Mental Health Self-management Research Articles

Effective provider communication for personal agency in mental health recovery: A cross-sectional study on Japanese users' perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Recovery-oriented practice in community-based mental health services is crucial for individuals with mental illness, with communication with familiar individuals being important for recovery in Japanese and Asian cultures. This study aimed to examine effective communication factors for personal agency in recovery by investigating the association between perceived support provided through communication and personal agency of individuals with mental illness. A cross-sectional study was conducted among community-dwelling Japanese mental health service users, assessing subjective agency, decisional conflict, staff support for personal recovery, activation for mental health self-management, demographic variables and living difficulties. Multiple linear regression analysis identified factors predicting subjective agency, revealing characteristics of effective provider communication for recovery. Data from 222 users were analysed, revealing negative correlations between uncertainty about treatment choices and ineffective decision-making with higher subjective agency, while staff support for personal recovery positively correlated with higher subjective agency. In recovery-oriented practice, prioritizing users' emotional experiences during decision-making and supporting their self-determination in their unique recovery journeys is crucial. Providers should approach dialogue as carefully as medication prescriptions, prioritizing therapeutic partnerships with users. The findings extend beyond nursing to all mental health service providers, advancing the theory of recovery-oriented practice.

Analysis of the mediating effect between ehealth literacy and health self-management of undergraduate nursing students’ mental health literacy

BackgroundGood health self-management positively affects the health of healthcare providers and their ability to manage their patients’ health. This study explored the relationship between ehealth literacy, health self-management skills, and mental health literacy among undergraduate nursing students. Some studies have confirmed the correlation between e-health literacy and health self-management skills, while mental health literacy may be correlated with both, and this study aims to explore the relationship between the three.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at a medical university in northwestern China among 385 Chinese undergraduate nursing students. Participants completed the General Information Questionnaire, the Adult Health Self-Management Skills Rating Scale, the Mental Health Literacy Rating Scale, and the eHealth Literacy Scale, and provided valid responses. The IBM SPSS 27.0 statistical software was used for data entry and descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. The IBM Amos 26.0 was used to construct the mediation effect model, and the Bootstrap method was employed to test mediating effects.ResultsMental health literacy, ehealth literacy, and health self-management skills of undergraduate nursing students were at a moderate to high level. Mental health literacy, ehealth literacy, and health self-management were positively correlated. Mental health literacy, particularly, played a partial mediating role of 31.1% ( 95% CI [0.307–1.418] ) between ehealth literacy and health self-management.ConclusionsUndergraduate nursing students’ mental health literacy partially mediates the link between eHealth literacy and health self-management skills. Schools should emphasize the development of nursing students’ e-health literacy and mental health literacy in order to improve their health self-management skills, which will not only bring about a better health outcome for the students, but will also benefit the health of the social population.

Easy access to youth mental health services in the Netherlands

AbstractMental health problems have increased following the pandemic and are associated with considerable health, economic and societal outcomes, particularly affecting youth. In co-creation with young people several European prevention and early intervention strategies to promote mental wellbeing of youth are currently being developed. The development and implementation of easy-access youth mental services across Europe will be presented and discussed. In addition pilot data of online, hybrid treatment platforms and self-management ecological momentary intervention apps will be presented. Ultimately the aim is: 1) to develop clinical guidelines, best practices, and policy recommendations to mitigate the youth mental health challenges and 2) improve (cost-) effectiveness of early intervention strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health, including enhancing mental health literacy, resilience and self-management, while 3) actively involving young people in the process of these innovative developments. To amplify the reach, campaigns designed in co-creation with young people, to increase awareness, literacy, wellbeing and help-seeking among young people, targeting schools, further-education colleges, universities and other specific settings will need to be developed, specifically paying attention to high-risk groups within this young population, including children of parents with mental disorders, migrants, young people growing up in poverty, those in/leaving care, and the LGBTQ+ community, with coordination across domains: schools, general practitioners, and specialized mental healthcare facilities.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Cuidándome: A trauma-informed and cultural adaptation of a chronic disease self-management program for Latina immigrant survivors with a history of adverse childhood experiences and depression or anxiety symptoms.

