Community Mental Health Journal[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Shared Decision Making Interventions for Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Systematic and Scoping Review.
Khaikin S, Pfeiffer B, Davidson AP … +7 more , Shipper AG, Roth S, Nicholson J, Mccormick B, Fiks AG, Mandell DS, Zisman-Ilani Y
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Mar · PMID 41770419 · Publisher ↗
Parents of children on the autism spectrum face challenging treatment-related decisions, often with limited knowledge about available options. Shared Decision Making (SDM), a process where clinicians, patients, and famil...
Parents of children on the autism spectrum face challenging treatment-related decisions, often with limited knowledge about available options. Shared Decision Making (SDM), a process where clinicians, patients, and families collaborate to make decisions based on evidence and preferences, can assist parents in navigating these choices. However, little is known about the use of SDM interventions for autism-related parental decisions. A systematic and scoping review was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycInfo), and grey literature in two clinical trial registries. Study selection was conducted in two phases: title and abstract screening and full-text screening. From 7,610 records identified, two studies were included from Australia and Italy, describing multicomponent SDM interventions for parents of young children (< 18 years) on the autism spectrum. Both interventions demonstrated improvements in SDM-related outcomes, including parents' knowledge of autism treatments (such as speech pathology services and Early Intensive Behavior Intervention) and parents' involvement in treatment discussions. This review reveals a critical gap in SDM intervention research for autism parental decision-making. Despite the critical role parents play in autism treatment decisions, evidence-based SDM interventions remain scarce. This finding is significant given the well-established benefits of SDM in other healthcare populations and underscores the urgent need to develop and rigorously evaluate SDM interventions tailored to autism care contexts that support parents in making informed decisions about their children's care.Systematic review registration: A protocol was registered on PROSPERO.
Pilot Testing a Narrative Psychoeducational Video to Reduce Stigma and Improve Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking Among Latinx Adults: Examining Gender Differences and Contextual Insights.
Saravia DH, Silvan YA, Martinez JI
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41758486 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Preparing an Intervention to Increase Engagement with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Resource among Community Mental Health Consumers with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders.
Bornheimer LA, Lapidos A, Brdar NM … +8 more , Kelter AN, Song J, Palaniappan G, Miner C, Campbell M, Hoener K, Florence T, Ilgen MA
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Feb · PMID 41758485 · Publisher ↗
Suicide rates are high among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and community mental health (CMH) settings have potential to play a critical role in suicide prevention efforts. Crisis lines, such as...
Suicide rates are high among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and community mental health (CMH) settings have potential to play a critical role in suicide prevention efforts. Crisis lines, such as the 988 Lifeline, are found to positively impact mental health and suicide outcomes, yet data show utilization rates are low among high-risk individuals, such as those with SSDs. This qualitative study employs community-engaged methods to modify a brief single-session Crisis Line Facilitation (CLF) intervention for individuals with SSDs in CMH to increase the likelihood of engagement with the 988 Lifeline and reduce suicide outcomes. Participants (n = 10) included consumers with SSD diagnosis, mental health providers, peer support specialists, and leadership in CMH. Data were collected in qualitative interviews to learn about perceptions of CLF, barriers and facilitators of CLF implementation, and suggested modifications to CLF for SSD tailoring. Interview questions were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and a hybrid analytic approach with inductive and deductive coding was used to identify themes and subsequent modifications. Themes pertained to the need for CLF in CMH, help-seeking and psychosis symptoms as implementation barriers, and provider preparation and CMH awareness as implementation facilitators. Modifications and study implications signal the importance of provider training, proactively addressing consumer help-seeking barriers, and embedding CLF within routine CMH workflows for sustainability. Study efforts emphasize CLF's potential to prepare SSD consumers for suicide crises, motivate future 988 engagement, and prevent premature suicide death.
Parental Perceptions of Benefits and Risks Concerning Mental Health Biomarker Testing for Adolescents.
Jadhav KK, Kuuru K, Aromaa E … +4 more , Piironen AK, Eriksson P, Kanninen KM, Tolmunen T
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Feb · PMID 41741926 · Publisher ↗
Psychiatry currently lacks clinically relevant biomarkers, though recent developments in this field have shown promise. Nevertheless, a noticeable gap exists in understanding parental perspectives regarding such technolo...
