Awareness Of Mental Illness Research Articles

College students’ intent to intervene with a hypothetical peer exhibiting depression: Leveraging lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study assesses college students’ intent to intervene when presented with a hypothetical peer exhibiting depression in one of three scenarios: depression, sadness, and depression in quarantine during COVID-19. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), variations in constructs associated with intent were examined by context (external triggers vs. no trigger), knowledge of, and experience with depression. One hundred and sixteen health sciences students read three vignettes and completed an enhanced TPB questionnaire. Intent to intervene was greater when the vignette target was experiencing depression with external stressors. Prior experience with depression and knowing someone with depression were associated with greater intent to connect the hypothetical peer to counseling resources regardless of vignette scenario. Due to increased mental health concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts promoting awareness of mental illness in peers may benefit from increasing education about stressors and causes of depression that may not be observable.

Misdiagnosis and therapeutic impasse in psychiatry

IntroductionWe frequently receive patients with atypical psychiatric symptoms admitted in our department after consulting other psychiatrists and triying several treatments.ObjectivesTo highlight the factors of misdiagnosis in patients of our department.MethodsWe recruited 70 patients during their appointment or during their hospital admission in our department between March and April 2021. We collected the patients’ socio-demographic and clinical data using a pre-designed questionnaire.ResultsPatients were aged between 17 and 68 years with a sex ratio (M/F) of 1. Mood disorders accounted for 24.6% of disorders (N=17) whereas schizophrenia 66.7% (N=46). Patients resided in urban areas in 88.6% of cases (N=69). The average number of hospitalizations was 2.7 with extremes ranging from 0 to 14. The average time between the onset of the symptoms and the first consultation was 1 year. The mean time from onset to hospitalization was 4.37 years. The rate of consulting a psychiatrist prior to admission was 42.8%. The diagnosis was corrected during the follow-up of the patients in 24.3% of cases. Conventional neuroleptics were prescribed as first-line treatment in 42.85% of cases. Due to poor tolerance or ineffectiveness of the treatment, 31.42% of patients had to change treatment.ConclusionsPatients, who were desperate to find an adequate treatment for their disorders, put a lot of hope in the Razi psychiatric hospital. But after several years of evolution of their disease, we are faced with a therapeutic impasse. Raising awareness of mental illnesses is necessary for an early and adequate treatment.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Relationship between Socio-Demographic Factors and Adherence to Social Distancing Recommendations During Covid-19 Pandemic in Gonabad, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACTBackground: Adherence to social distancing recommendations provided by health authorities plays an important role in the prevention and control of COVID-19 transmission, regarding the lack of effective drug therapies. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the relationship between socio-demographic factors and adherence to social distancing recommendations during COVID-19 pandemic in Gonabad, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 587 subjects aged 15 and older were selected using the convenience sampling method from urban and rural areas in Gonabad, Iran, from July to September 2020. Data were collected online using a socio-demographic characteristics form, the adherence to social distancing recommendations scale, and a coronavirus disease awareness survey. Subsequently, the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16) using hierarchical linear regression. The statistical significance was considered as P<0.05.Results: 72.23% (95% confidence interval: 68.41%-75.82%) of the participants followed the recommendations of social distancing at the high level. Nevertheless, many differences were observed in the subgroups which resulted from the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. According to the multiple linear regression model, sex (β=0.24, P<0.001) was the most important determinant of adherence to social behavioral recommendations, followed by occupation (β=0.15, P<0.001), age (β=0.14, P=0.007), awareness (β=0.13, P=0.001), and history of mental illness (β=-0.08, P=0.049).Conclusion: For the effective management of pandemics, the general public health policies should also consider the variability in responses and behavioral changes caused by socio-demographic characteristics, rather than focusing only on general measures, such as social distancing.

Barriers to the use of mental health services by Syrian refugees in Jordan: a qualitative study.

