History Of Mental Health Problems Research Articles

Estudio descriptivo de conducta suicida en adolescentes hospitalizados en la Unidad de Psiquiatría de un hospital de Madrid durante 2023.

The suicidal behavior among adolescents has shown a significant increase in the last decade, according to a study by the ANAR Foundation. Subsequently, there is a highlighted increase of 128% in the post-COVID-19 period. This study aims to analyze the reasons for admission and sociodemographic characteristics of adolescents hospitalized in 2023. An observational descriptive study was conducted at the Puerta de Hierro University Hospital. Out of the 229 recorded admissions, 78.6% were females and 21.4% males, with a mean age of 15.07 years. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were the main reasons for admission, with drug overdose being the most common method. The main diagnoses at discharge were mixed emotions and behavior disorder onset in childhood and adolescence, and adaptive disorder. The majority had a history of mental health problems. These findings reinforce the importance of prevention and early intervention programs to address suicide as an urgent public health issue.

Mesh-associated pain syndrome: predictors for continence and prolapse mesh removal surgery in a single centre

ObjectiveOver the last two decades one of the main surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery was the insertion of non-absorbable mesh to restore continence and prolapse respectively. Over time complications arose including mesh-associated pain syndrome (MAPS), mesh exposure, mesh, erosion, chronic bladder/vaginal infections, and dyspareunia. Consequently, women chose surgical mesh removal to counter these problems. However, little is known about the demographics, medical co-morbidities, mesh types involved and the timing from mesh insertion to mesh removal. This retrospective study will look at which of these factors may be closely associated with mesh removal surgery.DesignRetrospective evaluation.SettingFemale Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) Clinic at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.PopulationAll patients presenting to the FPMRS Clinic between June 2011 to December 2019, requesting mesh removal surgery with a history of MAPS and other mesh complications were included in this study.MethodsPatient demographics including age, ethnicity, obstetric history, and medical co-morbidities; type of mesh/anatomical route used; onset of symptoms; and time from insertion to removal were recorded.Main Outcome MeasuresDetermination of correlation coefficients between patient demographics, patient reported symptoms and mesh removal surgery.ResultsThree hundred and forty-five women with a history of MAPS were included in the study. Women in the 40–60 year old cohort accounted for 54.4% of mesh removal surgery; 54.8% had a BMI under 30 and almost 90% were Caucasian. 96.5% had had children, with over 77% having had a vaginal delivery. 91.9% of patients reported other health conditions including 18.8% with a concomitant history of mental health problems and 15.4% with a history of heart disease. Over 80% of women undergoing mesh removal surgery had a continence mesh (49% retropubic and 32% obturator continence mesh) removed, whereas 20% had an abdominal prolapse and/or vaginal prolapse mesh removed. The average time from mesh insertion to mesh removal was seven years, with the prevalence of mesh removal surgery averaging 85% (range 50–100%) depending on the comorbidity determined.ConclusionsAll women presented to the clinic with a history of MAPS and other comorbidities which may have influenced their decision to pursue mesh removal surgery. There were no specific predictors, other than chronic pain associated with mesh, determining which women underwent surgery, though those with continence mesh were more likely to do so.

Measuring social environment factors of depressed inpatients: A cross-sectional study

Abstract The course and management of mental illness are both influenced by social contextual factors. Standardised questionnaires are required to monitor inpatients’ social environment and to design interventions. This study aims to describe the social environment of inpatients with depression using standardised instruments, and to analyse the instrument’s applicability. This cross-sectional study included depressed adult inpatients admitted to a German psychiatric hospital. We used three standardised questionnaires to evaluate social risk factors: the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS), the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) and the Social Cohesion and Trust Scale (SCTS). The appropriateness of the questionnaires was assessed with a context-specific quality appraisal. Our study included 196 patients with depression having a mean age of 38.8 (SD = 13.7) years of whom 50% were female. A total of 164 (85%) of patients reported a family history of mental health problems, and 31 (38.8%) had experienced discrimination. Analyses of the LSNS and WHODAS showed that the prevalence of social isolation and disability was significantly higher among inpatients compared to the general population. The WHODAS scores were highest in patients aged 18-30, while social isolation was elevated but stable among different age groups (range 18.7- 19.4%). Both, the WHODAS and LSNS showed good clinical applicability, comparability, and test properties. A lack of validation in a young population of the LSNS was considered a weakness. The SCTS showed imperfections in its applicability and comparability. Depressed inpatients have a limited social network compared to the general population. We emphasise the importance of assessing the applicability of questionnaires representing social environment as the basis for developing interventions. We recommend systematic monitoring of social characteristics to identify potential targets of intervention and thereby facilitate the management of depression. Key messages • Hospitalised patients with depression have a decreased social functioning and a smaller social network compared to the general population. • Standardised social environment questionnaires should be consented and used to plan and enrich depression management.

