The Role of the Built Environment as a Therapeutic Intervention in Mental Health Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic literature review synthesizes and assesses empirical research concerning the use of the built environment as a therapeutic intervention in adult mental health inpatient facilities. The review explores the impact of facility design on patient outcomes. BACKGROUND: There is a growing recognition that the built environment in mental health facilities must strike a balance between ensuring safety and providing a therapeutic atmosphere. A review addressing how facility design contributes to this therapeutic environment is warranted. METHODS: Database searches were conducted in CINAHL, Embase, PsychInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science from inception up to March 10, 2022. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN50) critical appraisal checklists were used to assess the quality of included studies. RESULTS: Of the 44 peer-reviewed studies identified from nine countries, several factors emerged as vital for the therapeutic environment in mental health inpatient facilities. These included personal spaces prioritizing privacy and control of the environment, daylight-optimized spaces, versatile communal areas promoting activities and interaction, designated areas for visits and spiritual/contemplative reflection, homelike environments, the inclusion of artwork in units, open nursing stations, and dedicated female-only areas. Yet, there is a need for research yielding stronger evidence-based designs harmonizing with therapeutic needs. CONCLUSION: This review offers initial guidance on designing mental health facilities that foster a therapeutic environment, while highlighting that the influence of facility design on mental health inpatients is considerably under-researched.

A percepção dos trabalhadores de enfermagem sobre o atendimento psiquiátrico em um hospital geral / Nursing workers' perception of psychiatric care in a general hospita / Percepciones de los trabajadores de enfermería sobre la atención psiquiátrica en un hospital genera

Objetivo: Analisar a produção do cuidado de enfermagem às pessoas em sofrimento psíquico atendidas em um hospital geral na perspectiva da corresponsabilidade e integralidade. Método:Foi realizado estudo qualitativo, exploratório, por meio da análise documental, observação participante e entrevista semiestruturada com 12 técnicos de enfermagem e 15 enfermeiros do Hospital Municipal de Serrinha-Bahia/Brasil. Os dados foram analisados apartir análise de conteúdo. Resultados:O atendimento psiquiátrico no hospital geral é visto pela maioria da equipe como porta de entrada para o primeiro atendimento, porém demonstram sentir receio, insegurança e despreparo para lidar com estes pacientes,sinalizando a necessidade de educação permanente para elaboração e integração de novos saberes. Considerações finais: Para efetivação do novo modelo de assistência à saúde mental, faz-se necessário a promoção de reflexão direcionada a desconstrução de preconceitos e estigmas previamente estabelecidos. Nesse sentido, torna-se imprescindível a compreensão das novas práticas para o enfrentamento do processo de transição de paradigma, que demanda dos profissionais, a disponibilidade para rever suas próprias percepções e práticas diante dos desafios advindos do processo de aproximação da pessoa em sofrimento psíquico no serviço de saúde.

Objective: To analyze the production of nursing care for people in psychological distress treated in a general hospital from the perspective of co-responsibility and comprehensiveness. Method:A qualitative, exploratory study was carried out using document analysis, participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 12 nursing technicians and 15 nurses from the Municipal Hospital of Serrinha-Bahia/Brazil. The data was analyzed using content analysis. Results:Psychiatric care in the general hospital is seen by most of the team as the gateway to first aid, but they feel afraid, insecure and unprepared to deal with these patients, signaling the need for ongoing education to develop and integrate new knowledge.Final considerations: In order to implement the new mental health care model, it is necessary to promote reflection aimed at deconstructing previously established prejudices and stigmas. In this sense, it is essential to understand the new practices in order to cope with the process of paradigm transition, which requires professionals to be willing to review their own perceptions and practices in the face of the challenges arising from the process of approaching people in psychological distress in the health service.

