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The aim of this study was to explore young people’s experiences of the role and the processes underpinning the use of alcohol and/or other substances in attempts to end their life. Seven young people, aged 16–25 years old, were interviewed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse these interviews and develop an understanding of how young people understand their attempted suicide in the context of alcohol and/or other substance use. The analysis identified four superordinate themes reflecting young people’s experiences across the seven interviews. Superordinate themes included: i) The complexity of relationships; ii) The double-edged sword of alcohol and substance use; iii) The straw that broke the camel’s back; and iv) Reflecting on the on-going processes of recovery. The results of this study highlight the complex and multifaceted functions of the consumption of alcohol, and other drugs, in the experiences of young people attempting suicide. Young people described a number of inter and intrapersonal factors which impact upon their suicidal experiences including suicidal ideation and attempts. Participants reported using alcohol and substances as methods of coping with distress, low mood, hearing voices, anxiety and mania. However they also reflected on the impact that this has on their own suicidal ideation and attempts.

Background Barriers to accessing mental health care during pregnancy and the first postnatal year (perinatal period) seem to be greater for ethnic minority women; however, there is no reliable large-scale data about their actual use of mental health services during this period. Our study aims to explore access rates to secondary mental health services, including involuntary admissions to psychiatric inpatient care and patterns of engagement for ethnic minority women aged 18+ who gave birth in 2017 in England, UK. Methods Two datasets from the National Commissioning Data Repository, the Acute Inpatient Dataset and Mental Health Services Dataset, were linked. Datasets covering the full perinatal period for each woman were included. Rates were standardised by age and deprivation. Results Out of 615,092 women who gave birth in England in 2017, 22,073 (3.5%) started a contact with mental health services during the perinatal period. In total, 713 (3.2%) were admitted to inpatient care, and 282 (39.5%) involuntarily. Ethnicity data was available for 98% of the sample. Black African, Asian and White Other women had significantly lower access to community mental health services and higher percentages of involuntary admissions than White British women. Black African, Asian and White Other women had a higher number of attended community contacts and fewer non-attendances/cancellations of appointments than White British women. Conclusion Access to mental health services during the perinatal period varies significantly between women from different ethnic groups. Access to community mental health services should be facilitated for Black African, Asian and White Other women during the perinatal period, which may reduce rates of involuntary hospital admissions for these groups. The pattern of engagement with community services for women from these ethnicities indicates that access appears to be a problem rather than utilisation.

Background Perinatal mental illness affects one third of new and expectant mothers. Individuals from ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of mental health problems and higher suicide rates. Despite this, women from ethnic minorities—Black and South Asian women in particular—are less likely to receive support from mental health services in the perinatal period. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) who have contact with women during this period have a unique perspective, and their views may provide insights to understand and remedy this health inequality. This study aimed to identify healthcare professionals’ views on the current accessibility and acceptability of perinatal mental health services, and ways of improving services by addressing the barriers for these women. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four healthcare professionals who work with patients in the perinatal period. Purposive sampling was used to select HCPs from a range of different professions (including mental health staff, midwifery, primary care, social care). The data were analysed using Framework Analysis. Results Three main themes were identified from the data: (1) lack of awareness and understanding of perinatal mental illness and service structure in both healthcare professionals and patients; (2) patients’ relationships with family, friends and healthcare professionals can both hinder and facilitate access to services; (3) healthcare professionals encourage raising awareness, flexibility, developing shared understandings and questioning assumptions to improve the accessibility and acceptability of services. Conclusion Key insights into explaining and remedying the health inequalities observed between ethnic groups were proposed by healthcare professionals. Recommendations included sharing information; taking steps to ensure each woman was considered as an individual in her relationship with her culture, ethnicity and childrearing practices; and healthcare professionals addressing their possible unconscious biases through engaging in personal reflexive practices. Reasons these are currently not being implemented deserve further research, and the potential of novel roles such as peer support workers in bridging the space between ideals and practice needs further investigation.

