Mental Health Support Research Articles

Black people in Ukraine: A content analysis of TikTok videos documenting discrimination against Black people attempting to flee at the onset of the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war

This cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted on in June 2022 reviewed 100 TikTok videos using the hashtag #africansinukriane that depicted discrimination against Black people attempting to flee Ukraine at the onset of the war in February 2022. Two of the 16 themes were significant and present in over 50% of videos: raising awareness (67%) and racial discrimination (64%). Videos with elements of physical contact (N = 16, 76.2%), violence (N = 12, 75%), and dehumanization (N = 11, 68.8%) had higher shares than overall media shares. Less than 10% of the videos included dark humor (8%), sharing helpful resources (7%), and appreciation of countries that offered support (5%). Results indicate that videos that include raising awareness (p = .02), racial discrimination (p = .001), on-scene clips or war scenes (p = .007), physical contact (p = .006), and denied entry (p = .022). Their estimated differences in locations indicate that all of these themes were related to higher median shares of the videos. This study supports that TikTok is a place where marginalized groups can raise awareness about injustice and create counternarratives. This study exemplifies international anti-blackness, with implications for health marketing and communication, human rights efforts, refugee health, and targeted mental health and policy support for those displaced by war.

The nexus of minds unveiling the significance of AI in mental health and viable remedie

The world is evolving at a cutthroat rate, and the integration of mental well-being and technology can yield promising results. For this reason, I have created The Nexus of Minds, which focuses on exploring the role of AI in changing the dynamics and thought processes of how we address and approach mental health issues. I am focusing on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence as a force for accessible, personalized, and effective mental healthcare. Mental healthcare has a huge spectrum, and I am exploring the multifaceted applications of AI, which have the potential to change the landscape. Machine Learning, Data Analytics, and Natural Language Processing have shown immense advancements, which is empowering AI to redefine how mental health issues are diagnosed and treated. Ranging from earlier intervention through continuous monitoring to all-time support, this book focuses on different ways in which AI solutions are improving the quality of mental healthcare and clinical results. It focuses on how AI is empowering people on their mental health journey. In addition to the technological innovation, I will navigate through the ethical considerations that need to be focused on, including but not limited to privacy, algorithmic bias, data privacy and security, and the role of human connection and empathy in mental healthcare. By understanding these essentials, I am offering insights into the responsible, ethical, and balanced integration of AI into mental health support. Moreover, this book focuses on apps and chatbots that are already providing help to people struggling with mental health illnesses and how they are benefiting from AI-centric mental health services. As a result, the readers will be able to gain an understanding of how AI will improve the quality of mental healthcare and destigmatize mental health conditions. With "The Nexus of Minds," I envision a future where AI won't be merely a tool but an absolute force in mental healthcare by breaking down the stigma and societal barriers to give hope to struggling people. This book will become a guiding beacon, providing information about the seamless coexistence of ethical and compassionate mental healthcare and tech advancement. I have taken an interdisciplinary approach, making it a promising resource for healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and common people who want to see a bright future in the mental health industry.

Men's peer support for mental health challenges: future directions for research and practice.

Peer support has a long history of helping people navigate mental health challenges and is increasingly utilized within men's mental health promotion initiatives. Despite considerable research conceptualizing and evaluating peer support in various contexts, little is known about the gendered dimensions of men's peer support and mutual help for mental health. This article provides an empirically informed commentary on men's peer support and informal help-seeking preferences to make recommendations for future directions for research and practice. Research examining men's peer support is emergent and the available evidence suggests that there is potential to conceptually align with many men's values and preferences for mental health help-seeking. Peer support offers a non-clinical, strength-based adjunct to professional support that may aid men in navigating a range of mental health challenges. Consideration must be given to the influence of gender socialization and men's diverse experiences with developing and maintaining peer relationships. It should not be assumed that authentic and supportive relationships will naturally form when men congregate together. As a growing number of interventions and programs emerge targeted at boys and men, there are important opportunities to leverage these health promotion efforts to encourage and coach men to engage in mutual help. Opportunities for research and practice are discussed to better understand and harness the health-promoting potential of peer support for men's mental health.

Filipino seafarers’ experiences and perceptions of psychosocial interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper examines the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions provided to Filipino international merchant seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the significant labor participation in seafaring of Filipinos, examining the MHPSS provided to them during a crisis is necessary because these services remain unexplored. Using an online survey, this paper raises two questions: (1) what MHPSS was provided to Filipino seafarers during the pandemic and (2) how did the seafarers perceive the importance of MHPSS interventions? Twenty-two MHPSS interventions are presented and analyzed, and policy recommendations for various Philippine-based stakeholders are offered.

