Mental Health Promotion Strategies Research Articles

Sleep and mental health among Chinese adolescents: the chain-mediating role of physical health perception and school adjustment

ObjectiveSleep problems and their detrimental effects on adolescents’ physical and mental health have received substantial attention. Prior studies have focused mainly on the direct association between sleep and mental health; however, little is known about the underlying mediating mechanism. To address this gap, the present study constructed a chain mediation model to examine the association between sleep deficiency and mental health status in adolescents, by introducing two mediating variables-physical health perception and school adjustment.MethodsA sample of 7530 senior high school students completed a battery of self-report questionnaires measuring their sleep duration, mental health status, physical health perception, and school adjustment. Data were collected from the Database of Youth Health at Shandong University. All the measures showed good reliability and validity in the present study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and the SPSS PROCESS.ResultsThe results were as follows: (1) Sleep duration was significantly associated with physical health perception and mental health. (2) Physical health perception partially mediated the association between sleep and mental health. (3) Physical health perception and school adjustment played a chain mediating role between sleep and mental health. In conclusion, sleep not only directly associated with mental health among adolescents, but also influences mental health by the chain mediating effect of perception of physical health and school adjustment.ConclusionThese findings in the present study contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying the association between sleep and mental health and have important implications for interventions aimed at improving mental health status among adolescents in China. Our results indicated that promoting adequate sleep duration and improving sleep quality are possible key mental health promotion strategies for adolescents.

Parenting Styles and Rejection Sensitivity: A Gen Z Perspective

This study examines the interplay between parenting styles, rejection sensitivity and gender differences among Generation Z individuals aged 18 to 25 years. Using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, Mann Whitney U tests and regression analysis the research explores these relationships. Results indicate significant correlations between parenting styles and rejection sensitivity, with authoritative parenting negatively associated and authoritarian parenting positively correlated. Gender differences emerge, with females exhibiting higher levels of authoritative, permissive and authoritarian parenting styles yet males demonstrating greater rejection sensitivity scores. Regression analysis confirms the predictive role of authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles on rejection sensitivity. These findings highlight the influence of parental behavior on rejection sensitivity and underscore gender disparities in parenting practices and psychological outcomes. Implications for parenting interventions, mental health promotion and educational strategies are discussed alongside recommendation for future research to deepen.

Abstract P153: Disruptions to Diabetes and Hypertension Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Recovery Approaches in the Latin America and Caribbean Region

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare services in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, few studies provided comprehensive and quantitative data on the magnitude of this disruption. Objectives: To synthesize evidence on the extent of disruptions to diabetes and hypertension care in LAC during the COVID-19 pandemic and interventions to recover. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of published papers in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We adopted the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) Framework to identify healthcare services susceptible to disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, specific to diabetes and hypertension, including recovery approaches. We synthesized study findings narratively to represent the diversity of findings geographically and health system. Results: Our search yielded 33,510 abstracts after de-duplication; following title/abstract screening and full-text review, 330 articles (218 on disruptions; 112 on interventions) were included in the synthesis. Although there was high heterogeneity, similarities in landscape of disruptions to primary care services across LAC exist. Of the PHCPI Framework domains, disruptions to workforce, medications and supplies, and patient-related outcomes were most recurrent. Intervention studies focused telehealth using digital strategies for diverse care areas and counseling support for health behaviors and mental health. There were data gaps within LAC regarding health system readiness and digital health effectiveness, adoption, efficiency, reach, and sustainability ( Figure ). Conclusions: This scoping review identified priorities for action within LAC: 1) establish and fund high-quality research and surveillance systems for hypertension and diabetes; 2) Optimally integrate digital health into hypertension and diabetes care; 3) implement mental health promotion strategies among healthcare workers; 4) establish optimal governance, leadership, and financing of healthcare systems.

