Mental Health Experts Research Articles

Attitudes on Psychedelics in a Sample of Croatian Mental Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional National Survey Study

ABSTRACT For some time now, there has been an increased interest in psychedelics among scientists and mental health experts. Given that experts introduce therapy and advise patients, it is important to know their views. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine and compare the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists toward psychedelics. We were interested in how they are formed and what is the role of personality in that process. We included 218 respondents, of which 92 were psychiatrists and 126 were psychologists. Attitudes toward psychedelics were examined using the Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire. We used the Big Five Inventory to examine personality traits. On the Legal Use of Psychedelics subscale, it was shown that psychiatrists have more negative attitudes toward psychedelics (p = .033). Higher Openness (β = 0.184, p < .001) and lower Conscientiousness (β = -0.144, p = .009) contribute to positive attitudes toward psychedelics, as well as previous lifetime experience with psychedelics (β = 0.411, p < .001) and younger age (β = -0.278, p < .001). In conclusion, we can say that mental health professionals are open but also wary of psychedelics. Openness motivates them to learn. For this reason, additional education could have an impact on the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists and prepare them for the practical use of psychedelics.

Effect of Interactive Media-Based Music and Art Therapies on Reduction in PTSD Symptoms in Children and Adult Victims of Abduction

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of music and art therapies in reducing symptoms of PTSD among children and adults with abduction experiences in Nigeria. The study was a quasi-experiment with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up assessment design. The participants were divided into control (n = 107), music therapy (n = 108) and art therapy (n = 108) groups. The result of the ANCOVA analysis revealed no significant interactive effect of family happiness on the relationship between the interventions and reduction in PTSD symptoms, F(1,295)0.037 p = 0.848). However, there was a significant main effect of the treatment condition and PTSD scores of the participants at Times 1, 2, and 3, respectively F(1,295). 1640.756, p = 0.001). The degree of the relationship was assessed using partial eta squared, which yielded (ηp 2= 0.848). It was also found that music therapy was more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in children, while art therapy was more effective in reducing PTSD in adults. The result of this study could be useful for psychologists and mental health experts who may be interested in designing and implementing interventions targeting children and adults with PTSD symptoms. The result also has implications for control mastery theory by showing that music and art therapies could be useful in helping adults and children gain control of their minds after exposure to traumatic events.

Evaluating generative AI responses to real-world drug-related questions

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, capable of an unprecedented ability to generate human-like text and converse in real time, hold potential for large-scale deployment in clinical settings such as substance use treatment. Treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) is particularly high stakes, requiring evidence-based clinical treatment, mental health expertise, and peer support. Thus, promises of AI systems addressing deficient healthcare resources and structural bias are relevant within this domain, especially in an anonymous setting. This study explores the effectiveness of generative AI in answering real-world substance use and recovery questions. We collect questions from online recovery forums, use ChatGPT and Meta's LLaMA-2 for responses, and have SUD clinicians rate these AI responses. While clinicians rated the AI-generated responses as high quality, we discovered instances of dangerous disinformation, including disregard for suicidal ideation, incorrect emergency helplines, and endorsement of home detox. Moreover, the AI systems produced inconsistent advice depending on question phrasing. These findings indicate a risky mix of seemingly high-quality, accurate responses upon initial inspection that contain inaccurate and potentially deadly medical advice. Consequently, while generative AI shows promise, its real-world application in sensitive healthcare domains necessitates further safeguards and clinical validation.

