scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTING GROUP TO REDUCE MENTAL BURDEN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Author(s):  
Annette D'Arqom ◽  
Brihastami Sawitri ◽  
Zamal Nasution ◽  
Dimas Setyanto ◽  
Safira Nur Izzah ◽  
...  

COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of human life, not only health, but also economic, education, and daily activity. The sudden changes caused a mental burden for the majority of people. Moreover, the infodemic might increase the burden. Unfortunately, not all people aware of their mental health, and the negative stigma from the community leads the patient to hesitate for sharing and seeking help. Therefore, an anonymous online supporting group (www.laluibersama.com) is developed to increase awareness of mental health and provided the facility to share and to support users. This site consists of several basic information and articles regarding COVID-19, emphasizes on pharmacotherapy and mental health issues, sharing forum, and mental health calculator based on depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS 21). From the evaluation, 53.61% of users choose mental health calculators as the most favorite page, followed by article (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), and sharing page (4.12%). Most of the respondents agree that the mental health calculator is unique and useful, therefore can be used as a screening of mental health problems prior to seeking health professional help. Taken together, mental health needs more attention in this pandemic due to the increasing burden, and the screening of mental health problems and sharing to alleviate the users’ burden can be performed at www.lalui bersama.com.

Author(s):  
Annette D’Arqom ◽  
Brihastami Sawitri ◽  
Zamal Nasution ◽  
Dimas Setyanto ◽  
Safira Nur Izzah ◽  
...  

COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of human life, not only health, but also economic, education, and daily activity. The sudden changes caused a mental burden for the majority of people. Moreover, the infodemic might increase the burden. Unfortunately, not all people aware of their mental health and with the negative stigma from the community lead the patient to hesitate for sharing and seeking help. Therefore, an anonymous online supporting group (www.laluibersama.com) is developed to increase awareness of mental health and provided the facility to share and to support users. This site consists of several basic information and articles regarding COVID-19, emphasizes on pharmacotherapy and mental health issues, sharing forum, and mental health calculator based on depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS 21). From the evaluation, 53.61% of users choose mental health calculators as the most favorite page, followed by article (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), and sharing page (4.12%). Most of the respondents agree that the mental health calculator is unique and useful, therefore can be used as a screening of mental health problems prior seeking health professional help. Taken together, mental health needs more attention in this pandemic due to the increasing burden, and the screening of mental health problems and sharing to alleviate the burden can be performed at www.lalui bersama.com. Pandemi COVID-19 memengaruhi semua aspek kehidupan manusia, tidak hanya kesehatan, tetapi juga ekonomi, pendidikan, dan aktivitas sehari-hari. Perubahan mendadak tersebut menyebabkan beban mental bagi sebagian besar orang. Apalagi, badai informasi bisa menambah beban. Sayangnya, tidak semua orang menyadari beban mental mereka, dan memiliki orang untuk berbagi dan peduli. Oleh karena itu, kelompok pendukung online anonim (www.laluibersama.com) dikembangkan untuk meningkatkan kesadaran akan kesehatan mental dan menyediakan fasilitas untuk berbagi dan mendukung antar pengguna. Situs ini terdiri dari beberapa informasi dasar dan artikel mengenai COVID-19 dengan penekanan pada farmakoterapi dan kesehatan mental, forum berbagi, dan kalkulator kesehatan mental berdasarkan skala depresi, kecemasan, dan stres (DASS 21). Dari evaluasi tersebut, 53.61% pengguna memilih kalkulator kesehatan mental sebagai halaman favorit, diikuti oleh artikel (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), dan halaman berbagi (4.12%). Sebagian besar responden setuju bahwa kalkulator kesehatan jiwa itu unik dan valid, oleh karena itu dapat digunakan sebagai skrining masalah kesehatan jiwa. Secara keseluruhan kesehatan jiwa perlu mendapat perhatian lebih dalam menghadapi pandemi ini karena beban yang semakin meningkat, dan pemeriksaan dini masalah kesehatan jiwa dan berbagi kekhawatiran dan pemikiran dapat dilakukan di www.lalui bersama.com.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Bao ◽  
Wen-Tian Li ◽  
Bao-Liang Zhong

