Treatment Of Mental Health Problems Research Articles

The mental health toll among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malawi

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of healthcare workers worldwide, with frontline personnel experiencing heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. This mixed-methods study aimed to assess the mental health toll of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey utilising the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) was conducted among 109 frontline healthcare workers. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 healthcare workers to explore their experiences and challenges during the pandemic. The results indicated a high prevalence of COVID-19-related depression (31%; CI [23, 41]), anxiety (30%; CI [22, 40]), and PTSD (25%; CI [17, 34]) among participants. Regression analysis revealed significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among healthcare workers in city referral hospitals compared to district hospitals. Qualitative findings highlighted the emotional distress, impact on work and personal life, and experiences of stigma and discrimination faced by healthcare workers. The stress process model provided a valuable framework for understanding the relationship among pandemic-related stressors, coping resources, and mental health outcomes. The findings underscore the urgent need for interventions and support systems to mitigate the mental health impact of COVID-19 on frontline healthcare workers in Malawi. Policymakers should prioritise the assessment and treatment of mental health problems among this critical workforce to maintain an effective pandemic response and build resilience for future crises.

Factors that impact mental health help-seeking in Australian adolescents: a life-course and socioecological perspective.

Help-seeking provides opportunities for early prevention and intervention of mental health problems. However, little is known about factors that impact help-seeking from a life-course and socioecological perspective. This study aimed to examine factors that impact adolescents' formal and informal help-seeking in three population groups: the whole population, adolescents with depressive symptoms and adolescents with anxiety symptoms. We drew on data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children birth cohort. Participants were followed from birth to 14-15 years. Based on previous literature and life-course and socioecological models, we measured a range of factors at individual and family, interpersonal and community levels at three time points (0-1 year, 4-5 years and 12-13 years). Outcomes at 14-15 years were help-seeking behaviours divided into three categories (formal help from health professionals, close informal help from friends and family members and broad informal help from other sources). Generalised linear models with logit-binomial links were used. There were varying and common patterns of influencing factors across the three population groups and sources of help-seeking. In the whole population, five common factors (female, previous depressive or anxiety symptoms, discrimination and bully victimisation) were associated with all three sources of help-seeking. Among adolescents with depressive or anxiety symptoms, four common barriers to help-seeking were male adolescents, speaking a language other than English, having poor relationships with peers and less social support. Both intrinsic and extrinsic barriers exist for adolescents' mental health help-seeking. There are priority groups of adolescents with mental health problems who are unlikely to seek support and warrant attention. There is a need for multisector collaborations to address barriers to mental health care and promote help-seeking among adolescents.

Practice and relevance of sports psychiatry in promoting athletes’ mental health in Japan

Abstract: Introduction: This article outlines the important and varied role of sports psychiatrists in Japan and highlights the unique challenges and contributions of sports psychiatry to improving the mental health and performance of athletes. The report emphasizes the need for accurate assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems in athletes and recognizes the cultural stigmas and pressures specific to competitive sport in Japan. Methods: The paper first reviews the development of sports psychiatry with reference to the founding principles of the International Society for Sports Psychiatry and the Japan Association of Sports Psychiatry. It examines the integration of sport into psychiatric care and vice versa and indicates the value of research in the relationship between exercise and mental well-being. Results: This paper also explores the development of comprehensive diagnostic guidelines, the creation of tailored therapeutic approaches in clinical practice, the promotion of collaborative research to advance the field, and the educational development of psychological specialists. The role of sport psychiatrists in education and public awareness is examined, as well as the importance of destigmatizing mental illness in sport and improving mental health literacy among athletes and their support networks. Conclusion: Overall, this article describes the evolving and multifaceted role of sports psychiatrists in Japan, highlighting their crucial contributions to athlete care, research, education and public awareness. It advocates a flexible and adaptable approach to meeting the ever-changing demands of sports and upholding the mental health needs of athletes.

