This book takes a comprehensive approach to all aspects of mental health, holistically examining the cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of mental health. By examining mental health from a variety of perspectives, the authors have created a holistic view that incorporates public health, medicine and psychiatry, psychology, counseling, and health education. Both classic and contemporary sources support the basic premise of the text, that total health is a complex tapestry of many wellness factors, but that mental health is the integrating cloth woven throughout that lends substance and support to the quality of human experience. For mental or emotional health counselors.
How do you define good mental health? This controversial, counterintuitive, and altogether fascinating book argues that "psychological normality" is neither a desirable nor an acceptable standard. Normality Does Not Equal Mental Health: The Need to Look Elsewhere for Standards of Good Psychological Health is a groundbreaking work, the first book-length study to question the equation of psychological normality and mental health. Its author, Dr. Steven James Bartlett, musters compelling evidence and careful analysis to challenge the paradigm accepted by mental health theorists and practitioners, a paradigm that is not only wrong, but can be damaging to those to whom it is applied—and to society as a whole. In this bold, multidisciplinary work, Bartlett critiques the presumed standard of normality that permeates contemporary consciousness. Showing that the current concept of mental illness is fundamentally unacceptable because it is scientifically unfounded and the result of flawed thinking, he argues that adherence to the gold standard of psychological normality leads to nothing less than cultural impoverishment.
The past half-century has been marked by major changes in the treatment of mental illness: important advances in understanding mental illnesses, increases in spending on mental health care and support of people with mental illnesses, and the availability of new medications that are easier for the patient to tolerate. Although these changes have made things better for those who have mental illness, they are not quite enough. In Better But Not Well, Richard G. Frank and Sherry A. Glied examine the well-being of people with mental illness in the United States over the past fifty years, addressing issues such as economics, treatment, standards of living, rights, and stigma. Marshaling a range of new empirical evidence, they first argue that people with mental illness—severe and persistent disorders as well as less serious mental health conditions—are faring better today than in the past. Improvements have come about for unheralded and unexpected reasons. Rather than being a result of more effective mental health treatments, progress has come from the growth of private health insurance and of mainstream social programs—such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, housing vouchers, and food stamps—and the development of new treatments that are easier for patients to tolerate and for physicians to manage. The authors remind us that, despite the progress that has been made, this disadvantaged group remains worse off than most others in society. The "mainstreaming" of persons with mental illness has left a policy void, where governmental institutions responsible for meeting the needs of mental health patients lack resources and programmatic authority. To fill this void, Frank and Glied suggest that institutional resources be applied systematically and routinely to examine and address how federal and state programs affect the well-being of people with mental illness.
This book takes as its inspiration the assumption that the atmosphere of intellectual openness, scientific inquiry, aspiration towards diversity, and freedom from political pressure that once flourished in the American Psychological Association has been eclipsed by an "ultra-liberal agenda," in which voices of dissent, controversial points of view, and minority groups are intimidated, ridiculed and censored. Chapters written by established and revered practitioners explore these important issues within the contexts of social change, the ways in which mental health services providers view themselves and their products, and various economic factors that have affected healthcare cost structure and delivery. In short, this book is intended to help consumers, practitioners, and policy makers to become better educated about a variety of recent issues and trends that have significantly changed the mental health fields.