Capacity building and community of practice for women community health workers in low-resource settings: long-term evaluation of the Mobile University For Health (MUH)

BackgroundLebanon has been facing a series of crises, significantly increasing health challenges, and straining its healthcare infrastructure. This caused deficiencies in the system's ability to attend to population health needs, and it profoundly impacted vulnerable and refugee communities who face additional challenges accessing healthcare services. In response, the Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut designed and implemented the Mobile University for Health (MUH), which promotes task-shifting through capacity building complemented by communities of practice (CoP). The program aimed to prepare vulnerable women to assume the role of community health workers (CHW) within their communities, and to promote positive health knowledge and behaviours.MethodsA mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate MUHs' three certificates (women's health, mental health and psychosocial support, and non-communicable diseases). Implementation took place between 2019 and 2022, with 83 CHWs graduating from the program. Short-term data including knowledge assessments, course evaluations, and community member feedback surveys were collected. 93 semi-structured interviews with CHWs and 14 focus group discussions with community members were conducted to evaluate the long-term impact of the capacity building and CoP components.ResultsData revealed multiple strengths of the initiative, including increased access to education for the community, effectiveness of blended learning modality, successful planning and delivery of CoP sessions, and improved knowledge, skills, and health behaviours over time. The supplementary CoP sessions fostered trust in CHWs, increased community empowerment, and increased leadership skills among CHWs. However, some challenges persisted, including limited access to healthcare services, implementation logistical issues, difficulties with some aspects of the learning modality, and some resistance within the communities.ConclusionMUH promoted and improved positive health knowledge and behaviours within targeted vulnerable populations in Lebanon. The supplementary CoP component proved instrumental in empowering CHWs and enhancing their impact within their communities. The study highlights the need for ongoing training and support for CHWs and underscores the importance of continued investment and adaptation of such initiatives through a gendered lens. This evaluation provides evidence on the successes of a capacity building model that has strong potential for scale and replication across health topics in conflict-affected contexts.

Exploring the Link Between Women's Sleep, Daily Rhythms, and Mental Health in Women Across Different Stages of Life

This research article delves into the intricate connection between women's sleep behaviors, daily rhythms, and mental well-being across different stages of life. Utilizing a comprehensive literature review and empirical data analysis, it examines how variations in sleep quality, circadian preferences, and mental health outcomes manifest in women from adolescence through adulthood and into older age. The study sheds light on the nuanced interactions between these factors and offers insights into potential interventions to promote better sleep hygiene and mental health support tailored to women's specific life stages.

Mental Health Support Is an Unmet Need for Long-Term Burn Survivors: A Web-Based Survey.

A National Trauma Research Action Plan identified the involvement of burn survivors as critical informants to determine the direction of research. This study employed a web-based survey to identify care gaps in a sample of burn survivors. We surveyed burn survivors from around the United States through social media and email contact with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. We elicited demographic info, burn history, and unmet needs. Statistical analysis was performed to test our hypothesis that lack of access to mental health support/professionals would be identified as an unmet need in long-term burn survivors. Of 178 survey respondents, most were at least ten years removed from the date of their burn injury (n=94, 53%). Compared to those less than 3 years from their burn injury, individuals greater than 10 years were at least 5 times more likely to note lack of access to mental health support [11-20 years OR 8.7, p< 0.001; >20 years OR5.7, p=0.001]. 60% of Spanish speakers reported lack of support group access was among their greatest unmet needs, compared to 37% of English speakers (p=0.184). This study highlights the need for ongoing access to mental health resources in burn survivors. Our findings emphasize that burn injury is not just an acute ailment, but a complex condition that evolves into a chronic disease. Additional studies should focus on the experiences of Spanish-speaking burn survivors, given small sample size leading to a likely clinically significant but not statistically different lack of access to support groups.

