scholarly journals RMIT together: An integrated mental health promotion campaign designed to build wellbeing and connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Bronwyn Gresham ◽  
◽  
Vanna Garrick ◽  
Lisa Chee ◽  
Cassandra Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Psychosocial Risks ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Promotion Campaign ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Integrated Mental Health

With the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing requirements and new psychosocial risks, the RMIT Wellbeing team andleaders in the community focussedon responding to the changing needs of students and staff. Communication of reliable, timely and evidence-based information through the lens of mental health and wellbeing was a top priority. The ‘RMIT Together’ campaign was designed to bring the whole community together, creating new online groups to foster peer connection and coping skills development. This case study demonstrates the various functions and wellbeing benefits that mental health and wellbeing promotion, prevention and education can play during periods of unforeseen life-changing global stress. It also demonstrates the sustainability of such interventions to build community resilience and mental wellbeing.

scholarly journals Evaluating Mental Health and Wellbeing of Postgraduate Researchers: Prevalence and Contributing Factors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Milicev ◽  
Stephany Biello ◽  
Maria Gardani
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Uk

AbstractIntroduction: Recent research has revealed high rates of mental health issues in postgraduate researchers (PGRs). Mental ill-health is a barrier to life satisfaction and academic success. More knowledge is necessary to understand the extent and origins of mental health problems of PGRs in the UK. Aims: To assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, subjective mental wellbeing, and suicide behaviours of PGRs in the UK, as well as to explore the factors that underpin these outcomes.Methods: An online survey (N=479) was used to measure the mental health outcomes, and assess the influence of demographic, trait and academic variables, and social support. Results: In this sample the prevalence of mental ill-health was high, while wellbeing was lower than in the general population. Female, non-binary and non-heterosexual PGRs had poorer mental health than their male and/or heterosexual counterparts. Researchers in the field of Arts had higher levels of wellbeing, while those in the 5th year of study or above were at a higher risk of suicidal behaviours. Resilience, adaptive perfectionism, social support and positive evaluations of progress and preparation, departmental climate, and supervisory relationship were associated with positive outcomes, while maladaptive perfectionism and workaholism were linked to the negative ones. Resilience and workaholism were the only variables that played a role in all mental health outcomes.Conclusions: The current paper contributes new knowledge about the PGR wellbeing, the prevalence of mental health symptoms, and some of the factors that shape them. Our findings imply that institutional efforts to improve PGR mental health and wellbeing should include a variety of strategies to promote equality, diversity, resilience, integration and work-life balance of PGRs.

The Role of AYUSH in Mental Well-Being

2020 ◽  
pp. 281-295
Author(s):  
Ranjit Kumar Dehury ◽  
Rajeev Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Peace Of Mind ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Mind And Brain ◽  
The Government ◽  
Mental Well Being

Mental wellbeing was the centerpiece of the Indian system of medicine. Many healthcare issues are resolved by the peace of mind and brain stimulating processes. Of late, Government of India adopted many systems of medicines that are complementary to the modern allopathic medicines and named it AYUSH system of medicine. In this Ayurveda, Yoga, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Unani, Swa-rigppa, and additional healing systems are represented. There is also a great need for psychological wellbeing due to the rapid increase in stressful life situations. The current modern medical care is not adequate to provide mental health services in the society. At the same time, many indigenous and AYUSH system have come into action and solve the problem the best way it possible. The chapter focuses on the role of AYUSH system in catering to mental wellbeing in India. The policies of the government of India are to promote mental health and wellbeing in society. The specialties of various systems of medicine in curing the mental health conditions have been elaborated.

scholarly journals Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? Exploring the perspectives of adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle O’Reilly ◽  
Nisha Dogra ◽  
Natasha Whiteman ◽  
Jason Hughes ◽  
Seyda Eruyar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Media Discourses

