Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Building The Foundation For The Family Options Project, Joanne Nicholson, Kathleen Biebel, Valerie Williams, Karen Albert

Joanne Nicholson

This article describes how the long-standing partnership between Employment Options, Inc., a psychosocial rehabilitation agency in Marlborough, MA, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School's (UMMS) Center for Mental Health Services Research led to the development of the Family Options program.

Mothers With Severe Mental Illness Caring For Children, Carla White, Joanne Nicholson, William Fisher, Jeffrey Geller

Joanne Nicholson

This research identifies and describes the Massachusetts population of Department of Mental Health (DMH) case-managed women with severe mental illness who are caretakers of their minor children (N = 314), and compares their demographic and clinical characteristics and service utilization with those of a matched, randomly selected group of DMH case-managed noncaretaking women (N = 328) using the Client Tracking System database. Caretakers were significantly younger, had less formal education, and had higher rates of marriage than did noncaretakers. They are diagnosed more often with major affective disorders and less often with psychotic disorders. Caretakers demonstrate higher levels of functioning …

Mothers With Mental Health Disorders: Mental Health Promotion In The Context Of Parenting, Joanne Nicholson, Elizabeth Aaker, Michael Agar, Karen Albert, Steven Banks, Kathleen Biebel, Bernice Gershenson, Antonia Seligowski, Valerie Williams, Brenda Warren, Sierra Williams, Katherine Woolsey

Joanne Nicholson

Parenting is a meaningful role for the majority of American women, including those with mental health disorders. Success in this role, particularly for women with mental health disorders, would seem to be intimately related to mental health promotion, the recovery process, and successful functioning in other major life domains (e.g., employment, community living, and personal health and well-being). The achievement of maximum social participation for women with mental health disorders may hinge on addressing the challenges they face as parents. Presented at Margins to Mainstream: World Congress on Mental Health Promotion and Prevention. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, September 2008.

Critical Issues For Parents With Mental Illness And Their Families, Joanne Nicholson, Kathleen Biebel, Beth Hinden, Alexis Henry, Lawrence Stier

Joanne Nicholson

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that investigated the impact of parents who have mental illness on children and families. The report discusses the scope of the issue and the experiences of parents with mental illness, federal and State policies impacting policies and practices relating to parents with mental illness, current programs for parents with mental illness and their families, and recommended steps for improving and expanding services. Prepared for the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

The Invisible Children’S Project: A Family-Centered Intervention For Parents With Mental Illness, Beth Hinden, Kathleen Biebel, Joanne Nicholson, Liz Mehnert

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Hinden, B., Biebel, K., Nicholson, J., & Mehnert, (2002) The Invisible Children’s Project: A family-centered intervention for parents with mental illness. Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This report describes an evaluation of the Invisible Children's Project (ICP), a program in Orange County, New York, that provides home-based, family-centered case management services for parents with mental illness. Policy implications and program recommendations are also discussed. Prepared for the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Policy, Planning and Administration, Rockville, MD.

Children Of Parents With Mental Illnesses, Joanne Nicholson, Janice Cooper, Rachel Freed, Mareasa Isaacs

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Nicholson, J., Cooper, J., Freed, R., & Isaacs, M. (2008) Children of parents with mental illnesses. In Gullotta, T.P. & Blau, G. (Eds.) Family influences on childhood behavior and development. New York: Routledge, pp. 231-266. ISBN 0415965322, 9780415965323. This chapter of Family Influences on Childhood Behavior and Development: Evidence-Based Prevention and Treatment Approaches explores the risks faced by children living with parents with mental illness. Individual, family, and community factors influencing risk and resiliency are considered, along with evidence-based treatment interventions, psychopharmacology recommendations, strategies for preventing psychopathology in children, and recommended best practices for clinicians. Limited preview available via …

Why Not Support(Ed) Parenting, Joanne Nicholson, William Deveney

Joanne Nicholson

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Programs For Parents With Mental Illness And Their Families: Identifying Common Elements To Build The Evidence Base, Beth Hinden, Kathleen Biebel, Joanne Nicholson, Alexis Henry, Judith Katz-Leavy