To develop a cultural and trauma-informed mental health self-management program for immigrant Latina survivors of adverse childhood experiences with depression or anxiety symptoms. Guided by Barrera's five-stage process for cultural adaptation, we collaborated with multiple stakeholders including clinical psychologists, community health workers, and Latina immigrant women with a history of adverse childhood experiences and depression or anxiety to transform a chronic disease self-management program to be trauma informed, culturally appropriate, and focus on self-management of depression and anxiety symptoms. Adaptations included translating program materials to Spanish, education on how early life adversity and trauma may impact mental health, virtual delivery, more frequent and shorter sessions, and addition of graphics and written prompts in workbook materials. For the facilitator's manual, culturally relevant vignettes and guidance were added to guide participants through activities and adapt sessions based on participant needs. Barrera's five-stage process was useful for adapting a program to be both trauma and culturally informed for an underserved population disproportionately affected by trauma and limited access to mental health services. The adaptation demonstrated acceptability with Latina immigrant women and the promise of utilizing unlicensed personnel and technology for increasing the reach of mental health support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cancer Survivorship at Stanford Cancer Institute.

The Stanford Cancer Survivorship Program is a key initiative of Stanford Cancer Institute. The program's mission is to improve the experience and outcomes of patients and family caregivers throughout all phases of the cancer trajectory by advancing survivorship research, clinical care, and education. The four pillars of the program include clinical care delivery with a focus on primary care-survivorship collaboration and expanding specialty services, education and training of healthcare professionals, transdisciplinary patient-oriented research, and community engagement. Cross-cutting areas of expertise include the following: (a) adolescents and young adults (AYAs), (b) mental health and patient self-management, (c) integration of primary care, and (d) postgraduate medical education. The clinical care model includes embedded survivorship clinics within disease groups in outpatient clinics, novel clinics designed to address unmet needs such as sexual health for women, and primary care-based faculty-led survivorship clinics for patients undergoing active cancer care requiring co-management, those who have completed active therapy and those at high risk for cancer due to genetic risk. Educational initiatives developed to date include an online course and medical textbook for primary care clinicians, a lecture series, monthly research team meetings, and rotations for medical trainees. Patient-facing activities include webinars and a podcast series designed to promote awareness, thus expanding the provision of expert-vetted information. Ongoing research focuses on oncofertility and family building after cancer, improving communication for AYAs, changing mindsets to improve quality of life through targeted digital interventions, increasing capacity to care for cancer survivors, and strengthening collaboration with community partners. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Stanford's Cancer Survivorship Program includes a robust transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, training and clinical platform that is committed to advancing access and improving care for people living with and beyond cancer, through innovation in design and care delivery.

In action at work! Mental health self-management strategies for employees experiencing anxiety or depressive symptoms.

In action at work! Mental health self-management strategies for employees experiencing anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Exploring Media-Based Interventions for Adolescent Mental Health: Literature Review

Media-based interventions show promise in addressing the rising mental health concerns among adolescents, surpassing challenges associated with traditional care. This review critically assesses the effectiveness of media-based interventions in promoting adolescent mental health, with a specific focus on social media, digital applications, and film. The methodology employs a comprehensive approach, utilizing Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases (2012-2022) with keywords such as "mental health," "media," and "adolescents." the methodology is refined for enhanced clarity, explicitly detailing the search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and selection process. Findings from the analysis of 13 selected articles highlight promising outcomes of digital interventions in screening and treating mental disorders in adolescents. Emphasizing scalability, accessibility, and personalization benefits, the review recognizes the importance of addressing privacy concerns and the potential drawbacks of relying solely on digital platforms. Additionally, it emphasizes the impact of using booklets for mental health self-management in schools. The review improves organization and flow, eliminating repetition for a clearer presentation of information, providing a detailed evaluation of their strengths and limitations, enhancing the overall credibility of the review. the abstract explicitly discusses limitations related to inclusion criteria, such as language restrictions and the exclusion of specific study designs. This comprehensive approach contributes to a more robust understanding of the literature, providing valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers involved in developing effective interventions for adolescent mental health. The implications stress the need for further research, evidence-based intervention development, and considerations for implementation and user experience in digital interventions.

