Access To Mental Health Services Research Articles

Attributional styles are associated with care burden in geriatric depression: older adults and their caregivers in Taiwan

BackgroundGiven the rising prevalence of depression among older adults and the associated increase in caregiving responsibilities, understanding factors influencing caregiver burden is crucial. Previous research has not extensively explored the impact of caregivers’ attributional styles, that is, how individuals interpret the causes of life events, on their care burden.AimThis study examined the relationship between caregivers’ attributional styles and their care burden for older patients with depression.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled older adults aged ≥ 65 years diagnosed with depression and their caregivers. Depression was diagnosed according to the DSM-V criteria for Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder. Caregivers completed the Chinese Depression Caregiver Burden Scale (CDCBS) to assess care burden, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) to evaluate patient symptom severity, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for measuring caregivers’ depression, and the Chinese Depression Patient Caregiver Attribution Style Scale (CDPCAS) to assess attributional styles. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to identify the factors independently associated with the caregiver’s subjectively assessed care burden.ResultsThe sample included 146 caregivers of geriatric patients with depression. Most depression patients were women (74.7%) with a mean age of 74.3 years, whereas the mean age of caregivers was 57.7 years. Hierarchical regression analysis identified that caregivers’ gender (β = − 0.14, p = .044), educational level (β = 0.19, p = .008), caregivers’ own depression assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (β = 0.41, p < .001), and attributional styles, particularly manipulation (β = 0.29, p < .001) and illness/stress attributional style (β = 0.23, p = .002) as independent factors associated with care burden. Patient symptom severity assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale was not significantly correlated with care burden after controlling for attributional styles.ConclusionsCertain attributional styles, particularly the manipulation and illness/stress attributional styles, significantly increased self-reported care burden. These findings highlight the need for educational resources to change the attribution style, along with support systems and accessible mental health services for caregivers to potentially ease the care burden.

Mental health and aging in New Zealand: mixed-methods analysis of experiences of healthcare from a survey of older adults with mental health conditions

ABSTRACT Little is known about the experiences of older people who seek mental healthcare in New Zealand. From a survey of 227 older people, we explored the use of mental healthcare services with quantitative and qualitative questions. Mental health needs were not being met in nearly one in five; a similar proportion was not satisfied with services providing mental healthcare. Reasons included long waiting times, lack of continuity of care and cost. Better co-ordination of primary and secondary services and improved accessibility of mental health services for older adults is needed.

Association between Current Substance Use, Healthy Behaviors, and Depression among Ukrainian College Students

Depression is a pervasive issue among college students worldwide, yet there is a significant gap in the literature regarding its prevalence and coping strategies in the Ukrainian context. The present study aims to fill this gap by investigating how substance use and health-promoting behaviors relate to depressive symptoms among Ukrainian college students. Health-promoting behaviors are an important strategy to prevent depression, whereas substance use can contribute to depression or make it harder to manage. Given the substantial psychosocial problems and stressors related to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the limited availability of mental health services for college students, it is important to understand how we can encourage college students to keep themselves mentally healthy. A cross-sectional study was conducted among college students on 10 campuses in 2018. Almost 16% of participants met a cut-off for depression. Female students and those who were older reported significantly higher depressive symptoms. Participants were more likely to report depressive symptoms if they were more often involved with alcohol and cannabis use, were older, and engaged in fewer health-promoting behaviors. Tobacco use was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest a moderate prevalence of depressive symptoms in our study population. We recommend implementing balanced public health interventions that address risk factors (such as substance use) while also promoting protective behaviors and can be tailored to the specific cultural and environmental context of the region.

Twelve-month prevalence, persistence, severity, and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in Qatar's national mental health study.

To estimate 12-month prevalence, persistence, severity, and treatment of mental disorders and socio-demographic correlates in Qatar. We conducted the first national population-based telephone survey of Arab adults between 2019 and 2022 using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and estimated 12-month DSM-5 mood and anxiety disorders and their persistence (the proportion of lifetime cases who continue to meet 12-month criteria). The 12-month prevalence of any disorder was 21.1% (10.4% mild, 38.7% moderate, and 50.9% severe) and was associated with: younger age, female, previously married, and with persistence of any disorder. Persistence was 74.7% (64.0% mood and 75.6% anxiety) and was significantly associated with secondary education or lower. Minimally adequate treatment received among those with any 12-month mental disorder was 10.6% (74.6% in healthcare and 64.6% non-healthcare sectors). Severity and the number of disorders significantly associated with each other and with treatment received (χ2=7.24, p=0.027) including adequate treatment within the mental health specialty sector (χ2=21.42, p<0.001). Multimorbidity and sociodemographics were associated with 12-month mental disorder. Treatment adequacy in Qatar are comparable to high-income countries. Low treatment contact indicate need for population-wide mental health literacy programes in addition to more accessible and effective mental health services.

