Researchers call for clarity about the health problem

February 19, 2022:

A new review of models used around the world to assess, diagnose, research, and manage mental health problems reveals a number of avenues that exist.

The review was published in the Journal of Mental Health.

Looking at over 100 books on ‘mental health’ or ‘mental illness’ in some way, researchers from the University of Bath (UK) and Bern University of Applied Sciences found (Switzerland) some 34 different theoretical models used by scientists, researchers. and users of mental health services to understand the nature of health problems.

Importantly, they do not know the benchmarks that can be used to first apply why one model is used over another. This is important, they say, because how mental health problems are understood depends on how people with health problems are evaluated and supported.

From biological models (looking at problems with the body or brain), to psychology (looking at thinking and nature), sociological (looking at the nature of human life ), to patterns perceived by consumers and cultural thinkers (showing. perceptions of people treated by mental health services and thinking about how medications can be adapted to different cultures ).

In the past, policymakers and experts have tried to reach an agreement on the use of so-called ‘bio-psycho-social models’-a catch-all term, e.g. pulling things out of all sorts – as if this agreement had been broken. researchers.

The group said it was important for them to see the increase in perceived health problems. According to the Mental Health Foundation, in the past week, it is estimated that one in six people have a chronic health problem. However, they are also relevant to how mental health problems are understood and measured.

Co-researcher, Dr Jeremy Dixon from the University of Bath’s Department of Social & Policy Sciences and Center for the Analysis of Social Policy, explained, “There is a greater sense of uncertainty about a mental health problem. in recent years due to an increase in the number of mental health conditions identified in the textbooks used by physicians and psychiatrists. “

Professor Dirk Richter, from Bern University of Applied Sciences, added, “Mental health problems are often presented as something understood by medicine and psychiatry. Not just educators. yes

Questions such as, ‘what are the health risks?’ or ‘what does it mean to be mentally ill?’ have implications in health care systems. They can change decisions about who gets a mental health service and how to describe conditions such as anger. “

“One way out of this problem is to ask service users what model they think is best for them and their care.”

Given the large number of models used by trainers, researchers are now calling for more training on how to use different mental health models in practice. They argued that this debate needed more input from non -medical professionals and service users.

“Psychologists say they want to use a bio-psycho-social model in their daily practice, but our research shows a breakdown of this trend. It’s just beginning. other professions such as nurses and laborers will be heard, ”said Dr Dixon.

“Mental health services need to be aware of the range of concerns currently held by users of services. Rather than requiring users of services to consent to biological or psychological characteristics , professionals need to understand and act on people’s needs, ”Professor Richter said. ET HealthWorld