Joanne Nicholson

Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions for families living with parental mental illness. Existing interventions offer information about successfully implemented treatments, which may demonstrate effectiveness in research. In the current study, directors of programs for parents with mental illness and their families were interviewed. Qualitative analyses revealed noteworthy similarities with respect to target population; funding; community context; agency context; mission, theoretical orientation, and assumptions; locus of care and essential services; desired outcomes; and moderators. Program similarities were identified to provide parameters for research, and to contribute to the development of testable hypotheses. Family-centered, strengths-based approaches were identified across …

Outcomes Of Father Involvement In Pregnancy And Birth, Joanne Nicholson, Nancy Gist, Robert Klein, Kay Standley

Joanne Nicholson

No abstract provided.

Privatized Medicaid Managed Care In Massachusetts: Disposition In Child And Adolescent Mental Health Emergencies, Joanne Nicholson, Stephen Young, Lorna Simon, William Fisher, Anne Bateman

Joanne Nicholson

Data from child and adolescent emergency mental health screening episodes prior and subsequent to privatized Medicaid managed care in Massachusetts are used to investigate the relationship between payer source and disposition and to compare the match between clinical need and disposition level of care. Having Medicaid as the payer in the post-Medicaid managed care period decreased the odds of hospitalization by nearly 60%. None of the clinical need variables that contributed to hospitalization for Medicaid episodes in the pre-Medicaid managed care period were significant in the post-Medicaid managed care period. Multiple forces shaping professional standards, decision making, and quality of …

Fathers With Severe Mental Illness: Characteristics And Comparisons, Joanne Nicholson, Margaret Nason, Anne Calabresi, Regina Yando

Joanne Nicholson

Among patients with severe mental illness attending a large, urban, outpatient mental health clinic, fathers are described and compared with nonfathers and with mothers on demographic, clinical, and child-related characteristics, and on resources and service needs. While fathers and nonfathers with mental illness differed significantly on most variables, fathers and mothers with mental illness were remarkably similar except on child-related characteristics. Issues regarding fathers' experiences and service needs are discussed.

A Qualitative Study Of Programs For Parents With Serious Mental Illness And Their Children: Building Practice-Based Evidence, Joanne Nicholson, Beth Hinden, Kathleen Biebel, Alexis Henry, Judith Katz-Leavy

Joanne Nicholson

The rationale for the development of effective programs for parents with serious mental illness and their children is compelling. Using qualitative methods and a grounded theory approach with data obtained in site visits, seven existing programs for parents with mental illness and their children in the United States are described and compared across core components: target population, theory and assumptions, funding, community and agency contexts, essential services and intervention strategies, moderators, and outcomes. The diversity across programs is strongly complemented by shared characteristics, the identification of which provides the foundation for future testing and the development of an evidence base. …

Parents With Severe Mental Illness And Their Children: The Need For Human Services Integration, Andrea Blanche, Joanne Nicholson, James Purcell

Joanne Nicholson

This article presents the findings and recommendations of a statewide interagency task force on parents with mental illness who have young children. Based on testimony from consumers, providers, and advocates, the task force concluded that this is a substantial and neglected public policy issue requiring an intergovernmental, services integration approach. Recommendations were made in the areas of services, policies and procedures, and service coordination.

Exploring The Concept Of “Young Carer” In Families Living With Parental Mental Illness, Antonia Seligowski, Peter Mcnamee, Karen Albert, Valerie Williams, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Background Information: The concept of “young carers” has been framed in the literature as children providing care and assuming household responsibilities when parents have physical and/or mental disabilities (Aldridge & Becker, 2003). In the United Kingdom, young carers have been studied extensively, leading to increased access to services and supports (Dearden & Becker, 2004). Our goal is to explore the concept of young carers in the U.S.

