scholarly journals 1.O. Workshop: Building bridges between environmental and Public Mental health

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  

Abstract Scope and extent as well as duration of mental health and mental disorders are influenced by various factors, such as environmental factors. Environmental factors relate to physical, chemical and built environment. We aim to build knowledge by providing 1) a case study on perception of climate change and possibilities and limitations of adaptation, 2) a review on mental and neuropsychiatric disorders in the light of the SDGs framework and 3) give an overview of research methods both, in environmental epidemiology and in neuropsychiatric epidemiology. By bringing together the two fields of expertise and the members of the section of Environment and Health and of Public Mental health we will not only build bridges between individuals but between disciplines which might lead to a joint research agenda. Key messages The scope of mental health changes with changes in the environment. Knowledge provides a strong bridge to link the environment with mental disorders.

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Benjamin

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the therapeutic benefits of a community-based creative artists support group. The author is also the participant/facilitator of the group, which has been ongoing for the past eight months. The relevant experiences of three participants in the group have been chosen, to briefly illustrate the diverse kinds of social and therapeutic value that people with creative artistic inclinations may benefit from. Design/methodology/approach – The philosophy of the author's facilitation of this creative artist support group is based upon the humanistic psychology foundations of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, as well as the author's previous work on the relationship of the creative artist to mental disturbance and mental health. Findings – The pragmatic illustrations of therapeutic benefit from participation in this creative artist support group are directly related to the humanistic supportive atmosphere that is described in this paper as a cornerstone of the Artistic Theory of Psychology. Originality/value – This paper is highly original in the context of the author's description of his Artistic Theory of Psychology, which utilizes the foundation for the “successful creative artist” as being successful in both one's chosen artistic realm as well as making a satisfactory adjustment to day-to-day life. It should also be noted that this paper has been written in the context of a “brief case study” as discussed in August 2013 with the Journal of Public Mental Health editor.


Author(s):  
Vijay Kumar Chattu ◽  
Paula Mahon

Mental health problems affect society as a whole, and not just a small, isolated segment. In developed countries with well-organized healthcare systems, between 44% and 70% of patients with mental disorders do not receive treatment whereas in developing countries the treatment gap being close to 90%. Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder affecting more than 21 million people worldwide. People with schizophrenia are 2-2.5 times more likely to die early than the general population. The case study highlights about agnosia in a schizophrenic patient in a primary care setting and how to address the management at a broader perspective using the appropriate antipsychotic medication and ensuring the support from a family without violating the human rights of the patient. The World Economic Forum estimated that the cumulative global impact of mental disorders in terms of lost economic output will amount to US$ 16 trillion over the next 20 years, equivalent to more than 1% of the global gross domestic product. Mental health should be a concern for all of us, rather than only for those who suffer from a mental disorder. The mental health action plan 2013-2020, endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2013, highlights the steps required to provide appropriate services for people with mental disorders including schizophrenia. A key recommendation of the action plan is to shift services from institutions to the community. Mental health must be considered a focus of renewed investment not just in terms of human development and dignity but also in terms of social and economic development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-144
Author(s):  
Natalie S. Sherry ◽  
Abigail Feder ◽  
Raymond Pan ◽  
Shawn R. Eagle ◽  
Anthony P. Kontos

Athletes with recent concussion experience a constellation of physical (e.g., headache, nausea), cognitive (e.g., memory problems, difficulty concentrating), sleep, and emotional (e.g., anxiety, depressed mood) symptoms after injury. Mental health changes may also be a product of typical maturation in adolescents/young adults, making mood disruption difficult to disentangle from concussion sequelae. In this case study, we present the case of a high-achieving 18-year-old female rower whose concussion clinical trajectory exhibits this type of difficulty. Specifically, we provide a detailed chronological summary of the athlete’s visits with a multidisciplinary concussion team. We highlight in this case study (a) an individualized, biopsychosocial model of concussion care and (b) subtle aspects of her clinical presentation that led the clinical team to transition her treatment focus from concussion specific to formal mental health care.


1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Andrews

Objective: The purpose of the study was to review the information in a Consultancy prepared for the National Mental Health Policy which suggested that half of the people with serious mental illnesses were untreated, while persons with “mental problems” were being overserviced by the specialist mental health services. The fate of the large group of persons with mental disorders of mid-range severity was not addressed. Method: Epidemiological data was reconciled with the service patterns of the clinical workforce and the extent of the unmet need estimated. Results: It was estimated that 25–30% of the Australian population meet criteria for a mental disorder in any year, yet less than one third will receive treatment. Of those that are treated, three quarters will receive their treatment from general practitioners and the remaining quarter will be treated by either the public mental health services, the addiction services, or private psychiatrists. The problem is that less than one half of those with serious mental disorders and only two thirds of those with chronic and disabling disorders appear to be being treated by anyone. Even if there were no slippage of services away from these serious and chronic groups of patients, there would still be a workforce shortfall, especially in rural and remote areas. Conclusions: Strategies to remedy this shortfall that involve psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and general practitioners are noted, and the need for a National Mental Health Survey to provide accurate data is stressed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rauschenberg ◽  
Anita Schick ◽  
Dusan Hirjak ◽  
Andreas Seidler ◽  
Isabell Paetzold ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on public mental health. Digital interventions that have been developed and evaluated in recent years may be used to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic. However, evidence-based recommendations on the use of existing telemedicine and internet-based (eHealth) and app-based mobile health (mHealth) interventions are lacking. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the theoretical and empirical base, user perspective, safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of digital interventions related to public mental health provision (ie, mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders) that may help to reduce the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A rapid meta-review was conducted. The MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL databases were searched on May 11, 2020. Study inclusion criteria were broad and considered systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated digital tools for health promotion, prevention, or treatment of mental health conditions and determinants likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS Overall, 815 peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified, of which 83 met the inclusion criteria. Our findings suggest that there is good evidence on the usability, safety, acceptance/satisfaction, and effectiveness of eHealth interventions. Evidence on mHealth apps is promising, especially if social components (eg, blended care) and strategies to promote adherence are incorporated. Although most digital interventions focus on the prevention or treatment of mental disorders, there is some evidence on mental health promotion. However, evidence on process quality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects is very limited. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that digital interventions are particularly suited to mitigating psychosocial consequences at the population level. In times of physical distancing, quarantine, and restrictions on social contacts, decision makers should develop digital strategies for continued mental health care and invest time and efforts in the development and implementation of mental health promotion and prevention programs.


Author(s):  
Jennifer Dykxhoorn ◽  
James B. Kirkbride

Psychiatric disorders, including common mental disorders, schizophrenia, and suicide, contribute substantially to the global burden of disease in terms of both morbidity and premature mortality, making them an important issue for public mental health. Epidemiological tools quantifying the burden of psychiatric disorders are important in furthering our understanding of psychiatric disorders and informing decision-making. In this chapter, we review major epidemiological studies from the past 30 years of psychiatric epidemiology to provide an overview of the burden of common mental disorders (depression and anxiety), psychotic disorders (schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders), and suicide. We also describe how the incidence and prevalence of these disorder vary by person and place, with a particular focus on the patterns of psychiatric disorders by ethnicity. Finally, we discuss the challenge of applying epidemiological evidence to public health, highlighting key issues facing public health professionals, researchers, and policymakers working in public mental health.


2020 ◽  
pp. 237337992092287
Author(s):  
Briana Mezuk ◽  
Belinda Needham ◽  
Kevin Joiner ◽  
Daphne Watkins ◽  
Sarah Stoddard ◽  
...  

In the past decade, the number of undergraduate public health programs has increased exponentially. This growth provides a unique opportunity to explore concepts and issues relevant to understanding the determinants of health at a population level using new pedagogical approaches. One of these issues is stigma toward mental disorders. Stigma is a concept that refers to a feature or characteristic that reduces, devalues, and disempowers a person. Given the prevalence of mental and substance use disorders among college students, undergraduate education is an important setting for attempting to address stigmatizing attitudes both for society at large and for faculty, staff, and students, including those experiencing mental health problems. This article describes an effort to develop an undergraduate course in public mental health that explicitly addresses the ways stigma shapes student understanding of this topic and discusses lessons learned from this experience.


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