Psychiatry currently lacks clinically relevant biomarkers, though recent developments in this field have shown promise. Nevertheless, a noticeable gap exists in understanding parental perspectives regarding such technologies. Thus, this study aimed to investigate parental perceptions about mental health biomarker (MHB) testing for adolescents, as they play a pivotal role in guiding decisions about their children's healthcare. An online survey was conducted in Finland, targeting 1500 parents of adolescents aged 10-17. A 20-item questionnaire was used to assess parental perceptions of the benefits and risks associated with MHB testing. Psychometric measures were applied to validate the questionnaire, and a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was performed to examine parental perspectives across various demographic factors. Based on 174 questionnaire responses, parents were modestly supportive of the perceived benefits and expressed marginally lower concern about the possible risks associated with MHB testing. MANOVA indicated that some demographic variables were significantly associated with perceived benefits and risks. Notably, higher perceived benefits of adolescent MHB testing were reported by relatively younger parents and those with an undergraduate degree. Additionally, parents with a family history of mental health problems reported greater perceived benefits and lower perceived risks. The findings suggest that perceptions of the benefits and risks of MHB testing differ, with demographics influencing these perceptions. However, further research is warranted to explore the impact of these perceptions on the utility and acceptance of MHB testing among parents and adolescents.
Integrating Medications for Addiction Treatment into Assertive Community Treatment Teams: A Pilot Feasibility Study.
Iheanacho T, Ives M, Lin HJ … +3 more , Rodis E, DeLuca D, Dike C
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Feb · PMID 41739289 · Publisher ↗
Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) are available and effective. Yet their utilization remains suboptimal, especially in community mental health settings. With persisting high mortality and morbidity related substa...
Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) are available and effective. Yet their utilization remains suboptimal, especially in community mental health settings. With persisting high mortality and morbidity related substance use disorders (SUDs), there is need to increase identification of SUDs, access to and utilization of MATs through capacity building among clinicians in clinical settings where patients already access care. We provided MAT training for clinicians in 10 Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and rolled out SUD screening, assessment and treatment for their patients through a multi-component “MAT-In-ACT” intervention. Using a prospective quasi-experimental study design, participants who were positive for SUDs on standard questionnaires were evaluated and recommended for appropriate FDA-approved MATs and connected to a prescriber. All 10 ACT teams implemented MAT-in-ACT intervention protocol with intervention fidelity of 80%. Of all active ACT clients (N=622), more than half (54.7%) agreed to participate in the study (n=340). Of these, 225 met the criteria for at least one SUD (66.2%) out of which 78 participants (34%) received at least one medication for addiction treatment. This study successfully integrated SUD screening, assessment, and prescription of MATs by non-addiction specialists into community ACT programs for people with severe and persistent mental illness. Access to MATs can potentially be increased by focusing on existing community mental health care settings that traditionally do not prescribe them for their patients. This pilot study forms the basis for a larger definitive clinical effectiveness trial of MAT-in-ACT Intervention.
Fostering Motivation for Practice Change: Using Self-Determination Theory to Guide Mental Health Training.
Davis L, Orlina E, Mackey E … +7 more , McCreary M, Wisdom JP, Jackson T, Silva A, Bojan E, Fernandez S, Bromley E
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Feb · PMID 41733866 · Publisher ↗
Evidence-based practices (EBP) shown to be effective in mental health remain widely unavailable to vulnerable treatment-seeking populations. Provider training often improves EBP-related knowledge and skills, yet these ga...
