Raghu Raghavan holds a chair in mental health at De Montfort University, Leicester. His background is in health psychology and nursing, and his work focusses on in mental health and disability, cultural diversity, participatory research and co-production. He is the Director of Mary Seacole Research Centre – an interdisciplinary research institute focusing on mental health, migration, ethnicity and culture at De Montfort University. He is also a co-director of Leicester Centre for Mental Health Research (LMHR) a collaborative research center with De Montfort University, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and the University of Leicester. He has initiated and led inclusive community engagement and research on disability, mental health, resilience wellbeing in the UK and in India with diverse cultural and migrant communities using innovative interdisciplinary approaches (creative arts-based methodology) for maximizing participation and influencing impact on policy and practice. He has published widely with over 100 publications on the theme of mental health, disability, and health inequalities of diverse cultural communities
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (IDs) are more vulnera... more Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (IDs) are more vulnerable to experiencing anxiety disorders. Parental involvement in intervention is crucial for successful management of the interventions in the population of people with ASDs. This article describes the design and evaluation of parenting programme for anxiety disorders in children and young people with ASD and ID. In phase 1 semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore management strategies for anxiety at home and in school settings. A total of 34 participants (14 parents, 20 teachers) participated in the interviews. A Delphi process was conducted with health professionals to develop consensus on appropriate anxiety interventions. In phase 2 the intervention programme was implemented by seven parents who also participated in focus group to evaluate the developed programme. A parental programme, calm child programme (CCP), was developed, implemented and evaluated. The evaluations sho...
Background It is recognised that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations are generall... more Background It is recognised that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations are generally underrepresented in research studies. The key objective of this work was to develop an evidence based, practical toolkit to help researchers maximise recruitment of BAME groups in research. Methods Development of the toolkit was an iterative process overseen by an expert steering group. Key steps included a detailed literature review, feedback from focus groups (including researchers and BAME community members) and further workshops and communication with participants to review the draft and final versions. Results Poor recruitment of BAME populations in research is due to complex reasons, these include factors such as inadequate attention to recruitment strategies and planning, poor engagement with communities and individuals due to issues such as cultural competency of researchers, historical poor experience of participating in research, and lack of links with community networks. Oth...
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 2020
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the literature on mental hea... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the literature on mental health resilience and other positive mental health capacities of urban and internal migrants.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology for this narrative review included a search of articles published up to 2017. The abstracts were screened and relevant articles studied and discussed. Literature on the particular mental health challenges of urban migrants in India was also studied. References found in the literature relating to neurourbanism were also followed up to explore broader historical and conceptual contexts.FindingsSeveral key sources and resources for mental health resilience were identified – including familial and community networks and individual hope or optimism. Nevertheless, much of the literature tends to focus at the level of the individual person, even though ecological systems theory would suggest that mental health resilience is better understood as multi-layered, i.e....
Purpose Referrals to specialist eating disorder (ED) services from the South Asian (SA) community... more Purpose Referrals to specialist eating disorder (ED) services from the South Asian (SA) community are under-represented, despite research suggesting that disordered eating attitudes and behaviours of SA people are similar to the population in general. The purpose of this paper is to identify the reasons for this and sought to inform ways to encourage help-seeking. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was used to investigate barriers to help-seeking for EDs among the SA community. A key informant focus group was conducted with clinicians working within the local specialist ED service (participants n=16, 12 female, 4 male). Six focus groups were conducted with members of the SA community in Leicester, UK (participants n=28, 23 female, 5 male), recruited from a local university, two charities and Children, Young People and Family Centres. Findings A number of themes emerged as possible factors for delaying early access to help: lack of knowledge about EDs and their pot...
