Precarity and Punishment: The Exacerbation of the Chronic Needs of Women With Felony Convictions During the Pandemic

Distrust in authorities has negative effects on mental health. In this study, we aimed to explore whether the impact of distrust in government on mental health became stronger in the area heavily affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. We examined the effects of distrust in the national government on depressive symptoms three years after the accident among community residents in Fukushima prefecture using those in the Kanto area (the area surrounding Tokyo) as a control. A questionnaire survey was administered to a random sample of 1000 residents in Fukushima prefecture and 1650 residents in the Kanto area. Distrust in the national government was assessed using a four-point single-item scale. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The associations of residential area (i.e. living in Fukushima prefecture or in the Kanto area) and distrust in the national government with depressive symptoms were examined, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and disaster-related experiences using multivariate linear regression analyses. We used the interaction term of residential area and distrust in the government to explore the difference in the association between the respondents in Fukushima prefecture and those in the Kanto area. Valid responses were obtained from 976 (36.8%) residents. Distrust in the government was associated with depressive symptoms and the association was stronger in Fukushima prefecture than in the Kanto area. The deleterious effects of distrust in the government on mental health may become more serious after a nuclear power plant accident and require careful attention during support activities in an affected area.

The epidemic within the pandemic: Behavioral health and substance use in the face of COVID-19

The aim of this study was to identify specific management practices that promote the psychological health of remote workers in the context of the COVID‐19 crisis. A two‐round Delphi study was conducted among 28 teleworkers and 22 managers. A list of 60 specific management practices was presented and participants had to identify whether each one could be used in the current remote working context and, if so, how useful it was to promote psychological health at work. Results indicate that most specific management practices usually used in a face‐to‐face setting can also be used in a remote context (85%). Practices that show consideration, establishing work structure, and allowing flexibility were also identified as the most useful to promote remote workers' psychological health during the pandemic. This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge about specific management practices, remote working, and crisis management. It also suggests specific practices that managers can adopt to promote the psychological health of their employees during a period of crisis, even while managing from a distance.

Long-lasting effects of distrust in government and science on mental health eight years after the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

Addressing Social Determinants of Mental Health in Pediatrics During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

Social Disconnection in Late Life Mental Illness – Commentary From the National Institute of Mental Health

COVID‐19's impact on the mental health of older adults: Increase in isolation, depression, and suicide risk. An urgent call for action

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health and wellbeing of older populations across Europe, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and social isolation, known risk factors for poor physical and mental health outcomes. This study aims to understand the extent and implications of these changes in Latvia and Iceland, providing essential insights for targeted public health interventions. Methods This comparative study utilized data from two key sources: the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) for Latvia and the HL20 study for Iceland, focusing on individuals aged 67 and above. Both quantitative surveys were conducted during the pandemic, offering data on health status, loneliness, and social isolation. A novel approach was applied in analyzing older populations to standardize comparisons between the two distinct datasets. This methodological innovation is part of a bilateral EEA initiative FM2021/23 aimed at strengthening research collaboration between Latvia and Iceland. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson Chi-square test were used to compare outcomes between the two countries and within demographic subgroups. Results The study revealed stark differences between the two countries: 80% of Latvian older adults reported social isolation compared to 42.7% in Iceland. Similarly, 45% of Latvians experienced loneliness versus 30% of Icelanders. Significant associations were found between social isolation, loneliness, and deteriorating mental and physical health, with worse outcomes noted in socially isolated individuals. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a clear link between social isolation and adverse health outcomes among the older adults, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study supports the need for proactive public health measures in Latvia and Iceland, including the development of community engagement programs and mental health support services tailored to the needs of older adults. Key messages • Study shows significant health impact of social isolation among older adults in Latvia and Iceland, highlighting urgent need for targeted public health interventions. • Effective public health strategies and innovative digital outreach can mitigate adverse effects of loneliness and isolation observed in older populations.

