scholarly journals Everybody Present: Exploring the Use of an In-Class Meditation Intervention to Promote Positive Mental Health Among University Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21
Author(s):  
Paula Gardner ◽  
Kaitlyn Kerridge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

There is a growing mental health crisis among university students in Canada. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effect of an in-class mindfulness intervention on the mental health of undergraduate students. Cross-sectional design was used and data were collected using self-reported questionnaires that included scale-rated and open-ended questions (n = 435). Integrating open-ended themes with statistical findings, the final analysis suggests the intervention had a positive effect on the mental health of student participants. A classroom environment that fosters learning, builds community, and encourages compassion were identified as ways in which the intervention “works” to promote positive mental health.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study of mental wellbeing in students that transition into PhD study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Scarf ◽  
Taylor Winter ◽  
Benjamin Riordan ◽  
John Hunter ◽  
Karen Tustin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Bayesian Regression ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Important Message

Journal editorials, career features, and the popular press, commonly talk of a graduate student mental health crisis. To date, studies on graduate student mental health have employed cross-sectional designs, limiting any causal conclusions regarding the relationship between graduate student and mental health. Here, we present the first longitudinal study on mental health in PhD students. Data were drawn from a longitudinal study of undergraduate students in New Zealand, allowing us to compare students who did, and did not, transition into PhD study following the completion of their undergraduate degree. Using multilevel Bayesian regression, we detected a 0.09 standard deviation decrease in mental health for students who enter PhD study. This finding is orders of magnitude smaller than one might expect based on previous cross-sectional research and provide an important message; that poor mental health is not an inevitable consequence of graduate study.

scholarly journals “Everybody I Know Is Always Hungry…But Nobody Asks Why”: University Students, Food Insecurity and Mental Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayantara Hattangadi ◽  
Ellen Vogel ◽  
Linda Carroll ◽  
Pierre Côté
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Substantial Problem ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Food insecurity is a substantial problem in Canadian university students. Multiple cross-sectional studies suggest that nearly a third of university students across Canada report food insecurity. Yet, little is understood about the experiences of food-insecure students and the impact of their experiences on their mental health. To address this, a multi-method study was conducted using quantitative and qualitative approaches to describe the prevalence, association and experience of food insecurity and mental health in undergraduate students. The current paper reports on the qualitative component, which described the lived experiences of food-insecure students, captured through face-to-face focus group interviews with participants (n = 6). The themes included (1) contributing factors to food insecurity; (2) consequences of food insecurity; and (3) students’ responses/attempts to cope with food insecurity. The findings illuminated student voices, added depth to quantitative results, and made the experience of food insecurity more visible at the undergraduate level. Additional research is needed to understand students’ diverse experiences across the university community and to inform programs to support students.

scholarly journals Increase in prevalence of current mental disorders in the context of COVID-19: analysis of repeated nationwide cross-sectional surveys

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Winkler ◽  
T. Formanek ◽  
K. Mlada ◽  
A. Kagstrom ◽  
Z. Mohrova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis

Abstract Aims The United Nations warned of COVID-19-related mental health crisis; however, it is unknown whether there is an increase in the prevalence of mental disorders as existing studies lack a reliable baseline analysis or they did not use a diagnostic measure. We aimed to analyse trends in the prevalence of mental disorders prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We analysed data from repeated cross-sectional surveys on a representative sample of non-institutionalised Czech adults (18+ years) from both November 2017 (n = 3306; 54% females) and May 2020 (n = 3021; 52% females). We used Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as the main screening instrument. We calculated descriptive statistics and compared the prevalence of current mood and anxiety disorders, suicide risk and alcohol-related disorders at baseline and right after the first peak of COVID-19 when related lockdown was still in place in CZ. In addition, using logistic regression, we assessed the association between COVID-19-related worries and the presence of mental disorders. Results The prevalence of those experiencing symptoms of at least one current mental disorder rose from a baseline of 20.02 (95% CI = 18.64; 21.39) in 2017 to 29.63 (95% CI = 27.9; 31.37) in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of both major depressive disorder (3.96, 95% CI = 3.28; 4.62 v. 11.77, 95% CI = 10.56; 12.99); and suicide risk (3.88, 95% CI = 3.21; 4.52 v. 11.88, 95% CI = 10.64; 13.07) tripled and current anxiety disorders almost doubled (7.79, 95% CI = 6.87; 8.7 v. 12.84, 95% CI = 11.6; 14.05). The prevalence of alcohol use disorders in 2020 was approximately the same as in 2017 (10.84, 95% CI = 9.78; 11.89 v. 9.88, 95% CI = 8.74; 10.98); however, there was a significant increase in weekly binge drinking behaviours (4.07% v. 6.39%). Strong worries about both, health or economic consequences of COVID-19, were associated with an increased odds of having a mental disorder (1.63, 95% CI = 1.4; 1.89 and 1.42, 95% CI = 1.23; 1.63 respectively). Conclusions This study provides evidence matching concerns that COVID-19-related mental health problems pose a major threat to populations, particularly considering the barriers in service provision posed during lockdown. This finding emphasises an urgent need to scale up mental health promotion and prevention globally.

scholarly journals Mental health consequences of long-term stays in refugee camps: Preliminary evidence from Moria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
willemine van de Wiel ◽  
Carla Castillo-Laborde ◽  
Francisco Urzúa I. ◽  
Michelle Fish ◽  
Willem F. Scholte
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis

Abstract Background Over the last decade, millions of refugees have arrived in Europe. Upon arrival refugees reside in designated refugee camps which, even though originally designed to home refugees on a short stay basis only, developed into long-stay facilities. Some of these camps have detention-like characteristics and dire living conditions. One such example is Moria camp on the island of Lesvos, Greece, which has been repeatedly reported for being overcrowded, unhygienic, and unsafe. This study explores the incidence of acute mental health crises and their relationship with the length of stay in the camp. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using routinely collected data on 857 consultations during 90 nights at an emergency night clinic in Moria camp. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore whether the length of stay in the camp was predictive of the occurrence of acute mental health crises. Results Of all consultations (n=857), 25⋅5% (n=219) were related to mental health problems; 17⋅4% (n=38) of these met the study’s case definition of acute mental health crisis. Such crises were positively associated with the length of stay in the camp (p=0⋅044); the odds ratio increases with 1·03 for every 10% increase in days of residence. This is notable when considering the average length of stay in the camp (71 days). Conclusion Acknowledging that this study does not provide causal effects on the relation between length of stay and mental health crises, the established link can hardly be related to anything else but the inhumane living conditions in the camp, its inhabitants’ lack of future expectations, and the scarce provision of mental health services. This form of neglect urgently calls for attention of the medical world and Europe’s policy makers.

scholarly journals Mental health consequences of long-term stays in refugee camps: preliminary evidence from Moria

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willemine van de Wiel ◽  
Carla Castillo-Laborde ◽  
I. Francisco Urzúa ◽  
Michelle Fish ◽  
Willem F. Scholte
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis

Abstract Background Ever since the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal, most refugees that enter Greece via sea are confined to the island on which they arrive until their asylum claims are adjudicated, where they generally reside in camps. Some of these camps have detention-like characteristics and dire living conditions, such as Moria camp on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Aid-organizations have stated that the situation in camp Moria deteriorates the mental health of its inhabitants and there is qualitative evidence to support this. This study explores the quantitative relationship between the incidence of acute mental health crises and the length of stay in the camp. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using routinely collected data on 856 consultations of 634 different patients during 90 nights at an emergency clinic in Moria camp. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore whether the length of stay in the camp was predictive of the occurrence of an acute mental health crisis. Results Of the 634 patients, the majority were men (59·3%), the average age was 23·2 years [0–71], and 24·3% was < 18 years. 25·5% (n = 218) of consultations were related to mental health problems; 17·0% (n = 37) of these met the study’s case definition of an acute mental health crisis. Such crises were positively associated with the length of stay in the camp (p = 0·011); the odds ratio of a mental health crisis increases with 1·03 for every 10% increase in days of residence in the camp. This is notable when considering the average length of stay in the camp is 71 days. Conclusion This study offers quantitative support for the notion that the adverse conditions in Moria camp deteriorate the mental health of its inhabitants as suggested in qualitative research. Although this study does not provide evidence of causality, it is likely that the poor and unsafe living conditions, challenging refugee determination procedures, and a lack of mental health services in the camp are significant contributing factors. We urgently call for Europe’s policymakers to honour the ‘51 Geneva refugee convention and terminate the neglectful situation on the Greek archipelago.

