Help‐seeking and people with aphasia who have mood problems after stroke: perspectives of speech–language pathologists

Abstract

Background: Access to treatments for mood disorders may pose a challenge to individuals with compromised communication ability. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have previously reported that their clients with aphasia decline formal psychological support; however, their role in their clients' help-seeking has not been explored. Aims: To investigate SLPs' perspectives on how they currently support help-seeking for mood problems in people with aphasia and factors they perceive to be impacting service uptake.

Prevalence of Behavioral Health Problems Among Adults With and Without Communication Disabilities

“…There are also few psychological and pharmacological treatment approaches specifically validated on persons with CDs. 26,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] The mainstay of psychological services is psychotherapy, also known as "talk therapy," 47 which poses inherent challenges for those with CDs. Fortunately, approaches are emerging in the aphasia population, with several new behavioral health approaches under investigation.…”

Voicing the perspectives of stroke survivors with aphasia: A rapid evidence review of post‐stroke mental health, screening practices and lived experiences

“…Rapid evidence review sources indicated the prevalence of poststroke depression as between 43% and 70% of stroke patients (Ashaie et al, 2019;Carota et al, 2016;Cobley et al, 2012;Døli et al, 2017;Hilari et al, 2010;Hunting Pompon et al, 2019;Kauhanen et al, 2000;Ryan et al, 2019;Shehata et al, 2015). Baker Kauhanen et al's (2000) 1-year prospective study evaluated the prevalence of post-stroke aphasia at three time points and found that non-fluent aphasic patients are particularly at risk of developing poststroke depression since they are more aware of their impairments (Kauhanen et al, 2000).…”

“…Furthermore, skills to provide psychosocial care while assessing patients is important; for example, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may lack confidence and skills to provide sound psychological care and support aphasic stroke patients' needs (Baker et al, 2021;Ryan et al, 2019) determined that social workers may be preferred Stroke survivors should be assessed by trained personnel using a standardised and validated scale if altered mood is suspected (Stroke Foundation, 2017). However, there is no consistency regarding the roles and responsibilities of mood screening procedures and providing psychological care (Baker et al, 2020).…”

“…Similarly, mental health outcomes may be underestimated across studies because aphasic stroke patients are frequently excluded from studies exploring post-stroke depression (Franklin et al, 2018). Ryan et al (2019) noted that mental health workers might perceive that aphasic patients cannot participate in mood screening due to their communication difficulties. Furthermore, Ryan et al (2019) stated that mental health workers might lack knowledge of appropriate resources and screening instruments for this cohort.…”

“…Ryan et al (2019) noted that mental health workers might perceive that aphasic patients cannot participate in mood screening due to their communication difficulties. Furthermore, Ryan et al (2019) stated that mental health workers might lack knowledge of appropriate resources and screening instruments for this cohort. However, Franklin et al (2018) and Hilari et al (2010) identified that aphasic patients can undergo mood screening and be research participants when adaptive strategies for communicative impairments are used (e.g.…”