IntroductionThe global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have significantly impacted global wellbeing and highlighted the close link between mental and physical health. Social isolation and quarantine have proven to be major stressors, leading to emotional distress and unpredictable psychological consequences.ObjectivesWe explored the pandemic’s impact on individuals’ physical and mental health and social relationships.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire which included among other socio-democratic questions, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ).ResultsA total of 511 adults (55.1% males) participated in this study. Participants reported increased social media use (more than 4-5 times/week) during the lockdown, which was associated with increased fear of COVID-19 and negative effects on mental and physical health, and social relationships (p<0.01). Conversely, non-work-related outings (once a week) were associated with lower fear (p<0.01) and better well-being (p<0.05). Higher fear, particularly for loved ones, was associated with negative effects. The level of physical health was moderate to high, with varying levels of satisfaction in different areas. Empathy correlated with increased fear (p<0.01) and reduced mobility (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns significantly affected physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions for vulnerable populations and promoting adaptive coping strategies in times of crisis.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the recent article by Rohilla et al. published in your esteemed journal.[1] We would hereby like to add our perspective of mental health issues during COVID-19 era. The ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by the novel strain SARS-CoV-2 has dragged the entire world to its feet leaving people scared and anxious. Starting in December 2019 from Wuhan, China, COVID-19 has spread like rapid fire to more than 200 countries.[2] As of July 20, 2020, worldwide there are 14,686,829 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 609,835 deaths.[3] COVID-19 is challenging not just for its medical phenomenon, but also for its capability to affect the financial, mental, emotional wellbeing of the individuals across the globe.[45] National agencies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and many other organizations are promoting to follow non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) to combat the pandemic.[6] However, amidst the challenges of mitigating COVID-19, little has been known about the mental health impact of NPIs. There is significant evidence to suggest the importance of socialization and connectivity in maintaining a good mental wellbeing.[7] Social networking, community engagement, and participation have been shown to be associated with both physical and psychological well-being.[78] Detrimental effects on mental health are expected to arise with isolation, neglect, and loneliness. COVID-19 pandemic has multi-dimensional impact on our physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing.[89] Similar experience was reported during previous coronavirus pandemics, namely SARS and MERS pandemic.[101112] Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are some of the mental illnesses that are on rise ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started which needs immediate attention. Usually, people suffering from mental illnesses are advised to socialize as a part of therapy in most of the psychiatric illnesses. However, for containment of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all countries are endorsing the concept of social distancing, quarantine, and isolation as the most effective strategies.[13] It has been a couple of months since many countries like India, Italy, Spain, France, etc., are on lockdown with citizens sheltering inside their own houses and following the social distancing protocols. With “restriction of movement” and “not socializing with each other” becoming a new normal lifestyle for most of us, mental vulnerability to conditions like anxiety and depression has been increasingly recognized. During previous outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak, many studies confirmed that there were worsening mental illness symptoms in an individual with preexisting mental health conditions as well as healthy individuals. For example, in Hong Kong, about 70% of people expressed anxiety about getting SARS and people reported they believed they were more likely to contract SARS than the common cold.[14] Hypervigilance, for example, can arise because of fear and anxiety and, in severe cases, result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression.[15] Another aspect that can complicate mental illness symptoms during such times is discrimination. For example, the 2014 Ebola outbreak was considered an African problem resulting in discrimination against those of African descent.[16] Similarly, the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak in the USA saw Mexican and migrant workers targeted for discrimination.[17] Since January 2020, the UK and the USA have reported increased reports of violence and hate crimes towards people of Asian descent and an overall rise in Anti-Chinese sentiment because of the spread of COVID-19.[18] Since isolation and quarantine from the loved ones is the norm of the current world situation, it can often precipitate depression and anxiety and often feel they are being ripped off their purpose of living. Isolation is known to cause a lot of stress which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Post-Traumatic Stress Having to be isolated from the society being affected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the fear of transmitting it to the loved ones, patients are prone to experience PTSD which could affect the mental wellbeing of an individual in the long run. Psychological trauma can result in mixture of emotional surges like nightmares, self-blame, flashbacks, and experiencing recurrent thoughts of the trauma.[19] This could happen to the patients as well as to the health care providers. Risk factors that makes patients susceptible to PTSD are self-quarantine, self-isolation, fear of death social discrimination, witnessing others becoming sick and dying and so on. Similarly, for health care professionals, COVID-19 has brought innumerous challenges.[6] Witnessing frequent deaths, fear of acquiring the infection, spreading to the other family members, lack of adequate personal protective equipment's etc., can expose them to recurrent mental trauma and to PTSD.[20] A study was conducted in China on patients who were infected with COVID-19.[21] Online assessment using a 17 item self-reported PTSD checklist (PCL-C) was used. A total of PCL-C score of ≥ 50 is an indication of 'having significant posttraumatic stress symptoms. A total of 730 COVID-19 patients were assigned in the study and the prevalence of significant posttraumatic stress symptoms was 996.2% (95% CI: 94.8% -97.6%). In addition to the psychological impact, a recent report suggested immune dysregulation in patients suffering from chronic stress secondary to PTSD which might make them prone to opportunistic infections like COVID-19 pneumonia.[22] Information Adding Anxiety and Fear In a crisis like this, it's a common interest of people to find out as much information as possible to stay tuned on what is going on around them people are consuming information on every platform available like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and many others, which necessarily does not contain accurate information. Subjects who used updates via phone text messages and used social media for critical updates during the lockdown had higher chances of exposing themselves to false information and stress [Figure 1]. Higher acute stress was seen in heavy social media users in the study. This report highlights the importance of releasing substantive official updates at regular intervals during a crisis event and monitoring social media to reduce exposure to misleading information and distress 36.2% (95% CI: 94.8% -97.6%).[21] Other factors that could contribute to the anxiety and mental unrest are fear of losing job, financial crisis, interruption in studies, physical inactivity, running out of medicines, lack of sleep, social isolation, fear of acquiring infection.[23242526]Figure 1: Pictorial description of the potential concerns of a person during COVID-19When we are grappling with this gigantic global crisis humans can get creative with their social interactions and can even have trivia nights with your coworkers or friends or maybe even have a virtual date night. Having this social connection can improve not just your mental health but your physical health as well. These social interactions give us a sense of togetherness as a species in our fight against this virus. Moreover, experts suggest having a daily routine can help fight anxiety during this unprecedented time. Having a routine while maintaining the sleep cycle can have a positive impact.[27] Emerging Role of Telemedicine in Psychiatry The impact of isolation can be more severe in individuals with preexisting mental illness, with worsening of anxiety, depression, despair, and feeling of loss of control. Coping with pandemic can get especially difficult when patient's access to its primary source of support and care is restricted. There is a tremendous role of psychotherapy in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and other mental illnesses. Not only do regular visits to the clinic help in getting appropriate therapy and care, but they also add a good working schedule for individuals. Patients suffering with alcoholism and other substance use disorders who are associated with various deaddiction programs might also find it difficult to refill their prescribed medications like methadone, suboxone, etc., Also, it is difficult to continue their engagement with support groups, and programs due to closure of these societies. However, despite knowing the importance of in person encounter in clinical practice of psychiatry, unfortunately due to the fear of community transmission, cross infections, and other logistic reasons of lockdown, travel restrictions, and limited health care access, health care providers are not able to execute their health services to their patients suffering from various mental health issues. Telemedicine service has proved itself as an important asset, and a way of effective communication between patients and their physicians.[28] It has especially proven to be of great benefit for patients with mental conditions to receive psychoeducation in a timely fashion via using telemedicine and remote medical care services.[29] This will be of utmost importance especially in patients who are having active psychiatric disease flare up.[2930] Kalin et al. recently share their successful institutional experience with telemedicine in the inpatient setting. They shared their experience based on 110 tele encounters during inpatient psychiatry consults.[31] They could successfully accomplish an effective dialogue exchange and were able to execute supportive psychotherapy during tele encounters. Although, in our opinion a telemedicine is certainly an immediate solution to provide the supportive therapy to patients, it can never replace the impact, and positive outcome of an in-person meeting. Also, it might not be possible to communicate and engage in an effective conversation in patients who are mentally challenged or in children with ADHD, autism, etc., A healthy parenting might help in such scenarios till the regular clinic visits services are resumed. Conclusion From the mental health perspective, so far, the COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely challenging. With the uncertainty of the current living situation, people with preexisting mental illnesses like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and severe persistent mental illness are prone to having worsening of their conditions, and studies from the past pandemics reflect the same. Time-bound behavioral therapy should be provided to persons who exhibit signs of mental disorders to reduce the cognitive effects of the pandemic. Psychiatrists and psychotherapists should maximize the use of telemedicine services use to connect to their patients. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Based on this review there is currently very uncertain evidence on the effectiveness of video call interventions to reduce loneliness in older adults. The review did not include any studies that reported evidence of the effectiveness of video call interventions to address social isolation in older adults. The evidence regarding the effectiveness of video calls for outcomes of symptoms of depression was very uncertain. Future research in this area needs to use more rigorous methods and more diverse and representative participants. Specifically, future studies should target older adults, who are demonstrably lonely or socially isolated, or both, across a range of settings to determine whether video call interventions are effective in a population in which these outcomes are in need of improvement.