Background Microdosing psychedelic drugs is a growing phenomenon, but little is known about the experiences surrounding this. Research broadly suggests that people may use psychedelics in an attempt to self-medicate for mental health and wellbeing. However, the precise details, rationale and meaning of such attempts remains unclear, and would benefit from clarification, using tailored experiential methods. This research therefore aimed to explore the way that users make sense of microdosing psychedelics, with a particular focus on the experience of any perceived mental health or wellbeing changes. Method Participants were recruited via websites and online forums. An internet text-based, semi-structured interview was conducted anonymously with 13 participants regarding their experiences of microdosing psychedelic drugs. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Results Three superordinate themes were identified through the interviews: 1) Seeking a solution: Agency and rationale; 2) Microdosers as scientists; 3) Catalysing desirable and beneficial effects. Conclusions All participants approached microdosing methodically and with purpose. Participants reported that they had experienced beneficial effects of microdosing on their mental health, alongside cognitive, physical and social changes. By microdosing, participants reported that they had supported their own mental health and wellbeing, with microdosing described as a catalyst to achieving their aims in this area. This study provided additional knowledge and understanding of the experience, rationale and personal meaning of the microdosing phenomenon which can be used to inform future investigations in the areas of psychedelic use and mental health.

Young people in state care, often due to abuse or neglect, have a four-fold increased risk of drug and alcohol use compared to their peers. The SOLID study aimed to investigate the feasibility of a definitive randomised controlled trial, comparing two behaviour change interventions to reduce risky substance use (illicit drugs and alcohol), and improve mental health, in young people in care. We recruited young people in care aged 12-20 years, self-reporting substance use within the previous 12 months and residing in 1 of 6 participating local authority sites in the North East of England. Participants were randomised to either i. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), ii. Social Behaviour and Network Therapy (SBNT) or iii. Control (usual care). All interventions were delivered by trained drug and alcohol workers. Follow-up data were collected 12 months post recruitment. Feasibility for trial progression was compared to pre-specified stop: go criteria (recruitment of 60% of eligible participants, 80% of participants attending 60% of offered sessions and retention of 70% of participants at 12 month follow up). Of 1450 eligible participants, 860 (59%) were screened for drug and alcohol use by social workers, 211 (24.5%) met inclusion criteria for the trial and 112 young people (7.7%) consented and were randomised. Sixty of these 112 participants (54%) completed 12-month follow-up questionnaires. Only 15 out of the 76 (20%) participants allocated to an intervention arm attended any of the offered MET or SBNT sessions. By reference to pre-specified stop: go criteria it is not feasible to conduct a definitive trial for SOLID in its current format. Despite co-designing procedures with staff and young people in care, the screening, referral and treatment pathway did not work here. Future work may require dedicated clinically embedded research resource to evaluate effectiveness of new interventions in services.

Background Economic evaluation normally requires information to be collected on outcome improvement using utility values. This is often not collected during the treatment of substance use disorders making cost-effectiveness evaluations of therapy difficult. One potential solution is the use of mapping to generate utility values from clinical measures. This study develops and evaluates mapping algorithms that could be used to predict the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-5 L) and the ICEpop CAPability measure for Adults (ICECAP-A) from the three commonly used clinical measures; the CORE-OM, the LDQ and the TOP measures. Methods Models were estimated using pilot trial data of heroin users in opiate substitution treatment. In the trial the EQ-5D-5 L, ICECAP-A, CORE-OM, LDQ and TOP were administered at baseline, three and twelve month time intervals. Mapping was conducted using estimation and validation datasets. The normal estimation dataset, which comprised of baseline sample data, used ordinary least squares (OLS) and tobit regression methods. Data from the baseline and three month time periods were combined to create a pooled estimation dataset. Cluster and mixed regression methods were used to map from this dataset. Predictive accuracy of the models was assessed using the root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute error (MAE). Algorithms were validated using sample data from the follow-up time periods. Results Mapping algorithms can be used to predict the ICECAP-A and the EQ-5D-5 L in the context of opiate dependence. Although both measures can be predicted, the ICECAP-A was better predicted by the clinical measures. There were no advantages of pooling the data. There were 6 chosen mapping algorithms, which had MAE scores ranging from 0.100 to 0.138 and RMSE scores ranging from 0.134 to 0.178. Conclusion It is possible to predict the scores of the ICECAP-A and the EQ-5D-5 L with the use of mapping. In the context of opiate dependence, these algorithms provide the possibility of generating utility values from clinical measures and thus enabling economic evaluation of alternative therapy options. Trial registration ISRCTN22608399 . Date of registration: 27/04/2012. Date of first randomisation: 14/08/2012.

