scholarly journals Understanding mental health and wellbeing among aboriginal postsecondary students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Joy Davey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Aboriginal Students ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Knowledge

First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth in Canada report higher rates of mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, addiction and suicide) issues than the non-Aboriginal population of youth, which impacts their ability to achieve their educational goals. Understanding mental health from an Aboriginal worldview and through culturally safe strategies designed to translate mental health information to Aboriginal people is lacking. The objectives of the present study were to develop, implement and evaluate a knowledge translation (KT) strategy to enhance wellbeing knowledge and self-efficacy in coping with mental health issues among Aboriginal postsecondary students using a community-based approach. The Tool Development Phase involved focus groups and interviews with Aboriginal post-secondary students (n=9) and community members (n=3) to develop a KT activity. The KT Phase involved a pre/post design where participants (n=4) were asked about their mental health knowledge and self-efficacy in improving their wellbeing prior to and after the KT activity. All students participated in an individual interview one month later about their knowledge and the helpfulness of activity. Key informants (n=4) were interviewed during a Follow-Up and Debriefing phase regarding the community-based approach. Mental health was defined wholistically, as related to community and as being impacted by identity, stigma, cultural connection, intergenerational trauma, and a clash between Aboriginal and positivist Western worldviews. KT preferences included incorporating traditional ceremonies; covering particular topics such as resources, traditional teachings and coping strategies; and incorporating active participation. The KT activity increased knowledge and self-efficacy related to mental health and some knowledge was retained and used at one-month follow-up. As well, participants appreciated the sense of community that the activity created and provided feedback regarding what could be changed (e.g., more active participation). Key informants thought the project addressed some community needs and that it was built on relationships. This study will contribute to increasing the wellbeing of Aboriginal students by expanding upon their mental health knowledge, and sense of self-efficacy in coping with their own mental health issues, with the aim of addressing mental health barriers to the completion of post-secondary education among Aboriginal students.

scholarly journals Understanding mental health and wellbeing among aboriginal postsecondary students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Joy Davey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Aboriginal Students ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Knowledge

First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth in Canada report higher rates of mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, addiction and suicide) issues than the non-Aboriginal population of youth, which impacts their ability to achieve their educational goals. Understanding mental health from an Aboriginal worldview and through culturally safe strategies designed to translate mental health information to Aboriginal people is lacking. The objectives of the present study were to develop, implement and evaluate a knowledge translation (KT) strategy to enhance wellbeing knowledge and self-efficacy in coping with mental health issues among Aboriginal postsecondary students using a community-based approach. The Tool Development Phase involved focus groups and interviews with Aboriginal post-secondary students (n=9) and community members (n=3) to develop a KT activity. The KT Phase involved a pre/post design where participants (n=4) were asked about their mental health knowledge and self-efficacy in improving their wellbeing prior to and after the KT activity. All students participated in an individual interview one month later about their knowledge and the helpfulness of activity. Key informants (n=4) were interviewed during a Follow-Up and Debriefing phase regarding the community-based approach. Mental health was defined wholistically, as related to community and as being impacted by identity, stigma, cultural connection, intergenerational trauma, and a clash between Aboriginal and positivist Western worldviews. KT preferences included incorporating traditional ceremonies; covering particular topics such as resources, traditional teachings and coping strategies; and incorporating active participation. The KT activity increased knowledge and self-efficacy related to mental health and some knowledge was retained and used at one-month follow-up. As well, participants appreciated the sense of community that the activity created and provided feedback regarding what could be changed (e.g., more active participation). Key informants thought the project addressed some community needs and that it was built on relationships. This study will contribute to increasing the wellbeing of Aboriginal students by expanding upon their mental health knowledge, and sense of self-efficacy in coping with their own mental health issues, with the aim of addressing mental health barriers to the completion of post-secondary education among Aboriginal students.

scholarly journals The Building Educators’ Skills in Adolescent Mental Health Training Program for Secondary School Educators: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/25870 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e25870
Author(s):  
Belinda L Parker ◽  
Cassandra Chakouch ◽  
Mirjana Subotic-Kerry ◽  
Philip J Batterham ◽  
Andrew Mackinnon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Health Training ◽  
Mental Health Knowledge

