The “constant tug-of-war” in mental health care in Greece

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on how mental health professionals involved in the therapeutic treatment of children in public mental health facilities in Greece experience and talk about the impact of the socioeconomic crises on the psychotherapeutic process. Design/methodology/approach In all, 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted and phenomenologically informed thematic analysis was used in analysing the data. Findings The results coalesced into two all-encompassing thematic structures articulating the following: first, the socioeconomic crises have permeated society and therapeutic praxis like a torrential and chronic rain storm. This has resulted in a deluge in demand for therapeutic services within the public mental health sector; second, mental health professionals describe their positioning and work as “a constant tug-of-war” where they are inundated and often overwhelmed with work, find themselves identifying with service users and taking on several roles simultaneously, and being challenged to find solutions often in dire and complex situations. They describe how creativity and flexibility are in demand in their day-to-day interactions and if they are to intervene in place of a health and welfare system that is faltering. Doing therapeutic work under such circumstances appears to be both emotionally onerous and stimulating with regard to conceptualising new ways of intervening in such complex psychosocial situations. Research limitations/implications The study is limited in that only mental health professionals presented their experiences and service users were not included. The findings do highlight how severe austerity policies impact mental health services and peoples’ lives. Practical implications The study has implications for policy regarding the provision and organisation of mental health services in contexts where crises and economic turmoil prevail. Social implications The results associate severe austerity with major changes in family and community life. Originality/value The paper provides insights and implications on how mental health services are impacted by socioeconomic conditions.

Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on mental health service provision: a pilot focus group study in six European countries

“…Focus groups participants noted such difficulties mostly in Greece and in Cyprus where severe austerity measures in recent years have resulted in healthcare budget cuts [24]. Moreover, increases in MHC needs [25] have rendered access to affordable MHC difficult [26][27][28]. Socioeconomic disparities in the accessibility and availability of MHC were noted in all of the MentALLY countries, and participants explained how they are attributed to an equity gap [29].…”

Mental Health Professionals’ Attitudes Towards People with Severe Mental Illness: Are they Related to Professional Quality of Life?

“…Various forms of community-based mental health services have been developed including supported living facilities, community mental health centers and employment opportunities (Christodoulou et al, 2012 ). Nevertheless, health services in the country were profoundly impacted by the socioeconomic crisis of 2008–2018 by budget cuts and reductions to access (Triliva et al, 2013 ) and increases in referrals and demand for services (Kyriakidou & Triliva, 2018 ). A comprehensive framework for mental healthcare provision has not been established in Greece, and this is not an exception concerning mental health stigma and its effects.…”

Διερεύνηση Του Στίγματος Των Ειδών Γνώσης Και Της Εξουθένωσης Των Φροντιστών Ηλικιωμένων Με Ανοϊκές Συνδρομές

“…Οι οικογενειακοί φροντιστές στην Ελλάδα προσπαθούν ακόμα να ανταπεξέλθουν στα πλαίσια ενός παραδοσιακού συστήματος αξιών βασισμένων στην οικογένεια, στον σεβασμό στους ηλικιωμένους και στον ρόλο της γυναίκας παράγοντες που συντελούν πιθανώς στην σχετικά θετική ανταπόκρισή τους στο ρόλο τους σαν φροντιστές παρά την έλλειψη επίσημης υποστήριξης από το κράτος (Triantafillou et al, 2006). Παρ' όλα αυτά υπάρχουν γηροκομεία, οίκοι ευγηρίας και ιδρύματα για χρόνιους πάσχοντες τα οποία είναι είτε δημόσια είτε ιδιωτικά και κερδοσκοπικά ή ιδιωτικά μη κερδοσκοπικά που στηρίζονται από την ελληνική εκκλησία (Kyriakidou et al, 1994).…”