Connectivity and COVID-19.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted multiple facets of daily living: personal finances, physical activity, and mental and physical health. These changes can result in additional stress and negatively affect sleep. It is important for sleep medicine providers to understand how their patients are impacted by these changes to optimize their care. In this study, we evaluated the association of poor sleep with stress, anxiety, emotional support, social isolation, and depression among sleep medicine clinic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsSleep medicine clinic patients were distributed an online survey at baseline followed by a 6-month follow-up survey (December 2020 - May 2021). Participants answered questions regarding Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures (sleep disturbance and sleep-related impairments), and COVID-19 testing. Stepwise linear regression was performed using SAS to determine if self-reported poor sleep predicted stress, anxiety, emotional support, social isolation, and depression. This study was approved by Baylor College of Medicine IRB. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.ResultsEighty-one adults completed baseline survey, and 54 adults (mean age 55.2±18.4 years, 61% female, 70% Caucasian) completed 6-month follow-up survey. At baseline, anxiety had a significant effect on sleep disturbance (0.43±0.11, p=0.0001), sleep-related impairments (0.53±0.12, p=0.0001) and ISI (0.28±0.08, p=0.0004). Upon follow-up, an increase in ISI predicted higher perceived stress (0.18±0.07, p=0.013) and worse anxiety (0.61±0.16, p=0.0003). An increase in sleep disturbance predicted a decrease in emotional support (0.25±0.12, p=0.038). Additionally, an increase in sleep-related impairments predicted an increase in social isolation (0.39±0.11, p=0.0002) and depression (0.57±0.07, p<0.0001). Interestingly, only 3 participants tested positive for COVID-19.ConclusionIn this study of sleep medicine clinic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed that poor sleep predicted greater stress, anxiety, social isolation, and depression along with less emotional support. This study illustrates the importance of addressing stress management, mental health (anxiety, depression), and emotional support when treating sleep medicine clinic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Support (If Any)National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant #R01NR018342 (PI: Nowakowski); Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development; Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (CIN 13-413)