Post-Pandemic Evolution of Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents Attending a General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department.

Lockdowns and other health protective measures, such as social distancing, imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic nurtured unprecedented levels of stress and social isolation around the world. This scenario triggered an increase in suicide thoughts and self-harm behaviours among children and young people. However, the longer-term impact of the pandemic on children's and adolescents' mental health, especially with regard to self-harm, is still to be fully discovered. We carried out a retrospective study where we collected data related to suicide ideation and self-harm behaviours in all patients aged under 18 that required on-call psychiatric services at the General Hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department in Salamanca, Spain, during 2019 (pre-pandemic) and in both 2021 and 2022 to capture possible variation at different time points during the post-pandemic period. A total of 316 patients aged under 18 were seen by on-call psychiatric services at the A&E department during the three time periods: 78 in 2019, 98 in 2021 and 140 in 2022. The mean age was 15.12 (SD 2.25) and females represented more than twice the number of males each year. More than half of all patients assessed during 2022 disclosed suicide thoughts, whilst in 2019, it was near 25%. This increase in suicide ideation rates was more marked among females (X2 = 15.127; p = 0.001), those aged over 15 (X2 = 16.437; p < 0.001) and/or those with a previous history of mental health problems (X2 = 17.823; p < 0.001). We identified an increase in the proportion of males with suicide ideas, especially between 2021 and 2022 (X2 = 8.396; p = 0.015). Our study suggests that children's and adolescents' demand for urgent mental healthcare and their clinical presentations in A&E departments with suicide thoughts and/or self-injuries do not seem to be declining after the pandemic but increasing over time. More research is warranted to understand possible factors involved in this sustained upward trend.

Factors associated with posttraumatic stress and anxiety among the parents of babies admitted to neonatal care: a systematic review

BackgroundPosttraumatic stress (PTS) and anxiety are common mental health problems among parents of babies admitted to a neonatal unit (NNU). This review aimed to identify sociodemographic, pregnancy and birth, and psychological factors associated with PTS and anxiety in this population.MethodStudies published up to December 2022 were retrieved by searching Medline, Embase, PsychoINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health electronic databases. The modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for cohort and cross-sectional studies was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. This review was pre-registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021270526).ResultsForty-nine studies involving 8,447 parents were included; 18 studies examined factors for PTS, 24 for anxiety and 7 for both. Only one study of anxiety factors was deemed to be of good quality. Studies generally included a small sample size and were methodologically heterogeneous. Pooling of data was not feasible. Previous history of mental health problems (four studies) and parental perception of more severe infant illness (five studies) were associated with increased risk of PTS, and had the strongest evidence. Shorter gestational age (≤ 33 weeks) was associated with an increased risk of anxiety (three studies) and very low birth weight (< 1000g) was associated with an increased risk of both PTS and anxiety (one study). Stress related to the NNU environment was associated with both PTS (one study) and anxiety (two studies), and limited data suggested that early engagement in infant’s care (one study), efficient parent-staff communication (one study), adequate social support (two studies) and positive coping mechanisms (one study) may be protective factors for both PTS and anxiety. Perinatal anxiety, depression and PTS were all highly comorbid conditions (as with the general population) and the existence of one mental health condition was a risk factor for others.ConclusionHeterogeneity limits the interpretation of findings. Until clearer evidence is available on which parents are most at risk, good communication with parents and universal screening of PTS and anxiety for all parents whose babies are admitted to NNU is needed to identify those parents who may benefit most from mental health interventions.

Difficult Toddler Temperament - Prevalence and Associated Factors at 18-Month Follow-Up of a Birth Cohort.

