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Too many patients are restrained

September 15th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Too many patients are restrained)

A recent study confirms that one in four psychiatric patients in Ontario was restrained or isolated while in treatment

The use of control interventions, including physical and mechanical restraints, acute control medications and seclusion, is understood to be a method of last resort in care facilities and hospitals. However, according to a new analysis [opens to PDF] from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), nearly one in four (24%) individuals admitted to a designated mental health bed in Ontario experienced at least one type of control intervention during their hospitalization.

Patients admitted to a general hospital, as opposed to a psychiatric hospital, were actually more likely to experience the use of restraint(s). (more…)

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Suppressing schizophrenia

September 1st, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Suppressing schizophrenia)

Mental health advocate Susan Inman says schizophrenia is invisible in Canada’s new mental health strategy

In 2007, the Government of Canada established a group called the Mental Health Commission of Canada to develop a national mental health strategy. The commission, headed by Michael Kirby, is due to release its strategy document in early 2012. A draft copy of that strategy [opens to PDF], not intended to be available to the public, is currently being finalized. (more…)

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“The walls are alive” in Toronto

July 14th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

A patient-built wall in Toronto stands as a monument and an emotional manuscript, and stars in a play

In 1860, patients at an Ontario psychiatric hospital helped to build a brick wall that would conceal them and their lives from the surrounding world for more than one hundred years. The wall still exists as both a monument and emotional manuscript to the lives lived at what then was called an ‘asylum’. This week, during Toronto Mad Pride, The Friendly Spike Theatre Band performs “The Walls are Alive” at the outdoor site of the patient-built wall. (more…)

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The social construction of mental illness

June 23rd, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The social construction of mental illness)

banner pfr“Mental illness”, diagnoses, and associated concepts are all social constructions, but the professions haven’t yet recognized it, psychologist says

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In the mental health holding cell

June 23rd, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on In the mental health holding cell)

Multiple fingers point to a ‘debacle’ unfolding at the psychiatric emergency service in Victoria, British Columbia

The Archie Courtnall Centre [opens to PDF], also known as the Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES), is connected to the ER at Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital. Two years after its opening, the number of patients trying to access services at PES was overwhelming what was available. The clinical director resigned, saying the PES had “become the default processing centre for addicted individuals seeking treatment” due to lack of detox beds in the region. (more…)

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From old school to new school

June 16th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on From old school to new school)

Consensus about the value of recovery-based health systems and programs grows, but how are they best implemented?

The goal of many mental health services and treatments is now recovery. This wasn’t always the case. In the past, mental health professionals told people with mental illness and their families that most illnesses got worse over time. People were told to lower their expectations. But now recovery is the goal—and it can mean anything from the complete absence of the symptoms of mental illness to living a full life in the community while learning to live with ongoing symptoms. [Source: Canadian Mental Health Association]

What is the “recovery model” and how does it differ from old school approaches? And how can a recovery model be implemented? (more…)

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