Understanding experiences and interactions of children with Asperger’s syndrome in Virtual Reality-based learning systems

ABSTRACT Asperger’s syndrome is part of the large group of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Children with Asperger’s syndrome suffer from communication difficulties, which leads to disabilities related to social skills and learning. One of the novel suggested approaches to help in their social interaction and learning has been the use of Virtual Reality environments. Following this path, in this long-term study, we explored the social interaction and communication of children with Asperger’s syndrome within a Virtual Reality-based learning system. Children with Asperger’s syndrome used the system in a controlled environment for three months. By conducting a qualitative study based on Constructivist Grounded Theory methods and the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, involving the children, their teachers and mental health experts, we perceived that after initially demonstrating discomfort with the system’s characters, children interacted with the characters of the VR system, facing their communication difficulties, and expressing emotional states (e.g. fear, shyness, and probable suicidal desire). Based on the results, we provide novel insights related to the perception of children with Asperger’s syndrome regarding the use of Virtual Reality-based learning systems.

Digital shadows: confronting the rise of technology-facilitated sexual violence and the quest for systemic solutions

ABSTRACT This article explores Technology Facilitated Sexual Violence (TFSV), a rising issue in the digital era. TFSV encompasses online harassment, cyberstalking, and image-based exploitation via digital technologies. Unlike previous studies focusing on youth, this one includes adults. Surveys in Australia and the U.S. show TFSV’s high occurrence in adults. Using a qualitative method, the study involves legal and mental health experts to discuss TFSV’s effects, challenges, and solutions. Findings indicate frequent use of social media for abuse, causing victims significant mental distress like fear and trauma. The study points out the gap between fast-paced technological growth and the slower response of legal systems, resulting in ill-prepared professionals for handling digital abuse. It urges immediate, multi-pronged action against TFSV, including training for legal and law enforcement, education for practitioners and victims, and cross-sector collaboration. The article emphasizes the necessity of a better, comprehensive response to TFSV, advocating for an informed and inclusive approach in addressing digital sexual violence.

Economical Impact of Integration of Mental Health Services to Primary Care - A Review.

There are numerous people all across the world who are struggling with mental health (MH) conditions. There is a growing recognition of the significance of MH as a primary cause of disability with substantial effects on daily functioning. The Ministry of Health's financial division oversees money with the Ministry of Finance's approval. Thus, this review explores the economics of integrating MH services in a primary healthcare center (PHC) in Saudi Arabia (SA). The incorporation of MH services into basic medical care is required as it ensures that the general population has access to the necessary MH care and the likelihood of better health outcomes is raised when receiving treatment in PHCs. The majority of funds that are now allocated to the provision of MH care are used to pay the wages of MH professionals and paramedical staff members who are employed in mental hospitals, as well as to invest in the development of infrastructure and education of MH experts. A report found that MH expenditures accounted for 4% of the entire budget for health care. The expenditure for mental hospitals was 22% of the total for MH hospitals. The allocation of funds is integral for the PHCs to perform at their maximum potential in the MH domain. Thus, this review explores the economics of integrating MH services in a PHC in S SA.

Barriers to Mental Health Support in Cyberbullying: A Thematic Analysis of What Mental Health Professionals and Cyber Experts Think

Background: Cyberbullying can be a traumatic experience for adolescents. It can affect their psychosocial functioning, development, and mental well-being in the long term. Though mental health support is needed to help adolescents, parents, and schools, they do not seek appropriate support. Aim: This article describes the viewpoint of mental health and cyber experts on the barriers to seeking mental health support among adolescents, parents, and school administrators and identifies approaches to intervention. Methods: The qualitative research study was conducted in Bengaluru Urban, India. Ten specialists were interviewed, including mental health professionals and cyber experts who work with children and adolescents. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Seven major themes emerged from the study as follows: (a) knowledge of cyberbullying, (b) negative impact of cyberbullying, (c) attributed factors for cyberbullying, (d) barriers for help-seeking, (e) child-centric intervention, (f) parental intervention, and (g) whole-school approach to cyberbullying. Conclusion: Several factors would affect help-seeking by adolescents, parents, and schools in the context of cyberbullying. These factors need to be considered in developing a comprehensive, school-based intervention on cyberbullying for adolescents.

