scholarly journals Early Warning Signs of a Mental Health Tsunami: A Coordinated Response to Gather Initial Data Insights From Multiple Digital Services Providers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Inkster ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
Address Data

Introduction: The immediate impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on morbidity and mortality has raised the need for accurate and real-time data monitoring and communication. The aim of this study is to document the initial observations from multiple digital services providers during the COVID-19 crisis, especially those related to mental health and well-being.Methods: We used email and social media to announce an urgent call for support. Digital mental health services providers (N = 46), financial services providers (N = 4), and other relevant digital data source providers (N = 3) responded with quantitative and/or qualitative data insights. People with lived experience of distress, as service users/consumers, and carers are included as co-authors.Results: This study provides proof-of-concept of the viability for researchers and private companies to work collaboratively toward a common good. Digital services providers reported a diverse range of mental health concerns. A recurring observation is that demand for digital mental health support has risen, and that the nature of this demand has also changed since COVID-19, with an apparent increased presentation of anxiety and loneliness.Conclusion: Following this study, we will continue to work with providers in more in-depth ways to capture follow-up insights at regular time points. We will also onboard new providers to address data representativeness. Looking ahead, we anticipate the need for a rigorous process to interpret insights from an even wider variety of sources in order to monitor and respond to mental health needs.

Early warning signs of a mental health tsunami: Initial data insights from digital services providers during COVID-19 (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Inkster ◽  
Ross O’Brien ◽  
Kate Niederhoffer ◽  
Niranja Bidargaddi ◽  
Roger S. McIntyre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Digital Services

BACKGROUND The immediate impact of COVID-19 on mortality and morbidity has demonstrated the need for accurate and real time data monitoring and communication. Displacements to healthcare systems and economies may have created the perfect storm for an impending and enduring mental health crisis. OBJECTIVE This project documents observations from multiple digital platforms during the COVID-19 crisis, especially digital mental health services. METHODS We used email and social media campaigns to announce an urgent call for support. Digital mental health service providers (N=44), financial services providers (N=5) and other relevant digital data source providers (N=3) responded with quantitative and/or qualitative insights. RESULTS This study demonstrates the complexity of mental health concerns as witnessed by digital providers. A recurring observation is that demand for digital mental health support has risen. The nature of this demand has also changed since COVID-19, notably with an increased presentation of anxiety and loneliness. CONCLUSIONS This study provides proof-of-concept of the viability of working with data insights from diverse digital services providers. We hope that these insights might help to form an epistemological foundation to stimulate future research. Looking ahead, we anticipate the need for a rigorous process to interpret insights from a wide variety of sources in order to monitor mental health needs.

scholarly journals In-person vs. eHealth Mindfulness-based Intervention for Adolescents with Chronic Illnesses: A Pilot Randomized Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Chadi ◽  
Elli Weisbaum ◽  
Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise ◽  
Sara Ahola Kohut ◽  
Christine Viner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Total N ◽  
Mindfulness Skills ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Group Frequency ◽  
Cohen's D

Background: Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) can improve mental health and well-being in adolescents with chronic illnesses. However, there are many barriers such as reduced mobility and distance which compromise accessibility to MBIs. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the Mindful Awareness and Resilience Skills for Adolescents (MARS-A) program in youth with chronic illnesses delivered in person or via eHealth. Method: In this mixed method randomized controlled trial, participants received weekly 90- minute long MARS-A sessions for 8 weeks, either in person or via a secure eHealth audiovisual platform allowing group interactions in real time. Data was collected at baseline, immediately after and two months post-MBI through saliva analyses, electronic participant logs and validated questionnaires assessing mindfulness skills and mental health outcomes. Results: Seven participants per group completed the intervention (total n=14, completion rate 77.8%). Paired t-test analyses revealed a significant reduction in depression/anxiety scores immediately post-intervention (p=0.048, Cohen’s d=0.934) and a significant reduction in pre-post mindfulness cortisol levels at week 8 (p=0.022, Cohen’s d=0.534) in the eHealth group. Frequency and duration of weekly individual home practice (eHealth: 6.5 times; 28.8 minutes; in-person: 6.0 times; 30.6 minutes) were similar in both groups and maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: This is the first study comparing in-person and eHealth delivery of an 8-week MBI for adolescents with chronic illnesses. Although the study was limited by the small size of the sample, our results suggest that eHealth delivery of MBIs may represent a promising avenue for increasing availability in this population.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effect on the Mental Health of Doctors in India

2020 ◽  
pp. 55-70
Author(s):  
Amritha Nair ◽  
Jagadeesh Menon ◽  
Ashwin Rammohan ◽  
Abdul R. Hakeem ◽  
Sathya D. Cherukuri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Graduate Degree ◽  
Severe Stress

Background and Objectives: For doctors at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to acknowledge and act on the warning signs of stress can adversely affect their professional, social and personal life. We conducted a nationwide survey of a large sample of Indian doctors to measure levels of perceived stress, identify risk factors for severe stress and assess their response to current issues related to the safety and well-being of the community. Methods: An online survey using Google forms was conducted between 1st May 2020 and 15th May 2020. The core component of the survey was the standardized Perceived Stress Scale answered on a Likert scale. Results: Out of 520 responders, 394 (76%) were under 45 years of age 101 (19%) were between 18-30 years and 37 (7%) were above 60 years. 312(60%) were male doctors and 203 (40%) were female doctors. 90% of respondents had a post-graduate degree, 48(9%) had undergraduate degree and 168(32%) had super specialty degree. 313 (60.2%) of the respondents were practising in the private sector, 169 (33%) worked in public sector hospitals and 32(7%) in charitable hospitals. 109 (21%) had low stress, while 371 (71%) and 40 (8%) reported moderate and severe stress respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed the female gender, being financially insecure and ICU a place of work as independent risk factors for severe stress. Conclusion: This is the first such survey done in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic from the Indian sub-continent and has identified factors that have the potential to adversely impact the mental health of doctors. These findings are applicable to many countries in Asia and Africa with similar healthcare systems and can act as a valuable guide for authorities to establish support systems at multiple levels for these “COVID Warriors”.

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