Mental Health Outcomes Research Articles

Effects of Mindfulness Training on Teachers’ Expectations and Experiences Regarding Their Mental Health and Mindfulness/Prosocial Competencies

Abstract Objectives In this qualitative study, we explored Dutch secondary vocational schoolteachers’ prior expectations of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training. We report on their short- and long-term experiences regarding mental health outcomes and personal or mindfulness/prosocial competencies. Method Between September 2016 and June 2020, we interviewed 32 teachers participating in a cluster randomised controlled trial prior to partaking in a MBSR training (T0); 27, immediately after the training (T1); and 16, 9 months after finishing the training (T3). No interviews were held on T2, 3 months after finishing the training. Qualitative data was analysed using directed content analysis. Results Analysis of the data at T0 resulted in five themes regarding the participants’ prior expectations related to the MBSR training. Data analysis at T1 and T3 resulted in 10 themes regarding their experiences, four of which were the same as at T0: one mental health outcome (i.e. stress and unpleasant feelings) and three personal competencies (i.e. being in the present, taking distance, and recognising and changing dysfunctional patterns). The fifth "other" theme at T0 was knowledge of mindfulness and of mindfulness skills. Six additional themes emerged related to a new mental health outcome (i.e. inner calmness and pleasant feelings) and five personal competencies (i.e. being aware, concentration, acceptance and non-judgment, communicating, and showing compassion towards yourself and others). Conclusion Our results suggest that MBSR can reduce teachers’ stress, increase inner calmness, and foster mindfulness and prosocial competencies. Preregistration The trial was registered with the Dutch Trial Register (www.trialregister.nl): NL5581 (July 2016).

COVID-19 Anxiety and Mental Health in Healthcare Workers: Examining the Role of Compassion Fatigue During the Last Wave of the Pandemic

Objective Pandemics have been shown to affect both physical and mental health, with healthcare workers (HCWs) bearing a particularly heavy burden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs faced a high volume of cases, extended work hours, and heightened pandemic-related stressors, which placed them at increased risk for mental health issues. This study examines the effects of COVID-19-related anxiety on HCWs’ mental health, specifically exploring the roles of compassion fatigue (comprising burnout and secondary traumatic stress) as potential mediators in this relationship. Method A sample of 104 HCWs completed an online survey measuring their demographic characteristics (such as gender, age, length of service, marital status, and education), levels of COVID-19 anxiety, compassion fatigue, and mental health outcomes. Path analysis and bootstrapping procedures were used to analyze the data. Results Results indicated that COVID-19 anxiety was positively associated with compassion fatigue, defined as the emotional strain of caring for others, which includes both burnout (emotional exhaustion from work) and secondary traumatic stress (stress from exposure to others’ trauma). Compassion fatigue, particularly secondary traumatic stress, mediated the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and various mental health indicators, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Both COVID-19 anxiety and compassion fatigue were significant predictors of these mental health outcomes. Conclusions These findings suggest that COVID-19 anxiety alone does not fully explain mental health outcomes among HCWs, as compassion fatigue, specifically secondary traumatic stress, plays a substantial role. Recognizing the complex interplay of pandemic-related stressors and compassion fatigue may guide interventions to better support HCWs’ mental health.

Debate: Where to next for universal school-based mental health interventions? Time to move towards more effective alternatives.

There is an urgent need to improve mental health outcomes among young people. One approach taken to address this problem has been the design and delivery of universal school-based prevention, based on therapeutic models such as CBT and mindfulness. Such interventions are delivered to groups of young people, irrespective of risk or need. However, in this commentary, we argue that the initial appeal of universal interventions has not been supported by the evidence: universal school-based prevention is less effective than targeted approaches, often leads to null or unsustained positive effects, has the potential to elicit negative effects and is not well liked by young people themselves. In addition, many young people in each classroom already meet the criteria for a mental disorder, meaning that prevention approaches may not be appropriate or effective for this group. In this commentary, we respond to Birrell etal.'s (2025) paper by arguing that the field should move away from universal prevention and instead invest our limited resources in the refinement and dissemination of interventions with a stronger evidence base, such as one-to-one, targeted and indirect approaches.

