Common Mental Disorders and Substance Use in School Children of Eastern Nepal

Introduction: School mental health is one of the important areas where early detection can lead to appropriate early intervention and burden of disease can be minimized. There is dearth of prevalence studies of common mental disorders on school going adolescents in Nepal. Considering this we aimed to study the prevalence of common mental health problems and substance use in school going adolescents. Material And Method: We evaluated 240 students for common mental disorders (depression and anxiety) using translated version of PHQ-4 and substance use single validated question after taking consent from school authorities and assent from students. Results: It was seen that 68.8 % students had psychological distress. 22.9 % and 27.5% of students had anxiety and depression respectively on screener and 23.3% students had use of substance at least once within a year. When compared male had significantly higher number of substance use as compared to female but no difference in PHQ-4 scores were seen when compared between gender and history of substance use. Conclusion: The study shows the current scenario of school going adolescents in Nepal and highlights the need of prevalence data on more generalizable setting.

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Evidence-Based Practice in School Mental Health

10.1093/oso/9780190886578.001.0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Adolescent Psychopathology ◽

Real Life ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

School Based ◽

K 12

Schools have become the default mental health providers for children and adolescents, but they are often poorly equipped to meet the mental health needs of their students. The introduction tackles how to make students eligible for school-based services using the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Using the new DSM-5 as an organizing principle, this book then addresses the 12 most common mental disorders of childhood and adolescence, ages 3–18. While there are many books that address child and adolescent psychopathology, this book focuses on how to help students with mental disorders in pre-K–12 schools. Each chapter addresses the prevalence of a disorder in school-age populations, appropriate diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, comorbid disorders, rapid assessment instruments available, school-based interventions using multitiered systems of support, and easy-to-follow suggestions for progress monitoring. Unique to this book, each chapter has detailed suggestions for how school-based clinicians can collaborate with teachers, parents, and community providers to address the needs of youth with mental health problems so that school, home, and community work together. Each chapter ends with a list of extensive web resources and a real-life case example drawn from the clinical practice of the authors. The final chapter addresses two newly proposed diagnoses for self-harm in the DSM-5 and brings a cautious and sensible approach to assessing and helping students who may be at risk for serious self-injury or suicide.

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Preconception prediction of expectant fathers' mental health: 20-year cohort study from adolescence

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2017.10 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 58-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Elizabeth Spry ◽

Rebecca Giallo ◽

Margarita Moreno-Betancur ◽

Jacqui Macdonald ◽

Denise Becker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Common Mental Disorder ◽

Health Problems ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Future Research ◽

Expectant Fathers

We examined prospective associations between men's common mental disorders in the decades prior to offspring conception and subsequent paternal antenatal mental health problems. Data came from a prospective intergenerational cohort study which assessed common mental disorder nine times from age 14 to 29 years, and in the third trimester of subsequent pregnancies to age 35 years (N = 295 pregnancies to 214 men). Men with histories of adolescent and young adult common mental disorders were over four times more likely to experience antenatal mental health problems. Future research identifying modifiable perinatal factors that counteract preconception risk would provide further targets for intervention.Declaration of interestNone.

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The epidemiology of common mental disorders in Libya: a systematic review

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery ◽

10.1186/s41983-021-00408-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mansour Abdulshafea ◽

Abdul Hakim Rhouma ◽

Nadeem Gire ◽

Ali AlMadhoob ◽

Usman Arshad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Mental Health Research ◽

