View clinical trials related to Mental Illness.
Filter by:This study has been designed to conduct a pilot evaluation of a novel model of support aimed at promoting community integration (CI) following homelessness. This model is called the Peer to Community Model (P2C). The P2C model is an outreach peer support model aimed at facilitating CI for individuals living with concurrent disorders following homelessness. This approach uses relationship-building and engagement in meaningful activity facilitated by peer support specialists (PSS) in concert with occupational therapy (OT) and social work (SW) consultation. This model includes four distinct components: 1) peer support delivered in a community space dedicated to the program or community locations at a maximum ratio of 10:1; 2) OT and SW offering consultation to PSSs and service users; 3) a weekly support meeting for PSSs, OT and SW aimed at providing a venue for problem-solving through complex cases and providing mutual emotional support in the context of service delivery with a complex population; and 4) opportunities for social enterprise (developing ideas for income generation) within the community space. ***NOTE: This is a single model of support that includes the components identified above - these are not separate interventions, but various components of one intervention designed in previous research by the study team. In this clinical trial, the investigators will implement the P2C model for the first time. The study team will conduct a pilot study using an open randomized controlled trial, crossover design. A total of 20 participants will be assigned randomly to the intervention group, where they will receive P2C supports at baseline, and 20 participants will be assigned to a waitlist condition for six months, after which time, they will be offered the P2C intervention. Participants will be interviewed at baseline and every three months using mixed (qualitative and quantitative) interviews. Waitlisted participants will be interviewed during these same intervals using the same interview protocols, and while waiting, will receive care as usual.
Stories of suffering and struggle are shared continuously through digital formats such as internet videos, news stories, social marketing, and fundraising campaigns. Digital stories are often created and shared to generate awareness about a problem, impart knowledge on contemporary issues, or promote compassion. The practice of sharing critical life events and insights provided by these experiences are valuable for tellers and the listeners alike for catharsis, healing, reconciliation, and connectiveness. Portrayals of mental suffering are a matter of cultural and social interest as new media products become available to the public. Studies published since the 1990s overwhelmingly conclude that formal media depictions are biased, promoting the stereotype that people who suffer emotionally are mentally ill, dangerous, violent, or insane. Various agencies, organizations, and corporations are actively working to provide alternative stories/narratives to mainstream media by means of video testimonials in social marketing and fundraising campaigns and, ultimately, by taking advantage of the Internet. The impact of this work is under-researched. However, preliminary evaluations of social marketing campaigns report mixed results and raise questions about their effectiveness. As well, the first-person narrative prepared digitally and shared online is also providing alternative narratives to mainstream media stories. People are increasingly using digital videos to share their stories, viewing this as an opportunity to understand their emotions and thoughts, come to terms with disgrace around sensitive, personal issues and marginalization while providing hope and encouragement to others. This proposed study focuses on the process of creating digital narratives/stories, especially stories of mental and emotional suffering, and their impact in terms of inciting empathy, compassion, and good citizenship among viewers.
In 2015 the Norwegian government, after initiative from user organizations, decided to implement medication free inpatient treatment units. The goal is to secure real options to medication for psychiatric illness, and to gather experiences with medication free options. Freedom of choice is a main concern. The projects main aim is to study the outcome of medication free treatments of mental illness compared to treatment as usual, as well as characteristics of the treatment and the treatment population and why patients choose this treatment. Hereunder we aim to document who asks for these kinds of services and why, what kind of treatment they get, how they experience it, and how they respond to this kind of treatment. An important part will be to document whether the goal of increased freedom of choice between real treatment options is fulfilled. Research questions 1. Does medication free treatment differ from treatment as usual? Are there any unique characteristics of the patient group who asks for this kind of treatment? What kind of treatment do they receive during their stay? How do they experience this treatment in comparison to treatment as usual? How is this in relation to the goals about increased freedom of choice? Does use of medication change during and/or after medication free treatment? 2. Why do patients choose medication free treatment? What are their reasons? What experiences lead to this wish? 3. What is the outcome of medication free treatment compared to treatment as usual?
64,000 Veterans are released annually from jails and prisons. These Veterans have a weekly unemployment rate of up to 40-55%. However, many are unable to access traditional vocational rehabilitation, not to mention specialized vocational rehabilitation for those with felony histories. Distance learning may be effective in improving access to rehabilitation as well as improving employment outcomes. The Compass system was developed to incorporate both synchronous and asynchronous distance learning to provide effective services. This study will evaluate 150 Veterans with histories of legal convictions and mental illness and/or a substance use disorder. Veterans will be randomly assigned to either a basic vocational resources condition or the the Compass condition. In the basic condition, Veterans will be provided with basic information about where they can access vocational services and a paper version of a vocational reintegration manual, specifically the About Face Vocational Manual. Veterans assigned to the Compass condition will be given access to the online instruction through Videos, live chat features, and tele-health practice interviews with feedback. Veterans will be followed for 6 months. The primary outcomes are employment and interview skills.