scholarly journals The vulnerability paradox in global mental health and its applicability to suicide

2019 ◽  
Vol 215 (04) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel L. A. Dückers ◽  
Lennart Reifels ◽  
Derek P. De Beurs ◽  
Chris R. Brewin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Country Level

BackgroundPrevious research has identified a vulnerability paradox in global mental health: contrary to positive associations at the individual level, lower vulnerability at the country level is accompanied by a higher prevalence in a variety of mental health problems in national populations. However, the validity of the paradox has been challenged, specifically for bias from modest sample sizes and reliance on a survey methodology not designed for cross-national comparisons.AimsTo verify whether the paradox applies to suicide, using data from a sizable country sample and an entirely different data source.MethodWe combined data from the World Health Organization 2014 suicide report and the country vulnerability index from the 2016 World Risk Report. Suicide was predicted in different steps based on gender, vulnerability and their interaction, World Bank income categories, and suicide data quality.ResultsA negative association between country vulnerability and suicide prevalence in both women and men was found. Suicide rates were higher for men, regardless of country vulnerability. The model predicting suicide in 96 countries based on gender, vulnerability, income and data quality had the best goodness-of-fit compared with other models. The vulnerability paradox is not accounted for by income or data quality, and exists across and within income categories.ConclusionsThe study underscores the relevance of country-level factors in the study of mental health problems. The lower mental disorder prevalence in more vulnerable countries implies that living in such countries fosters protective factors that more than compensate for the limitations in professional healthcare capacity.Declaration of interestNone.

The WHO-EC partnership project on empowerment in mental health

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2101-2101
Author(s):  
A. Baumann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Country Level

People with mental health problems and their families have not been involved as equal partners in decision-making processes on mental health services, and they continue to be at risk of social exclusion and discrimination in all facets of life. In a mental health context, empowerment refers to the level of choice, influence and control that users of mental health services can exercise over events in their lives, and the key to empowerment is the removal of formal or informal barriers and the transformation of power relations between individuals, communities, services and governments. Despite all achievements that have been made over the past decade, there is still a strong need for empowerment of people with mental health problems and their families. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and the European Commission started a three years lasting "Partnership Project on Empowerment in Mental Health" in 2008 which aims to support Member States in the European Region in creating societies in which people with mental health problems are enabled to develop and express their full potential as equal citizens. The WHO Statement on Empowerment in Mental Health has been published, about 100 examples of empowerment practice across Europe have been collected, and indicators for empowerment applicable at national level have been identified. The project outcomes and possibilities for their implementation at country level will be presented.

scholarly journals A brief transdiagnostic psychological intervention for Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Austria: a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Knefel ◽  
Viktoria Kantor ◽  
Andrew A. Nicholson ◽  
Jennifer Schiess-Jokanovic ◽  
Dina Weindl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Immigrant Integration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Afghan Refugees ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

Abstract Background Asylum seekers and refugees are at great risk for developing mental disorders. Afghan refugees are a particularly vulnerable group with a low average education and mental health literacy level. Traumatic experiences and hardship before and during migration are predictive of mental health problems. However, post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) also account for a large proportion of mental distress in such populations, which, critically, are not sufficiently considered in treatment protocols and research investigations. Indeed, the evidence base for the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers is sparse and limited mainly to trauma-specific treatments, where refugees may likely suffer from other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. Methods/design This trial is the first evaluation of a short-term, transdiagnostic treatment protocol for treatment-seeking Afghan refugees which addresses mental health problems and PMLDs while using an adapted version of the Problem Management Plus (PM+) protocol. Here, we will investigate the efficacy of an intervention manual with a prospective, single-center, randomized, assessor-blind, two-group trial among refugees who are on a waiting list for professional mental health treatment. Furthermore, we will investigate participants’ subjective experiences with the intervention manual via in-depth interviews. One hundred twenty people will be assessed and randomly allocated to either the intervention arm or a treatment-as-usual arm. Clinical psychologists will conduct the treatment, and the sessions will take place with a Dari interpreter. The protocol consists of six 90-min sessions. The primary endpoint is the general symptom distress measure, assessed with the General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28). Secondary endpoints are the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Checklist (PMLDC), the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), the Psychological Outcome Profile (PSYCHLOPS), service and health care use (assessed with several items), and the Immigrant Integration Index (IPL-12). Discussion This trial may provide substantial evidence for a brief transdiagnostic psychological intervention. Here, we intend to contribute to the treatment of mental health problems among Afghan refugees. The assessment of subjective experience with this treatment manual, as well as the evaluation of its clinical applicability, may optimize treatment acceptance and outcomes across a wide range of mental health problems among refugees. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) registration number: DRKS00016538. Universal Trial Number: U1111-1226-3285. Registered on January 7, 2019. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do

scholarly journals Assessment of Common Mental Health Problems among General Population

