Mental Health Impact of Hosting Disaster Refugees: Analyses from a Random Sample Survey Among Haitians Living in Miami

In this commentary, I argue that the mental health impact of COVID-19 will show substantial variation across individuals, contexts, and time. Further, one key contributor to this variation will be the proximal and long-term impact of COVID-19 on the social environment. In addition to the mental health costs of the pandemic, it is likely that a subset of people will experience improved social and mental health functioning.

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COVID-19 Masking, Social Distancing & Vaccines: Results from a Random Sample Survey of Oregon Residents

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3752400 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin Y. Clark ◽

Robert Parker

Keyword(s):

Random Sample ◽

Sample Survey ◽

Social Distancing

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EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN TEACHERS IN RELATION TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH

Scholarly Research Journal for Humanity Science & English Language ◽

10.21922/srjhsel.v4i24.10348 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (24) ◽

Author(s):

R. Babu ◽

A. Fathima

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Random Sample ◽

Women Teachers ◽

Mental Health Scale ◽

The Relationship

The Kothari Commission rightly referred to teachers as nation builders. The all-round development of the students is influenced by the women teacher. The study has been conducted to investigate the levels of Empowerment and mental health among women Teachers. It also examines the relationship between the Empowerment and Mental health of the women Teachers. The study was conducted on a random sample of 500 women Teachers in Cuddalore District. The tools used in the study include the Empowerment scale constructed and validated by Sridevi, 2005 and Mental health scale developed and validated by Peter Becker. The study reveals the fact that the level of Empowerment and Mental health are at high levels.

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A qualitative evaluation of Southwark Council’s public health response to mitigating the mental health impact of the 2017 London bridge and borough market terror attack

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11447-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Jumbe ◽

Adrienne Milner ◽

Megan Clinch ◽

Jonathan Kennedy ◽

Richard J. Pinder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Evaluation ◽

Health Impact ◽

Health Needs ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Terror Attack ◽

Terror Attacks ◽

Physical Injuries ◽

Community Stakeholders ◽

Health Response

Abstract Background Over recent years there have been several major terror attacks in cities across Europe. These attacks result in deaths, physical injuries, and pose long-term threats to mental health and wellbeing of large populations. Although psychologists have completed important work on mental health responses to disaster exposure including terrorist attacks, the mental health impacts of such attacks have been comparatively less examined in academic literature than the acute health response to physical injuries. This paper reflects on Southwark Council’s pioneering public mental health response to the June 2017 terror attack at London Bridge and Borough Market. It aims to explore perceptions of the mental health impact of the incident by those living and working in the borough. Methods A rapid qualitative evaluation informed by the logic underpinning Southwark Council’s response was conducted. Seven formative interviews were undertaken with individuals involved in the response planning and/or delivery, enabling the evaluation team to establish the response’s theoretical basis. Subsequently, nineteen semi-structured interviews with consenting Council employees, residents, business owners, and workers from the Borough were conducted to understand perceived mental health impacts of the attack and the success of the Council response. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was undertaken to evaluate the extent to which the response was implemented successfully. Results Participants reported feeling the attack had a wide-reaching negative impact on the mental health of residents, those working in the borough and visitors who witnessed the attack. Delivering the response was a challenge and response visibility within the community was limited. Participants suggested a comprehensive systematic approach to health needs assessment informed by knowledge and relationships of key Council workers and community stakeholders is imperative when responding to terrorist incidents. Improved communication and working relationships between statutory organisations and community stakeholders would ensure community groups are better supported. Prioritising mental health needs of terror attack responders to mitigate persisting negative impacts was highlighted. Conclusions This article highlights a potential public health approach and need for developing robust practical guidance in the aftermath of terror attacks. This approach has already influenced the response to the Christchurch mosque shooting in 2019.

