Availability of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Community Mental Health Facilities.

Importance: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are an effective but underutilized treatment. Opioid use disorder prevalence is high among people receiving treatment in community outpatient mental health treatment facilities (MHTFs), but MHTFs are understudied as an MOUD access point. Objective: To quantify availability of MOUD at community outpatient MHTFs in high-burden states as well as characteristics associated with offering MOUD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study performed a phone survey between April and July 2023 among a representative sample of community outpatient MHTFs within 20 states most affected by the opioid crisis, including all Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs). Participants were staff at 450 surveyed community outpatient MHTFs in 20 states in the US. Main Outcomes and Measures: MOUD availability. A multivariable logistic regression was fit to assess associations of facility, county, and state-level characteristics with offering MOUD. Results: Surveys with staff from 450 community outpatient MHTFs (152 CCBHCs and 298 non-CCBHCs) in 20 states were analyzed. Weighted estimates found that 34% (95% CI, 29%-39%) of MHTFs offered MOUD in these states. Facility-level factors associated with increased odds of offering MOUD were: self-reporting being a CCBHC (odds ratio [OR], 2.11 [95% CI, 1.08-4.11]), providing integrated mental and substance use disorder treatment (OR, 5.21 [95% CI, 2.44-11.14), having a specialized treatment program for clients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (OR, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.14-4.43), offering housing services (OR, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.43-4.51]), and laboratory testing (OR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.12-4.12]). Facilities that accepted state-financed health insurance plans other than Medicaid as a form of payment had increased odds of offering MOUD (OR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.01-3.76]) and facilities that accepted state mental health agency funds had reduced odds (OR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.19-0.99]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of 450 community outpatient MHTFs in 20 high-burden states, approximately one-third offered MOUD. These results suggest that further study is needed to report MOUD uptake, either through increased prescribing at all clinics or through effective referral models.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on utilisation of community-based mental health care in North-East of Italy: A psychiatric case register study.

AIMS: WHO declared that mental health care should be considered one essential health service to be maintained during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to describe the effect of lockdown and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy on mental health services' utilisation, by considering psychiatric diagnoses and type of mental health contacts. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Verona catchment area, located in the Veneto region (northeastern Italy). For each patient, mental health contacts were grouped into: (1) outpatient care, (2) social and supportive interventions, (3) rehabilitation interventions, (4) multi-professional assessments, (5) day care. A 'difference in differences' approach was used: difference in the number of contacts between 2019 and 2020 on the weeks of lockdown and intermediate restrictions was compared with the same difference in weeks of no or reduced restrictions, and such difference was interpreted as the effect of restrictions. Both a global regression on all contacts and separate regressions for each type of service were performed and Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs) were calculated. RESULTS: In 2020, a significant reduction in the number of patients who had mental health contacts was found, both overall and for most of the patients' characteristics considered (except for people aged 18-24 years for foreign-born population and for those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Moreover, in 2020 mental health contacts had a reduction of 57 096 (-33.9%) with respect to 2019; such difference remained significant across the various type of contacts considered, with rehabilitation interventions and day care showing the greatest reduction. Negative Binomial regressions displayed a statistically significant effect of lockdown, but not of intermediate restrictions, in terms of reduction in the number of contacts. The lockdown period was responsible of a 32.7% reduction (IRR 0.673; p-value <0.001) in the overall number of contacts. All type of mental health contacts showed a reduction ascribable to the lockdown, except social and supportive interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the access to community mental health care during the pandemic was overall reduced, the mental health system in the Verona catchment area was able to maintain support for more vulnerable and severely ill patients, by providing continuity of care and day-by-day support through social and supportive interventions.