Decoding Factors Influencing Mental Health Help-Seeking in Asian International Students: A Correlational Survey Study

This study investigates the effects of gender, age, perceived socioeconomic status, and attitudes toward mental health treatment, alongside the awareness and accessibility of mental health services, on the propensity of Asian international undergraduate and graduate students in U.S. colleges to seek mental health support. Utilizing an online survey, responses from a diverse group of 116 participants, aged 18 and above, from universities across the nation were examined through correlation analysis. Findings indicated no significant gender differences in attitudes toward mental health treatment. However, factors such as higher educational level, superior socioeconomic background, longer U.S. residency, and increased awareness and accessibility of mental health services positively influenced attitudes. This quantitative study extends previous qualitative research addressing similar questions, filling a gap by offering broader empirical insights into this population’s mental health service utilization. The outcome underscores the need for university counseling centers to develop targeted interventions that acknowledge the needs of Asian international students. Future research should explore the longitudinal impacts of these factors on mental health help-seeking behaviors to inform ongoing service improvement.

Cancer Care Supportive Text Messaging Program (Text4Hope) for People Living With Cancer and Their Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, and living with cancer generates psychological demands, including depression and anxiety among cancer survivors and caregivers. Text4Hope-Cancer Care SMS text messaging-based service was provided to people with cancer and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic to support their mental health. The aim of this study is to examine the clinical effectiveness of and satisfaction with Text4Hope-Cancer Care in addressing mental health conditions among people living with cancer and caregivers. The study was conducted in Alberta, Canada. People who were diagnosed or receiving cancer treatment and caregivers self-subscribed to receive 3-months daily supportive cognitive behavioral therapy-based SMS text messages and a web-based survey was sent at designated time points to collect clinical and nonclinical data. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) was used to examine changes in anxiety and depression symptoms after receiving the service. Satisfaction with the service was assessed using a survey with a Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, and test significance was considered with P≤.05. Overall, 107 individuals subscribed to the service, and 93 completed the program (completion rate 93/107, 86.9%). A significant improvement in the anxiety symptoms (HADS-Anxiety [HADS-A] subscale) was reported after 3 months of Text4Hope-Cancer Care (t11=2.62; P=.02), with medium effect size (Hedges g=0.7), but not depression symptoms (HADS-Depression [HADS-D] subscale). Subscribers expressed high satisfaction and agreed that the service has helped them to cope with mental health symptoms and improve their quality of life. Most subscribers read the SMS text messages more than once (30/30, 100%); took time to reflect or took a beneficial action after reading the messages (27/30, 90%); and highly agreed (27/30, >80%) with the value of the received supportive SMS text messages as being relevant, succinct, affirmative, and positive. All subscribers recommended SMS text messaging for stress, anxiety, and depression and for cancer care support (30/30, 100%). Text4Hope-Cancer Care was well-perceived and effectively addressed anxiety symptoms among people living with cancer and caregivers during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides evidence-based support and insight for policy and stakeholders to implement similar convenient, economic, and accessible mental health services that support vulnerable populations during crises. RR2-10.2196/20240.

Navigating the emotional terrain of prison reentry: State‐sanctioned gendered violence

AbstractThe emotional experiences of incarceration are directly tied to state‐sanctioned gendered violence. Most incarcerated women have a history of trauma, stemming directly from broader socio‐political and economic forces, which is further rendered throughout the incarceration and reentry process. The carceral system in the United States disrupts family and social support systems, fails to provide accessible and adequate mental health and substance use services, and denies stabilization resources such as housing, employment, and citizenry for women once released from prison, yet their emotional experiences are largely absent in analyses of this gendered violence. Drawing from a larger intimate ethnography project with a woman, LaTasha, recently released from a 25‐year to life prison sentence, this article examines how women negotiate and express emotions within the context of prison reentry contributing to feminist anthropological scholarship on state‐sanctioned gender violence. Through an in‐depth analysis of the challenges LaTasha faces in rebuilding relationships with family, navigating a system in which she has been outcasted, and asserting herself after being systematically disempowered, we gain insight into the ways in which carceral systems have prevented emotional complexity resulting in a form of incipient and largely invisible violence.

