Rates Of Mental Health Disorders Research Articles

Initial Outcomes of Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Tailored to Public Safety Personnel: Longitudinal Observational Study.

BackgroundCanadian public safety personnel (PSP) experience high rates of mental health disorders and face many barriers to treatment. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) overcomes many such barriers, and is effective for treating depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.ObjectiveThis study was designed to fill a gap in the literature regarding the use of ICBT tailored specifically for PSP. We examined the effectiveness of a tailored ICBT program for treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms among PSP in the province of Saskatchewan.MethodsWe employed a longitudinal single-group open-trial design (N=83) with outcome measures administered at screening and at 8 weeks posttreatment. Data were collected between December 5, 2019 and September 11, 2020. Primary outcomes included changes in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Secondary outcomes included changes in functional impairment; symptoms of panic, social anxiety, and anger; as well as treatment satisfaction, working alliance, and program usage patterns.ResultsClients reported large symptom reductions on measures of depression and anxiety, as well as moderate reductions on measures of PTSD and secondary symptoms, except for social anxiety. Most clients who reported symptoms above clinical cut-offs on measures of depression, anxiety, and PTSD during screening experienced clinically significant symptom reductions. Results suggested good engagement, treatment satisfaction, and working alliance.ConclusionsTailored, transdiagnostic ICBT demonstrated promising outcomes as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD among Saskatchewan PSP and warrants further investigation.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT04127032; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04127032

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Transgender Patients Presenting for Gender-Affirming Care

BackgroundThe transgender population is rapidly growing in the United States and abroad. Transgender men and women are marginalized as a result of their transgender status, with resultant health repercussions. This and other factors such as increased substance use, mental health disorders, violence, and chronic stress may place transgender individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, many transgender patients pursue gender-affirming hormone therapy, which has been linked to increased rates of some cardiovascular events such as metabolic syndrome, venous thromboembolism, and stroke. Despite the likelihood of elevated cardiovascular risk in this population, there is a paucity of published data about the cardiovascular risk of this population. MethodsWe present baseline cardiovascular data from a transgender population at a large tertiary care center prior to the initiation of hormone therapy. ResultsThe described transgender population had much higher rates of mental health disorders and substance use than the general population. Furthermore, there were high rates of undiagnosed and untreated comorbidities, such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, that increase risk for cardiovascular disease. Baseline risk assessment using the ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) and QRISK3 calculators showed higher-than-expected cardiovascular risk, particularly given the young age of our patient population. ConclusionsTransgender individuals are at high baseline cardiovascular risk. These data help fill some important knowledge gaps in this patient subgroup, and provide us with much-needed data to help guide our management and counseling of individuals seeking this type of care.

Coping With the COVID-19 Pandemic: Examining Gender Differences in Stress and Mental Health Among University Students

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a wide variety of unprecedented challenges, many of which appear to be disproportionately affecting the mental health and well-being of young adults. While there is evidence to suggest university students experience high rates of mental health disorders, less is known about the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student mental health and how they are coping with this stress. To address this gap, we conducted an online study among undergraduate students (n = 366) to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academics, social isolation, and mental health, as well as the extent to which they have been implementing a variety of coping strategies. The pandemic had a more pronounced negative effect on female students' academics, social isolation, stress and mental health compared to male counterparts. Moreover, for females, frequent use of social media as a coping mechanism was associated with greater perceived negative impacts on their academic performance and stress levels, compared to males. However, frequent social media use related to similar negative mental health effects for both males and females. While male and female students both reported using substances to cope, for males the use of cannabis was associated with greater negative impacts on academic outcomes, stress and mental health compared to females. These findings highlight the need for adequate student support services across the post-secondary sector, and point to the importance of gender informed interventions to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Development, item analysis, and initial reliability and validity of three forms of a multiple-choice mental health literacy assessment for college students (MHLA-c)