The Psychosocial Considerations for Behaviour Change, Mental Health, and Work-Related Satisfaction in Preregistration Nurses, during Coronavirus Pandemic

The mental health of healthcare workers was affected by physical and psychological challenges during the pandemic. The aim was to study how psychosocial considerations can help manage behaviour change, mental health, and work satisfaction of nurse trainees in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. This cross-sectional study involved ninety-nine students. Participants’ anxiety, fear of the coronavirus, and perceived work satisfaction were measured by GAD-7, FCV19S, and COM-B scales and assessed using descriptive, correlational, and linear regression analysis. The significant zero-order correlations between job satisfaction and fear, anxiety, and psychosocial considerations were significant. They indicated moderate strength that allowed for further inferential development to find the best predictors of job satisfaction. The findings suggested that 50% of trainees showed anxiety above the suggested ≥8 cut-off on GAD-7, and 48% scored high for fear on FCV19S. There was a significant effect between year groups (F (2, 99) = 4.25, p=0.02, η2 = 0.081), with a Tukey post hoc test showing a significant difference between training years 1 and 2 with a p=0.015. A significant linear regression found that psychosocial variables in behaviour change (p≤0.001) and anxiety (p=0.011) were significant factors in job satisfaction, explaining 53.4% of the variance. Conclusion. Satisfaction was associated with higher levels of psychosocial considerations and low levels of anxiety and fear, which adds to previous literature on job satisfaction in nurse education. Future implications must examine ways to alleviate mental health effects and support policies and curricula to address this need.

A mini-review on safeguarding global health amidst a "Pandemic" of armed conflicts.

The year 2022 witnessed an alarming surge in state-based armed conflicts globally, reaching a staggering 56, with major hostilities in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Nigeria resulting in over 10,000 estimated conflict-related deaths. This trend continued with the onset of a significant conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023. The escalating frequency of armed conflicts, reaching the highest number since 1946, poses a critical threat to global health. This paper explores the multifaceted health impacts of armed conflicts, encompassing physical injuries, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and profound mental health consequences. Healthcare systems in conflict zones face severe strain, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 becomes increasingly challenging. The surge in armed conflicts globally is characterized as a "pandemic," justifying urgent attention. The paper identifies and discusses strategies to safeguard public health in conflict zones, emphasizing humanitarian response, protecting healthcare workers and infrastructure, building preparedness and resilience, and promoting mental health support. In navigating this "pandemic" of armed conflicts, comprehensive strategies are imperative to address the intricate challenges and secure a healthier global future.

Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depression in Indian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Numerous investigations indicate the presence of a reciprocal association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a range of mental health conditions. However, research on the factors that contribute to depression and anxiety in T2D patients in India is scarce. Purpose: The present study aims to identify the prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety in patients with T2D in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study that included 2,730 patients with T2D was conducted at the Freedom from Diabetes Clinic in Pune, India. Anxiety and depression were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7) Scale. Binary logistic regression was applied to identify the factors predicting anxiety and depression. Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety were 20.3% and 17.3%, respectively. The major predictors of anxiety and depression were female gender, obesity, unmarried marital status, poor glycaemic control and the presence of comorbid conditions. Conclusion: This study’s findings highlight a significant prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with T2D in India, with key predictors including gender, obesity, marital status, glycaemic control and comorbid conditions. These findings highlight the critical need for integrated mental health support in routine diabetes care to manage depression and anxiety.

Psychosocial Dynamics and Mental well-Being of Modern Youth

A comprehensive study of psychosocial factors affecting the mental well-being of modern youth is being conducted. Focusing on family support, social networks, stress management strategies, cultural influences, educational factors, and socioeconomic status, the authors provide a comprehensive analysis highlighting the influence of each of these aspects. The results highlight the key role of family relationships and social connections in the formation of emotional stability, and also highlight the importance of cultural factors and education in the perception and support of mental health. The generalized findings of the article provide the basis for the development of targeted strategies to support the mental health of young people, taking into account the diversity of sociocultural contexts.

“Able to stop things from escalating” – Stakeholders’ perspectives of police, ambulance and mental health co-response to 911-mental health calls

This qualitative study explored New Zealand police, paramedic and mental health staff’s experiences of co-response (when these three agencies work together to respond to suicide/mental health-related crises) and how this compared to usual practice. Themes were identified from 24 in-depth interviews using thematic analysis. ‘ Dread, fear and failure’ encapsulated the reactions toward usual practice, characterized by fears of inadequate support, coercive measures, risk and poor outcomes. The ‘gamechanger’ co-response model provided police and paramedics with supportive and accessible mental health expertise. Participants felt safer and better able to provide person-and family-centered input. Continuation and extension of co-response models are recommended.

Coproduction of accessible digital mental health supports in partnership with young people from marginalised backgrounds: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionDespite the evidence supporting the value of digital supports for enhancing youth mental health services, there is a lack of guidance on how best to engage with young people in...

Patient-initiated follow-up for high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. How we do it and two years of outcome data.

