Co-worker dialogue – a tool for health, personal development, and an empowering development culture in the workplace

Background: Women carry out an array of demanding tasks due to their multiple roles as mothers, workers, spouses, and caregivers. Their responsibilities to the family and society are essential throughout life, but they become even more important at times of crisis and unanticipated events. All these obligations may have a detrimental effect on their mental health and general well-being. According to the social model of health, through personal development groups, women improve their health because they can transform their personalities, enhance their social and personal abilities, and strengthen their resilience to unforeseen occurrences, health crises, and adversity. Aim of the study: This follow-up study examined the viewpoints of women regarding the durability and efficacy of group therapy's positive impact on their resilience and mental health, especially through unforeseen circumstances and crises. This group of women had taken part in group therapy six years ago to strengthen their resilience and improve their mental health. Methods: Data collection was implemented through semi-structured in-person interviews conducted from December 2020 to March 2021. Five topics emerged from the framework analysis: (a) personal development and mental health; (b) reinforcement of their resilience; (c) group therapy and women's health during the COVID-19 pandemic; (d) an assessment of group therapy on women's health through imagery; (e) future recommendations. Results: Most of the women stated that group treatment had a beneficial impact in terms of improving their individual abilities. The group experience was described as a bridge that allowed them to recognize and accept their emotions. Since COVID-19, women have developed helpful coping strategies to deal with daily tension, loneliness, and work-related stress. Conclusions: Our research results indicate that group therapy is a useful tool for women's empowerment and mental health in times of crises and adversity. Social policy should take it into account in order to meet women's highly demanding roles and personal needs.

Creativity in the arts offers a profound exploration of the intricate interplay between creative expression and psychological dimensions, examining how emotions, thoughts, and personal experiences shape artistic output. This article analyzes the psychological stages of idea formation, obstacles encountered, and strategies to enhance creativity, highlighting the role of psychology in shaping unique works of art. It also explores artistic creativity as a tool for mental health, emphasizing its therapeutic potential and contribution to emotional well-being. Additionally, it examines the connection between creative expression and personal development, demonstrating how art fosters self-awareness and individual growth. By adopting a multidimensional perspective, the article provides a comprehensive understanding of artistic creativity as both a profound form of expression and a reflection of human psychology, offering insights into its broader psychological and developmental impacts.

The role of digital health in supporting cancer patients' mental health and psychological well-being for a better quality of life: A systematic literature review

This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of two profound traditional Indian practices: Yoga and Bharatanatyam. While Yoga is a spiritual and physical discipline, and Bharatanatyam is a classical artistic dance form, both share foundational philosophical and scientific roots, emphasizing profound mind-body integration, personal transformation, and holistic well-being. This study meticulously examines the multifaceted advantages each discipline offers across physical, mental, intellectual, and social dimensions, drawing upon both ancient wisdom and contemporary scientific research.Yoga, through its systematic application of controlled breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditative practices, is shown to cultivate deep relaxation, mental tranquility, and enhanced cognitive function. Conversely, Bharatanatyam fosters remarkable physical endurance, sharpens memory, and refines emotional intelligence through its intricate, repetitive movements, expressive storytelling (abhinaya), and precise rhythm. This research not only highlights their enduring cultural significance but also underscores their contemporary relevance as powerful tools for health and personal development. Ultimately, Yoga and Bharatanatyam emerge as complementary systems of embodied knowledge, offering extensive benefits for personality development, therapeutic healing, and educational enrichment.