Despite increasing rates of mental health disorders among college students, there are a limited number of validated mental health literacy measures that can be quickly administered and scored in this population. We developed a 54-item multiple-choice measure, consisting of three forms with 18 items on each form. Our items focus on knowledge of more than 20 mental health disorders including their etiology, risk factors, diagnoses, symptoms, treatment, course, and outcome, as well as the application of this knowledge to real world situations. Data were collected on three independent samples of undergraduate students enrolled at an urban public university system in the northeast United States: pilot (n=292), test refinement (n=1,272), and validation (n=683). Basic demographics for the combined test refinement and validation samples were: age=22 ± 4.9 years; 62.2% female; 71.7% non-White. We report on the development of the Mental Health Literacy Assessment-college (MHLA-c) and provide support for its reliability and validity. We also provide descriptive statistics, stratified by gender, college major, and personal experience with a mental health issue to enable its use in diverse settings. The MHLA-c may be useful in measuring knowledge of mental health disorders and related topics among college students. Moreover, the availability of parallel forms will facilitate its use within educational or interventional studies that employ pre-post testing designs.

Sex and Mental Health Disorder Differences Among Military Service Members With Patellofemoral Syndrome.

Mental health disorders are associated with persistent knee pain, but the association between these conditions has had little investigation in the military. The purpose of this study was to identify rates of mental health disorders in patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and determine differences by sex and whether mental health copresence influences outcomes. Eligible patients with a new PFP diagnosis were categorized according to sex and presence of mental health disorders. Outcomes included odds of mental health disorder before/after initial PFP diagnosis based on sex, and knee-related health care use between patients with/without mental health disorders. In 81,832 individuals with PFP (71.1% men; mean age 33; 91.5% active duty), copresence of any mental health disorders was common (18% men; 28% women). Women had more depression and anxiety; men had more post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse disorders. Concurrent mental health disorders after initial PFP diagnosis resulted in higher medical costs and odds of a recurrence (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.20, 1.28; P < .001). Mental health disorders are common in military service members seeking care for patellofemoral pain. Differences in prevalence vary by sex, and presence of mental health disorders adversely affected long-term health care outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Combining Medical and Mental Health Services for Older Adults with HIV in New York City.

Older adults with the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV (OAWH), people 50 years and older, are aging with the disease and experience low quality of life. Mental health disorders trigger and worsen health inequalities with larger impacts on the quality of life of OAWH. This paper evaluated two rival health interventions using a standard decision-analytic model and quantified the cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) to understand the differential in cost and effectiveness of an additional unit of perfect health. HIV medical care was compared with a combined strategy that includes both HIV medical and behavioral care. Primary data from a convenience sample (n=139) collected in New York City and outcomes for healthy older adults from the literature were used in this study. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) evaluating the economic cost and health benefits of the new intervention was $36,166 per QALY, which is less than the willingness to pay ($75,000). The ICER for Hispanics was $35,325 and for White/Caucasians was $40,499. Integrated medical plus behavioral care is cost-effective and improves quality of life among OAWH. Given the high rates of mental health disorders along with an underutilization of behavioral care among OAWH, timely and effective mental health programs are paramount to increase quality of life.

“This person is still here with us today”: A qualitative follow-up with Mental Health First Aid First Nations training participants

First Nations people in Canada experience high rates of mental health disorders associated with colonial trauma. The international course Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) was redeveloped by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to be more culturally relevant for First Nations communities. This follow-up study is an exploration of participants’ experiences in applying first aid following their 2.5 day training in Mental Health First Aid First Nations (MHFAFN).MHFAFN course participants were invited to complete a follow-up survey at an average of 9 months (SD = 3.3) after training. The online survey included questions about their experiences using MHFAFN skills and asked for a description of the scenario, response, and outcomes. Responses were gathered from 33 participants and qualitative analysis was completed using an inductive approach to develop overarching themes. The majority of respondents personally experienced a situation where a mental health emergency or issue arose (n=25) and all but two reported they were able to respond using MHFAFN skills. For the participants who responded to the situation, they perceived their actions helped. A valuable aspect of the training was inclusion of cultural content and historical context. Respondents indicated feelings of increased confidence in responding to mental illness situations. Respondents perceived reduced mental illness stigma in their communities or work. Most respondents can translate MHFAFN content into everyday use to help a person experiencing a mental health problem. MHFAFN may help mitigate barriers to accessing mental health care in First Nations contexts.