More than 650 000 Syrian refugees are hosted in Jordan. Refugees are at high risk of mental health problems. To explore the perspectives of Syrian refugees and their host communities and community leaders in Jordan on barriers and facilitators to the use of mental health services by Syrian refugees. A qualitative descriptive design was used to collect data through individual, semistructured interviews conducted between May and December 2019 in Jordan. A purposive sample was recruited from different sites. Twenty-four individual interviews were conducted: 16 for the clients and 8 for the community leaders. Three themes emerged as barriers to accessing mental health services: (1) lack of awareness of mental illness and available services; (2) availability, accessibility and affordability of mental health services; and (3) stigma and social discrimination. Findings show that respondents had low mental health literacy levels. Policy-makers, care providers and decision-makers should take the findings of this study into consideration by facilitating the use of mental health services through awareness-raising about mental illness and the provision of services at primary health care centres. Making the service available near to the people who require it and incorporating mental health services into a broad-based community environment such as schools, primary health centres, or case management system are recommended as a common strategy that could help address refugee needs.

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Background:Faith healers are one of the most socially acceptable way to try to cure mental illness in India. It has been estimated that 80 % of rural and particularly of the lower socio-classes patients still visit faith healers not only for their personal and social problems, but also for their psychiatric problems. Thus their knowledge, attitude, and perception toward mentally illnesses is of enormous significance. The public opinion about mental illness is broadly compatible with the scientific understanding, but is it the same with the traditional healers has not been assessed in India.Aims:To study the knowledge, attitude and perceptions towards mental illness in traditional faith healers in TelanganaMethods:Faith healers from Telangana were interviewed with a semistructured proforma for sociodemographic details and scales administered were Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire MHKQ, Attitude Scale for Mental Illness (ASMI), Public Perception of Mental Illness Questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS.Results:Preliminary results suggest that that faith healers have poor knowledge and considerable stigma towards mental illness.Conclusion:Our study indicates there is a dire need for psychiatrists to engage with and create awareness of mental illness among faith healers which will indirectly help in better management and outcome in patients dealing with mental illness.

NAMI celebrates Mental Illness Awareness Week

Last week, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and participants across the country advocated for better access to quality mental health care in observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) Oct. 3–9. Since 1990, when Congress officially established MIAW for the first full week of October, advocates have worked together to sponsor activities, large and small, to educate the public about mental illness, an Oct. 4 NAMI news release stated. NAMI highlighted its “Together for Mental Health” campaign, which focuses on the importance of improving the mental health care system, advocates stated in the release. Each day throughout the week, NAMI continued to spread awareness about some of the most common barriers to mental health care people with mental illness face. “Over the pandemic, our movement has grown stronger by the day,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr., NAMI CEO. “We may be at an inflection point of mainstream acceptance that anyone can be vulnerable to mental health concerns. As a society, we have become more open to discussing mental health and providing support for each other.”

Understanding the stigma: a novel quantitative study comparing mental health attitudes and perceptions between young British Muslims and their non-Muslims peers

Background A significant proportion of young British Muslims identify themselves by religious identity rather than ethnicity however very few mental health studies have focused on this cohort. Aims To explore whether young British Muslims’ knowledge, awareness and perceptions of mental illness differ to their non-Muslim peers. Method Population based survey of second generation Muslims (n = 83) and non-Muslims (n = 76) aged 18–35. Anonymised 38-item questionnaire on mental health attitudes, perceptions and help seeking behaviours. Results Muslims were less likely to correctly identify symptoms of mental illness compared to their non-Muslim peers. Stigma and awareness remains a major issue. A third of Muslims would consider stopping medication on advice of a religious leader. Nearly half of Muslims were more likely to attend a dedicated ethnic/religious mental health service. Conclusions British Muslim views and attitudes of mental health differ from their non-Muslim counterparts. Services should ensure they are religiously sensitive.

The CORE study-An adapted mental health experience codesign intervention to improve psychosocial recovery for people with severe mental illness: A stepped wedge cluster randomized-controlled trial.