This paper investigates the transformative effect of scientific coaching and mental health professionals on the overall growth of adolescent students. Adolescence is a crucial time marked by major cognitive, emotional, and social changes that might impact long-term personal and academic results. Teenagers' growing frequency of stress, anxiety, and scholastic pressures calls for evidence-based treatments that advance resilience, self-confidence, and general well-being.This study used a planned experimental strategy with pre-experimental and post-experimental groups to evaluate the efficacy of including scientific coaching and mental health support. Data from 120 post-experimental group participants and 172 pre-experimental group participants were examined in this study. The pre-experimental group got an average score of 44% on a test of how well they understood scientific ideas and the environment. They did the worst in areas related to protecting the environment (24%) and reducing plastic waste (40%). The findings underlined the need for organised directions and assistance for cognitive and personal growth. After intervention using access to mental health professionals and focused coaching sessions, the post-experimental group showed wonderful gains in several psychological and academic spheres. With a mean score of 4.76 on a 5-point scale, the participants reported improved academic confidence (4.96), improved focus and concentration (4.46), and increased capacity to manage stress. Moreover, the presence of mental health experts reinforced the need for mental health care in educational environments since they helped to maintain general well-being and emotional stability. The results of this study highlight the need to include organised coaching initiatives in school curricula along with mental health tools. Such treatments can greatly improve the whole development of teenagers by encouraging resilience, academic ability, and emotional stability. Legislators and educational institutions should consider adopting these evidence-based approaches to foster long-term success and well-rounded development among students.

IntroductionThe transition phase from late adolescence to early adulthood, which corresponds with the period of university life, is a time that offers important opportunities for personal growth. However, this developmental phase also concurs with the peak period of risk for the onset of mental health disorders. For this reason, the literature clearly identifies university students as a vulnerable population group for psychogical distress and mental problems. Digital psychological interventions and e-mental health solutions are emerging as a promising solution for university students, particularly appealing due to their anonymity, portability and ease of access. Hence, the World Health Organisation has developed several psychosocial e-mental health tools including Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (DWM), which has been consistently shown effective in various vulnerable populations. These data provide the framework for the CAMPUS study that is intended for students attending the University of Verona.ObjectivesThe main objective of this project is to adapt the WHO psychological intervention called “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress” (DWM) to this target population and to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of WHO’s DWM as a psychological strategy for effective mental health prevention and promotion, and for reducing psychological symptoms and distress in university students. Secondary objectives of the project include to evaluate the fidelity of DWM, to assess factors associated with its implementation and effectiveness and to co-create the necessary local conditions for implementation and up-scaling of DWM.MethodsThe CAMPUS study is a prospective non-randomized follow-up study. The target population is composed by university students of University of Verona, Italy. The online assessments, which are collected pre and post intervention, consist of an ad-hoc sociodemographic information page, and four self-administered questionnaires assessing psychological distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and psychological well-being. In addition, implementation checklists will be administered to assess the acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of the intervention.ResultsPreliminary results on a sample of 300 students attending University of Verona show that the adapted DWM intervention promote students’ psychological well-being and reduce the level of psychological distress as well as the risk for the later development of a psychopathology. Moreover we expect that future results would include data on the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of the adapted DWM intervention among university studentsConclusionsThese results provide valuable information for mental health promotion and support programs for university students, as well as insights into factors influencing its implementation and suggestions for future scaling of the intervention.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Black American women experience adverse health outcomes due to anxiety and depression. They face systemic barriers to accessing culturally appropriate mental health care leading to the underutilization of mental health services and resources. Mobile technology can be leveraged to increase access to culturally relevant resources, however, the specific needs and preferences that Black women feel are useful in an app to support management of anxiety and depression are rarely reflected in existing digital health tools. This study aims to assess what types of content, features, and important considerations should be included in the design of a mobile app tailored to support management of anxiety and depression among Black women. Focus groups were conducted with 20 women (mean age 36.6 years, SD 17.8 years), with 5 participants per group. Focus groups were led by a moderator, with notetaker present, using an interview guide to discuss topics, such as participants' attitudes and perceptions towards mental health and use of mental health services, and content, features, and concerns for design of a mobile app to support management of anxiety and depression. Descriptive qualitative content analysis was conducted. Recommendations for content were either informational (e.g., information to find a Black woman therapist) or inspirational (e.g., encouraging stories about overcoming adversity). Suggested features allow users to monitor their progress, practice healthy coping techniques, and connect with others. The importance of feeling “a sense of community” was emphasized. Transparency about who created and owns the app, and how users' data will be used and protected was recommended to establish trust. The findings from this study were consistent with previous literature which highlighted the need for educational, psychotherapy, and personal development components for mental health apps. There has been exponential growth in the digital mental health space due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, a one-size-fits-all approach may lead to more options but continued disparity in receiving mental health care. Designing a mental health app for and with Black women may help to advance digital health equity by providing a tool that addresses their specific needs and preferences, and increase engagement.