Public Health Commons^™

Behavioural Charactertics Of Patients Vulnerable For Repeated Hospitalisation, Amresh Srivastava, Coralee Berlmont, Miky Kaushal, Avinash Desouza, Robbie Campbell, Larry Stitt

Amresh Srivastava

Background

Re-hospitalization which takes place in about 30 to 50% postdischarge patienst, leads to poor outcome, increased rate of mortality and consumes more than 2/3 of budgetary allocations. Inability to identify vulnerable candidates for repeated admissions limits our options for strategic treatment.

Methods

In this prospective study conducted at Regional Mental Health Care ( Presently Parkwood Institute) 101 patienst ( 51 feamles, mean age 43 years), were examined using standard psychometric tools on parameters of clinical, psychopathological, suicide behaviour and resiliency for their risk and preventive characerstics.

Results

We assessed 101 subjects (51 females) with mean age of 42 years. …

Should Suicide Behaviour Be An Outcome Parameter For Mental Disorder, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Suicide and mental illness are closely related to each other. A high number of people who commit suicide suffer from a mental illness, and a high number of mentally ill patients exhibit suicide behavior. Suicide behavior is a significant aspect of mental illness. It is consistently observed throughout the course of illness, seen in the prodromal stage, during acute phase of remission, in residual phase and whenever illness relapses. A number of times, mental disorder improves but suicide behavior persists. 10-15% patients attempt suicide in the initial phase of an illness. More than half of the patients get hospitalized due …

The Flip-Side To Readmission: Focused After-Care, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

paper 1. Suicidality in hospitalized early psychosis patients at time of discharge

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and nature of suicidal risk among early psychosis patients at the time of discharge from hospital. Is it only related to the involvement of a suicidal attempt at admission? Thirty such patients, who were admitted after a suicide attempt were compared with 30 patients similarly diagnosed, but admitted for clinical reasons not involving a suicide attempt. Dependent measures of psychopathology, adjustment and suicidality were used. It was found that the two groups did not differ in suicidality, which …

Resilience : An Independent Psychobiological Mental Health Construct (Guest Editorial), Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Survival against trauma is a unique characteristic of all human beings. While a number of factors contribute in building this capacity, resilience appears to be the most important one. Interest in studying resilience arises from number of areas which are of utmost clinical significance such as such as exploring the possibility of at-risk individuals who developing a mental illness]. Resilience is a human capacity to adapt swiftly and successfully to stressful or traumatic events and revert back to a positive state. It is commonly conceptualized as the ability to thrive despite experiencing adversity

A New Brief Scale To Assess Suicidality: Scale For Impact Of Suicidality-Management, Assessment And Planning Of Care (Sis-Map- Brief Scanner), Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston, Miky Kaushal, Robbie Campbell, Charles Nelson

Amresh Srivastava

Purpose: In this study we examine merit of a short version (Brief Interview Screener (SIS-MAP-scn )of a previously developed and validated 108 item scale, known as ‘ Scale for Impact of Suicidality-Management, Assessment and Planning of Care ( SIS MAP), for rapid assessment in challenging clinical settings e.g. primary care and emergency room. Background: Generally suicide risk is assessed clinically and structured assessments optimize the direction for decision-making across various settings e.g. inpatient care, emergency rooms and crisis centers. We believe that measures with accurate and valid information should be based upon multifactorial risk-constituent domains, e.g. biological, social, psychological, environmental …

Need For Newer Experiments In Strengthening Education And Training Human Resource Development For Suicide Prevention, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Suicide is a global public health problem and one of the leading causes of premature death for all ages. Studies show that only 25% suicide has been within health care system, we have no information about the rest 75%. To bring more people at risk for suicide is an urgent requirement which makes a strong argument education and awareness.The WHO acknowledged that suicide prevention requires intervention from outside the health sector and calls for an innovative, comprehensive multi-sectorial approach, including both health and non-health sectors, e.g. education, labor, police, justice, religion, law, politics, the media. . Early identification of at-risk …

A Study Of Resilience Amongst People Who Lost Their Relatives In Natural Calamity: Uttarakhand In Northern India., Amresh Srivastava, Chetan Lokhande, Nilesh Mohite, Avinash Desouza, Nilesh Shah

Amresh Srivastava

Background

Natural disasters can be a devastating experience for anyone. Mental disorders are common amongst survivors of natural disasters. Resilience is a significant factor that helps these survivors overcome this traumatic episode. In this study, we attempt to examine whether the level of resilience differs with nature of loss, in this case a natural calamity.