Mirando atrás para seguir avanzando. Una reflexión crítica sobre el pasado y el presente de la atención en salud mental (II) / Looking back to keep moving forwar (d. A critical reflection on the past and present of mental health care (II)

Este es el segundo de una serie de dos artículos que tratan de hacer una valoración crítica de los principales aspectos teóricos y técnicos relacionados con la atención en salud mental que se han desarrollado en las 6 o 7 últimas décadas, como alternativa a dos tipos de posiciones consideradas inadecuadas, la del reduccionismo biomédico imperante y la de algunas tendencias nuevamente “antipsiquiátricas”. En este segundo artículo se valoran algunos movimientos interesantes de estos últimos años y se plantean algunas conclusiones y perspectivas de futuro, tratando de situarse en una perspectiva crítica razonable desde el marco de la atención comunitaria en salud mental. Considerada esta como el paradigma tecnológico desde el que cabe dar cuenta de la complejidad de los problemas de salud mental y ayudar a resolverlos en una interacción no menos compleja entre profesionales y usuarios y usuarias

This is the second of two papers that seek to make a critical assessment of the main theoretical and technical aspects related to mental health care developed in the last six or seven decades, as an alternative to two types of positions considered inadequate; namely, that of the dominant biomedical reductionism and those of some new "antipsy-chiatric" tendencies. In this second paper some interesting movements from recent years are valued and some conclusions and prospects for the future are raised, trying to take a reasonable critical stance from the community mental health care framework. This latter one considered as the technological paradigm from which it is possible to take into account the complexity of mental health problems and to solve them in a no less complex interaction between professionals and users

Structural Barriers to Citizenship: A Mental Health Provider Perspective.

This study employed a citizenship measure to explore mental health providers' views of citizenship to support the societal participation of people with mental illnesses, with citizenship defined as a person's (or people's) strong connection to the 5Rs of rights, responsibilities, roles, resources and relationships and a sense of belonging that is validated by others. Providers identified key structural barriers to full citizenship for clients. Their comments reflect openness to citizenship as a framework for understanding their clients and the need for greater access to normative community life, but also skepticism regarding providers' and public mental health centers' abilities to incorporate citizenship approaches in current care models. Findings suggest there are challenges to implementing "citizenship-oriented care" in public mental health settings, but efforts to address these challenges can support the goal of "a life in the community."

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) during maintenance phase treatment at a community mental health centre.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent to which therapeutic drug monitoring during maintenance phase treatment with lithium and clozapine was performed according to an agreed protocol and to identify strategies that may support monitoring. METHODS: Data concerning the prescribing and monitoring patterns of lithium for 31 patients and clozapine for 53 patients were collected retrospectively over a period of 2 years. RESULTS: Adherence to clozapine monitoring throughout the study period was 90.5%, while the monitoring of lithium was less likely at 58.1% (P < 0.001). While those prescribed lithium were less likely to adhere to prescribed dosing than those prescribed clozapine (P < 0.007), they were also more likely to have a change of medication (P < 0.005) and require admission to inpatient care (P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the initiatives established to improve adherence to monitoring, there was a significantly lower level of lithium monitoring compared to that of clozapine. Strategies that are likely to support monitoring include the use of labels to clarify tests required, the use of a database to keep track of those requiring pathology tests and allocation of time each week for a nurse to work with medical staff and case managers to support monitoring.

[The impact of the recent financial crisis on the users' profile of a community mental health unit].

