Thème : Quality primary care

I’ve written blog entries here before about the Antidepressant Skills Workbook, a free evidence-based self-care tool developed over a decade ago, which can be downloaded in English, French, Punjabi, Chinese, Farsi and Vietnamese; and also as an audio book (sadly, only in English so far). Also available for free download on that site are versions of the workbook focused on mood self-control for the workplace

In Quebec, there are many ad campaigns designed to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Of particular note are ads by the Mental Illness Foundation. The campaign Demander de l’aide, c’est fort! by the Centre de prévention du suicide du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean also seeks to shatter the image that asking for help is a sign of weakness, redefining it instead as a sign of strength. This type of innovation is reflected in the Et moi, comment ça va?[1] project recently established by the Centre de prévention du suicide de Québec (CPSQ).

In a previous piece for Quintessence, I wrote about Supported Self Management (SSM) for mood problems, surprisingly effective despite minimal cost and easy implementation. SSM involves teaching patients evidence-based methods for dealing with depression more effectively. The patient is provided with the Antidepressant Skills Workbook along with some support from a healthcare professional, peer support worker or family member. The skills taught in the workbook are based on cognitive behavioural therapy.

In 2011, five universities within the Université du Québec network (UQ) introduced a master’s of nursing program in mental health and psychiatric care. Like the nurse practitioners specialized in primary care or other fields, the role of the nurse practitioner in mental health and psychiatry seems obvious. Unfortunately however, it does not seem so obvious to many in government and even less so among our psychiatrist colleagues. Many difficult questions have been raised about what type of nursing should be given priority; should a title be created for the specialized nurse practitioner rather than hoping that specialized mental health nurse practitioners will hold a place of their own, or will either ever see the light of day because of the confusion surrounding these employment categories?

In her March 2013 editorial, OIIQ President Lucie Tremblay emphasized that Quebec’s 72 000 nurses are a force to be reckoned with, and asked them to combine their efforts in view of changing the health care system, adding, “as professionals, we must promote our expertise and make the most of it to ensure that the population has access to quality care.” There are over 4000 mental health and psychiatric nurses working at every level of the health system. By asserting their leadership, they can help better meet the increasingly complex needs of the population.

For decades, social workers have been active in the field of mental health through interventions involving people and their environment. They consider individuals’ subjective reality, context and living conditions, as well as their social roles and network, from a perspective of recovery, empowerment, full citizenship and social justice.

It is increasingly recognized that family members play a vital role in supporting individuals with mental health problems, since they are the main source of support in about 60 to 70% of cases. While family members have always played an informal role in supporting loved ones made vulnerable due to mental illness, today their role […]

Community organizations have played a pivotal role in the development of Supported Self-management (SSM) for many years. The key element in that support is ensuring that individuals afflicted with a mental disorder are involved in decisions about their own mental health.

Suicide is a complex and multidimensional health issue that affects Quebec society more than most. Known risk factors are present in several segments of the population

Depression has long been more readily associated with women because, for some, “real men don’t get depressed”. This belief is addressed in an Australian initiative[1] to battle depression, which reflects an international trend: health promotion campaigns that challenge traditional male norms. Why? For the simple reason that men who are more traditional and rigid in […]