Despite the advocacy of service users and clinical guidelines calling for de-escalation strategies to be used over restrictive techniques in managing aggression in mental health settings, coercion and force are still commonly applied.
In a step forward, a recent study published in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, led by Andrew C. Grundy of the University of Manchester, indicates that codesigned and co-delivered trauma-informed de-escalation training is more likely to be embraced and implemented by mental health staff.
The authors write:
“This study illuminates the characteristics of de-escalation training likely to enhance acceptability and uptake for mental health professionals working in ward environments. A trauma-informed approach to de-escalation, which focuses on creating trauma-sensitive clinical environments, was acceptable and impactful on trainees from different service settings. The model of facilitation, whereby training content was co-delivered by service user, carer, and staff facilitators, was a key factor in the acceptability and perceived impact of the training package.”
This innovative training, which emphasizes trauma-informed practices and collaborative delivery by service users, carers, and staff, is seen as beneficial and impactful by its participants. While trainees found the training worthwhile, they also expressed a desire to see the training adapted to specific psychiatric wards and contexts.
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I’d love to learn more about this – hoped that the linked paper would have some more deets on how to replicate the training but, alas.
The last de-escalation training I did was a big waste, and yet is very expensive and generates lots of money for the “non-profit” that controls the copyright on it
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Article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” (United Nations, 1984, CRPD). It is incredulous that the majority of countries have ratified the United Nations CRPD agreement yet continue to allow barbaric psychiatrists and ‘health care’ staff to torture and drug their citizens in a “ceremony of degradation” (Mosher, L.). Involuntary detainment, restraint, drugging and seclusion increase the risk of suicide (https://www.madinamerica.com/2017/06/risk-suicide-hospitalization-even-higher-previously-estimated/) and must be abolished to honour the human rights of everyone.
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