Thoughts Of Self-harm Research Articles

Investigating Psychosocial Predictors of Self-Harming Thoughts among Lagos State University Undergraduates During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Pre-COVID-19 pandemic, suicide, and suicidal behaviour were serious public health concerns that had a global influence on youth. However, there are concerns about the possible Pandemic-related factors contributing to self-harming thoughts and behaviours. At the same time, the antecedents of self-harm thought have been examined previously; this study aimed at exploring suicidal ideation –the preoccupation to kill oneself — among young adults who are prone to be affected by pandemic-related conditions. This Cross-sectional study investigated the role of sex, psychological distress, and social media addiction in predicting Self-harm thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three hundred forty undergraduates cutting across the various faculties were conveniently selected from LASU to respond to the standardised questionnaire. It was hypothesised that male undergraduate students would be more susceptible to self-harm thoughts than female undergraduate students, and psychological distress and social media will have an independent and joint influence on Self-harm thoughts. The result revealed that there was a significant influence of sex on self-harm thoughts (t= 2.17; df (340); P <.05). Furthermore, male undergraduate students were more likely to have thoughts of self-harm than female undergraduate students. It was also revealed that psychological distress and social media addiction jointly (R2 = 0.89, F (2,339) = 16.56, p < .05) and independently predicted Self-harm thoughts. The findings suggested that Clinicians and counsellors, when assessing students with thoughts of self-harm, should consider finding out the extent of usage of social media and its addiction as it should be one of the important aspects to look out for during assessment. Additionally, University management should work on novel and practical approaches to detect early symptoms of psychological distress and advance suicide prevention efforts to secure the precious lives of Students

Prevalence and correlates of self-harm in a Southern California driving under the influence treatment setting

Background Suicide and driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs are US public health epidemics. Research exploring the associations between driving under the influence and suicide presents a research gap. This study describes the prevalence and associations between demographic, alcohol and drug-related characteristics, depression, and self-harm (suicidal thoughts, behavior, and non-suicidal self-injury) among participants in a Southern California DUI Program. Methods Participants receiving driving under the influence treatment services (n = 1310) reported substance use, mental health and demographic data upon program intake between July 2019 and March 2020. A descriptive analysis was used to determine the prevalence of lifetime self-harm thoughts or behaviors. Bivariate analyses of associations between lifetime self-harm thoughts or behaviors and sociodemographic, alcohol, drug, and depression severity measures were explored. Manual backward elimination was used to obtain the final logistic regression model with variables statistically significant at p < 0.05 or had at least one category that was significant at p < 0.05 for non-dichotomous variables. For those reporting self-harm, a chart review extracted clinical themes to identify whether the driving under the influence event was reported as a deliberate suicide attempt. Results Ten percent (n = 135) of participants endorsed a lifetime self-harm history. Younger age, female gender, prior alcohol treatment, depressed mood, and family suicide history were significantly associated with self-harm. One individual reported the driving under the influence event as non-suicidal self-injury), and three reported it as a suicide attempt. Conclusion First- and multiple-time driving under the influence offenders represent a clinical population at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior in need of specialized treatment referrals.

Individual and dyadic network analyses of depressive symptoms in Chinese postpartum couples: A cross-sectional study