Evidence-based practices (EBP) shown to be effective in mental health remain widely unavailable to vulnerable treatment-seeking populations. Provider training often improves EBP-related knowledge and skills, yet these gains are insufficient to facilitate on-going practice change and increased quality of care in community service settings. Self-Determination Theory (SDT), an empirically validated behavior change theory, can shed light upon factors involved in the knowledge-to-practice gap by elucidating ways in which training can promote internally regulated motivation and capacity to sustain effective practices in real-world settings. This study investigated whether a mental health training program was associated with improved motivation-related outcomes posited by SDT, including work-related self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and work engagement, and whether self-efficacy was indirectly related to enhanced work engagement through increased levels of intrinsic motivation, congruent with the theory. The study sample consisted of providers working on intensive mental health teams in a large public mental health system who elected to participate in a psychosocial intervention training program. Changes in self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and work engagement were measured before and after a 10-week training module. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to estimate and test relationships among the constructs of interest including the presence of an indirect relationship between self-efficacy and enhanced work engagement via intrinsic motivation as posited by SDT. Participants viewed the training positively and rated it as having a high degree of utility. Findings indicated significant increases in self-efficacy (t = 2.55; p < 0.01), intrinsic motivation (t = 2.47; p < 0.01), and work engagement (t = 2.46; p < 0.01) from before until after training. A structural model (N = 144) showed a good fit to the data and evidence for intrinsic motivation acting as a partial mediator of the relationship between self-efficacy and work engagement (indirect effect = 0.14, p < 0.01); 34% of model total effects on work engagement were mediated by intrinsic motivation. Results provide preliminary support for the applicability of SDT to mental health training design and evaluation. Training to enhance intrinsically motivated implementation behavior may help generate drive toward sustainable practice behavior change in complex and resource constrained systems of care.
Smart Cities and Mental Health: A Thematic Review of Environmental, Digital, and Social Determinants.
Sualp K, Beltran S, Plonsky G
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Feb · PMID 41712021 · Publisher ↗
Smart Cities, urban environments that integrate digital technologies to enhance sustainability, accessibility, and quality of life, are expanding globally. While these initiatives may support population health, their men...
Smart Cities, urban environments that integrate digital technologies to enhance sustainability, accessibility, and quality of life, are expanding globally. While these initiatives may support population health, their mental health impacts remain understudied and inconsistently reported. This thematic synthesis review integrates diverse forms of evidence to examine how Smart City features influence mental health outcomes and explores contextual factors and underlying mechanisms shaping these effects. Following PRISMA guidelines for qualitative evidence syntheses, a systematic search of Web of Science identified 36 peer-reviewed studies published between 2009 and 2024 that addressed Smart City components in relation to mental health outcomes in urban populations. Studies were thematically synthesized. Three key domains emerged: (1) Smart City features relate to mental health through access to green infrastructure, digital technologies, and transportation systems; (2) contextual vulnerabilities including digital exclusion, gender, age, and socioeconomic status moderate these relationships; and (3) mechanisms include environmental exposure, surveillance anxiety, sensory design, and cultural or relational dynamics embedded in Smart City systems. Findings suggest that Smart Cities can either promote or undermine mental health depending on how technologies are implemented, accessed, and experienced. To ensure Smart City development supports psychological wellbeing, future research should prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration, equity-informed planning, and integration of mental health expertise from the outset.
The State of Mobile Crisis Response: a Scoping Review of Construct and Challenges.
Rogers D, Narang K, Mills L
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41701305 · Publisher ↗
UNLABELLED: There is a significant unmet need for mental health services in the United States. Many communities have responded to the unmet need by creating mobile crisis response programs. Enhanced understanding of the...
UNLABELLED: There is a significant unmet need for mental health services in the United States. Many communities have responded to the unmet need by creating mobile crisis response programs. Enhanced understanding of the differences and common themes in mobile crisis response programs will guide efforts to construct frameworks for successful future program development. This review aims to characterize the current state of the industry among mobile crisis response teams. METHODS: We employed a scoping review methodology to explore the state of the work in mobile crisis response. RESULTS: Overall, the results of the review illustrate that mobile crisis response programs are a promising development in mental health care, but they are still largely in the early stages of implementation. While many programs show potential in reducing the burden on local agencies and providing more appropriate care for individuals in crisis, there are sill many significant challenges to address. CONCLUSION: As mobile crisis response continues to expand nationwide, future work should focus on developing long-term outcome measures and creating frameworks for integration with broader social services.
Process Evaluation of a Parish-Based Intervention to Reduce Mental Health-Related Stigma.
Whitley MD, Alvarado MR, Sierra I … +7 more , Scott B, Torres VN, Martinez MO, Castro G, Mayoral Y, Derose KP, Wong E
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41701304 · Publisher ↗
Latino populations in the United States have high levels of unmet mental health (MH) needs and MH-related stigma. Collaborative, community-based programming with predominately Latino churches is a promising approach for...