However, it remains undetermined if the level of resilience has any relation with the nature of trauma.

Resilience is one attribute that helps an individual recovers from a disastrous event It is a dynamic process, enabling an individual to successfully adapt to severe adversities. It …

Global Mental Challenges: Response To Local Needs, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Global mental Challenges: Response to local needs 1Amresh Shrivastava Running Title: Mental health: beyond Geo-political Boundaries 1Department of Psychiatry, Elgin Early Intervention Program for Psychosis, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada, and Mental Health Resource Foundation, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, e-mail: dr.amresh@gmail.com.

The health of the people determines athe health of a society and a country. Reference to ‘health’, more often than not, directs one’s thinking towards physical health, without realizing that physical health is inseparable from mental health. Physical disorders co-exist with mental disorders and mental disorders are a significant risk factor for physical illnesses. The WHO agenda on …

Dsm V: Hope Or Hype?, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

DSM V: HOPE OR HYPE?

Amresh Shrivastava,

MD,MPM,MRCPsych,FRCPC

Associate professor of Psychiatry

Western University

London, Ontario

Since more than 50 years psychiatric diagnostic is being developed by a number of organisations. As research has advanced in understanding mental illnesses,need for a common language has been felt in order to provide best possible care to our patients.

The process of psychiatric diagnosis has evolved significantly. WHO as well APA both have made significant advances in developing diagnostic systems. DSM 5 recently approved by board of trustees by Americal psychiatric Association is scheduled to be released on 18th of May. This document …

Training And Education For Suicide Prevention (Human Resource Development) In Lmic, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Video

Description of the project: Background: Suicide is an international public health issue. Barriers to suicide prevention include lack of resources, access to care, lack of human resources (services and mental health care professionals),) stigma, lack of awareness and cultural and geographical factors. Most important amongst these barriers is lack of manpower for setting up services for identification, intervention and prevention of suicide. In most of the places either professional are not available or available professions lack the skills to identify and manage suicidal patients. Suicide is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide and claims the lives …

Reducing Treatment Delay For Early Intervention: Evaluation Of A Community Based Crisis Helpline, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Background A limited number of studies have assessed the pathways to care of patients experiencing psychosis for the first time. Helpline/clinic programs may offer patients who are still functional but have potential for crisis an alternative that is free from judgment. Methods In this study we report on patient calling a round-the-clock crisis helpline for suicide prevention supported by psychiatric facilities in Mumbai, India. Chi-square and test of mean differences were used to compare outcomes between first-episode patients and those with a previous history. Results Within five years, the helpline received 15,169 calls. Of those callers, 2341 (15.4%) experienced suicidal …

Baseline Serum Prolactin In Drug-Naive, Firstepisode Schizophrenia And Outcome At Five Years: Is It A Predictive Factor?, Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston, Yves Bureau, Nilesh Shah

Amresh Srivastava

Objective: Serum prolactin is influenced by antipsychotic use but its relationships with psychopathology and general functioning are not clear. This study aimed to assess these relationships. Design: Serum prolactin levels were measured in patients with schizophrenia before being treated with antipsychotics and at various follow-up points. Setting: The study was conducted in a nongovernmental psychiatric treatment center in Mumbai, India. Participants: The participants included 30 male and 30 female drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 31 control participants. Measurements: The severity of psychopathology at baseline, three weeks, six weeks, and five years following treatment was assessed using a modified Brief Psychiatric …