Background: The network approach to psychopathology is symptom oriented and may open new possibilities for intervention development and health care practices in postpartum depression.Objective: To investigate the individual and dyadic symptom network of postpartum depression in Chinese mothers and fathers in the very early postpartum period.Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted.Settings and participants: A total of 457 couples in the 2∼3 days postpartum period was recruited consecutively from a hospital in Guangzhou, China from September 2020 to April 2021.Methods: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and socio-demographic and obstetric data sheet were used to collect data. We estimated the individual symptom networks of postpartum mothers and fathers separately and a dyadic symptom network that consisted of symptoms of both spouses. Network characteristics including global strength and node centralities were analyzed and systematically compared.Results: Strength centralities in the individual networks showed acceptable stability [Correlation stability coefficient (CS) for mothers = 0.60; CS for fathers = 0.52]. The central depressive symptoms in mothers were Crying (Zstrength = 1.32), Overwhelmed (Zstrength = 1.01) and Sad mood (Zstrength = 0.93). The central depressive symptom in fathers was Sad Mood (Zstrength = 1.35). The symptom “Crying” had a distinctive link to thoughts of self-harm in fathers. The symptom network of mothers (global strength = 4.15) was more interconnected than that of fathers (global strength = 3.74). There was a statistically significant but unstable within-couple connection of thoughts of self-harm (CS = 0.21).Conclusions: Postpartum mothers are more vulnerable to activation spreads of depressive symptoms than postpartum fathers. Symptoms including “Sad mood”, “Overwhelmed” and “Crying” warrant the attention of health care providers. Investigations with larger sample sizes and gender-sensitive instruments are needed to further unfold the individual and dyadic symptom dynamics of postpartum depression.

The Global Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of General Population: A Narrative Review

Mental wellness is a crucial component of happiness. A person is happy with better relationships, financial stability, good mental health, and longevity. Disinformation, stigma, ongoing isolation, and disruption of daily activities are all quite prevalent. Any of these elements may impact one's mental health. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken several steps to address COVID's mental health concerns. In addition to frontline healthcare personnel, who engage in dealing with COVID-19, the general population's mental health was also at stake due to the unprecedented and catastrophic emergency of COVID. Various keywords, including MeSH terms, were used in PubMedand Google Scholar searches. This paper was based on previously available data and article searches on how COVID-19 affected the mental health of the general population and the elements that may influence it. Quarantine and self-isolation have been found to have affected people's daily livelihoods andbehaviors, leading toincreased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, dejection, insomnia, risky alcohol and drug use, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Many of the victims of COVID-19 who were critical survivors exhibited lasting psychological harm a year after being discharged, including high anxiety levels, melancholy, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Healthcare employees too experienced significant psychological consequences due to factors such as an excessive workload or the number of hours worked, inadequate personal safety equipment, overly enthusiastic media coverage, and a sense of being under-supported. As a result of this major disaster, mental health concerns have surfaced, perhaps leading to long-term health problems, loneliness, and guilt. To reduce this deportment, global health solutions should be used, particularly while executing the isolation/quarantine and dealing with the people with fearand vulnerability. The mental health ofthe general population should be at the forefront of any worldwide response.

Self-Reported Alcohol Abuse and the Desire to Receive Mental Health Counselling Predict Suicidal Thoughts/Thoughts of Self-Harm among Female Residents of Fort McMurray.

Suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm continue to be challenging public health problems. It is presently unknown what the prevalence and correlates of suicidal thoughts and self-harm are in female residents of Fort McMurray, a city that has endured wildfires, flooding, and the COVID-19 pandemic in the last five years. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm among female residents of Fort McMurray. A cross-sectional study using an online survey questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and clinical information from the residents of Fort McMurray between 24 April and 2 June 2021. Suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm among females were assessed using the ninth question of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a validated screening tool used to assess depression symptoms. Likely generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and low resilience were measured using standardized rating scales. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25 using chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Among Fort McMurray residents, 249 accessed the online survey, while 186 ultimately completed it, yielding a survey completion rate of 74.7%. Of these, 159 (85%) were females. After controlling for other variables in the regression model, respondents who expressed a desire to receive mental health counselling were more than seven times more likely to report suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm compared to the respondents who did not desire to receive mental health counselling (OR: 7.29; 95% CI: 1.19–44.58). Similarly, respondents who reported having abused alcohol in the past year were nearly four times more likely to report suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm compared to the respondents who said they had not abused alcohol in the past year (OR: 3.91; 95% CI: 1.05–14.57). A high prevalence of suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm were reported among female residents of Fort McMurray. Timely access to adequate mental health support should be offered to female residents of communities impacted by multiple natural disasters, particularly residents who self-report alcohol abuse or desire to receive mental health counselling.