A challenge to identity: Identity processing style and moral injury.

Moral injury is a potentially deleterious mental health outcome that can result from exposure to morally challenging events. Treatment of moral injury is currently hindered by incomplete understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Theories of adaptation posit that maintaining a coherent sense of self while realigning one's sense of self with reality aids in adaptation following a disruptive life event. Differences in identity processing style are thought to impact the extent to which an individual engages with the challenges of maintaining a coherent sense of self following identity-related challenges. However, little is known about how identity processing style relates to moral injury event-related distress. This study sought to investigate a hypothesized relationship between identity processing style and event-related distress as well as alternative outcomes including traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. Adults (N = 167) who had been exposed to a potentially morally injurious event were recruited online and completed validated measures of event-related distress, traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and identity processing style. There were significant positive associations between diffuse-avoidant processing and all mental health outcomes, no significant associations between informational processing and any mental health outcomes, and significant negative associations between normative processing and event-related distress and depression.

Understanding university students' experiences of sitting while studying at home: A qualitative study.

University students are typically highly sedentary, which is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Attempts to understand university students' sedentary behaviour have typically focused on on-campus teaching and learning activities. While such research has documented that students perceive studying as one of the main barriers to reducing sedentary behaviour, there is little understanding of how and why studying incurs sitting, especially during home-based studying. We investigated how students' experience sitting when studying at home. Fourteen UK undergraduates (10 female; mean age = 20 years) participated in semi-structured interviews that explored their experiences, beliefs, and attitudes regarding sitting while studying at home. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four themes were constructed, focusing on knowledge and attitudes towards sitting, prioritisation of study tasks, sitting as an integral part of the study environment, and sitting as part of the optimal mental 'zone'. Whilst participants demonstrated awareness of the potential health risks associated with prolonged sitting they prioritised productivity when studying at home and believed that interrupting their sitting would compromise productivity, making home-based studying particularly conducive to sedentary behaviour. These findings suggest that intervention designers should more explicitly consider the home environment when aiming to reduce student sedentary behaviour and should seek to reduce sitting in a way that promotes, or at least does not interfere with, productivity.

Teachers as Catalysts for Change: Advocating Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education

The main focus of this qualitative study is to explore secondary school teachers' perceptions of their roles in supporting adolescent mental health in classrooms, emphasizing the need to empower them as agents of change. Semi-structured interviews with teachers from twelve secondary schools were conducted, offering deep insights into their experiences and perceptions. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic analysis, highlighting key themes: understanding adolescent development, the expanding role of teachers, the role of other support systems, and barriers to effective mental health intervention. Themes emphasize the interplay of teacher roles and the needed institutional support for addressing mental health. Teachers recognize their unique position to influence adolescents' mental health positively but are often underprepared and unsupported due to a variety of factors. The study recommends developing comprehensive training programs for mental health teachers and comprehensive school support systems. It also highlights the importance of a collaborative approach that includes parents, mental health professionals, and community organizations to strengthen the support network for adolescents. For policymakers and educational leaders, the research suggests strategies that empower teachers as frontline advocates for mental health in schools. With an emphasis on the integral role of teachers, this study contributes to the ongoing discussion about improving mental health outcomes in schools.

Trauma and Risk of Adverse Mental Health Outcomes in Women

Trauma and Risk of Adverse Mental Health Outcomes in Women

The moderation effect of mental health services use on the relationship between exposures to adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes among US adolescents.