Difficult temperament coupled with other risk factors may lead to mental health problems in childhood and have long-lasting effects in adolescence and adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of parental perception of difficult temperament in toddlers and identify significant factors associated with individual and family-level sociodemographic risk factors. The prevalence of parental perception of difficult temperament was derived from items in the 18-month follow-up questionnaire within the Watch Me Grow (WMG) longitudinal birth cohort study in a multicultural and socioeconomically disadvantaged community in Sydney, Australia. Data was available for 500 children and their parents. Descriptive analysis was used to calculate the participant characteristics and the prevalence of parental perception of difficult temperament, whereas multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess significant risk factors associated with a difficult temperament. Parental perception of difficult temperament in the cohort was 7.3% (n = 492). Findings of the multivariable logistic regression showed that screen time >2 hours a day (AOR 2.43, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.9), child not being read to (AOR 3.92, 95% CI: 1.8, 8.5), and family history of mental health problems (AOR 2.69, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.5) significantly increased the odds of having a difficult temperament. Toddlers with difficult temperament were less likely to have received stimulatory experiences, and their families were more likely to be under greater stress. The findings emphasize the importance of parental support and anticipatory guidance in promoting nurturing care to facilitate child health and development, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Characterization of suicidal behavior in Coquimbo, Chile, between 2018 and 2020.

Suicidal behavior is a public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization estimated 700 000 deaths for the year 2021. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of suicidal behavior and describe its related factors in the Coquimbo Region, Chile, between 2018 and 2020. 2190 suicide attempt notifications from the regional epidemiological surveillance system were analyzed, corresponding to 1781 people, along with 217 reports from the Forensic Medical Service of people who died by suicide. The overall suicide rate for the region during that period was 9.79 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants. The 2018 rates were standardized according to available information, with direct methods for the regional rate (9.55 per 100 000 inhabitants) and indirect methods for the communes. Rural communes presented higher rates than urban ones. Women showed a higher risk of attempts (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.33) and a lower risk of suicide compared to men (0.086; 0.06 to 0.13). Young people had a higher risk of suicide attempts and a lower risk of suicide compared to older people. The increased suicide rates in older people (70 to 79 years) during 2020 are noteworthy. Basic education level is a risk variable for suicide (2.21; from 1.15 to 4.23), compared to having higher education. Previous suicide attempts and psychiatric pathology are risk factors. Suicide prevalence and related factors are similar to those reported in other studies and national reports, highlighting rurality and higher risk in older male adults. In contrast to suicides, attempts are more frequent in women and young people. A history of mental health problems, previous attempts, and family violence are risk factors for both outcomes. Knowing the patterns of suicidal behavior in the population is fundamental for its prevention.

Effects of a residential psychoeducational parenting program on maternal anxiety and fatigue symptoms

ABSTRACT Aims To evaluate the effects of a 5-day residential psychoeducational program on maternal anxiety and fatigue symptoms among women admitted with their unsettled infants and determine the psychological, social and demographic characteristics which are associated with the effect sizes. Methods This is a secondary analysis of routinely collected data from mothers with children aged up to 24 months who were admitted to and completed the residential early parenting psychoeducational program at Masada Private Hospital Early Parenting Centre in Melbourne. Maternal anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Three-item Anxiety subscale and maternal fatigue symptoms were the Modified Fatigue Assessment Scale at preadmission, predischarge and follow-up 6-weeks post discharge. Results Overall, 1220 admissions were included in analyses. Cohen’s d for reductions in the anxiety symptoms during the program was 0.64 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.70) and from pre-discharge to post-discharge was 0.14 (95% CI 0.09 to 01.9), and for fatigue was 1.21 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.32). Higher borderline personality disorder symptoms and experiencing more stressful life events were associated with lower mean reductions in anxiety and fatigue symptoms. Women with a history of mental health problems had lower anxiety symptom reductions. Women who were older or had younger babies had lower fatigue score reductions. Conclusion This study confirms the effectiveness of a 5-day residential early parenting psychoeducational program provided by a private sector facility in reducing postnatal anxiety and fatigue rapidly, with effects maintained to at least 6-weeks post-discharge.

The relationship between cognitive and affective control and adolescent mental health.