Special Report: Women’s Reproductive Mental Health—A Clinical Framework

Special Report: Women’s Reproductive Mental Health—A Clinical Framework

Mental health following an initial period of COVID-19 restrictions: findings from a cross-sectional survey in the Republic of Ireland.

Background: We assessed the mental health of individuals in the general population, during an initial period of easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Methods: Data were collected through a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey, during the first period of easing of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic between May and July 2020. Mental health was examined using the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety Depression Scale. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to estimate risk ratios with robust variance estimation of the association between selected demographic factors and the risk of having depression and anxiety symptoms. Results: Of the 1,983 participants, 27.7% (n = 549; 95% CI: 0.26 - 0.30) reported depression and anxiety symptoms, while 74 (3.8%; 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.05) disclosed self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts. Females (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.37 - 1.87, p < 0.0005), employed individuals who experienced a change in work status (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.24 - 1.82, p < 0.0005), participants cocooning due to a health condition (RR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08 - 1.66, p< 0.01), participants who were self-isolating (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.51, p=0.025) and moderate-heavy drinkers (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.47, p<0.01) were at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Young people aged 18-29 years and those in the two lowest income categories were most likely to report self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, with further waves and associated restrictions, the impact on mental health in the population as a whole and in specific subgroups must be considered. Study protocol registration: doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13103.2.

Body image and self-perception in women with navel piercings.

The present study investigated how women’s body image and body-perceptual processes are affected by navel piercings, an embellishment of the abdominal region women often feel negatively about. We probed perceptual (response times), cognitive (surveys), affective (aesthetic ratings) and neural (event-related potentials, ERPs) facets of (own) body perception. We found that navel piercings are primarily motivated by the desire to enhance one’s body image, and can significantly improve bodily self-perception relative to before and to imagined removal of the piercing. Hence, body image concerns in women with navel piercings were found to be comparable to those of a control group; and their aesthetic ratings of other women’s abdomens only differed, positively, for images depicting navel piercings. ERPs indicated that the sight of navel piercings enhances early structural encoding of bodies as well as late emotional-motivational processes, especially in women with navel piercings. We further found a strong self-advantage in both cortical and behavioural responses during recognition of own and others’ abdomens, especially for images displaying the piercing. Altogether, findings suggest that navel piercings become strongly, and beneficially, integrated into women’s bodily self image. Such piercings may thus be seen as expressions of body care that can protect against self-harming thoughts and behaviours.

Self-harm and suicidal ideation in Pakistani youth amid COVID-19 pandemic: findings of a large, cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among young people. COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated various factors which could lead to suicidal ideation. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess self-harm and suicidal ideation among university students in Pakistan. We conducted an online, cross-sectional study among students of four major Pakistani universities. The generalized anxiety scale and patient health questionnaire were used to screen students for anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation/self-harm. Suicidal ideation/self-harm was determined from the ninth-item (score ≥1) of the patient health questionnaire. Brief-COPE was used to assess coping methods. This study included 1134 respondents (age 21.76 ± 3.48 years; female 70.5%). Around 32% students reported having thoughts of death and/or self-harm in the past 2 weeks (several days 14.8%, over half the days 7.1%, and nearly every day 10.2%). Moreover, these thoughts were equally prevalent among the demographics. Suicidal ideation/self-harm was found to be increased by the severity of generalized anxiety and depression (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the rate of suicidal ideation/self-harm is alarmingly high in Pakistani university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a dire need to initiate the psychological measures to prevent suicidal behaviors in Pakistani youth. Addressing mental health disparities and preparing support systems to mitigate mental health consequences as the pandemic evolves will continue to be needed urgently.