Background In Australia, secondary school educators are well positioned to recognize mental illness among students and provide support. However, many report that they lack the knowledge and confidence to do so, and few mental health training programs available for educators are evidence based. To address this gap, the Black Dog Institute (BDI) developed a web-based training program (Building Educators’ Skills in Adolescent Mental Health [BEAM]) that aims to improve mental health knowledge, confidence, and helping behaviors among secondary school educators in leadership positions. A pilot study of the training program found it to be positively associated with increased confidence and helping behaviors among educators and reduced personal psychological distress. An adequately powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) is needed. Objective The primary objective of this cluster RCT is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BEAM program for improving educators’ confidence in managing student mental health. The trial will also evaluate the effect of the BEAM program in increasing educators’ frequency of providing help to students and improving their mental health knowledge and reducing educators’ psychological distress and stigma toward students with mental health issues. Methods The target sample size is 234 educators from 47 secondary schools across New South Wales, Australia. Four waves of recruitment and enrollment into the trial are planned. Schools will participate in one wave only and will be randomized to the intervention or waitlist control conditions. Participants from the same school will be assigned to the same condition. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, posttest (10 weeks after baseline), and follow-up (22 weeks after baseline) using the BDI eHealth research platform. Intervention participants will receive access to the BEAM program for 10 weeks upon completion of baseline, and the control condition will receive access for 10 weeks upon completion of the follow-up assessment. Results Recruitment for this trial began on July 21, 2020, with the first baseline assessments occurring on August 17, 2020. To date, 295 participants from 71 schools have completed baseline. Due to the unexpected success of recruitment in the first 3 waves, the final fourth wave has been abandoned. Intervention participants are currently receiving the program, with follow-up due for completion in March 2021. Conclusions This is one of the first RCTs to examine the effectiveness of a web-based adolescent mental health training program for Australian secondary school educators in leadership positions. If found to be effective, this training program will offer a sustainable and scalable delivery method for upskilling educators in caring for students’ mental health. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000876998; https://covid-19.cochrane.org/studies/crs-14669208 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/25870

scholarly journals MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND RELEVANT LEGISLATION IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-126
Author(s):  
Shafquat Inayat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

Mental health legislation compiles and integrates fundamental doctrine, principles, goals, objectives and mental health policy. This legislation is required to assure that the self-respect and the dignity of patients is conserved and that their fundamental rights are protected. This article considers legislation in the Indo-Pak subcontinent, especially the Mental Health Act in Pakistan, and asserts that the act has limitation that serve as a barrier to mental health services currently provided in Pakistan. The purpose of this article is to identify the mental health legislation in a developing country like Pakistan. It also emphasizes the need of a modern mental health law that provides priority to protect the rights of patient with mental disorder to promote development of community based care and improves its access.

scholarly journals Mental Health Literacy Intervention on Help-Seeking in Athletes: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7263
Author(s):  
Danran Bu ◽  
Pak-Kwong Chung ◽  
Chun-Qing Zhang ◽  
Jingdong Liu ◽  
Xiang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Stigma Reduction ◽  
Help Seeking Attitudes ◽  
Mental Health Knowledge

Mental health literacy (MHL) is recognised as a major factor in whether athletes seek help when they experience mental health difficulties. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide a systematic review of the effectiveness of MHL training programmes in improving mental health knowledge and help-seeking and reducing stigma among athletes. To identify intervention studies of MHL programmes, five electronic databases were systematically searched for articles published before May 2020. The selection procedure was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All kinds of study designs were included. Effect sizes were calculated for mental health knowledge, stigma reduction and help-seeking attitudes, intentions and behaviours. Risk of bias was assessed for each study using the Cochrane tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment scale. Five studies (1239 participants in total) were selected for review. Overall, either small or medium effects were found for mental health knowledge, stigma reduction, help-seeking attitudes, and intentions for post- and follow-up interventions, whereas a null effect was found in help-seeking behaviours for both post- and follow-up interventions. Furthermore, three studies had a low risk of bias, and two had a high risk of bias. MHL interventions can enhance help-seeking attitudes and intentions and mental health knowledge and reduce stigma but do not increase help-seeking behaviours for now. Further studies should evaluate interventions to enhance help-seeking behaviours. Furthermore, the methodological quality of studies, including randomized controlled trials and other designs, should be improved in future research.