Cognitive control problems have been implicated in the etiology and maintenance of mental health problems, including depression, in adults. Studies in adolescents have been more equivocal, with some showing changes in cognitive control in adolescents with mental health problems, whereas others fail to show an association. This study examines whether adolescent mental health is associated with affective control, the application of cognitive control in affective contexts, which shows more protracted development than cognitive control. The present study investigated the association of cognitive and affective control with depressive symptomatology and self-reported diagnostic history of mental health problems in adolescents. The study included 1929 participants (M age=13.89) from the Future Proofing Study (N=6,388, 11-16years), who completed affective (incl., affective stimuli) and/or cognitive (incl., neutral stimuli) versions of a working memory (backward digit-span) and/or shifting (card-sorting) task at least once within 3weeks of assessing mental health. Poorer working memory was associated with greater depressive symptomatology in adolescents (β=-0.06, p=.004), similarly across cognitive and affective control conditions (β=-0.02, p=.269). Adolescents with self-reported diagnostic history of mental health problems had significantly poorer shifting ability in affective compared to cognitive control conditions (b=0.05, p=.010), whereas for adolescents with no self-reported diagnoses, shifting ability did not differ between conditions (b=-0.00, p=.649). The present analyses suggest that working memory difficulties, in particular, may be associated with the experience of current depressed mood in adolescents. Problems with affective shifting may be implicated in a range of mental health problems in adolescents. Given the ubiquitous need for efficient cognitive functioning in daily life, enhancing cognitive and affective control in adolescents may be a promising means of improving functioning across a range of domains, including affective functioning, and by extension, adolescent mental health.

Trajectories of psychopathology among young people related to outcomes in young adulthood

Abstract What does young adulthood look like for individuals who had mental health problems across childhood? Using the Growing Up in Ireland cohort (born in 1998 and studied from ages 9 to 20) we explored the association between mental health problems between ages 9 and 13, and subsequent poor outcomes in the same individuals at ages 17-20. We consider educational/economic outcomes, health service use, poor mental and physical health, social isolation, substance abuse, and subjective wellbeing in young adults. In a previous study that used latent class modelling, we identified four groups which captured mental health in a general population sample of children. Between ages 9 and 13, children could be grouped into: a low symptoms group (∼65%), an ‘externalising’ group with ADHD or conduct symptoms (∼20%), an ‘internalising’ group with depressive, anxiety or peer issues (∼10%), or a group showing many combined mental health symptoms (∼2%). All mental health problem groups had elevated odds across all 7 adverse outcomes in young adulthood. The 5 areas of young adult functioning most related to childhood mental health were: education/economics, subjective wellbeing, mental health, social isolation and substance abuse. Poor educational/economic outcomes were as likely as poor mental health (OR ∼ 2) in individuals with childhood psychopathology. The 3 childhood problem groups showed different risk profiles in young adulthood. For instance, the childhood internalising group had lower odds of substance abuse than all other groups, but had the highest odds of poor physical health by adulthood. Findings point to the need for a wider range of preventative supports for children and adolescents with a history of mental health problems, beyond just mental health support. These include interventions to improve physical health, treat substance abuse, reduce social isolation, and improve adverse educational and economic outcomes.

Assessing Attendance Frequency and Duration at a Drop-In Animal Visitation Program Among First-Semester University Students Separated From Their Pets

ABSTRACT Anxiety and stress among incoming university students are associated with higher rates of mental health disorders and decreased academic success. One approach universities employ to prevent these problems is the implementation of Animal Visitation Programs (AVPs). While efficacy trials suggest positive effects, little is known about students’ program uptake (e.g., attendance frequency and duration) or students’ characteristics (e.g., current mood and past mental health, pet ownership, and pet separation anxiety) that shape program uptake. This study identified student characteristics that predicted AVP uptake in a subsample (n = 209) of randomly selected first-year university students (n = 2,000) who were screened for pet ownership and randomly assigned to attend a semester-long drop-in AVP program (i.e., seven 2-hour sessions) (n = 105) with registered therapy dogs or a waitlist control group (n = 104). Using logistic and multiple regression modeling, participants’ mental health history, current mood, and relationship with their childhood pet were modeled on students’ attendance frequency and duration. Students’ early session uptake was negatively associated with mental health history (B frequency = –0.876, p = 0.03, OR = 0.417) and perceived stress (B frequency = –0.177, p = 0.04, OR = 0.838; β duration = –0.433, p = 0.02, d = 0.61) and positively associated with current anxiety (B frequency = 0.179, p = 0.01, OR = 1.196; β duration = 0.513, p = 0.01, d = 0.66). Overall attendance was negatively associated with levels of pet separation anxiety (β frequency = –0.342, p = 0.004, d = 0.70; β duration = –0.286, p = 0.03, d = 0.53) and identifying as male (β frequency = –0.308, p = 0.003, d = 0.72; β duration = –0.321, p = 0.004, d = 0.68) and was positively associated with early uptake (β frequency = 0.627, p < 0.001, d = 1.40; β duration = 0.532, p < 0.001, d = 1.08). Findings suggest that program attendance may be enhanced by prioritizing access to students experiencing anxiety upon arrival to campus, rather than students experiencing stress, pet separation anxiety, or those reporting a history of mental health problems. Administrators should strongly promote attendance to the first session as this is significantly associated with greater program uptake.