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Mental health policy issues and development in Lithuania

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.957 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

I R Rubikas

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impact ◽

Health Policies ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Mental Health Policies ◽

The Eu

Abstract Background Lithuanian has experienced rapid and relatively successful transition to capitalism and transatlantic-Western values and practices in recent decades. Suicide and legal alcohol consumption rates remain the highest in the EU and OECD, and Lithuania's Positive emotions index score has been consistently amongst the 10 lowest in the world in recent years. Emigration rate is the highest in the EU and OECD, social inequality is amongst the highest in the same groups. Despite a relatively strong economy these changes are not automatically transferred to better social and emotional well-being. Methods This unconventional situation calls for strong and unconventional policy responses in the area of mental health, amongst others. Health impact assessment using theory-based approach and desk research. Results Recent attempts include strategic reorientation towards social and emotional well-being, stronger focus on prevention and promotion and primary care, intensifying efforts to reduce suicide rates, and implementation of strong regulatory measures to reduce alcohol use. Suicide rates have been declining since 2013 but remain high. Effort is made to implement best practices in media reporting, recognition and providing appropriate help for those in suicide crisis, expanding prevention efforts. Conclusions Finally, WHOs “best buys” in alcohol control were implemented since 2017, including steep increases in excise taxes, ban on alcohol advertisement, increase of allowed age, reducing alcohol trading hours and others. This resulted in the steepest decline of legal alcohol consumption in decades. The chosen policy route may be called iterative policy-making, whereby improvements are made along the way, which allows for quicker policy decisions and results. Key messages Mental health policies need to be based on the socio-political context of the specific country. Smaller countries such as Lithuania might benefit form flexible approaches to mental health policies.

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Mental Health of Refugees and Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Experienced Discrimination and Daily Stressors

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126354 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6354

Author(s):

Eva Spiritus-Beerden ◽

An Verelst ◽

Ines Devlieger ◽

Nina Langer Primdahl ◽

Fábio Botelho Guedes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Health Impact ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Daily Stressors ◽

Health Crisis ◽

The Impact ◽

Migrant Groups

The COVID-19 pandemic is a defining global health crisis of our time. While the impact of COVID-19, including its mental health impact, is increasingly being documented, there remain important gaps regarding the specific consequences of the pandemic on particular population groups, including refugees and migrants. This study aims to uncover the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of refugees and migrants worldwide, disentangling the possible role of social and daily stressors, i.e., experiences of discrimination and daily living conditions. Descriptive analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the responses of N = 20,742 refugees and migrants on the self-reporting global ApartTogether survey. Survey findings indicated that the mental health of refugees and migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly impacted, particularly for certain subgroups, (i.e., insecure housing situation and residence status, older respondents, and females) who reported experiencing higher levels of increased discrimination and increases in daily life stressors. There is a need to recognize the detrimental mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on particular refugee and migrant groups and to develop interventions that target their unique needs.

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Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in U.S. Military Veterans: A Population-Based, Prospective Cohort Study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291721002361 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-37

Author(s):

Melanie L. Hill ◽

Brandon Nichter ◽

Peter J. Na ◽

Sonya B. Norman ◽

Leslie A. Morland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Military Veterans ◽

Health Impact ◽

Population Based

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The current pandemic, a complex emergency? Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on highly vulnerable communities in Guatemala

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211027212 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110272

Author(s):

Dana Alonzo ◽

Marciana Popescu ◽

Pinar Zubaroglu-Ioannides

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Health Resources ◽

Health Impact ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Complex Emergency ◽

The Impact

Background: On March 5th, Guatemala declared a ‘State of Calamity’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strict lockdown measures were initiated. The psychological consequences of these measures are yet to be fully understood. There is limited research on the psychological impact of the virus in the general population, and even less focused on Latin America and high-risk communities characterized by poverty, limited mental health resources, and high rates of stigma around mental illness. The goal of this study is to examine the psychological impact of COVID-19 across several highly vulnerable districts in Guatemala. Methods: A semi-structured phone interview was conducted of 295 individuals in multiple districts in Guatemala City to assess self-perceived mental health consequences related to the pandemic. Sociodemographic, medical, and mental health data were collected. Chisquares and t-tests used for categorical and continuous variables, as appropriate, to describe the sample. Binary logistic regressions were estimated to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health symptoms (anxiety, stress, depression, burnout, escalation of pre-existing mental health symptoms, and a sense of safety). Results: The results indicate high levels of anxiety and stress in all target communities. Significant differences based on gender, age, and the number of children in the household were identified: women and older adults experience higher rates of stress and anxiety associated with the pandemic; while families with greater number of children experience higher levels of burnout. Conclusion: Contextualizing the current pandemic as a complex emergency can help inform further studies focusing on socioeconomic challenges and higher vulnerabilities as preconditions affecting the impact of the pandemic on mental health. Given the limited available resources for mental health care in Guatemala, informal networks of care may play an important role in meeting the needs of those individuals experiencing increased psychological distress resulting from the pandemic.

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