BackgroundMental health policies outline the need for codesign of services and quality improvement in partnership with service users and staff (and sometimes carers), and yet, evidence of systematic implementation and the impacts on healthcare outcomes is limited.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to test whether an adapted mental health experience codesign intervention to improve recovery‐orientation of services led to greater psychosocial recovery outcomes for service users.DesignA stepped wedge cluster randomized‐controlled trial was conducted.Setting and ParticipantsFour Mental Health Community Support Services providers, 287 people living with severe mental illnesses, 61 carers and 120 staff were recruited across Victoria, Australia.Main Outcome MeasuresThe 24‐item Revised Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS‐R) measured individual psychosocial recovery.ResultsA total of 841 observations were completed with 287 service users. The intention‐to‐treat analysis found RAS‐R scores to be similar between the intervention (mean = 84.7, SD= 15.6) and control (mean = 86.5, SD= 15.3) phases; the adjusted estimated difference in the mean RAS‐R score was −1.70 (95% confidence interval: −3.81 to 0.40; p = .11).DiscussionThis first trial of an adapted mental health experience codesign intervention for psychosocial recovery outcomes found no difference between the intervention and control arms.ConclusionsMore attention to the conditions that are required for eight essential mechanisms of change to support codesign processes and implementation is needed.Patient and Public InvolvementThe State consumer (Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council) and carer peak bodies (Tandem representing mental health carers) codeveloped the intervention. The adapted intervention was facilitated by coinvestigators with lived‐experiences who were coauthors for the trial and process evaluation protocols, the engagement model and explanatory model of change for the trial.

Community Groups Honored With APAF Awards for Advancing Minority MH

Back to table of contents Next article APA & MeetingsFull AccessCommunity Groups Honored With APAF Awards for Advancing Minority MHKatie O'ConnorKatie O'ConnorSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:26 Jul 2021https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2021.8.51AbstractThe APA Foundation (APAF) recognized numerous organizations for their innovative efforts to raise awareness in minority and underrepresented communities about mental illness and improve the quality of care.The APA Foundation (APAF) has announced the six recipients of its 2021 Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health.The awards, established in 2003, recognize community-based organizations that have made innovative efforts to raise awareness of mental illness in underserved minority communities, as well as improve the quality of care for members of underserved minorities, particularly those in the public health system and/or with severe mental illness.Here are brief descriptions of this year’s winners:All Walks of Life LLC: Over the past 15 years, All Walks of Life LLC has provided developmentally and culturally appropriate mental health care to underserved urban populations in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas. The program utilizes a holistic, community-oriented approach that engages the individual’s family, support system, and other community partners in treatment. Since its founding, the organization has served more than 13,000 African American, Latino, and Hispanic men, women, and children.Another Life Foundation: Another Life Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colo., delivers education programs and campaigns that raise awareness of mental illness, provides support to residents, and advocates for health equality for the African American community. The organization recently launched the COVID-19 Virtual Counseling Support Program, which connects individuals to mental health professionals.Fusion Partnerships Inc./Intercultural Counseling Connection: Intercultural Counseling Connection and its nonprofit sponsor organization, Fusion Partnerships Inc., provides culturally responsive, language-appropriate, and trauma-informed therapeutic services for asylum seekers, refugees, and other forced migrants living in Maryland. In 2020, the partnership provided direct services to 104 forced migrants from 30 countries, and therapists delivered 816 hours of services.Girls Place Inc.: Girls Place Inc., begun in 1983, provides gender-specific programming that promotes health, character development, and academic achievement for girls aged 4 to 18 in Gainesville, Fla. In 2015, the organization began the BrainPower Initiative, which provides on-site mental health consultations, assessments, and treatment. The organization also offers an educational program to destigmatize mental illness.LifeAct: For nearly 30 years, LifeAct has worked to reduce youth suicide in Ohio by teaching middle and high school students to recognize the warning signs in themselves and their peers and to seek professional help. Since 2000, LifeAct instructors have delivered their in-school educational program to more than 230,000 students in more than 200 Ohio schools.Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County, Pa.: Since 1991, the Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County has empowered families to build healthier and brighter futures for their children by providing access to quality, culturally competent health care and services that assist in overcoming social and environmental barriers that lead to poor health outcomes. The organization serves about 5,000 families annually, 46% of whom are Latino and 21% African American. ■ ISSUES NewArchived

What Determines Indigenous Peoples’ Mental Health Awareness? A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study From Nawalpur District