Why do we follow-up patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous-cell carcinomas (cSCC)? Current guidance suggests we offer post-treatment follow-up appointments at regular intervals for 24 months. Is this to improve prognosis, provide psychological support or find the next cancer? Recent data confirms recurrence and metastasis to be rarer events. We question whether these follow-up practices are truly 'needed' by introducing an option of patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU). We enrolled 476 cSCC patients (January 2020 - January 2023) who fulfilled the definition of high-risk cSCC based on guidelines in use at the time. 59 patients were excluded. 53% (n=250) did not re-contact us during the 2-year period, with no clinical record of complications or recurrences. 35% (n=167) utilised the PIFU pathway, of which 119 patients only required 1 face-to-face appointment. 7 patients (1.5%) developed metastatic disease, 11 patients developed recurrence, and 68 patients developed cSCC at another site. All lesions were identified by the patient via PIFU. We saved 1250 follow-up appointments from those that did not contact us (n=250); financially equating to £181,462.50. Our data implies that PIFU can be considered safe alternative practice for patients with cSCC. Patients independently identified the need for review without scheduled follow-up, making these appointments available to other patient cohorts. Although follow-up appointments may provide mental health support, they can be inconvenient and not the ideal use of our health resources. Our findings support a call for revision of existing skin cancer health policies, to cope with and subsequently improve our practices, to better patient care.

Impacts of an abbreviated personal agency training with refugee women and their male partners on economic empowerment, gender-based violence, and mental health: a randomized controlled trial in Rwanda

IntroductionWe assessed the impact of a personal agency-based training for refugee women and their male partners on their economic and social empowerment, rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), and non-partner violence (NPV).MethodsWe conducted an individually randomized controlled trial with 1061 partnered women (aged 18–45) living in a refugee camp in Rwanda. Women received two days of training, and their partners received one day of training. The follow-up survey where all relevant outcomes were assessed was carried out at 6–9 months post-intervention.ResultsAt follow up, women in the intervention arm were more likely to report partaking in income generating activities (aIRR 1.27 (1.04–1.54), p < 0.05) and skill learning (aIRR 1.59 (1.39–1.82), p < 0.001) and reported a reduction in experience of physical or sexual NPV in the past six months (aIRR 0.65 (0.39–1.07), p < 0.09). While improved, no statistically significant impacts were seen on physical or sexual IPV (aIRR 0.80 (0.58–1.09), p = 0.16), food insecurity (β 0.98 (0.93 to 1.03), p = 0.396), or clean cookstove uptake (aIRR 0.95 (0.88 to 1.01), p = 0.113) in the past six months. We found statistically significant reduction in physical and sexual IPV amongst those experiencing IPV at baseline (aIRR 0.72 (0.50 to 1.02), p < 0.07). Small improvements in self-efficacy scores and our indicator of adapting to stress were seen in the intervention arm. Some challenges were also seen, such as higher prevalence of probable depression and/or anxiety (aIRR 1.79 (1.00-3.22), p = 0.05) and PTSD (aIRR 2.07 (1.10–3.91), p < 0.05) in the intervention arm compared to the control arm.ConclusionOur findings echo previous research showing personal agency training can support economic well-being of women. We also find potentially promising impacts on gender-based violence. However, there is some evidence that integration of evidence-based mental health support is important when enhancing agency amongst conflict-affected populations.Trial registration numberThe trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04081441 on 09/09/2019.

Exploring the Changing Landscape of the HR Role in Managing and Addressing the Unique Challenges Faced by Frontline Workers during Covid-19 Pandemic

Exploring the Changing Landscape of the HR Role in Managing and Addressing the Unique Challenges Faced by Frontline Workers during Covid-19 Pandemic

Telehealth resources and utilization interest among women who sell sex: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study

ObjectiveAmong a sample of women who sell sex (WSS), we examined unmet health needs, resources for telehealth, utilization interest, and attributes associated with interest in using telehealth. Study designExplanatory sequential mixed methods. MethodsWSS (N = 52) completed a fixed choice survey and focus group (N = 6, 26 individuals) from drop-in centers serving WSS. Chi-square/t-tests and results from the survey data informed the semi-structured focus group interview guide. Thematic analysis of focus group data was conducted to identify themes. ResultsOver half (58 %) of participants expressed interest in using telehealth; however, some lack the necessary resources for use. While 60 % of participants own mobile phones and 46 % have access to a computer, only 35 % have a secure, private space for telehealth appointments. Interest in telehealth was higher among participants who self-identified as having high risk for HIV compared to low risk for HIV (79 % versus 46 %, p = 0.024), and among those considering PrEP for HIV prevention versus not considering PrEP (68 % versus 32 %, p = 0.046). Focus group participants preferred face-to-face encounters for complex medical concerns but expressed interest in telehealth for improved access to healthcare providers for routine care and mental health. ConclusionIncorporating telehealth into community organizations could be one strategy to address health inequities experienced by WSS. Access to resources, including technology and safe spaces may be well-accepted if offered at trusted community organizations. Such accessibility addresses a gap in care for WSS and paves the way for new avenues for HIV prevention, mental health support, and research related to unmet health needs among WSS.

