scholarly journals COVID-19 and Depression from the Nigerian Perspective; A Mini Review

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Chukwuma Oyem ◽  
Patrick Chukwuyenum Ichipi-Ifukor ◽  
Chukubueze Caleb Obi-Ojinika
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global Burden ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Mental Health Care System ◽  
Long Term Consequences

Context: The outbreak of the highly infectious COVID-19 has led to a global public health and economic crisis, especially in developing countries. Due to the global burden and spread and the high mortality rate of the virus, as well as an inadequate mental health care system in Nigeria, inhabitants often experience fear, depression, and anxiety that, if left unaddressed, may lead to long-term consequences. Although depression was a concerning issue in Nigeria before COVID-19, the pandemic has caused a surge in depression cases. This review highlighted the possible causes of depression among Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified potential mitigating interventions to prevent depression. Evidence Acquisition: We searched PubMed for the articles published from January 2019 to September 2020 using the terms of “depression”, “COVID-19”, and “Nigeria”. The articles resulting from these searches and the relevant references cited in those articles were reviewed. Results: Nigerians are likely to fall into depression due to the challenges and limitations affecting the economy and development of Nigeria. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 struggle, providing sound mental health services for individuals is imperative to maintain nations’ mental health for a more rapid recovery across various measures of societal well-being post-COVID-19.

scholarly journals Exploring Perceptions of Continuity of Care Among People With Long-Term Mental Disorders in Denmark

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (13) ◽  
pp. 1916-1929
Author(s):  
Anna P. Folker ◽  
Mette M. Kristensen ◽  
Amalie O. Kusier ◽  
Maj Britt D. Nielsen ◽  
Sigurd M. Lauridsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mental Health Care System ◽  
Template Analysis ◽  
Depth Interviews

Continuity of mental health care is central to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of people with mental disorders. While most studies on continuity of care fail to take the perspectives of service users into account, the aim of this study was to explore the perceived meanings of continuity of care among people with long-term mental disorders. Fifteen service users participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. We used template analysis to guide the analysis. The main transversal themes of continuity were “Navigating the system” and “Connecting to people and everyday life.” While the first theme related to the participants’ experiences of their interaction with the mental health care system, the latter related to their hopes and perceived opportunities for a good life as desired outcomes of mental health care. We conclude that efforts to improve continuity of mental health care should be tailored to the priorities of service users.

scholarly journals Policies for tackling health inequities in migrants in an irregular situation: learning from Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Sesti ◽  
A Rosano ◽  
D Ingleby ◽  
G Baglio ◽  
R Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Integration Policy ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Access To Health

Abstract Issue With increasing of numbers of people moving in Europe and around the world, the health of migrants has become a key global public-health issue. Migrants in an irregular situation (MIS) represent an important part of the migration phenomenon, whether they have become irregular by entering a country without authorisation or by overstaying a visa, including whose applied unsuccessfully for asylum. Description of the problem Overstaying of visas is not unusual in EU countries and during 2015 and 2016 in particular, many countries experienced a large number of unauthorised entrants. Health policies for MIS are increasingly a matter of concern. Using the 2015 Migrant Integration Policy Index Health strand (MIPEX HS) it is possible to conduct an analysis of health policies, focusing on access to health services by MIS. Results Among the 34 European countries covered by the MIPEX HS, Italy’s overall score of 65 is exceeded only by Switzerland (70) and Norway (67). Averaging the indicators of access for MIS, Italy obtains the highest score (83), followed by Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland with 67. Its score for legal entitlements to health care is 75 (the same as Sweden), while reporting of MIS to the immigration authorities is prohibited and there are no sanctions against helping them. However, legislation introduced by the new government in 2018 has restricted some of their rights. Lessons Current migration to Europe requires dealing with short-term health needs as well as strengthening public health and health systems in the long term. This presentation will discuss the lessons that can be learned from the comparative analysis of health policies for MIS using the MIPEX HS. Key messages Affordable health care is a human right, which should not be denied to any migrant. Policy analysis plays a key role in identifying interventions for promoting health equity.

scholarly journals An integrative review on patient inflicted violence among mental health nurses

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Mohammed Hamdan Alshammari
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Mental Health Nurses

Workplace violence can be in the form of aggression, harassment or simply physical infliction of harm towards nurses. It can arise from many sources but primarily they are patient inflicted violence in different forms. It can be a physical violence, emotional or a combination of both. Incidence of violence towards health care professionals is a recognized global public health issue. Previous studies have already suggested that health care professionals, particularly nurses, have a higher risk of experiencing workplace violence than other professionals. This integrative review looked into the violence where patients are the primary source, as well as the types and impact of violence amongst psychiatric mental health nurses happening worldwide. Further, it looked into the nurses’ road to recovery from the experience of violence and what hospitals and facilities are advocating in stopping these events or at least minimizing the frequency of such acts. Published studies considered in this review found that nurses’ experienced physical pain, fear, anxiety, frustration, distress, resentment, apathy, job dissatisfaction and anger following the violent incident. Nurses after their exposure to a series of violence from their patients’ experience dramatic changes in their well-being.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Mental Health Problems During Virus Epidemics in the General Public, Health Care Workers and Survivors: A Rapid Review of the Evidence