Background: The health status of indigenous people including Tharu is very poor. Despite several studies on indigenous communities, no previous studies were found about mental illness and its awareness among the Tharu people in Nepal. Objectives: This study aims to find out the awareness of mental illness among adults of the Tharu community. Within the objective the present study specific to identify the level of awareness on mental illness and to identify an association between selected socio-demographic characteristics and level of awareness on mental illness. Method: The study was based on the descriptive cross-sectional design and was conducted in 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 wards of the Madhyabindu municipality of Nawalpur District as the majority of the Tharu's household are located in these wards. This research administered a structured questionnaire to assess awareness of Tharu adults on mental illness. Data were collected in September and October 2018. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistical methods where the researcher calculated mean, standard deviation, percentage, and frequency. Chi-square test was used for inferential statistics.Result: Our analysis revealed that the socioeconomic status of the Tharu community is based on agriculture. The overall level of awareness of respondents, 35.5 % had adequate awareness of mental illness whereas 34 % had moderate awareness and 30.5 % respondents had inadequate awareness of the mental illness. The level of awareness of mental illness is statistically significant with the age of respondents, gender, marital status, education status, and occupation status. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it concluded that nearly one-third of Tharu adults have an adequate level of awareness regarding mental illness. Further, the awareness level of Tharu adults tends to vary according to age, sex, education, occupation, and marital status.Implication: The findings of this study imply that mental awareness among the indigenous community is still low and the findings of the study could be used by a mental health organization to plan and implement mental health-related awareness programs in an indigenous community.

Awareness on mental illness and delayed in seeking health services among members of psychiatric patient

Background: Mental illness is an emerging problem in Nepal. Awareness about mental illness is the major determinant for early detection of the problem and prevention from delay in seeking the psychiatric treatment. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the awareness of mental illness among family members of psychiatric patient and explore factors contributing to delay in seeking health service. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Patan Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. New patient’s family members attending for checkup were interviewed. A self-constructed open- and close-ended questionnaire in Nepali was used for data collection to analyze. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, median standard deviation, and Chi-square. Results: Out of 126 family members, 101 (80.16%) had heard about mental illness and among them 42 (41.60%) of the respondents had poor level of awareness. Almost half 62 (49.21%) of the respondents had late delay in seeking health services and the reasons for delay were; unable to identify the symptoms 57 (45.20%), initial treatment with Dhami and Jhakris 37 (29.40%), and conducting religious activity at home 22 (27.50%). There was no significant association between delay and sociodemographic variables of the family members. Conclusion: Study demonstrated that nearly 1/2 of the respondents had poor knowledge and almost 1/2 of the respondents had longer delay for treatment seeking and nearly half 1/2 of the respondents main reason for delay in treatment seeking was unable to identify the symptoms.

Associations between cognitive impairment and illness awareness in fully remitted bipolar outpatients

The euthymic state of bipolar disorder is often characterized by impaired cognitive function. In this investigation, we hypothesized that subjective cognitive function is impaired and illness awareness is inadequate and we further explored the associations among cognitive complaints, objective cognitive functions, and current illness awareness in Japanese patients. Twenty-seven patients in remission and 27 healthy subjects were recruited in this study. The Japanese version of the Cognitive Complaints in Bipolar Disorder Rating Assessment (COBRA) and Scale to Assess Unawareness in Mental Disorders (Japanese, SUMD-J) were used to assess each patient. All patients underwent neuropsychological tests for the assessment of objective cognitive functions. Only SUMD2.C (current awareness of the effects of medication) was significantly correlated with COBRA, and the objective cognitive assessments, Word Fluency Test and Stroop Test Reaction Time, represented significant correlations with SUMD1.C (current awareness of mental illness). In remitted bipolar outpatients, both the objective and subjective cognitive functions were found to be associated with illness awareness. However, subjective and objective cognitive functions differed in the related illness awareness subscales in fully remitted bipolar outpatients.