The revision and factor analytic evaluation of the German version of the depression literacy scale (D-Lit-R German)

BackgroundDepression is a common mental health disorder and the second leading cause of disability worldwide. In people with depression, low depression literacy, which could be characterized by a poor recognition of depressive symptoms and less knowledge about the availability of treatment options, can hinder adequate therapy for depression. Nevertheless, questionnaires measuring depression literacy in Germany are rare. Consequently, for the present study, the German Depression Literacy Scale (D-Lit) has been revised and evaluated.MethodsFirst, a team of clinical psychologists revised the D-Lit German scale. Next, cognitive interviews were conducted with patients with depression to improve the comprehensibility of the scale items. Our revision of the D-Lit-R German scale was then subjected to an anonymous online study. Finally, the data went through an exploratory factor analysis, and sociodemographic subgroup analyses were performed.ResultsN = 524 individuals (age 18–80) completed the D-Lit-R German scale and a questionnaire on their sociodemographic data. Cronbach´s alpha was estimated as α = .72, and McDonald's Omega (categorical) was estimated as ω = .77. The mean Item difficulty was M = .75 (SD = .15). An EFA was performed for a unidimensional model, a 5-factor-model and at last a 3-factor-model. The 5-factorial model showed a good model fit (χ2emp,WLSMV(131) = 92.424, p > .05; CFI = 1, RMSEA = 0, SRMR = .07) but was rejected since the content of the potential 5 factors could not be determined. The 3-factor model showed an arguable model fit. The Chi2 test was significant (χ2emp,WLSMV(168) = 199.912, p < .05), but the CFI and the RMSEA met an acceptable model fit (CFI = .990, RMSEA of .019, 90% CI[.003, .029]). Substantively, the three factors were defined as (1) Distractors and other symptoms, (2) Depressive symptoms, and (3) Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic depression treatment. Furthermore, there were significant differences in sum scores regarding the subgroup's gender, treatment for mental health problems, depression treatment, experience with depression, and different career fields.ConclusionsThe D-Lit-R German scale is a time-efficient scale to assess some aspects of the depression literacy construct that can be easily applied. Since there was no perfect model fit, it is recommended to continue to revise the scale. Further evaluation studies could ask for knowledge of the etiological factors of depression. Future studies could then use this instrument to convey depression literacy. This instrument could assess the growth of knowledge after psychoeducational interventions in different settings.Trial registrationThis trial was preregistered at the platform osf.io (https://osf.io/49xdh).Registration number: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/49XDHDate of registration: 28 April 2022.

The Application and Ethical Issues of Digital Mental Health Services

The widespread popularity of digital technology has brought about significant changes in the treatment of mental health problems. Traditional mental health services can no longer meet the needs of society for mental health, and digital mental health services are developing vigorously. Digital mental health services have shown significant advantages in rapid diagnosis, improving mental health, and improving mental service efficiency. This article outlines the development and application of mental health services so far. On the basis of describing the various uses of digital psychological intervention measures, it focuses on the ethical issues faced by the current application of digital mental health services, such as privacy and data security caused by Big data, potential ethical risks caused by digital technology, insufficient clinical verification, imperfect market regulations and professional threats to psychological workers. To ensure the rational and compliant use of digital technology in the field of mental health, this article discusses the ethical problem- solving directions of current digital mental health services from three levels: technical policies, ethical norms and systems, and social individuals, in order to promote the integration of digital technology and mental health services and improve the quality and efficiency of digital mental health services.

HUMAN RIGHTS TO HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS IN TIDAL FLOOD AREAS: A POLICY BRIEF

Objective: Mental health problems in vulnerable groups in tidal flood areas include impaired self-concept, stress, and anxiety. Many policies regulate flood management especially to manage mental health problems in disaster areas. However, during tidal floods, the implementation of programs to handle psychosocial problems was not optimal. This research aims to develop policy recommendations to meet the need for the right to a healthy and prosperous life among vulnerable groups in tidal flood areas. Method: This research is a review type of research that examines the policies and legal norms that apply in Indonesia and is related to the tidal flood disaster situation. Prescriptive analysis is carried out by researchers so that researchers can describe problems based on the perspective of policy studies and legal norms that have been studied and analyzed using literature studies. Result: Various efforts to deal with tidal floods have been carried out, but they still focus on improving the physical environment and dealing with physical health problems. Mental health problems are still ignored because they tend not to be studied and presented by society and the government. Fulfillment of the right to health is unequal because it is not implemented holistically. Conclusion: Exposure to tidal floods that cannot be changed and prevented requires the existence of policies that regulate the prevention and treatment of mental health problems. Existing policies need to be integrated with each other so that they can be implemented technically by carrying out continuous mental health efforts.

Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes in Kermanshah Older Adults

Background: Mental health help-seeking is the initial step in evaluating one's mental state, receiving an accurate diagnosis and professional intervention for mental health problems. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the mental health help-seeking attitudes of older adults in Kermanshah. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional research study was conducted in 2022 among 538 individuals aged 60 and above who were beneficiaries of the pension funds in Kermanshah, Iran. The samples were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected through interviews with older adults using a standardized questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: The mean age of respondents was 66.01 ± 4.09, ranging from 60 to 75 years. About 39% (210 people) of older adults had positive mental health help-seeking attitudes, and 61% (328 people) had negative mental health help-seeking attitudes. The positive mental health help-seeking attitudes were higher in older adults with higher educational levels (P &lt; 0.001) and better economic status (P = 0.029). Conclusions: The majority of the older adults had a negative attitude towards mental health help-seeking, highlighting the importance of interventions to improve elderly attitudes toward mental health help-seeking.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish short mood and feelings questionnaire parent form

ABSTRACT Screening for symptoms of depression in children and adolescents is quite important for both the prevention and early intervention of mental health problems. Despite the differences between child and parent reports, parental information is still a valuable resource for understanding depression in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to translate and adapt the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire Parent Form (SMFQ-P) into Turkish and evaluate its psychometric properties. The parents of 341 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years participated in the study. The parents who participated in the study were predominantly mothers, accounting for 83.3% (n = 284), while fathers made up 15.8% (n = 54) of the sample. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the single-factor structure of the SMFQ-P demonstrated good fit indices. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the 13-item SMFQ-P was calculated as .80.Additionally, no differences were found in SMFQ-P scores between children’s pre-adolescent (from 6–11 years) and adolescents (from 12–17 years) and children’s gender. The convergent validity of the SMFQ-P was assessed with the depression subscale of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale- Parent Version (RCADS-PV) and the emotional problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Parent Version (SDQ-PV), and significant, moderately positive correlations were observed. The divergent validity of the SMFQ-P was assessed with the hyperactivity and prosocial behavior subscales of the SDQ-PV, and significant but weak correlations were identified. The psychometric properties of the Turkish SMFQ-P were supported by the results of this study.

Real-time personalized feedback in mHealth for adolescents.

Mobile Health (mHealth) interventions have the potential to improve early identification, prevention, and treatment of mental health problems. Grow It! is a multiplayer smartphone app designed for youth aged 12-25, allowing them to monitor their emotions and engage in daily challenges based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles. Recently, a personalized mood profile was added to improve the app. We investigated whether real-time personalized feedback on mood enhances app engagement, user experience, and the effects on affective and cognitive well-being. Sample A (N = 1269, age = 18.60 SD = 3.39, 80.6% girls, 95.4% Dutch) played the original app without feedback on their mood, and an independent Sample B (N = 386, age = 16.04 SD = 3.21, 67.6% girls, 82.9% Dutch) received the renewed version with personalized real-time feedback on their mood. Participants who received personal feedback did not have higher app engagement (t(1750,400) = 1.39, P = .206, d = 0.07; t(692,905) = 0.36, P = .971, d = 0.0) nor higher user experience (t(177,596) = 0.21, P = .831, d = 0.02; (t(794) = 1.28, P = .202, d = 0.12; χ2 (659,141) = 2.83, P = .091). Players of the renewed version (Sample B) experienced significant improvements in affective (t(175) = 3.01, P = .003, d = 0.23) and cognitive well-being (t(175) = 3.48, P = <.001, d = 0.26) over the course of three weeks. The renewed version Grow It! has the potential to enhance youths' affective and cognitive well-being. However, adding real-time insights did not seem to affect app engagement nor user experience.