Background To date, there has been little research into the causes of, and solutions to, loneline... more Background To date, there has been little research into the causes of, and solutions to, loneliness among migrant and ethnic minority people. Objectives The objectives were to synthesise available evidence and produce new insights relating to initiatives that aim to address loneliness among these populations, plus the logic, functioning and effects of such initiatives. Data sources Electronic database searches (MEDLINE, Applied Social Sciences Index and s and Social Science Citation Index via Web of Science – no date restrictions were applied), grey literature searches, and citation and reference searching were conducted. Data were generated via nine workshops with three consultation panels involving 34 public contributors, and one practitioner workshop involving 50 participants. Review methods Guided by ‘systems thinking’, a theory-driven synthesis was combined with an effectiveness review to integrate evidence on the nature and causes of loneliness, interventional types and progra...
Abstract With the concept of resilience increasingly deployed across a range of issues in develop... more Abstract With the concept of resilience increasingly deployed across a range of issues in development studies—from conflict resilience to climate resilience—this paper considers the relevance of resilience concepts to current issues and concerns in global mental health. Resilience discourses can be seen as one response to the need for more holistic accounts of mental health that focus, not only on stressors and risk factors for mental ill health, but also recognize the sometimes overlooked capacities of people and communities to manage and coproduce their own mental wellbeing. For example, migration forms the backdrop to global mental health for a significant proportion of the world’s populace. And yet, thus far, most literature on migrant mental health has tended to focus on risk factors and stressors with comparatively little consideration given to potential sources or resources for positive mental health and coping with adversity. Nevertheless, while concepts of “resilience” are increasingly advocated in development studies and global mental health contexts, such concepts also have their critics. For example, resilience rhetorics can “depoliticize” by appearing to normalize otherwise unacceptable circumstances which might—from post-development and other alternative critical perspectives—be viewed as politically constituted through-and-through.
This volume: * Develops a framework for learning disability nursing practice * Examines key issue... more This volume: * Develops a framework for learning disability nursing practice * Examines key issues for people with learning disabilities * Identifies distinctive features of learning disability nursing * Supports learning disability nurses in developing their roles and to support those with learning disabilities in exercising their rights. * Explores ethical and moral dilemmas, challenges and successes
People with learning disabilities have more physical and mental health problems than people witho... more People with learning disabilities have more physical and mental health problems than people without learning disabilities.1 A national Confidential Inquiry reported that men and women with learning disabilities died, on average, 13 and 20 years earlier than men and women in the general population.2 In addition, the Inquiry’s findings showed that people with learning disabilities have worse healthcare experience and outcomes compared with people without learning disabilities. These health inequalities are not inevitable and are, to a large extent, avoidable.
This exciting new handbook draws on the experience of a wide range of authors to present a rich a... more This exciting new handbook draws on the experience of a wide range of authors to present a rich and informative exploration of the nature, manifestation and presentation of anxiety and depression in individuals with intellectual disabilities, and discusses the challenges and obstacles facing those who work with them. Alongside user perspectives and information for supporting families, it also discusses a range of approaches to working with this population, including case formulations, psychopharmacological interventions, cognitive therapy, psychodynamic approaches and solution focused therapy.
Recent European Union and Economic and Social Research Council funded research has scrutinized th... more Recent European Union and Economic and Social Research Council funded research has scrutinized the concept of choice and future orientation in those undergoing transitions into adulthood. The focus of interest has been on the interplay of social structure and individual agency. We draw on initial findings from a Department of Health funded study to critique these new ways of thinking. In what ways do people with learning disabilities manifest the same attitudes to choice and risk evident in recent studies of young people? Do they demonstrate similar models of adaptation to the future? We will explore, via three case study examples, the tension between individual agency and family attitudes to future possibilities. We will argue that advances in the sociology of youth are in danger of assuming that the individualized 'choice biography' is the predominant model of transition. This does not reflect the importance of social networks and family relationships in young people with learning disability. For them, risk-management and the pursuit of well-being are pursued in the social domain.