During previous financial crises as well as the recent global financial crisis, a strong impact of the crisis on the population mental health in many countries has been observed. Similarly, in Greece, a series of epidemiological studies pointed out the consequences of the economic crisis on the population mental health. However, there is limited data available, both in Greece and worldwide, regarding the impact of the economic crisis from the perspective of mental health services. The goal of the present study was to examine possible changes on the community mental health during the first years of the Greek financial crisis, as they are reflected on the operation of a community mental health unit with a specific catchment area within Athens (Byron and Kessariani). The demographic, social and clinical characteristics of adult users who were admitted for the first time at ByronKessariani Mental Health Community Center during the years 2008-2013 were analysed. The impact of the financial crisis on the workload of the center was also assessed during the same period. The sample of the study consisted of 1865 adult users and the data was collected with the use of an ad hoc structured questionnaire as well as from the users' case files. No significant differentiation on the number of clients admitted to the center per year after the beginning of the financial crisis was found. However, it is possible that an upper limit has been reached on the center's capacity to admit new clients, i.e. a ceiling effect, as it is shown from the increased number of provided sessions per year as well as from the increase in the mean waiting time for the intake of new patients during the same period. A constant increase in the number of women among the new clients of ByronKessariani Mental Health Community Center was found, but no significant differentiations were detected during the study period. Moreover, the study showed an upward trend in aggressive behavior as a reason for admission, a significant and continuous increase in the rate of unemployed individuals among the new clients, as well as a statistically significant increase in the number of referrals for psychotherapy during the study period. There was also an increase in the number of patients who had psychiatric history, even though they were admitted to Byron-Kessariani Mental Health Community Center for the first time. No significant differentiations were found in the remaining users' demographic and clinical characteristics assessed. Our study showed that during the crisis community mental health services are under pressure due to the increased needs of patients, especially the needs for psychotherapeutic intervention and psychological support. The increased unemployment rates affect the influx of new patients as well as the therapeutic management of many users. Reinforcement of the community mental health service network is an important strategy against the consequences of the crisis on the population mental health.

Availability of Assertive Community Treatment in the United States: 2010 to 2016.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined change in availability of assertive community treatment (ACT) and associated services over time. METHODS: Change over time in the availability of facilities in the United States offering ACT and its associated services was examined by using 2010 and 2016 data from the National Mental Health Services Survey. RESULTS: The proportion of facilities that self-reported provision of ACT and its associated services declined between 2010 and 2016 (odds ratio [OR]=0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.63-0.86, p<0.001). Although a higher proportion of facilities that provided ACT reported offering all the required services in 2016 (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.04-1.66, p=0.026) compared with 2010, this proportion accounted for less than 20% of the programs. Compared with 2010, in 2016 increases were observed in peer (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.38-2.13, p<0.001) and co-occurring disorders services (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.08-1.42, p=0.004) as well as in secondary services, such as tobacco cessation (OR=4.53, 95% CI=3.51-5.84, p<0.001) and telemedicine (OR=2.08, 95% CI=1.67-2.57, p<0.001). Continuous education for staff was required at more facilities with ACT in 2016 compared with 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Although the proportion of facilities with ACT that offer all the required core services has increased in recent years, such programs remain a minority, and the overall number of facilities with ACT has declined.

Retrospective study of a first-episode psychosis service embedded within a home-based treatment team.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if having an early intervention service (EIS), which is embedded within a home-based treatment team (HBTT), is associated with (1) shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), (2) lower rates of hospital admissions at first presentation, (3) a lesser number of hospital admissions within 6 months of presentation and (4) a reduced mean bed usage for the first 6 months. METHODS: The files of those who presented with a first-episode psychosis (FEP) to the South Lee Mental Health Service from January 2016 to February 2017 were identified and a retrospective case review was carried out. The demographics, clinical characteristics and hospital admissions were compared for those admitted to either the EIS or community mental health teams. RESULTS: Forty patients were assessed. DUP was found to be longer for those who presented to the EIS (U = 121, p = 0.03). There were fewer admissions at first presentation (χ2 (1) = 6.51 p = 0.01), fewer admissions within the first 6 months of presentation (χ2 (1) = 5.56 p = 0.02) and less bed usage overall (U = 131, p = 0.047) for those who presented to the EIS. CONCLUSION: The study provides a baseline clinical and demographic profile of patients with FEP in an Irish mental health service and demonstrates current pathways to care. EIS embedded within an HBTT was associated with fewer hospital admissions and less bed usage. It is unclear whether these findings may have occurred due to the EIS or due to the benefits provided by an HBTT.

Characteristics of Hispanic-Serving Mental Health Organizations in the U.S.

