scholarly journals Suicide and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiko Ueda ◽  
Robert Nordström ◽  
Tetsuya Matsubayashi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Female Workers ◽  
The Status ◽  
Past Trend

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis, but its effect on suicide deaths is little understood.MethodsWe analyzed data from monthly suicide statistics between January 2017 and October 2020 and from online surveys on mental health filled out by the general population in Japan.ResultsCompared to the last three years (2017-2019), the number of suicide deaths was lower than average during the initial phase of the pandemic but exceeded the past trend starting in July 2020. The source of the increase was mainly female suicides whose numbers increased by approximately 70% in October 2020 (IRR: 1.695, 95% CI: 1.558-1.843). The largest increase was found among young women (less than 40 years of age). Our survey data indicated that the status of mental health among young women has been deteriorating in recent months, and that young female workers were more likely than any other group to have experienced a job or income loss, suggesting adverse economic conditions surrounding some of these individuals.ConclusionsOur results indicate that continuous monitoring of mental health, particularly that of the most vulnerable populations identified in this study, and appropriate suicide prevention efforts are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Suicide and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiko Ueda ◽  
Robert Nordström ◽  
Tetsuya Matsubayashi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Female Workers ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Status ◽  
Past Trend

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis, but its effect on suicide deaths is little understood. Methods We analyzed data from monthly suicide statistics between January 2017 and October 2020 and from online surveys on mental health filled out by the general population in Japan. Results Compared to the 2017–19 period, the number of suicide deaths during the initial phase of the pandemic was lower than average but exceeded the past trend from July 2020. Female suicides, whose numbers increased by approximately 70% in October 2020 (incidence rate ratio: 1.695, 95% confidence interval: 1.558–1.843), were the main source of this increase. The largest increase was found among young women (less than 40 years of age). Our survey data indicated that the status of young women’s mental health has been deteriorating in recent months and that young female workers were more likely to have experienced a job or income loss than any other group, suggesting adverse economic conditions surrounding them. Conclusions Continuous monitoring of mental health, particularly that of the most vulnerable populations identified in this study, and appropriate suicide prevention efforts are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social class and mental health

2018 ◽  
pp. 159-172
Author(s):  
M. Harvey Brenner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Class ◽  
Great Recession ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Economic Crises ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
The Great Depression

The Great Depression saw increasingly higher rates of mental disorder at successively lower social class levels. These findings have been repeated over the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Dynamic interpretations of these relations have concentrated on vulnerability to economic crises, resulting in major increases in mental hospitalization and suicide. These studies have shown psychological morbidity and suicide to be strongly influenced by employment and income loss. Did the Great Recession re-enact the Great Depression’s mental health crisis for world societies? Recent literature shows substantially elevated psychological disorder in the Great Recession across industrialized societies. New multivariate analyses, using gross domestic product declines and unemployment increases as the main recessional indicators, find that world suicide and industrialized country overall mortality rates increased owing to the Great Recession and government austerity. A paradigm is presented of the circular relations linking economic crises, social class, and the interactive relations of mental and physical health.

scholarly journals Consideration of the Psychological and Mental Health of the Elderly during COVID-19: A Theoretical Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunho Lee ◽  
Goo-Churl Jeong ◽  
JongEun Yim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Induced Stress ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

COVID-19 has spread worldwide causing an unprecedented public health crisis. After the World Health Organization declared a pandemic in March 2020, the number of confirmed cases and deaths has continued to increase. This situation may be prolonged until an effective, tested, and safe treatment is available. COVID-19 can occur at any age. However, the maximum confirmed cases and deaths have occurred among the elderly. Particularly, the mental and physical health of the elderly aged above 60 and classified as high-risk groups is more vulnerable than other age groups, requiring more attention. Strong social restraint, social distancing, and quarantine measures to prevent the COVID-19 spread have raised concerns about their mental health. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze and identify the psychological concepts and protective factors that support and constitute these guidelines and strategies and prepare practical suggestions and guidelines to protect the mental health of the elderly during COVID-19. These discussions will facilitate a deeper understanding and expansion of these guidelines and strategies. Therefore, this study explores factors—including pandemic-induced stress, self-integration, self-efficacy, and resilience—in order to prepare practical and detailed suggestions and guidelines using studies that considered these factors, including coping with COVID-19-induced stress, social support, and physical activity.