A longitudinal study of mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Syrian refugees

ABSTRACT Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased anxiety and depression around the world. Refugees may be particularly vulnerable to the mental health effects of the pandemic because of their higher rates of mental health disorders, trauma histories, and daily stressors. Objectives: This study used data from a controlled trial of a brief behavioural intervention for psychological distress in Syrian refugees living in Azraq Camp in Jordan to examine the psychological effects of the pandemic on refugee mental health. Method: A total of 410 participants were randomized to either the intervention or control arms of the trial and were assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Half the sample (199; 48.5%) completed their 3-month follow-up assessment after the pandemic restrictions began in Jordan and 211 (51.5%) completed the assessment prior to the pandemic. Refugees were independently assessed for symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression at baseline and follow-up, and pandemic-related worries were assessed at follow-up for those who completed their assessment during the pandemic. Results: The most commonly reported worries were economic difficulties (82.4%), shortage of essential supplies (71.3%), and infecting others (59.7%) or themselves (51.9%). Refugees who were assessed during the pandemic had less severe PTSD symptoms than those assessed prior to the pandemic. Significant predictors of pandemic-related worries were lower levels of depression prior to the pandemic and greater anxiety during the pandemic. Conclusion: These findings highlight the specific needs of refugees during the pandemic and suggest that pre-existing mental health issues may not necessarily be the key risk factors for who will experience major mental health issues or worries during the pandemic.

Predictors of mental health literacy in a sample of university students in Lebanon

University students show high rates of mental health disorders and low rates of treatment seeking. Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is associated with increased service use and better mental health. We investigated the predictors of MHL for suicide, depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in a sample of university students in Lebanon. Through a cross-sectional survey design, participants (N = 171) were presented with two vignettes along with MHL-related questions, were screened for psychological symptoms, and were asked to provide socio-demographic information. Educational background in Psychology was the strongest predictor of MHL as opposed to psychological symptoms and parental education. Gender was only associated with treatment recommendations. MHL for depression, GAD, and suicide in Lebanon aligns with other studies, whereas findings regarding gender, psychological symptoms, and parental education do not. MHL interventions for university students should focus on education in Psychology with a focus on themes addressed in this study.

Long-term outcomes following Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis in adulthood

ABSTRACT Background Early diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is known to improve outcomes in children. It is less clear if diagnosis in adulthood also conveys benefits. This study investigated long-term outcomes for individuals diagnosed with FASD after 18 years of age. Method Twenty adults aged 18–45 years at FASD diagnosis were interviewed. Pre-diagnosis information was compared to follow-up information gathered between 1 and 11 years later. Results Individuals reported high rates of mental health disorders (55%) and unemployment (85%). Pre-diagnosis, 10% received disability income and 15% were eligible for intellectual disability (ID) services. At follow-up, 90% received disability income and 85% were eligible for ID services. All (100%) enacted at least one assessment recommendation and 75% enacted two. Most (75%) reported having a diagnosis was beneficial, providing better adaptation and self-understanding. Conclusion An FASD diagnosis in adulthood can benefit individuals through more access to supports/services and greater personal understanding and adaptation.

Systematic Review of Mental Health Problems and Violent Extremism

ABSTRACT This systematic review assesses the impact of mental health problems upon attitudes, intentions and behaviours in the context of radicalisation and terrorism. We identified 25 studies that measured rates of mental health problems across 28 samples. The prevalence rates are heterogenous and range from 0% to 57%. If we pool the results of those samples (n = 19) purely focused upon confirmed diagnoses where sample sizes are known (n = 1705 subjects), the results suggest arate of 14.4% with aconfirmed diagnosis. Where studies relied upon wholly, or in some form, upon privileged access to police or judicial data, diagnoses occurred 16.96% of the time (n = 283 subjects). Where studies were purely focused upon open sources (n = 1089 subjects), diagnoses were present 9.82% of the time. We then explore (a) the types and rates of mental health disorders identified (b) comparison/control group studies (c) studies that explore causal roles of mental health problems and (d) other complex needs.

