The Large Allen Cognitive Level Screen as an indicator for medication adherence among adults accessing community mental health services

Background: Medication remains the cornerstone treatment for mental illness. Cognition is one of the strongest predictors of non-adherence. The aim of this preliminary investigation was to examine the association between the Large Allen Cognitive Level Screen (LACLS) and medication adherence among a small sample of mental health service users to determine whether the LACLS has potential as a screening tool for capacity to manage medication regimens. Method: Demographic and clinical information was collected from a small sample of people who had recently accessed community mental health services. Participants then completed the LACLS and the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) at a single time point. The strength of association between the LACLS and MARS was examined using Spearman rank-order correlation. Results: A strong positive correlation between the LACLS and medication adherence (r = 0.71, p = 0.01) was evident. No participants reported the use of medication aids despite evidence of impaired cognitive functioning. Conclusion: This investigation has provided the first empirical evidence indicating that the LACLS may have utility as a screening instrument for capacity to manage medication adherence among this population. While promising, this finding should be interpreted with caveats given its preliminary nature.

The contribution of psychological assessment to community mental health services

Specialist psychological assessment plays a potentially important role in multidisciplinary community mental health settings. This portfolio describes and evaluates this psychological assessment and provides four case studies.

Staff and patient perspectives on unmet need and therapeutic alliance in community mental health services

Therapeutic alliance between clinicians and their patients is important in community mental healthcare. It is unclear whether providing effective interventions influences therapeutic alliance.

Evaluating community mental health services : principles and practice /

Mode of access: Internet.

Findings and recommendations of the Technical Task Force on Community Mental Health Services : report to the Governor of the state of Illinois and the Illinois General Assembly.

"In accordance with Public Act 85-1301." -- Cover.

Report of the Technical Task Force on Community Mental Health Services.

"April 29, 1988."

Programs and services of the Area D Community Mental Health Center.

On cover: The Area D Community Mental Health Center; programs and services, 1971.

An Examination of the Use of Coercion by Assertive Outreach and Community Mental Health Teams in Northern Ireland.

In mental health services over recent decades, the positive move away from hospital-based care to community-based services has entailed that people with higher levels of need are being supported by community mental health services. This paper begins by reviewing the literature on coercion in the field of community-based mental health care and treatment. It is argued that the lack of a critical understanding of the concept and how it is used by practitioners and agencies can have serious repercussions for the rights of service users. Using a quasi-experimental, longitudinal design, the authors then seek to test some of the ideas about coercion by comparing the activities of assertive outreach and community mental health teams in Northern Ireland, particularly the key ideas of perceived coercion, workers’ strategies and engagement with services. Key findings were that assertive outreach appeared to be more successful at reducing perceived coercion, minimizing the need for coercive strategies, engaging high-risk clients and reducing inpatient bed use. These findings are compared with other studies in this area. The authors also argue that there is a need for greater transparency in the way that practitioners use coercive measures and more explicit guidance is required in this crucial area of mental health practice.

Dialectical behavior therapy in community mental health settings : an evaluation

Borderline personality disorder causes extreme and enduring suffering. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a psychological intervention that has been developed to treat the disorder. Two studies were conducted to test the effectiveness of the treatment. Results showed that borderline personality disorder can be treated effectively in the public mental health system. The portfolio presents four case studies to examine the notion that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is efficacious in the treatment of anxiety as a comorbid condition.

Innovations in mental health services to disaster victims /

Mode of access: Internet.

Your community mental health center & you : facts about the programs /

Mode of access: Internet.

Reporting program evaluations : two sample community mental health center annual evaluation reports /

Mode of access: Internet.

Critical issues for community mental health /

Mode of access: Internet.

Community mental health center board development : a manual for board trainers, board members, CMHC staff, policy-makers /

Contract no. 290-77-0010.

A citizen's guide to the Community mental health centers act /

Mode of access: Internet.