scholarly journals Psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110250
Author(s):  
Justin J Chapman ◽  
Eva Malacova ◽  
Sue Patterson ◽  
Nicola Reavley ◽  
Marianne Wyder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Improve Health

Objectives: People with mental illness may be vulnerable to psychological distress and reduced well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the pandemic. Method: People with mental illness who participated in an exercise programme prior to the pandemic were invited to complete surveys about mental health and lifestyle corresponding to before and during the pandemic. Results: Social support reduced, alcohol intake increased, and sleep quality and diet worsened during the pandemic, contributing to distress. Psychological distress was associated with the two or more mental illnesses, and negatively associated with having a physical disease. Better diet appeared to protect against increases in distress; loneliness hindered improvements in well-being. Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle programmes designed to improve social connection may improve health for people with mental illnesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Preferences of people with mental illness for engaging in exercise programs under COVID-19 restrictions

2020 ◽  
pp. 103985622097529
Author(s):  
Justin J Chapman ◽  
Emily Hielscher ◽  
Sue Patterson ◽  
Nicola Reavley ◽  
Wendy J Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: People with mental illness may be vulnerable to decline in mental health and reduced physical activity because of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. The aim of this study was to inform the design of physical activity interventions for implementation under these conditions to improve/maintain well-being and physical activity in this population. Methods: People with mental illness who had participated in a physical activity program prior to the pandemic were invited to complete a survey about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and physical activity and their preferences for engaging in a physical activity program under pandemic-related restrictions. Results: More than half the 59 respondents reported worse mental health and lower physical activity during the pandemic. The preferred format for a physical activity program was one-on-one exercise instruction in-person in a park. Program components endorsed as helpful included incentivization, provision of exercise equipment and fitness devices, and daily exercise programs. About a third of the participants reported limitations in using technology for a physical activity program. Conclusions: In-person exercise support is preferred by people with mental illnesses during pandemic-related restrictions. Enablement strategies such as providing equipment and self-monitoring devices should be utilized; assistance may be needed to incorporate the use of technology in exercise programs.

scholarly journals Horticultural Therapy Program for People with Mental Illness: A Mixed-Method Evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M.H. Siu ◽  
Michael Kam ◽  
Ide Mok
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Horticultural Therapy ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background. Horticultural therapy (HT) has long been used in the rehabilitation of people with mental illness, but many HT programs are not standardized, and there have been few evaluation studies. Aims. This study evaluated the process and outcomes of a standardized horticultural program using a mixed methodology, i.e., systematic integration (“mixing”) of quantitative and qualitative data within a study. Methods. Participants who have mental illnesses were assigned to a treatment (HT) and a comparison group (n = 41 for each group). The process and outcomes of the program, including stress and anxiety, engagement and participation, affect changes, mental well-being, and social exchange, were obtained using self-completed questionnaires, observational ratings of participants during the group, as well as through a focus group. Results. The study results supported the proposal HT is effective in increasing mental well-being, engagement, and the sense of meaningfulness and accomplishment of participants. Many participants reported a reduction in stress and anxiety in the focus group, but positive changes in affect were not fully observed during the group process or captured by quantitative measures. The participants also did not report increases in the social exchange over the HT sessions. Conclusion. The evidence supports that HT is effective in increasing mental well-being, engagement in meaningful activities, but did not result in significant affect changes during therapy, or increase social exchanges among people with mental illness.

Human rights of people with mental illness diagnosis: perceptions among service users, family members and health professionals in Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayssa Rekhis ◽  
Sami Ouanes ◽  
Abir Ben Hamouda ◽  
Rym Rafrafi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Right ◽  
Main Factor

Purpose This study aims to assess the awareness about the rights of people with mental illness in the main psychiatric hospital in Tunisia among the service users, the family members and the staff. Design/methodology/approach The Convention of Rights of People with Disabilities mandates that State Parties initiate and maintain campaigns and human rights training to promote understanding of the rights of people with mental illnesses, considered as a main factor for their fulfillment. Service users, family members and staff evaluated, through a survey, the importance of ten rights for persons with mental illness, stated in the convention. Findings Disparities were found in the perception of the different rights by and between the three groups. The highest levels of awareness were associated with the freedom from torture or degrading treatment and the right to live with dignity and respect, whereas the lower importance were assigned to the right to participation in recovery plans, to give consent and to exercise legal capacity. Originality/value The lack of awareness and the poor perception of rights of people with mental illness is one of the barriers to their achievement. More training and awareness raising is necessary.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Mental Illnesses in Domestic Violence Police Records: Text Mining Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Karystianis ◽  
Annabeth Simpson ◽  
Armita Adily ◽  
Peter Schofield ◽  
David Greenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Text Mining ◽  
New South ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Free Text ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Police Records ◽  
Health Justice ◽  
Improve Health

BACKGROUND The New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) records details of significant numbers of domestic violence (DV) events they attend each year as both structured quantitative data and unstructured free text. Accessing information contained in the free text such as the victim’s and persons of interest (POI's) mental health status could be useful in the better management of DV events attended by the police and thus improve health, justice, and social outcomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to present the prevalence of extracted mental illness mentions for POIs and victims in police-recorded DV events. METHODS We applied a knowledge-driven text mining method to recognize mental illness mentions for victims and POIs from police-recorded DV events. RESULTS In 416,441 police-recorded DV events with single POIs and single victims, we identified 64,587 events (15.51%) with at least one mental illness mention versus 4295 (1.03%) recorded in the structured fixed fields. Two-thirds (67,582/85,880, 78.69%) of mental illnesses were associated with POIs versus 21.30% (18,298/85,880) with victims; depression was the most common condition in both victims (2822/12,589, 22.42%) and POIs (7496/39,269, 19.01%). Mental illnesses were most common among POIs aged 0-14 years (623/1612, 38.65%) and in victims aged over 65 years (1227/22,873, 5.36%). CONCLUSIONS A wealth of mental illness information exists within police-recorded DV events that can be extracted using text mining. The results showed mood-related illnesses were the most common in both victims and POIs. Further investigation is required to determine the reliability of the mental illness mentions against sources of diagnostic information.

Use of Social Networking Sites by People with Health Issues

2017 ◽  
pp. 40-60
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Imai
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
The Impact

Previous studies have found that the use of social networking sites (SNSs) is associated with the user's positive outcomes such as perceived social support and psychological well-being (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007; Nabi, Prestin, & So, 2012). To seek those positive influences, those with health issues such as physical illness or mental illness actively use SNSs (e.g., Shpigelman & Gill, 2014a; Gowen, Deschaine, Gruttadara, & Markey, 2012). The first aim of this chapter is to describe previous studies on the use of SNSs by those with health issues such as mental illnesses, HIV/AIDS, cancer, intellectual disabilities, and diabetes. The second aim is to propose a new direction of research on the use of SNSs by those with health issues: the impact of stigma on communication on SNSs.

Peer Support Shows Promise in Helping Persons Living with Mental Illness Address Their Physical Health Needs

2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Bates ◽  
Vivien Kemp ◽  
Mohan Isaac
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Support Service ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
People With Mental Illness

The physical health of individuals with long-term mental illnesses has long been of concern. In Western Australia, the overall mortality rate from preventable causes of people living with mental illness was reported to be 2.5 times greater than that of the general population. A trial peer support service was initiated to assist people with mental illness to attend to their physical health needs. This paper presents the planning, implementation, and results of this collaborative initiative involving nongovernment agencies, the public mental health service, consumers of mental health services, and the University of Western Australia.

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