Aims: 1) To describe the care giving and household responsibilities of children and youth living with parents with mental illnesses, how often they are performed, and the feelings of children and youth about …

A Historical Perspective On Victimization, Jeffrey Geller, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Geller, J. L., Nicholson, J. & Traverso, A. (1997) A Historical Perspective on Victimization. In Harris, M. (Ed.) Sexual abuse trauma in the lives of women. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers, p. 139-160. ISBN 9057025051, 9789057025051. Limited preview available via Google Book Search.

Achieving The Goal Of Evidence-Based Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practices For Mothers With Mental Illnesses, Joanne Nicholson, Alexis Henry

Joanne Nicholson

There is a growing commitment to evidence-based practices in mental health. There is no well-articulated evidence base for interventions for mothers with mental illnesses. Parenthood is common among women with mental illnesses. Women themselves report motherhood is an important role. The risks of parental mental illness to children have been demonstrated; the challenges that motherhood brings to people with mental illnesses have been described. Because outcomes for both children and adults are multiply determined, there are many intervention opportunities. Recommendations for intervention are drawn from a focus group study and from the existing literature on parent training and support, exemplary …

Programs For Families With Parental Mental Illness: Results Of A Us National Survey, Joanne Nicholson, Beth Hinden, Kathleen Biebel, Alexis Henry, Lawrence Stier

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Nicholson, J., Hinden, B., Biebel, K., Henry, A., & Stier, L. (2004). Programs for families with parental mental illness. Visions: British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal, 2(2), 27-29. Available at: http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions/parenting. Summary: Survey of programs in the U.S. for parents with mental illness.

A Multi-Disciplinary, Whole-Of-Family Approach To Supporting Parents With Mental Illness, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Summary: Family members are likely to have multiple and overlapping needs & roles – individuals with mental illness, carers & siblings. There are many opportunities & strategies for intervention. The best care requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders working in partnership. Citation: Nicholson, J. (2010, November). A multi-disciplinary, whole-of-family approach to supporting parents with mental illness. Presented as a plenary at the Developing Strength and Resilience in Children conference of Voksne for Barn, Oslo, Norway.

Parenting, Joanne Nicholson, Laura Miller

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Nicholson, J. & Miller, L.J. (2008) Parenting. In Mueser, K. & Jeste, D.V. (Eds.) The clinical handbook of schizophrenia. New York: The Guilford Press, pp. 471-480. ISBN 1593856520, 9781593856526. Limited preview available via Google Book Search.

The Internet, Health Promotion, And Community Participation, Joanne Nicholson, Armando Rotondi

Joanne Nicholson

No abstract provided.

The Family Networks Implementation Study, Susan Maciolek, Joanne Nicholson, Nicole Dube, Jodi Adams, Bernice Gershenson

Joanne Nicholson

Family Networks is a comprehensive system transformation initiative to redesign and integrate traditional categorical services across Massachusetts into local systems of care for children, youth, and families served by the child welfare system. The Family Networks Implementation Study, a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Social Services and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is a two-year study of the process of implementing local systems of care that began in January 2007, and will continue through December 2008. Presented at the 21th Annual Research Conference. A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, Florida, February …

Mental Illness: Understanding The Impact On Families And How To Help, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Abstract: Family is the context where mental health recovery takes place. Mental health services need to take a whole-of-family approach when working with people with a mental illness. Supporting people with a mental illness in their family roles actually improved the mental health outcomes of people participating in their programs. Citation: Nicholson, J. (2010, May). Mental illness: Understanding the impact on families and how to help. Presented as the 12th Annual Bruce Woodcock Memorial Lecture, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

A Comparison Of The Health And Mental Health Status Of Homeless Mothers In Worcester, Mass: 1993 And 2003, Linda Weinreb, John Buckner, Valerie Williams, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

OBJECTIVES: We assessed background characteristics, health status, and prevalence rates of mental health disorders in 2 studies of homeless mothers conducted in Worcester, Mass, one in 1993 and the other in 2003.

METHODS: We compared the women taking part in the 2 studies, which involved similar methodologies, on the key variables of interest over time.

