scholarly journals Smart Health and Cybersecurity in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K.M. Jahangir Alam Majumder ◽  
Charles B. Veilleux

The need for a transformation in providing healthcare has been recognized by organizations and captured in reports. Research into Smart Health using Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help identify the mental health of individuals by analyzing physiological data. The complexity of emotions can make it challenging for an individual to recognize they are coping with mental illness. AI could be used as an objective method in recognizing mental health crisis. This is where smart emotion could help as a Human-in-the-loop system that can reduce the time it takes for an individual to get treatment by identifying mental illness. Early treatment of mental health crises can lead to an overall reduction in damage caused by it. Further, COVID-19 has overwhelmed many healthcare systems, leading malicious actors to target them, highlighting many Cybersecurity issues. AI could aid in addressing Cybersecurity concerns to create a robust and secure Human-in-the-Loop system for mental health problems.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Marshall ◽  
Kate Lanyi ◽  
Rhiannon Green ◽  
Georgie Wilkins ◽  
Fiona Pearson ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND There is increasing need to explore the value of soft-intelligence, leveraged using the latest artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) techniques, as a source of analysed evidence to support public health research activity and decision-making. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to further explore the value of soft-intelligence analysed using AI through a case study, which examined a large collection of UK tweets relating to mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A search strategy comprising a list of terms related to mental health, COVID-19, and lockdown restrictions was developed to prospectively collate relevant tweets via Twitter’s advanced search application programming interface over a 24-week period. We deployed a specialist NLP platform to explore tweet frequency and sentiment across the UK and identify key topics of discussion. A series of keyword filters were used to clean the initial data retrieved and also set up to track specific mental health problems. Qualitative document analysis was carried out to further explore and expand upon the results generated by the NLP platform. All collated tweets were anonymised RESULTS We identified and analysed 286,902 tweets posted from UK user accounts from 23 July 2020 to 6 January 2021. The average sentiment score was 50%, suggesting overall neutral sentiment across all tweets over the study period. Major fluctuations in volume and sentiment appeared to coincide with key changes to any local and/or national social-distancing measures. Tweets around mental health were polarising, discussed with both positive and negative sentiment. Key topics of consistent discussion over the study period included the impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health (both positively and negatively), fear and anxiety over lockdowns, and anger and mistrust toward the government. CONCLUSIONS Through the primary use of an AI-based NLP platform, we were able to rapidly mine and analyse emerging health-related insights from UK tweets into how the pandemic may be impacting people’s mental health and well-being. This type of real-time analysed evidence could act as a useful intelligence source that agencies, local leaders, and health care decision makers can potentially draw from, particularly during a health crisis.


Author(s):  
Alan E. Kazdin

This chapter addresses several key background topics, including the range and types of psychological dysfunctions, the scope of the problems in terms of incidence and prevalence of cases, and the burdens these place on individuals, families, and society at large. The chapter conveys core features of the mental health crisis and why innovation in developing remedies is so critical. The aim of the chapter is to establish the need for more effective interventions in light of the range of dysfunctions, the high number of people who experience them, and the burdens these dysfunctions cause. The burdens can be evaluated in many ways, including measures of impairment, costs, disability, and lost days. Overall, the costs and lost days of adequate functioning and lost days of life are enormous as a result of mental illness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-105
Author(s):  
Avilasha Singh

Mental health has always been stigmatised and overlooked. Since, anxiety and stress are natural responses while facing a threat of new diseases. Hence, this pandemic has shown us the importance of mental health. During this time there have been many triggers that have caused repercussions in people’s mental health. Mental health crisis is on the rise. So, it is important to be able to tackle mental health problems as effectively as physical health problems, not only now but in the future as well, once and for all.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 94-100
Author(s):  
Saba Khurshid ◽  
Sidra Mumtaz ◽  
Hafsa Khalil Toor ◽  
Rubina Hanif