Little is known about Hispanics' barriers to quality psychiatric care. Less is known about the characteristics of the organizations in which Hispanics do actually receive care. Using the 2014 National Mental Health Services Survey, this study explored the characteristics of mental health organizations that catered to Hispanic populations in the U.S. Latent class analysis showed that Hispanics were most likely to receive psychiatric care in organizations embedded in non-profit hospitals and community health centers specializing in providing mental health care. Although in September 2017 Congress extended the funding for community health centers for two more years, this was a short-term solution to the threat of losing federal funding in the near future. Our findings suggest that the defunding of community health centers would overwhelmingly affect Hispanics, further increasing systemic disparities on access to mental health care in the U.S.

Analysis of the profiles of patients with dual pathology attending addiction centers, mental health centers, and a coordinated service / Perfiles de pacientes con patología dual: ¿qué diferencias existen entre los que acuden a las unidades de salud mental comunitaria y a los centros de tratamiento de drogodependencias?

Dual patients are usually treated in drug users services, mental health units, or both. However, each patient can choose the service to receive the health care. The aim of this study is to analyze the similarities and differences of the patient profiles that are treated in each one of these centers. The sample consists of 170 patients diagnosed with dual pathology treated at Servicio Provincial de Drogodependencias de Huelva (SPDH) and Unidades de Salud Mental Comunitaria (USMC) in the province of Huelva. In SPDH, higher prevalence of patients with cocaine and heroin dependence profile was observed (35.9% vs 2% in MH and 16.4% in coordinated). In USMC there is higher prevalence of patients with cannabis dependence profile (41.2% vs 9.4% in the DU and 16.4% in the coordinated service). The odds ratio for patients with hypomanic episodes was 2,879 (p <0.05) in SPDH compared to other services. Odds ratio observed for manic episodes was 0.483 (p <0.05) in SPDH. Patients with comorbid psychotic disorders are more prevalent in USMC compared to SPDH services (66% vs 37.5%). The differences observed in the profiles should be considered in the care planning of these centers

La atención médica y psicológica de pacientes con patología dual es realizada por servicios de salud mental, adicciones, o coordinada. No obstante, es elección de los pacientes acudir a uno u otro servicio. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las semejanzas y diferencias de pacientes con patología dual que acuden a estos centros. El estudio se ha realizado con170 pacientes diagnosticados de patología dual atendidos en el Servicio Provincial de Drogodependencias de Huelva (SPDH) y Unidades de Salud Mental Comunitaria (USMC) de la provincia de Huelva. En el SPDH la prevalencia de pacientes con dependencia a heroína y cocaína es mayor (35.9% vs 2% en USMC y 16.4% en coordinado). En las USMC se observa una mayor prevalencia de pacientes con dependencia a cannabis (41.2% vs 9.4% en el CTA y 16.4% en coordinado). La odds ratio para pacientes con episodios hipomaníacos fue de 2.879 (p<0.05) en el SPDH, y de 0.483 (p<0.05) para episodios maníacos. Hay una mayor prevalencia de pacientes con trastornos psicóticos en las USMC en comparación con el SPDH (66% vs 37.5%). Las diferencias detectadas en los perfiles deben ser consideradas en la planificación asistencial de los centros que atienden a estos pacientes

Availability of Integrated Primary Care Services in Community Mental Health Care Settings.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the availability of primary care and wellness services in community mental health centers (CMHCs) and outpatient mental health facilities (OMHFs). METHODS: This study used data from the 2016 National Mental Health Services Survey to examine the proportion of facilities that reported offering integrated primary care and wellness services (smoking and tobacco cessation counseling, diet and exercise counseling, and chronic disease and illness management). The study used logistic regression to model the odds that a facility offered integrated primary care as a function of facility characteristics. RESULTS: Across states, 23% of CMHCs and 19% of OMHFs offered integrated primary care. The odds of offering integrated primary care were significantly higher among facilities that reported more quality improvement practices, prohibited smoking, or offered wellness services. Less than one third offered smoking and tobacco cessation counseling or other wellness services. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated primary care remains uncommon in CMHCs and OMHFs and is more likely among facilities with certain characteristics.