An evaluation of training for health and social care professionals when working with families where a parent has a mental illness

ABSTRACT Objective This study reports on an evaluation of a locally designed training programme, ‘Raising awareness of the impact of parental mental illness on children and families’, in one region of the Republic of Ireland. The evaluation focused on identifying possible changes, following the training, in professionals’ knowledge and awareness of severe and enduring mental illnesses and its impact on the family; their self-rated practice skills and attitude when working with individuals experiencing a mental illness; and their level of engagement in family focused practice. Method A quantitative methodology was employed with a repeated measures approach in an online questionnaire. Respondents were invited to complete the questionnaire pre-training, post-training and at a 6-week follow-up phase. Nine respondents completed the questionnaires at three time periods. Results Following training, professionals reported an increase in their knowledge and awareness of mental illness and the impact of parental mental illness on children and families. Respondents acknowledged difficulties in the context of legislation and national policies relating to mental health. The importance of training for professionals working outside of adult mental health services was highlighted along with recommendations for the future development of training emerged from the study. Discussion Aligned with previous research, there is a need for inter-agency collaboration and further development of awareness and skills development in relation to family focussed practice with families where a parent has a mental illness. Accessible training related to mental health for practitioners supporting children and families outside of core mental health settings should be provided.

Research on High School Students’ and Teachers’ Mental Health Literacy Levels in Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract Background Mental health literacy (MHL) is critical to reduce health inequality and for raising awareness and early recognition of mental illnesses. This study among students and teachers in Istanbul, Turkey, aimed to (1) determine the knowledge levels towards mental illnesses, (2) identify barriers to help-seeking behaviors and (3) assess stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illnesses. Methodology A cross-sectional, descriptive study design was used, and 810 high school students and 241 teachers were included in our study between Mar-Jul 2019. Data was collected through the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire and the Beliefs towards Mental Illness Scale. Results Students' recognition percentages of depression, schizophrenia and social phobia vignettes were found to be 27.5%, 47.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Teachers' were found to be 46.5%, 42.7% and 26.1%, respectively. A statistically significant relationship was found between students' correct recognition of vignettes and gender, age group, mother education levels, and father education levels (p &amp;lt; 0,005). Female sex, older age, and having a parent with higher level of education were more likely to correct identify the vignettes. Among teachers, a significant relationship was found between correct recognition of vignettes and gender (p &amp;lt; 0,005). Females were more likely to correct identify the vignettes. Regarding the BMI subscales, students' average score was 21,6±9,8 for “poor social and interpersonal skills and incurability”, 19,9±6,9 for “dangerousness”, 1,5±2,3 for “shame” and 42,9±16,2 for total scale and the teachers' average scores were 23,6±10,1, 21,3±6,6, 1,2±1,7 and 46,2±16,6 in the same order. Conclusions The findings show that efforts are needed among both pupils and teachers in order to encourage help seeking behavior and to increase the belief that the solution of mental health problems is possible. Strengthening accessible mental health services and reducing stigma towards mental illnesses are also crucial.

APA Foundation Invites Donations to Its COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund for Frontline Health Care Workers

Back to table of contents Next article APA & MeetingsFull AccessAPA Foundation Invites Donations to Its COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund for Frontline Health Care WorkersMark MoranMark MoranSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:10 Jul 2020https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2020.7b30AbstractDonations to the relief fund will support efforts by two groups working to provide food and mental health care to frontline health care workers.iStock/FeverpitchedThe American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) has launched a COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund to support America’s frontline health care professionals fighting the global pandemic.The Disaster Relief Fund will support the efforts of two groups—CopeNYP Urgent Counselling Services and Frontline Foods—to provide mental health care and food to health care professionals. The APAF will match donations up to a total of $25,000. Individuals wishing to contribute—and double the impact of their gift via this match—should visit the Foundation’s COVID-19 donation page (see end of story).“These efforts will help address the essential needs and mental health care of our health care workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., chair of the APAF Board of Directors and CEO and medical director of APA. “This is our way to help those who are doing so much for everyone else right now.”CopeNYP Urgent Counseling Services provides access to free, confidential, virtual mental health care for staff at NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell, and Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. The counseling is provided by practitioners at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. Participants receive emotional support and learn strategies to enhance their coping skills.Frontline Foods supports local restaurants that have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions while feeding health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic. Frontline Foods volunteers match restaurants with hospitals and health care facilities, work with restaurants to establish health and safety guidelines, and coordinate safe meal deliveries for hospital workers. To date, Frontline Foods has served 60 cities, supported 1,130 restaurants, and delivered 450,000 meals. It is partnered with World Central Kitchen, a charitable organization led by chef José Andrés.“CopeNYP and Frontline Foods are two inspiring, innovative efforts to help frontline health care workers in the midst of this pandemic,” said Amy Porfiri, M.B.A., interim executive director of the APAF. “We are honored to support their work and grateful to our members who donate to the APAF’s COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund. It’s efforts like these that show how we will get through this pandemic together.”The APAF is the philanthropic and educational arm of APA. The Foundation promotes awareness of mental illnesses and the effectiveness of treatment, the importance of early intervention, access to care, and the need for high-quality services and treatment. Its work is accomplished through public and professional education, research, training, grants, fellowships, and awards. ■Information about contributing to the APAF COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund is posted here.Information about CopeNYP is posted here.Information about Frontline Foods is posted here. ISSUES NewArchived