The prevailing exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among youth is associated with adolescents' mental health. However, few studies have examined whether receiving help from mental health services affects mental health outcomes among adolescents with ACEs. Therefore, this study examines the moderated effects of mental health services use on the relationship between exposures to ACEs and mental health outcomes among US adolescents. The sample was restricted to adolescents aged 11-17 using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2019, 2021, and 2022. Multivariate logistic regressions and descriptive analyses were performed to estimate the moderation effect of mental health services use. Using mental health services buffered the associations between ACEs and severe anxiety and depressive symptoms. Receiving counseling/therapy moderated the impact of ever living with an individual who had severe anxiety (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR: 0.58, p < .05) and depressive symptoms (AOR: 0.38, p < .01) among adolescents. Furthermore, counseling/therapy moderated the effect of ever living with an individual with a history of alcohol or drug abuse on severe depressive symptoms (AOR: 0.49, p < .05) and the effect of being a victim or witness of violence on severe anxiety symptoms (AOR: 0.45, p < .01). In addition, taking prescription medication moderated the effect of the experience of incarcerated family members on severe anxiety symptoms (AOR: 0.41, p < .05). Our findings suggest that policy and practice need to encourage access to mental health care for vulnerable adolescents with ACEs to reduce the detrimental effect of their experiences on their mental health problems.

Intensive Narrative Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A 1-Week Intervention.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with some of the poorest mental and physical health outcomes. There is often high dropout from treatment for PTSD, especially among those who have experienced chronic or multiple traumatic events. One increasingly popular PTSD treatment delivery model targeting treatment retention is intensive treatment delivery. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is an exposure-based PTSD treatment designed to address multiple trauma exposures, but NET has not been systematically delivered in an intensive brief format. The current study aimed to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of intensively delivered NET to a highly traumatized sample (HI-NET). A trauma-exposed clinical sample (n = 8; range of lifetime traumatic events: 5-15; 100% endorsed history of interpersonal violence; mean age = 46; 87% White) participated in daily NET sessions for 1 week. Participants completed self-report measures assessing PTSD, depressive, and dissociation symptoms as well as trauma-related cognitions at baseline, 1 week posttreatment, and 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up timepoints. HI-NET was feasible, with all participants attending all sessions. Participants reported high levels of acceptability and satisfaction. Participants showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms (≥12 points on the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 [PCL-5]) from baseline (M = 49.00, SD = 16.34) through 6-month assessment (M = 24.29, SD = 16.89, g =1.88). Depressive symptoms, the frequency and intensity of dissociative symptoms, and dysfunctional trauma-related cognitions all significantly decreased alongside PTSD symptoms. This is the first investigation of an intensive delivery of NET, an evidence-based treatment for PTSD that can target multiple traumatic events. After only six sessions delivered to a highly traumatized sample, there was a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms that remained decreased over time. HI-NET is feasible, acceptable, and efficacious, yet larger clinical trials with more diverse samples are needed.

Activist burnout in No Borders: The case of a highly diverse movement.

Activist burnout is a common threat to activists' personal sustainability and to a movement's effectiveness. Compared to related fields such as humanitarian aid or social work we know relatively little about mental health risks in activists or how a specific activist environment may contribute to mental health outcomes. This study examines the case of the No Borders movement in Europe, a grassroots movement fighting for migrant rights. The movement's groups are highly diverse in terms of nationality, ethnicity, culture, and religion because they are composed of refugees, migrants, and local populations. Following the vulnerability-stress-model, the article asks: which specific stressors occur in the No Borders movement? The analysis is exploratory and based on ethnographic research and qualitative interviews (N = 26). Situational Analysis (SitA) shows that: a) activists have to navigate a complex environment in which radical grassroots activism meets humanitarian emergencies, and b) in dealing with diversity and intergroup conflicts they are under pressure to live up to their political ideals. These insights led to the identification of three stressors: prefigurative betrayal, inadequate expectations, and split of life-worlds. Understanding these stressors can contribute to informing preventive measures in No Borders and in other migrant or antiracist movements.

Institutional courage attenuates the association between institutional betrayal and trauma symptoms among campus sexual assault survivors.