Despite growing evidence of the effects of social media on the mental health of adolescents, there is still a dearth of empirical research into how adolescents themselves perceive social media, especially as knowledge resource, or how they draw upon the wider social and media discourses to express a viewpoint. Accordingly, this article contributes to this scarce literature. Six focus groups took place over 3 months with 54 adolescents aged 11–18 years, recruited from schools in Leicester and London (UK). Thematic analysis suggested that adolescents perceived social media as a threat to mental wellbeing and three themes were identified: (1) it was believed to cause mood and anxiety disorders for some adolescents, (2) it was viewed as a platform for cyberbullying and (3) the use of social media itself was often framed as a kind of ‘addiction’. Future research should focus on targeting and utilising social media for promoting mental wellbeing among adolescents and educating youth to manage the possible deleterious effects.

A study of the effectiveness of MP3 players to support family carers of people living with dementia at home

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Lewis ◽  
Michael Bauer ◽  
Margaret Winbolt ◽  
Carol Chenco ◽  
Francine Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Mp3 Players ◽  
Mp3 Player ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Person With Dementia

ABSTRACTBackground:Music can be therapeutic to people with dementia; however, little is known about its effect on the family carers. This project aimed to (1) assess the effects of MP3 player use by a person with dementia on caregivers’ mental health and wellbeing, including their self-care and health-promoting behavior and (2) determine whether MP3 player use increases caregivers’ self-reported capacity to cope with their role.Methods:A pre–post quantitative and qualitative design was used. Carers completed a survey prior to commencing and four weeks after using the player. The survey included validated measures to assess the level of stress and coping among carers. Carers also kept a diary of the way they used the MP3 player. Half of the carers were interviewed about their experiences at the end of the study.Results:Of 59 people who started using the MP3 player, 51 carers completed the four-week study period and surveys. Use of the MP3 player significantly decreased psychological distress, significantly improved the mental health and wellbeing of carers, significantly increased caregiver self-efficacy to manage symptoms of dementia, and was reported to provide valued respite from the high level of vigilance required for caring for a person with dementia.Conclusion:An MP3 player loaded with music can be a low cost and relatively simple and effective additional strategy to support families caring for people with dementia in the community.

scholarly journals THROUGH THE COVID-19 LOOKING GLASS: COPING SKILLS FOR STEM EDUCATORS IN THE TIME OF A PANDEMIC AND BEYOND

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (6A) ◽  
pp. 1068-1077
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Lautenbach ◽  
Nardia Randell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
System A ◽  
Online Format ◽  
And Coping

The 2020 pandemic led to the immediate lockdown of schools and universities worldwide with far-reaching implications for educators and learners. Individual stories of lockdown and isolation are documented using direct quotations from discussion forums, emails, live chats, and structured journal entries from the Blackboard learning management system. A ‘qualitative sense’ of a common narrative of turmoil and success within this ‘new [ab] normal’ is established. Educators’ contrasting accounts of uncertainty and hope are highlighted. The notion of anticipatory anxiety as a result of social lockdown restrictions is covered in terms of its impact on mental health and wellbeing, with special reference to the neuroscience that underpins this phenomenon. Strategies for the management of stress-related autonomic nervous system activation, as well as for building resilience and coping skills in classrooms, are highlighted, along with the need to address issues of cognitive dissonance and fatigue caused by increased online/blended teaching demands during uncertain times. The online format was found to be potentially impersonal and cold without the essential ‘human factor’. Despite technology in education there has to be human and social interaction, as well as support online. The most benefit was derived from live sessions and social interaction. Keywords: mental health, well-being, progressive education, psycho-social issues, coping strategies

scholarly journals Therapaws: A partnership between students, staff, and therapy dogs on a university campus

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Johinke ◽  
Karen Walker ◽  
Freia Kirkaldy ◽  
Caitlyn Sinclair ◽  
Wing Lam Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Campus Culture ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Therapy Program ◽  
Novel Approaches