Early Intervention Of Psychosis And Re! Ections For Programmes In India, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Mental illness is perhaps the most common and most debilitating among non-communicable diseases. Schizophrenia, for example, normally occurs before the age of 25, affect the most productive years of life. The World Economic Forum graphically illustrates that mental illnesses will be a major contributor to the erosion of gross domestic product over the next 20 years. The developed world has established programs that have proven to be clinically and economically effective and sustainable.[1] Early intervention has played an important role in demonstrating that outcome can be improved if patients are treated in the early phase of illness. It is believed …

Suicide From A Global Perspective, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

This book is in 5 volumes, Hard cover and e-book, with 110 Chapters and contributions from more than 30 Countries

Amresh Shrivastava (ed), Megan Kimbrell and David Lester Handbook of Suicide From Global Perspective

Preface by Professor N. Sartorius, MD, PhD

Suicide is the cause of death for nearly one million people a year. Death by suicide is often reported as being due to other causes to avoid stigmatization and other negative consequences of suicide for the family: it can therefore be assumed that the number of people who commit suicide is much higher than this number. Attempts of suicide …

Sis-Map; Suicide Risk Assessment Scale, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

This is a New Scale for Assessment of suicide risk to evaluate clients referals and disposition. This Copy Right to Amresh Shrivastava and Chrles Nelson

Should ‘Risk Syndrome Of Psychosis’ Be Included In Dsm V As A Diagnosis? A Road Towards Preventive Psychiatry”, Amresh Srivastava

Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatric diagnosis has acquired a position of a quasi-legal document for mental health services and agencies working with mental health. Its utility has gone far beyond ‘clinical diagnosis for treatment’.

The concept of risk syndrome for schizophrenia has been thoroughly researched in last ten years or so. Significant advancement has been made in phenomenology, diagnostic criteria, classification, & neurobiology. The research of prodromal or at-risk or Ultra high-risk psychosis has significantly contributed to the body of knowledge of aetio-pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

The science of risk syndrome has apparently matured and its proponents are ready for its inclusion in DSM V …

Outcome, Early Intervention & Dup: The Matrix Of Research In Early Psychosis, Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston

Amresh Srivastava

There has been little investigation of the relationship of DUP to other long-term outcomes such as negative symptoms and cognitive functioning neither have the possible confounds of DUP been widely investigated or controlled. It is important that there should be more thorough investigations of DUP, its correlates, and the extent to which it does mediate any advantages of earlier intervention. Shorter duration of untreated psychosis was associated with greater response to antipsychotic treatment, as measured by severity of global psychopathology, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and functional outcomes. At the time of treatment initiation, duration of initially untreated psychosis was associated …

Need For Risk Assessment Of Suicide Across Mental Health Services, Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnstom

Amresh Srivastava

Clinical practice of psychiatry has acquired role and responsibility which goes far beyond traditional expectations .Incident of suicide, particularly, is considered a high liability for then professionals, organizations and the consumer. It also remains a clinical issue which examines can we prevent suicide which in the system of care. Studies have shown about 1 in 6 psychologists or psychiatrist are likely to loose a patient due to suicide in a mean duration of 18-20 years practice. Repeatedly it has demonstrated that clinical skill training for risk assessment is the necessary for all professionals not only in mental health but also …

Optimizing Outcome Measures For Schizophrenia: From Research To Clinics, Amresh Srivastava, Nina Schoolar, Alexander Miller, Jitenra Trivedi

Amresh Srivastava

Outcome measures in schizophrenia have evolved considerably to bring in more objectivity, uniformity and attempt to reflect ‘real-life’ situation. It has significantly moved away from measurement of symptom remission to assessment of level of functioning and quality of life parameters. Schizophrenia is a complex neurobehavioral disorder afflicting approximately 1% population, with onset in early adolescence, across the world. It cause immense burden of patients, families and caregivers. The economic cost of schizophrenia is enormous. It is therefore important that assessment of schizophrenia be reflective of ground reality, scientific, evidence-based and comprehensive. Several researchers have proposed multidimensional outcome parameters. The heterogeneity …

To Be Or Not To Be: Education For Clinical Decisions In Risk Assessment Of Suicide Behavior, Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston

Amresh Srivastava

Clinical practice of psychiatry has acquired role and responsibility which goes far beyond traditional expectations .Incident of suicide, particularly, is considered a high liability for then professionals, organizations and the consumer. It also remains a clinical issue which examines can we prevent suicide which in the system of care. Studies have shown about 1 in 6 psychologist or psychiatrist are likely to loose a patient due to suicide in a mean duration of 18-20 years practice. Repeatedly it has demonstrated that clinical skill training for risk assessment is the necessary for all professionals not only in mental health but also …

Cognitive Factors In Long Term Outcome Of First Episode Psychosis, Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston, Nilesh Shah, Meghana Thakar, Larry Stitt

Amresh Srivastava

Cognitive factors in long term outcome of first episode psychosis

Amresh Shrivastava, Megan Johnston, Nilesh Shah , Meghana Thakar , and Larry Stitt

a Excecutive Director , Mental Health Foundation of India (PRERANA Charitable trust) and Silver Mind Hospital, 209 Shivkripa Complex, Gokhale Road, Thane, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400 602, Currently: Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, The University of western Ontario, & associate Scientist, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario,Canada, E Mail : amresh.edu@gmail.com b Professor of Psychiatry LTMG Hospital, University of Mumbai, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400 022 c Clinical psychologist, Silver Mind Hospital, Mumbai,India d Department of Epidemiology & …

Neurobiological Markers Of Schizophrenia: Findings From Indian Studies Of Early Psychoses, Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston, John John, Harsha Halahalli, Shivarama Varambally Varambally

Amresh Srivastava

Neurobiological Markers of Schizophrenia: Findings from Indian Studies of Early Psychoses. Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston, John John, Harsha Halahalli,Shivarama Varambally 1The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada/3NIMHANS, Banglore , Karnataka , India OVERALL PANEL PROPOSAL: Advancement in technology together with early intervention studies have revealed a great deal about changes in neurobiological profile of brain in schizophrenia. In last fifteen years , there has been a trend all over the world to study early psychosis from the perspective of not only risk factors and causes of psychosis but also about brain vulnerability to understand what exactly happens that emotional …

Effects Of Duration Of Untreated Psychosis On Long-Term Outcome Of People Hospitalized With First Episode Schizophrenia, Amresh Shrivastava, Nilesh Shah, Megan Johnston, Larry Stitt, Meghana Thakar, Gurusamy Chinnasamy

Amresh Srivastava

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has emerged as a reliable predictor of outcome but continues to remain under scientific scrutiny. The present study examines the effect of differential periods of DUP on long-term outcome of first episode schizophrenia at Mumbai, India. This research was a prospective, 10-year follow-up naturalistic study. Hospitalized patients of first episode schizophrenia were selected and followed up. Results showed that the mean DUP was higher for a group which showed clinical recovery on Clinical Global Impression Scale [14.0 months (SD=8.0) in recovered and 10.8 months (SD=5.7) in non-recovered group (P=0.091)]. DUP was not found to be …

Integrating Social & Clinical Parameters In Outcome Measures Of Schizophrenia: Clinician’S Perspective., Amresh Srivastava, Nilesh Shah, Yves Bureau

Amresh Srivastava

Schizophrenia is a complex neurobehavioral disorder for which there are many promising new treatments. There is, however, a discrepancy in outcome measure reports when they are obtained from patients, relatives, caregivers, or professionals, thus making it difficult to determine the level of recovery. The reason for this lack of agreement may be due to the limitations of the measurement tools themselves, which are not comprehensive and may be measuring different aspects of outcome. Alternatively, it could be that the conceptual understanding of outcome and recovery require development. Unfortunately for one of the above reasons or both, patients assessed as “recovered” …

What Do We Know About People Who Kill Themselves: A Trajectory For Prevention In Developing Countries., Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston

Amresh Srivastava

Abstract: Lecture

Title: What do we know about people who kill themselves: A trajectory for prevention in Developing Countries. Amresh Shrivastava 1, Megan Johnston 2 Address: 1. Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada); Mental Health Foundation of India (PRERANA Charitable Trust) 209 Shivkripa Complex, Gokhale Road, Thane, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400 602 (Present Address: Regional Mental Health Care, 467 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada N5H 3V9; 2. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto. About one million people die due to suicide …