Systematicity of receiving mental health care predicts better subjective well-being of Ukrainians during the second year of the Russian invasion

Purpose This study aims to develop and test a multivariable psychosocial prediction model of subjective well-being in Ukrainian adults (n = 1,248) 1.5 years after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Design/methodology/approach The research design followed the “Transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis” checklist. The online survey combined a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and specifics of living in wartime, as well as validated self-reported inventories: The Modified BBC Subjective Well-being Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – Version 2 and Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale-10. Findings The initially developed model was tested through regression analysis, which revealed nine variables as predictors of the subjective well-being scores within the sample, explaining 49.3% of its variance. Among them, the strongest were living with a friend and receiving mental health care systematically. They were almost twice as influential as forced displacement abroad and trauma exposure, which predicted lower well-being, and living with a spouse, which forecasted higher well-being scores. Two resilience subscales – adjustment and restoring and resistance – as predictors of better well-being and perceived unsuccess in life and age as predictors of lower well-being were relatively weaker but statistically significant. Originality/value The obtained results support the previous evidence on the essential role of accessible mental health services and social support in times of war, as well as the deteriorative effect of trauma exposure and forcible taking refuge on subjective well-being.

Mapping the Geographic Inequalities in Psychiatrist Distribution across Madhya Pradesh, India: An Exploratory Study

Objective: The National Mental Health Survey identified a vast treatment gap across India. This treatment gap is partly attributed to the availability and accessibility of mental health services in different states. Accessibility to a psychiatrist in Madhya Pradesh (MP) is essential due to the significant disparity among urban, rural, and tribal regions across the state. The study attempted to identify the geographical disparity of psychiatrists in MP to improve future mental health service delivery. Methods: An online survey of practicing psychiatrists was conducted in December 2022 in the settings of public and private healthcare service delivery systems through offline and online accessibility/availability of psychiatrists practicing in MP, and the data were mapped using geo-locations of psychiatrists and were analyzed using ArcMap 10.8.1. Results: In total, 152 psychiatrists were practicing in MP across 195 locations, which amounts to 0.21 psychiatrists per 100,000 population with a concentration around big cities. Out of 54 districts, 24 districts did not have any practicing psychiatrists. A total of 155 health facilities were identified across 30 (55.6%) districts where at least one psychiatrist provided mental health services. The nearest-neighbor index for 152 points was –13.69. Conclusions: Combining psychiatrist geo-mapping data with population data comprehensively explains the MP state’s mental health service delivery needs. It could be wise to improve the spatial distribution of psychiatrists in each district rather than achieving the recommended ratio of doctors to patients per state. These data need to be supplemented with qualitative inquiry to help policymakers and health planners generate effective public–private partnerships in mental health service delivery in the coming time.

Anxiety and Depression Prevalence in Free Clinic Patients

Background: Disparities in mental health services are often observed in under-resourced low-income communities, which are at an increased risk for compromised mental health. By surveying patients at JayDoc Free Clinic, a student-run free clinic (SRFC) in Kansas City, Kansas, this study sought to as-sess the prevalence of depression and anxiety and compare screening outcomes among various de-mographic groups seeking safety-net care.Methods: From May through November 2022, patients aged 12 and older were offered a Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and demographic survey. Demo-graphic variables included household income, gender, insurance status, and race and ethnicity. GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaire scores were categorized into minimal, mild, moderate, or severe catego-ries. Relationships between demographic variables and scores on screening questionnaires were an-alyzed using multivariable analyses, with linear regression and analysis of variance one-way tests for significance (p-value &lt;0.05).Results: Of 232 participants who consented to the study, 222 completed the GAD-7 and 228 com-pleted the PHQ-9. In comparison to 2019 United States national data, the percentage of respondents experiencing anxiety and depression was greater across all severity classifications. Approximately 18.1% reported symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety and 21.5% reported symptoms of moderate to severe depression, compared to national distributions of 6.1% and 7%, respectively. Of 232 participants, 54 completed the demographic survey. There was no correlation between PHQ-9 scores or GAD-7 scores and gender, household income, insurance status.Conclusion: While no association was identified between screening outcomes and demographic var-iables, the findings that the prevalence of anxiety and depression at JayDoc SRFC is greater than na-tional rates reaffirm the need for accessible mental health services for patients receiving care at SRFCs. This study provides insight into the status of mental health in an SRFC patient population and discusses mental health screening implementation at SRFCs.