A qualitative exploration of young people’s mental health needs in rural and regional Australia: engagement, empowerment and integration

BackgroundAustralian rural and regional communities are marked by geographic isolation and increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters such as drought, bushfires and floods. These circumstances strain the mental health of their inhabitants and jeopardise the healthy mental and emotional development of their adolescent populations. Professional mental health care in these communities is often inconsistent and un-coordinated. While substantial research has examined the barriers of young people’s mental health and help-seeking behaviours in these communities, there is a lack of research exploring what adolescents in rural and regional areas view as facilitators to their mental health and to seeking help when it is needed. This study aims to establish an in-depth understanding of those young people’s experiences and needs regarding mental health, what facilitates their help-seeking, and what kind of mental health education and support they want and find useful.MethodWe conducted a qualitative study in 11 drought-affected rural and regional communities of New South Wales, Australia. Seventeen semi-structured (14 group; 3 individual) interviews were held with 42 year 9 and 10 high school students, 14 high school staff, and 2 parents, exploring participants’ experiences of how geographical isolation and natural disasters impacted their mental health. We further examined participants’ understandings and needs regarding locally available mental health support resources and their views and experiences regarding mental illness, stigma and help-seeking.ResultsThematic analysis highlighted that, through the lens of participants, young people’s mental health and help-seeking needs would best be enabled by a well-coordinated multi-pronged community approach consisting of mental health education and support services that are locally available, free of charge, engaging, and empowering. Participants also highlighted the need to integrate young people’s existing mental health supporters such as teachers, parents and school counselling services into such a community approach, recognising their strengths, limitations and own education and support needs.ConclusionsWe propose a three-dimensional Engagement, Empowerment, Integration model to strengthen young people’s mental health development which comprises: 1) maximising young people’s emotional investment (engagement); 2) developing young people’s mental health self-management skills (empowerment); and, 3) integrating mental health education and support programs into existing community and school structures and resources (integration).

Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a mental health self-management app in clinicians working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot randomised controlled trial

COVID-19 affected the well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) globally. Mental health app interventions (MHAIs) may offer appropriate and accessible means to support HCWs’ mental health. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled crossover trial involving 34 clinicians randomised to either a MHAI or a waitlisted group. After one month, outcome assessments were repeated and the waitlisted group then crossed over to the MHAI; they again completed outcome assessments after a month. The primary outcomes were feasibility, assessed with the Systems Usability Scale (SUS), and acceptability, assessed with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ). Secondary outcomes included efficacy for various mental health parameters. The SUS and CSQ scores indicated above average feasibility and acceptability. There was a significant difference in anxiety from baseline to 1-month follow-up between the groups, with greater improvement in the MHAI group. The groups differed in resilience and patient-related burnout from baseline to 1-month follow-up, with a trend towards significance, with greater improvements in the MHAI group. Anxiety and acute stress disorder severity improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention. We demonstrated that MHAIs hold potential for improving well-being of HCWs, although these findings will need to be replicated in adequately powered trials.

A text messaging intervention to support the mental health of young adults: User engagement and feedback from a field trial of an intervention prototype