Attitudes of Mental Health Peer-Run Organizations Towards Health Homes: Recommendations for Policy and Practice.

This study examined peer-run organizations' attitudes towards collaborating in health homes. Data were drawn from the 2012 National Survey of Peer-Run Organizations. Multinomial logistic regression modeled the association between organizational willingness to participate in a health home and salient factors. Current efforts (OR = 5.05; p < 0.05), planned efforts (OR = 4.27; p < 0.05) to encourage physical healthcare, and staff size (OR = 1.09; p < 0.05) were associated with willingness to collaborate in health homes. Some organizations were concerned about power dynamics with potential medical collaborators. Relationships with medical providers, staffing capacity, and concerns about coercion should be considered when integrating peer-run organizations and health homes.

Distribution and Correlates of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and ACT-Like Programs: Results From the 2015 N-MHSS.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined the availability and characteristics of assertive community treatment (ACT) programs across mental health treatment facilities in the United States. METHODS: Prevalence and correlates of facilities that reported offering ACT, broadly defined as intensive community services for serious mental illness provided by multidisciplinary teams in the clients' natural settings and including both ACT and "ACT-like" programs, were examined by using data from the National Mental Health Services Survey. Availability of services essential to the ACT model in these facilities was also examined. RESULTS: Of the 12,826 surveyed facilities, 13.4% reported offering ACT, with significant variability among states. Of the facilities with ACT, 19.2% reported offering all core ACT services. Few facilities offered peer support, employment, and housing services. Compared with programs at facilities that did not offer all core ACT services, facilities with ACT programs that offered these services had higher odds of being publicly owned (odds ratio [OR]=2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.64-2.74) and of receiving federal (OR=3.60, CI=2.17-5.98) or grant funding (OR=1.87, CI=1.45-2.41). Facilities with ACT that offered all core services also had higher odds of offering other services important to individuals with serious mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial differences existed in availability of ACT and ACT-like programs among states, with evidence of a large unmet need overall, even when a very broad and inclusive definition of ACT was used. Few ACT programs offered all core services. Legislative, administrative, and funding differences may explain some of the variability.

An Open Trial of Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE)-A 6-Week Dyadic Parenting Intervention for Children with Externalizing Behavior Problems.

Research shows that parenting interventions are plagued with the problem of early treatment termination. A brief 6-week intervention, parent-child care (PC-CARE) was developed to minimize the time investment for parents while maximizing the probability of improving behavioral problems of their 1-10 year old children. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of PC-CARE and examine preliminary outcomes. The data were collected as part of an open trial in a community mental health clinic and included pre- and post-treatment performance outcomes, weekly measures of treatment progress, and assessments of treatment fidelity. Participants were 64 children and their primary caregivers, referred by physicians, social workers, or self-referred for help with their children's difficult behaviors. The retention rate was 94%. Results of analyses pre- to post-intervention scores showed significant improvements in child behavioral problems as well as improvements in parenting stress and positive parenting skills. The findings suggest that PC-CARE may be a beneficial treatment for children with disruptive behaviors, encourage future research into the efficacy of this brief parenting intervention, and its effectiveness in other populations and contexts.

The impact of unemployment on mental health examined in a community mental health unit during the recent financial crisis in Greece.