Latino populations in the United States have high levels of unmet mental health (MH) needs and MH-related stigma. Collaborative, community-based programming with predominately Latino churches is a promising approach for reducing MH stigma and unmet MH need in Latino communities. Project AMEN implemented MH workshops, homilies and text messages with Latino Catholic parishes to test this approach. We examined reach, satisfaction, effectiveness and fidelity for the overall intervention and individual activities. We collected baseline and one-year post-intervention data from n = 579 people at seven parishes in southern California. Variables included participation in and satisfaction with activities, MH stigma, sociodemographic characteristics, faith-related characteristics, MH needs, and fidelity measures for workshops. We used bivariate and multivariate modeling to describe intervention reach, satisfaction and effectiveness and to identify differences across subgroups. We describe fidelity for the MH workshop. Overall, 71% of the sample participated in at least one intervention activity. Participants were on average 48 years old, female, married, had less than high school education, and attended the parish for more than five years; 24% reported MH needs. Reach and satisfaction were greater for married individuals and those with strong connections to the parish. Individuals with MH problems had more barriers to participation. Activities most often participated in were text messages (42%), the introductory MH workshop (20%) and MH homily (20%). We observed high workshop fidelity. The number of AMEN activities predicted reduction in four types of MH stigma. AMEN showed promising results with respect to reach, satisfaction and effectiveness at reducing MH stigmaf.
Individual Socioeconomic Measures and Change in HoNOS Scores among Persons Attending Adult Community Mental Health Services.
Lakra V, Isaacs A, Powers T … +8 more , Yun Y, Sekharan L, Thamby A, Patil V, Srikanth S, Senevirathne M, Samaranayake A, Mulroy R
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Feb · PMID 41673265 · Publisher ↗
Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with poor mental health outcomes. However, whether it also influences treatment outcomes is unclear. The objectives of this study were (1) To measure the impact of mental health s...
Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with poor mental health outcomes. However, whether it also influences treatment outcomes is unclear. The objectives of this study were (1) To measure the impact of mental health services on change in Health of the Nation Outcome Scale [HoNOS] scores between service entry and the last available assessment (median follow-up 24 months; IQR 10–49), (2) To examine if minority or indigenous status influenced change in HoNOS scores and (3) To explore associations between neighbourhood-level and individual-level measures of socioeconomic status [SES] and changes in HoNOS scores. Electronic medical records of 246 adult clients (mean age 36.6 years, 55% male) were analysed from four mental health services of Northern Health in Melbourne, Australia. Exploratory factor analysis (KMO = 0.54; Bartlett’s p<.01) identified two individual-level SES measures (individual economic capital and household stability and support). Linear mixed modelling (random intercept) tested associations between individual-level SES and HoNOS, controlling for baseline age, sex, new-consumer status, indigenous status, language and neighbourhood SES indices. Among 246 clients, mean HoNOS scores improved from 11.27 (SE = 0.41) at service entry to 9.95 (SE = 0.43) at last available follow-up (β = -1.32, p < .01). Neither indigenous status nor non-English language predicted change (p > .05), and neighbourhood-level SES indices showed no association with HoNOS scores (p > .05). In contrast, higher individual economic capital (β = -0.63, p < .01) and greater household stability and support (β = -0.85, p < .01) were each independently linked to larger improvements in HoNOS scores. These findings indicate that individual-level socioeconomic factors drive improvements in HoNOS scores during engagement with community mental health services.
Understanding School-Based Universal Suicide Screening Strategies for Minoritized Students: A Pilot Study.
Kohlbeck S, Armanious M, Pickett M
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Feb · PMID 41673264 · Publisher ↗
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young people ages 10 to 24, claiming more than 6,000 young lives in the United States in 2019. Black youth in the United States are overrepresented in th...