Structuralizing Culture: Multicultural Neoliberalism, Migration, and Mental Health in Santiago, Chile

The arrival of Afro-descendant migrants, mainly from Haiti and the Dominican Republic, has led to the emergence of new discourses on migration, multiculturalism, and mental health in health services in Chile since 2010. In this article, I explore how mental health institutions, experts, and practitioners have taken a cultural turn in working with migrant communities in this new multicultural scenario. Based on a multisited ethnography conducted over 14 months in a neighbourhood of northern Santiago, I focus on the Migrant Program—a primary health care initiative implemented since 2013. I argue that health practitioners have tended to redefine cultural approaches in structural terms focusing mainly on class aspects such poverty, social stratification, and socioeconomic inequalities. I affirm that this structural-based approach finds its historical roots in a political and ideological context that provided the conditions for the development of community psychiatry experiences during the 1960s and 1970s, as well as in multicultural and gender policies promoted by the state since the 1990s. This case reveals how health institutions and practitioners have recently engaged in debates on migration and intersectionality from a structural approach in Chile.

Attitudes of European psychiatrists on psychedelics: a qualitative study

Introduction and aimIt is important to understand how mental health practitioners view recent findings on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) as there is potential this treatment may be incorporated into clinical practice. The aim of our study was to explore how psychiatrists who are not involved in psychedelic research and who are located in the European region perceive psychedelics and PAP.MethodsWe conducted online semi-structured interviews with 12 psychiatry specialists and psychiatry trainees from 8 European countries. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach informed by codebook thematic analysis.ResultsBased on the interviews, we developed four main themes and 14 sub-themes, including (1) Psychedelics hold potential, (2) Psychedelics are dangerous, (3) Future of psychedelics is uncertain, and (4) Psychiatry is ambivalent toward psychedelics.DiscussionOur respondents-psychiatrists acknowledged the potential of PAP but remained cautious and did not yet perceive its evidence base as robust enough. Education on psychedelics is lacking in medical and psychiatric training and should be improved to facilitate the involvement of mental health experts in decision-making on PAP.

“Able to stop things from escalating” – Stakeholders’ perspectives of police, ambulance and mental health co-response to 911-mental health calls

This qualitative study explored New Zealand police, paramedic and mental health staff’s experiences of co-response (when these three agencies work together to respond to suicide/mental health-related crises) and how this compared to usual practice. Themes were identified from 24 in-depth interviews using thematic analysis. ‘ Dread, fear and failure’ encapsulated the reactions toward usual practice, characterized by fears of inadequate support, coercive measures, risk and poor outcomes. The ‘gamechanger’ co-response model provided police and paramedics with supportive and accessible mental health expertise. Participants felt safer and better able to provide person-and family-centered input. Continuation and extension of co-response models are recommended.

Death of the suicide law: A changing standard of liability for clinicians.

High rates of suicide continue to plague the modern world, with clinicians, researchers, and policymakers working urgently to ameliorate what has been recognized as a worldwide public health crisis. Under American Law, individuals- including health care providers, could generally not be held liable for causing the suicide of another person. This article presents a review of suicide law in the United States in the context of a recent civil case in which a physician with expertise in mental health was sued for the death of an ex-partner who committed suicide in his home. Historical events and landmark legal cases spanning the 15th century to now are examined and presented as a narrative review to inform society and mental health clinicians a-like towards interpreting the changing medical-legal landscape. As modern advances in science continue to discern the critical biopsychosocial factors that contribute to the act of suicide, there is an inevitably growing concern that suicide may no longer be an incomprehensible nor irrational event as has been assumed for centuries. Thus, it may be considered that individual with expertise and qualification to treat a group of individuals at higher risk of suicide (severe mental illness) may be subject to a different standard than the average individual. This article seeks to present a complex matter where no simple or broad-sweeping conclusions can yet be drawn, however remains a critically important matter for mental health clinicians.

Developing consensus to enhance perinatal mental health through a model of integrated care: Delphi study.

