Citation

Yardley P, McCall A, Savage A, Newton R. Australas. Psychiatry 2019; ePub(ePub): 1039856219848835.

Affiliation

Clinical Director and Adjunct Professor, Peninsula Mental Health Service, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1039856219848835

PMID

31090433

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated a brief psychological intervention aimed at improving distress tolerance and decreasing future admissions for individuals presenting to a mental health service in the context of crisis or self-harm.

METHODS: Eighty-five participants completed The Crisis Intervention Package at the point of contact with the mental health service. The outcome of the intervention was evaluated through pre- and post-scores on the Distress Tolerance Scale and future hospital admissions.

RESULTS: Participants showed a significant improvement in Distress Tolerance Scale scores ( P < 0.001) indicating an increase in ability to tolerate distressing emotions. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in hospital admissions 6 months pre-test to 6 months post-test.

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the potential effectiveness of structured, brief interventions aimed at increasing distress tolerance and self-management skills for individuals presenting to a mental health service in crisis.

Language: en

Keywords

distress tolerance; emergency department; mental health; self-harm