The U.S. Mental Health System of the 1990s

Burnout among the addiction counseling workforce: The differential roles of mindfulness and values-based processes and work-site factors

“…This study also suggests that intervention strategies that target ACT processes might have benefits for burnout reduction above and beyond work-site factors. Structural worksite changes are difficult to implement in treatment agencies due to their prevalent underfunding and chronic instability (Austad et al, 1992; Carpenter, 1999; Ivey, Scheffler, & Zazzali, 1998; Manderscheid et al, 2000; Ogborne, Braun, & Schmidt, 1998; Osborn, 2004), which are currently aggravated by the overall downturn in economic resources nationally. Mindfulness and values-based approaches, such as ACT, could provide a cheaper alternative to structural work-site changes by helping counselors to identify, clarify and commit to their work-related values, decrease their levels of experiential avoidance and further their capacity to undermine the effects of cognitive fusion with stigmatizing attitudes when they emerge.…”

“…Addictions counselors work under difficult conditions: funding cuts, restrictions on the delivery of services, changing certification and licensure standards, mandated clients, and clients that need special care (Austad, Sherman, Morgan, & Holstein, 1992; Carpenter, 1999; Ivey, Scheffler, & Zazzali, 1998; Manderscheid, Henderson, Witkin, & Atay, 2000; Osborn, 2004). In addition, other situational factors such as low salaries, staff turnover, agency upheaval, and limited opportunities for career development create additional burdens (Ogborne, Braun, & Schmidt, 1998); not to mention the well-known difficulty of working with clients who have high relapse rates (Festinger, Rubenstein, Marlowe, & Platt, 2001; Hubbard, Flynn, Craddock, & Fletcher, 2001) and high rates of psychiatric comorbidity (McGovern, Xie, Segal, Siembab, & Drake, 2006.…”

Seven Salutary Suggestions for Counselor Stamina

“…Some type of limitation or restriction defines the provision of mental health services today, be it time, money, or other resources (e.g., treatment interventions), including a lack of full parity (i.e., mental health not financed at the same level, or to the same degree, as physical health; Ivey et al, 1998). Descriptions of the current behavioral health care system are embedded in a managed care framework (Manderscheid et al, 2000) and community mental health centers are increasingly becoming managed care providers (Cohen & Bloom, 2000). Reference to managed care in the literature has shifted from a characterization as an intruder (Pipal, 1995) in therapy to a depiction as necessary sentinel (Howard, 1998).…”

“…M ental health and substance abuse practitioners today are besieged with numerous demands on their time, talents, and resources. Several authors have discussed these current challenges (Austad, Sherman, Morgan, & Holstein, 1992;Carpenter, 1999;Ivey, Scheffler, & Zazzali, 1998;Langeland, Johnson, & Mawhinney, 1998;Manderscheid, Henderson, Witkin, & Atay, 2000;Scheffler, Ivey, & Garrett, 1998), which include working within the restrictions of funding cuts, practicing mandated short-term counseling, and responding to the expectations of accountability and evidence-based outcomes. In addition, counselors are expected to remain current with increased and continuously changing certification and licensure standards, work collaboratively with an increasing array of professionals from varied disciplines in the mental health marketplace, and care for an increasing number of clients needing specialized care.…”

Current Situation and Suggestions of Mental Health Service System in Universities

“…Consequently, it will improve the services effect of safeguard factors if excess use of resources and loss of system effectiveness are prevented. Mental health services in developed countries are centered on students (Manderscheid et al, 2000). And they have also made their contributions to Chinese service system of mental health in universities.…”