2021 ◽  
pp. 210-217
Author(s):  
Dharti Meshram ◽  
Pooja Kasturkar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Behavioral Problem ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Background: Around 7.3 per cent of the global disease burden was due to mental and behavioral problem. The majority of the load is correlated with unipolar depressive condition and certain conditions of mental health, including depression, anxiety, eating disorder, and substance use. Roughly 450 million persons are currently suffering from these disorders, and It is assessed that at some stage in their lifetime, one-four individuals in the world will be affected by mental health conditions. Mental health condition rank among the world's principal reasons of illness or impairment. Persons with most depressing condition or schizophrenia were 40 to 60 per cent more likely than the general population to die prematurely. Aim: To identify common mental health problems among general population. Objective: This study is planned with the objective. 1. To assess common mental health problems among general population. 2. To compare the common mental health problems among rural and urban general population. 3. To associate common mental problems, score among general population with their demographic variables. Methodology: lt is community based cross-sectional study. Sample will be general population i.e., Male and Female of Nalwadi, Arvi Naka wardha city will be involved in this study. Sample will be selected for study as per inclusion criteria and sampling technique will be N on-Probability y convenient sampling technique. Data will be collected by demographic variables of participants Global mental health assessment Marathi tool will be distributed for assessing mental health problem need 20 min for each participant. Conclusion: The conclusion will e drawn from the statistical analysis.

Implications of the global mental health and the HIV syndemic on HIV prevention and care

2018 ◽  
pp. 337-344
Author(s):  
Joseph T. F. Lau ◽  
Jinghua Li ◽  
Rui She ◽  
Yoo Na Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Living With Hiv

HIV is known as a ‘social disease’, as its transmission is attributable to risk behaviours which are influenced by cultural and psychosocial environments. It is important to consider the HIV syndemic, defined here as the co-occurrence of HIV and other illness/health conditions (e.g. mental health problems, substance use). Mental health problems are prevalent both among key populations for HIV prevention and people living with HIV (PLWH), and can influence HIV-related risk behaviours, interact synergistically, and compromise the effectiveness of HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Structural, interpersonal, and individual factors associated with mental health problems among PLWH, and the impact of such problems on HIV prevention, are discussed. Promising approaches, such as positive psychology interventions, are explored. Finally, gaps in current mental health interventions, services, and personnel are highlighted, to suggest areas for improvement. Mental health improvement in affected populations is a prerequisite of controlling the global HIV epidemic.

scholarly journals Level of Stigma among Spanish Nursing Students toward Mental Illness and Associated Factors: A Mixed-Methods Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodríguez-Almagro ◽  
Hernández-Martínez ◽  
Rodríguez-Almagro ◽  
Quiros-García ◽  
Solano-Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Cross Sectional

Mental health problems have been identified by the World Health Organization as a global development priority. Negative attitudes toward mental health patients have been documented in multiple health professionals. The aim of this study was to determine the level of stigma and associated factors toward people with mental health problems among students doing their degree in nursing. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach. A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out on a sample of 359 students doing their degree in nursing. Students had to be enrolled in any of the four years of study of the degree at the time the questionnaire was done. We explored the perception and experience of students doing their degree in nursing regarding the level of stigma, through in-depth interviews (n = 30). The mean overall Mental Health Stigma Scale (MHSS) score was 30.7 points (SD = 4.52); 29.5% (n = 106) scored low for stigma, 49.9% (n = 179) showed moderate stigma, and 20.6% (n = 74) scored high. The multivariate analysis showed that 4th-year students had an OR of 0.41 (CI95%: 0.20–0.84) for high/moderate stigma and that 3rd-year students had an OR of 0.49 for high/moderate stigma compared with 1st-year students. We also observed that students with family members with mental health problems had an OR of 2.05 (CI95%: 1.19–3.56) for high/moderate stigma compared with students who did not have family members with mental health problems. The following categories emerged: fear and lack of knowledge, breaking the silence, and integration into society. The levels of mental health stigma in our sample of nursing students were moderate. Stigma levels were lower in 3rd- and 4th-year students (i.e., after having received training in mental health), and in students with family members with mental health problems.

scholarly journals Antidepressant use in 27 European countries: Associations with sociodemographic, cultural and economic factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 207 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Lewer ◽  
Claire O'Reilly ◽  
Ramin Mojtabai ◽  
Sara Evans-Lacko
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Healthcare Spending ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Antidepressant Use