Background Looked after children and care leavers have an increased risk of drug and alcohol use compared to their non-LAC peers. Despite high prevalence rates within this population, looked after children are reported to show low levels of engagement in services resulting in unmet needs emerging from substance use. This paper reports on the initial formative phase of a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial; SOLID ( S upp o rting L ooked After Children and Care Leavers I n D ecreasing Drugs, and Alcohol) that aimed to adapt two evidence-based psychosocial interventions, Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Social Behaviour and Network Therapy, which will aim to reduce substance misuse by looked after children. Methods We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 19 looked after children aged 12 to 20 years old, 16 carers and 14 professionals across four local authorities in the North East of England. The data gathered were analysed and then presented within co-production workshops inclusive of 13 young people and 14 professionals (drug and alcohol practitioners and social workers). Findings were used to adapt and refine the interventions prior to the trial. Results Overall findings suggested that whilst original components of both interventions were feasible to deliver and acceptable, specific process areas were highlighted including: increased emphasis upon therapeutic relationships, the benefits of using creative non-traditional methods of engagement and identification of treatment goals wider than those narrowly focused on substance misuse. Conclusion This paper provides an example of methods used to collect multiple perspectives to refine and co-develop interventions to reduce drug and alcohol use in the specific population of looked after children. Trial registration ISRCTN80786829 (first registered 06.06.2016- prospectively registered).

Background Despite evidence that psychological interventions improve recovery for bipolar disorder, access to these in the United Kingdom is limited; online delivery provides opportunities to increase this. Mood on Track is a psychological therapy programme for bipolar disorder combining a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group intervention with individual relapse prevention. The present study reports on a feasibility and acceptability trial of Mood on Track online, implemented within a routine clinical service, in preparation for a Randomised Controlled Trial. The online version retains the therapeutic elements of the face-to-face intervention, but is delivered via Zoom over more sessions and includes online exercises and breakout rooms. Method A within-groups non-randomised longitudinal interventional study of feasibility and acceptability. Participants completed psychometric questionnaires at four time points from baseline to six months post-group intervention to evaluate change in recovery. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and a future study were assessed by measuring recruitment, intervention attendance and outcome measure completion. Results Rates of recruitment, intervention completion and outcome measure completion demonstrate that Mood on Track online and a larger future trial are feasible and acceptable. Analysis of efficacy found that the primary outcome measure of personal recovery on the Bipolar Recovery Questionnaire significantly increased between the start and end of the group intervention and continued to significantly increase at follow-up. Scores on the secondary outcome measure of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire decreased significantly between the start and end of the group intervention. Conclusions The present study provides quantitative evidence that a future RCT of Mood on Track online is feasible in terms of recruitment, delivery procedures and data collection. The findings provide promising evidence that Mood on Track online is an acceptable intervention to service users and shows signs of efficacy through significantly increased recovery and reduced anxiety. This adds to literature demonstrating that online psychological interventions are effective and provide an innovative method for delivery. Provision of digital therapies could increase offer and take-up of therapy for people with bipolar disorder and improve recovery.