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is constantly posing warning and creating mental health crisis among people without any discrimination. Therefore, the current study purpose is to explore mental health upheaval and transition in future perspectives due to COVID-19. Using exploratory study design, semi structure interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by using Thematic Content Analysis. The major themes which were identified showed that COVID-19 is constantly eliciting panic and mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression, fears of death, xenophobia, OCD and uncertainty about future among general population. Results also indicated the major transition in public future perspectives and perception. Concern related to adjustability in life after pandemic is major emerging future concern among Pakistani People. During pandemic outbreak, people are becoming vulnerable to different mental health problems. To overcome these issues successfully, role of mental health professionals cannot be denied. There is strong need to devise activities and strategies which help people to increase resilience and build strong relationships during the period of social distancing. This paper gives a deep insight into mental health problems among general population due to COVID-19 and it also implicates need of psychological services to overcome these issues.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna Coady ◽  
Keeley Lainchbury ◽  
Rebecca Godard ◽  
Susan Holtzman

BACKGROUND Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the prevalence and cost of mental illness, there are insufficient health services to meet this demand. Crisis hotlines have a number of advantages for addressing mental health challenges and reducing barriers to support. Further, mental health crisis services have recently expanded beyond telephone hotlines to include other communication modalities such as crisis chat and text messaging services, largely in response to the increased use of mobile phones and text messaging for social communication. OBJECTIVE Despite the high uptake of crisis text line services (CTLs) and rising mental health problems worldwide, CTLs remain understudied. Thus the current study aimed to address an urgent need to evaluate user experiences with text-based crisis services. METHODS The current study explored user experiences of CTLs by accessing users’ publicly available Twitter posts that describe personal use and experience with CTLs. Data were qualitatively analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Six main themes were identified from 776 tweets: (1) approval of CTLs, (2) helpful counselling, (3) invalidating or unhelpful counselling, (4) problems with how the service is delivered, (5) features of the service that facilitate accessibility, and (6) indication that the service suits multiple needs. CONCLUSIONS Overall, there was strong evidence to support the value of text-based crisis support, as many users reported positive experiences of effective counselling that provided helpful coping skills, de-escalation, and reduction of harm. Results also identified areas in need of improvement, particularly ensuring more timely service delivery and effective communication of empathy and support. Text-based services may require targeted training to apply methods that effectively convey empathy in this medium. Moving forward, CTL services will require systematic attention in the clinical research literature to ensure their continued success and popularity among users.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 303-314
Author(s):  
Tasnim Uddin ◽  
Amina Saadi ◽  
Megan Fisher ◽  
Sean Cross ◽  
Chris Attoe

Purpose Emergency services face increasing frontline pressure to support those experiencing mental health crises. Calls have been made for police and ambulance staff to receive training on mental health interventions, prevention of risk and inter-professional collaboration. Mental health simulation training, a powerful educational technique that replicates clinical crises for immersive and reflective training, can be used to develop competencies in emergency staff. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mental health simulation training for police and ambulance staff. Design/methodology/approach In total, 199 participants from the London Metropolitan Police Service and London Ambulance Service attended a one-day simulation training course designed to promote effective and professional responses to mental health crises. Participants took part in one of six simulated scenarios involving mental health crisis before completing structured debriefs with expert facilitators. Participants’ self-efficacy and attitudes towards mental illness were measured quantitatively using pre- and post-course questionnaires while participants’ perceived influence on clinical practice was measured qualitatively using post-course open-text surveys. Findings Statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy and attitudes towards mental illness were found. Thematic analyses of open-text surveys found key themes including improved procedural knowledge, self-efficacy, person-centred care and inter-professional collaboration. Originality/value This study demonstrates that mental health simulation is an effective training technique that improves self-efficacy, attitudes and inter-professional collaboration in police and ambulance staff working with people with mental health needs. This technique has potential to improve community-based responses to mental health crises.


