COVID 19 and Mental Health Experience in Kenya: Reflections for Change (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Nazmul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Mental Health Patients ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Descriptive Method

BACKGROUND Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of vulnerable groups in Kenya and other developing ‎countries are facing a double tragedy. The direct threat from SARS-CoV-2 and indirect ‎consequences of government responses are creating new challenges, as well as worsening ‎existing socio-economic public health aspects. One of the vulnerable groups are people with ‎existing and newly acquired mental health problems. This policy brief seeks to examine the ‎relationship between COVID-19 and mental health in Kenya. It finds that COVID-19 has an ‎overreaching impact on a person’s mental health and if the government does not offer urgent and ‎well thought out measures to cushion these patients from the negative experiences of the ‎pandemic, then the country could find itself with a bigger burden during and after COVID-19 ‎crisis. ‎ OBJECTIVE This policy brief seeks to examine the relationship between COVID-19 and mental health in ‎Kenya. It finds that COVID-19 has an overreaching impact on a person’s mental health and if the ‎government does not offer urgent and well thought out measures to cushion these patients from ‎the negative experiences of the pandemic, then the country could find itself with a bigger burden ‎during and after COVID-19 crisis. ‎ METHODS A secondary descriptive method has been applied for this policy brief RESULTS The paper seeks to raise concern on the low attention mental health has received during the ‎pandemic. ‎Collaborating with regional and international actors to improve research in mental health as ‎well as sensitization programs to dilute the stigma currently existing can also go a long way.‎ CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the paper seeks to raise concern on the low attention mental health has received ‎during the pandemic. The government of Kenya has developed measures to try and contain the ‎spread of the virus in the country, but its strategies have failed to address some of the worst-hit groups such as individuals with mental health disorders. We recommend that the government ‎urgently embarks on a nationwide exercise of documenting mental health cases so as to make ‎an informed policy decision. During this pandemic, mental health patients especially those who ‎live in the streets need to be accorded shelter to protect them from the disease while ‎medication for mental health ought to be subsidized. In the long run, the government can ensure ‎that mental health is integrated with the national health insurance programs, facilities and ‎hospitals for mental health to be upgraded and made more conducive. Collaborating with regional ‎and international actors to improve research in mental health as well as sensitization programs ‎to dilute the stigma currently existing can also go a long way.‎

Attachment to God and Quest as Moderators of the Relationship between Religious Doubt and Mental Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 009164712199240
Author(s):  
Noah S. Love ◽  
Cassidy A. Merlo ◽  
M. Elizabeth Lewis Hall ◽  
Peter C. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Attachment To God ◽  
Religious Doubt ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
The Relationship

The present study examined attachment to God and quest as potential moderators of the relationship between religious doubt and mental health. A sample of Christian participants ( N = 235) completed a survey which included measures of attachment to God, quest, religious doubt, and mental health. As hypothesized, attachment to God and quest significantly moderated an individual’s experience of religious doubt. Low avoidant attachment to God (i.e., a more secure attachment) was associated with a more negative relationship between cognitive religious doubt and positive mental health than high avoidant attachment. In contrast, low avoidant attachment to God also ameliorated the positive relationship between affective religious doubt and mental health problems. Low anxious attachment was associated with a stronger negative relationship between both measures of religious doubt (i.e., cognitive and affective) and positive mental health. In addition, high soft quest weakened all four of the relationships between measures of religious doubt and mental health. High hard quest ameliorated the positive relationship between both measures of religious doubt and mental health problems. These results indicate that an individual’s attachment to God and the way an individual is oriented toward religion each play a role in the mental health outcomes associated with religious doubt.

scholarly journals Trauma, Sleep and Mental Health Problems in Low-Income Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1145
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Fusco ◽  
Yan Yuan ◽  
Hyunji Lee ◽  
Christina E. Newhill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
The Relationship

Low-income young adults are more likely to have exposure to trauma, which increases risk for mental health problems. Although adequate sleep promotes good health, people with histories of trauma are more likely to have sleep problems. The current study explored whether poor sleep mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and mental health. A sample of 143 low-income 18–24-year-old young adults completed depression, anxiety, and trauma exposure measures and wore sleep monitors for four nights. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine both direct and indirect effects of variables. Results showed that higher trauma exposure was associated with depression and anxiety. Mean sleep hours per night was fewer than six, far below recommended guidelines for optimal health and functioning. Fewer sleep hours partially mediated the relationship between both trauma exposure and depression and anxiety, and the direct effect from trauma remained significant after adjusting for the partial mediation from sleep.

Self-Report Depression Scales in the Elderly: The Relationship between the CES-D and ZUNG

1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce R. Deforge ◽  
Jeffery Sobal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scales ◽  
The Relationship

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in the elderly, but there is little consensus about the best way to assess depression in the aged. The relationship between the CES-D and the ZUNG self-report depression scales was investigated in seventy-eight elderly people with osteoarthritis (mean age 71). The correlation between the scales was r = .69, with the CES-D classifying 15 percent of the participants as depressed, as compared to 6 percent by the ZUNG. Psychological symptoms had the strongest relationship with overall depression scores on both scales. No sex differences were found on psychological items on either scale, but females reported more somatic symptoms on the ZUNG. People over age seventy-four reported more psychological symptoms than their younger counterparts.

Pemberdayaan Siswa SMAN 1 Sumberpucung Dalam Dukungan Kesehatan Jiwa Dan Psikososial Covid-19 Untuk Kelompok Rentan Khususnya Lansia

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 853-866
Author(s):  
Berliany Venny Sipollo ◽  
Mochamad Ali Sodikin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Young Generation

ABSTRAK Pandemi COVID-19 merupakan bencana non alam yang berdampak tidak hanya pada kesehatan fisik saja tetapi berdampak pula terhadap kesehatan jiwa dan psikososial masyarakat. Dampak kesehatan jiwa dan psikososial ini dapat menurunkan sistem imunitas tubuh manusia khususnya kelompok rentan yaitu kelompok lansia. Semakin seseorang merasa cemas yang berlebihan, maka tubuh mengalami kegagalan dalam menghasilkan antibodi untuk melawan virus.. Klien yang terdiagnosis positif COVID-19 merasa sangat takut dengan bayangan kematian, dan secara sosial diisolasi yang akan menimbulkan stigma sehingga mungkin terjadi ansietas dan depresi yang bila berlanjut dapat menyebabkan keputusasaan yang akan memperburuk kondisi fisik. Pemberdayaan generasi muda dalam hal ini adalah siswa SMAN 1 Sumberpucung dalam mendukung kesehatan jiwa dan psikosial lansia, yaitu lansia yang berada dalam keluarga siswa. Metode yang digunakan di masa pandemic COVID-19 dengan kegiatan atau pelatihan DKJPS (Dukungan Kesehatan Jiwa dan Psikososial) dievaluasi selama 1,5 bulan berupa melakukan upaya promosi kesehatan (peningkatan imunitas fisik dan imunitas jiwa) dan pencegahan masalah kesehatan (pencegahan penularan dan pencegahan masalah kesehatan jiwa) yang pada akhirnya disebut sebagai Adaptasi Kebiasaan Baru (AKBmelalui virtual menggunakan zoom dan platform Whatsapp Group Chat dengan metode ceramah, Tanya jawab, diskusi dan demonstrasi. Hasil Jumlah audience: 50 siswa dan jumlah lansia dan pra lansia: 11 orang Kata Kunci : Kesehatan Jiwa, Psikososial, Generasi Muda, Lansia  ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic is a non-natural disaster that has an impact not only on physical health but also on the mental and psychosocial health of the community. This mental and psychosocial health impact can reduce the immune system of the human body, especially vulnerable groups, namely the older adults. The more a person feels excessively anxious; the body fails to produce antibodies to fight the virus. Clients who are diagnosed positive for COVID-19 feel very afraid of the image of death and are socially isolated which will lead to stigma so that anxiety and depression may occur if it continues. Can cause despair that will worsen the physical condition. The empowerment of the younger generation in this case is the students of SMAN 1 Sumberpucung in supporting the mental and psychosocial health of the older adults, which was the older adults who are in the student's family. The method used during the COVID-19 pandemic with DKJPS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) activities or training was evaluated for 4 weeks in the form of health promotion efforts (increasing physical immunity and mental immunity) and prevention of health problems (prevention of transmission and prevention of mental health problems. ) which is finally referred to as New Habit Adaptation (AKB through virtual using zoom and the Whatsapp Group Chat platform with the methods of lecturing, question and answer, discussion and demonstration Results Number of audiences: 50 students and the number of older adults and pre-elderly: 11 people Keywords: Mental Health, Psychosocial, Young Generation, Older Adults

scholarly journals Experience of stigma among Chinese mental health patients in Hong Kong

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 451-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Chung ◽  
M. C. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Chinese People ◽  
The People ◽  
Mental Health Patients ◽  
Stigma Of Mental Illness

Aims and MethodThe study was intended to rectify the lack of data on how Chinese people experience the stigma of mental illness. A questionnaire on perceived stigmatisation, experiences of rejection and ways of coping with stigma was completed by 193 persons attending a psychiatric out-patient clinic in Hong Kong.ResultsMost of the participants were aware of the stigma associated with mental illness, but experiences of rejection were relatively less frequent. Eleven per cent of the respondents indicated that they were neglected by health care professionals and 8% had been avoided by family members. The most frequently reported coping method was maintaining secrecy about the illness.Clinical ImplicationsIn China, people with mental health problems experience stigma in various degrees. However, some of the people surveyed expressed feelings of relief that others were supportive and sympathetic towards their illness. Mental health professionals should maintain optimism in helping their patients to cope with the stigma.

scholarly journals Relationship of Depression, Aging and Immune System During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Iylia Binti Fauzi ◽  
Siti Fatimah Binti Salleh ◽  
Mohammad Shahadat Hossen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that first appeared in China in December 2019. It has affected over 157 million people and killed over 3.2 million. The paper reviews the function of the immune system for COVID-19 prevention, depression, and anxiety due to COVID-19 and their effects on the immune system and the relationship of aging with the immune system and depression and anxiety. It has been found that several elderly people lack the coping mechanisms required to deal with the stress caused by COVID-19. Hence, identifying the factors and mechanisms that lead to this resilience will aid in the development of preventive measures for certain elderly people and groups with more severe mental health problems. Additionally, it would be beneficial to understand how technology could be leveraged to accomplish this goal. During the pandemic, various steps such as social isolation, quarantine, and self-isolation are needed to be implemented properly to slow the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, to help halt the pandemic, everybody must be vaccinated as soon as possible until any bans on social gatherings and social isolation can be removed, allowing other sectors such as schooling, social activities, and life to resume normalcy.

scholarly journals Keterlibatan Masyarakat Urban dalam Pengolahan Sampah Rumah Tangga

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 729
Author(s):  
Yosica Mariana
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Active Participation ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Government ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City ◽  
Descriptive Method ◽  
Regional Governments

Generally, activities conducted by people generate waste. The waste which increasingly rises causing a big problem. Therefore, the role of community in waste management will strongly support the process of solving the waste problem in the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of engagement and active participation of citizens, as reflected in the attitude of citizens in the activities related to the response to the waste problem in the community. A descriptive method was used in this study to describe the involvement and participation in the prevention of waste. The result showed that the paradigm of PSBM (community-based waste management) appeared sporadically and has not yet received the maximum support from regional governments. A paradigm which is “people pay, the government manages“, has grown within the community for years. It would hardly change people’s behaviour patterns in solving the waste problem in the community since changing the city into a city that is clean, comfortable and healthy involved many parties, including the community.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): Policy Response for Revival

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-228
Author(s):  
Minaketan Behera ◽  
Sanghamitra Mishra ◽  
Niharika Mohapatra ◽  
Alok Ranjan Behera
Keyword(s):  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Fiscal Stimulus ◽  
Indian Economy ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Market Linkage ◽  
The Government ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Relationship

The outburst of COVID-19 has not only distressed the economic and social activities of Indian economy but also the world economy as a whole. Out of different economic activities, the micro, small and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) affected a lot. This article attempts to measure the contribution of MSMEs towards Indian economy and also attempts to find out the challenges and problems in pre- and during COVID period. We have used different descriptive statistics to measure the impacts of MSMEs and also use of correlation and co-integration to measure the relationship among the variables such as number of MSMEs, investment amount, employment and output. This pandemic is an exceptional shock for MSMEs. It is evident that there is a high degree of significant positive correlation among the variables. Johansen’s co-integration analysis resulted in the rejection of the null hypothesis signifying the existence of long-run co-integrating relationship. Given the extensive COVID-19 chaos, the government needs to establish an ongoing monitoring system and declare urgent relief steps to improve the MSMEs sector’s confidence. E-market linkage for MSMEs should be promoted, and fiscal stimulus should increase for this sector. The Government of India should take various measures to improve Indian MSMEs and achieve the vision of Self-reliant India.

scholarly journals Relationships Among the Internal Health Locus of Control, Mental Health Problems, and Subjective Well-Being of Adults in South Korea

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1588
Author(s):  
Sunhwa Shin ◽  
Eunhye Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to confirm the relationship between internal health locus of control, mental health problems, and subjective well-being in adults during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the mediating effect of mental health problems on the relationship between internal health locus of control and subjective well-being was examined. A cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted via online survey. The participants were 600 adults over 20 years of age living in South Korea. The collected data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis and SPSS Process Macro (Model 4). As a result of the study, the internal health locus of control had a significant negative effect on mental health problems. In addition, in the process of the internal health locus of control affecting subjective well-being, the mediating effect of mental health problems was significantly shown. In the period of an infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19, it is necessary to establish a strong internal health locus of control of individuals and to promote monitoring and treatment introduction for those with a low internal health locus of control. In addition, it was discussed that controlling mental health problems can improve subjective well-being, which is life satisfaction and happiness.

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