Abstract Background Due to the implementation of social distancing and quarantine measures, loneliness has been a major public health concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have examined loneliness in Chinese residents during the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as its associations with mental health needs and services utilization. Methods The present study was a cross-sectional survey during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. A total of 7741 adults were invited and completed an online self-administered questionnaire. The Chinese 12-item General Health Questionnaire was used to screen for common mental health problems, loneliness was measured with a single-item self-report question (“How often do you feel lonely in recent days?”), and two standardized questions were used to assess perceived needs for and use of mental health services. Results In total, 24.2 % of the participants felt lonely in recent days. Age of 16–29 years (OR = 1.36, P = 0.020), marital status of never-married (OR = 1.47, P < 0.001), marital status of “others” (re-married, co-habiting, separated, divorced, and widowed) (OR = 1.72, P < 0.001), having infected family members or close relatives (OR = 1.64, P = 0.026), and having infected colleagues, friends, or classmates (OR = 1.62, P < 0.001) were significant correlates of loneliness. Rates of mental health needs (17.4 % vs. 4.9 %, P < 0.001) and services utilization (2.7 % vs. 1.0 %, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in lonely than not lonely participants. After adjusting for socio-demographic and epidemic characteristics and common mental health problems, loneliness was still significantly associated with mental health needs (OR = 2.50, P < 0.001) and services utilization (OR = 1.62, P = 0.020). Conclusions Feelings of loneliness are prevalent among Chinese residents affected by the COVID-19 epidemic and the presence of loneliness is associated with high levels of mental health needs and greater services utilization. Effective measures aiming at preventing or reducing loneliness are potentially beneficial for the mental wellbeing of COVID-19-affected population and reducing the use of the limited mental health service resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 381-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy J. Razza ◽  
Laura Schwartz Dayan ◽  
Daniel Tomasulo ◽  
Michelle S. Ballan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is threefold: to document the relationship between intellectual disability (ID) and psychopathology; to raise awareness of the ongoing lag in professional training for psychologists in the area of mental health treatment for people with intellectual disabilities; and, to provide recommendations for advancing professional education and, ultimately, adequate mental health treatment availability for people with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literature on prevalence of mental health problems in people with intellectual disabilities. At the same time, the paper reviews the training of psychologists relative to the burgeoning growth in awareness of the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities. Findings – The paper concludes that ID is a significant risk factor for psychopathology. In addition, the paper concludes that the education of psychologists regarding the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities is insufficient. The authors document the need for incorporating research and treatment advances related to intellectual disabilities and mental health into to the professional training of psychologists. The paper also describe the potential this training holds for improving both the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and the overall competence of psychologists. Practical implications – This paper provides a literature-based rationale for the need to include education in the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities into the general training of mental health professionals. In addition, it provides specific recommendations for how such training can be incorporated into graduate psychology programs. Originality/value – This paper provides mental health professionals with a review of the growth in understanding of the enormous, unmet mental health needs of people intellectual disabilities, and of the critical role of ID in development of mental health problems. Moreover, this paper builds the case for an important revision in the training of psychologists to include competence in understanding and treating mental health problems across the full spectrum of intellectual functioning.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 222-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Nadkarni ◽  
Barry Chipchase ◽  
Kim Fraser

With every serious incident of violence involving a person with current or past mental health problems we hear the cry ‘community care has failed’. While an increase in resources for in-patient psychiatric care will be welcomed, the reality is that many individuals with mental health needs, some of whom commit criminal offences, will be living in the community. The probation hostels are an example of such an interface, and offer an opportunity for inter-agency working.


1983 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Pruchno ◽  
Michael A. Smyer

The mental health needs of older adults remain largely unmet. This gap is due, in part, to a lack of adequately trained professionals and paraprofessionals. The sixteenitem quiz presented in this article has two purposes: 1) to present an overview of salient empirical and theoretical issues in the area of mental health and aging, and 2) to promote discussion of these topics. Each item is documented with supporting literature. In addition, average scores, item difficulties, and item-to-total correlations are presented for two groups of undergraduate students.


Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 477-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Crane ◽  
Fern Adams ◽  
Georgia Harper ◽  
Jack Welch ◽  
Elizabeth Pellicano

There is a high incidence and prevalence of mental health problems among young people, with several barriers to help-seeking noted in this group. High rates of mental health problems have also been reported in children and adults on the autism spectrum. Taken together, young autistic people may be a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to mental health. Yet, there has been remarkably little work on the mental health needs and experiences of young autistic adults (16–25 years). Adopting a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach – in which academic researchers and young autistic adults collaborated in an equitable research partnership – we explored young autistic people’s experiences of mental health problems and their perspectives on the support they sought, if any, for these problems. A total of 130 young autistic adults took part in the research: 109 completed an online survey and 21 took part in detailed interviews. The results highlight how young autistic people find it difficult to evaluate their mental health, experience high levels of stigma and often face severe obstacles when trying to access mental health support. The findings also demonstrate how listening to – and learning from – young autistic people is crucial in ensuring that their mental health needs are met.