Objetivo: analizar la producción de cuidados de enfermería a personas en situación de malestar psíquico atendidas en un hospital general desde la perspectiva de la corresponsabilidad y la integralidad. Método:Se realizó un estudio cualitativo y exploratorio mediante análisis de documentos, observación participante y entrevistas semiestructuradas con 12 técnicos de enfermería y 15 enfermeros del Hospital Municipal de Serrinha-Bahia/Brasil. Los datos se analizaron mediante análisis de contenido. Resultados:La atención psiquiátrica en el hospital general es vista por la mayoría del equipo como la puerta de entrada a los primeros auxilios, pero se sienten temerosos, inseguros y poco preparados para tratar con estos pacientes, lo que señala la necesidad de una formación continua para desarrollar e integrar nuevos conocimientos. Consideraciones finales: Para implementar el nuevo modelo de atención en salud mental es necesario promover una reflexión orientada a deconstruir prejuicios y estigmas previamente establecidos. En este sentido, es esencial comprender las nuevas prácticas para hacer frente al cambio de paradigma, lo que requiere que los profesionales estén dispuestos a revisar sus propias percepciones y prácticas frente a los desafíos derivados del proceso de acercamiento a las personas que sufren enfermedades mentales en el servicio de salud.

Psychosocial and clinical profile of chronic long-stay psychiatric patients in teaching institution.

Background: A good number of psychiatric patients continue to stay in psychiatric hospitals for longer period of time despite their recovery. Inevitably, they tend to experience limitations to their freedom, personal choice and social isolation, and loss of self. It is important to assess the characteristics of these patients and the challenges in social integration. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a mental health hospital from May 2018 to January 2023. The data were collected from a retrospective review of 101 case files of all the long-stay patients (LSPs) who were admitted to psychiatric closed wards. Furthermore, cases were utilized to analyze the psychosocial situations of LSP. Results: This study reveals that the majority of the subjects were unmarried, females, unemployed, and hailing from rural background. Nearly 50% of the patients' families are untraceable. About three-fourths of those patients had the wrong address and lacked community psychiatric rehabilitation facilities and employment opportunities in their neighborhood. Caregivers' burden and poverty are major causes for prolonged or long-term hospitalization of patients in the mental hospital and barriers to community reintegration. Conclusion: Facilitating the transition of patients from the psychiatric hospital to community care is the need of the hour.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Outbreak in a Mental Hospital in Wenzhou, China, December 2022-January 2023.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mainly caused by the Omicron virus strain currently is still prevalent worldwide, and many medical institutions have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks in the past three years. Objective: This article reported COVID-19 outbreak among health care workers in a mental hospital to clarify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 outbreak in a medical institution, to assess the susceptible factors related to COVID-19 among these personnel and to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccine on the medical workers. Methods: A uniform questionnaire was used to investigate all employees, including age, gender, department, time of onset, clinical symptoms, vaccination status. At the same, the results of laboratory testing, chest computed tomography (CT) and/or X-ray examination were collected. Results: Among 1047 hospital employees, 842 cases were diagnosed as COVID-19, with a total attack rate of 80.42%. The attack rate of doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and administrators (83.50-90.67%) was higher than that of logistics departments (56.81%). Out of the 842 patients, 9 were hospitalized; 833 were non-hospitalized patients who belong to mild or moderate cases. No deaths were reported. The full vaccination rate and booster rate of COVID-19 vaccine were 78.26% and 80.87%, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the attack rate and COVID-19 vaccine (χ2 = 3.41 P > 0.05). Conclusion: This is an outbreak of COVID-19 with a high attack rate among employees in a mental hospital. The attack rate of medical personnel is higher than that of logistics personnel, which may be related to opportunities and duration of contact with infected individuals. COVID-19 vaccine has no significant protective effect on patients with mild or moderate symptoms 13 months after the full vaccination. It is suggested that they should be timely boostered with COVID-19 vaccine to maintain their immunity to the disease.

Work-life balance among mental health professionals in a tertiary care neuropsychiatry centre in India.