Mental health of sexual assault victims and predictors of their use of support from in-house psychologists at Belgian sexual assault care centres

ABSTRACT Background: Sexual assault (SA) can induce a negative impact on victims’ mental health. Specialised SA services generally offer medical care and a forensic examination to SA victims. However, there is a large variation in how these services provide mental health support. Objective: This study aims to assess mental health problems of SA victims attending the Belgian Sexual Assault Care Centres (SACCs) and identify predictors for victims’ use of support from in-house psychologists. Method: Health records of victims ≥ 16 years who presented within one week post-SA to one of the three Belgian SACCs between 25 October 2017 and 31 October 2019 were reviewed. An AIC-based stepwise backward binary logistic regression was used to analyse the association between victim, assault, service use and mental health characteristics and follow-up by a SACC-psychologist. Results: Of the 555 victims, more than half had a history of mental health problems. Of those assessed, over 70% showed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and/or anxiety disorder. One in two victims consulted a SACC-psychologist. Victims with a mental health history (OR 1.46, p = .04), victims accompanied by a support person during acute care (OR 1.51, p = .04), and victims who were assaulted by an acquaintance in comparison to those assaulted by a stranger (OR 1.60, p = .039) were more likely to attend their appointment with the SACC-psychologist. Conclusion: The study reaffirms the high mental health burden among victims attending specialised SA services, stressing the need to provide effective mental health interventions at these services and improve their longer-term use by victims. Prescheduling of appointments with an in-house psychologist in combination with phone reminders may improve the uptake of such services. Health care providers must be vigilant about potential barriers faced by victims without a mental health history or social support in attending appointments with mental health professionals.

Contact with primary care physicians among adults with pre-existing common mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: a registry-based study from Norway

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with pre-existing mental health problems may have experienced additional stress, which could worsen symptoms or trigger relapse. Thus, this study aimed to investigate if the number of consultations with general practitioners (GPs) among individuals with a pre-existing common mental health problem during the pandemic differed from pre-pandemic years.MethodsData on consultations with GPs among 18–65-year-olds registered with common mental health problems in 2017–2021 were retrieved from the Norwegian Control and Payment of Health Reimbursements Database. Based on data from the pre-pandemic years (2017–2019), we predicted the number of consultations per week for depression, anxiety disorder, phobia/obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders during the pandemic (March 2020-December 2021) among individuals with pre-existing mental health problems. The forecasted and observed trends in GP consultations per week during the pandemic were stratified by diagnosis, gender, and age groups.ResultsThe observed number of consultations for anxiety disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders were significantly higher than forecasted during extended periods of the two pandemic years. The differences were largest for PTSD (on average 37% higher in men and 47% higher in women during the pandemic), and for eating disorders among women (on average 87% higher during the pandemic). There were only minor differences between the predicted and observed number of consultations for depression and phobia/OCD.ConclusionsDuring the pandemic, individuals with a recent history of mental health problems were more likely to seek help for anxiety disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders, as compared to pre-pandemic years.