The trends of mental disorders mortality in China over a 33-year period

ObjectivesWe investigated the variations in the trends of mental disorders mortality by age, period, and cohort, over a 33-year period from 1987 to 2020, to reveal the relationship between age, period, cohort, and mental disorders mortality, as well as providing guidance for resource allocation to prevent mental disorders-related deaths in vulnerable target populations. MethodsThe data of mental disorders mortality 1987–2020 were from five administrative organizations, which collected from the National Health Commission in China with national monitoring by sex and age, covering 31 provinces in China. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD), its 9th Revision (ICD-9) and its 10th Revision were used to code the mental diseases. From 1987–2002, ICD-9 was used, and ICD-10 was used from 2003 to 2020. The age standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were calculated using the World Standard Population as the reference. We used joinpoint models to assess the trends of mental disorders mortality in China for the period 1987–2020. And the age-period-cohort models were employed to estimate the age-period-cohort effect on mental disorders mortality. ResultsThe age-standardized overall mental disorders mortality rate (ASMR) showed a downward trend from 1987 to 2020. Further, the ASMR of individuals in urban was higher than that in rural from 1987 to 2001, but, post-2002, this urban-rural disparity in ASMR showed a less clear pattern, with urban areas occasionally surpassing rural areas and vice versa. ASMR is less prevalent among females compared to males overall. The contribution of age effects to mental disorders mortality gradually increases with advancing age, the period effects of mental disorders mortality gradually decrease over time. The cohort effect's contribution to mental disorders mortality decreases in the newly born population, while in the older birth cohorts, the cohort effect's contribution to the mortality rate of mental disorders increases. ConclusionsThe ASMR exhibits a decreasing trend from 1987 to 2020, and these change trend showed urban-rural and sex differences. The primary factors contributing to this overall decline are period effects and cohort effects. Our results provide valuable information for shaping mental health policies, designing targeted interventions, and preparing for future changes in disease mortality rates. The focus on different demographic factors allows for a nuanced and tailored approach to mental health promotion and intervention strategies.

Ethnic differences in depression and anxiety among adults with atopic eczema: Population-based matched cohort studies within UK primary care.

Evidence demonstrates that individuals with atopic eczema (eczema) have increased depression and anxiety; however, the role of ethnicity in these associations is poorly understood. We aimed to investigate whether associations between eczema and depression or anxiety differed between adults from white and minority ethnic groups in the UK. We used UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD to conduct matched cohort studies of adults (≥18years) with ethnicity recorded in primary care electronic health records (April 2006-January 2020). We matched (age, sex, practice) adults with eczema to up to five adults without. We used stratified Cox regression with an interaction between eczema and ethnicity, to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for associations between eczema and incident depression and anxiety in individuals from white ethnic groups and a pooled minority ethnic group (adults from Black, South Asian, Mixed and Other groups). We identified separate cohorts for depression (215,073 with eczema matched to 646,539 without) and anxiety (242,598 with eczema matched to 774,113 without). After adjusting for matching variables and potential confounders (age, sex, practice, deprivation, calendar period), we found strong evidence (p<0.01) of ethnic differences in associations between eczema and depression (minority ethnic groups: HR=1.33, 95% CI=1.22,1.45; white ethnic groups: HR=1.15, 95% CI=1.12,1.17) and anxiety (minority ethnic groups: HR=1.41, 95% CI=1.28,1.55; white ethnic groups: HR=1.17, 95% CI=1.14,1.19). Adults with eczema from minority ethnic groups appear to be at increased depression and anxiety risk compared with their white counterparts. Culturally adapted mental health promotion and prevention strategies should be considered in individuals with eczema from minority ethnic groups.

STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF PATIENTS IN PALLIATIVE CARE: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

The respective research aims to analyze national and international publications that investigate mental health promotion strategies carried out by the nursing team for patients in palliative care. It is understood that palliative care is a methodology developed to provide differentiated assistance to patients with advanced illness until the end of life, in the hospital and home environment, based on the patient-family binomial, called the hospice movement. To this end, a bibliographical research was carried out, using a qualitative descriptive approach using the techniques of systematic integrative literature review. Focusing on the results, 7 articles were selected and after analyzing the studies, the categories emerged: 1) Strategies for promoting the mental health of patients in palliative care: caring for patients, family members and workers; 2) Necessary requirements for humanized nursing care for patients in palliative care: Professional training and continuing education. The study concludes that it is extremely important that nursing professionals are equipped with skills and qualifications to develop strategies that promote the mental health of patients and their families, as well as health professionals. To achieve this, it is necessary to disseminate good practices in palliative care through humanized care with a focus on promoting the mental health of everyone involved using as strategies the insertion of empathy, solidarity, spirituality, effective communication, as well as investing in professional training and ongoing in-service education.