Background: Stress and distress are common among Mental Health Professionals (MHP). MHPs avoid seeking professional help to address their stress, leading to increased vulnerability to stress and mental health conditions. Inadequately addressed stress directly impacts their service delivery and well-being. However, a serious dearth of literature from India has examined the extent of work-life balance (WLB) stress and psychological distress (PD) among MHP. Aim: This cross-sectional study aims to assess WLB and examine the relationship between perceived stress (PS), PD, burnout, and WLB among MHP in a tertiary care neuropsychiatry center. Methods: Using stratified random sampling, 101 MHP were evaluated using Pareek's work-life balance scale, Stamm's professional quality of life (ProQoL) scale, WHO's self-reporting questionnaire, and Cohen's perceived stress scale. Data were analyzed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests. Results: The overall mean score on WLB was 80.45 (SD = 10.21), the PS scale was 24.86 (SD = 6.87), the burnout score was 22.68 (SD = 6), the ST score was 21.18 (SD = 6.35), and PD score was 5.07 (SD = 5.23). The level of WLB score was average to below average among 64% of participants. There is a positive correlation between WLB and compassion satisfaction (CS) and a negative correlation between ST and PS. The study found that the nature of the job, CS, and PD shall predict WLB. Conclusion: Stress, burnout, ProQoL, and WLB of MHPs vary significantly by job, income, and staying with family, indicating that MHPs are equally vulnerable to stress and burnout and imbalanced WLB, which require appropriate interventions.

Factores psicosociales asociados a la reincidencia de intentos de suicidio en pacientes con enfermedad mental atendidos en el Hospital Mental de Antioquia, Colombia, 2014-2016

Objetivo: Este estudio buscó analizar el comportamiento de factores psicosociales (características sociodemográficas, diagnóstico principal, método de intento, cognición y comportamiento) en relación con el número de intentos de suicidio en pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad mental, atendidos en el Hospital Mental de Antioquia, entre los años 2014 y 2016, además de evaluar la relación asociativa de dichos factores en la reincidencia por intento. Metodología: Estudio de corte transversal, que analiza, en 248 personas con diagnóstico de afecciones mentales, la asociación mencionada. Para ello, se describe, primero, el perfil sociodemográfico y clínico; luego, se construye un modelo de regresión logística multivariada, para evaluar la asociación de factores psicosociales con el riesgo de reincidencia por intento. Resultados: La población se caracterizó, principalmente, por ser joven (12-20 años) y de género femenino (62,9 %), siendo la reincidencia del 40 %. Entre los hallazgos de mayor relevancia se informa que se presenta una mayor proporción de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y bajo apoyo familiar/social en pacientes con cuatro episodios respecto a quienes tuvieron un intento. Los predictores explicativos del riesgo de reincidencia por intento de suicidio fueron el trastorno depresivo recurrente, escaso seguimiento psiquiátrico y el uso de métodos de menor letalidad (corte de muñecas). Conclusión: Los resultados son claves en el marco de la prevención del suicidio, en tanto identifican factores que contribuyen al aumento del número de intentos y su reincidencia, y coincide con la ventana temporal de inicio de vigilancia del evento en el sistema colombiano.

Objective: This study sought to analyze psychosocial factors (sociodemographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, method of the attempt, cognition, and behavior) in relation to the number of suicide attempts in patients with a diagnosed mental illness who received care at Hospital Mental de Antioquia, from 2014 to 2016. We also had the objective of evaluating the associative relationship of such factors in recurrence per attempt. Methodology: Cross-sectional study that analyzes the abovementioned association in 248 people with diagnosed mental disorders. To this end, we first describe the sociodemographic and clinical profile; then, a multivariate logistic regression model is constructed to assess the association of psychosocial factors with the risk of recurrence per attempt. Results: The population was mainly young (12-20 years old) and female (62.9%), with a recurrence rate of 40%. Among the most relevant findings, there is a higher proportion of psychoactive substance use and low family/social support in patients with four episodes compared to those with one attempt. Predictors explaining the risk of suicide attempt recurrence were recurrent depression, little psychiatric follow-up, and the use of less lethal methods (wrist cutting). Conclusion: These results are key in the context of suicide prevention, as they identify factors that contribute to an increased number of suicide attempts and their recurrence, and they coincide with the time window for beginning surveillance of events in the Colombian system.