This thoroughly updated second edition of MENTAL WELLNESS IN ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME is upbeat and accessible in tone, yet encyclopedic in scope. The size of the book reflects both the breadth of the authors' knowledge--acquired as cofounders of the first medical clinic dedicated solely to the care of adults with Down syndrome--and the number of psychosocial issues and mental disorders that can affect people with Down syndrome. It's the go-to guide for parents, health practitioners, and caregivers who support teens and adults with Down syndrome. MENTAL WELLNESS emphasizes that understanding and appreciating both the strengths and challenges of people with Down syndrome is the key to promoting good mental health. It shows readers how to distinguish between bona fide mental health issues and common characteristics of Down syndrome--quirks or coping strategies. For example, although talking to oneself can be a sign of psychosis, many adults with Down syndrome use self-talk as an effective problem-solving strategy. The second edition includes new chapters on sensory issues (written by Dr. Katie Frank) and regression, expanded and now separate chapters on communication, concrete thinking, and visual memory, and an extensively updated chapter on Alzheimer's disease citing abundant new research. Other chapters cover a range of conditions and assessment and treatment options: What Is Normal? Self-Esteem & Self-Image Self-Talk Grooves & Flexibility Life-Span Issues Social Skills Mood & Anxiety Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Psychotic Disorders Eating Refusal Challenging Behavior Self-Injurious Behavior Autism Tics, Tourette Syndrome & Stereotypies While it's not inevitable that people with Down syndrome will experience mental health problems, certain biological differences and environmental stressors can create greater susceptibility. Assessment and treatment options are detailed for each condition. With this guide, caregivers will be able to foster good mental health and troubleshoot challenging mental health issues.
Mental health and well-being are becoming increasingly important areas of focus in education, yet schools often find themselves lacking the tools, time and resources to tackle the issues. Mental health support is frequently seen as an additional responsibility of the school setting, rather than a core aspect of it. This practical, fully accessible book provides straightforward guidance and low-budget strategies to help school settings get mental health support right. With a focus on the well-being of both students and staff, chapters focus on techniques to develop self-esteem, manage behaviour and build positive relationships at all levels. Key features include: low-cost and easy-to-implement strategies suitable for the busy classroom environment, as well as whole school approaches downloadable activities and planning sheets based on cognitive behavioural therapy techniques a focus on building strong foundations based on mental health basics Refreshingly honest and conscious of the realities of the school environment, this book is a crucial tool for anybody working within education.
This crucial volume provides a concise overview of the conceptual foundations and clinical methods underlying the rapidly emerging subspecialty of integrative mental healthcare. It discusses methods for guiding practitioners to individualized integrative strategies that address unique symptoms and circumstances for each patient and includes practical clinical techniques for developing interventions addressed at wellness, prevention, and treatment. Included among the overview: Meeting the challenges of mental illness through integrative mental health care. Evolving paradigms and their impact on mental health care Models of consciousness: How they shape understandings of normal mental functioning and mental illness Foundations of methodology in integrative mental health care Treatment planning in integrative mental health care The future of mental health care A New Paradigm for Integrative Mental Healthcare is relevant and timely for the increasing numbers of patients seeking integrative and alternative care for depressed mood, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health problems such as fatigue and chronic pain. “Patients are crying out for a more integrative approach, and this exemplary book provides the template for achieving such a vision.” -Jerome Sarris, MHSc, PhD, ND “For most conventionally trained clinicians the challenge is not “does CAM work?” but “how do I integrate CAM into my clinical practice?” Lake’s comprehensive approach answers this central question, enabling the clinician to plan truly integrative and effective care for the mind and body.” -Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH
Bringing together treatment and referral advice from existing guidelines, this text aims to improve access to services and recognition of common mental health disorders in adults and provide advice on the principles that need to be adopted to develop appropriate referral and local care pathways.
Good habits form early; bad ones are hard to change. Stressing prevention, each title in the Living Well series calmly teaches children how to avoid accidents or health problems-while swimming, in a fire, or through proper sleep and hygiene routines. The series also explains chronic illnesses many children face, including diabetes and asthma. A frequently asked question-and-answer section and detailed sidebars help young readers understand the importance of staying safe and healthy throughout their lives.
Filled with strategies and advice, this empowering guide presents practical ways to improve the mental wellbeing of people on the Autism Spectrum. This helpful guide focusses on the specific difficulties that can arise for people on the autism spectrum who may also experience a mental illness. The book includes information on common mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, as well as strategies for improving sleep patterns and mindfulness. Providing guidance on the benefits and drawbacks of therapy pets, medication, and psychotherapy, the authors offer balanced perspectives on treatment options and introduce self-help strategies tailored to meet your needs and improve your mental wellbeing. A number of short personal narratives from people on the autism spectrum and mental health issues illustrate the text. The book also includes a list of resources, books and organisations that can provide further support and inspiration.