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simeon J Zuercher ◽  
Philipp Kerksieck ◽  
Christine Adamus ◽  
Christian Burr ◽  
Anja I Lehmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Care Workers

Background: The swift spread of SARS-CoV-2 provides a challenge worldwide. As a consequence of restrictive public health measures like isolation, quarantine, and community containment, the provision of mental health services is a major challenge. Evidence from past virus epidemics and the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak indicate high prevalence rates of mental health problems (MHP) as short- and long-term consequences. However, a broader picture of MHP among different populations is still lacking. Methods: We conducted a rapid review on MHP prevalence rates published since 2000, during and after epidemics, including the general public, health care workers, and survivors. Any quantitative articles reporting on MHP rates were included. Out of 2855 articles screened, a total of 74 were included in this review. Results: Most original studies on MHP were conducted in China in the context of SARS-CoV-1, and reported on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms/disorder, general psychiatric morbidity, and psychological symptoms. The MHP rates across studies, populations, and epidemics vary substantially. While some studies show high and persistent rates of MHP in populations directly affected by isolation, quarantine, threat of infection, infection, or life-threatening symptoms (e.g. health care workers), other studies report minor effects. Furthermore, even less affected populations (e.g. distant to epidemic epicenter, no contact history with suspected or confirmed cases) can show high rates of MHP. Discussion: MHP vary largely across countries and risk-groups in reviewed studies. The results call attention to potentially high MHP during epidemics. Individuals affected directly by an epidemic might be at a higher risk of short or even long-term mental health impairments. This study delivers insights stemming from a wide range of psychiatric instruments and questionnaires. The results call for the use of validated and standardized instruments, reference norms, and pre-post measurements to better understand the magnitude of the MHP during and after the epidemics. Nevertheless, emerging MHP should be considered during epidemics including the provision of access to mental health care to mitigate potential mental impairments.

The Wages of Continuity: Health Policy Under the SNP

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott L. Greer ◽  
Iain Wilson ◽  
Peter D. Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Public Provision ◽  
Health And Health Inequalities

In government, the SNP has accentuated stability, public provision, and integration in health care and focused energy and patience in neglected ‘Cinderella’ policy areas such as mental health, public health, and health inequalities. This approach is not dissimilar to the policies of previous devolved Scottish governments. It makes Scotland an unusual kind of NHS system- one with stability and long-term focus on issues that are not obvious political winners. The SNP's successes in health come from building on, holding firm to, and developing this distinctively Scottish style of health policy.

scholarly journals Maternal Psychological Distress & Mental Health Service Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily E Cameron ◽  
Kayla M. Joyce ◽  
Chantal P Delaquis ◽  
Kristin Reynolds ◽  
Jennifer Protudjer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Service Use ◽  
Health Service Use ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Child Age

Background: Mental health problems are increasingly recognized as a significant and concerning secondary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research on previous epidemics/pandemics suggest that families, particularly mothers, may be at increased risk, but this population has yet to be examined. The current study (1) described prevalence rates of maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms from an online convenience sample during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) identified risk and protective factors for elevated symptoms, and (3) described current mental health service use and barriers. Methods: Participants (N = 641) were mothers of children age 0-8 years, including expectant mothers. Mothers completed an online survey assessing mental health, sociodemographic information, and COVID-19-related variables. Results: Clinically-relevant depression was indicated in 33.16%, 42.55%, and 43.37% of mothers of children age 0-18 months, 18 months to 4 years, and 5 to 8 years, respectively. Prevalence of anxiety was 36.27%, 32.62%, and 29.59% for mothers across age groups, respectively. Binary logistic regressions indicated significant associations between risk factors and depression/anxiety across child age groups. Limitations: Cross-sectional data was used to describe maternal mental health problems during COVID-19 limiting the ability to make inferences about the long-term impact of maternal depression and anxiety on family well-being. Conclusions: Maternal depression and anxiety appear to be elevated in the context of COVID-19 compared to previously reported population norms. Identified risk factors for depression and anxiety across different child age ranges can inform targeted early intervention strategies to prevent long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family well-being and child development.