Objetivo: Este estudo procurou analisar o comportamento de fatores psicossociais (características sociodemográficas, diagnóstico principal, método de tentativa, cognição e comportamento) em relação com o número de tentativas de suicídio em pacientes com diagnóstico de doença mental, atendidos no Hospital Mental de Antioquia, entre os anos 2014 e 2016, além de avaliar a relação associativa de tais fatores na reincidência por tentativa. Metodologia: Estudo de corte transversal que analisa em 248 pessoas com diagnóstico de doenças mentais, a referida associação. Para tanto, descreve-se, primeiro, o perfil sociodemográfico e clínico; depois, constrói-se um modelo de regressão logística multivariada, para avaliar a associação de fatores psicossociais com o risco de reincidência por tentativa. Resultados: A população caracterizou-se, principalmente, por ser jovem (12-20 anos) e de gênero feminino (62,9%), sendo a reincidência do 40%. Entre os resultados de maior relevância encontra-se uma maior proporção de consumo de substâncias psicoativas e pouco apoio familiar/social em pacientes com quatro episódios em relação com aqueles que tiveram uma tentativa. Os preditores explicativos do risco de reincidência por tentativa de suicídio foram o transtorno depressivo recorrente, escasso acompanhamento psiquiátrico e o uso de métodos de menor letalidade (corte dos pulsos). Conclusão: Os resultados são chaves no marco da prevenção do suicídio, pois identificam fatores que contribuem para o aumento do número de tentativas e sua reincidência, e coincide com uma janela temporal de início de vigilância do evento no sistema colombiano.

Introduction: Madness and psychiatry in East Asian countries in the modern period.

In the past decades, there has been an increasing scholarly interest in understanding the development of psychiatry and mental health in non-Western worlds in the modern period. Several collective efforts have been made on the East Asian part, and this special issue has selected the examples of the countries of China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Articles have utilized social and political constructions of psychiatric discourse, as well as the use of case files to research patients' experiences in mental hospitals. Through these historiographies, connections and meanings of East Asian psychiatry are discussed in both global and local contexts.

Egreso de los pacientes del manicomio general de la Castañeda, (1929-1958) ¿un problema familiar? / Patients’s egress of the manicomio general of la castañeda (1929-1958), a family problem?

Entre 1929 y 1958, los directores del Manicomio General de la Castañeda culparon a las familias de los internos de la sobrepoblación del establecimiento, alegaron que los egresados o no tenían parientes o estos se negaban a recibir a sus deudos. Factores que, a su juicio, impedían reducir la población del nosocomio. En consecuencia, tanto la dirección de la institución como la entidad gubernamental adoptaron una serie de medidas dirigidas a localizar y convencer a los parientes de que asumieran la responsabilidad de la externación de sus enfermos y contribuyeran a su reinserción social. El presente trabajo analiza un conjunto de documentos burocráticos emitidos por la dirección del manicomio y por los responsables de la asistencia pública, relativos al proceso de egreso de los enfermos mentales en su vertiente familiar. Documentos que ponen de manifiesto la complejidad del proceso de externación de los enfermos mentales en un contexto de lucha contra la masificación de esta institución pública y muestran las dificultades, contradicciones y conflictos que se presentaron durante la ejecución de las medidas propuestas por las dependencias implicadas.(AU)

From 1929 to 1958, directors of asylum La Castañeda blaming patients’ families about overcrowded in the hospital. Directors said that patients had not relatives, or they denied receiving them. This prevented the reduction of the population suffered by the institution. According to this situation, the asylum and public assistance adopted several actions to find and to persuade relatives for they to take their responsibility and help to their family member to social reinsertion. The article examines official documents of the asylum’s direction, and public assistance on the egress process of mental illness since family perspective. Those documents expressed the hard process of output on madness in a context of fighting against the overcrowded, and reveal difficulties, contradictions, and conflicts that it presented the execution of actions of mental hospital and Public Assistance. (AU)