scholarly journals Positive Mental Imagery and Mental Health amongst University Students in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhtar Bibi ◽  
Simon Edward Blackwell ◽  
Jürgen Margraf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Imagery ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Cultural Pressures

Objective: Mental health problems amongst university students pose a major public health challenge, and is particularly the case in Pakistan. Alongside broader societal and cultural pressures, cognitive factors likely also play a role in the development of and resilience to mental health problems and may provide a feasible target for interventions. The current study built on previous research in primarily European samples investigating the relationship between one cognitive factor, positive future-oriented mental imagery, and mental health, and aimed to extending this to university students in Pakistan.Method: The study used a cross-sectional design, with a sample of university students in Pakistan (N = 1838) completing measures of mental imagery and mental health either on paper (N = 1430) or online (N = 408). Results: Higher vividness of positive future-oriented mental imagery was associated with lower levels of depression symptoms and higher levels of positive mental health. In the sample completing the measures on paper, these relationships remained statistically significant even when controlling for socio-demographic and mental health-related variables. Conclusion: The results provide a foundation for further investigating positive mental imagery as a potential mechanism of mental health and intervention target amongst university students in Pakistan.

scholarly journals Mental health consequences of long-term stays in refugee camps: Preliminary evidence from Moria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
willemine van de Wiel ◽  
Carla Castillo-Laborde ◽  
Francisco Urzúa I. ◽  
Michelle Fish ◽  
Willem F. Scholte
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis

Abstract Background Ever since the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal, most refugees that enter Greece via sea are confined to the island on which they arrive until their asylum claims are adjudicated, where they generally reside camps. Some of these camps have detention-like characteristics and dire living conditions, such as Moria camp on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Aid-organizations have stated that the situation in camp Moria deteriorates the mental health of its inhabitants and there is qualitative evidence to support this. This study explores the quantitative relationship between the incidence of acute mental health crises and the length of stay in the camp. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using routinely collected data on 856 consultations of 634 different patients during 90 nights at an emergency clinic in Moria camp. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore whether the length of stay in the camp was predictive of the occurrence of an acute mental health crisis. Results Of the 634 patients, the majority were men (59·3%), the average age was 23·2 years [0–71], and 24·3% was <18 years. 25·5% (n=218) of consultations were related to mental health problems; 17·0% (n=37) of these met the study’s case definition of an acute mental health crisis. Such crises were positively associated with the length of stay in the camp (p=0011); the odds ratio of a mental health crisis increases with 1·03 for every 10% increase in days of residence in the camp. This is notable when considering the average length of stay in the camp is 71 days. Conclusion This study offers quantitative support for the notion that the adverse conditions in Moria camp deteriorate the mental health of its inhabitants as suggested in qualitative research. Although this study does not provide evidence of causality, it is likely that the poor and unsafe living conditions, challenging refugee determination procedures, and a lack of mental health services in the camp are significant contributing factors. We urgently call for Europe’s policymakers to honor the ‘51 Geneva refugee convention and terminate the neglectful situation on the Greek archipelago.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of College Students in India: Cross-sectional Web-Based Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amar Prashad Chaudhary ◽  
Narayan Sah Sonar ◽  
Jamuna TR ◽  
Moumita Banerjee ◽  
Shailesh Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Psychometric Scales