Author(s):  
Masatoshi Tahara ◽  
Yuki Mashizume ◽  
Kayoko Takahashi

College students are one of the most affected groups by self-quarantine due to COVID-19, as they may live in loneliness and anxiety, increasing their risk of mental health crisis. This study aimed to identify risk factors for poor mental health and stress coping strategies among healthcare college students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted over 7 consecutive days starting on 28 April 2020 using a web-based questionnaire. The survey assessed socioeconomic characteristics and the General Health Questionnaire-12 score, self-reported health status, anxiety, and satisfaction with daily life, work, leisure, and new activities. Approximately 70% of 223 respondents had poor mental health. Less communication with friends was the main risk factor for mental health problems. Good health status and satisfaction with leisure and new activities were associated with reduced risk of mental health problems. Students with poor mental health tended to seek social support as a stress coping strategy. This study showed that the mental health of students declined during self-quarantine, and loneliness could be the major reason. There is a need for a new form of communication and learning that deals with the isolation and loneliness of students, especially for students living alone.


Yuridika ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 477
Author(s):  
Siti Hafsyah Idris ◽  
Nor Jannah Nasution Raduan ◽  
Nurul Azreen Hashim ◽  
Nadiah Thanthawi Jauhari ◽  
Roslinda Mohd Subbian

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly sweeps across the world, despite the measure taken to contain the spread of the disease through quarantine, it induces a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern in the population at large. Health care providers, older people and people with underlying health conditions are the most vulnerable to the pandemic. Nations, even countries with advanced medical sciences and resources, have underestimated the perils of the pandemic. Efforts are focused on understanding the epidemiology, clinical features, transmission patterns, and management of COVID-19 disease. One aspect overlooked is the mental health crisis underpinning the effects of self-isolation/ quarantine and the deaths of loved ones—the number of positive cases in Malaysia at an exponential growth rate each day. With strict preventive measures and restrictions by the Malaysian Government in the form of nationwide Movement Control Order (also known as MCO), the citizens are going through a range of psychological and emotional reactions and fear and uncertainty of being one of the infected. Many studies have been conducted to identify the state of mental health of people during this calamity. This raises ethical concerns and legal issues with regards to the rights of individuals enduring mental illness. This paper explores the ethical issues about the research on mental health during Covid-19 pandemics and the regulatory mechanisms which protect the rights of the persons who have the symptoms of mental illness.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Killaspy ◽  
Joy Dalton ◽  
Shirley McNicholas ◽  
Sonia Johnson

Aims and MethodTo describe Drayton Park, the first women-only residential mental health crisis facility in the UK and to investigate whether it is succeeding in its remit of providing a viable alternative to hospital admission. We randomly selected case files from 100 women admitted to Drayton Park since its opening and examined variables including demographic details, the reasons for referral, diagnosis and the source of referral.ResultsOur findings show that the service is able to respond quickly to referrals and appears to be functioning safely. The women admitted have a relatively short length of stay, half suffer from depressive episodes and one-third have a relapse of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.Clinical ImplicationsThis project appears to be succeeding in providing a safe alternative to hospital admission for women with severe and enduring mental health problems.


Author(s):  
Erin Smith ◽  
Helen Lavretsky ◽  
Charles F Reynolds III ◽  
Michael Berk ◽  
Harris A Eyre

The world is in the throes of a global mental health crisis with severe physical, societal, and economic ramifications. This has only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern mental health problems are characterized by their complexity, multisystemic nature, and broad societal impact, making them poorly suited to siloed approaches of thinking and innovation. To solve the unprecedented complexities and challenges associated with the current global mental health crisis, a paradigm shift is needed. Convergence science integrates knowledge, tools, and thought strategies from various fields and is the point where novel insights arise. In the context of mental health, convergence involves integration of scientists, clinicians, bioinformaticists, global health experts, engineers, technology entrepreneurs, medical educators, caregivers, and patients; synergy between government, academia, and industry is also vital. A convergence mental health approach will lead to improved outcomes for patients and healthcare systems. Predicate examples of convergence science in adjacent fields to mental health provide a model for the path forward. Further, within the field of mental health, there are examples of convergence science currently in action that include early-stage companies, neuroscience initiatives, public health projects, and unconventional funding mechanisms. The world has a historic opportunity to leverage convergence science to lead to a new era of innovation and progress in global mental health.


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