The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

Sodi, Tholene; Jidong, Dung Ezekiel; Bailey, Di

2022 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-03-2022-131

King, Jolene; Devonish, Dwayne

2022 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-07-2021-0085

The purpose of this study is to examine the mental health challenges of residents of Barbados during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationships between residents’ demographics, COVID-19 perceptions and mental health outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe study surveyed 450 predominantly Black Caribbean respondents to examine their mental ill-health on the various dimensions of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28 measure and the relationships with demographics and COVID-19 perceptions.FindingsConfirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four-factor model solution of GHQ-28 over the single factor solution. Barbadians were generally mild in their mental ill-health on the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction and severe depression dimensions but were at least moderately strained on the anxiety and insomnia dimensions. Younger and unemployed Barbadian respondents reported more adverse mental health outcomes, and perceived severity of COVID-19 infection significantly predicted three of the four dimensions of mental distress (excluding severe depression).Research limitations/implicationsThe study used a cross-sectional self-report survey research design which does not permit causal inferences. Further research is advised to ascertain the longitudinal effects of COVID-19 perceptions over time on mental health outcomes.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings suggest the need for nation-wide, multi-stakeholder interventions or approaches in responding mental health challenges of the population during this crisis.Originality/valueThe study was the first to examine the mental health outcomes, using GHQ-28, in a small Caribbean country – which represents an underserved space in mental health research. It is the first to empirically examine the relationship between COVID-19 perceptions of Afro-Caribbean people in this region and their resultant mental health outcomes.

Jean-Charles, Wismick; McGee, Jocelyn Shealy; Jean-Baptiste, Marie Judith; Joseph, Vanessa Irlande; Rouzier, Doris Gracita

2022 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-07-2021-0079

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti. Haiti is the world’s first black-led republic. It is also the only nation established by slave revolt and the first independent Caribbean state. In this case study, the development and pilot implementation of the first telepsychology initiative in the country of Haiti is described. The initiative was designed to provide psychoeducational and emotional support to community members and frontline health workers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in this under-resourced country.Design/methodology/approachA multi-stakeholder approach was used and brought together local, national and international partners from governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as the academic community. Program data was collected from May 2020 through November 2021. The initiative was implemented across four regions of Haiti: Nord, Artibonite, Reste-Quest and Sud.FindingsA total of 701 individuals received telepsychology services. More community members participated (n = 508 sessions) than frontline health workers (n = 193 sessions). Service utilization ranged from one to four counseling sessions. Initial data suggest that telepsychology is a potentially acceptable and feasible option to increase access to mental health services in Haiti. Significant logistical and cultural concerns must be taken into consideration to refine services.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the telepsychology initiative is the first of its kind and may serve as an exemplar for other similar countries with limited mental health resources. The authors provide information on successes, barriers and lessons learned as well as recommendations for enhancing services.

Rogers, Margaret R.; Churchill, Erin D.; Shahid, Mehwish; Davis, Teressa O.; Mandojana-Ducot, Crassandra

2022 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-07-2021-0086

This study involves a content analysis of research published from 2000 to 2018 about American Indian students with the principal aim to identify investigations addressing the supportive factors that contribute to student academic success. Secondary aims involved better understanding the parameters of the investigations, such as sample tribal affiliations and journal outlets.Design/methodology/approachOut of 6,341 total articles published in PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO and Education Resources Information Center over the time period, 86 articles covering the pre-school to college age years were identified, almost evenly distributed between pre-college (n = 42, 48.8%); and college age samples (n = 44, 51.2%). The 86 articles account for a mere 1.4% of all published articles over the 19 year period. A community cultural wealth approach (Yosso, 2005) was used as a framework for understanding the myriad of strengths students bring to their school experiences and was used as a lens for interpreting the study findings.FindingsWhen disaggregated, the most common supports for pre-college age youth were culturally-sensitive schooling, personal/intrinsic qualities along with family and social support. For college age students, the most common supports were university personnel, community-based supports and student intrinsic factors. Further results, study limitations and implications are discussed.Originality/valueThis research is original.