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young people ages 10 to 24, claiming more than 6,000 young lives in the United States in 2019. Black youth in the United States are overrepresented in the overall makeup of suicides: 37% of all youth suicides in the United States involve Black children, while Black children comprise roughly 15% of the total youth population in the United States. At the same time, suicide among Hispanic youth, specifically Hispanic young females, is increasing. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, we aimed to determine relevant and appropriate school-based suicide risk screening practices and interventions for Black and Hispanic students in an urban school district setting. As part of this aim, we gathered information from youth and their caregivers on perceptions of school-based and community-based resources and supports to inform our efforts. We also used the information to develop a small messaging campaign within target schools to promote help-seeking and reduce stigma among students. Second, we implemented and evaluated a universal suicide screening pilot, using the Ask Suicide Screening Questionnaire (ASQ), within two diverse schools in a large urban school district. We found that culturally informed universal screening for suicide risk in the school setting, as compared with need-based screening, identified students who were not already known by school staff to be experiencing mental health challenges or at risk for suicide, and particularly students of color. This study highlights the importance of culturally informed universal suicide risk screening in schools, particularly for minoritized students such as Black and Hispanic youth. Introduction: KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: •Suicide is increasing among minoritized youth while rates among White youth are steady or decreasing. • Mental health is stigmatized within racialized communities, which can inhibit disclosure of mental health challenges and help-seeking. • Our study found that culturally informed universal screening for suicide risk in the school setting, as compared with need-based screening, identified students who were not already known by school staff to be experiencing mental health challenges or at risk for suicide, and particularly students of color. • Our findings demonstrate that universal suicide screening may be an important step to identify at-risk students who might not be detected through existing need-based processes, thus potentially enabling timely intervention and support.
Personal Recovery in Substance Use Disorder: A 'Best Fit' Framework Synthesis Systematic Review.
Long E, Skelly T, Ryan H … +1 more , O'Reilly G
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41632419 · Publisher ↗
Personal recovery is increasingly important in service delivery. While personal recovery has been examined in relation to several mental health issues, it has yet to be reviewed in recovery from substance use disorders. ...
Personal recovery is increasingly important in service delivery. While personal recovery has been examined in relation to several mental health issues, it has yet to be reviewed in recovery from substance use disorders. This review of qualitative studies, which followed PRISMA guidelines, used a 'Best Fit' framework synthesis. To organise studies, the a-priori, transdiagnostic CHIME framework was employed. 2885 papers were initially identified, with 3 added in updated searches; 13 papers were included for analysis. Findings show that CHIME captures many elements related to recovery from substance use. However, the original framework does not consider challenges associated with trauma, loss, and stigmatisation. Including a 'Difficulties' domain supports the use of the CHIME-D framework. Personal recovery from substance use is a complex and individual process. The CHIME-D framework emphasises the importance of professionals adopting a balanced approach to recovery, recognising both benefits and challenges.
Social Health Among Individuals Living with Mental Illness During the Transition To Permanent Supportive Housing: A Scoping Review.
Randolph SB, Ratner AM, Hardi A … +2 more , Rousso B, Connor LT
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41571853 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
"Live One, Do One, Teach One": Representation in the Peer Workforce in Behavioral Health.
Harrison J, Lozano J, Hunter S
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41571852 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
After the Open Dialogue: a Within-Area Comparison of Treatment, Experiences, and Outcomes in Western Lapland 20 Years after Service Fragmentation.
Bergström T, Miettunen J, Partanen K … +6 more , Yrjänheikki V, Rantamaa K, Hietasaari T, Öfverberg E, Gauffin T, Petäjäniemi J
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jan · PMID 41569461 · Publisher ↗
This within-region service comparison examines the long-term sustainability and outcomes of the Open Dialogue (OD) approach in routine psychiatric service in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District, Finland (Western Lapland ca...
This within-region service comparison examines the long-term sustainability and outcomes of the Open Dialogue (OD) approach in routine psychiatric service in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District, Finland (Western Lapland catchment area). Originating in the 1980s, OD emphasizes immediate response, social network involvement, continuity of care, and dialogical practice. While OD was implemented district-wide by 1990, the municipalization of outpatient services in the late 1990s led to fragmentation. This study compares treatment processes, user experiences, and outcomes between services that remained under hospital district governance and a previously municipalized unit recently reintegrated into the district. Data were drawn from the PSILEAPS project, including surveys of 117 service users and their staff conducted between 2022 and 2023. Follow-up data was collected in 2024 by reviewing case records to determine whether service users remained in treatment 1-2 years after the survey and whether treatment ended by mutual agreement. Descriptive analyses used inverse probability weighting to account for baseline differences. Findings indicate that hospital district-run units delivered more OD consistent care, with greater family involvement and use of home and network meetings. In hospital district-group these elements were rated more positively by users and staff, and treatment in this group was associated with mutually agreed treatment endings at follow-up. Despite shared origins and similar intake systems, structural differences associated with the development of distinct treatment cultures and outcome patterns. Beyond structural reforms and access to services, maintaining the core principles of OD may depend on organizational stability and sustained support for a certain treatment culture.