Understanding Refugee Mental Health and Employment Issues: Implications for Social Work Practice

Resettled refugees have high rates of some mental health disorders, such as PTSD and MDD, largely due to trauma histories and current resettlement stressors. Resettled refugees also have employment struggles that are unique to their status as refugees. This article provides overviews of refugee mental health and refugee employment issues with a specific focus on how these factors are interrelated in U.S. resettled refugee populations. The article describes prevalence rates of mental health disorders among refugees, barriers that limit refugees’ access to mental health treatment, and evidence-based mental health. Additionally, prevalence rates of refugee unemployment and underemployment are reported, along with barriers to adequate refugee employment. The article concludes with recommendations for social work professionals in their practices with resettled refugees in multiple settings: clinical practice, refugee resettlement, policy work, and research.

Group problem management plus for decreasing psychological distress in Syrian refugees in Turkey

Abstract Background The crisis in Syria has caused millions of Syrians to seek refuge in neighboring countries and Europe. Refugees often experience war related traumatic events and other various adversities during war and flight. These traumatic events increase the risk for common mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and related somatic symptoms compared to that of host populations. However, despite the high prevalence rates of mental health disorders, refugees' access to mental health services are low. As a public health priority, it is essential to address the mental health needs of refugees. The World Health Organization has developed evidence-based short psychosocial interventions to bridge this gap and Problem Management Plus (PM+) is one of them. PM+ is under investigation within the STRENGTHS project and in Turkey, which is a partner country to the project, the group version of the intervention has been implemented with Syrian refugees. This presentation will provide an overview of the pilot study in Turkey. Methods A randomized controlled trial with 46 Syrian refugees in a community sample was conducted. Participants with elevated levels of distress measured by Kessler 10 (K10 &amp;gt; 15) and self-reported functional impairment (WHODAS 2.0 &amp;gt; 16) were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio either to Group PM + (N= 24) or enhanced care as usual (E-CAU, N = 22). Results No adverse events were reported during the trial and assessments. There was no significant difference between control and experiment group with respect to anxiety (d = .14, p=.63), depression (d = .27, p=.36) and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (d = .18, p=.55) at 3 months follow-up. The main trial will be conducted with a larger sample (N = 380) to detect any significant effect and provide more generalizable results. Conclusions The challenges of implementation of group PM+ in a community sample of Syrian refugees in Turkey will be discussed.

Mental health interventions and supports during COVID- 19 and other medical pandemics: A rapid systematic review of the evidence

BackgroundNovel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is a global reminder of the need to attend to the mental health of patients and health professionals who are suddenly facing this public health crisis. In the last two decades, a number of medical pandemics have yielded insights on the mental health impact of these events. Based on these experiences and given the magnitude of the current pandemic, rates of mental health disorders are expected to increase. Mental health interventions are urgently needed to minimize the psychological sequelae and provide timely care to affected individuals. MethodWe conducted a rapid systematic review of mental health interventions during a medical pandemic, using three electronic databases. Of the 2404 articles identified, 21 primary research studies are included in this review. ResultWe categorized the findings from the research studies using the following questions: What kind of emotional reactions do medical pandemics trigger? Who is most at risk of experiencing mental health sequelae? What works to treat mental health sequelae (psychosocial interventions and implementation of existing or new training programs)? What do we need to consider when designing and implementing mental health interventions (cultural adaptations and mental health workforce)? What still needs to be known? ConclusionVarious mental health interventions have been developed for medical pandemics, and research on their effectiveness is growing. We offer recommendations for future research based on the evidence for providing mental health interventions and supports to those most in need.

Exploring Perceptions of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy among Public Safety Personnel: Informing Dissemination Efforts.

