Code-51: Keeping Suicidal Veterans Safe in the Emergency Department.

Code-51: keeping suicidal veterans safe in the emergency department.

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2012 Dec; 50(12): 30-5
Eisenzimmer RK

Safety of suicidal veterans is a national issue. Veterans have a higher rate of depressive disorder than the general population, which puts them at higher risk for suicide. The staff in the emergency department (ED) of one Department of Veterans Affairs hospital developed and implemented an innovative process that increases the safety of suicidal veterans in the hospital setting. This process is called Code-51 and is similar to a military unit watch. This is one of the first unit watches implemented throughout an entire Veteran Affairs hospital, not only in the ED. The Code-51 process is a model for other EDs in both public and private sectors to help keep suicidal patients safe. HubMed – depression

Gender differences in adolescent depression.

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2012 Dec; 50(12): 17-20
McGuinness TM, Dyer JG, Wade EH

Depression in adolescents is more common in girls; this gender disparity becomes more apparent during the teen years when girls have close to twice the rate of depression compared with boys. Vulnerability-stress models help explain these differences, and a tendency toward rumination may play a role both in the development and continuation of depressive symptoms. Psychiatric nursing interventions must focus on reappraisal of relationships, challenging rumination, and promoting autonomy. HubMed – depression

Forgone health care among secondary school students in New Zealand.

J Prim Health Care. 2013; 5(1): 11-8
Denny S, Farrant B, Cosgriff J, Harte M, Cameron T, Johnson R, McNair V, Utter J, Crengle S, Fleming T, Ameratunga S, Sheridan J, Robinson E

Perceived lack of confidential health care is an important barrier for young people accessing health care services in New Zealand (NZ).To determine the prevalence of forgone health care among a nationally representative sample of NZ secondary school students and to describe the health concerns and specific health issues for which young people had difficulty accessing health care.Random sample of 9107 NZ secondary school students participated in a 2007 health survey using internet tablets. Questions about access to health care included whether there had been a time when they had not accessed health care when needed, reasons for difficulty in accessing health care, current health concerns and health risk behaviours.One in six students (17%) had not seen a doctor or nurse when needed in the last 12 months. Female Maori and Pacific students and those living in neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation were more likely to report forgone health care. Students with chronic health problems, those engaging in health risk behaviours or experiencing symptoms of depression were more likely to report being unable to access health care when needed. Students reporting privacy concerns were more likely to report difficulty accessing health care for sensitive health issues, such as sexual health, emotional problems, pregnancy-related issues, stopping cigarette smoking, or alcohol or drug use.NZ secondary school students who forgo health care are at increased risk of physical and mental health problems and in need of accessible and confidential health services. HubMed – depression

Longitudinal evaluation of the psychosocial wellbeing of recent orphans compared with non-orphans in a school-attending cohort in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Int J Ment Health Promot. 2012 Jun; 14(3): 162-182
Bachman Desilva M, Skalicky AM, Beard J, Cakwe M, Zhuwau T, Simon JL

To assess differences in psychosocial wellbeing between recent orphans and non-orphans, we followed a cohort of 157 school-going orphans and 480 non-orphans ages 9-15 in a context of high HIV/AIDS mortality in South Africa from 2004 to 2007. Several findings were contrary to published evidence to date, as we found no difference between orphans and non-orphans in anxiety/depression symptoms, oppositional behavior, self-esteem, or resilience. Female gender, self-reported poor health, and food insecurity were the most important predictors of children’s psychosocial wellbeing. Notably, girls had greater odds of reporting anxiety/depression symptoms than boys, and scored lower on self-esteem and resilience scales. Food insecurity predicted greater anxiety/depression symptoms and lower resilience. Perceived social support was a protective factor, as it was associated with lower odds of anxiety/depression symptoms, lower oppositional scores, and greater self-esteem and resilience. Our findings suggest a need to identify and strengthen psychosocial supports for girls, and for all children in contexts of AIDS-affected and economic adversity. HubMed – depression