Supporting Staff To Address the Physical Health of Consumers in Mental Healthcare Settings: A Modified Nominal Group Technique.
Hu D, Stewart V, Wheeler AJ … +20 more , Lau G, Chatterton ML, Johnston D, Klotz PG, Korman N, Lederman O, Manger S, McCarthy I, McKeon G, Plever S, Rebar AL, Roberts R, Rosenbaum S, Sherlock P, Somerville J, Suetani S, Teasdale S, Ward P, Watkins A, Chapman J
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41569460 · Publisher ↗
Mental health consumers experience challenges in accessing regular physical healthcare. Staff working in mental health settings are well-positioned to address the issue; however, they often face significant barriers in d...
Mental health consumers experience challenges in accessing regular physical healthcare. Staff working in mental health settings are well-positioned to address the issue; however, they often face significant barriers in delivering physical healthcare. The primary aim of this study was to identify important factors that support mental health staff to address the physical health of consumers; the secondary aim was to evaluate the utility of using a modified nominal group technique (NGT). Four main methodological modifications to standard NGT methods were made: (i) theoretical models (COM-B and Theoretical Domains Framework) were used to frame the NGT process, (ii) idea generation and ranking steps were conducted outside NGT sessions, (iii) both in-person and online groups were offered, and (iv) participants contributed to interpretation and dissemination of the findings. Individuals with expertise in the mental health sector participated in one of two NGT sessions, either in-person (n=13) or online (n=8). Considering Australian public mental health services, participants responded to the question: "What is needed for staff to optimally address physical health within their role?". Additionally, participant experiences and acceptability of this modified NGT process were evaluated through follow-up interviews (n=6). A total of 55 concepts were generated within COM-B components: capability (n=18), opportunity (n=26), and motivation (n=11). Highest-ranking key concepts were awareness (capability), leadership support (opportunity), and beliefs (motivation). Qualitative data indicated that the modified NGT method was effective, particularly when using a framework to guide ideas generation; however, the additional time commitment may reduce feasibility.
Development of the Homeless Assistance Safety Perceptions (HASP) Inventory.
Edwards-Stewart A, Tsai J
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41553599 · Publisher ↗
Healthcare and social service providers working with homeless populations may face unique stressors while performing their jobs, such as working in places not meant for human habitation and in unpredictable environments....
Healthcare and social service providers working with homeless populations may face unique stressors while performing their jobs, such as working in places not meant for human habitation and in unpredictable environments. While these issues are well-known, there is no formal assessment tool to gauge sense of physical safety among homeless service providers. The current study was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of a self-report assessment that measures feelings of safety at work among healthcare social service providers. The Homeless Assistance Safety Perceptions (HASP) inventory is a 16-item questionnaire that was developed and administered to 1,273 Veterans Affairs (VA) employees of homeless programs across all VA catchment regions. Preliminary assessments found that the HASP inventory has good internal consistency and content validity although further evaluation is needed. To our knowledge, this measure is the first instrument validated to measure perceptions of workplace safety among providers working with homeless populations.
People with psychotic disorders are the most vulnerable to cannabis adverse health outcomes: a study in WA State, USA.
Carlini BH, Williams JR, Garrett SB … +1 more , Hammond D
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41543692 · Publisher ↗
Cannabis use has been shown to negatively impact the management and prognosis of psychotic disorders. Little is known about the broader health impacts of cannabis use in this population. This study compares cannabis-rela...
Cannabis use has been shown to negatively impact the management and prognosis of psychotic disorders. Little is known about the broader health impacts of cannabis use in this population. This study compares cannabis-related negative health outcomes among individuals with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder to those with other mental health (MH) diagnoses or no MH diagnosis. Data came from International Cannabis Policy Study (2020-2023). Respondents were 4,144 Washington State individuals aged 16-65, who consumed cannabis in the last 12 months. Three groups were compared for cannabis use negative health events: lifetime diagnoses of psychotic disorders, other MH and no MH diagnoses. Logistic regressions were used in the analysis. People with psychotic disorders were more likely to report adverse events from their cannabis use and to pursue medical attention than consumers with other MH or no MH diagnoses (p < .001.) They had higher likelihood of nausea/vomiting, heart or blood pressure problems, fainting, acute psychosis or hallucinations, flashbacks, Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, and positive screening for high-risk cannabis use than consumers with other MH or no MH diagnoses. Individuals with psychotic disorder experience more adverse health events from cannabis, including events not associated with exacerbation of their disorders. These findings highlight the need to develop focused clinical interventions and awareness campaigns to address elevated risks of cannabis use among this vulnerable population.