Mental health correlates of substance use behaviors among a nationally representative sample of juvenile offenders

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Proctor ◽  
Albert M. Kopak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Offenders ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Domains ◽  
Nationally Representative

Purpose This paper aims to extend previous findings by identifying the mental health correlates of both acute and chronic substance use behaviors among a large nationally representative sample of juvenile offenders. Design/methodology/approach Survey of Youth in Residential Placement interview data from 6,920 juvenile offenders (76% male) detained in 290 US facilities were analyzed to determine bivariate relationships between two indicators of substance use (acute and chronic) and seven mental health domains (depression/isolation, anxiety, anger, trauma, inattention, hallucinations and suicidality). Findings Prevalence rates of above average indications for all seven mental health domains were significantly higher among offenders under the influence of a substance at the time they committed their instant offense compared to those not under the influence. Offenders with above average indications in the seven studied mental health areas reported a higher level of chronic effects of substance use relative to those with average or below mental health indications. Practical implications The results have important implications for the assessment and treatment of co-occurring mental health issues among juvenile offenders with substance use issues. Juveniles with above average mental health indications may be more prone to experiencing a number of substance-related problems. Observed results may guide the implementation of routine assessment procedures at the juvenile detention level. Intake specialists should screen and administer comprehensive mental health assessments for juveniles who report substance intoxication at the time of their instant offense. Juvenile offenders who report clinical levels of mental health symptoms should receive a comprehensive assessment of substance use and related problems. Originality/value Although the co-occurrence of substance use and mental health issues among juvenile justice involved populations is well documented, previous research studies in this area have included a number of limitations. Relatively small offender sample populations, often from a single facility, warrant further work with a large, nationally representative sample of juvenile offenders. Inconsistency in measures of substance use and the failure to distinguish between acute and chronic measures of substance use in prior studies also require further investigation. This study contributes to the extant co-occurring substance use and mental health knowledge base by identifying the mental health correlates of both acute and chronic substance use behaviors among a large nationally representative sample of juvenile offenders.

The Importance of Assessing and Treating Mental Health in Transition-Aged Adolescents with Epilepsy: A 1-Year Follow-up

2020 ◽  
Vol 09 (04) ◽  
pp. 186-192
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Healy ◽  
Tadeu A. Fantaneanu ◽  
Sharon Whiting
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Transition Clinic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractMental health issues become especially problematic when adolescents with epilepsy are preparing to transition from pediatric to adult care. Consistent with guidelines, a transition clinic with ongoing mental health assessment was created, providing treatment to patients scoring in the moderate severity range or higher. In order to examine the effectiveness of our epilepsy transition clinic and the impact of mental health in transition-aged adolescents, baseline and one-year follow-up data were compared in 36 participants (M = 15.82 years, 24 males). Results showed that the majority of participants had improved or comparable mental health scores at follow-up. Furthermore, participants who met threshold for mental health treatment had significantly improved mental health (t = 3.19, p = 0.015), while those who did not showed worsened mental health (t =  − 2.50, p = 0.019). Looking specifically at mental health impact, those with worsened mental health showed significantly worsened quality of life (t = 3.35, p = 0.012). Furthermore, those without mental health issues showed improved transition skills (t =  − 3.86, p = 0.002), while those with mental health issues did not. Results suggest that the transition clinic is effective in helping transition-aged adolescents with their mental health. Additionally, findings suggest that addressing these mental health issues are essential to ensuring successful transitions and the best outcomes in these patients.

scholarly journals Population heterogeneity in associations between hormonal contraception and antidepressant use in Sweden: a prospective cohort study applying intersectional multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA)

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e049553
Author(s):  
Sofia Zettermark ◽  
Kani Khalaf ◽  
Raquel Perez-Vicente ◽  
George Leckie ◽  
Diana Mulinari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Individual Heterogeneity ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Discriminatory Accuracy ◽  
Immigrant Background ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Antidepressant Use