Suicidal Ideation and Its Associated Factors Among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal ideation is thinking about suicide/serving as the agent of one's own death. Patients with a major depressive disorder are the highest group which are affected by suicidal ideation. It is a pre-condition for suicide attempts and to commit suicide among major depressive patients. Suicidal behavior and major depressive disorder have been becoming the main attention in recent years. In Ethiopia, there is limited knowledge of suicidal ideation among major depressive disorder patients and the factors of suicidal ideation are also limited. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its associated factors among major depressive disorder patients at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1-30, 2019. A total of 337 major depressive disorder patients were successfully interviewed using structured and pre-tested questionnaires. A systematic random sampling technique was applied. Logistic regression was applied to identify factors of suicidal ideation. Statistical significance was considered at P-value < 0.05. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of suicidal ideation among major depressive disorder patients was 48.4%. Being female (AOR 2.4, 95% CI=1.40, 4.25), family history of suicide (AOR 3.2, 95% CI=1.26, 8.11), and having poor social support (AOR 4.2, 95% CI=2.29, 7.59) were significantly associated with suicidal ideation among patients with major depressive disorder. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of suicidal ideation among major depressive disorder patients was relatively high. Hence, due attention should be given to the screening of suicidal ideation for all patients with major depressive disorder to initiate timely interventions.

Decision Making in Psychiatric Patients: A Qualitative Study with Focus Groups. / Toma de decisiones en pacientes psiquiátricos: un estudio cualitativo con grupos focales.

INTRODUCTION: It has been said that mental illnesses are characterised by poor decision making; there is some neuroscientific evidence of specific alterations in performance in decision making tests, but little is known about how patients make choices about their own treatments. METHODS: Focus groups with patients from two psychiatric clinics, with discourse analysis. RESULTS: Five deductive categories (tools, capacity, therapeutic relationship, method and family and network), plus one additional category from the analysis (stigma), and 35 inductive (posterior) categories were considered. The categories are analysed and the findings presented. CONCLUSIONS: Patients express a need for greater participation in decisions about their treatment, and a more symmetrical psychiatrist-patient relationship, involving families. Decisions may be changed due to stigma, barriers to treatment access, and previous experiences.

Toma de decisiones en pacientes psiquiátricos: un estudio cualitativo con grupos focales

Introducción: Se ha dicho que las enfermedades mentales se caracterizan por la mala toma de decisiones; existe evidencia de neurociencias de alteraciones específicas en el desempeño en pruebas relacionadas con decisiones, pero poco se conoce sobre cómo los pacientes eligen acerca de su tratamiento. Métodos: Grupos focales con pacientes en 2 clínicas psiquiátricas, con análisis de discurso. Resultados: Se consideraron categorías previas (ayudas, capacidad, relación terapéutica, método, familia y red), con una categoría adicional (estigma) producto del análisis y 35 categorías inductivas. Se analizan las categorías, se presentan los hallazgos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes expresan necesidad de mayor participación en elecciones sobre su tratamiento y una relación más simétrica con el psiquiatra, con participación de las fami lias. Las decisiones pueden alterarse por el estigma, las barreras de acceso al tratamiento y las experiencias previas.

Introduction: It has been said that mental illnesses are characterised by poor decision making; there is some neuroscientific evidence of specific alterations in performance in decision making tests, but little is known about how patients make choices about their own treat ments. Methods: Focus groups with patients from two psychiatric clinics, with discourse analysis. Results: Five deductive categories (tools, capacity, therapeutic relationship, method and family and network), plus one additional category from the analysis (stigma), and 35 induc tive (posterior) categories were considered. The categories are analysed and the findings presented. Conclusions: Patients express a need for greater participation in decisions about their treatment, and a more symmetrical psychiatrist-patient relationship, involving families. Decisions may be changed due to stigma, barriers to treatment access, and previous expe riences.

Beyond the asylum and before the 'care in the community' model: exploring an overlooked early NHS mental health facility.

This article discusses the Admission and Treatment Unit at Fair Mile Hospital, in Cholsey, near Wallingford, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire). This was the first new hospital to be completed in England following the launch of the National Health Service. The building was designed by Powell and Moya, one of the most important post-war English architectural practices, and was completed in 1956, but demolished in 2003. The article relates the commission of the building to landmark policy changes and argues for its historic significance in the context of the NHS and of the evolution of mental health care models and policies. It also argues for the need for further study of those early NHS facilities in view of current developments in mental health provision.