Adolescent school-based mental health screening: a best practice implementation project.

More than one in ten people globally live with a mental health illness. Adolescent mental health is a major contributor to that statistic, as 27% of adolescents have one or more mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problems. School-based health care clinics can provide mental health services for this age group. This project aimed to promote evidence-based practices regarding adolescent mental health screening in schools. This project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to promote evidence-based practices for adolescent mental health screening in schools. The JBI framework is grounded in an audit and feedback process, along with a structured approach to identifying and managing barriers to compliance with best practices. Five audit criteria representing best practice recommendations were developed. A baseline audit was conducted, followed by the implementation of an improvement strategy. The project was finalized with a follow-up audit to determine any changes in compliance with best practice recommendations. The baseline survey of students revealed a 25% average compliance for audit criteria 1 and 2. The primary barrier to compliance was students' unawareness of the availability of mental health services. The improvement strategy included an educational presentation for students regarding mental health. The follow-up audit revealed an increase in compliance with best practices. The project achieved a 29% increase in compliance with best practices, although only 23% of the students were reached via the improvement strategy. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A189.

207 Building a community-academic partnership to facilitate translational research and identify and reduce barriers to mental healthcare services and resources in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Clinical and epidemiological studies focusing on Hispanics/Latinos are often designed by academic researchers with little input from mental health professionals in underserved communities. Our objective is to establish an academic-community partnership in South Texas to help improve mental health outcomes of Hispanics. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Hispanics in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV, South Texas) are burdened with high rates of diabetes and obesity, and interventions have been identified for these conditions, but there is less information about strategies that may help improve their mental health status and address needs. We have explored mental health and psychological factors in Hispanics/Latinos in Latin America (Gil etal., 2021) and consider community participation in the research process to be an understudied topic. Thus, in the present study, we recruited mental health professionals in the RGV to establish an academic-community partnership as a strategy to facilitate translational research that focuses on RGV Hispanics. Partners worked as a team to generate information, identify problems and solutions, and design future projects. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Our academic team (at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) successfully established a partnership with the Cameron County Mental Task Force (CCMHTF), a non-profit organization in South Texas that seeks to “meet the mental and behavioral health needs of the people” in South Texas. The CCMHTF comprises 12 board members that are representative of RGV mental health providers: counselors, social workers, academic clinicians, hospital and county employees, and mental and behavioral health facility providers/clinicians. Our partnership generated qualitative descriptions of the mental health needs of RGV Hispanics/Latinos and barriers to access and utilization of mental health services in South Texas. In the future (phase 2 of the study), we plan to report results of focus groups and mental health assessments. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Hispanics/Latinos are underrepresented in clinical/translational research, and this lack of representation is particularly true for Hispanics/Latinos living along the U.S.-Mexico border of the RGV, South Texas. Our academic-community partnership may serve as a model to facilitate translational research in underserved Hispanic communities.

Adolescent and caregiver perceptions of addressing mental health in inflammatory bowel disease.

Adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of anxiety and depression compared to peers, but availability of mental health services in IBD clinics does not meet patients' needs, and use of primary care services for mental health screening and care is low. This study provides qualitative data regarding adolescent and caregiver perspectives on addressing mental health in IBD. Interviews were conducted with adolescents with IBD and caregivers of adolescents with IBD. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed for prominent themes. Thirteen adolescents and fourteen caregivers were interviewed. Three primary themes emerged: mental health stigma makes discussing it more difficult, physician-adolescent trust makes conversations about mental health easier, and asking about mental health directly can help adolescents feel comfortable. Adolescents and caregivers highlighted the importance of considering each patient and their family individually when choosing how to discuss mental health. Fostering trust with adolescents with IBD is vital to addressing mental health. While encouraging standardized screening is important, the most patient-centered approach to mental health involves considering families individually to identify and address mental health challenges. Given the increased risk of anxiety and depression in pediatric patients with IBD, all providers encountering these patients should be equipped to discuss mental health non-judgmentally.