Social isolation is a critical public health concern in older adults and is linked to a range of adverse health outcomes across diverse sociodemographic groups. This study investigated the associations between social isolation with physical and mental health of older adults residing in Hampton Roads, a racially diverse region in Southeastern Virginia, home to a large population of senior military veterans. Secondarily, the study explored how social determinants of health (SDoH) and comorbid medical conditions influenced the relationship of social isolation with physical and mental health of these seniors. Physical and mental health were measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health short form. Social isolation was assessed using the Social Connection and Isolation portion of the National Institutes of Health Social Determinants of Health form. The SDoH included in this analysis as covariates were individual-level sociodemographic data, such as age, sex, race, marital status, highest level of education completed, current employment status and income, all collected via self-report. Comorbidities were assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Stepwise regression analysis of 174 participants with complete data showed that each one-unit increase in social isolation score (less socially isolated) was associated with a 1.16-point improvement in mental health scores, after adjusting for all covariates. Social isolation accounted for 2.2% of the variance in mental health outcomes. No significant association was found between social isolation and physical health using the same analytical approach. Interventions to reduce social isolation may be a potential strategy to improve mental well-being of older adults.

The global COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and revealed significant health disparities with reports of increased discrimination and xenophobia. Among AAPIs, the pandemic exacerbated their social, linguistic, and geographic isolation. Social support may be especially important for AAPIs given the salience of collectivism as a cultural value. Another mechanism for support among AAPIs was technology use, as it is generally widespread among this population. However, older adults may not perceive the same benefits. We examined social support and technology use and their relationships with mental and physical health outcomes through the COVID-19 pandemic among AAPIs. Data were drawn from the COVID-19 Effects on the Mental and Physical Health of AAPI Survey Study (COMPASS) for the time period of October 2020 to February 2021. COMPASS was a cross-sectional, multilingual, national survey conducted online, by phone, and in person with AAPI adults who were ≥18 years of age, in collaboration with academic and community partners in the United States. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear regression using the outcome variables of mental and physical health with various predictors such as social support and technology use. We tested for interactions specific to age and ethnicity. Among 4631 AAPIs (mean age 45.9, SD 16.3 years; 2992/4631, 63.1% female), we found that (1) increased social support was associated with better physical health, (2) total social support was positively associated with better mental health, (3) higher technology use was associated with poorer mental health and inversely associated with poorer physical health, (4) the association of technology use with mental health was weaker among those with low social support (vs those with high social support), (5) adults younger than 60 years old (vs ≥60 years old) were more negatively affected with social support and mental health, and (6) Korean Americans appeared to be a high-risk group for poor physical health with increased technology use. Our paper identified mental and physical health needs along with supportive therapies observed among AAPIs during the pandemic. Future research on how social support can be leveraged, especially among AAPIs younger than 60 years old, and how various types of technology are being utilized are important to guide the recovery efforts to address both mental and physical disparities across communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.