Bridging the Crisis Gap: A Scoping Review of Psychological Distress and Help-Seeking Behaviors in Black Americans Using Crisis Hotlines.
Wana GW, Sarker Rony SK, Hasan MR … +1 more , Combs RM
Community Ment Health J · 2026 May · PMID 41543691 · Publisher ↗
Black Americans often rely on 9-1-1 or emergency rooms rather than mental health hotlines, reflecting enduring mistrust in formal crisis response systems. This scoping review synthesizes evidence published between 2010 a...
Black Americans often rely on 9-1-1 or emergency rooms rather than mental health hotlines, reflecting enduring mistrust in formal crisis response systems. This scoping review synthesizes evidence published between 2010 and 2025 on psychological distress and help-seeking behavior among Black Americans using crisis hotlines, with particular attention to engagement with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Six databases were systematically searched, yielding 1,536 records. Following screening and quality assessment using COVIDENCE and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, ten studies met the inclusion criteria for in-depth analysis. Drawing from these ten studies, six major findings emerged. First, hotline underutilization remains persistent, with Black callers consistently underrepresented even as national call volume increased by 283%. Second, calls involving Black individuals are disproportionately escalated to 911 for “active rescue,” with 53% leading to police involvement, far exceeding their 32% population share. Third, widespread mistrust of formal mental health systems drives reliance on informal supports such as family networks, churches, and schools. Fourth, workforce shortages and infrastructural gaps persist, with only 41% staffing readiness for 988 implementation in counties with large Black populations. Fifth, the absence of disaggregated and longitudinal data limits the assessment of equity and service outcomes. Sixth, racial differences in help-seeking patterns remain evident, as Black adults are significantly more likely to recommend calling 911 (χ² = 21.7, p < .01) or visiting an emergency room rather than using a crisis hotline. Overall, these findings reveal how structural inequities, cultural mistrust, and systemic barriers shape Black Americans’ engagement with crisis services during psychological distress. Limited access to culturally responsive care, inadequate infrastructure, and fear of punitive interventions perpetuate disparities in crisis response. The evidence underscores the urgent need for community-driven, culturally grounded, and equity-centered crisis systems that foster trust, safety, and representation for Black communities.
Models of Supervision Relevant To Peer or Lived Experience Workforce Within Mental Health: A Scoping Review.
Hodge L, Pearce T, Jackson B … +1 more , Wayland S
Community Ment Health J · 2026 Jul · PMID 41543690 · Publisher ↗
This scoping review explores the alignment between clinical supervision models and the values underpinning Peer Work within the mental health sector. Peer Work, grounded in lived experience and principles of empowerment,...
This scoping review explores the alignment between clinical supervision models and the values underpinning Peer Work within the mental health sector. Peer Work, grounded in lived experience and principles of empowerment, mutuality, and recovery, has become an integral component of mental health services in Australia and internationally. Despite its growing presence, Peer Work lacks a defined supervision framework tailored to its unique ethos. Using the PRISMA-ScR methodology and Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework, 2,434 records were screened, resulting in 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria. These studies were analysed against the six foundational pillars of Peer Work as defined by Mind Australia. Findings indicate that while several clinical supervision models, such as the Seven-Eyed Model, DBT-informed supervision, and strengths-based approaches demonstrate theoretical alignment with Peer Work values, practical implementation remains limited. Recovery orientation and empowerment were the most commonly aligned themes, while trauma-informed care and inclusivity were less frequently addressed. The review highlights a critical gap in supervision tailored to Peer Workers and calls for further qualitative research and co-designed frameworks to ensure supervision practices uphold the integrity of Peer Work. Without such development, there is a risk of diluting Peer Work's transformative potential within traditional clinical systems.
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