Mental health following an initial period of COVID-19 restrictions: findings from a cross-sectional survey in the Republic of Ireland

Background: We assessed the mental health of individuals in the general population, during an initial period of easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Methods: Data were collected through a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey, during the first period of easing of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic between May and July 2020. Mental health was examined using the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety Depression Scale. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to estimate risk ratios with robust variance estimation of the association between selected demographic factors and the risk of having depression and anxiety symptoms. Results: Of the 1,983 participants, 27.7% (n = 549; 95% CI: 0.26 - 0.30) reported depression and anxiety symptoms, while 74 (3.8%; 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.05) disclosed self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts. Females (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.37 - 1.87, p < 0.0005), employed individuals who experienced a change in work status (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.24 - 1.82, p < 0.0005), participants cocooning due to a health condition (RR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08 - 1.66, p< 0.01), participants who were self-isolating (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.51, p=0.025) and moderate-heavy drinkers (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.47, p<0.01) were at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Young people aged 18-29 years and those in the two lowest income categories were most likely to report self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, with further waves and associated restrictions, the impact on mental health in the population as a whole and in specific subgroups must be considered. Study protocol registration: doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13103.2

The Importance of Perceived Discrimination and Pre-Adoption Risk for Mental Health Problems among Young Adult Internationally Adopted Students in Norway

The research on mental health problems in adult international adoptees is limited, and while perceived discrimination has been related to increased psychological distress, less is known about its influence on more severe mental health problems. The study investigated mental health problems and the importance of pre- and post-adoption risk factors among internationally adopted students in young adulthood. Data stem from the cross-sectional SHoT study (Students’ Health and Wellbeing Study) of students in higher education in Norway where 409 (0.8%) students identified themselves as internationally adopted. The internationally adopted students reported higher levels of psychological distress and higher occurrence of self-harm, thoughts of non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH), suicide attempts and suicidal ideation compared to their non-adopted peers. Perceived discrimination was associated with increased psychological distress, and higher odds of thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation. Being adopted from Asia was associated with lower odds of NSSH and suicide attempts compared to other birth continents. Age at adoption was not associated with any of the mental health outcomes. The results indicate an increased risk of mental health problems for internationally adopted students and suggests that pre- and post- adoption risk factors are associated with different mental health problems.

Anxiety and social relationship among middle school adolescents in denpasar: a cross sectional study

Introduction: Mental health is a critical aspect of the adolescence period. Several symptoms, such as anxiety, loneliness, depression, sleep disturbance, and self-harming thoughts, are likely to emerge among adolescents with mental health issues. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the level of anxiety and social relationship in middle-school adolescents in Denpasar. Methods: This descriptive study enrolled a cross-sectional design. Eighty-eight middle-school adolescents in public and private junior high schools in the Denpasar City area were included as study participants. Data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and social relationship questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted by univariate statistical analysis. Results: Findings revealed that 43.5% of participants were experiencing a moderate level of anxiety. The moderate anxiety responses on the physical, cognitive, psychological, and behavioral aspects were also documented. The level of social relationships was identified as moderate, high, and low, with a total percentage of 45.7%, 27.2%, and 27.2%, respectively. These social relationships were characterized by moderate responsiveness, effective communication, and responsibility. Conclusions: Many participants were experiencing a moderate level of anxiety and social relationship. Thus, their skills in constructing good social relationships and managing issues were still insufficient. We suggest organizing a program that actively engages the role of parents and schools to prevent and promote mental health awareness and issues among adolescents.

Mask wearing and self-harming thoughts among international students in the United States during COVID-19: The moderating role of discrimination

Objective: This study examined associations among discrimination, mask-wearing behavior, and self-harming thoughts among international students in the United States during COVID-19. Participants: Undergraduate and graduate international students enrolled in universities during the 2020 summer semester participated in the online survey (N = 103). Methods: Perceived discrimination, mask-wearing behavior, and self-harming thoughts during COVID-19 were assessed by self-reports. Multivariable logistic regressions examined the association among discrimination, mask-wearing behavior, and self-harming thoughts and explored the potential moderation effect of discrimination on the association between mask-wearing and self-harming thoughts. Results: 18.6% of participants reported self-harming thoughts. Increased discrimination was significantly associated with increased odds of self-harming thoughts. Discrimination significantly moderated the association between mask wearing and self-harming thoughts. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of increased availability of culturally appropriate mental health services for international students and the need for increased advocacy to decrease discrimination against international students in the current societal context.