The last three decades of research shows there is a high prevalence of children and young people ... more The last three decades of research shows there is a high prevalence of children and young people with a learning disability and mental health disorder. The overlap of challenging behaviour and mental health disorders along with the lack of understanding of the nature and manifestation of mental health disorders in this population produce a complex and perplexing picture in terms of detection, diagnosis and therapeutic services. This book aims to explore issues relating to the care of children and young people with learning disabilities with mental health needs. Developing evidence based practice is a key theme of this book. We believe that through the consolidation of the evidence for assessment, intervention, service provision and safeguarding issues, professionals will be able to provide high quality personalised care for children and young people with learning disabilities who have mental health needs.
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (IDs) are more vulnera... more Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (IDs) are more vulnerable to experiencing anxiety disorders. Parental involvement in intervention is crucial for successful management of the interventions in the population of people with ASDs. This article describes the design and evaluation of parenting programme for anxiety disorders in children and young people with ASD and ID. In phase 1 semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore management strategies for anxiety at home and in school settings. A total of 34 participants (14 parents, 20 teachers) participated in the interviews. A Delphi process was conducted with health professionals to develop consensus on appropriate anxiety interventions. In phase 2 the intervention programme was implemented by seven parents who also participated in focus group to evaluate the developed programme. A parental programme, calm child programme (CCP), was developed, implemented and evaluated. The evaluations sho...
Background It is recognised that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations are generall... more Background It is recognised that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations are generally underrepresented in research studies. The key objective of this work was to develop an evidence based, practical toolkit to help researchers maximise recruitment of BAME groups in research. Methods Development of the toolkit was an iterative process overseen by an expert steering group. Key steps included a detailed literature review, feedback from focus groups (including researchers and BAME community members) and further workshops and communication with participants to review the draft and final versions. Results Poor recruitment of BAME populations in research is due to complex reasons, these include factors such as inadequate attention to recruitment strategies and planning, poor engagement with communities and individuals due to issues such as cultural competency of researchers, historical poor experience of participating in research, and lack of links with community networks. Oth...
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 2020
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the literature on mental hea... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the literature on mental health resilience and other positive mental health capacities of urban and internal migrants.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology for this narrative review included a search of articles published up to 2017. The abstracts were screened and relevant articles studied and discussed. Literature on the particular mental health challenges of urban migrants in India was also studied. References found in the literature relating to neurourbanism were also followed up to explore broader historical and conceptual contexts.FindingsSeveral key sources and resources for mental health resilience were identified – including familial and community networks and individual hope or optimism. Nevertheless, much of the literature tends to focus at the level of the individual person, even though ecological systems theory would suggest that mental health resilience is better understood as multi-layered, i.e....
Purpose Referrals to specialist eating disorder (ED) services from the South Asian (SA) community... more Purpose Referrals to specialist eating disorder (ED) services from the South Asian (SA) community are under-represented, despite research suggesting that disordered eating attitudes and behaviours of SA people are similar to the population in general. The purpose of this paper is to identify the reasons for this and sought to inform ways to encourage help-seeking. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was used to investigate barriers to help-seeking for EDs among the SA community. A key informant focus group was conducted with clinicians working within the local specialist ED service (participants n=16, 12 female, 4 male). Six focus groups were conducted with members of the SA community in Leicester, UK (participants n=28, 23 female, 5 male), recruited from a local university, two charities and Children, Young People and Family Centres. Findings A number of themes emerged as possible factors for delaying early access to help: lack of knowledge about EDs and their pot...
Background To date, there has been little research into the causes of, and solutions to, loneline... more Background To date, there has been little research into the causes of, and solutions to, loneliness among migrant and ethnic minority people. Objectives The objectives were to synthesise available evidence and produce new insights relating to initiatives that aim to address loneliness among these populations, plus the logic, functioning and effects of such initiatives. Data sources Electronic database searches (MEDLINE, Applied Social Sciences Index and s and Social Science Citation Index via Web of Science – no date restrictions were applied), grey literature searches, and citation and reference searching were conducted. Data were generated via nine workshops with three consultation panels involving 34 public contributors, and one practitioner workshop involving 50 participants. Review methods Guided by ‘systems thinking’, a theory-driven synthesis was combined with an effectiveness review to integrate evidence on the nature and causes of loneliness, interventional types and progra...