Three distinct patterns of mental health response following accidents in mountain sports: a follow-up study of individuals treated at a tertiary trauma center.

The restorative effect of physical activity in alpine environments on mental and physical health is well recognized. However, a risk of accidents and post-accident mental health problems is inherent to every sport. We aimed to characterize mental health in individuals following mountain sport accidents requiring professional medical management. Adult victims of mountain sport accidents treated at the hospital of the Medical University of Innsbruck (Austria) between 2018 and 2020 completed a cross-sectional survey at least 6months following the admission (median 44 months, n = 307). Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, PCL-5), anxiety, depression, and somatization (PHQ), resilience (RS-13), sense of coherence (SOC-9L), post-traumatic growth (PTGI), and quality of life (EUROHIS-QOL), as well as sociodemographic and clinical information, were obtained from an online survey and extracted from electronic health records. Mental health outcome patterns were investigated by semi-supervised medoid clustering and modeled by machine learning. Symptoms of PTSD were observed in 19% of participants. Three comparably sized subsets of participants were identified: a (1) neutral, (2) post-traumatic growth, and (3) post-traumatic stress cluster. The post-traumatic stress cluster was characterized by high prevalence of symptoms of mental disorders, low resilience, low sense of coherence, and low quality of life as well as by younger age, the highest frequency of pre-existing mental disorders, and persisting physical health consequences of the accident. Individuals in this cluster self-reported a need for psychological or psychiatric support following the accident and more cautious behavior during mountain sports since the accident. Reliability of machine learning-based prediction of the cluster assignment based on 40 variables available during acute medical treatment of accident victims was limited. A subset of individuals show symptoms of mental health disorders including symptoms of PTSD when assessed at least 6 months after mountain sport accident. Since early identification of these vulnerable patients remains challenging, psychoeducational measures for all patients and low-threshold access to mental health support are key for a successful interdisciplinary management of victims of mountain sport accidents.

The lived experience of mental disorders in adolescents: a bottom-up review co-designed, co-conducted and co-written by experts by experience and academics.

We provide here the first bottom-up review of the lived experience of mental disorders in adolescents co-designed, co-conducted and co-written by experts by experience and academics. We screened first-person accounts within and outside the medical field, and discussed them in collaborative workshops involvingnumerous experts by experience - representing different genders, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and continents - and their family members and carers. Subsequently, the material was enriched by phenomenologically informed perspectives and shared with all collaborators. The inner subjective experience of adolescents is described for mood disorders, psychotic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, externalizing disorders, and self-harm behaviors. The recollection of individuals' past histories also indexes the prodromal (often transdiagnostic) features predating the psychiatric diagnosis. The experience of adolescents with mental disorders in the wider society is described with respect to their family, their school and peers, and the social and cultural context. Furthermore, their lived experience of mental health care is described with respect to receiving a diagnosis of mental disorder, accessing mental health support, receiving psychopharmacological treatment, receiving psychotherapy, experiencing peer support and mental health activism, and achieving recovery. These findings can impact clinical practice, research, and the whole society. We hope that this co-designed, co-conducted and co-written journey can help us maintain our commitment to protecting adolescents' fragile mental health, and can help them develop into a healthy, fulfilling and contributing adult life.

The Impact of Job Satisfaction on Teacher Mental Health: A Call to Action for Educational Policymakers

Abstract Job satisfaction significantly impacts teachers’ overall well-being and mental health. Research reveals a strong connection between employment status and mental health, with teaching being a particularly stressful profession. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, with the shift to online education and limited support causing heightened stress, anxiety, and depression. This study analyses scientific literature exploring the link between job satisfaction and mental health (depression, stress, and anxiety) in teachers. By examining relevant articles in major databases like Web of Science, PSYNDEX, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, the research identifies numerous sociodemographic and institutional factors contributing to teachers’ mental health struggles, including workload, teaching experience, job satisfaction, gender, and the nature of online education. The findings highlight the urgent need for educational policymakers to develop policies prioritizing teacher well-being, especially during times of crisis. This involves addressing factors affecting job satisfaction and implementing strategies to promote mental health support for educators.