Salgının Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Kişilerin Bakıcıları Üzerindeki Etkisi: bir kapsam incelemesi

Introduction: People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have difficulty adapting to changes and new routines, especially in crisis situations such as a pandemic. This provides caregivers with greater responsibility and emotional stress, which can have negative consequences for their mental health. Therefore, it is crucial to create coping and mental health promotion strategies in this population. We aim to reflect on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of caregivers of people with ASD and identify strategies that can be adopted and preventive measures.&#x0D; &#x0D; Material and Methods: a scoping review of the literature published on the topic using PubMed/MEDLINE database. Results: The results highlight the emotional stress experienced by caregivers of people with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The interruption of support in health services, the closure of schools and socio-occupational support institutions and domestic demands were some of the challenges identified. The role of continuity of care for families of people with ASD during the pandemic and the need to implement flexible and timely support programs is highlighted. Telemedicine was one of the most highlighted interventions for the continuity of care and the implementation of support measures for caregivers. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of people with ASD and their caregivers. It is important to drive the expansion and development of support programs and adapted interventions. Multidisciplinary work is needed to overcome the challenges imposed by the pandemic, both at the current moment and in the post-pandemic period.

Use of psychological interventions among healthcare workers over the 2-year period following the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study.

Although healthcare workers (HCWs) have reported mental health problems since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they rarely use psychological support. Here, we described the use of psychological support among HCWs in Spain over the 2-year period following the initial pandemic outbreak and explore its association with workplace- and COVID-19-related factors measured at baseline, in 2020. We conducted a longitudinal study on HCWs working in Spain. We used an online survey to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, workplace- and COVID-19-related variables, and the use of psychological support at three time points (2020, 2021, and 2022). Data was available for 296, 294, and 251 respondents, respectively at time points 1, 2, and 3. Participants had a median age of 43 years and were mostly females (n = 242, 82%). The percentage of HCWs using psychological support increased from 15% in 2020 to 23% in 2022. Roughly one in four HCWs who did not use psychological support reported symptoms compatible with major depressive disorder at follow up. Baseline predictors of psychological support were having to make decisions about patients' prioritisation (OR 5.59, 95% CI 2.47, 12.63) and probable depression (wave 2: OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06, 1.19; wave 3: OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04, 1.16). Our results suggest that there is call for implementing mental health promotion and prevention strategies at the workplace, along with actions to reduce barriers for accessing psychological support.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Online Support Groups for Mental Health Promotion in Brazilian Graduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 aggravated already existing difficulties and added new challenges for students. Owing to the gap between needed and available psychological services, group interventions may offer a helpful strategy for student mental health promotion. This study aimed to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of a 4-week online support group program designed for mental health promotion tailored to graduate students at a Brazilian public university in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2022 to June 2022). Participants in the program took part in online support groups based on a pilot group facilitated by a trained clinical psychologist. Self-administered, standardized web-based questionnaires were assessed at the baseline (T0; before the intervention), postintervention (T2), and follow-up (T3; after 4-6 weeks) time points. We measured sociodemographic variables, treatment credibility and expectancy (Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire), satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire), negative effects of the intervention (Negative Effects Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), and participants' quality of life (abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment). A 9-answer option questionnaire and open-ended questions also assessed the group's perceived positive and negative outcomes. The total sample comprised 32 participants. Most (23/32, 72%) were doctoral students. Credibility and expectancy scores were high. Participants' satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire) with the program was high at the postintervention (T2) and follow-up (T3) evaluations (T2: mean 28.66, SD 3.02; T3: mean 27.91, SD 3.02). Most participants reported that they could learn from other participants' experiences (T2: 29/32, 91%; T3: 27/32, 84%) and felt encouraged to take better care of themselves (T2: 22/32, 69%; T3: 24/32, 75%). None of the participants reported that they had no benefits from the program. The PHQ-9 scores showed mild to moderate depressive symptoms (mean 9.59, SD 6.34), whereas the answers of 9% (3/32) of the participants to the PHQ-9 item 9 indicated suicidality at baseline (T0). Finally, the 4 domains of quality of life (physical: P=.01; psychological: P=.004; social: P=.02; and environmental: P<.001) showed a slight and statistically significant improvement at the postintervention evaluation (T0: mean 57.03, SD 15.39 to 59.64, SD 17.21; T2: mean 64.32, SD 11.97 to 68.75, SD 8.87). Online support groups for the mental health promotion of graduate students are feasible and can be especially useful for universities with students allocated to different cities. They are also satisfactory and may positively influence participants' quality of life. Therefore, they can be considered a helpful mental health promotion strategy in the educational context. Further studies could evaluate these (or similar) programs under nonpandemic circumstances.