BackgroundYoung adults have high rates of mental health conditions, but most do not want or cannot access treatment. By leveraging a medium that young adults routinely use, text messaging programs have potential to keep young adults engaged with content supporting self-management of mental health issues and can be delivered inexpensively at scale. We designed an intervention that imparts strategies for self-managing mental health symptoms through interactive text messaging dialogues and engages users through novelty and variety in strategies (from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and positive psychology) and styles of interaction (e.g., prompts, peer stories, writing tasks). MethodsThe aim of this mixed-methods study was to pilot 1- and 2-week versions of an interactive text messaging intervention among young adults (ages 18–25), and to obtain feedback to guide intervention refinements. Young adults were recruited via a mental health advocacy website and snowball sampling at a North American University. We used Wizard-of-Oz methods in which study staff sent messages based on a detailed script. Transcripts of interviews were subject to qualitative analysis to identify aspects of the program that need improvements, and to gather participant perspectives on possible solutions. ResultsForty-eight individuals ages 18–25 participated in the study (mean age: 22.0). 85 % responded to the program at least once. Among those who ever responded, they replied to messages on 85 % of days, and with engagement sustained over the study period. Participants endorsed the convenience of text messaging, the types of interactive dialogues, and the variety of content. They also identified needed improvements to message volume, scheduling, and content. ConclusionsYoung adults showed high levels of engagement and satisfaction with a texting program supporting mental health self-management. The program may be improved through refining personalization, timing, and message volume, and extending content to support use over a longer timeframe. If shown to be effective in randomized trials, this program has potential to help address a substantial treatment gap in young adults' mental health.

Development and Initial Validation of a Questionnaire Measuring Self-management Strategies that Promote Psychological Health at Work.

Self-management strategies have been identified as a promising avenue to promote mental health and functioning at work. However, the absence of a validated questionnaire to assess the use of strategies that can be adopted in the workplace has limited empirical research on this topic. This study seeks to develop and validate a questionnaire measuring mental health self-management strategies used by workers to promote their mental health and functioning at work: the Workplace Mental Health Self-Management Questionnaire (WMHSQ). An initial list of 72 self-management strategies was generated from the content of 25 interviews conducted with workers experiencing depressive or anxiety symptoms. Content experts on mental health at work identified the 47 most relevant items. To validate the WMHSQ, 365 workers completed the WMHSQ and criterion-related measures (depressive and anxiety symptoms, work functioning, self-management and coping). Two weeks later, 235 participants completed the WMHSQ once again. Principal component analysis revealed a four-factor solution composed of 21 self-management strategies: Managing Thoughts and Emotions, Managing Recovery, Managing Relationships and Managing Tasks. The WMHSQ shows adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Correlational analyses support convergent and concurrent validity. Since this is an initial psychometric validation of the WMHSQ, only an exploratory factor analysis was performed. It will therefore be important to validate the structure of this new psychometric tool through confirmatory factor analysis in a subsequent study. The strategies identified in the WMHSQ can form the basis for developing practical tools and interventions to promote mental health self-management at work.

Evaluating a prototype digital mental health literacy intervention for children and young people aged 11–15 in Java, Indonesia: a mixed methods, multi-site case study evaluation

BackgroundThe Improving Mental Health Literacy Among Children and Young People in Indonesia (IMPeTUs) intervention is a co-produced, evidence-based digital intervention designed to improve anxiety and depression focused mental health literacy and self-management among people aged 11–15 in Java, Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate the usability, feasibility and preliminary impact of our intervention.MethodsMixed methods, multi-site case studies based on a theory of change. Pre-and post-assessments of a range of outcomes and qualitative interviews/focus groups with children and young people (CYP), parents and facilitators. The intervention was implemented in 8 health, school and community sites across Java, Indonesia (Megelang, Jakarta and Bogor).Quantitative data designed to understand the impact of and feasibility of evaluating the intervention collected from 78 CYP who used the intervention were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups collected from 56 CYP, 49 parents/caregivers and 18 facilitators were analysed using framework analysis.ResultsQualitative data analysis indicated high levels of usability and acceptability for the interface aesthetic, personalisation, message presentation and navigation. Participants reported minimal burden and no negative outcomes associated with the intervention. CYP, parents and facilitators identified a range of direct and spill over effects of interventions engagement, some of which were not anticipated at study outset. Quantitative data highlighted the feasibility of intervention evaluation, with high levels of recruitment and retention across study time points. Minimal changes were identified in outcomes pre-to-post intervention, which may in part be due to a lack of scale relevance and/or sensitivity to the intervention mechanisms indicated in the qualitative data.ConclusionsDigital mental health literacy applications are potentially an acceptable and feasible way to prevent burdens of common mental health problems amongst CYP in Indonesia. Our intervention and evaluative processes will be further refined prior to definitive evaluation.