Mobile Application Software as Guidance and Counselling Tool for Students of Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi

This project aims to develop a Mobile Application Software as a Guidance and Counselling Tool for Students of Federal College of Education Gidanmadi, Sokoto State, Nigeria. The goal is to provide students with a convenient, accessible, and effective way to access mental health services and support. The project involves a needs assessment, literature review, conceptual framework development, user interface design, mobile application development, usability testing, data analysis, design changes and evaluation. The methodology will be tailored to the specific needs and goals of the research, and may involve different stages and methods depending on the context and resources available. The expected results of developing a mobile application software as a guidance and counselling tool for students include increased accessibility, improved student well-being, enhanced counselor efficiency, greater student engagement, increased student retention, and improved student satisfaction. At the end of the research the students can be able to use the mobile application software for easy access to counselling and guidance services that can help them cope with various challenges they face in their academic and personal life. Guidance and counseling, Information and communication technology, Mobile application

Adapting the Number of Questions Based on Detected Psychological Distress for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With an Embodied Conversational Agent: Comparative Study.

The high prevalence of mental illness is a critical social problem. The limited availability of mental health services is a major factor that exacerbates this problem. One solution is to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) using an embodied conversational agent (ECA). ECAs make it possible to provide health care without location or time constraints. One of the techniques used in CBT is Socratic questioning, which guides users to correct negative thoughts. The effectiveness of this approach depends on a therapist's skill to adapt to the user's mood or distress level. However, current ECAs do not possess this skill. Therefore, it is essential to implement this adaptation ability to the ECAs. This study aims to develop and evaluate a method that automatically adapts the number of Socratic questions based on the level of detected psychological distress during a CBT session with an ECA. We hypothesize that this adaptive approach to selecting the number of questions will lower psychological distress, reduce negative emotional states, and produce more substantial cognitive changes compared with a random number of questions. In this study, which envisions health care support in daily life, we recruited participants aged from 18 to 65 years for an experiment that involved 2 different conditions: an ECA that adapts a number of questions based on psychological distress detection or an ECA that only asked a random number of questions. The participants were assigned to 1 of the 2 conditions, experienced a single CBT session with an ECA, and completed questionnaires before and after the session. The participants completed the experiment. There were slight differences in sex, age, and preexperimental psychological distress levels between the 2 conditions. The adapted number of questions condition showed significantly lower psychological distress than the random number of questions condition after the session. We also found a significant difference in the cognitive change when the number of questions was adapted based on the detected distress level, compared with when the number of questions was fewer than what was appropriate for the level of distress detected. The results show that an ECA adapting the number of Socratic questions based on detected distress levels increases the effectiveness of CBT. Participants who received an adaptive number of questions experienced greater reductions in distress than those who received a random number of questions. In addition, the participants showed a greater amount of cognitive change when the number of questions matched the detected distress level. This suggests that adapting the question quantity based on distress level detection can improve the results of CBT delivered by an ECA. These results illustrate the advantages of ECAs, paving the way for mental health care that is more tailored and effective.

The experience of seeking and accessing help from mental health services among young people of Eastern European backgrounds: A qualitative interview study.

Most lifetime mental health problems (MHP) start before the age of 25. Yet young people-particularly those of minority backgrounds-often do not seek or access professional help. In the UK, young people of Eastern European (EE) backgrounds represent a large minority group; however, little is known about their experiences of MHP and help-seeking. In this study, we aim to understand the help-seeking process from the perspectives of EE young people. We used a qualitative study design with semi-structured individual interviews. The results were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Twelve young people (18-25 years) of EE backgrounds, living in Oxfordshire, UK, took part. All participants had experienced a severe MHP and were identified in the community. EE young people's experiences of MHP and help-seeking were driven by a sense of being caught between different cultures and simultaneously needing to navigate the potentially contrasting expectations of both cultures. This process was reinforced or tempered by the perceived continuing influence of young people's families, that is, families with more open views about MHP made it easier for young people to navigate through the process of help-seeking. Young people's internalised cultural and familial beliefs about MHP affected their decision-making when experiencing difficulties, their levels of trust in services, and perceived sense of resourcefulness and ability to cope. Recognising and responding to the cultural tension that young people of EE backgrounds may experience can help us to develop more accessible and inclusive mental health services.