Middle Income ◽

Prevalence Studies ◽

The Status ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Introduction There has been a global increase in the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD), particularly in conflict hotspots. The limited amount of resources is one of the key barriers to effective treatment within Low- and Middle-income countries (LAMICs). The lack of service provision for mental health disorders in LAMICs has resulted in limited opportunities to conduct mental health research. Libya is a North African country that has suffered from ongoing conflict with the current political unrest in Libya further impacting the mental health of the population. Main text The aim of this review is to conduct a synthesis of evidence regarding the estimated prevalence and associated risk factors of CMD in Libya. A search was completed in the academic databases; PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and the Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC) from inception to March 2020. Only studies that investigated prevalence and associated risk factors of CMD in Libya were included. A total of 219 studies were identified of which 15 met the inclusion criteria for the review. There were (n = 3) papers investigated the prevalence of depression, (n = 4) studies were focused on stress-related disorders and the remaining papers looked at both anxiety and depression. Statistically, sample sizes of the included studies ranged from (n = 41–13,031) for the prevalence studies (mean = 1188.6, median = 233). Conclusion The status of Libya as a conflict hotspot has led to a reduced level of epidemiological data on mental health, with a vital need to conduct research in CMD. Libya requires better clinical governance which can allow for more scientific research into CMD and enabling the Libyan government to develop evidence-based policy initiatives for CMD.

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How often do partial disability pensioners end up on a full disability pension?

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz187.106 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

A Polvinen ◽

M Laaksonen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Disability Pension ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽

Disability Retirement ◽

Working Lives ◽

Low Education ◽

History Of

Abstract Background Extending working lives and deferring retirement have been important topics of discussion in recent years. Full disability pensioners seldom work, but most partial disability pensioners continuing working while receiving a pension. However, very little is known about how often partial disability pensioners end up on a full disability pension. The aims of this study were to investigate to what degree partial disability pensions become full disability pensions, and how age, gender, marital status, education, unemployment or a disability diagnosis are associated with that. Methods The register data included 2,969 Finns who were aged 18-59 years and whose partial disability retirement started in 2010. The follow-up period ranged from 2010 to the end of 2015. Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios for full disability retirement. Results Approximately 40 per cent of the partial disability pensioners ended up on a full disability pension during the follow-up period. Partial disability pensioners who were older, had a lower educational level or a history of unemployment, or who suffered from mental disorders ended up on a full disability pension more often than others. The risk of full disability retirement was 1.5-fold among those with mental disorders compared to those with musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusions Partial disability pensioners with a low education, a history of unemployment or who suffer from mental disorders experience a higher risk of ending up on a full disability pension. More focus should be paid to improving education, preventing mental health problems and unemployment in order to help the disabled work longer. Key messages Preventing partial disability pensioners from ending up on a full disability pension can extend their working lives. Partial disability pensioners with a low education, a history of unemployment or poor mental health more often stop working altogether. More focus should be paid to improving these issues.

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Depression, Substance Use and Suicidality in Help-Seeking Adolescents: A Survey of Prevalence

Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling ◽

10.1017/s1037291100002478 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 162-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Elizabeth Cosgrave ◽

Eóin Killackey ◽

Alison Yung ◽

Joe Buckby ◽

Katherine Godfrey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Psychiatric Diagnosis ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

School Setting ◽

Public Mental Health

AbstractMental health problems affect a sizeable minority of Australian adolescents. Depression and substance use disorders are common mental disorders reported in this age group. Difficulties of this nature that manifest in adolescence will often continue into adulthood. This report describes a sample of adolescents referred to a public mental health service with respect to their psychiatric diagnoses, depressive symptoms, patterns of substance use and level of suicidality. Mood disorders and substance-use disorders were both prevalent in the sample of participants, with sizeable comorbidity reflected in the number ol participants meeting criteria for both of these diagnoses. Data revealed participants with a psychiatric diagnosis were significantly more likely to have made a suicide attempt than those with no diagnosis. High levels of depressive symptoms were associated with suicidality, illicit substance use, and the likelihood of having a psychiatric diagnosis. Heavy use of alcohol was prevalent in this group, but unrelated to the other variables of interest to the study. These results are discussed with respect to the importance of early detection of vulnerable students in a school setting.

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Help-seeking behavior for problematic substance uses in Bahir Dar town, North-West Ethiopia

10.1101/363705 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Habte Belete ◽

Tesfa Mekonen ◽

Wubalem Fekadu ◽

Getasew Legas ◽

Asmamaw Getnet

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Bahir Dar ◽

Help Seeking Behavior ◽

Substance Users ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

History Of

AbstractBackgroundMental, neurological and substance use disorders are common, but 76% to 85% of people with those disorders in low and middle-income countries did not receive treatment.ObjectiveOur objective was to assess the level of help seeking behavior and associated factors among residents with problematic substance uses (alcohol, khat, tobacco and hashish).MethodsCommunity based cross sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar town among total of 548 participants with problematic substance users. We had interviewed for help seeking behavior by pre-tested modified General Help Seeking Questionnaire. Logistic regression was done and p-value < 0.05 was used for declaration of significant level. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) have been used.ResultsAmong five hundred and forty-eight participants with problematic substance users, only one hundred and sixty-eight (30.7%) sought help for their substance related problems. Participants’ age above 35 years [AOR = .47 95% CI (.25, .90)], positively screened for common mental disorders [AOR = 4.12, 95% CI (2.7, 6.3)], comorbid medical [AOR = 3.0, 95% CI (1.7, 5.3)], and grand-families’ history of substance user [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI (1.4, 3.4)] found significantly associated with help seeking.ConclusionThere was low proportion of help seeking behavior among participants with problematic substance users. Advanced age was a barrier to seek help while medical illnesses, common mental disorders and history of substance use in grand families were found to enforce to seek help.

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Innovative Ways to Promote Children’s Mental Health: Developing Accessible and Sustainable School Mental Health Services in Pakistan

Annals of King Edward Medical University ◽

10.21649/akemu.v24i1.2345 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 565-567

Author(s):

Nazish Imran

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

School Mental Health ◽

World Health ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Young Population ◽

The Third ◽

Health Organization

According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10-15% of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from mental health problems.(1) The WHO also highlights that “Lack of attention to mental health of children & adolescents may lead to mental disorders with lifelong consequences, undermines compliance with health regimens and reduces the capacity of societies to be safe and productive”. (2) More than half of all mental disorders have an onset in childhood and adolescence with suicide being the third leading cause of death among adolescents. (1), (3) Child & adolescent mental health thus needs to be considered & emphasized as an integral component of overall health & growth of young population. Youth with positive mental health have positive self-efficacy beliefs, are productive and able to tackle developmental challenges adequately.

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Pregnancy

Oxford Textbook of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1093/med/9780198792994.003.0041 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 383-388

Author(s):

Philip Boyce ◽

Megan Galbally ◽

Alain Gregoire

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Fetal Development ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Mental Health Benefits ◽

Common Mental Health Problems

The application of public health approaches, including universal and targeted interventions during pregnancy, can have long-term mental health benefits for women and the next generation. Access to good antenatal care, ensuring women have adequate nutrition and micronutrients, a healthy lifestyle (in particular avoiding smoking), and being immunized against flu may reduce the risk of the fetus developing disorders with a neurodevelopmental origin, in particular schizophrenia and, to a lesser extent, bipolar disorder. The identification of and early intervention in common mental health problems among pregnant women and identifying potentially modifiable risk factors during pregnancy will reduce morbidity in women and may help prevent postpartum mental disorders. Such strategies will also optimize fetal development and reduce the risk of subsequent mental disorders in infants. Finally, pregnancy is also a time when interventions can be applied to minimize the risk of disorders, such as bipolar disorder, relapsing following childbirth.