Integration of Mental Health Promotion Strategies Within Physical Education Curricula

The present study investigated the incorporation of mental health promotion techniques within physical education curricula, as well as the influence of school policies in addressing the mental health needs of students. The sample predominantly comprised male physical education instructors between the ages of 31 and 40, who possessed 11 to 20 years of teaching experience. The results of the study indicated a uniform degree of integration among physical education instructors across various age and experience cohorts. This finding implies the significance of incorporating continuous mental health education within physical education curricula, however there were observed discrepancies across distinct domains. Significantly, the domain of social and emotional learning had comparatively lower scores, hence highlighting the necessity for focused enhancements in these specific aspects. Educators played a pivotal part in modifying their instructional approaches to cater to the mental health requirements of their students. The proponents placed significant emphasis on the principles of individualization, emotional management, and value-oriented pedagogy. The emergence of school policies also played a crucial role. The policies should prioritize the implementation of strategies, comprehensive staff training, the utilization of diverse educational techniques, active collaboration with parents, the provision of extracurricular activities, the availability of psychological counseling services, the integration of ideological perspectives, and the adoption of a student-centered approach.

Propelling the Global Advancement of School Mental Health.

Rates of mental health problems and disorders in children and youth have been increasing for at least three decades, and these have escalated due to the pandemic and multiple other societal stressors. It is increasingly recognized that students and families frequently struggle to receive needed care through traditional locations such as specialty mental health centers. Upstream mental health promotion and prevention strategies are gaining support as a public health approach to supporting overall population well-being, better utilizing a limited specialty workforce, and reducing illness. Based on these recognitions, there has been a progressive and escalating movement toward the delivery of mental health support to children and youth "where they are," with a prominent and more ecologically valid environment being schools. This paper will provide a brief review of the escalating mental health needs of children and youth, advantages of school mental health (SMH) programs in better meeting these needs, example model SMH programs from the United States and Canada, and national and international SMH centers/networks. We conclude with strategies for further propelling the global advancement of the SMH field through interconnected practice, policy, and research.

Understanding the Quality of Life and Its Related Factors in Orthodontics Postgraduate Students: A Mixed Methods Approach

This study analyzed the academic, sociodemographic, and labor conditions related to the quality of life (QOL) of orthodontics postgraduate students in Colombia. A mixed study (explanatory sequential design) was conducted. An online cross-sectional survey (n = 84; 64.3% females) was carried out with sociodemographic, academic, social support, health, labor, and QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) variables. Descriptive, bivariate analyses, and multivariate linear regression were performed. Focus groups (FGs) delved into aspects of relevance regarding QOL and determinants, through qualitative content analysis and triangulation of information. The median score in the four WHOQOL-BREF dimensions surpasses 50 points, with the highest score being in the psychological dimension (62.5 ± 16.7). According to the multivariate linear regression models, the variables significantly associated with QOL scores were playing sports, being married/living together, normal BMI, low social support, and medium/low socioeconomic status. The qualitative results explained the determinants of QOL in the personal, academic, and social dimensions of the participants. The discourses showed that the postgraduate course represents a resignification of their life, where their QOL is affected by the difficulties of their academic development, by the difficulty of reconciling the personal academic load with their affective, work, and social life, and by the stress they experience in their staff process. In conclusion, the participants' QOL was moderate and affected by different factors. The findings highlighted the importance of mental health promotion and well-being strategies in students of orthodontic postgraduate training programs in Colombia for improving QOL.