When an institution fails to fulfill its obligations to prevent violence from occurring or to respond adequately to violence, it commits institutional betrayal, which can compound a survivor's distress. One proposed strategy to reduce the harm caused by institutional betrayal is institutional courage, which involves supportive and transparent institutional actions that prioritize the needs of institutional members. The objective of the present study is to examine the unique relationships between the theoretical constructs of institutional betrayal, institutional courage, and trauma-related mental health outcomes among campus sexual assault survivors within one university institution. Self-report questionnaire data were collected from a sample of campus sexual assault survivors enrolled at a large, public university in the Pacific Northwest (N = 85). There were no statistically significant bivariate relationships among institutional betrayal, institutional courage, and trauma symptoms. Consistent with hypotheses, institutional courage moderated the relationship between institutional betrayal and trauma symptoms. Institutional betrayal was positively related to trauma symptoms among students who reported low and moderate levels of institutional courage, but institutional betrayal was no longer linked to trauma symptoms among students who reported high levels of institutional courage. This finding suggests that institutional courage may attenuate the negative influence of institutional betrayal. Overall, institutional courage may be a helpful approach to combat the harms of both sexual violence and institutional betrayal. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mortality trends in suicide among pediatric and adolescent patients aged 15–24 years in Mississippi, 2012–2022

AbstractDue to the lack of studies examining suicide trends and its implications on pediatric populations, this study aimed to address the gap in research and to identify the magnitude and the impact of suicide by exploring trends in suicide among Mississippians from 2012 to 2022. The study uses data from the Mississippi Statistically Automated Health Resource System, which is an online database with data collected from vital statistics. Joinpoint regression models were used to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) as an indicator of trends. The overall age‐adjusted suicide rate increased from 9.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2012 to 10.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 for pediatric and adolescent patients aged 15–24 years (14.9% increase). There are upward trends for females (AAPC, 6.33%, 95% CI, −0.82%–16.82%), Blacks (AAPC, 7.72%, 95% CI, 2.19%–16.47%), and other races (AAPC, 7.59%, 95% CI, −0.83%–21.47%). Males had a downward trend from 2015 to 2022 (APC, −1.46%, 95 CI, −14.05%–1.35%). Whites also had a downward trend from 2017 to 2022 (APC, 4.74%, 95% CI, −15.42% to −0.96%). This study identified an overall increase in suicide. However, trends varied by gender, race, and age. Based on the findings, Mississippi needs more initiatives aimed toward equitable prevention of suicide among youth and the implementation of gun control policies. By implementing these measures, Mississippi could tremendously benefit and improve mental health outcomes and reduce suicide within the state.

Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines among rural middle-aged and older adults in South Africa: prevalence, antecedents, and consequences on mental health outcomes

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of this study was to look into the prevalence, correlates, and mental health effects of middle-aged and older adults in South Africa meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines (HMG). Methods We analyzed data (N = 5059, aged 40 years and older) from A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa, Health and Ageing in Africa (HAALSI, conducted in 2014/2015). Measures included demographics, activity limitations, depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loneliness, happiness, and self-reported 24-HMG defined as follows: 150 minutes or more of physical activity per week; 480 minutes or less of sedentary time; 180 minutes or less of screen time; 7-9 hours of sleep for those aged 40–64; and 7-8 hours of sleep for those aged 65 and over. The relationship between self-rated mental health (e.g. measured using the CES-D 8-item version) and meeting the 24-HMG number was investigated using logistic regression models. Results The percentages of participants who adhered to none, one, and two movement guidelines were 10.9%, 29.7%, and 37.9%, respectively, whereas only 21.5% of participants met all three 24-HMG. Participants who were older, were South African, and had functional disabilities were less likely to meet all three 24-HMG. In adjusted analysis, compared with meeting all 3 24-HMG, all participants and male participants who met fewer 24-HMG were more likely to report depressive symptoms, PTSD and less likely to report happiness, and all participants, male and female participants who met fewer 24-HMG were more likely to report loneliness. Conclusions This is the first study to look at the prevalence, correlates, and relationships between 24-HMG adherence and mental health outcomes among older adults in Africa. The results highlight how critical it is to encourage senior citizens in South Africa to engage in healthy movement behaviors. Future mental health interventions for older adults should focus on improving their overall movement behaviors while taking demographic differences into account.

The relationship between intersectional discrimination and mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ Asians in New York City: an exploratory, mixed-methods study

ABSTRACT LGBTQ+ Asians face increased mental health risks due to intersectional discrimination and minority stress. This mixed-methods study examined associations between minority stress, intersectional discrimination, and mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ Asians. Between 2022 and 2023, 136 LGBTQ+ Asian residents of New York City were surveyed. Adjusted logistic regression models compared the odds of clinically-significant depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicide risk by self-reported measures of discriminatory experiences towards LGBTQ+ Asians. A subsample of 24 individuals completed semi-structured interviews in English, and thematic content analysis was utilised to understand contextual factors and discriminatory experiences influencing mental health. Individuals experiencing higher levels of everyday discrimination had increased odds of reporting clinically-significant depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and high suicide risk. Individuals experiencing higher levels of racialised and LGBTQ-related microaggressions had increased odds of reporting clinically-significant depressive and anxiety symptoms. Interviews revealed themes including social isolation, anticipated stigma attributed to discriminatory experiences within LGBTQ+ and Asian communities, and pervasive impacts of racial and LGBTQ+ discrimination on mental health. These findings underscore mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ Asians associated with varying levels of discrimination and targeted microaggressions. More research is needed to understand the causal mechanisms by which intersectional discrimination impacts LGBTQ+ Asians’ mental health.

COMT Val158Met polymorphism protects the impact of a mother's history of childhood trauma on emotional and behavioural problems in preschool children.

Childhood trauma has a well-established negative impact on mental health outcomes across the lifespan. Cumulative evidence suggests an intergenerational transmission of trauma to descendants. In this way, considering the child's COMT Val158Met (rs4680: G > A) variant, the study aims to investigate the interactive effect of maternal childhood trauma on the emotional/behavioural problems of their offspring in preschoolers age (4-5 and 11 years old) from a population-based dyad of pregnant adolescent women. The behaviour problems of 310 children were assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) instrument, and maternal trauma was assessed with the Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) between the 20 to 22° gestational weeks. Maternal childhood trauma increases the risk for all emotional/behavioural problems in the offspring, and no direct association between the child's Val158Met genotypes with emotional/behavioural problems. Interestingly, in moderation analysis adjusted by sex, age and skin colour, children of mothers exposed to childhood trauma, carrying the Val/Met genotype, are less likely to develop externalising (p = .020) and total problems (p = .041) when compared to homozygous (Val/Val and Met/Met). Thus, our findings reinforce evidence on the intergenerational impact of maternal trauma on emotional/behavioural problems and demonstrate that this risk is influenced by the genetic background of the individual, varying according to the functional COMT genotype, which confers a protective profile for the development of externalising and total problems.

Childhood risk factors and clinical and service outcomes in adulthood in people with intellectual disabilities.

Adults with intellectual disability experience increased rates of mental health disorders and adverse mental health outcomes. Explore childhood risk factors associated with adverse mental health outcomes during adulthood as defined by high cost of care, use of psychotropic medication without a severe mental illness and psychiatric hospital admissions. Data on 137 adults with intellectual disability were collected through an intellectual disability community service in an inner London borough. Childhood modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors were extracted from records to map onto variables identified as potential risk factors. Logistic and linear regression models were employed to analyse their associations with adverse outcomes. We showed that the co-occurrence of intellectual disability with autism spectrum disorder and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were associated with psychotropic medication use and high-cost care packages. However, when challenging behaviour during childhood was added, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder were no longer significant and challenging behaviour better explained medication prescribing and higher cost care. In addition, the severity of intellectual disability was associated with higher cost care packages. Ethnicity (Black and mixed) also predicted higher cost of care. Challenging behaviour during childhood emerged as a critical variable affecting outcomes in young adulthood and mediated the association between adult adverse mental health outcomes and co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions, that is, ADHD and autism. These findings emphasise the need for effective early intervention strategies to address challenging behaviour during childhood. Such interventions for challenging behaviour will need to take into consideration autism and ADHD.

Trends and factors associated with depression among adults in the United States

&lt;b&gt;Purpose&lt;/b&gt;: Examine the trends and risk factors of depression among adults in the USA.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods: &lt;/b&gt;The national health interview survey (NHIS) data were analyzed. NHIS early release data provided the prevalence of depression from 2019 to 2022. We assessed depression covariates using SPSS 29.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results: &lt;/b&gt;The prevalence of depression decreased from 4.7% in 2019 to 4.5% in 2020, before rising to 5% in 2022. Of 31,536 participants in 2022 NHIS, 51.7% were female and 40% were 26 to 49 years old. Logistic regression showed that being female, obese and having diabetes and lower level of education as well as smoking cigarettes were significantly associated with higher levels of depression. Conversely, being married and aged 60 years&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; were significantly associated with lower likelihood of depression.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/b&gt;The decrease trends of depression at the onset the pandemic underscores the needs for further study. Targeted public health strategies and collaborative efforts are essential to mitigate depression’s impact and improve mental health outcomes.

Understanding risk factors for perinatal distress in Syrian refugee mothers: insights from Lebanon.

The perinatal period is a critical phase in a woman's life, marked by unique mental health challenges. This study focuses on Syrian mothers in Lebanon, a vulnerable population often exposed to displacement and conflict-related stressors. The aim is to identify risk factors for perinatal distress, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among Syrian mothers within one year of giving birth. Data collection included quantitative assessments using the Refugee Health Screener-13 (RHS-13), and qualitative insights from in-depth interviews. The assessment period was extended to cover the year following childbirth to provide a broader perspective on perinatal distress. The study revealed significant risk factors, specifically a history of mental illness and chronic disease. While maternal age and number of children were considered potential risk factors, they were not statistically significant in the quantitativeanalysis but were highlighted in the qualitative interviews. This research offers valuable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and organizations working with Syrian refugee women in Lebanon. Addressing these risk factors can improve mental health outcomes for perinatal women affected by war and displacement, underscoring the need for proactive mental health screening during pregnancy and postpartum.

Recruitment Feasibility for a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of Animal-Assisted Intervention for Hospitalized Older Adults

This study evaluated the feasibility of recruiting hospitalized older adults into a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing an animal-assisted intervention (AAI) involving visits from therapy dogs with an active control (conversation with a volunteer) and treatment as usual (TU) for addressing health and mental health outcomes. Recruitment occurred on acute care hospital units and a long-term physical rehabilitation facility. Feasibility data included the number of recruitment contacts, recruitment rate, and reasons for non-enrollment. The recruitment pool included 1124 patients; the recruitment rate was 4.8% (n = 54). This study explored the difficulties inherent in recruiting medically ill, hospitalized older adults for an RCT of hospital-based therapy dog visits. We believe this is the first RCT of its kind to evaluate the feasibility of recruiting this population for an animal-assisted intervention. Although the intervention was well received, older adults’ illnesses presented significant barriers to study enrollment. Strategies for improving the recruitment of hospitalized older adults for RCTs are discussed.

Gender, Mental Health Stigma, and Help-Seeking in Arabic- and Swahili-Speaking Communities in Australia

Australia is an ethnically diverse nation with large numbers of migrants and refugees entering the country yearly. Despite research demonstrating that individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities experience an elevated risk of developing a mental illness, mental health services uptake is consistently low. To improve the mental health outcomes of these CaLD individuals in Australia, there is an urgent need to understand barriers to treatment, such as stigma. Research has noted that gender may play a role in mental health stigma and help-seeking. Using a qualitative approach as part of the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project, the aim of this study was to explore gender perspectives in mental health stigma and help-seeking among Arabic-speaking and Swahili-speaking individuals in Sydney. A total of five focus group discussions and 18 interviews were undertaken online using Zoom, digitally recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Three major themes were identified. The first theme related to stigma and the fears regarding mental illness being discovered by others. The second theme related to the different approaches to confronting stigma. The last theme related to the various issues considered when identifying sources of help. Our findings suggest that a nuanced approach using the ‘what matters most’ framework can explain how men and women within each community may experience stigma and emphasise different aspects of help-seeking. These findings can help to guide clinical practitioners in delivering gender-specific and culturally sensitive and effective treatment sessions with these CaLD individuals, in addition to offering directions for stigma-reduction initiatives.