Maternal mental health and caregiver competence of HIV-positive and negative women caring for their singleton newborns in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Background. Maternal mental health during the perinatal period has been of interest to many researchers, with antenatal depression and postnatal depression (PND) being a leading cause of morbidity. The adverse effects of maternal depression on the offspring throughout infancy, childhood and adolescence are well documented. Studies on the mental health of persons living with HIV have also reported a high prevalence of depression.&#x0D; Objectives. To describe the prevalence of PND in a sample of HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers delivering healthy singleton infants at one obstetric unit in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province, South Africa, and the subsequent factors influencing neonatal behaviour and perceptions of caregiver competence. Correlations between the presence of PND and perceptions of caregiver competence (with the mother as caregiver), and between infant behaviour, the mother’s confidence in her competence as caregiver, and demographic and medical variables, were also examined.&#x0D; Methods. Demographic and clinical data were collected from 132 mothers at initial contact and from 32 mothers at the 6-week follow-up appointment. Mothers independently completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at each time point, and the Mother and Baby Scales (MABS) at the 6-week follow-up appointment.Results. The prevalence of depression among all mothers at initial contact was 72.0%, remaining high (68.8%) among the mothers who returned for follow-up. There was a statistically significant correlation between depression and employment at follow-up (p=0.013), and between depression and delivery method (p=0.030). The majority of mothers reported being ‘able to laugh and see the funny side of things’ and ‘looking forward with enjoyment to things’ at initial contact and follow-up. Thoughts of self-harm were reported by 44.7% of mothers at baseline, and by 53.1% at follow-up. Although most infants scored in the average clinical band for neonatal behavioural factors in the MABS, mothers reported lack of confidence, globally and in caring for their infant.&#x0D; Conclusion. This study of maternal mental health of a sample of HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers of infants in KZN revealed a higher prevalence of PND than reported in other studies. This population of mothers and infants is at risk of adverse outcomes of maternal depression, in addition to other possible risk factors.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Self-Harm in Eating Disorders (SHINE): a mixed-methods exploratory study

IntroductionSelf-harm is highly prevalent among young people with eating disorders. However, why a young person may develop and continue to experience both an eating disorder and self-harm is unclear. This...

Adversity, social support and risk of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Little is known about the degree to which social factors interact with COVID-19-related adversity to increase the risk of self-harm thoughts and behaviours. Using data derived from a UK cohort study, Paul & Fancourt found that loneliness was associated with an increase in the odds of self-harm thoughts and behaviours, whereas high-quality social support protected against self-harm thoughts and behaviours. The authors concluded that it is the quality of social support and interactions, rather than the act of engaging in social interaction per se, that protects against self-harm in the context of adversity. The COVID-19 pandemic may exert longer-lasting effects on population mental health, and continued surveillance of mental health, including self-harm status, will be essential. If accompanied by appropriate measures of the availability and quality of social support, such monitoring could also inform the development of more effective adaptive interventions for those at risk of engaging in self-harm.

What Proportion of Patients With Musculoskeletal Sarcomas Demostrate Symptoms of Depression or Anxiety?

What Proportion of Patients With Musculoskeletal Sarcomas Demostrate Symptoms of Depression or Anxiety?

Teen Advisory Council Survey's Factors Associated With Self-Harming Thoughts.