CHANGES IN BIOSAFETY PROTOCOLS IN THE TIME OF COVID AND THEIR EMOTIONAL IMPACT ON DENTISTRY GRADUATES

Introduction: in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, due to its rapid spread. As the virus behaves in different ways and in some cases it can be fatal, many changes have occurred, including those related to biosecurity in hospitals and dental clinics. Aim: to evaluate the changes in biosafety protocols and the anxiety rates of undergraduate dentistry students. Methods: 100 academics who were enrolled in at least one discipline with clinical care for patients and which has a biosafety protocol were invited to participate in the research. The questions addressed were related to personal data (age, gender) and an adapted questionnaire on “Biosecurity in times of Covid” and a questionnaire on “Fear and Anxiety in the face of the coronavirus pandemic”. Results: A total of 100 academics from the University Center of Serra Gaúcha (FSG) participated in the research. Of these, 20 (20%) were male and 80 (80%) were female. The average age of participants was 22.8 years. Of these 100 students, 13 were in the 4th semester of the course, 39 were in the 6th semester, 23 were in the 8th and 25 in the 10th semester of the course. When asked if they felt fear when hearing that people were dying from COVID-19, 66% of academics said they felt fear. Regarding the fear of taking the infection from the clinic to the family, 91% of students said they were afraid. Next, students were asked if they were afraid of talking to patients in closed environments, only 12% said they were afraid. Sixty percent (60%) of students say they feel anxious when providing care to patients who have a cough or are suspected to be infected with the COVID-19 virus. Conclusion: negative effects on students’ mental health, such as fear and anxiety due to the risk of contamination and transmission of the COVID-19 virus, have been caused, requiring the implementation of mental health promotion strategies, especially if the pandemic extends.

Community therapy as a strategy for promoting the mental health of professors in the COVID-19 pandemic.

To understand the perception of university professors about Integrative Community Therapy as a mental health promotion strategy. Qualitative, phenomenological and interventional research, conducted with professors of the Nursing course at the Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. The experiential descriptions were produced through phenomenological interviews, whose resulting material was analyzed based on the Ambiguity Analytical technique. The professors expressed a lack of interaction between them, a fact that has become a reality in everyday academic life and that has worsened in the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, the Community Therapy circles in a virtual environment proved to be effective in sharing psychosocial and physical demands, as well as in the collective discussion of problem situations and the search for joint solutions. The study highlights the potential of Community Therapy as an integrative and complementary practice to the Brazilian public health care model.

Longitudinal health behaviour patterns among adults aged ≥50 years in China and their associations with trajectories of depressive symptoms

Objectives Against the background of the growing recognition of the need for a holistic perspective on health behaviour, we aim to identify longitudinal patterns of multiple health behaviours, and to assess associations of such patterns with depressive symptoms among older people in China. Methods Using three waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study data (n = 8439), we performed latent class growth analyses (LCGAs) to identify longitudinal patterns of multiple health behaviours. Random-effects models were estimated to assess associations between health behaviour patterns and depressive symptoms. Results The best fitting LCGA model had seven classes: (1) connected active non-smokers (average posterior probability: 21.8%), (2) isolated active non-smokers (24.7%), (3) isolated inactive non-smokers (17.0%), (4) isolated active smokers (14.5%), (5) connected active smokers (12.2%), (6) increasingly connected and active non-smokers (5.4%), and (7) moderately connected inactive smokers (4.4%). Depressive symptoms were highest in the four classes with lower probabilities of social participation across waves. No evidence was found of change over time in depressive symptomatology gaps between people with different health behaviour trajectories. Conclusion Health behaviour patterns characterized by consistently low social participation were associated with raised depressive symptomatology, suggesting that focusing on social participation may benefit later-life mental health promotion strategies.

Analisys of strategies for mental health promotion at school in Medellin and Armenia

Background: Mental health promotion is a public health priority, educational environments are ideal for delivering such actions, as are currently articulated with other sectors, including governing agents. Objective: to analyze the mental health promotion strategies in two Colombian cities that has structured programs to achieve mental health promotion in school during the years 2015-1019. Methods: a study with a qualitative, documentary approach, based on the analysis of social intervention programs. Results: an integral concept of promoting mental health, recognizes the importance of social determinants of health, human rights and intersectorality, leads to the implementation of information, education and communication strategies with different sectors. However, risk management actions prevail given the mental health problems reported in both cities. Conclusions: in practice, promotion and prevention have diffuse limits. Although there is progress in intersectorality and the recognition of social determinants, it is necessary to strengthen work teams to advance in non-hierarchical participation strategies to allow more timely and appropriate answers for different contexts. A commitment from institutions is necessary to allocate resources that allow continuous work with enough qualified professionals in mental health.