Background Public safety personnel (PSP) experience high rates of mental health disorders but have limited access to treatment. To improve treatment access, there is a growing interest in offering internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) to PSP. As attitudes towards ICBT can both impact and inform ICBT implementation efforts, this study examines perceptions of ICBT among PSP who viewed a poster (a commonly used method of advertising ICBT) or a poster supplemented with a story of a PSP who benefitted from ICBT. Methods Participants (N = 132) from various PSP sectors were randomly assigned to view a poster or a poster and a story. Participants then completed an online survey assessing their perceptions of ICBT using both qualitative and quantitative questions. We used a mixed-methods approach to analyze the data. Results No differences in perceptions of ICBT were identified between the conditions. Ratings of credibility, treatment expectancy, anticipated treatment adherence, and acceptability suggested that PSP had positive perceptions of ICBT. Most participants (93%) reported that they would access ICBT if they needed help with mental health concerns. Participants ranked therapist-guided ICBT as their second most preferred treatment, with psychologists ranked first. Female participants found ICBT more credible than male participants. More experienced PSP reported lower acceptability and anticipated adherence to ICBT. Conclusions The findings suggest that many PSP are likely to be receptive to ICBT even when a simple poster is used as a method of informing PSP of this treatment option. Further attention to improving the perceptions of ICBT among certain groups may be warranted.

Engagement intervention versus treatment as usual for young adults with serious mental illness: a randomized pilot trial

BackgroundYoung adults have elevated rates of mental health disorders, yet they often do not receive consistent care. The challenge of continuing to engage young adults has been pervasive worldwide. Few engagement interventions have been designed for young adults with serious mental illness. Just Do You is a theoretically guided engagement intervention. It uses innovative modalities (i.e., technology, expressive arts activities, narrative expression, mentoring) to engage participants in conversations about services and how they work, while simultaneously orienting them to treatment.Methods/designThis pilot and feasibility study utilizes a hybrid research design, examining feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact, alongside implementation. The study combines qualitative methods, a small pilot randomized trial, and a small cost-benefit analysis. Respondents are clinic staff and young adults who have made initial contact with the Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) program. Quantitative survey data are collected at baseline, 2 weeks (post-intervention), 1 month, and 3 months. The assessments focus on measuring feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and mental health outcomes. Medical record extraction will be used to triangulate self-report data. We will conduct single degree of freedom contrasts to examine whether Just Do You leads to improved outcomes relative to Treatment-As-Usual using robust regression for each outcome measure. We will examine whether changes in the proposed mediating variables occur across groups using a similar contrast strategy. In addition, we will use structural equation modeling to examine the contribution of mediators to ultimate outcomes. Finally, we will use constant comparison coding techniques for qualitative analyses.DiscussionThe aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of a young adult engagement meta-intervention through an intensive preliminary pilot trial, learning through collaboration with stakeholders. Just Do You has the potential to fill a gap in the service system for young adults with serious mental illnesses, improving the seemingly intractable problem of disengagement. The program uses culturally responsive strategies, is recovery-oriented, and builds upon the best evidence to date. Our efforts align with local and national health care reform efforts embedding people with lived experience.Trial registrationThis trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03423212) on April 18, 2018, as Protocol Record R34 MH111861-01, New York University, as the Just Do You Program for Young Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Risk factors associated with mental illness in hospital discharged patients infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can have a profound impact on the mental health of patients who survived the illness. However, little is known about the prevalence rate of mental health disorders among hospital discharged COVID-19 patients and its associated factors. A cross-sectional survey of hospital discharged patients was conducted April 11–22, 2020 in Wuhan, China (where the pandemic began). 675 participants completed the survey, including 90 (13.3%) medical staff (physicians and nurses who had been ill). We used Fisher's exact test and multivariable logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with mental health problems (anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms associated with COVID-19 hospitalization). Adverse mental health effects of COVID-19 are evident after discharge from the hospital, with sleep difficulties highlighted as a central issue. As we found that perceived discrimination was a central predictor of mental illness, preventing and addressing social stigma associated with COVID-19 may be crucial for improving mental health for recovered patients.

High Rates of Mental Health Disorders in Civilian Employees Working in Police Organizations.