Ansiedad y miedo ante la muerte en los profesionales sanitarios de los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios en Aragón

ObjectivesTo describe the levels of anxiety in the face of death in professionals from emergency hospital services of Aragon. To analyze its association with sociodemographic, perception and labor variables. MethodologyObservational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Population and context of the study were health professionals of the hospital emergency services of Aragon. A non-probabilistic sampling selection was applied (n=230 participants). The “Collet-Lester-Fear-of-Death-Scale” instrument was introduced to measure death anxiety. The data was collected with a self-applied telematic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to analyze the association between the study variables. ResultsAnxiety in the face of death mean values of 94,58±21,66 with 95% CI: (91,76-97,39) (scale range: 28-140 points) were obtained. A significant association was obtained with the variables professional category (physicians, medical residents, nurses, and nursing assistants) (p: 0,006), sex (p: 0,001), level of training in emotional self-management (p: 0,03), self-perceived level of mental health (p: 0,07) and perception of lack of support from palliative care/mental health professionals (p: 0,006). This association was not obtained with the variables age (Sig.: 0.558), total professional experience (p: 0.762) and in emergencies (p: 0.191). ConclusionThe levels of anxiety in the face of death in the emergency hospital services are lower than those presented in other hospital units. Variables such as professional category, degree of training in emotional self-management and self-perceived level of mental health are related to levels of anxiety in the face of death and their study requires further work.

P181 Assessing and improving mental health in axial spondyloarthritis through digital solutions

Abstract Background/Aims Mental health issues in axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) such as anxiety and depression can affect up to two thirds of patients. We aimed to detect the prevalence of anxiety and depression in our AxSpA patients in order to provide interventions to improve the condition. This is part of our work in the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society’s (NASS) Aspiring to Excellence programme to improve patient outcomes. We have provided an online mental health assessment and self-management video that signpost patients to psychological help and resources. Methods We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) for AxSpA patients attending the clinic in January to March 2020. We also collected the BASDAI, Spinal Pain, BASFI and BASG. The HADS scores are divided into three groups, 0-7 (normal), 8-10 (borderline abnormal) and 11-21 (abnormal). Patients were invited to watch a self-help video on managing anxiety and depression, which we produced in house with our clinical psychologist. Patients were directed to online mental health resources and self-management programmes. Follow up HADS were collected post watching the video. Results All patients met the ASAS criteria for AxSpA. 100 patients were assessed and invited to watch the video. 90/100 (90%) of patients completed the baseline and follow up score. The mean (SD) age was 44.7 (13.2) years. The male:female ratio was 3:1. The mean disease duration was 9 years. The number of patients on biologics was 36 (40%). At baseline, the mean (SD) HADS was 10 (6), BASDAI 4.4 (2.3), Spinal pain 4.2 (3), BASFI 3.7 (2.7) and BASG 4.3 (2.7). The number of patients with a HADS score 0-7 was 28 (31%), 8-10 was 18 (20%) and >11 was 44 (49%). All patients participated in the viewing of the video and used the self-management programme. 34 (38%) patients reported engaging with psychological services such as talking therapies. At follow up, the mean (SD) HADS score was 9 (6), BASDAI 3.7 (2.1), Spinal pain 3.8 (2.2), BASFI 3.4 (2) and BASG 3.9 (2.4). The number of patients with a HADS score 0-7 was 38 (42%), 8-10 was 28 (31%) and >11 reduced to 24 (27%). There was a reduction in the number of patients with HADS >11 (from 49% to 31%) and a trend towards lower HADS (HADS 0-7 increased from 31% to 42%) and AxSpA outcome scores (reduction in all four AS scores from baseline). Conclusion Mental health issues in AxSpA can be improved through the use of digital mental health assessment and self-management programmes. This study shows that this is a useful method of delivering care. There was a trend towards the improvement of the mental health and AS disease activity scores using the digital video. Disclosure A. Chan: None. K. Rigler: None. A. McDougall: None.

Anxiety and fear of death in Health Professionals in Hospital Emergency services in Aragón

ObjectivesTo describe the levels of anxiety in the face of death in professionals from hospital emergency services in Aragon. To analyse its association with sociodemographic, perception and work-related variables. MethodologyObservational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. The population and context of the study were health professionals in the hospital emergency services of Aragon. A non-probabilistic sampling selection was applied (n = 230 participants). The “Collet-Lester-Fear-of-Death-Scale” instrument was introduced to measure anxiety about death. The data was collected with a self-applied telematic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to analyse the association between the study variables. ResultsMean values obtained for anxiety in the face of death were 94.58 ± 21.66 with a CI of 95%: (91.76–97.39) (range of scale: 28–140 points). A significant association was identified with the professional category variables (physicians, medical residents, nurses, and auxiliary nurses) (p: 0,006), gender (p: 0.001), level of training in emotional self-management (p: 0.03), self-perceived level of mental health (p: 0.07) and perception of lack of support from palliative care/mental health professionals (p: 0.006). This association was not obtained with the variables age (Sig: 0.558), total professional experience (p: 0.762) and in emergencies (p: 0.191). ConclusionThe levels of anxiety in the face of death in the emergency hospital services are lower than those presented in other hospital units. Variables such as professional category, degree of training in emotional self-management and self-perceived level of mental health are related to levels of anxiety in the face of death and their study requires further work.

Use of a Mobile Biofeedback App to Provide Health Coaching for Stress Self-management: Pilot Quasi-Experiment.

Mental health is an increasing concern among vulnerable populations, including college students and veterans. The purpose of this study was to determine if mobile health technology combined with health coaching can better enable a user to self-manage their mental health. This study evaluated the mobile app "Biofeedback" that provided health coaching on stress self-management for college student veterans' mental health concerns. Twenty-four college student veterans were recruited from a large public university in Texas during the spring 2020 semester, impacted by COVID-19. Ten participants were assigned to the intervention group where they used the mobile Biofeedback app on their smartphones and smartwatches, and 14 were assigned to the control group without the app; assignment was based on mobile phone compatibility. Both groups participated in one initial lab session where they learned a deep-breathing exercise technique. The intervention group was then asked to use the mobile Biofeedback app during their daily lives and a smartwatch, and the control group was asked to perform the breathing exercises on their own. Both groups filled out Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) self-assessments at 2-week intervals. At the end of the semester, both groups were given an exit interview to provide user experience and perceived benefits of health coaching via the mobile biofeedback app. The deep-breathing exercise in the initial lab session reduced stress in both groups. Over the course of the study, the app recorded 565 coached breathing exercises with a significant decrease (approximately 3 beats per minute) in participants' heart rate during the 6-minute time period immediately after conducting the breathing exercises (Spearman rank correlation coefficient -0.61, P<.001; S=9,816,176). There was no significant difference between the two groups for PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores over the course of the semester. Exit interview responses indicated that participants perceived that the mobile Biofeedback app improved their health and helped them address stress challenges. All participants reported that the intervention helped them manage their stress better and expressed that health coaching via a mobile device would improve their overall health. Participants reported a positive perception of the app for their mental health self-management during a stressful semester. Future work should examine long-term effects of the app with a larger sample size balanced between male and female participants, randomized participant allocation, real-time detection of mental health symptoms, and additional features of the app.

Rural Community Engagement for Mental Health

Community-engagement strategies have been used successfully in mental health research and have been proposed as ideal for addressing stigma associated with mental illness. However, little has been published about using a community-engaged approach to address mental health and associated stigma in rural communities. We aimed to develop a mental health patient-centered research community and advisory board for two rural communities in Michigan with the long-term goal of improving mental health care, self-management, and outcomes in these communities. The project used principles from community-based participatory research (CBPR) and patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) models. Focus groups and the development of a mental health research advisory committee (MHRAC) were used to engage the community. Five focus groups were conducted with a total of 38 participants, including several individuals who self-identified as having mental health issues, to identify unmet mental health needs as well as available resources. MHRAC consisted of 24 volunteers and prepared written summaries from the focus group transcripts to identify key mental health themes expressed by participants in the focus groups. When comparing the original transcript to the focus group summaries compiled by MHRAC, we determined differences between the reports, but found stigma to be a common theme. This project served as a catalyst to prioritize and address selected mental health issues in these rural communities.

Fostering mental health and chronic diseases self-management among professional truck drivers

Abstract Most passengers and goods in Canada travel by road. The trucking industry is the backbone of the tangible goods economy. However, the health and well-being of this aging workforce is in jeopardy. Recent data reveals that 86% of the truckers’ community are 50 years old and over, 4% are female and 5% are immigrants. Moreover, 75% of the male truckers self-reported one or more health condition (54% obesity, 19% hyperlipidemia, 18 % high blood pressure, 11 % type II diabetes). Despite, the high prevalence of risk factors (e.g. stress, depression/anxiety, lower level of education, social isolation and financial challenges) and preventable chronic diseases among truckers, in New Brunswick and elsewhere in Canada, there is a lack of on-the-road accessible lifestyle change programs. Therefore, tailored interventions are needed to appropriately support them adopt healthy behaviors. Using the Re-AIM Framework, we carried out 23 semi-structured interviews to inform the development of tailored educational material. The aims were: to describe the needs and challenges and to design a truckers-sensitive educational intervention. The theoretical foundation of this qualitative study is articulated around concepts extracted from cognitive and behavioural theories (transtheoretical model of behaviour change). Qualitative analysis of verbatims identified four major themes: Lifestyle challenges, Social and individual representation of healthy behaviors, Health education strategies and communication and Motivational and engagement strategies. Drawing upon these findings we developed tailored educational material and pre-validated them with a small group of professional truck drivers. Our findings informed the development of an educational intervention to support truckers manage and improve their mental health and self-management of chronic diseases. The next step is to implement a randomized clinical trial to test and assess acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of our intervention. Key messages

Supplemental Material for In Action at Work! Mental Health Self-Management Strategies for Employees Experiencing Anxiety or Depressive Symptoms

Supplemental Material for In Action at Work! Mental Health Self-Management Strategies for Employees Experiencing Anxiety or Depressive Symptoms

Reliability and validity of the Mental Health Self-management Questionnaire among Chinese patients with mood and anxiety disorders

BackgroundSelf-management plays an important role in promoting and restoring mental health for individuals with mental health issues. However, there is no valid and reliable Chinese tool assessing the self-management behaviors of people with mood and anxiety disorders. This study aimed to develop a Chinese version of the Mental Health Self-management Questionnaire (MHSQ-C) and to verify its psychometric properties.MethodsA total of 440 potential participants were recruited by convenience sampling from June to August 2020. Item analysis and analyses of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, construct validity and criterion validity were performed.ResultsData from 326 participants were used. Three factors obtained via principal component analysis and varimax rotation explained 53.68% of the total variance. The average content validity index was 0.99. The Cronbach’s α coefficient (total: 0.874, clinical: 0.706, empowerment: 0.818, vitality: 0.830) and test-retest reliability (ICC: total: 0.783, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.616, 0.882], clinical: 0.525, 95% CI [0.240, 0.725], empowerment: 0.786, 95% CI [0.622, 0.884], vitality: 0.748, 95% CI [0.564, 0.862]) were good. The MHSQ-C was well correlated with the Partners in Health scale and showed no floor or ceiling effect.DiscussionThe MHSQ-C is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate the self-management strategies of patients with mood and anxiety disorders.