Australian R U OK?Day campaign: improving helping beliefs, intentions and behaviours

Abstract Background Suicide is a major public health concern and has been recognised as a public health priority. R U OK?Day aims to prevent suicide by encouraging and empowering Australians to reach out to friends and family who might be experiencing personal difficulties. This study aims to update the evaluation of the public awareness campaign ‘R U OK?Day’ that was conducted using 2014 data. Methods Data from 2013 participants were collected via an online survey following the R U OK?Day campaign implemented in 2017. Outcome measures included campaign awareness and participation, past 12-month help-seeking, helping beliefs, helping intentions and helping behaviours. Data were analysed using z-tests, Chi square and regression analyses in SPSS. Results Both campaign awareness and participation have increased since 2014, from 66% and 19% to 78% and 32%. Campaign exposure was associated with stronger beliefs in the importance and the ease of asking “Are you okay?”, and increased the likelihood of intentions to use recommended helping actions by two to three times compared to those not exposed to the campaign. Participants who were exposed to the R U OK?Day campaign were up to six times more likely to reach out to someone who might be experiencing personal difficulties compared to those not exposed to the campaign. Interestingly, those who had sought help from a mental health professional in the past 12 months were more likely to be aware of, and participate in, the campaign, suggesting people experiencing mental health issues recognise the value of seeking—and giving—social support. Conclusions The R U OK?Day campaign continues to be relevant and effective in spreading key messages about the importance of reaching out to others and empowering members of the community to have conversations about life problems. The campaign’s impact is increasing over time through increased campaign awareness and participation, and improving helping beliefs, intentions and behaviours. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the campaign’s impact is vital and may inform potential changes needed to further enhance its impact.

Download Full-text

Care-seeking behavior and disclosure on self-reported mental health among young women in urban Shanghai, China

Health Psychology Open ◽

10.1177/2055102919897382 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 205510291989738

Author(s):

Simone Eliane Schwank ◽

Ewa Andersson ◽

Birgitta Wickberg ◽

Shih-Chien Fu ◽

Yan Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Concern ◽

Care Seeking ◽

Health Issues ◽

Help Seeking Behavior ◽

Care Seeking Behavior ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

Professional Contact

Mental health is a major public health concern in China. Help-seeking behavior typically does not involve professionals. Aim of the study was to assess Shanghai women’s care-seeking behavior for common mental health disorders. Using an online survey, fielding questions regarding perinatal mental health status and help-seeking behavior. A total of 487 women participated. One fifth of participants reporting badwell-being did not seek help for mental distress. A total of 82.2 percent seek online support. A majority entrusted in family and avoided professional contact. Mother-in-laws were the least trusted source of support. Shanghai women avoid seeking professional help for mental health issues. Friends, spouses, and online resources are preferred venues.

Download Full-text

Cultural Values Influence Mental-Health Help-Seeking in Asian and Latinx College Students

10.31234/osf.io/674h9 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Elayne Zhou ◽

Yena Kyeong ◽

Cecilia Cheung ◽

Kalina Michalska;Michalska

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Mental Health Treatment ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Help Seeking Behaviors ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

Ethnic Group Membership

The current study examined the influence of cultural values on mental health attitudes and help-seeking behaviors in college students of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Asian and Latinx college students (N = 159) completed an online survey in which they reported their adherence to cultural values and general attitudes towards mental health and help-seeking behavior. Factor analysis revealed two common factors of cultural values irrespective of ethnic background: Interdependent Orientation (IO) and Cultural Obligation (CO). Regardless of ethnicity, the more students endorsed IO values, the less likely they were to perceive a need for mental health treatment. IO value adherence also predicted more negative attitudes towards mental health. CO values were not predictive of perceived need or help-seeking behaviors. Findings highlight the importance of assessing certain cultural values independently from ethnicity and considering how the multidimensionality of culture may help explain shared mental health behaviors across ethnic group membership.

Download Full-text

How personality traits of neuroticism and extroversion predict the effects of the COVID-19 on the mental health of Canadians

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0251097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. e0251097

Author(s):

Anahita Shokrkon ◽

Elena Nicoladis

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Health Services ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Online Survey ◽

Factor Model ◽

Five Factor Model ◽

Public Health Services ◽

Using Data

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) epidemic was first detected in China in December 2019 and spread to other countries fast. Some studies have found that COVID-19 pandemic has had adverse mental health consequences. Individual differences such as personality could contribute to people’s behaviors during a pandemic. In the current study, we examine how personality traits of neuroticism and extroversion (using the Five-Factor Model as our framework) are related to the mental health of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from an online survey with 1096 responses, this study performed multiple regression analysis to explore how personality traits of neuroticism and extroversion predict the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of Canadians. The results showed that personality traits of neuroticism and extroversion are associated with the current mental health of Canadians during COVID-19 pandemic, with extroversion positively related to mental health and neuroticism negatively related to it. Results contribute to the management of individual responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and could help public health services provide personality-appropriate mental health services during this pandemic.