The Effects of a Forest Therapy Programme on Mental Hospital Patients with Affective and Psychotic Disorders.

The positive effect of forest bathing on the mental health and wellbeing of those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or experiencing stress has been proven. It is not known, however, how 'forest therapy' affects the mental health of people who are treated in a psychiatric hospital for affective or psychotic disorders. Potentially, forest therapy could bring many benefits to these people. To test the potential effectiveness of this therapy, a quasi-experiment was carried out in a psychiatric hospital in Olsztyn (north Poland). In the summer and autumn of 2018, the patients of the psychiatric hospital in Olsztyn participated in forest therapy interventions. The proposed forest therapy consisted of participating in one hour and forty-five minutes walks under the supervision of a therapist. Subjects filled out the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) before and after the study. In the case of a group of patients with affective disorders, forest therapy had a positive effect on nearly all POMS scale subscales, with the exception of the 'anger-hostility' subscale, which did not change its values significantly after the intervention. In these patients, the greatest impacts were noted in the subscales 'confusion' and 'depression-dejection'; the level of anxiety measured with the STAI-S scale also significantly decreased. In the case of patients with psychotic disorders, the values of the 'confusion' and 'vigour' subscales and the STAI-S scale exhibited the greatest changes. These changes were positive for the health of patients. Regarding the 'fatigue' subscale, no significant changes were observed in patients with psychotic disorders. The observed changes in psychological indicators in psychiatric hospital patients with both kinds of disorders indicate that the intervention of forest therapy can positively affect their mental health. The changes observed in psychological indicators were related to the characteristics of the given disorder.

'This weather always gets me down': A psychosocial perspective on mental illness.

Since antiquity, attempts to conceptualise the aetiology of mental illness have included social constructionist, biomedical, and psychosocial theories. The change of these concepts over the centuries is reflected in therapeutic approaches as well as the location, layout and interior design of psychiatric institutions. This article focuses on the genealogy of one of these concepts - the proposed link between meteorological parameters, specifically air and sun, and mental illness. Based on detailed archival materials, including administrative records, medical notes and correspondence as well as oral histories, relating to the Devon County Mental Hospital near Exeter (UK), it traces this link over time within and beyond the medical community to the extent that it served as pretext for underlying social causes of the illness. In doing so, this article makes an empirical contribution to geographical perspectives on the construction of psychiatric institutions throughout history while also advancing such work in theoretical terms by drawing attention to the shifts in medical and lay conceptualisations of mental illness.

Kilpauk Mental Hospital: The Bethlem of South Asia - A recall of its history prior to 1970.

PERIOD OF CUSTODIAL CARE ONLY: The magnificent "Institute of Mental Health" has its history almost from 1795 when the East India company appointed Surgeon Valentine Conolly to be in charge of a "House for accommodating persons of unsound mind." After a few transitions, backed by a government order for the construction of a lunatic asylum in a 66 1/2 acre site, the asylum started functioning from 1871. The period of about six decades from its inception could be referred to as "the period of custodial care." However, the quality of care for the general medical problems gradually improved with the creation of separate facilities for some common ailments and also one for seriously ill. Separate wards were also conceptualized for criminal patients and female inmates. TOWARDS MODERN COMPREHENSIVE PATIENT CARE: Thanks to Government sanctions, the staff strength gradually increased with regularization of bed strength to 1800, and by 1948-1957, the hospital had 14 medical officers and a host of other staff. The period from 1939 to 1948 witnessed the introduction of electroconvulsive therapy and insulin coma therapy including the modified one and also insulin histamine therapy. During the prephenothiazine era, the drugs used were barbiturates, paraldehyde, opiates, and Rauwolfia serpentina, which were discontinued after the use of Chlorpromazine from 1954. Psychosurgery was also undertaken in selected cases from 1948, but the procedure went out of vogue soon due to the quality of outcome being poor and development of complications. Rehabilitation of patients got a fillip with the introduction of occupation therapy in 1949 and industrial therapy center in 1970. Extension of psychiatric services to general hospitals began from 1949. ADVANCES IN ACADEMIC SPHERES AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES: Regular training was imparted to paramedical and undergraduate medical students from 1948. The institute had the privilege of hosting the Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society - 1957. The institute also spearheaded in several pioneering researches such as insulin coma therapy, syphilis, and Alzheimer's dementia, to name a few. The pivotal role played by the State Psychiatric Institutes in patient care, training, and research, should speak for adequate empowerment of these government institutes.