BackgroundPrescribing of antidepressants varies widely between European countries despite no evidence of difference in the prevalence of affective disorders.AimsTo investigate associations between the use of antidepressants, country-level spending on healthcare and country-level attitudes towards mental health problems.MethodWe used Eurobarometer 2010, a large general population survey from 27 European countries, to measure antidepressant use and regularity of use. We then analysed the associations with country-level spending on healthcare and country-level attitudes towards mental health problems.ResultsHigher country spending on healthcare was strongly associated with regular use of antidepressants. Beliefs that mentally ill people are ‘dangerous' were associated with higher use, and beliefs that they ‘never recover’ or ‘have themselves to blame’ were associated with lower and less regular use of antidepressants.ConclusionsContextual factors, such as healthcare spending and public attitudes towards mental illness, may partly explain variations in antidepressant use and regular use of these medications.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems among COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers and the Other Country-Level Epidemics: The Case of Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Rebeca Robles ◽  
Silvia Morales-Chainé ◽  
Alejandro Bosch ◽  
Claudia Astudillo-García ◽  
Miriam Feria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (FHCW) are struggling to cope with challenges that threaten their wellbeing. We examine the frequency and predictors of the most frequent mental health problems (MHP) among FHCW during the first COVID-19 peak in Mexico, one of the most severely affected countries in terms of FHCW’s COVID-19 mortality. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 8 and August 18, 2020. A total of 47.5% of the sample (n = 2218) were FHCW. The most frequent MHP were insomnia, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and health anxiety/somatization (whole sample: 45.7, 37.4, 33.9, and 21.3%; FHCW: 52.4, 43.4, 40.3 and 26.1, respectively). As compared to during the initial COVID-19 phase, depression and health anxiety/somatization symptoms as well as experiences of grieving due to COVID-19, personal COVID-19 status, and having relatives and close friends with COVID-19 were more frequent during the COVID-19 peak. Obesity, domestic violence, personal COVID-19 status, and grieving because of COVID-19 were included in regression models for main FHCW’s MHP during the COVID-19 peak. In conclusion, measures to decrease other country-level epidemics contributing to the likelihood of COVID-19 complications (obesity) and MHP (domestic violence) as well as FHCW´s probability of COVID-19 infection could safeguard not only their physical but also mental health.

scholarly journals Mental Health During the First Weeks of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. S. Killgore ◽  
Sara A. Cloonan ◽  
Emily C. Taylor ◽  
Natalie S. Dailey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Job Loss ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
At Home

Background: By March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 crisis as a worldwide pandemic and many local governments instituted stay-at-home orders and closed non-essential businesses. Within the United States, tens of millions of workers lost their jobs and financial security during the first few weeks of the national response, in an attempt to slow the global pandemic. Because of the enormity of the pandemic and its potential impact on mental health, the objective of the present study was to document the prevalence of mental health problems and their association with pandemic-related job loss during the third week of the nationwide shutdown.Methods: Mental health was assessed via online questionnaires among a representative sample of 1,013 U.S. adults on April 9–10, 2020. Rates of clinically significant mental health outcomes were compared between participants who lost their job as a result of COVID-19 restrictions (17.4%) vs. those who did not (82.6%). Bivariate multiple logistic regression identified factors that were predictive of, and protective against, mental health problems.Results: The prevalence of clinically significant symptoms was significantly higher than prior population estimates, ranging from 27 to 32% for depression, 30 to 46% for anxiety disorders, 15 to 18% for acute/post-traumatic stress, 25% for insomnia, and 18% for suicidal ideation. Prevalence estimates were 1.5–1.7 times higher for those who reported job loss due to COVID-19 restrictions than those who did not. Mental health problems were predicted by worry over financial instability, insomnia, social isolation, and alcohol consumption, while getting outside more often, perceived social support, and older age were protective against these problems.Conclusions: During the first 3 weeks of lockdowns/stay-at-home restrictions, mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and acute stress reactions were notably elevated relative to prior population estimates. Job loss related to the nationwide shutdown was particularly associated with poorer mental health. These findings provide a baseline of mental health functioning during the first weeks of the national emergency and lockdown orders in response to COVID-19.

Screening Broad Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents: Bifactor Modeling of the YIEPS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean N Weeks ◽  
Tyler L Renshaw ◽  
Allysia A. Rainey ◽  
Aubrey Taylor-Hiatt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Externalizing Problems ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Internalizing And Externalizing

Internalizing and externalizing problems are common targets for school mental health screening. The Youth Internalizing Problems Screener (YIPS) and the Youth Externalizing Problems Screener (YEPS) were developed separately yet intended as companion self-report screeners. Prior research supports the interpretation of total scores derived from both measures. We extended previous work by investigating the defensibility of a series of integrated measurement models that combined items from the YIPS and YEPS into a single, unified screener (YIEPS). Specifically, we evaluated the viability of (1) a unidimensional measurement model with one factor representing global mental health problems, (2) a correlated-factors model with two latent variables representing internalizing and externalizing problems, and (3) a bifactor model with two specific factors (i.e., internalizing and externalizing) and a general factor representing global mental health problems. Following, we tested the reliabilities of the several factors represented in these models as well as the informational value-added of these competing models. Results indicated that a bifactor YIEPS measurement model had the best data-model fit when integrating the two screeners. However, exploratory analyses suggested a revised alternative bifactor model with three specific factors—parsing attention problems from other externalizing and internalizing content—might be a better bifactor model than the original. Ultimately, we recommend the integrated YIEPS is best understood as measuring three specific factors and one general factor. Reliability findings further suggest the general factor (i.e., global Mental Health Problems) is the most defensible. Future directions for research and practice are discussed.

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