Population Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences from a Drive-thru Testing Center

Prior research suggests that the current global economic crisis may be negatively affecting population mental health. In that context, this paper has several goals: (1) to discuss theoretical and conceptual explanations for how and why economic downturns might negatively affect population mental health; (2) present an overview of the literature on the relationship between economic recessions and population mental health; (3) discuss the limitations of existing empirical work; and (4) highlight opportunities for improvements in both research and practice designed to mitigate any negative impact of economic declines on the mental health of populations. Research has consistently demonstrated that economic crises are negatively associated with population mental health. How economic downturns influence mental health should be considered in policies such as social protection programs that aim to promote recovery.

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The Role of Culture in Population Mental Health

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199357376.013.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Lawrence Yang ◽

Jessica M. Benson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Population Mental Health

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Maximizing the impact of E-Therapy and Serious Gaming: Time for a paradigm shift

10.26686/wgtn.12331280.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Theresa Fleming ◽

D de Beurs ◽

Y Khazaal ◽

A Gaggioli ◽

G Riva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Paradigm Shift ◽

User Centered Design ◽

Online Programs ◽

Serious Gaming ◽

Internet Interventions ◽

Evidence Based Treatments ◽

Population Mental Health ◽

The Impact ◽

User Centered

© 2016 Fleming, de Beurs, Khazaal, Gaggioli, Riva, Botella, Baños, Aschieri, Bavin, Kleiboer, Merry, Lau and Riper. Internet interventions for mental health, including serious games, online programs, and apps, hold promise for increasing access to evidence-based treatments and prevention. Many such interventions have been shown to be effective and acceptable in trials; however, uptake and adherence outside of trials is seldom reported, and where it is, adherence at least, generally appears to be underwhelming. In response, an international Collaboration On Maximizing the impact of E-Therapy and Serious Gaming (COMETS) was formed. In this perspectives' paper, we call for a paradigm shift to increase the impact of internet interventions toward the ultimate goal of improved population mental health. We propose four pillars for change: (1) increased focus on user-centered approaches, including both user-centered design of programs and greater individualization within programs, with the latter perhaps utilizing increased modularization; (2) Increased emphasis on engagement utilizing processes such as gaming, gamification, telepresence, and persuasive technology; (3) Increased collaboration in program development, testing, and data sharing, across both sectors and regions, in order to achieve higher quality, more sustainable outcomes with greater reach; and (4) Rapid testing and implementation, including the measurement of reach, engagement, and effectiveness, and timely implementation. We suggest it is time for researchers, clinicians, developers, and end-users to collaborate on these aspects in order to maximize the impact of e-therapies and serious gaming.

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1539Australia’s worsening mental health – what’s next?

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.151 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shrinkhala Dawadi ◽

Frances Shawyer ◽

Helena Teede ◽

Graham Meadows ◽

Joanne Enticott

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Population Level ◽

Policy And Strategy ◽

Level Data ◽

Related Symptom ◽

Australian Census ◽

Population Mental Health

Abstract Background The population prevalence of mental illness over time, and by sociodemographic subgroups, are important benchmark data. Examining reliable population level data can highlight groups with greater mental-illness related symptom burden and inform policy and strategy. Methods Secondary analysis of Australian National Health Surveys (n = 78,204) from 2001-02 to 2017-18. Trends in the prevalence of very high scores on the Kessler-10 (K10), a measure of psychological distress capturing symptoms of affective and anxiety disorders, were examined by time, age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Data were standardised to the 2001 Australian census population on the strata of sex and age. Results In 2017-18, the rate of probable mental illness was estimated at 5.1%, a 1.5% increase (representing an additional 367,000 Australians) since 2007. In 2017-18, the subgroups with the highest rates were women aged 18-24 (8.01%, 95% CI = 5.9%-10.2%), and the poorest fifth of Australians (8.02%, 95% CI = 7.0%-9.0%). Women aged 55-64 demonstrated the greatest increase in rates (2001: 3.5%, 95% CI = 2.5%-4.6%; 2017: 7.2%, 95% CI = 5.9%-8.5%; z = 4.10, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions Despite efforts to improve population mental health, rates of probable mental illness in Australia have increased since 2007. Findings will be discussed in conjunction to extant social and health policies, and potential gaps in the delivery of gold-standard mental health care. Key messages The rate of probable mental illness in Australia seem to be increasing, especially in women aged 55-64, and those from low-SES backgrounds.

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Mental health and poverty in the UK – time for change?

BJPsych International ◽

10.1192/s2056474000000210 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 27-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jed Boardman ◽

Nisha Dogra ◽

Peter Hindley

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Income Inequality ◽

Health Services ◽

Detrimental Effect ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Poverty And Inequality ◽

Population Mental Health ◽

Long Term Consequences ◽

The Uk

Poverty and income inequality have increased in the UK since the 1970s. Poverty and mental ill-health are closely associated and disadvantage can have long-term consequences. In addition, the recent recession and austerity measures have had a detrimental effect on people with mental health problems and the mental health of the population. Mental health services can play a role in addressing the problems of poverty and inequality.

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Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2020.72 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 156-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

B. Gavin ◽

J. Lyne ◽

F. McNicholas

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Impact ◽

Service Development ◽

Special Issue ◽

Full Extent ◽

Global Challenge ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Population Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Effects

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed the greatest global challenge in a generation. The full extent of the mental health impact is, as yet, unknown, but is anticipated to be severe and enduring. In this Special Issue dedicated to mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic, we aim to lay the foundation for an improved understanding of how COVID-19 is affecting mental health services both in Ireland and globally. This Special Issue highlights how the mental health effects of COVID-19 stretch to almost every element of society. The issue includes perspectives from several countries across multiple disciplines and healthcare settings. The drive for rapid innovation and service development is clearly evident throughout and provides hope that by working collaboratively we can positively impact population mental health in the months and years ahead.

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