Mental Health Concerns Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Twitter in the UK

AbstractBackgroundAmid the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health-related symptoms (such as depression and anxiety) have been actively mentioned on social media.ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to monitor mental health concerns on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (UK), and assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health concerns of Twitter users.MethodsWe collected COVID-19 and mental health-related tweets from the UK between March 5, 2020 and January 31, 2021 through the Twitter Streaming API. We conducted topic modeling using Latent Dirichlet Allocation model to examine discussions about mental health concerns. Deep learning algorithms including Face++ were used to infer the demographic characteristics (age and gender) of Twitter users who expressed mental health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsWe showed a positive correlation between COVID-19-related mental health concerns on Twitter and the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Geographic analysis showed that populated urban areas have a higher proportion of Twitter users with mental health concerns compared to England as a whole. Topic modeling showed that general concerns, COVID-19 skeptics, and Death toll were the top topics discussed in mental health-related tweets. Demographic analysis showed that middle-aged and older adults might be more likely to suffer from mental health issues or express their mental health concerns on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has noticeable effects on mental health concerns on Twitter in the UK, which varied among demographic and geographic groups.

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The COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health Concerns on Twitter in the United States

10.1101/2021.08.23.21262489 ◽

2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Senqi Zhang ◽

Li Sun ◽

Daiwei Zhang ◽

Pin Li ◽

Yue Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Topic Modeling ◽

The United States ◽

Allocation Model ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Demographic Composition ◽

The Us ◽

Mental Health Concerns ◽

Twitter Users

AbstractBackgroundMental health illness is a growing problem in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns (such as fear and loneliness) have been actively discussed on social media.ObjectiveIn this study, we aim to examine mental health discussions on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and infer the demographic composition of Twitter users who had mental health concerns.MethodsCOVID-19 related tweets from March 5th, 2020 to January 31st, 2021 were collected through Twitter streaming API using COVID-19 related keywords (e.g., “corona”, “covid19”, “covid”). By further filtering using mental health keywords (e.g., “depress”, “failure”, “hopeless”), we extracted mental health-related tweets from the US. Topic modeling using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation model was conducted to monitor users’ discussions surrounding mental health concerns. Demographic inference using deep learning algorithms (including Face++ and Ethnicolr) was performed to infer the demographic composition of Twitter users who had mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsWe observed a positive correlation between mental health concerns on Twitter and the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Topic modeling showed that “stay-at-home”, “death poll” and “politics and policy” were the most popular topics in COVID-19 mental health tweets. Among Twitter users who had mental health concerns during the pandemic, Males, White, and 30-49 age group people were more likely to express mental health concerns. In addition, Twitter users from the east and west coast had more mental health concerns.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on mental health concerns on Twitter in the US. Certain groups of people (such as Males, White) were more likely to have mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Proof-of-concept support for the development and implementation of a digital assessment for perinatal mental health: a mixed methods study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27132 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nayra Anna Martin-Key ◽

Benedetta Spadaro ◽

Thea Sofie Schei ◽

Sabine Bahn

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Assessment ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Perinatal Mental Health ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Mental Health Assessment ◽

Digital Assessment ◽

Mental Health Concerns ◽

The Uk

BACKGROUND Perinatal mental health symptoms commonly remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in maternity care settings in the UK, with outbreaks of disease, like the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, further disrupting access to adequate mental health support. Digital technologies may offer an innovative way to support the mental health needs of women and their families throughout the perinatal period, as well as assist midwives in the recognition of perinatal mental health concerns. However, little is known about the acceptability and perceived benefits and barriers to using such technologies. OBJECTIVE To conduct a mixed methods evaluation of the current state of perinatal mental healthcare provision in the UK, as well as users’ (women and partners) and midwives’ interest in using a digital mental health assessment throughout the perinatal period. METHODS Eight hundred and twenty-nine women, 103 partners, and 90 midwives participated in the study, which entailed completing an online survey. Quantitative data were explored using descriptive statistics. Open-ended response data were first investigated using thematic analysis. Resultant themes were then mapped onto the components of the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model of Behavior (COM-B model) and summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS The provision of adequate perinatal mental healthcare support was limited, with experiences varying significantly across respondents. There was a strong interest in using a digital mental health assessment to screen, diagnose, and triage perinatal mental health concerns, particularly among women and midwives. The digital assessment was seen to be well placed within maternity healthcare settings, with in-person only and blended care (i.e., in-person and remote support) approaches being preferred by women and partners in the event of further care being advised. Identified benefits and barriers mainly related to physical opportunity (e.g., accessibility), psychological capability (e.g., cognitive skills) and automatic motivation (e.g., emotions). CONCLUSIONS This study provides proof-of-concept support for the development and implementation of a digital mental health assessment to inform clinical decision-making in the assessment of perinatal mental health concerns in the UK.

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Adults who microdose psychedelics report health related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-01811-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joseph M. Rootman ◽

Pamela Kryskow ◽

Kalin Harvey ◽

Paul Stamets ◽

Eesmyal Santos-Brault ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mobile Application ◽

Health And Wellness ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Mental Health Benefits ◽

Health Related ◽

History Of ◽

Mental Health Concerns ◽

Dosage Frequency

AbstractThe use of psychedelic substances at sub-sensorium ‘microdoses’, has gained popular academic interest for reported positive effects on wellness and cognition. The present study describes microdosing practices, motivations and mental health among a sample of self-selected microdosers (n = 4050) and non-microdosers (n = 4653) via a mobile application. Psilocybin was the most commonly used microdose substances in our sample (85%) and we identified diverse microdose practices with regard to dosage, frequency, and the practice of stacking which involves combining psilocybin with non-psychedelic substances such as Lion’s Mane mushrooms, chocolate, and niacin. Microdosers were generally similar to non-microdosing controls with regard to demographics, but were more likely to report a history of mental health concerns. Among individuals reporting mental health concerns, microdosers exhibited lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress across gender. Health and wellness-related motives were the most prominent motives across microdosers in general, and were more prominent among females and among individuals who reported mental health concerns. Our results indicate health and wellness motives and perceived mental health benefits among microdosers, and highlight the need for further research into the mental health consequences of microdosing including studies with rigorous longitudinal designs.

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Outcome of pediatric emergency mental health visits: incidence and timing of suicide

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2019.470 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 321-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joshua Lee ◽

Tyler Black ◽

Garth Meckler ◽

Quynh Doan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Preventative Care ◽

Related Condition ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Emergency Mental Health ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Health Related ◽

Mental Health Concerns

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo determine the incidence, risk, and timing of mortality (unnatural and natural causes) among youth seen in a pediatric emergency department (ED) for mental health concerns, compared with matched non–mental health ED controls.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a quaternary pediatric ED in British Columbia. All visits for a mental health related condition between July 1st, 2005, and June 30th, 2015, were matched on age, sex, triage acuity, socioeconomic status, and year of visit to a non–mental health control visit. Mortality outcomes were obtained from vital statistics data through December 31st, 2016 (cumulative follow-up 74,390 person-years).ResultsAmong all cases in our study, including 6,210 youth seen for mental health concerns and 6,210 matched controls, a total of 13 died of suicide (7.5/100,000 person-years) and 33 died of suicide or indeterminate causes (44/100,000 person-years). All-cause mortality was significantly lower among mental health presentations (121.3/100,000 v. 214.5/100,000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–0.78). The median time from initial emergency visit to suicide was 5.2 years (interquartile range, 4.2–7.3). Among mental health related visits, risk of death by suicide or indeterminate cause was three-fold that of matched controls (HR, 3.05 95%CI, 1.37–6.77).ConclusionsWhile youth seeking emergency mental health care are at increased risk of death by unnatural causes, their overall mortality risk is lower than non–mental health controls. The protracted duration from initial presentation to suicide highlights the need for long-term surveillance and preventative care for youth seen in the ED for all mental health concerns.

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