Download Full-text

ENACT Study: What has helped health and social care workers maintain their mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic? Adaptive coping, team resilience, help-seeking behaviour and work based supports

10.31234/osf.io/su45w ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Nicola Cogan ◽

Chloe Kennedy ◽

Zoe Beck ◽

Lisa McInnes ◽

Gillian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Online Survey ◽

Social Care ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Adaptive Coping ◽

Team Resilience ◽

Care Workers ◽

Health And Social Care

Rapid studies have highlighted the adverse mental health impact of COVID-19 on health and social care workers (HSCWs). Complementing this work, we report on the psychosocial factors that have helped HSCWs adapt to the adversities associated with COVID-19 and protect staff wellbeing in Scotland. The ENACT study collected data from HSCWs (n= 1364) in Scotland during the third national lockdown. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed an online survey providing quantitative data and free responses. A multi-method approach to analysis was used. The majority of HSCWs were found to have low wellbeing scores, high levels of COVID-19 stress, worry, burnout and risk perception scores and almost half of HSCWs met the clinical cut off for acute stress. Adaptive coping strategies and increased perceived team resilience helped mitigate against the adverse impact that COVID-19 stressors have on HSCWs’ mental wellbeing. HSCWs were significantly more likely to seek informal support for dealing with personal or emotional problems. Barriers to formal help-seeking were identified including stigma and fears of consequence of disclosure. HSCWs most valued peer support, workplace supports, visible leadership and teamwork. Our findings illuminate the complexity of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HSCWs’ wellbeing and will inform future intervention development to increase positive adaptation amongst staff. Addressing barriers to mental health help-seeking among HSCWs is essential. The implications emphasise the importance of lessons learned across health and social care contexts, planning and preparedness for future pandemics.

Download Full-text

Barriers to Help Seeking among Victims of Elder Abuse: A Scoping Review and Implications for Public Health Policy in Canada

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement ◽

10.1017/s0714980821000295 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Jessica K. Gill

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Health Concern ◽

Future Research ◽

Informal Networks ◽

Canadian Context ◽

Effective Assessment

Abstract Elder abuse is a serious public health concern requiring immediate intervention; however, the under-reporting of elder abuse by victims to formal and informal networks remains a major obstacle. This scoping review aims to identify barriers to help seeking that older adults experiencing abuse confront. The goal is to inform public policies and practices in the Canadian context and identify research gaps in the extant literature. Seven scholarly databases were searched from which 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and were extracted for analysis. The findings from this scoping review revealed three levels at which barriers exist: individual focused, abuser/family focused, and community/culture focused barriers. The results suggest that there are several complex obstacles that older adults face when contemplating disclosure of abuse. Future research into help seeking in the Canadian context should more readily incorporate the voices of elder abuse victim-survivors to develop effective assessment strategies and responsive service provisions.

Download Full-text

Use of Prescribed Psychotropics during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Pregnancy, Neonatal, and Childhood Outcomes

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci9090235 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 235 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Creeley ◽

Denton

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Clinical Research ◽

Prenatal Exposure ◽

Psychotropic Drugs ◽

Health Concern ◽

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽

Mother And Child

This paper reviews the findings from preclinical animal and human clinical research investigating maternal/fetal, neonatal, and child neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs. Evidence for the risks associated with prenatal exposure was examined, including teratogenicity, neurodevelopmental effects, neonatal toxicity, and long-term neurobehavioral consequences (i.e., behavioral teratogenicity). We conducted a comprehensive review of the recent results and conclusions of original research and reviews, respectively, which have investigated the short- and long-term impact of drugs commonly prescribed to pregnant women for psychological disorders, including mood, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Because mental illness in the mother is not a benign event, and may itself pose significant risks to both mother and child, simply discontinuing or avoiding medication use during pregnancy may not be possible. Therefore, prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs is a major public health concern. Decisions regarding drug choice, dose, and duration should be made carefully, by balancing severity, chronicity, and co-morbidity of the mental illness, disorder, or condition against the potential risk for adverse outcomes due to drug exposure. Globally, maternal mental health problems are considered as a major public health challenge, which requires a stronger focus on mental health services that will benefit both mother and child. More preclinical and clinical research is needed in order to make well-informed decisions, understanding the risks associated with the use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy.

Download Full-text

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on socioeconomic and mental health aspects in Nepal

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020942247 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (8) ◽

pp. 748-755 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kritika Poudel ◽

Pramod Subedi

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Spiritual Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Limited Resources ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Psychosocial Effects ◽

Safety Nets ◽

The People

Background: Public health concern is increasing with recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Nepal. To curb this pandemic, Nepal is facing some forms of lockdown, encouraging people to implement social distancing so as to reduce interactions between people which could eventually reduce the possibilities of new infection; however, it has affected the overall physical, mental, social and spiritual health of the people. Methods: Published articles related to psychosocial effects due to COVID-19 and other outbreaks were searched and reviewed. Conclusion: While many countries are supporting their citizens with sophisticated health safety-nets and various relief funds, some developing countries have unique challenges with vulnerable populations and limited resources to respond to the pandemic. This review presents the consequences of pandemic and lockdown on socioeconomic, mental health and other aspects in Nepalese society.

Download Full-text

Driving Frequency and Its Impact on Road Rage Offending and Victimization: A View From Opportunity Theory

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00036 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 602-618 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mark Asbridge ◽

Jennifer Butters

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Individual Factors ◽

Driving Frequency ◽

Road Rage ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Research Attention ◽

Opportunity Theory ◽

Using Data

Road rage has been described as a key criminal justice and public health concern. Although research attention to this issue has expanded dramatically, most of this work has focused on the identification of predisposing individual factors. It is equally important to begin to assess those factors that may modify the likelihood of road rage including the broader structural opportunities that are connected with the propensity to be involved in a road rage incident. Drawing on opportunity theory, this article examines whether there is a relationship between increased opportunities to be involved in road rage and an increased likelihood of being a road rage victim or offender. The analysis is further extended to specifically test whether this relationship is linear, thereby examining the applicability of the opportunity saturation hypothesis. Using data from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Monitor, our findings support both the application of opportunity theory to understanding road rage and the presence of opportunity saturation. Although a clear relationship exists between kilometers driven and experiences of road rage, evidence emerged suggesting there may be a threshold whereby increased opportunities for road rage do not lead to road rage behavior.

Download Full-text