Background Women from Black and South Asian backgrounds with perinatal mental health difficulties face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. Clinical guidelines recommend that services collaborate with families, as they not only influence women’s decisions to seek help and engage with care but also serve as a vital source of support. However, family members’ experiences in providing this support remain poorly understood. This study aims to address this evidence gap. Methods Individual semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with family members of Black and South Asian women who had experienced moderate to severe perinatal mental illness. The interviews explored the family members’ experiences, the personal impact of their relative’s condition, and their perspectives on accessing help and support. Interview transcripts were analysed using framework analysis, by a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychologists, methodologists, and people with a lived experience of perinatal mental illness. Results Fifteen family members of women with perinatal mental illness were interviewed; twelve husbands and/or partners, and three Mothers and/or Mothers-in-Law. Three themes were identified: (1) Recognising and understanding their relative’s perinatal mental illness was important to make sense of the situation (2) High emotional cost of supporting a relative with perinatal mental illness and (3) Varied experiences and expectations of services, with opportunities for improvement. Family members described how their relative’s illness had a pronounced negative impact on their own physical and mental health and wellbeing, and on relationships within their families. Whilst many family members felt listened to and well supported by services, several barriers that prevented or delayed getting professional support were identified. Families would value improved communication, more information and proactive care from perinatal mental health services. Conclusions This paper offers valuable insights into perinatal mental illness for Black and South Asian women from a family perspective. Despite individual experiences being varied and wide-ranging, the suggestions for service improvement were congruent and often repeated, indicating a widespread need for a greater awareness and wider support for the family members of women in perinatal services, who are often struggling themselves.

Worldwide, there are an estimated 15 million individuals with drug use disorders and over five times as many with alcohol use disorders. Most individuals with substance misuse have family who are affected, regardless of whether they remain close and provide caring roles or have become estranged. Initial scoping searches identified an expanse of broad and disparate studies and reviews on the topic. We did a systematic review of reviews to bring together the expanse of research on the effectiveness of family-based interventions in substance misuse. Evidence from the highest quality systematic reviews was synthesised to inform future research and evidence-based commissioning. Extensive electronic (inception to April, 2012) and manual (April, 2012) citation searches were undertaken. Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, IBSS, Campbell Collaboration, and CPSI-S were searched via two parallel searches: one alcohol and one drug specific. Screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal were undertaken by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved through discussion. The inclusion criteria were that the study be a systematically undertaken review, the population be individuals with substance misuse problems, and the interventions include a family-focused component. Studies that focused on prevention rather than treatment were excluded. Quality assessment of the identified reviews was undertaken using the AMSTAR framework, and those fulfilling at least half the quality criteria were deemed to be of sufficiently high quality to draw evidence from. The level of evidence available supporting the interventions was categorised into three areas: (1) working with family members to promote user entry into treatment; (2) joint involvement of user and family members; and (3) interventions for family members in their own right. Evidence was classed as sufficient if the effectiveness was consistently supported across reviews, tentative if the evidence was consistent across less robust studies, and no evidence if no results were available in that area. Because there was substantial heterogeneity between systematic reviews, a meta-analysis was inappropriate. The search identified 1065 alcohol-related and 2977 drug-related reviews. After removal of duplicates and title and abstract screening, 83 alcohol-related and 214 drug-related full text articles were reviewed. After removal of overlap between both searches, 25 reviews were quality assessed. Evidence was drawn from the eight systematic reviews judged to be of sufficiently high quality. Robust evidence for effectiveness of joint involvement was found for family-based interventions for adult alcohol misusers for both substance-related and relationship outcomes (three reviews) and tentative evidence for behavioural couples therapy in adults who misused drugs (two reviews). However, no review-level evidence supported or refuted the effectiveness of family interventions to promote engagement into treatment of adolescents who misuse substances or adults who misuse drugs. Responding to the needs of the family members of substance misusers in their own right was found in only one review. No review-level evidence for joint involvement of family in the treatment of adolescents who misuse substances was found, despite six reviews in this area. However, positive evidence was found in support of family interventions for engagement of users in treatment for adults who misuse alcohol and for multidimensional family therapy for improvement of substance-use-related outcomes for adolescents. Evidence exists for family-based interventions in improvement of substance-use-related outcomes and some relationship-based outcomes. However, the conclusions that can be drawn from the existing research are limited owing to gaps in the evidence base. An absence of evidence does not mean an absence of effect. Weaker study types identified during the research do show encouraging results for family interventions across all areas; however, more high-quality reviews are needed to quantify these results with certainty. None.