RESULTS: Homeless families taking part in the 2003 study were poorer than those taking part in the 1993 study, and female heads of household in that study reported more physical health limitations, major depressive illness, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

CONCLUSION: Data from 2003 suggest that …

The Responsiveness Of State Mental Health Authorities To Parents With Mental Illness, Kathleen Biebel, Joanne Nicholson, Valerie Williams, Beth Hinden

Joanne Nicholson

The majority of adults with serious mental illness living in the community are parents, many of whom may be receiving services from State Mental Health Authorities (SMHA). Innovative intervention approaches are available to improve outcomes for these parents and their children. Analyses of SMHA and state-level data, as well as qualitative interviews of administrators, service providers, and consumers, underscore the importance of organizational structure and philosophy, an advocacy presence, and available funding to SMHA efforts on behalf of parents and their families.

Creating Job Opportunities For People With Psychiatric Disabilities At A University-Based Research Center, Alexis Henry, Joanne Nicholson, Jonathan Clayfield, Susan Phillips, Lawrence Stier

Joanne Nicholson

The consumer empowerment movement has led to an increase in opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities to take on roles in the development and delivery of mental health services. However, to date there has been less involvement of people with psychiatric disabilities in services research. In this paper, we describe our experiences creating employment opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities in a university-based mental health services research center. Working with two local clubhouse programs we developed research assistant positions using both transitional and supported employment approaches. We describe the development of the jobs, employee characteristics, the orientation and training provided …

Family Members With Overlapping Mental Health Needs Require The Transformation Of Systems And Services, Joanne Nicholson, Kathleen Biebel, Beth Hinden, Valerie Williams, Bernice Gershenson, Judith Katz-Leavy

Joanne Nicholson

Women and men with a lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorder are at least as likely to be parents as are adults without psychiatric disorder. The majority of adults in all diagnostic categories are parents, including those meeting criteria for affective and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and non-affective psychosis. Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) receiving services in Systems of Care (SOCs) programs may have multiple family risk factors. Family-centered, strengths-based practices require a paradigm shift in the way administrators and providers view and intervene with children and adults. Presented at The Santa Fe Summit on Behavioral Health, the American College of …

Building The Evidence Base For Families Living With Parental Mental Illness, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

No abstract provided.

Parenting Well When You're Depressed: A Complete Resource For Maintaining A Healthy Family, Joanne Nicholson, Alexis Henry, Jonathan Clayfield, Susan Phillips

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Nicholson, J., Henry, A.D., Clayfield, J. & Phillips, S. (2001) Parenting well when you’re depressed: A complete resource for maintaining a healthy family. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. ISBN 1572242515, 9781572242517. This guide, based on more than ten years of study of depressed parents and their families, offers strategies, action plans, and resources to help readers provide for their children's healthy development.

State Policies And Programs That Address The Needs Of Mentally Ill Mothers In The Public Sector, Joanne Nicholson, Jeffrey Geller, William Fisher, George Dion

Joanne Nicholson

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine whether state departments of mental health have specific policies and programs addressing the needs of mentally ill women served in the public sector who have preschool-age children. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the commissioner of mental health for each state and the District of Columbia. Questions addressed whether information was routinely collected on the parenting status of women who receive public-sector psychiatric services, whether services targeting mentally ill women with young children were available, and whether the state had policies concerning hospitalized women who are pregnant or who have young children. RESULTS: Sixteen …

Using Organizational Data To Create The Essential Context For System Transformation In Child Welfare, William Deveney, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

The Massachusetts Department of Social Services (MA/DSS) has 29 area offices organized in 6 regions; 74,651 consumers (39,913 are children < 18 years of age); 10,863 children and youth in placement; and 3,400 employees (FY2005; 2nd quarter).

A comprehensive system transformation initiative is underway, to shift from the traditional “adversarial” child protective model, and translate the core values of “child-driven,” “family-centered,” “community-focused,” “strength-based,” “committed to diversity/ cultural competence,” and committed to continuous learning” into an active child welfare agenda. The “learning organization” is the guiding framework.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is an interactive, iterative, participatory process that reflects change in organizational values, and catalyzes and guides improvements in policy and practice. Data drive CQI, obtained as framed …