scholarly journals Improving Mental Health on College Campuses: Perspectives of Indian College Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akash R Wasil ◽  
Tanvi Malhotra ◽  
Nivedita Nandakumar ◽  
Nandita Tuteja ◽  
Robert DeRubeis ◽  
...  

The mental health of college students is increasingly viewed as an important public health priority. However, there has been little attention paid specifically to college students’ perspectives on factors that contribute to mental health challenges or on potential initiatives that could address them. Even less research has focused on students in low-and middle-income countries. In an effort to better understand how to improve mental health and wellness on college campuses, we administered an open-ended survey to 141 Indian college students (Mage=19.47, 65% female). We asked the students to identify: a) issues that contribute to mental health problems among college students, b) potential initiatives or strategies that could be used to improve mental health and wellness, and c) topics that students would like to learn about in a course about mental health and wellness. Applying thematic analysis, we identified academic stressors (e.g., pressure to succeed, competitiveness) and social stressors (e.g., lack of community, party culture and substance abuse) that students reported as contributors to mental health problems. Students also described mental health promotion strategies that could be implemented by faculty members (e.g., providing academic accommodations for students with mental health concerns), the student body (e.g., establishing peer counseling groups), and individual students (e.g., checking-in with others). Finally, they identified topics that they would like to learn about in mental health and wellness courses (e.g., how to identify mental health concerns, how to support friends). By raising several potential targets for mental health and wellness interventions for Indian college students, our study illustrates how open-ended surveys can be a useful and feasible way to solicit input from stakeholders in low- and middle-income countries. Future research will be needed to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of mental health promotion strategies, including those proposed by students.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T2) ◽  
pp. 188-191
Author(s):  
Nurul Husnul Lail ◽  
Rizanda Machmud ◽  
Adnil Edwin ◽  
Yusrawati Yusrawati ◽  
Anwar Mallongi

BACKGROUND: Mental illness or mental health problems during pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries are very high; the average prevalence reaches 15.6%. Subsequent research was conducted by Indian in the Jakarta and Bogor regions in the period January–June 2018 regarding the incidence of perinatal depression by 23.6% in the Bogor. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the mental illness or mental health problems during pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: This research is qualitative research. This research was conducted in January–June 2019 in the Bogor independent practice midwife. Informants in the study came from the East Jakarta Health Office, Chair of the Indonesian Midwives Association, Head of the Health Center, Coordinating Midwives, Pregnant Women and husbands, and families of pregnant women. Data are analyzed by Regression Logistic. RESULTS: Construction model mental health of mothers during pregnancy in independent practice midwives is very important and needs attention. Pregnancy is still considered a physical change that needs to be intervened because it is easier to handle and easily detects it. Maternal examination during pregnancy is carried out by midwives, in the implementation of mental health checks during pregnancy for pregnant women, this role has not all been carried out optimally. CONCLUSION: This research suggests conducting socialization with midwives as well as across-related sectors to get political support in carrying out activities in health facilities and independent practice midwives.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Banandur ◽  
Gopalan Kalpana ◽  
Shikha G Pai ◽  
Mutharaju Arelingaiah ◽  
Sathya R Velu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background : Relationships and mental health have a bidirectional effect. The effect of relationships on mental health is stronger than vice versa. We analyzed two-year case records of 8595 beneficiaries aged 15-35 years attending youth guidance centres (Yuva Spandana Kendras) in Karnataka, India to understand factors affecting relationship issues. Methods : Multivariate logistic regression was performed with any beneficiary reporting having a relationship issue as outcome. Results : Occupation, marital status, health and lifestyle issues, personality issues, safety issues, gender, sex, & sexuality issues, suicidality, alcohol, and different emotions experienced,had significant association with relationship issues. Investing in health promotion interventions focusing on these precursors of relationship issues amongst youth seems strategic. Conclusion : Our findings have implications for other states in India and other low-middle-income countries like India.


Author(s):  
Sabyasachi Bhaumik ◽  
Dasari Mohan Michael ◽  
Reza Kiani ◽  
Avinash Hiremath ◽  
Shweta Gangavati ◽  
...  

This chapter focuses on the current knowledge in public health for people with intellectual disability and recognizes the extent of health inequalities these individuals experience. The prevalence of intellectual disability worldwide is discussed with special emphasis on the prevalence of mental health problems. Also highlighted are the population health characteristics, including physical and mental health problems. The issue of barriers to accessibility and the possible reasons are discussed. There is a section on premature mortality of people with intellectual disability and measures to improve the health status for this marginalized population. Recent initiatives, including prevention strategies and health promotional aspects, are discussed and solutions suggested, including those for low-and-middle income countries (LAMICs)emphasized. Training aspects to improve quality of health care in LAMICs is highlighted with the recognition of limitations in creating a sustainable transformation of services unless they are backed by authorities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Tol

The first World Health Organization's global action plan for mental health recognizes the importance of mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders, through the inclusion of one of four objectives focused on this crucial area of research and practice. This paper aims to provide an ‘aerial view’ of the field of mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Starting with reasons why promotion and prevention need to take center stage in global mental health efforts, the paper provides a framework and four general principles to guide such efforts: a socio-ecological perspective (place); an inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach (collaboration), a developmental perspective (timing), and a participatory and empowerment approach (strengths), or PaCTS. Evidence-based examples of mental health promotion, universal, selective, and indicated prevention are described.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura K. Murray ◽  
Shannon Dorsey ◽  
Emily Haroz ◽  
Catherine Lee ◽  
Maytham M. Alsiary ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 436-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stevan Merill Weine ◽  
Scott Langenecker ◽  
Aliriza Arenliu

Background: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project presents innovative ways of investigating mental illness based on behavioral and neurobiological measures of dimensional processes. Although cultural psychiatrists have critiqued RDoC’s implications and limitations for its under-developed focus on context and experience, RDoC presents opportunities for synergies with global mental health. It can capture aspects of clinical or sub-clinical behavior which are less dependent upon Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) and perhaps better elucidate the role of culture in disease expression and resilience. Aim/Results: This article uses the example of migration to describe several starting points for new research: (1) providing components for building an investigable conceptual framework to understand individual’s mental health, resilience and adjustment to migration challenges or social adversities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and (2) identifying measurable factors which determine resilience or vulnerability, to guide development and evaluation of targeted prevention, treatment and recovery strategies for mental health in LMICs. Conclusion: In such ways, RDoC frameworks could help put the new cutting edge neurobiological dimensional scientific advances in a position to contribute to addressing mental health problems amid social adversities in LMICs. However, this would require a much-expanded commitment by both RDoC and global mental health researchers to address contextual and experiential dimensions.


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