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has created a mental health crisis among college students in India due to lockdown restrictions, overwhelming numbers of COVID-19 cases, financial difficulty, etc. This mental health crisis has led to high degrees of fear, anxiety, and depression among college students. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate symptoms of fear, depression, and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic among college students in India. METHODS This cross-sectional web-based study was conducted using a Google Forms questionnaire. The Google Form included a sociodemographic questionnaire and psychometric scales evaluating the psychological and behavioral impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, both qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed in the study. RESULTS A total of 324 college students participated in this study, of whom 180 (55.6%) were male and 144 (44.4%) were female. After assessment of the psychometric scales, it was found that of the 324 students, 223 (68.8%) had high fear of COVID-19, 93 (28.7%) had moderate to severe depression, and 167 (51.5%) had mild to severe anxiety. Among the identified risk factors, having a family member who was infected with COVID-19 was significantly associated with anxiety and depression, with P values of .02 and .001, respectively. In addition, the correlations of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were found to be 0.492 and 0.474, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This research concludes that there is a very high fear of COVID-19 among students, along with anxiety and depression symptoms. This study also concludes that the Fear of COVID-19 Scale has a moderate positive correlation with the anxiety and depression scales, respectively.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide and self-harm among patients presenting to the emergency department of a teaching hospital in Nepal

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250706
Author(s):  
Roshana Shrestha ◽  
Shisir Siwakoti ◽  
Saumya Singh ◽  
Anmol Purna Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Organophosphate Poisoning ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Record System ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that is not just limited to the physical consequences but also a significant degree of a mental health crisis. Self-harm and suicide are its extreme effects. We aim to explore the impact of this pandemic on suicide and self-harm in our Emergency Department. A cross-sectional study was conducted including all fatal and nonfatal self-harm patients presenting to the emergency department during the lockdown period (March 24-June 23, 2020; Period1), matching periods in the previous year (March 24-June 23,2019; Period 2) and 3 months period prior (December 24 2019-March 23, 2020; Period 3) were included through the electronic medical record system. The prevalence and the clinical profile were compared between these three periods. A total of 125 (periods 1 = 55, 2 = 38, and 3 = 32) suicide and self-harm cases were analyzed. Suicide and self-harm had increased by 44% and 71.9% during the lockdown in comparison to periods 2 and 3. Organophosphate poisoning was the most common mode. Females were predominant in all three periods with a mean age of 32 (95%CI: 29.3–34.7). There was a significant delay in arrival of the patients in period 1 (p = 0.045) with increased hospital admission (p = 0.003) and in-hospital mortality (18.2% vs 2.6% and 3.1%) (p<0.001). Our study showed an increase in suicide and self-harm cases in the emergency department during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic which may reflect the increased mental health crisis in the community in low resource settings like Nepal. This study highlights the importance of priming all mental health care stakeholders to initiate mental health screening and intervention for the vulnerable population during this period of crisis.

Suicide Attempters, Suicide Ideators, and Non-Ideators

Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Teismann ◽  
Laura Paashaus ◽  
Paula Siegmann ◽  
Peter Nyhuis ◽  
Marcus Wolter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reasons For Living ◽  
Suicide Attempters

Abstract. Background: Suicide ideation is a prerequisite for suicide attempts. However, the majority of ideators will never act on their thoughts. It is therefore crucial to understand factors that differentiate those who consider suicide from those who make suicide attempts. Aim: Our aim was to investigate the role of protective factors in differentiating non-ideators, suicide ideators, and suicide attempters. Method: Inpatients without suicide ideation ( n = 32) were compared with inpatients with current suicide ideation ( n = 37) and with inpatients with current suicide ideation and a lifetime history of suicide attempts ( n = 26) regarding positive mental health, self-esteem, trust in higher guidance, social support, and reasons for living. Results: Non-ideators reported more positive mental health, social support, reasons for living, and self-esteem than suicide ideators and suicide attempters did. No group differences were found regarding trust in higher guidance. Suicide ideators and suicide attempters did not differ regarding any of the study variables. Limitations: Results stem from a cross-sectional study of suicide attempts; thus, neither directionality nor generalizability to fatal suicide attempts can be determined. Conclusion: Various protective factors are best characterized to distinguish ideators from nonsuicidal inpatients. However, the same variables seem to offer no information about the difference between ideators and attempters.

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