The development of mental hospitals in West Bengal: A brief history and changing trends.

The communication between G. S Bose and Sigmund Freud is a well-documented fact, and philosophical blend of rich cultural experiences is unique to modification of traditional psychoanalysis in the context of development of psychiatry in West Bengal. The Calcutta lunatic asylum was established at Bhowanipore, and first general hospital psychiatric unit was formed at R. G. Kar Medical College, Calcutta. Prof. Ajita Chakraborty was a pioneer to describe her struggling days in the early career and shared her views with experiences in her autobiography. The volume and quality of research work, especially in the field of epidemiology led by Dr. D. N. Nandi is worth mentioning. A jail had been converted to mental hospital which is the largest in terms of bed strength (n = 350) at Berhampore, Murshidabad district where Kazi Nazrul Islam and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had spent some period as prisoner during British rules. Bankura was the first district in West Bengal to start District Mental Health program. The various nongovernmental organizations are working together in public-private partnership model or indigenous ways in tandem over years for the betterment of mental health services both at institutional and community level.

Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences: A pioneer in the field of psychiatry in India.

Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS; Ranchi Indian Mental Hospital; Ranchi Manasik Aryogyashala) traces its origin from a lunatic asylum for Indian soldiers established at Munghyr in Bihar in 1795 and thus is the first mental hospital in India established by the British purely for Indian patients as well as the second oldest functioning mental hospital in India. The hospital made great strides in improving patients care and using modern methods of assessment and treatment as well as education and research during the tenure of Dr J E Dhunjibhoy the first Indian medical superintendent. As a result the mortality rate was the lowest among the mental hospitals in Indian. There was a shift from custodial care to curative treatment. Since 1930s psychiatric training was given to undergraduate medical students of Patna Medical College and subsequently from Darbhanga and Cuttack. The Institute was affiliated to Universities of London and Edinburgh for Diploma in Psychological Medicine in 1936. The thesis work of the first Indian MD (Psychiatry) was done at this institute. Subsequently many psychiatrists completed their MD (Psychiatry) under the guidance of Dr L.P. Verma at this institute. A number of staff and alumini of the institute held the post of President and office bearers of Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), starting with Dr J.E. Dhunjibhoy, the first president of the IPS. The Institute declined in the 1980s but after intervention of the Supreme Court it was transformed into an autonomous institute. Under the new dispensation the institution is regaining its vitality. Care and facilities for inpatients has greatly improved. Laboratory and imaging services have been updated. Modern facilities for eye and dental surgery are available. Attendance in outpatient department and especially in satellite clinics is increasing. Postgraduate training in psychiatry, clinical psychology, psychiatric social work and psychiatric nursing has started and research is once again a priority.

Psychiatry in Delhi: History and current status.

Delhi hasn't always enjoyed the status of the India's capital, but it has always played a pivotal role in the history of India as a gateway city. The same way, it received mental health services much later than the rest part of country, but it has witnessed an evolution from colonial era to the birth of state of art modern psychiatry services. Journey started with the landmark inaugural meeting in Delhi University of few visionaries paving the birth of Indian psychiatry society. Subsequently, it witnessed emergence of general hospital psychiatry units & saw their transformation to apex institutes of teaching and research like AIIMS and others. It saw an exemplary worth replicating transformation of hospital for mental diseases into the state of art neuropsychiatry center, IHBAS. Delhi of today represents a microcosm of psychiatry institutes offering entire range of therapeutic, rehabilitative and academic services with equally important share in policy making at national level. This article traces the trends and developments that happened in mental health services in last six decades.