Focusing a realist evaluation of peer support for paediatric mental health

ObjectiveMental health problems are a leading and increasing cause of health-related burden in children across the world. Peer support interventions are increasingly used to meet this need using the lived experience of people with a history of mental health problems. However, much of the research underpinning this work has focused on adults, leaving a gap in knowledge about how these complex interventions may work for different children in different circumstances. Realist research may help us to understand how such complex interventions may trigger different mechanisms to produce different outcomes in children. This paper reports on an important first step in realist research, namely the construction of an embryonic initial programme theory to help ‘focus’ realist evaluation exploring how children’s peer support services work in different contexts to produce different outcomes in the West Midlands (UK).MethodsA survey and preliminary semi-structured realist interviews were conducted with 10 people involved in the delivery of peer support services. Realist analysis was carried out to produce context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOC).ResultsAnalysis produced an initial programme theory of peer support for children’s mental health. This included 12 CMOCs. Important outcomes identified by peer support staff included hope, service engagement, wellbeing, resilience, and confidence; each generated by different mechanisms including contextualisation of psychoeducation, navigating barriers to accessing services, validation, skill development, therapeutic relationship, empowerment, and reducing stigma.ConclusionThese data lay the groundwork for designing youth mental health realist research to evaluate with nuance the complexities of what components of peer support work for whom in varying circumstances.

Parenting stress and autistic children's emotional problems relate to family-school partnerships and parent mental health.

Dimensions of family-school partnerships, including parent-teacher relationship quality and family educational involvement, are associated with positive outcomes for youth. Family-school partnerships are important for autistic youth, who may particularly benefit from cross-setting supports. Coordinated family-school partnerships may help maximize child outcomes. This study investigated the extent to which child behavioral and physical health (emotional, behavioral, and medical problems) and parent mental health (parenting stress, parent mental health history, and parent depressive symptoms) were associated with parent-teacher relationship quality and family involvement in a sample of 68 families of school-aged autistic children. Families were recruited through invitation letters disseminated at local early intervention and early childhood programs. Children in the sample were primarily boys, primarily White, and approximately 8 years old. Results suggest that (a) child emotional problems and parenting stress were negatively associated with parent-teacher relationship quality (large effects) and (b) parent history of mental health problems was negatively associated with family involvement (large effect). Intervention recommendations and future research directions are discussed. For example, it would be helpful for future research to include the perspectives of ethnically diverse samples when examining family-school partnerships among families with autistic children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Depression stigma, depression literacy, and psychological help seeking attitudes among school and university students

Very little research has specifically investigated depression stigma and its correlation with depression literacy and help-seeking attitudes among students. This study aimed to assess the levels and correlations of stigma, literacy, and psychological help-seeking attitudes related to depression among a sample of high school and university students in Jordan. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was employed using an anonymous, online, self-report survey. This study included a total of 650 students aged 16 to 24 years. The participants were found to have high levels of depression stigma, low levels of depression literacy, and negative attitudes towards seeking psychological help. The most frequently reported sources of psychological help were family members, relatives, and friends. A significant negative correlation was found between depression stigma and depression literacy. The predictive factors of depression stigma were depression literacy, age, gender, education, father's educational level, family size, and having history of mental health problems among family members, relatives, or friends. This study provides valuable information on the common mental health needs and concerns among students in Jordan. The findings also highlight the importance of developing and implementing depression awareness and prevention education campaigns for students in schools and universities. Such campaigns may increase students' knowledge about depression, enhance their use of mental healthcare services, and prevent or decrease their risk of developing depression.

Factors associated with suicide in physicians: a silent stigma and public health problem that has not been studied in depth.

Suicide is a complex and multifaceted public health issue that affects individuals from all walks of life, including healthcare professionals such as physicians. According to research, physicians have a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population, with an estimated suicide rate that is two to three times greater than that of the general population. Suicide in physicians can have devastating consequences, not only for the individual but also for their patients and colleagues. The factors contributing to suicide in physicians are numerous and often interrelated. Physicians are exposed to numerous stressors in their daily lives, including long work hours, high workload, burnout, and exposure to traumatic events. These stressors can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, which in turn can increase the risk of suicide. In addition to work-related stressors, personal factors such as relationship problems, financial stress, and a history of mental health problems can also contribute to suicide risk in physicians. Stigma and shame around seeking help for mental health issues may also prevent physicians from seeking treatment, exacerbating the problem. Understanding the complex factors that contribute to suicide in physicians is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. For this reason, it is necessary to know the behavior of this phenomenon and the factors associated with a higher risk of suicide in this population. However, taking into account that different regions of the world vary in socioeconomic, cultural, professional, occupational, and health attributes, it is to be expected that the behavior of these risk factors will also be heterogeneous. At present, it is presumed that there is a significant gap in the evidence, due to a predominance of evidence on this topic from high-income countries. Considering the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for suicide in the medical population and possible strategies to mitigate this condition, the aim of this review is to analyze the most recent evidence on these factors, and to assess the quality of the evidence and gaps that need to be studied further.

Psychiatric morbidity among women in Norwegian prisons, 2010–2019: a register-based study

PurposeResearch suggests that women in prison have more mental health problems than men and are prone to suffer from more severe psychiatric disorders. This study utilizes national registry data to describe demographic and psychiatric gender differences in Norwegian prisons, and to investigate comorbid psychiatric disorders and time trends in psychiatric morbidity among women.MethodsLongitudinal data from the Norwegian Prison Release Study linked with the Norwegian Patient Registry and data from Statistics Norway provided information on health care utilization, socioeconomic status, and history of psychiatric disorders among all individuals (nwomen = 5,429; nmen = 45,432) who were incarcerated in a Norwegian prison between 2010 and 2019.ResultsWomen were more likely than men to have a history of any psychiatric disorder (75% vs. 59%). Substance use disorders and dual disorders were highly prevalent in both genders, yet highest among women (56 and 38% respectively, versus 43 and 24% among men). From 2010 to 2019, we found a considerable increase in the 12-month prevalence of most diagnostic categories among women entering prison.ConclusionPsychiatric and dual disorders are highly prevalent in Norwegian prisons, and especially among women. The proportion of women entering prison with a recent history of mental health problems has increased rapidly over the last decade. Women’s prison institutions need to adjust health and social services, and awareness about substance use and other psychiatric disorders in order to meet the increasing proportion of women facing these challenges.

Preventing, Mitigating, and Treating Women's Perinatal Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Reviews with a Qualitative Narrative Synthesis.

Meeting the mental health needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious concern. This scoping review looks at how to prevent, mitigate or treat the mental health problems faced by women during a pandemic, and lays out suggestions for further research. Interventions for women with pre-existing mental health problems or health problems that develop during the perinatal period are included. The literature in English published in 2020-2021 is explored. Hand searches were conducted in PubMed and PsychINFO using the terms COVID-19, perinatal mental health and review. A total of 13 systematic and scoping reviews and meta-analyses were included. This scoping review shows that every woman should be assessed for mental health issues at every stage of her pregnancy and postpartum, with particular attention to women with a history of mental health problems. In the COVID-19 era, efforts should be focused on reducing the magnitude of stress and a perceived sense of lack of control experienced by perinatal women. Helpful instructions for women with perinatal mental health problems include mindfulness, distress tolerance skills, relaxation exercises, and interpersonal relationship building skills. Further longitudinal multicenter cohort studies could help improve the current knowledge. Promoting perinatal resilience and fostering positive coping skills, mitigating perinatal mental health problems, screening all prenatal and postpartum women for affective disorders, and using telehealth services appear to be indispensable resources. In future, governments and research agencies will need to pay greater attention to the trade-offs of reducing the spread of the virus through lockdowns, physical distancing, and quarantine measures and developing policies to mitigate the mental health impact on perinatal women.

Negative attitudes and lack of Knowledge towards mental health problems

IntroductionNegative thoughts towards mental illness are a global problem for health care professionals. Mainly it leads to late help seeking which aggravates the prognosis of the problem, denial of this situation, refusing long term medication etc.…ObjectivesWe aim to identify the determinants leading to negative attitudes towards psychiatric problems among medical students.MethodsThis is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted at the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax through an anonymous questionnaire via google Forms. The degree of stigmatization was evaluated by the score « The Attribution Questionnaires AQ-27 ».ResultsOne hundred and seven students completed the questionnaires. The Sex-ratio was 0.30 (M/F). The percentage of first- and second-year students was 24.42%, third to 6th year students was 34.57% and residents was 41.01%. Students with a personal history of psychiatric disorders presented 45.8% of our population and those with a family history of mental health problems 40.2%. Medical students who studied psychiatry as a discipline and students who had internship in the psychiatry department (third to 6th year students and residents) had lower scores of the Attribution Questionnaires AQ-27 (p=0,003 and p=0,002 respectively). Sixty per cent of the students reported that spreading listening cells when needed, media coverage of mental illness and campaigns of awareness can help us reduce mental disease’s related stigma.ConclusionsTo conclude, in order to lower rates of stigmatization of mentally sick people, spreading awareness among medical students can be an important tool in order to understand this situation and to provide a better health care.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared