Mental Health and Student Health Professionals: A Literature Review

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 389-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Tyrrell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
University Education ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Supervisors ◽  
Factors Affecting

This article discusses the mental health problems of students, based on a review of previous research studies. Although a university education is regarded as a privilege, studying for a degree can be a demanding and stressful experience. Many students experience episodes of psychological distress during their college years. Professional degree programmes (such as occupational therapy or medicine) are particularly stressful relative to some other courses, because students face both academic and clinical demands. The prevalence and causes of psychological distress among trainee health professionals are reviewed. Both institutional and individual factors affecting mental health are explored and some issues about student selection are discussed. The final section suggests how the institution and academic staff can address the issue of student mental health in a proactive and constructive manner. There are over 3000 occupational therapy students in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the topic of student mental health should be of interest to academic staff and clinical supervisors.

scholarly journals The transition from university to work: what happens to mental health? A longitudinal study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Østertun Geirdal ◽  
Per Nerdrum ◽  
Tore Bonsaksen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
Young Professionals ◽  
Study Programs

Abstract Background When enrolled in university or college, students receive varying degrees of training in managing practical situations in the workplace. However, after graduation, the young professionals meet their responsibilities at work. The experience of the transition between education and work may connote a feeling of professional uncertainty and lack of coping, both of which are important factors related to young professionals’ mental health. The gap between the two areas of knowledge is frequently described as ‘practice shock’. Very few studies of mental health among students and young professional workers have used longitudinal designs. In the present study, we conducted a longitudinal investigation of change and stability in the levels of psychological distress among healthcare professionals, teachers, and social workers from the end of their study programs until 3 years into their subsequent professional lives. We also assessed the extent to which psychological distress at the end of the study program, sociodemographic characteristics, coping with the professional role, the psychosocial workplace environment, and experience of overall quality of life can predict psychological distress 3 years into their professional lives. Methods Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). A total of 773 students/young professionals participated at both the end of their study programs and 3 years into their professional lives. Group differences were examined by the chi-squared test, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance. McNemar’s test were applied to identify changes in the proportion of cases at the two time points. Linear and logistic regressions were employed to identify factors associated with GHQ-12 Likert scores and GHQ-12 case scores, respectively. Results Psychological distress was significantly reduced at 3 years for health professionals. Among the social workers and teachers, the change in psychological distress was not significant during the same period. Higher current quality of life contributed to lower psychological distress. Conclusions Our findings support assumptions about higher levels of mental health problems as students, with mental health improving as health professionals and social workers move into professional work.

scholarly journals FACTORS AFFECTING EARLY DETECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF THE ELDERLY AND SERVICE USE IN KOREA

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 1202-1202
Author(s):  
Y. Park ◽  
D. Son ◽  
K. Park ◽  
E. Park ◽  
Y. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Factors Affecting

scholarly journals Changes in psychological distress and psychosocial functioning in young people visiting headspace centres for mental health problems

2015 ◽  
Vol 202 (10) ◽  
pp. 537-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra J Rickwood ◽  
Kelly R Mazzer ◽  
Nic R Telford ◽  
Alexandra G Parker ◽  
Chris J Tanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Young People ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems

Living in Uncertain Times: Pre-existing Mental Health Symptoms, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Perceived COVID-19 Threat as Predictors of Psychological Distress During the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M Bell ◽  
Diane Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Distress Intolerance ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Threat Levels

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people are facing heightened uncertainty about the future and increasing rates of psychological distress. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and perceived COVID-19 threat may be contributing to mental health problems. This study investigated changes in mental health problems prior to and during the first two pandemic waves in the U.S., and the extent to which IU and perceived COVID-19 threat predicted these problems. MTurk participants (n=192; 50% women) were recruited from a pre-pandemic study in December 2019/January 2020 for a follow-up study on COVID-19 experiences, across five timepoints between April and August 2020. IU, perceived COVID-19 threat, and mental health problems (i.e., worry, COVID-19 fear, and trauma symptoms) were assessed. On average, mental health problems were not elevated, relative to pre-pandemic levels, and remained stable across time. Heightened IU and perceived COVID-19 threat were associated with more mental health problems. Surprisingly, objective measures of COVID-19 threat (e.g., state case rates) showed no associations with IU, and were slightly negatively correlated with psychological distress and perceived threat. Pre-existing mental health symptoms, IU and perceived COVID-19 threat may foster vulnerability to mental health problems during the pandemic, more so than objective threat levels.

scholarly journals Advances in psychiatric treatment in primary care

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Dowrick
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Breaking Work

Following ground-breaking work by Shepherd et al (1966) and, more recently, Goldberg & Huxley (1992), primary care is now recognised as the arena in which most contact occurs between the National Health Service (NHS) and people with mental health problems. General practitioners (GPs) remain the first, and in many cases the only, health professionals involved in the management of a whole range of conditions, from common anxiety and depressive disorders to severe and enduring mental illnesses.

scholarly journals Mental health problems, benefits and tackling discrimination

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Galloway ◽  
Billy Boland ◽  
Gareth Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Policy Institute

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Changes among Polish University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9571
Author(s):  
Karolina Fila-Witecka ◽  
Adrianna Senczyszyn ◽  
Agata Kołodziejczyk ◽  
Marta Ciułkowicz ◽  
Julian Maciaszek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Eating Pattern

Students worldwide have been impacted by nationwide safety closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an environment with loss of interaction with colleagues, social isolation, boredom, and economic uncertainty. Since university students were considered uniquely vulnerable to mental health problems even before the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate lifestyle and behavioral changes experienced by this population due to the epidemiological situation and their effect on their mental health. Data were collected via an online survey conducted among university students across Poland. The survey addressed recent lifestyle changes that were a result of the pandemic as well as psychological distress, symptoms of insomnia and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The results indicate that protective factors include maintaining a daily routine, staying physically active, following a usual eating pattern and taking care of sleep hygiene. Changes in behavior contributing to poorer mental health included giving up a daily routine, neglecting meals, tidiness, hygiene as well as social relationships, changes in food intake, sleeping schedule, a decrease in physical activity and the onset of sexual dysfunctions. A history of psychiatric treatment and an increase in self-harm as well as an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption were also found to be associated with psychological distress. Experienced lifestyle and behavioral changes and their impact on mental health were apparent throughout the obtained data, highlighting the need for psychological support in the studied population. Based on the results we were able to establish a list of protective and risk factors influencing the everyday life and psychological wellbeing of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which could also be translated into life skills.

scholarly journals Mental health in primary health care: professionals’ perceptions and patients’ levels of depression, anxiety and stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Varela Madureira ◽  
Maria Cristina Quintas Antunes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Primary Health

Background: The integration of mental health in primary health care, throughout its various functional units and with effective articulation between primary health care and mental health services, has been considered an essential objective of the legislative documents produced in the last three decades in Portugal, among them the National Health Plan 2011-2016.Goals: This study aimed to inquire health professionals’ perceptions about mental health care provided by public primary health care units, namely their perceptions about the mental health of their patients. It also intended to explore the difficulties perceived by the health professionals in their daily activity about the mental health problems of their patients and about the need of clinical psychologists’ activity in the public primary health care.Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study with two non-probabilistic samples: health professionals (doctors, nurses and psychologists) and patients from two public health care units. Health professionals were interviewed (individual structured face-to-face interviews) about their perceptions of needs for improving their capacity to provide mental healthcare and about patients’ mental health conditions. Patients responded (by self-administration) to the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), providing a characterization of patients’ stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.Results: Health professionals in their daily practice often identify in their patients symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression (most particularly in adults),. Several issues were identified as problematic, such as: poor access of the referral system for psychiatric and clinical psychological specialized care, insufficient number of health professionals, particularly of psychologists, and lack of appropriate mental health care specialization. The results also revealed relevant levels of stress, anxiety and depression in primary health care patients (both genders), which seem to increase with age. Discussion: Difficulties identified by health professionals may relate to the centralisation of resources, resistance to change from human resources management, lack of consensus among the various decision groups linked to mental health and, at institutional level, insufficient and inadequate funding. These factors may contribute to a failure in early diagnosis of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. It is expected that articulation between primary health services and differentiated health services will improve, with improvement in teamwork among professionals and increase of the quality of life of users, satisfaction with work, from health professionals,  and reduction of health costs.

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