scholarly journals Mental health during COVID-19 pandemic – a literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-182
Author(s):  
Magdalena Gawrych
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
International Literature ◽  
Wuhan City ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Common Response ◽  
Number Of Publications

Pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection emerged in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Widespread outbreaks of infectious disease are associated with psychological distress and symptoms of mental illness. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a public health crisis. In response to the rapidly increasing number of publications on this subject, this article attempts to provide a comprehensive review of early reports that appeared in the international literature until the beginning of May 2020. This paper details the effects on the general population as medical staff are exposed to different, specific stressors. The available literature has emerged from only a few of the most affected countries; therefore, there is a need for more representative research from other affected regions. The majority of studies focus on depression, anxiety, insomnia and distress. Subsyndromal mental health problems are a common response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a huge need for further research. In particular, attention must be paid to the potentially devastating effects on population-wide mental health. Pandemic crisis shifts from acute to protracted, and the long-term mental-health consequences of the pandemic will manifest themselves in the future.

Online mental health advocacy groups social support, stigma management and advocacy messaging, and audience reactions to this messaging

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sarah Smith-Frigerio
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Advocacy Groups ◽  
Management Communication ◽  
Health Advocacy ◽  
Stigma Management ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Mental Health Advocacy

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Mental health concerns continue to be stigmatized in traditional media, in spite of -- or perhaps contributing to --high prevalence rates of mental health diagnoses globally. This has led to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a public health crisis. Given stigmatization in traditional media, mental health communication scholars are investigating how mental health concerns are depicted and discussed in digital and social media spaces, but this area remains underexplored. The WHO has also outlined the importance of grassroots mental health advocacy groups in addressing the public health crisis, and an understanding of such groups' social media content is imperative. Through the theoretical lenses of information and resources, social support, advocacy, and stigma management communication, case studies of two grassroots mental health advocacy groups were conducted. Analysis of 200 social media posts, interviews with 5 content creators, and interviews with 15 users of the groups' social media feeds identified five major themes: providing information and resources through peer support, using stories, encouragement and connection to provide peer support, using peer support to foster advocacy work amongst users, progressing through stigma management communication strategies from accepting to challenging, and the importance of what is left unsaid. The theoretical and practical implications of these themes are discussed in the final chapter.

scholarly journals Online Mindfulness May Target Psychological Distress and Mental Health during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 216495612110024
Author(s):  
Suzan R Farris ◽  
Licia Grazzi ◽  
Miya Holley ◽  
Anna Dorsett ◽  
Kelly Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Web Content ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Helping Others ◽  
The Impact

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected mental health, creating an urgent need for convenient and safe interventions to improve well-being. Online mindfulness interventions show promise for improving depression, anxiety, and general well-being. Objective To assess: 1) the impact of online mindfulness on psychological distress, 2) altruistic efforts, and 3) the quantity, quality, and availability of online mindfulness resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods 233 participants (203 U.S.; 20 international; 10 unknown) participated in this prospective, single-arm, non-randomized clinical trial of a single online mindfulness meditation session with pre- and post-surveys. Main Outcome Measures (a) Mindfulness session helpfulness, online platform effectiveness, and immediate pre- to post-session changes in momentary stress, anxiety, and COVID-19 concern; (b) qualitative themes representing how people are helping others during the pandemic; (c) absolute changes in quantity of mindfulness-oriented web content and free online mindfulness resource availability from May to August 2020. Results Most participants felt the online mindfulness session was helpful and the electronic platform effective for practicing mindfulness (89%, 95% CI: [82 to 93%]), with decreased momentary anxiety (76%; 95% CI: [69 to 83%]), stress (80%; [72 to 86%]), and COVID-19 concern (55%; [46 to 63%]), (p < 0.001 for each measure). Participants reported helping others in a variety of ways during the pandemic, including following public health guidelines, conducting acts of service and connection, and helping oneself in hopes of helping others. “Mindfulness + COVID” search results increased by 52% from May to August 2020. Most (73%) Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health member websites offer free online mindfulness resources. Conclusions Virtual mindfulness is an increasingly accessible intervention available world-wide that may reduce psychological distress during this isolating public health crisis. Kindness and altruism are being demonstrated during the pandemic. The consolidated online mindfulness resources provided may help guide clinicians and patients.

scholarly journals Mental health solutions for domestic violence victims amid COVID-19: a review of the literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaohui Su ◽  
Dean McDonnell ◽  
Stephanie Roth ◽  
Quanlei Li ◽  
Sabina Šegalo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Domestic Violence Victims ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
Mental Health Challenges

Abstract Background Due to COVID-19, domestic violence victims face a range of mental health challenges, possibly resulting in substantial human and economic consequences. However, there is a lack of mental health interventions tailored to domestic violence victims and in the context of COVID-19. In this study, we aim to identify interventions that can improve domestic violence victims’ mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic to address the research gap. Main text Drawing insights from established COVID-19 review frameworks and a comprehensive review of PubMed literature, we obtained information on interventions that can address domestic violence victims’ mental health challenges amid COVID-19. We identified practical and timely solutions that can be utilized to address mental health challenges domestic violence victims face amid COVID-19, mainly focusing on (1) decreasing victims’ exposure to the abuser and (2) increasing victims’ access to mental health services. Conclusion Domestic violence is a public health crisis that affects all demographics and could result in significant morbidity and mortality. In addition to emphasizing mental health challenges faced by domestic violence victims, multidisciplinary interventions are identified that could provide timely and practical solutions to domestic violence victims amid the pandemic, which range from tailored shelter home strategies, education programs, escape plans, laws and regulations, as well as more technology-based mental health solutions. There is a significant need for more multipronged and multidisciplinary strategies to address domestic violence amid and beyond the pandemic, particularly interventions that could capitalize on the ubiquity and cost-effectiveness of technology-based solutions.

The wounds that do not heal: Black expendability and the traumatizing aftereffects of anti-Black police violence

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid R.G. Waldron
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Black Communities ◽  
Police Violence ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Black Police

PurposeThe murders of Black people at the hands of police in 2020 have led to global protests that have called on public officials to defund or abolish the police. What has been drowned out in these conversations, however, is the traumatizing aftereffects of anti-Black police violence as a public health crisis. In this paper, I argue that the racial terrorism of anti-Black police violence is a deeply felt wound in Black communities that extends beyond the individuals who directly experience it and that this type of collective trauma must be understood as an urgent public health crisis.Design/methodology/approachUsing published studies and online commentaries on anti-Black police violence and its mental health impacts in Canada and the United States, this paper examines the mental health impacts of anti-Black police violence at both the individual and community levels.FindingsA public health response to the traumatizing aftereffects of anti-Black police violence and other forms of state violence must highlight important policy imperatives, such as policies of action focused on improving the public health system. It must also encompass a recognition that the public health crisis of anti-Black police violence is not solvable solely by public health agencies alone. Rather, strategic opportunities to address this crisis arise at every level of governmental interaction, including law enforcement, health care, employment, business, education and the media.Originality/valueWhile the impact of anti-Black police violence on the mental health of Black individuals has been emerging in the literature over the last several years, what has been less focused on and what I address in this paper is how the threat of that violence lingers in Black communities long after the protestors have packed up their megaphones, resulting in collective trauma in Black communities.

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