Financial crisis has significant impact on the mental health of the population, resulting in increasing incidence of mental disorders and suicides. Specific social and financial factors mediate the effects of financial crisis on mental health, such as poverty, financial difficulties and unemployment. During the recent international financial crisis, studies in many countries have shown that the worsening of various mental health indicators was related to financial difficulties and unemployment. In Greece, which is one of the countries that experienced intense and prolonged economic and social burden due to the recent crisis, the epidemiological findings were similar and the increase of the prevalence of major depression and suicide was excessive. However, the information about the mental health of the population deriving from health services is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the crisis on community mental health -more specifically the rates of mental disorders and suicide, as well as the role of unemployment- among the new cases of a community mental health unit. The sample consisted of 1,865 adult users, men and women, who came seeking for help to the Byron-Kessariani Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) during the years 2008-2013, i.e. the early years of the current crisis. Regarding the rates of the diagnostic categories in the new cases of CMHC per year, no significant differentiation was observed. There was an increase in the proportion of the unemployed individuals in the total sample of new cases during the study, from 9.65% in 2008 to 26.17% in 2013 and a significant association between unemployment and the occurrence of anxiety and depressive disorders, as indicated by the increase in the proportion of unemployed individuals among new cases with disorders of these categories. There was an upward trend in the rate of new patients referred to CMHC after a suicide attempt, which was doubled during the first years of the crisis. There was also an increase in the rate of unemployed individuals among these cases, from 10% in 2008 to 41.7% in 2009, reaching the highest level in 2011 (53.3%). The findings of this study suggest that during economic crisis unemployment plays an important role in the development of anxiety and depressive disorders and is closely related to suicide attempts. Our results were derived from a specific catchment area and therefore they have high ecological validity.

Community mental health center staff attitudes about employment for persons with serious mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: To measure community mental health agency staff attitudes about employment for persons with serious mental illness. METHODS: An online survey was developed and sent to 2,218 staff at 4 community mental health centers (CMHC) in 1 New England state. The survey collected quantitative and qualitative data about staff attitudes about employment for persons with serious mental illness. Descriptive statistics and qualitative results are provided. Results from analysis of variance are provided as well, assessing differences in staff views by staff characteristics. RESULTS: A mix of clinical and administrative staff participated in the survey (N = 221). Staff views on the benefits of work, the ability of clients to handle the demands of the worker role, and client motivation to work were mixed. Staff with higher levels of education held significantly more supportive views than those with less education. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: CMHC staff need to consistently convey supportive attitudes about employment to their clients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Evaluación del Plan de Servicios Individualizado tras diez años de funcionamiento en dos distritos de Barcelona / Evaluation of the Individualized Services Plan after ten years of functioning in two districts of Barcelona

El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar la efectividad del Plan de Servicios individualizado (PSI) tras sus primeros 10 años de funcionamiento. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo sobre la efectividad del programa teniendo en cuenta variables clínicas, psicosociales y de utilización de servicios. Se realizan comparaciones de estas variables en el momento en que las personas entran y salen del programa. El PSI se muestra efectivo en las medidas de funcionamiento clínico y psicosocial, y se observa una disminución significativa de ingresos hospitalarios. La mayoría de personas atendidas mantuvo continuidad de su atención al alta. Además, se realiza una comparativa entre los primeros 5 años de funcionamiento del programa frente a los 5 siguientes en la que se observa únicamente una disminución de la intensidad de la intervención. Finalmente, se realiza un estudio de la relación entre variables consideradas importantes. En general, el PSI se muestra efectivo en la atención a las personas con trastorno mental grave de larga evolución y con dificultades de vinculación a los servicios

The objective of this work is to assess the effectiveness of the Individualized Service Plan (PSI) after 10 years of functioning. It is a retrospective study that takes into account clinical, psychosocial and variables related to use of services. Comparisons of these variables between the time people enter and leave the program are made. PSI is effective in measures of clinical and psychosocial functioning, and a significant decrease in hospitalization is observed. The majority of people received continuity of care after discharge. In addition, the comparison between the first 5 years of operation of the program and the following 5 years yielded only a decrease in the intensity of the intervention. Finally, a study of the relationship between variables considered important is carried out. Overall, the PSI is effective in the care of patients with long-term severe mental illness and with difficulties in maintaining contact with services