Influence of gender, working field and psychosocial factors on the vulnerability for burnout in mental hospital staff: results of an Austrian cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), hospitals represent a work environment with high job strain. Prolonged perceived occupational stress may result in symptoms of burnout, such as emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP) and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). Understanding which factors may reduce vulnerability for burnout is an important requirement for well-targeted occupational stress prevention in mental hospital staff. OBJECTIVE: To identify the influence of gender, age, working field, family structure, education, voluntarily occupational training during holidays and length of stay on job on occupational stress perception. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design, 491 employees (311 female, 180 male) of an Austrian mental health centre participated in the study. The extent of perceived occupational stress was assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) with the scales for emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Participants were divided according to their working field in those working with/without patients. FINDINGS: Prevalence of emotional exhaustion was higher in women working with patients compared to men working with patients (25% vs. 18%, p = 0.003). Age above 45 years was significantly associated with decreased vulnerability for burnout in men (EE p = 0.040, DP p = 0.010, PA p = 0.007), but not in women. A lower level of education had a significant impact on depersonalisation in both sexes (p = 0.001 for men, p = 0.048 for women). Length of stay on job showed a significant influence on emotional exhaustion. No significant relationship was found between family structure and vulnerability for burnout. CONCLUSION: Gender had a differential effect on perceived occupational stress indicating a need for gender-tailored preventive strategies. Age, working field, education, voluntarily occupational training during holidays and length of stay on job affect vulnerability for burnout in mental hospital staff.

Depois do holocausto: efeitos colaterais do hospital colônia em Barbacena / After the holocaust: side effects of colony hospital in Barbacena / Después del holocausto: los efectos secundarios de lo hospital colonia en Barbacena

Este trabalho objetiva abordar os resquícios das práticas manicomiais executadas num grande hospital psiquiátrico e sua repetição nos serviços de saúde mental de Barbacena. Nessa instituição hospitalar, pessoas internadas involuntariamente, sem diagnóstico de doença mental foram violentadas e mortas com a conivência do Estado. Procedeu-se a um breve percurso histórico e crítico sobre a criação desse hospital e entrevistas com profissionais que nele trabalham e que participam da implantação das políticas públicas de atenção a saúde mental no município. A psicanálise será utilizada nesta investigação, como forma de abordar a violência política e social em seus efeitos traumáticos e continuados até a atualidade. O conceito de compulsão à repetição auxiliará na compreensão da manifestação de práticas e discursos ligados à cultura manicomial. Tais práticas se automatizam nesses profissionais que sofrem os efeitos das passagens inconscientes da história relegadas ao esquecimento por jogos de conveniência não explicitados.

This research intends to address the remnants of insane asylum practices performed in a large psychiatric hospital and its repetition in the mental health services of Barbacena. In this hospital institution people were involuntarily admitted, without a diagnosis of mental illness, violated and murdered with the complicity of the state. Proceeded to a brief criticalhistorical analysis about it creation, interviews with professionals who work on it and, also, participate on the implementation of public policies on mental health care in the city. Psychoanalysis will be used on this research as a way to tackle the political and social violence in their traumatic effects that continues on these days. The concept of repetition compulsion will assist us in understanding the manifestation of practices and discourses related to asylum culture. Such practices are automated in those professionals who suffer the effects of unconscious passages of history, relegated to forgetfulness, by convenience games not specified.

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo hacer frente a los restos de las prácticas psiquiátricas realizadas en un gran hospital psiquiátrico y su repetición en los servicios de salud mental de Barbacena. En este hospital, las personas admitidas involuntariamente, sin un diagnóstico de enfermedad mental fueron violadas y asesinadas con la connivencia del Estado. Se ha producido un breve recorrido histórico y crítico en la creación de este hospital y entrevistas a profesionales que trabajan en ella y participar en la implementación de políticas públicas que aborden la salud mental en el municipio. El psicoanálisis se utilizará en esta investigación como una manera de hacer frente a la violencia política y social y sus efectos traumáticos continúa hasta hoy. El concepto de compulsión a la repetición ayudar en la comprensión de la manifestación de prácticas y discursos relacionados con la cultura de asilo. Tales prácticas si automatizan estos profesionales que sufren los efectos de los pasajes inconscientes de la historia relegados al olvido por los juegos de conveniencia no especificados.