attitudes to postpartal mental symptoms in a rural community.

We examined the reactions of population, social and health care professionals and local politicians in the context of a narrative case of a newborn and her mother evincing postpartal mental symptoms. The results of this postal questionnaire study indicated that in assessing the urgent need for support, a significant positive association prevailed in the resident cohort with female gender, age over 50 years or being a parent. Professionals and politicians estimated that appropriate care and access to care would be obtained in the maternity and child health clinic in the local health centre. Residents would contact relatives rather than social and health care professionals. A future challenge is to promote the knowledge and sensitivity of the general population in recognizing mental symptoms in mothers with small children. Adequate information is also called for regarding local services and means of access to care.

Reactions to acute psychotic symptoms in a rural community.

BACKGROUND: Recognition of psychotic disorders constitutes a challenge to the population and health and social care. AIM: To evaluate the reactions of the general population, professionals in the health and social services, and local politicians in light of the symptoms of a patient evincing acute psychotic mental symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A postal questionnaire study was conducted in the rural Suupohja area in Finland. Three target groups: a randomized sample of residents aged 15-84 years (n = 1200), local social and healthcare personnel (n = 463) and politicians (n = 148) responded to alternatives in identifying the need and urgency of treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-six per cent of residents, 85% of politicians and 87% of health and social employees recognized that the patient was in need of urgent support and treatment. A significant positive association was found in the resident cohort between recognizing urgent need for support and female gender. Forty-eight per cent of inhabitants, 69% of social and healthcare staff, and 65% of politicians estimated that appropriate care and access to care would be obtained in the acute outpatient care of the health centre. CONCLUSION: Almost one quarter of residents were not aware of the patient's urgent need for acute mental healthcare. It is a challenge to promote the knowledge and sensitivity of the population in recognizing mental and psychotic symptoms. Also appropriate information is called for regarding local services and how to access the care.

[Psychosocial support after school shootings--what was learned from the Kauhajoki case]. / Koulusurmien jälkeinen psykososiaalinen tuki--mitä Kauhajoen tapauksesta opittiin.

On September 29, 2008 in Kauhajoki, a student killed ten persons and committed suicide. Many people in the region were subjected to an extensive sensation of threat and experienced mental effects of the tragedy. Aftercare of the tragedy has been coordinated by the Kauhajoki project. The project has aimed at ensuring that persons and communities traumatized by the event in their life and functioning will receive the required psychosocial support and appropriate treatment. The goal is to restore the mental balance and to maintain the ability to work and function.