Stigma among Saudi Youth: Across-sectional Study on Secondary and Intermediate School Adolescent Attitudes towards Serious Mental Illness in Taif City 2019

Background: Stigma is a fundamental barrier to individuals seeking out mental health treatment in the Middle East. The impact of stigma may be amplified if the engagement in and utilization of mental health services for psychosis further stigmatizes individuals and their families Stigma toward mentally ill individuals acts as a barrier to accessing care and receiving treatment. Stigma experienced from family members is pervasive. Moreover, social disapproval and devaluation of families with mentally ill individuals are an important concern. This holds true particularly with regards to marriage, marital separation and divorce. Psychic symptoms, unlike somatic symptoms, are construed as socially disadvantageous. Thus, somatization of psychiatric disorders is widespread. Negative attitudes towards mental illness are influenced by culture and affect people’s behavior differently depending on their cultural background. This is not to say that younger people have no stigma towards the mentally ill. Attitudes towards various aspects of mental illness, including its conceptualization and stigma towards the mentally ill are thought to form at an early age. The most urgent problem of mental health care in is the lack of personal and financial resources. Thus, mental health professionals are mostly located in urban areas. This increases the barriers to seek help and contributes to the stigmatization of the mentally ill. Aim of the study: This study aims to explore the dimensions of stigma and social tolerance and examine its correlates in the younger, population of Taif city. Method: cross sectional study conducted at secondary and intermediate schools at Taif city in 2019. Sample population consists the participants were youths aged 14-18 years old residing and studying in Taif at the time of data collection. Our total participants were (400) .Results: The Mean+ SD age of the sample was (16.923±1.582). Regarding of age was (13-32) and regarding the gender were 225 (57.7%) participants were male while females was (42.3%). most of the sample is shown secondary education was (89.2%) while preparatory was (10.8%) most of participant were Saudi nationality was(95.6%) a significant relation between age and Physical danger, Class thinking, Personal space where respectively (P-value=0.032, 0.000, 0.029) and r Respectively (0.108, 0.183.), Non-Saudi students had higher for contact with mentally ill individuals compared with Saudi students. Conclusion: We propose the following initiatives to reduce stigma toward mental illness in the KSA: (a) Health education to families to enable them to support their affected relatives, (b) Increase cooperation between psychiatrists and faith healers and (c) Health education programs to the young people in schools to increase their awareness and understanding of mental illnesses and to combat negative stereotypes.

Crime and punishment: Pakistan's legal failure to account for mental illness.

The Mental Health Ordinance 2001 was the last comprehensive legislation on mental health policy in Pakistan, replacing the Lunacy Act 1912. Since then, most of the amendments to the act have only delineated the jurisdiction of the provincial governments. Failure to account for mental illness in Pakistan brings with it unique challenges, such as the criminalisation of suicide and exploitation of blasphemy laws. There is a need for organised efforts to promote awareness of mental illness, amend the obsolete legislation in conformity with the scientific evidence, implement mental health policy effectively and deal with sensitive issues that have a strong sociocultural or religious background.