Weight Gain In Psychiatric Treatment: Risks, Implications, And Strategies For Prevention And Management, Amresh Srivastava, Megan Johnston

Amresh Srivastava

Weight gain in psychiatric populations is a common clinical challenge. Many patients suffering from mental disorders, when exposed to psychotropic medications, gain significant weight with or without other side effects. In addition to reducing the patients’ willingness to comply with treatment, this weight gain may create added psychological or physiological problems that need to be addressed. Thus, it is critical that clinicians take precautions to monitor and control weight gain and to take into account and treat all problems facing an individual. In this review, we examine some of the key issues surrounding weight gain in individuals suffering from mental …

Effects Of Duration Of Untreated Psychosis On Long-Term Outcome Of ‘People Hospitalized With First Episode Schizophrenia”, Amresh Srivastava, Larry Stitt, Meghana Thakar, Gurusamy Chinnasamy, Nilesh Shah

Amresh Srivastava

AIM: Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), which has emerged as a reliable predictor of outcome continues to remain under scientific scrutiny . The present study examines effect of differential periods of DUP on long-term outcome of first episode schizophrenia at Mumbai, India. Method: This is a prospective, ten year follow up naturalistic study. Hospitalized patients of first episode schizophrenia were selected and followed up Results: The mean DUP was higher for group, which showed clinical recovery on Clinical Global Impression Scale [14.0 months (SD=8.0) in recovered and 10.8 months (SD=5.7) in non-recovered group (p=0.091)]. DUP was not found to be …

Improved Schizophrenia Patient’S Ability To Work And Live Independently In The Community: A Ten-Year Long-Term Outcome Study From Mumbai, India, Amresh Srivastava, Larry Stitt, Meghana Thakar, Nilesh Shah, Gurusamy Chinnasamy

Amresh Srivastava

Background: The outcome of schizophrenia has several determinants. Socio-ecological factors, particularly living conditions, migration, community and culture, not only affect the level of risk but also the outcome. Mega cities around the world show a unique socio-ecological condition which has several challenges for mental health. The present study reports the long-term status of patients with schizophrenia in such a mega city - Mumbai, India. Aim: This study aims to reveal long-term outcome of patients suffering from schizophrenia with special reference to clinical symptoms and social functioning. Methods: The cohort for this study was drawn from a 10-year follow-up of first …

Persisting Symptoms In Recovered First Episode Schizophrenia Patients, Amresh Srivastava, Nilesh Shah, Meghana Thakar, Larry Stitt, Gurusamy Chinnasamy Chinnasamy

Amresh Srivastava

Persisting symptoms in recovered first episode schizophrenia patients

Amresh Shrivastavaa,*, Nilesh Shahb, Meghana Thakara, Larry Stittc, Gurusamy Chinnasamyd

aMental Health Foundation of India (PRERANA Charitable trust) and Silver Mind Hospital, 209 Shivkripa Complex, Gokhale Road, Thane, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400 602 bLTMG Hospital, University of Mumbai, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400 022 cDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1 dResearch Office, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-519-631-8510; Fax: +1-519-631-2512. E-mail address: dr.amresh@gmail.com …

Assessing Risk Of Suicide In Clinical Practice: A Framework For Conceptualizing Risk., Amresh Srivastava, Charles Nelson Nelson

Amresh Srivastava

Assessing risk of suicide in clinical practice: A framework for conceptualizing risk. AmreshShrivastava MBBS, MD, DPM, MRC Psych 1 ψ Charles Nelson Ph.D., C. Psych.2 1. Assistant professor of psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, Regional Mental Health Care - St. Thomas, Associate scientist, Lawson health research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada, 2.Psychologist, Regional Mental Health Care - St. Thomas, Ontario, Adjunct Professor, Clinical Psychology, University of Western Ontario – London, Ontario Associate scientist, Lawson health research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada ψ. Corresponding author AmreshShrivastava MD, DPM, MRCPsych Regional mental health care, 467, Sunset Drive, …