The Political Economy of the Mental Health System: A Marxist Analysis

The present paper analyses the functions of the mental health system in relation to the economic organisation of society, using concepts derived from Marx’s work on political economy and building on previous critiques. The analysis starts from the position that mental health problems are not equivalent to physical, medical conditions and are more fruitfully viewed as problems of communities or societies. Using the example of the United Kingdom, it traces how a public mental health system evolved alongside capitalism in order to manage the problems posed by people whose behaviour was too chaotic, disruptive or inefficient to participate in a labour market based on exploitation. The system provided a mixture of care and control, and under recent, Neoliberal regimes, these functions have been increasingly transferred to the private sector and provided in a capitalistic manner. Welfare payments are also part of the system and support those less seriously affected but unable to work productively enough to generate surplus value and profit. The increased intensity and precarity of work under Neoliberalism has driven up benefit claims at the same time as the Neoliberal state is trying to reduce them. These social responses are legitimised by the idea that mental disorders are medical conditions, and this idea also has a hegemonic function by construing the adverse consequences of social and economic structures as individual problems, an approach that has been particularly important during the rise of Neoliberalism. The concept of mental illness has a strategic role in modern societies, therefore, enabling certain contentious social activities by obscuring their political nature, and diverting attention from the failings of the underlying economic system. The analysis suggests the medical view is driven by political imperatives rather than science and reveals the need for a system that is more transparent and democratic. While the mental health system has some consistent functions across all modern societies, this account highlights one of the endemic contradictions of the capitalist system in the way that it marginalises large groups of people by narrowing the opportunities to make an economic contribution to society.

COVID-19 impact on mental health

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant influence on public mental health. Current efforts focus on alleviating the impacts of the disease on public health and the economy, with the psychological effects due to COVID-19 relatively ignored. In this research, we are interested in exploring the quantitative characterization of the pandemic impact on public mental health by studying an online survey dataset of the United States. Methods The analyses are conducted based on a large scale of online mental health-related survey study in the United States, conducted over 12 consecutive weeks from April 23, 2020 to July 21, 2020. We are interested in examining the risk factors that have a significant impact on mental health as well as in their estimated effects over time. We employ the multiple imputation by chained equations (MICE) method to deal with missing values and take logistic regression with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) method to identify risk factors for mental health. Results Our analysis shows that risk predictors for an individual to experience mental health issues include the pandemic situation of the State where the individual resides, age, gender, race, marital status, health conditions, the number of household members, employment status, the level of confidence of the future food affordability, availability of health insurance, mortgage status, and the information of kids enrolling in school. The effects of most of the predictors seem to change over time though the degree varies for different risk factors. The effects of risk factors, such as States and gender show noticeable change over time, whereas the factor age exhibits seemingly unchanged effects over time. Conclusions The analysis results unveil evidence-based findings to identify the groups who are psychologically vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides helpful evidence for assisting healthcare providers and policymakers to take steps for mitigating the pandemic effects on public mental health, especially in boosting public health care, improving public confidence in future food conditions, and creating more job opportunities. Trial registration This article does not report the results of a health care intervention on human participants.

Suicidal ideations and suicide attempts prior to admission to a psychiatric hospital in the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic: interrupted time-series analysis to estimate the impact of the lockdown and comparison of 2020 with 2019

Background There is a substantial burden on global mental health as a result of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that has become putting pressure on healthcare systems. There is increasing concern about rising suicidality consequential to the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken. Existing research about the impact of earlier epidemics and economic crises as well as current studies about the effects of the pandemic on public mental health and populations at risk indicate rising suicidality, especially in the middle and longer term. Aims This study investigated the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidality by comparing weekly in-patient admissions for individuals who were suicidal or who attempted suicide just before admission, for the first 6 months after the pandemic's onset in Switzerland with corresponding 2019 control data. Method Data was collected at the Psychiatric University Hospital of Zurich. An interrupted time-series design was used to analyse the number of patients who were suicidal. Results Instead of a suggested higher rate of suicidality, fewer admissions of patients with suicidal thoughts were found during the first 6-months after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the proportion of involuntary admissions was found to be higher and more patients have been admitted after a first suicide attempt than in the corresponding control period from 2019. Conclusions Although admissions relating to suicidality decreased during the pandemic, the rising number of patients admitted with a first suicide attempt may be an early indicator for an upcoming extra burden on public mental health (and care). Being a multifactorial process, suicidality is influenced in several ways; low in-patient admissions of patients who are suicidal could also reflect fear of contagion and related uncertainty about seeking mental healthcare.