Partnering with students in action research and asking them how and why they would like to work with staff and other students to improve campus culture and student wellbeing is the cornerstone of this case study. Investment in student mental health and wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a priority in higher education, with novel approaches such as dog therapy programs being introduced in universities around the world. This case study highlights a project where staff and students partner to co-design, co-implement, and co-investigate a mental health and wellbeing program that combines dog therapy with students-as-partners principles. The student-led dog therapy program (Therapaws) provides a practical, evidence-based example of how the principles of SaP can be employed to create an effective intervention into student mental health and wellbeing. This multi-authored case study is also an example of a collaborative writing process—a true partnership.

scholarly journals It’s Time to Relax: The Critical Importance of Digital Mental Health Products in the Context of Surveillance Capitalism

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-59
Author(s):  
Sena Partal ◽  
Sasha Smirnova
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Data Privacy ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Health Products ◽  
Extraction Processes

There has been a huge increase in the use of digital technology throughout healthcare in recent years, with everything from apps to wearable tech. The mental health and wellbeing sector has been no exception. There are a wide variety of digital mental health apps available directly from app stores, making therapeutic techniques accessible for every smartphone user. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing quarantines and lockdowns, followed by the current economic recession, have redefined the tech world's agenda. There has been an increased emphasis on mental wellbeing. Many of the well-known tech companies, whose core business is not even related to healthcare (such as Facebook, Telefonica, or Google) have invested in mental wellbeing, either through “moonshots” or by introducing new product segments. For their critics, this is a “do-good” gesture intended to detract attention from their data extraction processes. This leads us to question, what is it that these companies want to recommend to people through the use of mental wellbeing tech? What is the new set of values that they are promoting? In this article we critically analyse digital mental health products. We discuss how they might become a political tool, speculate on their side effects, and investigate outcomes of their increasing popularity. We want to move beyond the personal data privacy debate and tackle other potential issues – what does this data sharing mean in terms of a shift in collective psychology and ideologies? What is the potential for them to become political tools? Is this a step towards human and non-human convergence?

The Role of AYUSH in Mental Well-Being

2021 ◽  
pp. 457-468
Author(s):  
Ranjit Kumar Dehury ◽  
Rajeev Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Peace Of Mind ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Mind And Brain ◽  
The Government ◽  
Mental Well Being

Mental wellbeing was the centerpiece of the Indian system of medicine. Many healthcare issues are resolved by the peace of mind and brain stimulating processes. Of late, Government of India adopted many systems of medicines that are complementary to the modern allopathic medicines and named it AYUSH system of medicine. In this Ayurveda, Yoga, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Unani, Swa-rigppa, and additional healing systems are represented. There is also a great need for psychological wellbeing due to the rapid increase in stressful life situations. The current modern medical care is not adequate to provide mental health services in the society. At the same time, many indigenous and AYUSH system have come into action and solve the problem the best way it possible. The chapter focuses on the role of AYUSH system in catering to mental wellbeing in India. The policies of the government of India are to promote mental health and wellbeing in society. The specialties of various systems of medicine in curing the mental health conditions have been elaborated.

Mental health and wellbeing among Iranian medical students: a descriptive study

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110478
Author(s):  
Agaah Ashrafi ◽  
Murtaza Kadhum ◽  
Andrew Molodynski ◽  
Dinesh Bhugra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
National Initiatives ◽  
Very High

Background: The psychological wellbeing and stresses on medical students are currently under a global spotlight. Under a wider initiative supported by the British Medical Association (BMA), international surveys have been conducted to understand and begin to tackle these issues. Method: This study aimed at describing the mental wellbeing and levels of burnout of Iranian medical students. A total of 179 medical students from 19 different cities participated voluntarily in the survey by answering an online questionnaire between April and August 2020. We detected a trend toward higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders (namely depressive disorders) and substance misuse when compared to previous national studies. Results: About 6% of students screened positive for alcohol problems with the CAGE questionnaire. About 77% of medical students screened positive for mental health problems with the GHQ12 questionnaire. Very high rates of burnout were also reported. These findings emphasize the urgent need to define methods to screen at risk medical students and implement local and national initiatives to curtain their potential detrimental effects.

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