Literacy and Mental Health of Portuguese Higher Education Students and Their Use of Health Promotion Strategies during Confinement in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The pandemic of COVID-19 caused significant changes in economies and societies with a major impact on the entire education process. However, these changes did not invalidate a constant effort of adaptation. This cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study used an online questionnaire administered to students from various study cycles at higher education institutions in Portugal, with the aim of exploring the influence of literacy and mental health on the use of mental health promotion strategies during COVID-19 confinement. A total of 329 students from higher education institutions participated in this study, mostly from the age group 18-24 years (n = 272; 82.7%) and female (n = 265, 80.5%). The most mentioned health promotion strategies during this period included studying (n = 170; 51.7%); physical activities (n = 151, 45.9%); social networking (n = 124, 37.7%); cooking activities (n = 120, 36.5%); and listening to music (n = 118, 35.9%). Academic success is self-reported, and it is weakly correlated with the MHI5 (r = 0.103, p = 0.063). Students in the pre-graduate programs studied more during the times of the pandemic and used this activity as a mental-health-promoting strategy with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.033). Although it was difficult to improve health literacy related to COVID-19 in such a short period of time, there was a very strong motivation to access, understand, evaluate, communicate, synthesize, and apply information and knowledge to maintain mental health through self-care using health promotion strategies.

A randomized controlled trial of a smartphone-based well-being training in public school system employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the extraordinary pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic on student mental health have received considerable attention, less attention has been placed on educator well-being. School system employees play a vital role in society, and teacher levels of well-being are associated with the educational outcomes of young people. We extend extant research on the prevalence and correlates of educator distress during the pandemic by reporting on a pragmatic randomized wait-list controlled trial (N=662; 64% teachers) of an innovative mental health promotion strategy implemented during the pandemic; a free four-week smartphone-based meditation app designed to train key constituents of well-being (Healthy Minds Program; HMP). Following our preregistered analysis plan and consistent with hypotheses, assignment to the HMP predicted significantly larger reductions in psychological distress, our primary outcome, at post-intervention (Cohen's d=-0.52, 95% confidence interval [-0.68, -0.37], p<.001) and at the three-month follow-up (d=-0.33 [-0.48, -0.18], p<.001). Also consistent with hypotheses, we observed similar indications of immediate and sustained benefit following the HMP on all six preregistered secondary outcomes selected to tap skills targeted in the app (e.g., perseverative thinking, social connection, well-being; absolute ds=0.19-0.42, all ps<.031 corrected except mindful action at follow-up). We found no evidence for elevated adverse events and the HMP was equally effective among participants with elevated baseline anxiety and depressive symptoms. These data suggest that the HMP may be an effective and scalable approach to supporting the mental health and well-being of teachers and other school system employees, with implications for employee retention and performance, and student outcomes.

The Act-Belong-Commit ‘ABCs of Mental Health’ campaign for mental health promotion

The Act-Belong-Commit ‘ABCs of Mental Health’ campaign for mental health promotion A simple research-based model for mental health promotion in practice could improve mental health and wellbeing in the whole population. With mental health declining in most Western countries, there is a need for population-wide strategies to promote and protect mental wellbeing. Whilst both universal mental health promotion and targeted prevention approaches have the potential to prevent deteriorating mental health, universal approaches may reach and impact larger segments of a population. However, universal mental health promotion strategies are scarce and not widely implemented.

MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION

Background: Having the person at the center of health, both in person-centered clinical care and people-centered public health [1] are a guiding principle in health promotion. Mental health is an integral part of each person’s health and well-being. This is an absolute necessity always and more so during the years of the coronavirus pandemic and the post-pandemic “new normal”.&#x0D; Objective: To discuss the basic concepts of health, mental health, health promotion and mental health promotion, focusing on peace and justice, two key target areas and goals of mental health promotion [2,3].&#x0D; Method: The holistic approach, the need to reduce stigma and discrimination, and the person- and people-centered approach in mental health promotion were reviewed.&#x0D; Results: The importance of identifying target populations and using paradigms of mental health promotion initiatives, like the Athens Mental Health Promotion Initiative, was noted, as well as the positive role played by celebrities who have excelled despite their mental disorders (“recovery”). The relevance of mental health promotion guidance and effectiveness of existing mental health promotion strategies have to be updated by further research in order to meet the need for intensification of mental health promotion efforts during the COVID pandemic.&#x0D; Conclusion: In the post-COVID era a “new normal” requires an update of policies for an intensified and different person-centered approach delivered by different providers to different recipients of services.