Relationship Between Postnatal Depression of Mental Health Patients and the Psychological Health of Their Offspring

Postnatal depression is a major illness affecting maternal and family health. The rate of postnatal depression among mental health clients is postulated to be higher than in the community due to the added brain assault. Children of parents who are mental health clients are more likely to have psychological problems compared to children from other parents in the community. This study investigates the rate of postnatal depression among mental health clients and their offspring's psychological health. A total of 140 mental health clients were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). They subsequently completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) regarding their children. The majority ethnicity was the Kadazan (40.7%). The mean age of mothers was 38.6 (7) years with most having a secondary education (53.6%) and a household income per month of < RM1000 per month (27.1%). The postnatal depression rate was 47.8%. Higher EPDS scores were associated with higher total SDQ scores in their offspring. Model 1 was unadjusted, giving an OR of 5.65 [95% CI (3.74, 7.55)], p < 0.001. After adjustment for confounders, Model 2 had an OR of 5.51 [95% CI (3.57, 7.46)], p < 0.001. More efforts need to be given to the early detection of maternal depression and its prompt treatment in mental health clients because of the relationship with the psychological health of the offspring.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown in Eating Disorders: A Multicentre Collaborative International Study

Background. The COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on mental health. Patients with eating disorders (ED) have been particularly vulnerable. Aims. (1) To explore changes in eating-related symptoms and general psychopathology during lockdown in patients with an ED from various European and Asian countries; and (2) to assess differences related to diagnostic ED subtypes, age, and geography. Methods. The sample comprised 829 participants, diagnosed with an ED according to DSM-5 criteria from specialized ED units in Europe and Asia. Participants were assessed using the COVID-19 Isolation Scale (CIES). Results. Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) experienced the highest impact on weight and ED symptoms in comparison with other ED subtypes during lockdown, whereas individuals with other specified feeding and eating disorders (OFSED) had greater deterioration in general psychological functioning than subjects with other ED subtypes. Finally, Asian and younger individuals appeared to be more resilient. Conclusions. The psychopathological changes in ED patients during the COVID-19 lockdown varied by cultural context and individual variation in age and ED diagnosis. Clinical services may need to target preventive measures and adapt therapeutic approaches for the most vulnerable patients.

Phenomenology of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience in Patients Suffering from Chronic Schizophrenia—A Qualitative Analysis

Many studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic can have a great influence on mental health. However, there is still not enough research to fully understand how people suffering from schizophrenia experience crisis situations such as a pandemic. This qualitative study aims to explore this subject. Ten outpatients suffering from schizophrenia were interviewed in a semi-structured format using an interview designed by the authors for the purpose of this study. The interviews were transcribed, and a conventional qualitative content analysis was conducted. The general themes identified in the content analysis were organized into four categories: first reactions to information about the pandemic; subjective assessment of the pandemic’s impact on patients’ mental health; patients’ attitudes towards the temporary limitations and lockdowns; psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy during the pandemic. A variety of different experiences were observed, but the general conclusion arising from the study suggests that the majority of the interviewed patients coped quite well with the pandemic and that the observed reactions were similar to the reactions of other groups described in the literature. The study also confirmed the importance of the continuity of psychiatric care for patients with schizophrenia.

COVID 19 and Mental Health Experience in Kenya: Reflections for Change (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of vulnerable groups in Kenya and other developing ‎countries are facing a double tragedy. The direct threat from SARS-CoV-2 and indirect ‎consequences of government responses are creating new challenges, as well as worsening ‎existing socio-economic public health aspects. One of the vulnerable groups are people with ‎existing and newly acquired mental health problems. This policy brief seeks to examine the ‎relationship between COVID-19 and mental health in Kenya. It finds that COVID-19 has an ‎overreaching impact on a person’s mental health and if the government does not offer urgent and ‎well thought out measures to cushion these patients from the negative experiences of the ‎pandemic, then the country could find itself with a bigger burden during and after COVID-19 ‎crisis. ‎ OBJECTIVE This policy brief seeks to examine the relationship between COVID-19 and mental health in ‎Kenya. It finds that COVID-19 has an overreaching impact on a person’s mental health and if the ‎government does not offer urgent and well thought out measures to cushion these patients from ‎the negative experiences of the pandemic, then the country could find itself with a bigger burden ‎during and after COVID-19 crisis. ‎ METHODS A secondary descriptive method has been applied for this policy brief RESULTS The paper seeks to raise concern on the low attention mental health has received during the ‎pandemic. ‎Collaborating with regional and international actors to improve research in mental health as ‎well as sensitization programs to dilute the stigma currently existing can also go a long way.‎ CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the paper seeks to raise concern on the low attention mental health has received ‎during the pandemic. The government of Kenya has developed measures to try and contain the ‎spread of the virus in the country, but its strategies have failed to address some of the worst-hit groups such as individuals with mental health disorders. We recommend that the government ‎urgently embarks on a nationwide exercise of documenting mental health cases so as to make ‎an informed policy decision. During this pandemic, mental health patients especially those who ‎live in the streets need to be accorded shelter to protect them from the disease while ‎medication for mental health ought to be subsidized. In the long run, the government can ensure ‎that mental health is integrated with the national health insurance programs, facilities and ‎hospitals for mental health to be upgraded and made more conducive. Collaborating with regional ‎and international actors to improve research in mental health as well as sensitization programs ‎to dilute the stigma currently existing can also go a long way.‎

Multidisciplinary team members’ perceptions regarding advanced psychiatric nurses’ attitudes on mental healthcare

Background: The attitudes of advanced psychiatric nurses significantly contribute to the management, treatment plan and care of the mental healthcare users, and resultantly affects the quality and standards of mental healthcare. Considering these effects, it is imperative to understand how the attitudes of advanced psychiatric nurses are perceived by other multidisciplinary team members.Aim: To describe the perceptions of the multidisciplinary team members regarding advanced psychiatric nurses’ attitudes in clinical practice.Setting: Three mental health institutions were utilised to obtain the perceptions related to the attitudes displayed by advanced psychiatric nurses in the clinical environment.Method: A qualitative research descriptive approach was adopted to obtain in-depth descriptions of the attitudes portrayed by advanced psychiatric nurses. Eight purposefully sampled multidisciplinary team members were interviewed to obtain information. Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s method.Results: Themes and sub-themes emerged. Mental healthcare providers exhibited both negative and positive attitudes towards mental health patients. By perception, unfavorable attitudes hindered effective communication and psychosocial rehabilitation programs for mental health patients. Positivity enhanced feedback during ward rounds and during clinical meetings.Conclusion: Despite the positive impact advanced psychiatric nurses have on mental health care, views regarding mental health patients remain negative. It is recommended that advanced psychiatric nursing education curriculum address negative attitudes, views, and stereotypes. Mental healthcare users need to be provided with psychosocial rehabilitation programs and activities that address advance psychiatric nurses’ lack of initiatives.Contribution: A clear set of principles and protocols underpins the collaborative effort among multidisciplinary teams in mental health care.