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Ageing and the prevalence and treatment of mental health problems

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291712003042 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (10) ◽

pp. 2037-2045 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

M. Jokela ◽

G. D. Batty ◽

M. Kivimäki

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Old Age ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Health Problems ◽

Cohort Effects ◽

The Past ◽

Time Period

BackgroundAgeing is an important factor in the development of mental health problems and their treatment. We assessed age trajectories of common mental disorders (CMDs) and psychotherapy utilization from adolescence to old age, and examined whether these trajectories were modified by time period or birth cohort effects.MethodBritish Household Panel Survey (BHPS) with an 18-year follow-up between 1991 and 2009 (n = 30 224 participants, aged 15–100 years, with an average 7.3 person-observations per person). CMDs were assessed with the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Psychotherapy treatment utilization during the past year was self-reported by the participants. The modifying influences of time period and cohort effects were assessed in a cohort-sequential longitudinal setting.ResultsFollowing a moderate decrease after age 50, the prevalence of GHQ caseness increased steeply from age 75. This increase was more marked in the 2000s (GHQ prevalence increasing from 24% to 43%) than in the 1990s (from 22% to 34%). Psychotherapy utilization decreased after age 55, with no time period or cohort effects modifying the age trajectory. These ageing patterns were replicated in within-individual longitudinal analysis.ConclusionsOld age is associated with higher risk of CMDs, and this association has become more marked during the past two decades. Ageing is also associated with an increasing discrepancy between prevalence of mental disorders and provision of treatment, as indicated by lower use of psychotherapy in older individuals.

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Prevalence and correlates of common mental health problems and recent suicidal behaviour among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya: findings from the Maisha Fiti study

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2021.637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (S1) ◽

pp. S238-S238

Author(s):

Alicja Beksinska ◽

Zaina Jama ◽

Rhoda Kabuti ◽

Mary Kungu ◽

Hellen Babu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Suicidal Behaviour ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Harmful Alcohol ◽

Common Mental Health Problems

AimsAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs), poverty, violence and harmful alcohol/substance are associated with poor mental health outcomes in the general population. These risks are likely to be exacerbated among Female Sex Workers (FSWs), however there are few studies examining risks factors for mental health problems among FSWs. We examine the prevalence and correlates of common mental health problems including suicidal behaviour among FSWs in Kenya.MethodMaisha Fiti is a longitudinal study among FSWs randomly selected from Sex Worker Outreach Programme (SWOP) clinics across Nairobi. Baseline data were collected from June-December 2019. Mental health problems were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder tool (GAD-7) for anxiety, and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ-17) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Recent suicidal behaviour was defined as reported suicide attempt or suicidal ideation in the past 30 days. Other measurement tools included the WHO Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score, WHO Violence Against Women questionnaire, and the WHO ASSIST tool (to measure harmful alcohol/substance use in the past 3 months). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were conducted in Stata 16.1.ResultOf 1039 eligible FSWs, 1003 FSWs took part in the study (response rate: 96%) with a mean age of 33.7 years. The prevalence of moderate/severe depression was 23.2% (95%CI: 20.7–25.9%), moderate/severe anxiety 11.0% (95%CI: 9.3–13.1%), PTSD 14.0% (95% CI: 12.2–16.5%) and recent suicidal behaviour 10.2% (95%CI: 8.5–12.2%) (2.6% suicide attempt; 10.0% suicidal ideation). Among women with any mental health problem 63.0% also had a harmful alcohol/substance use problem. One in four women (25%; 95%CI: 22.5–27.8%) had depression and/or anxiety and this was independently associated with higher ACE scores, hunger (skipped a meal in last week due to financial difficulties), death of a child, perceived sex work stigma and recent sexual/physical violence. PTSD was associated with higher ACE scores, hunger, increased STI prevalence (chlamydia trachomatis) and recent violence. Recent suicidal behaviour was associated with higher ACE scores, low literacy, hunger, and recent violence. Mental health problems and suicidal behaviour were less prevalent among women reporting social support.ConclusionThe high burden of mental problems among FSWs indicates a need for accessible services tailored for FSWs alongside broader structural interventions addressing poverty, harmful alcohol/substance use and violence. High rates of ACEs among this population indicates the need to consider early childhood and family interventions to prevent poor mental health outcomes.Funding: Medical Research Council and the UK Department of International Development

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