Makgahlela, Mpsanyana; Mabidilala, Mokgadi; Lesolang, Nkeke; Jidong, Dung Ezekiel; Monera-Penduka, Tsitsi Grace

2022 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-07-2021-0087

In bereavement, memories of the loss, especially traumatic ones, can be distressful and complicate the grieving process. Although some conventional therapies have proven beneficial in lessening complicated bereavement, African indigenous methods used for the same purpose have not been well-documented. This study explored Northern Sotho traditional healers’ lived experiences regarding the medicinal benefits of Bolebatša when used in mental health-care.Design/methodology/approachUsing interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study explored traditional healers’ (n = 19; 5 = males; females = 14; mean age = 65 years, SD: 11.6) experiences and their insights regarding the management of traumatic memories in bereavement. Participating healers were sampled using convenience and snowball strategies while data was collected using face-to-face dialogues, observations and a digital camera. Qualitatively derived data was transcribed and translated from the local language to English before it was analysed phenomenologically.FindingsData analysis resulted in four major themes: characterisation of Bolebatša as a herb used to manage mental and spiritual conditions; descriptions of the herb’s administration, dosage and related user health risk; perceived therapeutic benefits of the herb; and observed link between herbal medicine and African spirituality. The study findings suggest that the Bolebatša herb, derived from the tree scientifically called Lannea schweinfurthii is primarily used to induce forgetfulness of bereavement and trauma-related memories to enhance coping.Research limitations/implicationsWhilst this study illustrates the perceived healing benefits of Bolebatša in mental health care, it is noted that the findings may not necessarily be extrapolated to other contexts. Therefore, more studies are needed with the participation of traditional healers from different ethnic backgrounds to lend support to the present findings. Data from service users’ experience of traditional healing in conjunction with traditional healers would have further benefited this study.Practical implicationsThe findings are important for mental health professions as they open avenues for other forms of treatment for mental conditions that also need attention. Equally, there is a need for western trained mental health-care practitioners and researchers to study indigenous knowledge systems of healing for reverse knowledge transfer purposes.Social implicationsThe findings also call on governments, and in this context, the South African government, to recognise, support and empower traditional healers as important role players in primary mental health care. Collaboration between western mental health practitioners and traditional healers could indeed be one important strategy towards the relief of the overwhelmed mental health-care systems in low-and-middle-income countries such as is the case in South Africa.Originality/valueThe findings open new avenues to scientific explorations of the significance of traditional medicines in bereavement care and coping. More importantly, on the Bolebatša herb’s anti-depressive and memory altering effects in mental health care.

Hoskins, David; Platt, Jason

2022 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-05-2021-0043

The purpose of this study is to investigate psychotherapists’ perspectives on collaborations with curanderxs that may improve patient outcomes. All participants have licensed psychotherapists (marriage and family therapist, social work and psychology), between ages 40 and 60 years, and spoke both English and Spanish. They had a wide range of experience practicing in the field (5 to 33 years), the number of clients they had worked with of Mexican descent (10 to 2,000), and times they had collaborated with curanderxs (2 to 3 to more than 40). Interviews lasted 2 h.Design/methodology/approachPhenomenological methodology was followed in conducting interviews with eight mainstream mental health practitioners and in identifying codes and themes from the interviews.FindingsCollaboration between psychotherapists and curanderxs is rare. Few mental health training programs provide basic information on curanderismo or on how clinicians might integrate concepts related to indigenous healing approaches into their practices or collaborate with traditional healers. Substantial mistrust between psychotherapists and curanderxs is apparent and impedes collaboration.Originality/valueThe authors believe this to be one of the first integrative models that can provide guidance to services providers who would like to collaborate with traditional healers, not only with Latinx populations but also populations that seek traditional healers for physical, psychological and spiritual healing. Based on study findings, the authors offer educational, clinical and public policy recommendations.