Perinatal mental illness is an important public health issue, with one in five birthing persons experiencing clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy or the postpartum period. The purpose of this study was to develop a consensus-based model of integrated perinatal mental health care to enhance service delivery and improve parent and family outcomes. We conducted a three-round Delphi study using online surveys to reach consensus (≥75% agreement) on key domains and indicators of integrated perinatal mental health care. We invited modifications to indicators and domains during each round and shared a summary of results with participants following rounds one and two. Descriptive statistics were generated for quantitative data and a thematic analysis of qualitative data was undertaken. Study participants included professional experts in perinatal mental health (e.g., clinicians, researchers) (n = 36) and people with lived experience of perinatal mental illness within the past 5 years from across Canada (e.g., patients, family members) (n = 11). Consensus was reached and all nine domains of the proposed model for integrated perinatal mental health care were retained. Qualitative results informed the modification of indicators and development of an additional domain and indicators capturing the need for antiracist, culturally safe care. The development of an integrated model of perinatal mental health benefitted from diverse expertise to guide the focus of included domains and indicators. Engaging in a consensus-building process helps to create the conditions for change within health services.

Harnessing large language models over transformer models for detecting Bengali depressive social media text: A comprehensive study

In an era where the silent struggle of underdiagnosed depression pervades globally, our research delves into the crucial link between mental health and social media. This work focuses on early detection of depression, particularly in extroverted social media users, using LLMs such as GPT 3.5, GPT 4 and our proposed GPT 3.5 fine-tuned model DepGPT, as well as advanced Deep learning models(LSTM, Bi-LSTM, GRU, BiGRU) and Transformer models(BERT, BanglaBERT, SahajBERT, BanglaBERT-Base). The study categorized Reddit and X datasets into “Depressive” and “Non-Depressive” segments, translated into Bengali by native speakers with expertise in mental health, resulting in the creation of the Bengali Social Media Depressive Dataset (BSMDD). Our work provides full architecture details for each model and a methodical way to assess their performance in Bengali depressive text categorization using zero-shot and few-shot learning techniques. Our work demonstrates the superiority of SahajBERT and Bi-LSTM with FastText embeddings in their respective domains also tackles explainability issues with transformer models and emphasizes the effectiveness of LLMs, especially DepGPT (GPT 3.5 fine-tuned), demonstrating flexibility and competence in a range of learning contexts. According to the experiment results, the proposed model, DepGPT, outperformed not only Alpaca Lora 7B in zero-shot and few-shot scenarios but also every other model, achieving a near-perfect accuracy of 0.9796 and an F1-score of 0.9804, high recall, and exceptional precision. Although competitive, GPT-3.5 Turbo and Alpaca Lora 7B show relatively poorer effectiveness in zero-shot and few-shot situations. The work emphasizes the effectiveness and flexibility of LLMs in a variety of linguistic circumstances, providing insightful information about the complex field of depression detection models.

Mental Health Experts’ Opinions About the Use of AI to Support Grieving Families: Helpful or Hype? (GP134)

Mental Health Experts’ Opinions About the Use of AI to Support Grieving Families: Helpful or Hype? (GP134)

“Containing the Network”: Referrers’ Experiences of the Community Forensic CAMHS Consultation and Liaison Model

Consultation between mental health professionals and other professionals working with young people can bring together multiple agencies to ensure young people are appropriately supported and referred to specialist care where needed. The aim of this research is to explore the consultation and liaison model of support for young people who are at high risk of engaging in harmful behaviors (e.g., harm to self and others), through the experiences of professionals liaising with specialist Community Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (F:CAMHS). Interviews with referring professionals (N = 34, from 34 services) were analyzed thematically, themes focused on referrer experiences; impact on the network; and impact on young people and their parents/carers. The combination of forensic mental health expertise in risk assessment and management, with the ability to provide overarching and indirect support to the network is fundamental to the model. Community F:CAMHS’ capacity to manage anxiety in the professional network is likely helped by the one-step-removed position afforded in the consultative role. Adopting a position of authority led to clearer, more co-ordinated and more robust risk management plans. Consideration could be given to adopting the model when working with referrals involving multiple agencies and high levels of anxiety within the network.

Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on recovery colleges: multi-site qualitative study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health problems increased as access to mental health services reduced. Recovery colleges are recovery-focused adult education initiatives delivered by people with professional and lived mental health expertise. Designed to be collaborative and inclusive, they were uniquely positioned to support people experiencing mental health problems during the pandemic. There is limited research exploring the lasting impacts of the pandemic on recovery college operation and delivery to students. To ascertain how the COVID-19 pandemic changed recovery college operation in England. We coproduced a qualitative interview study of recovery college managers across the UK. Academics and co-researchers with lived mental health experience collaborated on conducting interviews and analysing data, using a collaborative thematic framework analysis. Thirty-one managers participated. Five themes were identified: complex organisational relationships, changed ways of working, navigating the rapid transition to digital delivery, responding to isolation and changes to accessibility. Two key pandemic-related changes to recovery college operation were highlighted: their use as accessible services that relieve pressure on mental health services through hybrid face-to-face and digital course delivery, and the development of digitally delivered courses for individuals with mental health needs. The pandemic either led to or accelerated developments in recovery college operation, leading to a positioning of recovery colleges as a preventative service with wider accessibility to people with mental health problems, people under the care of forensic mental health services and mental healthcare staff. These benefits are strengthened by relationships with partner organisations and autonomy from statutory healthcare infrastructures.

​​Concerning ‘Neglect’​: Perspectives on the Prioritisation of Mental Health Conditions in Protracted Displacement Contexts

‘Neglect’ is a lucrative concept attracting billions of US dollars in research and development funding and transforming what is prioritised in global health. Stemming from a wider project aiming to improve healthcare at the intersection of gender and protracted displacement amongst Somali and Congolese internally displaced people and refugees, this article unpacks conceptualisations of ‘neglect’ in relation to mental health. Drawing on interviews with people with professional mental health expertise and/or lived experience of displacement, this article makes three contributions. First, we argue that ‘neglect’ must be considered in the context of competing health priorities and health-seeking behaviours, particularly given the additional challenges associated with disruption to social care networks in protracted displacement contexts. Second, we illustrate ‘neglect’ in light of our respondents’ distinctions between overt bodily expressions of distress that are socially disruptive and more internalised expressions of distress that are more socially containable. Third, we unpack the intersectional ‘neglect’ of women and girls by sexual violence’s distinctive confluence of social withdrawal with strategies of containment to avoid social disruption.

Suicide-Related Media Reporting With a Focus on Sexual and Gender Minority Identities.

Background: Little is known about the quality of media reports on suicide and prevention targeting persons with sexual or gender minority identities (LGBTQ+). Aims: To assess the quality of suicide-related media reporting of LGBTQ+ people and its consistency with media guidelines. Method: We conducted a content analysis of 5,652 media items in two US states (Washington and Oregon) published within 1 year. Results: There were only few differences in the reporting about suicide in LGBTQ+ as compared to non-LGBTQ+ reports. LGBTQ+ media items more often portrayed suicide as monocausal [Oregon: OR = 1.75, 95% CI (1.03-2.98), p = .038; Washington: OR = 3.00, 95% CI (1.81-4.97), p < .001] and linked them to adverse life experiences [OR = 2.16, 95% CI (1.38-3.38), p < .001; OR = 2.09, 95% CI (1.30-3.38), p = .002] than non-LGBTQ+ items. They also more often featured mental health experts [OR = 1.79, 95% CI (1.04-3.10), p = .034; OR = 2.12, 95% CI (1.23-3.67), p = .006] and contacts to support services [OR = 2.22, 95% CI (1.41-3.48), p < .001; OR = 2.70, 95% CI (1.64-4.45), p < .001]. Limitations: Aspects possibly influencing the portrayal of LGBTQ+ suicide and prevention beyond the characteristics listed were not investigated. Conclusion: Suicide-related media reporting related to LGBTQ+ issues features potentially beneficial aspects but tends to overlook multifactorial causes of suicide. Diverse factors contributing to LGBTQ+ suicide and prevention warrant greater attention.