Delay and treatment factors of psychiatric treatment among patients seeking faith healers

Background: Belief in faith healers, lack of awareness and stigma of mental illness have placed obstacles in timely identification and treatment of mental illness. This study assessed the factors influencing individuals with mental illness to seek faith healers. It was also planned to study the delay caused due to faith healers in starting psychiatric treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 100 consecutive patients who had visited a faith healer at least once and attending the outpatient clinic of the department of psychiatry was done using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Fear of psychiatric medication (46%), stigma of psychiatric illness (44%) and beliefs in myths (43%) were the main reasons for avoiding psychiatric treatment. There was a significant delay in psychiatric treatment initiation when comparing people who first visit faith healers to those who first visited psychiatrists (28.2 months vs 14.5 months, p=0.002). Post-visit to psychiatrist, 57% prefer to continue with the psychiatrist, and 34% would visit both, and only 5% would prefer faith healer. Conclusions: Myths and stigma regarding psychiatric illness are prevalent, and mental health education can improve the scenario.

Knowledge, attitude and health-seeking behavior among family caregivers of mentally ill patients at Assiut University Hospitals: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMental illness is associated with misunderstanding and unfavorable attitude worldwide. The belief in its spiritual nature made traditional healers the main service consultants for mentally ill patients. The present study is a cross-sectional study conducted among 425 main family caregivers of mentally ill patients at Assiut University Hospital. The objective of the study was to assess the caregivers’ knowledge and attitude towards mental illness as well as their health-seeking behavior for their mentally ill relatives.ResultsThe studied caregivers had low scores of knowledge and attitude towards mental illness. Age of the caregivers, their education, and the type of first consulted care and aggressive behavior of the mentally ill relatives were the significant predictors of caregivers’ knowledge and attitude towards mental illness. The majority of caregivers (80.2%) sought advice for the first time from traditional healers. Traditional healers referred only 16.4% of caregivers’ mentally ill relatives to psychiatric care.ConclusionThe studied caregivers had poor knowledge and a negative attitude towards mental illness. Traditional healers were the main consulted care. So, increasing awareness of mental illness is highly recommended.

Generous Gift Funds Two Foundation Programs

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article APA & MeetingsFull AccessGenerous Gift Funds Two Foundation ProgramsKatie O'ConnorKatie O'ConnorSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:3 Mar 2020https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2020.3a15AbstractThe $419,000 donation to the APA Foundation from the Howard and Bunny Wallach Fund will go toward programs aimed at advancing mental health awareness and access.The generous gift to the APA Foundation from the fund of long-time APA member Howard Wallach, M.D., and his wife, Bunny, will support programs aimed at ensuring minority and underserved populations have access to quality mental health care, says APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.A generous gift from the fund of a long-time APA member and his wife will support two APA Foundation programs for years to come.The Howard and Bunny Wallach Fund donated $419,000 to the Foundation last year. The gift, which was made in addition to years of donations from the couple, will fund the Foundation’s Helping Hands Grants Program and the Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health for at least four years.Howard Wallach, M.D., who died in 2013, practiced psychotherapy until 2010, according to his obituary, and served as president of the California Psychiatric Association. He was also one of the first members of the Foundation’s board of directors when it was established in 1990.“We are enormously grateful to the Howard and Bunny Wallach Fund for this considerate contribution, which will support two vital programs aimed at ensuring minority and underserved populations have access to quality mental health care,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., who is also chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Their kindness will directly benefit people with mental illness, whose voices may otherwise have gone unheard.”Established in 2003, the Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health recognize organizations that have taken innovative steps to raise awareness of mental illness in underserved and minority communities, increase access to care, and improve the quality of care for these populations. The awards include a $5,000 financial contribution. In 2019, six organizations were recognized.The Helping Hands Grants Program, which was created in 2005, provides grants of up to $5,000. The grants are given to medical schools so students can develop projects to address issues related to mental and substance use disorders, particularly in underserved and minority communities. Since the program began, grants have been awarded to 102 recipients.The Wallachs, who lived in Los Angeles, were extraordinarily charitable during their lifetimes, especially toward Jewish communities in Chicago and Los Angeles, and their fund has continued to support philanthropic activities in their memory. ■More information on the Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health is posted here. More information on the Helping Hands Grants Program is posted here. ISSUES NewArchived