Community Mental Health Promotion Project
Assignment 2 includes the following:
Select a psychiatric condition or mental health issue. In your self-introduction posting, identify the psychiatric condition or mental health issue that you will focus on throughout the course. Ideally this focus is of interest to you and relevant in your community.
Do some background research on the condition or issue you identified and focus on understanding the personal, familial and community impact of your chosen topic.
Conduct a scholarly search of the incidence and prevalence of your chosen topic, and include local, regional and national/international statistics/figures (when possible).
Contact via e-mail or telephone a resource person in your area. (For example, you could contact a staff member at a local Canadian Mental Health Association. Other examples of resource persons in your workplace community include: a registered nurse specializing in psychiatry, a registered psychiatric nurse, a social worker, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a spiritual leader involved with mental illness/health programs). Based on his or her experience, ask your resource person to describe the relevance and impact of this condition in your community and to outline some resources available and the effectiveness or impact of these resources. Be sure to cite information gathered from any resource persons as “personal communication” using APA format.
Assess the breadth and effectiveness of the services and supports available in your community for your focus condition/issue. You may wish to include information received from the resource person or persons you have contacted.
Review assessment, screening and referral tools applicable to the condition/issue you selected.
Select an assessment tool that would be used for your condition/issue of focus. Locate and review information on the original publication where the tool was first presented. Locate at least one additional research study testing the reliability and validity of the tool. (Note – you start this in Unit 3 – Required – Learning Activity 1: Assessment Tool Review).
Compile a summary of these elements as they form your Community Mental Health Promotion Project. Use a format that allows you to demonstrate that you have attended to each element of the project. The format could be a power-point presentation, a video, a web site etc. appropriate for a professional audience.
Marking Guide for the Community Mental Health Promotion Project
Content
The following elements are included:
Introduction of the project.
Identification of a psychiatric condition or mental health issue.
Description of the impact of the condition/issue on individuals, families, and communities. Discussion of the relevance of the condition/issue in your community.
An outline of the incidence and prevalence of the condition/issue from credible sources is included.
Topic: Postpartum Depression
Personal Impact:
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition that can affect women after childbirth. It is estimated that up to 1 in 7 women experience PPD. Symptoms of PPD can include sadness, anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and changes in appetite. PPD can make it difficult to bond with the baby and can have a negative impact on the mother’s relationships and quality of life.
Familial Impact:
PPD can have a significant impact on the family. Mothers with PPD may have difficulty caring for themselves and their babies. They may also be withdrawn and irritable, which can make it difficult for their partners and other family members to connect with them. PPD can also lead to marital problems and conflict.
Community Impact:
PPD is a major public health problem. It is estimated that the annual cost of PPD in the United States is $6.4 billion. PPD can also lead to other mental health problems, such as substance abuse and suicide.
Incidence and Prevalence:
The incidence and prevalence of PPD varies depending on the population studied. However, it is estimated that up to 1 in 7 women experience PPD worldwide. In Canada, the prevalence of PPD is estimated to be between 10% and 20%.
Local, Regional, and National/International Statistics:
Impact of PPD in the Community:
PPD can have a significant impact on the community. Mothers with PPD may have difficulty caring for themselves and their babies, which can lead to problems such as child neglect and abuse. PPD can also lead to marital problems and divorce. Additionally, mothers with PPD are more likely to experience other mental health problems, such as substance abuse and suicide.
Resources Available:
There are a number of resources available to help women with PPD. These resources include:
Effectiveness of Resources:
The effectiveness of resources for PPD varies depending on the individual and the type of resource used. However, there is evidence that mental health treatment and support groups can be effective in reducing the symptoms of PPD.
Assessment, Screening, and Referral Tools:
There are a number of assessment, screening, and referral tools available for PPD. Some of these tools include:
Assessment Tool Review:
I have selected the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as the assessment tool that I would use for PPD. The EPDS is a widely used and well-validated screening tool for PPD. It is also brief and easy to administer, which makes it suitable for use in a variety of settings.
Original Publication:
The EPDS was originally published by Cox et al. in 1987. The study found that the EPDS had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 78% for detecting PPD.
Reliability and Validity:
The EPDS has been shown to be a reliable and valid screening tool for PPD. A number of studies have found that the EPDS has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting PPD.
Community Mental Health Promotion Project:
My community mental health promotion project will focus on increasing awareness of PPD and reducing the stigma associated with it. I will also provide information about resources available to help women with PPD.
Format:
I will create a website to promote my pr