Building Equitable Mental Health Care for Latino Children: Perspectives from Providers and Communities.

The current pediatric mental health crisis has disproportionately impacted Latino youth in the United States (US), as demonstrated by their elevated risks of depression, substance use disorder, and anxiety. Despite this, research suggests Latino youth receive inequitable mental health services. To understand best practices, challenges, and priorities in providing accessible and equitable mental health care for Latino youth from the perspectives of front-line mental health providers and Latino community members. A bicultural, bilingual researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 participants with expertise in Latino mental health. Topics included barriers and facilitators to mental health care access and cultural tailoring of treatment for Latino youth. Rapid qualitative analysis was used to identify themes. Four themes were identified: (1) Navigating immigration concerns and acculturation, practitioners should consider immigration-related concerns and be trained to address acculturation-related stressors respectfully; (2) Adapting to the cultural needs and strengths of the communities, cultural humility education can allow providers to engage with both the strengths and needs of Latino families; (3) Engaging Latino caregivers as partners, it is critical to engage with Latino caregivers' cultural perspectives on parenting and mental health collaboratively; and (4) Addressing systemic barriers to promote access, providers must recognize and attempt to alleviate the systemic barriers that limit families from seeking care. Participants identified several practical strategies to improve the provision of mental health services for Latino children. Future directions, policy and practice implications, and limitations are discussed.

Improving Skills and Knowledge: Adapting a Core Competencies Suicide Risk Assessment Training Program to Support Mental Health Professionals in Hungary

Introduction Competency and skill-based education and assessment have become increasingly significant in mental health professional training. The conventional approach of acquiring knowledge is now being supplemented by emphasizing practical skills and implementing best practices that prove effective in the field. This emphasis on competencies is particularly apparent in the instruction regarding suicide risk evaluation and management. Cramer and colleagues have identified ten core competencies essential for working with patients at risk of suicide and developed a training material (Cramer et al. 2013, Train. Educ. Prof. Psychol; 1 1-11).Objectives We aim to tailor Cramer et al.’s training program to the Hungarian setting and assess its efficacy among mental health experts, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers. Additionally, we aim to validate the Suicide Prevention and Assessment - Competency Assessment Form (SCAF-R), which comprises a ten-item survey to measure the ten core competencies’ levels with Likert scales and textual ratings by observers. Through this training program, we aim to offer mental health professionals an educational framework to enhance their skills in evaluating and managing suicide risk. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive approach to suicide risk assessment and better equip professionals to handle this emotionally difficult clinical task.Methods We have created a Hungarian version of the core competencies training material tailored to the culture. We are assessing changes in attitudes towards suicide behavior and prevention by administering pre- and post-training psychometric measures, such as Willingness to Intervene against Suicide (WISE), Suicide Behavior Attitude Questionnaire (SBAQ), Attitudes Toward Suicide Prevention Scale (ASP), and Suicide Competency Assessment Form - Revised (SCAF-R). A quantitative analysis will be performed on the responses. The research was approved by Péterfy Hospital’s Institutional Review Board (IRB): approval number 07-2023.ResultsThe questionnaires’ results will be summarized with standard statistical methods.ConclusionsImproving mental health education in healthcare with up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based best practices is a top priority. Enhancing skills and knowledge can lower clinicians’ anxiety in this emotionally challenging and burdensome task. There is a high demand for mental health workshop training among healthcare workers in both undergraduate and post-graduate education. We expect positive changes in attitude and self-perceived competencies in participants.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared