Prevalence Rates Of Mental Illness Research Articles

Patterns of psychiatric morbidity among tribal patients in a tertiary referral hospital of Manipur

Background: The epidemiological data regarding the prevalence rate of mental illness among tribal population are silent in India, in spite of having the largest tribal population globally. There is limited knowledge of the actual mental morbidity among the tribal people of Manipur. The present study aims to document the patterns of psychiatric morbidity among the tribal inpatients and outpatients attending the psychiatry outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital in Manipur. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted in the present study. All adult tribal patients designated/notified as a tribal by the Government of Manipur residing at least 10 years in different parts of the state attending as outpatients or inpatients in the Department of Psychiatry, RIMS, Imphal during the study period were considered the study population of the present study. A total of 240 samples were collected through consecutive sampling method. Each prospective participant was explained about the study’s objectives, interviewing protocols, and confidentiality measures. Following the participant’s consent, a self-developed semi-structured pro forma and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for adults were used for data collection. Results: The present finding undoubtedly discovered that the highest percentage of tribal patients suffering from various types of psychiatric morbidity was found to be substance-use disorder (32%), followed by generalized anxiety disorder (25%), depression (14%), schizophrenia (12%), bipolar affective disorder (10%), and psychosis NOS (7%). Regarding various types of psychiatric morbidity with respect to the gender of tribal patients, no association was found between psychosis NOS (P = 0.779) and schizophrenia (P = 0.558), whereas generalized anxiety disorder (P = 0.001), depression (P = 0.031), and bipolar affective disorder (P = 0.007) were having an association between gender. Conclusion: It was determined that the most prevalent psychiatric morbidity among Manipur’s tribal patients was substance use disorder. In addition, it was stated that 72% of them had typical common mental disorders. Female tribal patients were more likely to experience psychiatric morbidity such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, whereas male tribal patients were more likely to experience opioid dependence syndrome, alcohol dependence syndrome, and cannabis-induced psychiatric disorders. The result of the study would help improve the clinical management and successful execution of mental health treatment initiatives in areas with a predominance of tribal people.

The relationships between perceived mental illness prevalence, mental illness stigma, and attitudes toward help-seeking.

Previous research suggests that, despite the commonality of mental illness in the United States, the majority of U.S. individuals with mental illness do not seek treatment. One important factor that contributes to this lack of treatment utilization is mental illness stigma. Such stigma may result, in part, from many individuals in the U.S. underestimating the prevalence of mental illness. To test whether this is the case, 638 adults from across the U.S. completed measures related to perceived prevalence of mental illness, private stigma, perceived public stigma, and help-seeking. Findings indicated participants significantly underestimated the given-year prevalence rate of mental illness. The perceived given-year prevalence rate was significantly correlated with lower private stigma and more positive attitudes towards help-seeking. Personal stigma significantly predicted attitudes towards help-seeking. Findings also suggested that individuals who have received mental health services have a higher perceived prevalence rate of mental illness, as well as lower levels of personal stigma and more positive attitudes towards help-seeking. These findings support the notion that helping the general public recognize the true prevalence rate of mental illness could reduce personal mental illness stigma and facilitate help-seeking behaviors. However, future experimental studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Barriers to accessing mental health services in Somali-Australian women: a qualitative study.

Despite the global prevalence of mental disorders being widely acknowledged, mental illness, complex trauma and the significant impact on individuals, families and communities continues to be poorly recognized, under‐diagnosed and underreported. Based on the 2017 Australian census, one‐in‐five (20%) people have experienced some type of mental illness within the last 12 months (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2019). The prevalence rate of mental illness in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities is difficult to estimate due to cultural and linguistic issues and underutilization of mental health services. In particular, little epidemiological data is available about the prevalence of mental illness in the Somali‐Australian community. The aim of this study was to identify the perceived barriers to help‐seeking for mental health for Somali‐Australian women. A qualitative descriptive study incorporating focus group discussions with 31 Somali‐Australian women was conducted in Melbourne, Australia. Braun & Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis was applied to the data. Four themes relating to help‐seeking barriers were abstracted. Influence of faith explored how Islam can impact the person views on mental illness. Stigma focused on the relationship between public and self‐stigma and help‐seeking. Mistrust of Western healthcare system describes the participants concerns about the cultural disconnect between the community and the Western healthcare system. Finally, denial of mental illness reflected the community views on mental health. This study provides an insight into the factors that influence the Somali‐Australian community help‐seeking with mental health services. The findings have implications for mental health professionals and the Somali‐Australian community.

Predictors of mental health services help-seeking behavior among university students

University students have a high prevalence rate of mental illness. Mental health services (MHS) are known to be effective but they are underutilized. To predict university students’ intention to se...

Application of Assessment Tools to Examine Mental Health in Workplaces: Job Stress and Depression.

Despite the fact that the lifetime and yearly prevalence rates of mental illness continue rising, such diseases have only been acknowledged as involved in workplace health issue since the 2000s. Additionally, while the number of recognized cases of mental illnesses is rather low compared to their prevalence, they have a high likelihood of causing significant problems, including fatalities. Many workers are terrified of losing their jobs due to mental illness and therefore attempt to hide their mental health problems. For this reason, clinicians involved in occupational and environmental medicine should focus on interviews or screenings to identify such hidden mental health problems. More specifically, it would be helpful to evaluate job stress and depression in workplaces to ensure appropriate preventive actions and thereby reduce the prevalence of mental illness. Job stress not only causes mental illness and dissatisfaction with work, but also can increase the prevalence and morbidity of medical diseases, as well as other physical health problems. Depression is a major contributor to work loss and absence with effects surpassing almost all of the chronic medical disorder. These facts show why measure of job stress and depression should be highlighted in the occupational settings. This article introduces a variety of assessment tools to examine mental health, particularly stress and depression, in workplaces. These tools can be used by clinicians or professionals involved in the mental health, occupational safety, or health service fields for running diagnostics or screening tests.

L’importance de la recherche épidémiologique psychiatrique sur les populations migrantes en France

The association between migration status, ethnic minority position and mental disorders is well established in many European countries. In France, although near 25% of the population is a first or second-generation migrant, epidemiological studies on their mental health are scarce. One reason for this is the lack of ethnic statistics in the French census, which contributes to the invisibility of immigrants’ descendants in quantitative investigation. Nevertheless, recent studies have been showing evidence of higher incidence and prevalence rates of mental illness, especially of psychosis, in this population (including internal migrants from the French overseas departments). Besides, psychosocial factors of vulnerability of mental illness in the French society are observed among migrant groups and their decedents. They experience more inequities in health and living conditions, social trajectories and access to resources than non-migrants. They also report day-to-day experience of discrimination interactions and experience of racism (related to skin color and origin). Therefore, more studies are needed to better know to what extent migration and ethnicity are associated to mental disorders in France and to better identify the correlates and the ethnic groups at higher risk in the French context.

Forensic mental health services: Current service provision and planning for a prison mental health service in the Eastern Cape.

ObjectivesNo research data exists on forensic psychiatric service provision in the Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa. The objective of this research was to assess current forensic psychiatric service provision and utilisation rates at Fort England Hospital. This is important in improving and strengthening the service. A related objective was to develop a model for a provincial prison mental health service.MethodologyThis study is a situational analysis of an existing forensic psychiatric service in the Eastern Cape. The design of the study was cross sectional. An audit questionnaire was utilised to collate quantitative data, which was submitted to Fort England Hospital, Grahamstown. A proposed prison mental health service was developed utilising prevalence rates of mental illness among prisoners to calculate bed and staff requirements for an ambulatory and in-patient service.ResultsDuring the study period a total of 403 remand detainees were admitted to the forensic psychiatry division of Fort England Hospital. The average length of stay was 494 days and the bed utilisation rate was determined at 203.54%. We estimate that to provide a provincial prison mental health service to treat psychotic illnesses and major depression the province requires a 52 bedded facility and a total staff complement of approximately 31.ConclusionsForensic psychiatric services include the assessment, management and treatment of mentally disordered persons in conflict with the law and prisoners requiring psychiatric assessments. The Eastern Cape Province does not have plans or policies to assess and manage mentally ill offenders, resulting in an increased load on available services. We recommend that an inter-departmental task team, which includes Health, Justice and Constitutional Development and Correctional Services, should be established in the province, to develop a strategy to assist in the development of an effective and efficient forensic psychiatric service. This should be driven by the provincial Department of Health.

Prevalence of Mental Illness in Inmates of District Jail of Etawah

This paper presents the prevalence rates of mental illness like schizophrenia and major affective disorders by age, substance abuse and nature of offence among male jail detainees. This study was aimed to study socio-demographic profile of prisoners of district jail and to find out the current prevalence of mental illness among prisoners. This study was carried out on total 1200 male prisoners in district jail of Etawah. We included only those prisoners who were clinically diagnosed as suffering from some mental health problem and were under psychiatric treatment for the same. Out of the total 1200 prisoners only 79 were found to be suffering from some sort of mental illness. A large part of mental morbidity was contributed by substance abuse and its related consequences. We have observed that most of the mentally disturbed individuals are involved in commission of violent offences. There could be a significant reduction in crime rates if such individuals were timely diagnosed and treated thus we recommend regular checkup of all prisoners by a psychiatrist for early diagnosis and treatment.

Preventing mental illness: closing the evidence-practice gap through workforce and services planning

BackgroundMental illness is prevalent across the globe and affects multiple aspects of life. Despite advances in treatment, there is little evidence that prevalence rates of mental illness are falling. While the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancers are common in the policy dialogue and in service delivery, the prevention of mental illness remains a neglected area. There is accumulating evidence that mental illness is at least partially preventable, with increasing recognition that its antecedents are often found in infancy, childhood, adolescence and youth, creating multiple opportunities into young adulthood for prevention. Developing valid and reproducible methods for translating the evidence base in mental illness prevention into actionable policy recommendations is a crucial step in taking the prevention agenda forward.MethodBuilding on an aetiological model of adult mental illness that emphasizes the importance of intervening during infancy, childhood, adolescence and youth, we adapted a workforce and service planning framework, originally applied to diabetes care, to the analysis of the workforce and service structures required for best-practice prevention of mental illness.ResultsThe resulting framework consists of 6 steps that include identifying priority risk factors, profiling the population in terms of these risk factors to identify at-risk groups, matching these at-risk groups to best-practice interventions, translation of these interventions to competencies, translation of competencies to workforce and service estimates, and finally, exploring the policy implications of these workforce and services estimates. The framework outlines the specific tasks involved in translating the evidence-base in prevention, to clearly actionable workforce, service delivery and funding recommendations.ConclusionsThe framework describes the means to deliver mental illness prevention that the literature indicates is achievable, and is the basis of an ongoing project to model the workforce and service structures required for mental illness prevention.

Therapeutic drug levels of second generation antipsychotics in youth: a systematic review.

In children and adolescents, the prevalence rate of mental illness is claimed to be as high as 10-20%. Effective pharmacological treatments are available for use in children, adolescents, and adults; however, most of what is known about the effects of these treatments has been confirmed in clinical studies involving adults only. Second generation antipsychotic drugs (SGAs) are the most common class of antipsychotic medication used in pediatric populations, and these drugs are increasingly being used for disorders other than psychosis. Many SGAs are routinely used in pediatric care, and the vast majority of use in this population is off label. Children, adolescents, and adults differ in age, weight, height, and metabolism, which may lead to pharmacokinetic differences in how drugs ultimately affect target tissues. The aim of this review is to summarize and evaluate the literature that investigated blood plasma levels of SGAs in youth. Plasma levels were assessed in relation to their administered dose, indication, and therapeutic range (if known). Studies were limited to those evaluating oral administration only. A systematic electronic database search for peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2013 was conducted. Twenty-one articles were included in the review. Additional articles for discussion were also included throughout the article. The only SGA that may require routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in youth given the current body of research is clozapine. Highly variable results were seen in studies of aripiprazole, olanzapine, and risperidone, indicating that more research is needed on plasma levels with these drugs. Quetiapine maintained a similar profile to that found in adults, with no dosage adjustments or indications of TDM. TDM may be indicated in any circumstance in which cytochrome P450 inhibitors or inducers are coprescribed. Further research is required for establishing a sounder safety profile for SGA use in the pediatric population.

National sample survey organization survey report: An estimation of prevalence of mental illness and its association with age in India.

Background:The Indian population suffers with significant burden of mental illness. The prevalence rate and its association with age and other demographic indicators are needed for planning purpose.Objective:This study attempted to calculate age-wise prevalence of mental illness for rural and urban settings, and its association with age.Materials and Methods:Data published in National Sample Survey Organization (2002) report on disability is used for the analysis. Spearman correlation for strength of association, z-test for difference in prevalence, and regression statistics for predicting the prevalence rate of mental illness are used.Result:Overall population have 14.9/1000 prevalence of mental illness. It is higher in rural setting 17.1/1000 than urban 12.7/1000 (P < 0.001). There is a strong correlation found with age in rural (ϱ = 0.910, P = 0.001) and urban (ϱ = 0.940, P = 0.001).Conclusion:Results of this study confirm other epidemiological research in India. Large-population epidemiological studies are recommended.

Community Based Survey on Psychiatric Morbidity in Eastern Nepal

Mental health problem is common and ubiquitous. Mental illness cuts across all sections of society, irrespective of socio-economic status. Recent international survey showed a varying prevalence rates ranged (4.7%- 12.0%). The Community study in Nepal yielded prevalence rate of mental illness at 14.0%. This is a descriptive, epidemiologic study with systematic randomization sampling. Of 911 respondents majority was married (76.1%), of age group 20-59 yrs. Overall, 113 (12.4%) respondents had at least one psychiatric disorder and the commonest were: Depression, Anxiety disorders, Alcohol use disorders with 1.9% had seizure/epilepsy. Community prevalence rate of some common psychiatric disorders is high which calls for special attention to address depressive and alcohol related disorder from all quarters of society particularly from government.

Ethnic differences in mental illness and mental health service use among Black fathers.

We have presented nationally representative data on the prevalence and correlates of mental illness and mental health service use among African American and Caribbean Black (US-born and foreign-born) fathers in the United States. We have reported national estimates of lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of mental illness, correlates, and service use among African American (n = 1254) and Caribbean Black (n = 633) fathers using data from the National Survey of American Life, a national household survey of Black Americans. We used bivariate cross-tabulations and Cox proportional hazards regression approaches and adjusted for the National Survey of American Life's complex sample design. The prevalence of mental illness, sociodemographic correlates, and service use among Black fathers varied by ethnicity and nativity. US-born Caribbean Black fathers had alarmingly high rates of most disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance disorders. Mental health service use was particularly low for African American and foreign-born Caribbean Black fathers. These results demonstrate the need for more research on the causes and consequences of mental illness and the help-seeking behavior of ethnically diverse Black fathers.

Asian American mental health: A call to action.

The U.S. Surgeon General's report Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity--A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001) was arguably the best single scholarly contribution on the mental health of ethnic minority groups in the United States. Over 10 years have now elapsed since its publication in 2001. This article highlights advances and illuminates gaps in the knowledge gained about the mental health and psychotherapeutic treatment of Asian Americans in the past decade. Though larger epidemiological surveys point to lower prevalence rates of mental illness in Asian Americans, further advances are needed in culturally valid assessment and quantification of cultural biases in symptom reporting in order to draw definitive conclusions about the state of Asian American mental health. A focus on prevalence in Asian Americans as a whole also shrouds important subgroup elevations such as heightened suicide risk in Asian elderly women or greater posttraumatic stress disorder in Southeast Asian refugees. Despite important developments in our knowledge about mental health prevalence, help-seeking behaviors, and culturally competent treatments for Asian Americans, it appears that troublingly low rates of service utilization still remain even when one accounts for the seemingly low prevalence rates among Asian Americans. Some progress has been made in the cultural adaptations of psychotherapy treatments for Asian Americans. In order to reduce mental health care disparities, greater efforts are needed to provide outreach at the community level and to bridge the gap between mental health and other medical or alternative health facilities. We call for innovation and provide recommendations to address these issues in the next decade.

Testing the Validity of the K6 in Detecting Major Depression and PTSD Among Jailed Women

Despite high prevalence rates of mental illness, jails often lack validated measures for detecting it, and many of the screening instruments used do not adequately identify depression and trauma-related disorders in women. The authors assessed the validity of the K6 in identifying major depression and PTSD among 515 jailed women, comparing it to two valid and reliable screening tools, the PHQ-9 and the Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV PTSD. The K6 identified 37% of women as having serious mental illness using the customary cut score of 13, with an ROC-AUC value of .92 in detecting major depression or PTSD. However, this cut score misclassified a substantial proportion of women; therefore, a modification of this score may be warranted. Lowering this cut score would increase the number of women identified but may be justified by incarcerated women’s high rates of exposure to trauma and the consequences of unmet mental health needs.

Psychiatric Epidemiology of the Elderly Population in Chile

Little attention has been given to the prevalence rate of mental illness among elderly adults in Latin America. The prevalence rates for psychiatric disorders in Chile among those 65 and older compared with younger individuals, and the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders among those age 75 and older are presented. A stratified random sample of 2,659 individuals. Four provinces representative of the Chile's population were surveyed. Adults age 15 and older were interviewed; however, the analysis is limited to those over age 20. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered to obtain Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-R diagnoses. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were estimated. Of the 2,659 interviewed 352 were over age 64. Overall, elderly adults had lower prevalence rates of lifetime disorders than the younger population, 20% in comparison with 34%. Dysthymia, agoraphobia, simple phobia, and alcohol dependence disorders were noted to be less common among elderly subjects. Those over the age of 64 in comparison with those over the age of 74 had higher prevalence rates of disorders. A sizable proportion of the disorders among older adults began after the age of 59. One third of elderly respondents with major depression had a late onset disorder. Service utilization was similar between elderly individuals and younger respondents, except for use of specialized psychiatric services, which was lower among elderly adults. Both lifetime and 1-year prevalence of mental disorders were less common in older than in younger persons; however, among elderly adults late onset disorders were not uncommon. Additional studies of the prevalence rates of disorders among older individuals in Latin America are needed for public health planning.

Examining Relationships Between Receiving Mental Health Services in the Pennsylvania Prison System and Time Served

This study examined a cohort of 7,046 men who were released from the Pennsylvania State prison system between 1999 and 2002 to Philadelphia County to assess the relationships between receipt of mental health services in prison and prison exit. Administrative data on prison stays for 7,046 men released from Pennsylvania prisons to Philadelphia locations were analyzed. Of the 7,046 men, 8.7% received ongoing or intensive mental health services and 25.9% received mental health services while incarcerated. Multivariate analyses indicate that use of mental health services was positively associated with increased odds of serving the full prison sentence (as opposed to receiving parole), although the relationship between mental health services received and length of prison episode was inconclusive. Dynamics related to prison release warrant further attention in efforts to reduce the prevalence of mental illness in prisons and to facilitate community reentry for persons so diagnosed.

A population view of mental illness in South Australia: broader issues than location

There is growing evidence in Australia and elsewhere to indicate that prevalence rates of mental illness are no higher in rural and remote areas than in urban areas. However, it is generally perceived that people from rural and remote areas are at heightened risk of mental illness, because many psychosocial determinants of health are magnified by factors related to remoteness. In this study we attempt to unpack the factors guiding prevalence rates of mental illness to determine if remoteness per se is an important determinant of mental illness. Analysis of data from a cross-sectional, population-based, computer-assisted telephone interview survey in 2000. Respondents included 2545 South Australian adults, aged 18 years or more. The mental illness measure was self-reported, medically confirmed depression, anxiety or stress related problems in the previous 12 months and receiving treatment. Remoteness was determined using the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA). Psychosocial measures consisted of major stressful life events, perceived control of life events, socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviours. Unadjusted odds of mental illness were lower among residents of accessible and remote/very remote areas than for those from highly accessible areas (OR [odds ratio] 0.67, 95% CI 0.50-0.91 and OR 0.73, 0.54-1.00). After controlling for the joint effects of stressful life events, perceived control of life events, socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors, odds of mental illness did not vary by ARIA category (highly accessible [reference category]; accessible: OR 0.90 95% CI 0.60-1.31; moderately accessible: OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.45-1.43; remote/very remote: OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.44-1.03). The most important predictors of mental illness in the multivariate logistic model were female sex; smoking; low consumption of vegetables; low exercise; a physical condition; perceived lack of control with life in general, personal life, job security or health; and major stressful events such as family or domestic violence and the death of someone close. Remoteness per se was not associated with mental illness, either directly or indirectly, as an important confounder in stressful life event/mental illness associations. Psychosocial factors were more important determinants of mental illness.

Psychiatric, demographic and personality characteristics of elderly sex offenders.

Psychiatric disorders are purported to play a role in the aetiology of violent crime, but evidence for their role in sexual offending is less clear. The authors investigated the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and personality disorders in elderly incarcerated sex offenders compared with elderly non-sex offenders. One hundred and one sex offenders and 102 non-sex offenders aged over 59 years wereinterviewed using standardized semi-structured interviews for psychiatric illness (the Geriatric Mental State) and the personality disorder (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV personality disorders). Data on demographic, offence and victim characteristics were collected. Six per cent of the elderly sex offenders had a psychotic illness, 7% a DSM-IV major depressive episode and 33% a personality disorder; and 1% had dementia. These prevalence figures were not different from the elderly non-sex offenders interviewed in this study. Differences emerged at the level of personality traits with sex offenders having more schizoid, obsessive-compulsive, and avoidant traits, and fewer antisocial traits compared with non-sex offenders. Elderly sex offenders and non-sex-offenders have similar prevalence rates of mental illness. However, elderly sex offenders have increased schizoid, obsessive-compulsive, and avoidant personality traits, supporting the view that sex offending in the elderly is associated more with personality factors than mental illness or organic brain disease.

Mental health in primary care. An epidemiological study of morbidity and use of health resources.

The main objectives of the survey were: (a) to analyse the sociological, clinical and illness-related correlates of mental illness in primary care; (b) to study, during one-year follow-up, outcome and use of health resources. The survey comprised a two-phase cross-sectional study. In the first phase patients were classified using the GHQ-28 or by the general practitioner (GP). In the second phase they were assessed by the SCAN system. The prevalence rate of mental illness (in attenders) using the GHQ was 33.2%. The corresponding rate for the GP was 14.1%, and for the SCAN 31.5%. Mental illness mainly comprised depression, anxiety and alcohol-related diagnoses. The presence of mental illness and the use of health resources during follow-up were dependent on demographic characteristics and on their original psychiatric status. In primary care, mental illness constitutes a major health problem. Despite this fact, GPs do not recognise a substantial proportion of these health problems.