Using digital storytelling to understand service users' mental health recovery and address stigma among nursing students.

PURPOSE: Stigmatized attitudes towards people with mental illness from healthcare providers continues to be a problem affecting recovery in people with mental illness. The process of recovery was explored through digital stories created by service users, with support from nursing students. Stigmatized attitudes in nursing students and stigma resistance in service users were also investigated. DESIGN AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods, pilot study in which service users/nursing student teams created digital stories. Surveys testing stigmatized attitudes and stigma resistance were employed. FINDINGS: Statistical significance was not found, however, qualitative analysis revealed recovery elements and greater appreciation of individuals with mental illness by the nursing students. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Digital story-telling assists service users in doing the internal work of making meaning from experience. Nursing students benefit from involvement in the activity.

The Effects of a Community-Based, Multicomponent, Depression Prevention Intervention in Mothers At-Risk.

The purpose of this study was to develop a 12-week multicomponent, depression prevention pilot intervention and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effects on improving levels and correlates of depressive symptoms, including anger, self-esteem perceived stress, social support, and racism. A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods design and a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was employed. University faculty, students and community residents collaborated at a low-income housing complex in a low-resourced, urban community. Fifteen low-income, ethnic minority mothers ages 23-46 years completed the intervention and evaluation surveys. Eight mothers participated in a focus group. The intervention included social group-dance, health education, and socialization. t-Tests, sign-tests, and thematic analysis was employed. Mothers identified barriers and facilitators of program engagement. Depressive symptoms were significantly reduced (t(14) = 2.41, p = .030). Self-esteem (t(14) = 2.28, p = .039) and social support levels (M = 4.5, p = .035) were significantly increased. This multicomponent intervention is feasible. Preliminary efficacy evidence was mixed.

Addressing Ageism and Ethnocultural Diversity With a Photo Essay Project.

BACKGROUND: By 2050, the percentage of older adults in the United States will double. By 2060, nonmajority individuals will comprise nearly half of our older adult population. Therefore, nursing students must have learning experiences that prepare them to care for a diverse population of older adults when they enter practice. METHOD: Photo-elicitation and a photo essay project was initiated in an Aging and Health in Global Communities course in which 75 students created and presented photo essays of a diverse group of older adults. RESULTS: Through spending time with older adults to create a photo essay, students ably portrayed lives rich in meaning and ethnocultural heritage. CONCLUSION: The natural intersection of aging and diversity that occurred in the photo essays enlightened students to the rich experience of age and the similarities and unique differences in the lives of the older people portrayed. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(1):44-47.].

Learning about mental healthcare in today's Cuba: An interview with the president of the Cuban society of psychology.

PURPOSE: Little is known about Cuba's mental healthcare system. We present background information and an interview with the President of the Cuban Society of Psychology to learn about current mental healthcare in today's Cuba. CONCLUSIONS: Mental and medical healthcare are free and fully integrated. Early diagnosis and intervention is standard as each patient is known by their community doctor/nurse team from infancy through old age and by yearly home visits. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Free and integrated medical and mental healthcare facilitates early detection and intervention. Individuals in Cuba are assisted in maintaining job and schooling during treatment. Therapy is multimodal and eclectic.

Facilitating Social Integration for People With Severe Mental Illness Served by Assertive Community Treatment.

PURPOSE: This article explores the experience of workers on Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams surrounding their efforts to facilitate social integration for their clients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixteen workers were individually interviewed and eight additional workers participated in two focus groups. FINDINGS: The formation of caring relationships between worker and client was an important first step towards social integration for ACT clients. Community activities offer opportunities for social interaction. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The frequency of community based activities should be increased. Social integration should be a targeted focus of service by structurally embedding a social integration specialist onto the ACT model.

The phenomenon of social isolation in the severely mentally ill.

PURPOSE: The phenomenon of social isolation is closely linked with the experience of having a severe mental illness (SMI). This paper offers scholarly perspectives and analyses of the phenomenon of social isolation as it applies to people with SMI by highlighting relevant definitional, historical, theoretical, and conceptual understanding surrounding this phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: Stigma, alienation, and existential loneliness when taken together provide an understanding of the multidimensional problem of social isolation for people with SMI. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Mental health services should be provided which take into account the importance of human contact and social connection for people who live with SMI. Services can be offered which are designed to develop social skills, as well as to create opportunities for social connection and community involvement.