Commentary on “The experiences of Covid-19 ‘lockdown’ for people with a learning disability: results from surveys in Jersey and Guernsey”

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Over Time

Purpose This paper aims to consider the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions. Design/methodology/approach This commentary reflects on the issues raised by Morris et al., and in the wider literature. Findings Although there have been some benefits to lockdown for people with intellectual disabilities, mainly they have experienced isolation, increased mental health and well-being challenges, difficulty in accessing services, support and adequate adapted information. Originality/value This commentary argues that it is important to continue to capture the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities now and over time to assess the long-term consequences of the pandemic and to design services which are respondent to their needs.

scholarly journals Mental health care - a public health priority in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
J. C. Meyer ◽  
M. Matlala ◽  
A. Chigome
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Public Health Importance

Mental health is an integral part of health and it includes an individual’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. Mental illness remains underreported and underdiagnosed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa. South Africa carries a huge burden of mental illnesses with the most prevalent being anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, mood disorders and depression. People with mental health conditions often face neglect in the health system as well as stigma and discrimination. This has resulted in poor health outcomes, isolation and high suicide rates, including amongst adolescents. The South African National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan (2013–2020) aims to integrate mental health into the health system to provide quality mental health services that are accessible, equitable and comprehensive, particularly for community-based mental health. This article provides an overview of mental health care in South Africa, highlighting its public health importance.

scholarly journals Improving Mental Health Care as the Most Pressing Public Health Issue

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 184-194
Author(s):  
N. Akpysharov
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Kyrgyz Republic

Mental disorders are an acute public health problem in the WHO European region, affecting 25% the entire population every year. WHO activities in the area of mental health promotion at the level of individuals and society as a whole are aimed at improving human mental well-being, preventing mental disorders, protecting human rights and caring for people with mental disorders. The WHO European Conference on Mental Health (2005), 66th Session of the World Health Assembly (2013), 63rd Session of the WHO European Regional Committee (2013) have focused on mental health. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the State policy to change the system of assistance to persons with mental disabilities, to establish a unified mental health service and to change the attitude of society towards mental health and the mentally ill is reflected in the National Program Mental health of the population of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2001–2010, the National Health Reform Program of the Kyrgyz Republic Den Sooluk for 2012–2018, for the Sustainable Development Goals up to 2030, adopted at the Summit by UN members, the Program for Mental Health Protection of the Population of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2018-2030. Given the negative trends in the mental health care system, an important element in addressing the shortcomings is the increased use of new institutional forms of mental health care, such as the Medical Rehabilitation Unit, Intensive Mental Health Care Unit, Psychiatric Dispensaries and Outpatient Psychiatric Rooms, in dispensary monitoring. Priority in the further development of psychiatric care should be given to the most effective and less costly forms of its provision, ahead of the development of outpatient level, inter-agency interaction and integration of psychiatric service with other levels of regional health and social protection.

scholarly journals 22.C. Workshop: Digital interventions in public mental health: current impact and future directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Abstract As digitalization is permeating all aspects of society, questions arise as to how it can be fruitfully employed to sustain the public health goals of quality, accessibility, efficiency and equity in healthcare and on how digital interventions can contribute to tackle global public health threats. With an estimated prevalence of around 450 million people currently suffering from mental disorders and 1 in 4 people in the world affected at some point in life, mental health care and prevention is recognized by the World Health Organization as a global public health priority. In this workshop we will specifically focus on the use and impact of digital interventions in public metal health. As evidence on the impact of digital preventive interventions are accumulating in the field of mental health, we believe there is urgent need and scope: i) to present a conceptual framework that identifies when and how the different features of digitalization can support the pursue of mental health and well-being at the population and clinical level: from risk factors' identification and control, to primary and secondary prevention, to diagnosis and access to care, to compliance to treatment, ii) to retrieve, pool and critically appraise the available evidence on the adoption, application and impact of digital solutions to the above, and iii) to collect and share best practices at the European and global level that can be replicated, adapted and scaled up in different socio-demographic and epidemiological settings, for different mental health disorders and target populations. The workshop's structure and content aims at accomplishing with the above by: 1) introducing the topic of digitalization in mental health from the perspective of public health, ii) providing three original contributions on three different innovative aspects of the digitalization of public mental health (see below), iii) engaging the audience in a fruitful discussion on the data presented, stimulating the debate around current gaps in knowledge, as well as system and policy barriers to the design, implementation and evaluation of digital Interventions in public mental health. As detailed in the presentations' abstracts below, the three original contributions will, respectively focus on: 1) the current use of telemedicine for mental health care and prevention, the digital features enabling its adoption and the assessment of its impact on clinical and public health outcomes, 2) the potential offered by digital biomarkers in defining digital phenotyping so as to inform personalized prevention and care in mental health that and 3) technology and mobile health for high-risk populations with the presentation of selected best practices. Key messages Digital interventions are supporting mental health care and prevention in different settings. The impact of digital interventions for mental health needs to be measured.

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