BackgroundThe evaluation of teens with self-harming thoughts (SHT) is a high-stakes task for physicians in community and emergency department (ED) settings. The lived experience of adolescents with stress and SHT provides an important source of insight for mental health professionals who evaluate and treat teens A snapshot of the lived experience of teens in northwest Louisiana was captured by the Step Forward Teen Advisory Council (TAC) in 2019. The TAC surveyed peers with the goal of identifying common stressors experienced by local teens in order to inform policy and practices in the local school system. The identification of stressors is a critical step in addressing SHT as adolescents who experience life stressors are at increased risk for self-harming thoughts (SHT), a known precursor to self-harm and suicide. Assessing youth for life stressors is a critical element of suicide prevention.MethodsLocal teens queried 5,070 peers attending Caddo Parish schools to better understand the stressors faced by high school students in Northwest Louisiana using a student developed survey. Results were presented to peers at a virtual summit where teens developed action items to reduce stress and presented findings to local leaders. Their efforts ultimately lead to increased supports for students in local schools.ResultsOver half of the teens surveyed reported stressors that negatively impacted their physical or emotional well-being. Students endorsing self-harming thoughts reported an average of 7.82 stressors as compared to 3.47 in peers without SHT. Teens with stressors at both home and school were more likely to experience SHT than teens with stressors in a single location.ConclusionThe Gen Z students who developed the TAC Survey identified stress as a major concern for teens in Northwest Louisiana. The TAC Survey data aligns local experience with established data regarding the association between stress, depression and SHT. Second, the results highlight the importance of diving deep to identify all stressors when assessing the risk of self-harm. Finally, the lived experience of local teens with SHT provides critical information for professionals to better understand risk for SHT and suicide in our region and beyond.

Thoughts of suicide or self-harm among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses.

Healthcare workers are at higher risk of suicide than other occupations, and suicidal thoughts appear to have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand the experiences of healthcare workers with frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm during the pandemic, including factors that contributed to their distress, and the supports that they found helpful. We used content analysis to analyse free-text responses to the Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study, from healthcare workers who reported frequent thoughts that they would be better off dead or of hurting themselves, on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A total of 262 out of 7795 healthcare workers (3.4%) reported frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm in the preceding 2 weeks. They described how the pandemic exacerbated pre-existing challenges in their lives, such as living with a mental illness, working in an unsupportive environment and facing personal stressors like relationship violence or unwell family members. Further deterioration in their mental health was triggered by heavier obligations at home and work, amid painful feelings of loneliness. They reported that workplace demands rose without additional resources, social and emotional isolation increased and many healthful activities became inaccessible. Tokenistic offers of support fell flat in the face of multiple barriers to taking leave or accessing professional help. Validation of distress, improved access to healthcare and a stronger sense of belonging were identified as helpful supports. These findings highlight the need for better recognition of predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating and protective factors for thoughts of suicide and self-harm among healthcare workers.

The prevalence of self-reported mental illness among those imprisoned in New South Wales across three health surveys, from 2001 to 2015.

The prevalence of mental illness among those in prison is much higher than in the community; however, very few studies have examined whether rates have changed over time, in line with increasing self-reported rates in the community. This study compares the prevalence of self-reported mental illness, self-harm and suicidal thoughts/behaviours, and drug and alcohol use across three waves (2001, 2009 and 2015) of health surveys involving men and women in New South Wales prisons and compared these rates with published community-level findings. The prevalence of those reporting any mental health diagnosis increased significantly across the three surveys, even after adjustment for socio-demographic and criminal justice variables that also changed over time. Individuals surveyed in 2015 were more likely to report a mental health diagnosis than those surveyed in 2001 (adjusted odds ratio = 2.66, 95% confidence interval = [2.16, 3.27]). The prevalence of self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours remained stable across the three surveys, while self-reported regular drug use decreased over the period. Women experienced a far greater burden of mental illness than men across all three surveys and experienced more growth in the prevalence of most psychiatric disorders. These findings have important implications for public and prison health systems given the poor social, health and criminal justice outcomes of those imprisoned with mental illness, both in custody and post-release.