“So, Do Not Fear”: Religion and the prevalence, persistence, and severity of anxiety disorders among Black Americans

BackgroundThere is a dearth of scholarship that explicates the effects of religious participation on anxiety disorders among Black Americans. A better understanding of the links between religious participation, a coping resource, and anxiety disorders among Black Americans remains essential, given Black Americans are less likely than their white counterparts to seek professional treatment for mental health problems, leading to greater unmet mental health needs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether religious participation is associated with the prevalence, persistence, and severity of anxiety disorders among Black adults. MethodsWe used a national sample of Black adults (N = 4999) from the National Survey of American Life, a cross-sectional study conducted from 2001 to 2003. Five anxiety disorders were assessed: posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia. Three dimensions of religious participation were assessed: organizational, non-organizational, and subjective religious participation. Weighted logistic and linear regressions were estimated to examine the associations between religious participation and anxiety disorders. ResultsFindings indicate that organizational religious participation and subjective religiosity were associated with lower odds of anxiety disorders and decreased severity. Findings for non-organizational religious participation in relation to the prevalence, persistence, and severity of anxiety disorders were mixed. LimitationsThe study limitations include the utilization of self-reported measures, cross-sectional study design, and age of the data set. ConclusionsDifferent dimensions of religious participation have differing effects on anxiety disorders. Religious participation may be an important resource for Black Americans in coping and preventing anxiety disorders.

Levels of depression, anxiety and subjective happiness among health sciences students in Croatia: a multi-centric cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that symptoms of depression and anxiety were highly prevalent among health sciences students. This may lead to other professional and personal difficulties and a decrease in individuals’ well-being. This study aimed to analyze levels of depression, anxiety and subjective happiness among health sciences students in Croatia.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 10 higher education institutions in Croatia during March 2023. Eligible participants were health sciences students. Participants filled out an online survey consisting of sociodemographic questions and validated scales for determining the levels of depression (9-question Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, GAD-7), and happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale, SHS).ResultsOf 7460 invited students, 2137 students participated in the study (29% response rate). There were 41.4% of students that exhibited at least mild depressive symptoms, with 8% of students exhibiting moderately severe symptoms and 1.8% severe depressive symptoms. Mild anxiety was found in 36.8%, moderate anxiety in 23.9% and severe anxiety in 15.8% of students. The median SHS score was 19 (15.25–22).Women students had significantly higher levels of depression (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p < 0.001) than their men peers. Students in earlier study years showed higher levels of depression, anxiety and lower levels of subjective happiness compared to those in later study years. Students with lower self-assessed financial status had higher levels of depression (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p < 0.001). Students that failed an academic year had higher levels of depression (p < 0.001), but lower levels of anxiety (p = 0.005).ConclusionIn this study, we have shown that health sciences students exhibit high levels of depression and anxiety, at rates exceeding those in the general population reported in other studies. Our results may help educational institutions to put greater effort into the battle against mental health stigma, foster acceptance of mental health issues and encourage students to seek help when needed. Adequate mental health services are needed at universities to promote timely diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems.

ВКЛАД СЕМЕЙНЫХ ФАКТОРОВ В ПСИХИЧЕСКОЕ ЗДОРОВЬЕ МЛАДШИХ ШКОЛЬНИКОВ ДО И ВО ВРЕМЯ ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19

The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of distal and proximal family factors to mental health of Russian children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were primary caregivers of 1,985 children aged 6 to 12 years. The 2011-2019 sample consisted of 1403 children (53% girls; mean age 8.6; SD = 1.2); 2020-2021 sample consisted of 582 children (50% girls; mean age 8.8; SD = 1.4). The study used internationally recognized measures with established validity and reliability. Children’s mental health was measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); family factors were measured by the socio-demographic questionnaire, short Family Cohesion Scale, and the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire — Brief Form (APQ-BF). The results showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents of primary schoolchildren rated family cohesion lower than before the pandemic; they were also less likely to apply positive parenting practices, and more likely to use inconsistent discipline. High level of parental involvement maintained an existing level of children’s prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas with the average and low levels of parental involvement the expression of children’s prosocial behavior during the pandemic decreased. An increase in children’s internalizing and externalizing problems during the pandemic was observed only in families low in cohesion. Low level of parental education weakened the negative impact of child mental health problems on their everyday life, whereas high level of parental education was a risk factor of greater impact. These results can be used to develop evidencebased programs for prevention and intervention of mental health problems in primary school children and their families.

Assessment of Prenatal Depression Among Primigravida Women in Sulaimaniyah City, Iraq

Background: Mothers may experience challenges during pregnancy, especially primigravida because it is their first time giving birth is a life-changing incident. Antenatal depression can impact a woman while pregnant and, if left untreated, can be a prelude to postpartum depression.&#x0D; &#x0D; Objectives: To evaluate primigravida prenatal depression during pregnancy in Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan region of Iraq, and to ascertain the correlation between these women's depression score and their sociodemographic features.&#x0D; &#x0D; Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, antenatal depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) among 100 primigravida participants at selected healthcare centres. The study used a validated questionnaire to collect participants' data through a random sampling technique.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: In the current study, most of the primigravida women (57%) were aged 18-24 years old, housewives (73%), and had an academic degree (44%). According to the EPDS cut-off point (≥10), 46 out of 100 women were determined to be depressed (46%). Among them, those aged 18-24 had more depression possibility (23%) than other age groups (p=0.212). Also, housewives experienced more depression possibility (29%) than other groups (p=0.031). Additionally, most women who had academic degrees had more depression possibility (28%) than other groups (p=0.003).&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusions: Pregnant women frequently experience depression in this locality. Measures of prenatal depression ought to be a standard part of prenatal consultations to facilitate the early identification and treatment of mental health problems during the sensitive stage of pregnancy.

Utilization and costs of health care and early support services in Germany and the influence of mental health burden during the postnatal period

Limited evidence is available about health care utilization and its determinants in the vulnerable postnatal period for mothers and their children. Thus, the aim of our analyses was to assess determinants of health care and early support services utilization regarding mothers and their children and associated costs in the postnatal period in Germany. Moreover, we aimed to investigate the impact of noticeable mental health and psychosocial burdens on health care and early support services utilization and costs. Using a two-step assessment process of parents from a randomly selected sample of 30,000 recently born children in the multicenter observational population-based cohort study of the SKKIPPI project, we firstly identified mothers who were potentially at risk of mental health and psychosocial burden. These mothers were then invited to participate in an in-depth assessment, including a detailed self-developed questionnaire focusing on early support and health care services utilization. A follow-up after 6 months was conducted. Potential determinants of early support services utilization were analyzed using logistic regression. General linear models with gamma distribution and log link functions were applied to analyze potential determinants of health care costs and to estimate mean adjusted costs. Mothers with a noticeable mental health or psychosocial burden and their children caused mean early support services costs of €1073 and caused total costs of €10,849 in the postnatal period from a payer’s perspective compared to €349 (early support services) and €9136 (total costs) for mothers without a noticeable mental health or psychosocial burden and their children. The main determinants of total costs were facing a chronic disease (child), preterm delivery, bad experiences with doctors and midwives, and single parenthood. The majority of participants (69 %) utilized some kind of early support services. The most important determinants of early support service utilization in the postnatal period with respect to the children were facing a chronic disease, being the first child, and being born as a twin. Our findings highlight the importance of sufficient appreciation and treatment of mental health problems in the postnatal period from both a societal and payer’s perspective. Future research should investigate whether these and more specific interventions could be a cost-effective way to support mothers with mental health or psychosocial burden and their children.

“Hermes” - Hemophilia Related Mental Illness: A Cross-Sectional, Multicenter Study in Switzerland