Abstract With the concept of resilience increasingly deployed across a range of issues in develop... more Abstract With the concept of resilience increasingly deployed across a range of issues in development studies—from conflict resilience to climate resilience—this paper considers the relevance of resilience concepts to current issues and concerns in global mental health. Resilience discourses can be seen as one response to the need for more holistic accounts of mental health that focus, not only on stressors and risk factors for mental ill health, but also recognize the sometimes overlooked capacities of people and communities to manage and coproduce their own mental wellbeing. For example, migration forms the backdrop to global mental health for a significant proportion of the world’s populace. And yet, thus far, most literature on migrant mental health has tended to focus on risk factors and stressors with comparatively little consideration given to potential sources or resources for positive mental health and coping with adversity. Nevertheless, while concepts of “resilience” are increasingly advocated in development studies and global mental health contexts, such concepts also have their critics. For example, resilience rhetorics can “depoliticize” by appearing to normalize otherwise unacceptable circumstances which might—from post-development and other alternative critical perspectives—be viewed as politically constituted through-and-through.
This volume: * Develops a framework for learning disability nursing practice * Examines key issue... more This volume: * Develops a framework for learning disability nursing practice * Examines key issues for people with learning disabilities * Identifies distinctive features of learning disability nursing * Supports learning disability nurses in developing their roles and to support those with learning disabilities in exercising their rights. * Explores ethical and moral dilemmas, challenges and successes
People with learning disabilities have more physical and mental health problems than people witho... more People with learning disabilities have more physical and mental health problems than people without learning disabilities.1 A national Confidential Inquiry reported that men and women with learning disabilities died, on average, 13 and 20 years earlier than men and women in the general population.2 In addition, the Inquiry’s findings showed that people with learning disabilities have worse healthcare experience and outcomes compared with people without learning disabilities. These health inequalities are not inevitable and are, to a large extent, avoidable.
This exciting new handbook draws on the experience of a wide range of authors to present a rich a... more This exciting new handbook draws on the experience of a wide range of authors to present a rich and informative exploration of the nature, manifestation and presentation of anxiety and depression in individuals with intellectual disabilities, and discusses the challenges and obstacles facing those who work with them. Alongside user perspectives and information for supporting families, it also discusses a range of approaches to working with this population, including case formulations, psychopharmacological interventions, cognitive therapy, psychodynamic approaches and solution focused therapy.
Recent European Union and Economic and Social Research Council funded research has scrutinized th... more Recent European Union and Economic and Social Research Council funded research has scrutinized the concept of choice and future orientation in those undergoing transitions into adulthood. The focus of interest has been on the interplay of social structure and individual agency. We draw on initial findings from a Department of Health funded study to critique these new ways of thinking. In what ways do people with learning disabilities manifest the same attitudes to choice and risk evident in recent studies of young people? Do they demonstrate similar models of adaptation to the future? We will explore, via three case study examples, the tension between individual agency and family attitudes to future possibilities. We will argue that advances in the sociology of youth are in danger of assuming that the individualized 'choice biography' is the predominant model of transition. This does not reflect the importance of social networks and family relationships in young people with learning disability. For them, risk-management and the pursuit of well-being are pursued in the social domain.
The last three decades of research shows there is a high prevalence of children and young people ... more The last three decades of research shows there is a high prevalence of children and young people with a learning disability and mental health disorder. The overlap of challenging behaviour and mental health disorders along with the lack of understanding of the nature and manifestation of mental health disorders in this population produce a complex and perplexing picture in terms of detection, diagnosis and therapeutic services. This book aims to explore issues relating to the care of children and young people with learning disabilities with mental health needs. Developing evidence based practice is a key theme of this book. We believe that through the consolidation of the evidence for assessment, intervention, service provision and safeguarding issues, professionals will be able to provide high quality personalised care for children and young people with learning disabilities who have mental health needs.
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Papers by Raghu Raghavan