Working in a police organization often involves being exposed to potentially traumatic events and stressful circumstances regardless of occupation or rank. Police mental health is a public health concern, but the mental health of civilian employees working in police organizations has been much less studied. The current study aims to compare the frequency of mental health conditions in both police officers and civilians. This was evaluated by measuring mean scores on several mental health screening tools including scales to determine symptom severity for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with the PTSD Checklist – PCL-5, depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ), general anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and alcohol use with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The total potential population was 1,225 civilian employees and 3,714 police officers, of which 513 (10%) participated. Of these, 201 (16%) were civilians, and 312 (8%) were police officers (p<0.001). In the study population, 26% screened positive for any mental health disorder. Somewhat surprisingly, we found significantly more civilians (32.8%) than police officers (22.7%) met diagnostic criteria. We also found that civilian participants had higher mean scores in measures of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, although only for depression did this reach statistical significance. Civilians were 1.7 times more likely to screen positive for depression compared to police officers, a statistically significant difference. In contrast, police officers demonstrated statistically higher scores for alcohol use than civilians. One limitation of this study is that the data reflects responses from only a minority of the overall population and, therefore, may not accurately reflect the frequency of mental health issues in the total police organization including civilian employees. Nonetheless, the results strongly suggest that the mental health of all employees can be negatively impacted by working in a police environment, and this is important given the growing number of civilians employed within police organizations. These findings support initiatives aimed at destigmatizing mental health disorders, improving stress management, and increasing access to mental health care on an organization-wide basis, and not just limited to front-line police officers.

Mental Health Diagnostic Patterns in Behavioral Weight Loss Program Attendees.

Individuals with obesity have higher rates of mental health disorders, both singly and in combination, than individuals of normal weight. Mental health disorders may negatively impact weight loss treatment outcomes; however, little is known about the mental health burden of individuals using weight loss programs. The current study identifies common mental health diagnostic profiles among participants of MOVE!-the Veterans Health Administration's behavioral weight loss program. We used national VHA administrative data from fiscal year 2014 to identify veteran primary care patients who participated in at least one MOVE! session the previous year (n=110,830). Using latent class analysis, we identified patient types (classes) characterized by the presence or absence of mental health diagnoses, both overall and stratified by age and gender. There were several patient types (classes), including psychologically healthy, predominantly depressed, depressed with co-occurring mental disorders, and co-occurring mental disorders with no predominant psychological condition. Additional patient types were found in men of different ages. The majority of patients had at least one psychiatric disorder, particularly younger patients. Efforts to improve patients' engagement in the MOVE! program may need to address barriers to care associated with mental health disorders or incorporate care for both obesity and mental health diagnoses in MOVE! A holistic approach may be particularly important for younger patients who have a higher comorbidity burden and longer care horizons. Future work may address if patient types found in the current study extend to non-VHA obesity treatment seekers.

Happy Hookers: findings from an international study exploring the effects of crochet on wellbeing.

With rising rates of mental health disorders being reported globally, it is imperative that we investigate economical and accessible ways to increase relaxation and reduce stress. While there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence as to the positive effects of domestic crafts on mental wellbeing, there is little empirical research in this area. As such, we aimed to explore perceived links between crochet and wellbeing. An online survey was developed and piloted, based on an existing tool that explored knitting and wellbeing. The final survey was promoted through social media, over a 6-week period, resulting in valid responses from 8391 individuals. Most respondents were female (99.1%), aged between 41 and 60 years (49.5%) and living in 87 different countries. Many respondents reported crocheting for between 1 and 5 years (42.6%). The three most frequent reasons reported for crocheting were: to be creative (82.1%), to relax (78.5%) and for a sense of accomplishment (75.2%). Respondents reported that crochet made them feel calmer (89.5%), happier (82%) and more useful (74.7%). There was a significant improvement in reported scores for mood before crocheting (M = 4.19, SD = 1.07) and mood after crocheting (M = 5.78, SD = 0.82); z = -69.86, p < .001, r = -0.56. Content analysis of free-text responses identified five major themes: (1) health benefits, (2) process of crochet, (3) personal connection, (4) crochet as contribution and (5) online crochet communities. The data suggests that crochet offers positive benefits for personal wellbeing with many respondents actively using crochet to manage mental health conditions and life events such as grief, chronic illness and pain. Crochet is a relatively low-cost, portable activity that can be easily learnt and seems to convey all of the positive benefits provided by knitting. This research suggests that crochet can play a role in promoting positive wellbeing in the general population, adding to the social prescribing evidence base.