ObjectivesFrom a reproductive justice framework, we aimed to investigate how a possible association between hormonal contraceptive (HC) and antidepressants use (as a proxy for depression) is distributed across intersectional strata in the population. We aimed to visualise how intersecting power dynamics may operate in combination with HC use to increase or decrease subsequent use of antidepressants. Our main hypothesis was that the previously observed association between HC and antidepressants use would vary between strata, being more pronounced in more oppressed intersectional contexts. For this purpose, we applied an intersectional multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy approach.DesignObservational prospective cohort study using record linkage of national Swedish registers.SettingThe population of Sweden.ParticipantsAll 915 954 women aged 12–30 residing in Sweden 2010, without a recent pregnancy and alive during the individual 1-year follow-up.Primary outcome measureUse of any antidepressant, meaning being dispensed at least one antidepressant (ATC: N06A) during follow-up.ResultsPreviously mentally healthy HC users had an OR of 1.79 for use of antidepressants compared with non-users, whereas this number was 1.28 for women with previous mental health issues. The highest antidepressant use were uniformly found in strata with previous mental health issues, with highest usage in women aged 24–30 with no immigrant background, low income and HC use (51.4%). The largest difference in antidepressant use between HC users and non-users was found in teenagers, and in adult women of immigrant background with low income. Of the total individual variance in the latent propensity of using antidepressant 9.01% (healthy) and 8.16% (with previous mental health issues) was found at the intersectional stratum level.ConclusionsOur study suggests teenagers and women with immigrant background and low income could be more sensitive to mood effects of HC, a heterogeneity important to consider moving forward.

Program description and implementation findings of MyCare: enhancing community mental health care in Tasmania, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 374
Author(s):  
Renee O'Donnell ◽  
Darshini Ayton ◽  
Bengianni Pizzirani ◽  
Melissa Savaglio ◽  
Debra Fast ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Implementation Strategy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Programs

Since 2014, Tasmania has experienced unprecedented rates of hospitalisations related to mental health issues. To address reliance on such acute-based care, government funding was invested to enhance community-based care, which, in turn, led to the development of MyCare. This paper represents the initial phase of a larger body of work (i.e. an effectiveness-controlled trial of MyCare) that describes the MyCare program and the successful implementation strategy underpinning the program. The implementation of MyCare was evaluated with 41 key stakeholders (staff, clients and senior executives) using semistructured interviews and focus groups, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). According to stakeholders, three CFIR constructs that were directly addressed by the program, namely Tension for Change, Evidence Strength and Quality, and Available Resources for Implementation, facilitated the successful implementation of MyCare. In contrast, a feature of the program that impeded implementation was Patient Needs and Resources, which restricted program access to those with the most severe mental health issues. The reporting of implementation strategies underpinning mental health programs is rare. This study describes the implementation strategy underpinning a community-based mental health program that was successful in facilitating program uptake. We encourage other researchers to not only report on implementation findings, which may help avoid replication failure, but also to apply these innovative implementation processes (i.e. address the tension for change and ensure the program is evidence informed and that sufficient resources are available for implementation) within mental health programs to aid successful uptake.

Correlates of Suicidality Among A Community-Based Cohort of Women Sex Workers: The Protective Effect of Social Cohesion

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051987016
Author(s):  
Elena Argento ◽  
Steffanie A. Strathdee ◽  
Jean A. Shoveller ◽  
Melissa Braschel ◽  
Kate Shannon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Suicide is a critical public health concern globally. Sex workers experience a disproportionate burden of social and health inequities driven by forms of violence, stigma, and criminalization, yet empirical research on suicidality is limited. This study longitudinally investigated the burden and socio-structural correlates of recent suicidality among women sex workers in Vancouver, Canada. Data (2010-2017) were drawn from a community-based, prospective cohort of cis and trans women sex workers across Metro Vancouver. Women completed biannual interviewer-administered questionnaires, and correlates of suicidality in the last 6 months were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE). Of 867 women at baseline, 48% ( n = 413) reported lifetime suicidality, 16% (n = 141) reported suicidality in the last 6 months, and 29% reported suicidality at some point during the study. In multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with suicidality included physical/sexual childhood abuse (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.75, 5.10]), mental health issues (depression/anxiety/posttraumatic stress disorder; AOR = 2.19; 95% CI = [1.63, 2.95]), intimate partner violence (AOR: 2.11; 95% CI = [1.60, 2.80]), physical/sexual client violence (AOR: 1.82; 95% CI = [1.33, 2.50]), and homelessness (AOR: 1.44; 95% CI = [1.10, 1.89]). Older age (AOR: 0.97; 95% CI = [0.95, 0.99]) and higher social cohesion (AOR: 0.88; 95% CI = [0.78, 0.99]) were significantly associated with reduced odds of suicidality. Findings reveal key socio-structural correlates of suicidality among sex workers including experiences of historical and interpersonal violence, trauma/mental health issues, and homelessness. Strengthening social cohesion may have a protective effect on suicidality. Trauma-informed community-led structural interventions tailored to sex workers are urgently needed alongside a legal framework that enables collectivization and connectedness.

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