BackgroundIndividuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are at a substantial risk of harm to themselves and others, experience high levels of functional impairment and typically are high users of tertiary healthcare to address their mental health concerns. As indicators for BPD typically emerge in adolescence, a day therapy service in Bentley, Western Australia, Touchstone Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), was developed as an intensive intervention for adolescents with indicators for BPD and its associated symptomology. Touchstone utilizes mentalization‐based therapy (MBT) in a therapeutic community setting, where the current study sought to document the anecdotal outcomes using the data provided at Touchstone, to enable a greater understanding of this treatment approach for adolescents with indicators for BPD.MethodForty‐six participants attended the Touchstone programme between 2015 and 2020. The programme involved 6 months of MBT (group and individual), occupational therapy, education and creative therapies. Measures of self‐injury, mood and emergency department presentations were collected pre‐ and post‐programme.ResultsResults indicate that participants show a reduction in non‐suicidal acts and thoughts, as well as a reduction in negative moods and feelings from pre‐Touchstone to post‐Touchstone. There is also a decrease in participant presentation to tertiary emergency departments for mental health concerns.ConclusionsThe current study shows evidence for the efficacy of Touchstone as an MBT therapeutic community intervention to reduce symptoms of emerging BPD and effectively reduce presentations to emergency departments for mental health presentations, alleviating pressure on tertiary hospitals and reducing economic impact of adolescents within this demographic.
IntroductionDementia is highly prevalent in older Aboriginal Australians, with several modifiable risk factors. Currently, there is limited evidence on how to prevent cognitive decline in Aboriginal Australians.MethodsBased on our Theory of Change (ToC) framework, we co‐developed the Dementia risk management and prevention program for Aboriginal Australians (DAMPAA) aged over 45 years in partnership with Aboriginal community‐controlled organizations (ACCOs) and Elders. Qualitative data were collected through ACCO staff workshops, Elders yarning, and governance groups to inform the protocol. Additionally, we conducted a small pilot study.ResultsExpected DAMPAA ToC outcomes are: (1) improved daily function, (2) better cardiovascular risk management, (3) falls reduction, (4) improved quality of life, and (5) reduced cognitive decline. Attendance enablers are social interaction, environment, exercise type/level, and logistics.DiscussionFindings suggest that ToC is an effective collaborative approach for co‐designing Aboriginal health programs.
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