NASPA Journal ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Anne Kitzrow

This paper reviews the literature on the changing mental health needs of today’s college students and the challenges posed by both the growing number of students with serious psychological problems on campus and the increase in the number of students seeking counseling. The implications of student mental health problems for students, faculty, staff, and the institution are discussed, as well as some strategies for responding to the surge in mental health needs on college campuses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (03) ◽  
pp. 121-122
Author(s):  
Altaf Qadir Khan

Mental Health problems and illnesses have accelerated at an alarming rate due to COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as well as in Pakistan with the potential of worsening due to crucial mismatch of available resources and burden of disease. Pakistan is the world’s fifth most populous country with an estimated population of 220 million as of 20201. With an increase in societal awareness and much needed de-stigmatization in recent years, increasing numbers of people are seeking help for common mental illnesses and the few studies that have been done in Pakistan have documented a much higher prevalence of mental health issues in Pakistan compared to Western countries. There are an estimated six million drug addicts in the country. Serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are estimated to have a prevalence rate of 1.5% in the population2. Child mental health problems also are common with a mean prevalence of 15%3.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-853
Author(s):  
Leah E. Daigle ◽  
Wendy P. Guastaferro ◽  
Andia Azimi

Objective: Victims’ compensation programs are positioned to serve an important therapeutic role. Their use by persons with physical and mental health problems has not been investigated. This study evaluates the extent to which applicants have physical and mental health needs and whether receiving compensation is related to these needs. Methods: Data were part of a larger study designed to assess satisfaction with victim compensation in Georgia. The sample included 500 victim compensation applicants. Individuals were surveyed about their experiences applying for compensation as well as their current well-being. Descriptive and multivariate analyses investigated the link between physical and mental health problems and denial of victim compensation. Results: Applicants for crime victim compensation in Georgia experienced a range of physical and mental health problems. Almost half of applicants had been diagnosed with a mental health condition, and 60% had been diagnosed with at least 1 physical health condition. Co-occurring disorders were common. In addition, being denied compensation was significantly related to having a mental health condition and to the number of diagnosed mental health conditions. Conclusions: Crime victim applicants have clear physical and mental health needs. Being denied compensation benefits is related to having a mental health disorder. These results suggest that victim compensation programs can be an intervention point for victims and their families for either receipt of direct service or referral to needed services. In addition, changes in program administration may need to be made to alleviate disparity in award benefit related to mental health status.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e033317
Author(s):  
Rachel M Hiller ◽  
Sarah L Halligan ◽  
Richard Meiser-Stedman ◽  
Elizabeth Elliott ◽  
Emily Rutter-Eley

ObjectivesYoung people who have been removed from their family home and placed in care have often experienced maltreatment and there is well-developed evidence of poor psychological outcomes. Once in care, foster carers often become the adult who provides day-to-day support, yet we know little about how they provide this support or the challenges to and facilitators of promoting better quality carer–child relationships. The aim of this study was to understand how carers support the emotional needs of the young people in their care and their views on barriers and opportunities for support.Design and participantsParticipants were 21 UK foster carers, recruited from a local authority in England. They were predominantly female (86%), aged 42–65 years old and ranged from those who were relatively new to the profession (<12 months’ experience) to those with over 30 years of experience as a carer. We ran three qualitative focus groups to gather in-depth information about their views on supporting their foster children’s emotional well-being. Participants also completed short questionnaires about their training experiences and sense of competence.ResultsOnly half of the sample strongly endorsed feeling competent in managing the emotional needs of their foster children. While all had completed extensive training, especially on attachment, diagnosis-specific training for mental health problems (eg, trauma-related distress, depression) was less common. Thematic analysis showed consistent themes around the significant barriers carers faced navigating social care and mental health systems, and mixed views around the best way to support young people, particularly those with complex mental health needs and in relation to reminders of their early experiences.ConclusionsFindings have important implications for practice and policy around carer training and support, as well as for how services support the mental health needs of young people in care.


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