Insights of Healthcare Workers and Community Members on Mental Health Perception and Practices in Meru County, Kenya

Mental health is a neglected field in many low and middle-income countries, such as Kenya, where information on the prevalence of mental health conditions is scarce. This problem is aggravated by an uneven distribution of mental health service providers and widespread ignorance and stigma around mental illness in the general population. The study in Meru County, Kenya, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers and community members regarding mental health. The study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey, involved 535 community members and 109 healthcare workers, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions and analysed using univariate frequencies, descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis. The study revealed that 39% of community members had a family member with a mental health condition, while 68% of HCWs had been diagnosed with such conditions. Mental illness was often attributed to supernatural causes, genetics, substance abuse, and socio-economic pressures. A significant gap was found in the availability of counselling services in health facilities, with only 29.4% of HCWs reporting their presence. The perception of the affordability and accessibility of mental health services varied greatly between HCWs and community members. Additionally, while HCWs reported the availability of free medication, community members experienced shortages. The study also noted differing attitudes towards patients with mental illness in terms of respect and dignity and highlighted the use of traditional healers and religious leaders for mental health issues. This study contributes valuable insights into the state of mental health in Kenya, highlighting the high burden of mental illness, limited availability of services, and prevalent myths and misconceptions. It underscores the need for improved healthcare worker training, public awareness, and stronger health systems to address mental health issues effectively in Kenya and similar rural environments

Assessment of the feasibility of a community-based mental health training programme for persons with disabilities by non-specialists from different stakeholders’ perspectives in Bangladesh

IntroductionBangladesh is a developing country where 11% of the population has at least one disability, but no community-level mental health service is available. There is limited evidence of the burden of mental health issues and health-seeking behaviour among this population. This study assessed the feasibility of a training intervention for persons with disabilities, where peer support providers provided community-based disability-inclusive mental health services.MethodsFour stakeholder groups participated in this qualitative study: peer responders (trained persons with disabilities), trainers, representatives of organisations of persons with disabilities and disability-specific organisations, and officials of international and national non-governmental organisations. Two types of qualitative interviews were used to collect data, and thematic analysis techniques were utilised.ResultStakeholders perceived the peer responder training programme as acceptable for persons with disabilities to develop themselves as peer support providers, with potential benefits including increased mental health literacy, ensuring accessible mental health services, and improving the well-being of persons with disabilities. Potential challenges included receiving training and delivering services. Increased training duration, more fieldwork, supervision opportunities, and refresher training were recommended to mitigate training challenges. Financial support and formal community recognition were deemed necessary for training delivery.ConclusionThe peer responder training programme was feasible to ensure accessible mental health services for persons with disabilities, build a workforce to screen for mental health conditions, and provide appropriate referrals. A multi-sectoral collaboration of government and non-governmental institutions is recommended to policy advocates to expand the peer responder training programme in the mainstream mental healthcare system.

The Role of Cultural Factors in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Diagnosis in Children in Nigeria

This paper explores the influence of cultural factors on the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Nigerian children. Examining traditional beliefs, societal norms, and the impact of stigma, the study addresses the challenges within the cultural context. Critiquing Western diagnostic criteria and exploring alternative explanatory models rooted in indigenous perspectives highlight the need for a culturally informed diagnostic approach. Additionally, the paper discusses the limited availability of mental health services, cultural barriers to seeking professional help, and the significance of cultural competence in ADHD diagnosis. Collaborative efforts with traditional healers and community leaders are emphasized. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to ADHD diagnosis in Nigeria.

Perceived anxiety and depression and associated factors among women inmates with a long-term sentence in Thailand.

In Thailand, the growing prevalence of mental health problems among the increasing number of adult female prisoners has emerged as a significant public health concern. However, studies on the health of women prisoners are primarily conducted in Western societies, and studies in other countries are rare. Thailand, a non-western country, is no exception to this. The objectives of this study were to assess the current levels of anxiety and depression among women drug offenders in Thailand and to identify possible associated factors. Data were collected from a sample consisting of 554 women drug offenders serving sentences of eight years or more. Stratified random sampling with proportionate stratification was employed during the data collection. The female inmates were being held in three categories of prisons: correctional institutions, central prisons, and provincial prisons. A single question was used to measure self-perceived levels of anxiety and depression: none, moderate, or substantial. Ordered logit regression was employed in the data analysis. One out of five (21.1%) of the inmates in the sample reported no perceived current anxiety and depression, 61.7% reported moderate anxiety and depression, and 17.1% reported having substantial perceived levels of anxiety and depression. It was found that chronic health conditions or disease, concerns about economic status, and feelings of shame were associated with the perceived anxiety and depression reported by the inmates. The study's findings suggest that integrated mental health services that emphasize a holistic approach that acknowledges the intersectionality of women's mental health and societal gender roles should be provided in prisons. Regular mental health screening and accessible mental health services are essential for all incarcerated women. Empowerment programs during confinement can boost self-esteem and thus lead to better post-release outcomes. The government should also implement programs to alleviate the financial burden on prisoners' households.