Mental Health Case Studies in Paramedic Practice

About the editors
How to use this book
List of abbreviations
Glossary of key terms


1. Introduction: Foundations of Mental Health in Paramedic Practice 
Jo Augustus


2. Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Neurodiversity, and Early Crisis Care
Jo Augustus and Paul K. Miller


3. Neurocognitive Disorders, Consent, and Critical Intervention
Emma Brookes and Paul K. Miller


4. Mental Health and Long-Term Conditions: Chronic Illness, Complexity, and Social Isolation
Emily Holland, Gemma Goadsby, Yuet Wah Patrick, and Jo Augustus


5. Women's Mental Health: Maternity
Susan Rhind, Sarah Hilton, Yuet Wah Patrick, and Jo Augustus


6. Women's Health and Wellbeing: Gendered Care Needs
Jane-Louise Reid and Yuet Wah Patrick


7. Severe and Enduring Mental Illness: Psychosis, Schizophrenia, and Eating Disorders
Jo Augustus and Kaitee Robinson


8. Self-Harm and Suicidality: Paramedic Responses to Risk and Distress
Seb Brown, Corina Downing, Paula Gardner, and Jo Augustus


9. Acute Behavioural Disturbance and Substance-Related Presentations: Assessment, Safety, and Intervention
Ashley Stewart, Paula Gardner, and Jo Augustus


10. Conclusion: Integrating Evidence, Compassion, and Policy into Paramedic Mental Health Practice
Jo Augustus


Index

“This is the one of the first of its kind to advance knowledge underpinned by applied clinical reasoning to address mental health presentations in pre-hospital care. Its strength lies in its sensitive and in-depth case study approach embracing a breadth of populations which is suitable for all those invested in paramedic education and practice.”
Professor Joy Duxbury OBE, Professor of Mental Health Nursing, Director of Research Institute of Health, University of Cumbria, UK. 


“An excellent resource for all those involved in prehospital care and paramedicine… This is the book that paramedics have been waiting for and should be the go to resource when dealing with mental health calls.”
Meirion Williams, Senior Lecturer in Advanced Clinical Practice, University of South Wales, UK.


“The joy of this book is that it brings together evidence, real life examples, practice underpinned by pedagogical knowledge to help practitioners better understand mental health and equip them for real life practice. Providing compassionate evidence based care for individuals in relation to mental health is not an option its an essential skills required by paramedics as well as all health practitioners."
Professor Brian Webster-Henderson OBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria, UK.


“A valuable and much-needed contribution to the field.”
Daniel Finnerty, Principal Lecturer in Allied Health, Wrexham University, UK.


Written to support paramedic learners and practitioners, Mental Health Case Studies in Paramedic Practice is a case-based resource which will advance applied knowledge, clinical reasoning and ethical competence in managing mental health care in pre-hospital settings.


With it’s applied, accessible approach and explicit focus on the paramedic’s experience, this book will support readers by:

• Developing effective communication with people in distress
• Balancing clinical priorities with empathy and professionalism
• Making self-aware and safe decisions in time-critical and uncertain clinical situations
• Working effectively across multidisciplinary systems while prioritising person-centred care

Each chapter provides learners and practitioners with:

• Clinical case studies based on author experience of providing mental health care in the field
• Reflective questions to support further discussion
• Learning activities to encourage application of theory to practice

Suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate paramedic students, newly qualified paramedics, and registered clinicians, this multi-authored book will strengthen the knowledge, skills and confidence required for providing safe and compassionate mental health care in paramedic practice.


Joanne Augustus is a Senior Lecturer specialising in mental health, urgent and emergency care, and paramedic education apprenticeships, at the University of Cumbria, UK.


Yuet Wah Patrick is a Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Science at the University of Gloucestershire, UK, and an experienced registered paramedic.


Paula Gardner is Principal Lecturer in Paramedic Apprenticeships at the University of Cumbria, UK, and an experienced registered paramedic.


Paul K. Miller is an Associate Professor in Social Psychology at the University of Cumbria, UK and has widely published on allied health, psychotherapy and clinical medicine.