Background: The availability of clotting factor concentrates and prophylactic home treatment for patients with hemophilia (PWH) A and B in developed countries greatly improved clinical outcomes. As the life expectancy of affected patients has increased, the management of comorbidities has become a greater focus within the comprehensive care setting. However, most studies focus on somatic complications. The past two decades revealed a growing body of work reporting increased prevalence of mental health problems in PWH. Given the severity and chronicity of the disease, internalizing disorders (i.e. anxiety, depression) as well as externalizing disorders (i.e. substance dependency, irritability and aggression) seem to go hand in hand with hemophilia. We aimed to assess the prevalence of comorbid mental health problems among PWH in Switzerland. We investigated age effects on this relationship as well as potentially influencing factors (illness factors and environmental factors) that may account for these. We also aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and age dependency in this setting. We are heading to identify targets of prevention/early intervention of mental health problems and foster improvement of evidence-based interdisciplinary treatment in PWH. Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted within six hemophilia treatment centers in Switzerland. Study participants were aged 6-99 years with congenital hemophilia of any severity. All participants or their legal guardians provided written informed consent, and the study was approved by the cantonal medical ethics committee of the responsible states. Participants aged 12 or older underwent a detailed personal psychological assessment followed by completing an online survey utilizing validated psychological measures (HRQoL, psychosocial functioning, somatic comorbidities/parental factors). Participants younger than 12 years underwent a detailed personal psychological assessment with one parent/legal guardian followed by an online survey to be completed by their parent/guardian. In all participants younger than 18 years, we assessed one parent/legal guardian additionally. Results:A total of n=164 PWH participated in the study (133 adult and 31 pediatric participants). Data analyses showed a median age of 39.26 years (SD 20.41). The majority of participants had hemophilia A (n=134, 82%), while hemophilia B was diagnosed in n=30 (18%) of participants. A severe hemophilia was reported in n=85 (52%), a moderate in n=31 (19%) and a mild hemophilia in n=48 (29%). Prophylactic treatment regimen was used in n=97 (59%). Out of n=156 participants with completed neuropsychiatric diagnostic interview, n=38 (24%) participants showed a psychiatric disorder over lifetime. This was significantly associated with disease severity, being more prevalent in moderate and severe hemophilia. We could not detect an association with age, so age does not moderate this association. In n=153 participants with available data on HRQoL, we found a lower HRQoL also to be associated with disease severity (moderate and severe). Moderation analyses could not confirm an association with age. Conclusion:Our data show an association of (lifetime) psychiatric diagnoses and a lower health-related quality of life in hemophilia depending on disease severity. This association is evident in moderate and severe hemophilia and is independent of age despite recent progress in development and use of new therapies going along with suggested lower hemophilia disease burden. Further analyses including somatic and treatment factors as well as parenting are ongoing and will be presented.

Mental health and service use of parents with and without borderline intellectual functioning.

People with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) encounter greater social adversities than the general population and have an increased prevalence of mental illness. However, little is known about the socio-demographic characteristics and mental health of parents with BIF. A secondary data analysis of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014 was conducted. Logistic regression models were fitted to compare differences in socio-demographic, mental health and service-use characteristics between parents and non-parents with and without BIF, and to investigate if the relationship between parent status and mental health outcomes was modified by BIF status, sex, and employment. Data from 6872 participants was analyzed; 69.1% were parents. BIF parents had higher odds of common mental disorder, severe mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm/suicide and were more likely to see their General Practitioner (GP) and to receive mental health treatment than non-BIF parents. BIF parents did not have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than BIF non-parents. Being a parent, after adjusting for BIF status and other confounders, was associated with increased odds of having a common mental disorder, visits to see a GP and treatment for mental health. Female parents had higher odds of treatment for mental health problems. Being a parent is associated with elevated rates of common mental disorders. There is a higher burden of mental health problems and service use in people with BIF. A greater provision of specialist support services including ascertainment is indicated for this group.

Sexuality among young Danes treated for mental health problems: Baseline findings in a nationwide cohort study

Mental health problems are common among adolescents and young adults (AYA), but although sexuality plays a central role in the transition from adolescence to adulthood, associations between such problems and sexuality have only been sparsely researched in AYA. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between mental health problems and various outcomes related to body and sexuality, romantic relationships, sexual functioning, and sexual risk behaviors among AYA. We used questionnaire data from 8696 Danish AYA aged 15–24 years who participated in the nationwide cohort study Project SEXUS at baseline in 2017–2018. Logistic regression analyses yielded demographically weighted, age-adjusted odds ratios for associations between mental health problems and sexual outcomes. Female AYA treated for mental health problems reported more active sex lives than other women. Treatment for mental health problems was associated with statistically significantly increased odds ratios for several sexual dysfunctions, and treated AYA significantly more often reported sexual debut before age 15 years, high sex partner numbers, sexual victimization, unsafe sex, sexually transmitted infections, induced abortions, discontentment with the appearance of body and genitalia, gender non-conformity, same-sex sexual experience, and non-heterosexual identity. Compared to healthy peers, AYA treated for mental health problems constitute a vulnerable group at increased risk of sexual adversities. Healthcare professionals should acknowledge these possible sexual challenges and offer relevant counselling to reduce the risk of adverse sexual outcomes in this group.

Mobile Technologies for Supporting Mental Health in Youths: Scoping Review of Effectiveness, Limitations, and Inclusivity.

Over the past decade, there has been growing support for the use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies to improve the availability of mental health interventions. While mHealth is a promising tool for improving access to interventions, research on the effectiveness and efficacy of mHealth apps for youths is limited, particularly for underrepresented populations, including youths of color and economically marginalized youths. This scoping review study sought to evaluate the following research questions: (1) What is the extent of the current literature on mHealth apps that provide intervention for mental health problems in children and adolescents? (2) What is known from the existing literature about the effectiveness or efficacy of delivering mental health services via mHealth apps? (3) What are the gaps in the knowledge base in the fields of technology and mental health? (4) Do the reviewed mHealth apps address issues of cultural sensitivity or have they been tested with underrepresented groups (ie, youths of color or economically marginalized groups)? An electronic database search was conducted using relevant search terms. Seven independent reviewers screened identified studies, including title and abstract review to determine if studies met the following inclusion criteria: (1) targeted samples with mental health symptomology or disorders, (2) studied youth participants aged 6-17 years, and (3) examined the use of a mobile app-based platform for intervention. Relevant studies were subjected to full-text review to extract and chart relevant data based on a priori research questions. The initial database search yielded 304 papers published from 2010 to 2021. After screening and selection, the final review included 10 papers on the effectiveness and efficacy of mental health intervention apps for youths aged 8 to 17 years. Identified apps targeted a broad range of mental health challenges in youths (ie, depression, self-harm, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder). Results identified only a small number of studies suggesting that current effectiveness and efficacy research in this area are limited. While some studies provided general support for the effectiveness of mHealth apps in improving mental health outcomes in youths, several notable limitations were present across the literature, reducing the generalizability of findings. Additionally, considerations around racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity were scarce across studies. Although some studies cited in this scoping review provide support for the effectiveness and efficacy of mHealth apps targeting mental health concerns in youths, the overall body of literature remains quite limited. Moreover, mHealth apps expressly developed to be culturally responsive are almost nonexistent. Further efforts are needed to recruit youths who are typically underrepresented in research and invite stakeholder participation and collaborative input in the early stages of the mHealth app development process.

Cognitive Behavioural and Art-based program (CB-ART): a pilot study in an early parenting centre

BackgroundThe period of pregnancy and early motherhood is a substantial life change associated with psychological turbulence. During this period, some women experience symptoms of anxiety and depression of sufficient severity to warrant professional psychological assistance. Psychosocial and psychological interventions are key therapeutic approaches for women at this life stage. There is growing evidence of the value of the arts in the prevention and treatment of mental health problems. Evidence suggests that women prefer psychological interventions that provide social support and shared space for reflection.Cognitive Behavioural and Art-based intervention (CB-ART) is a novel therapy for prevention and treatment of perinatal mental health problems. The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate CB-ART for acceptability, feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy among women admitted to a residential early parenting unit.MethodsThe pilot study used a single-centre, mixed-methods pre- and post-test design to evaluate CB-ART among women admitted to a 5-day residential early parenting service in Melbourne, Australia. Participants completed questionnaires before and after attendance at two 1-h CB-ART group sessions on day 2 and day 5 of admission during which field notes were taken. Evaluation interviews were conducted by telephone 1 week after discharge. The Short Profile of Emotional Competence and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to assess emotional insight and symptoms of depression, respectively. Feasibility, acceptability and safety were assessed using an analysis of field notes, with quantitative data collected by telephone questionnaire and qualitative data by telephone interviews.ResultsNine participants enrolled in the program; eight provided complete data. Two CB-ART groups were conducted. Before and after comparisons showed that there was an improvement in symptoms of postnatal depression and a marginal improvement in emotional insight. Thematic analysis of qualitative data indicated CB-ART was a feasible and acceptable means of assisting reflection.ConclusionThe preliminary data indicate that the CB-ART program is a feasible, acceptable and safe addition to the 5-day residential program, with potentially therapeutic benefits. A larger randomised study is required to assess the effects of the CB-ART intervention on symptom measures in this and other postnatal settings.Trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN126220000354785. Registered 1 January 2022—retrospectively registered.

Traditional healing in Kisii County, Kenya: a personal narrative.

This article describes the author's experiences growing up in a family of traditional healers, an account of early guidance by her grandmother, a severe illness that influenced her to become a healer and the values that are central to her own work as a traditional healer who specialises in treatment of mental health problems. The impact of colonisation on traditional healing practices in Africa is highlighted.