Critical Review: A Review of the Studies About the Usage of Social Media During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Since the coronavirus disease (covid-19) was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization in January 2020, it has led to the loss of millions of human lives and a global economic recession. Recently, there has been a recognized need for effective health communication via social media to deliver accurate information and promote pertinent behavioral change. Thus, this study provides a systematic review to explore what has been done, what conflicts exist, and what knowledge gap remains in terms of social media use during the covid-19 wave, indicating relevant communication strategies. This research is based on 76 relevant papers taken from searches on the Web of Science and Google Scholar. The analysis revealed that much of the literature confirms the positive effect of social media on information propagation and promotion of precautions in the control of covid-19. The spreading of rumors, especially about government performance, in social media is clearly of increasing concern. Currently, heated debate continues about the association between exposure to social media and public mental health. Another fiercely debated question is whether rumors are shared more widely than fact-checking information. Up to date, far too little attention has been paid to information disparities and vulnerable groups on social media.

Albanian Migrants in Cyclades: Contact with Mental Health Services and Implications for Practice

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential differences between Albanian migrants and Greeks in the islands of Paros and Antiparos with regard to seeking help from the local public mental health service, namely the Mobile Mental Health Unit of NE Cyclades Islands (EPAPSY-NGO). The study’s instruments include the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and a questionnaire for recording psychosocial profile data and information concerning contact with the services. The results showed that significantly less Albanian migrants contacted the mental health services in the past in comparison to Greeks. When using the service, the Albanians were more likely to see a psychiatrist in the Unit, rather than a psychologist-psychotherapist, and they more often received prescriptions for medication. There was a significantly higher dropout rate among Albanian migrants. This study highlights the different aspects of access and use of mental health services among Albanian migrants compared with native residents. Further research should focus on the factors related to early dropouts and difficulties accessing mental health services in rural areas, in order to develop more focused and effective interventions and improve the quality of care provided.

Rationale, Mission and Vision for a National Centre of Affective Disorders in Germany

Affective disorders are common, complex disorders representing one of the major challenges to global health in the 21st century. To mitigate the burden of disease, substantial public health efforts need to be undertaken since research on the causes and adequate treatment requires multidisciplinary approaches. These should integrate translational, and clinical research, aided by technological advancements in collecting and analysing comprehensive data. Here we present the rationale, concept, mission and vision of the recently founded National Centre of Affective Disorders (NCAD) in Germany. NCAD founding partners build on their previous successful cooperation within the German Research Network for Mental Disorders funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). They form an internationally pre-eminent network of integrative excellence, leading in science and contributing significantly to the improved care of affective disorder patients. The partners will provide complementary structures and innovative methods across the entire translational continuum from bench to clinical and real-world settings. The vision of the NCAD is to foster cross-disciplinary research from basic neuroscience to public mental health by close translational collaboration between academia, non-university research institutions, and international partners, including industry, to deliver cutting-edge research, innovative clinical services and evidence-based training to young clinicians and scientists. The mission is to accomplish research in a highly translational manner, especially with respect to clinical studies in a trans-sectoral way. This approach aims to ensure continuous improvement in the treatment and care provided to patients and an interdisciplinary environment for high-level research and education in affective disorders.

A Case Report on Alcohol Dependence Syndrome with Cannabis Addiction

Background: Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) and Cannabis use disorder (CUD) are every now and again co-happening or comorbid substance issues in the two young people and grown-ups. Indications of cross-over between ADS and CUD in people as they slowly move from pre-adulthood to adulthood. The researchers reasoned that the two substance-related issues are comorbid, albeit the closeness of their association ordinarily shifts over the long haul. Aim and Objective: The purpose of this case report is to determine the first-line approach for a person with alcohol dependence syndrome with cannabis addiction who has been referred to a public mental health facility for treatment. To identifying symptoms of ADS with cannabis addiction early, providing treatment and preventing possible complications. Methods: Knowledge used to write this case description was gathered from PubMed outlets, search hand, searching college and personal libraries looking for research techniques and case report texts, engaging in or writing many case reports with experience. Results: The patient was taken psychopharmacological treatment Anti- Anxiety drugs Lorazepam along with Tab. Benalgis, Tab. Neurobion fort and psycho social therapy, coping strategies, family therapy, yoga, cognitive behavioural therapy, medication. After those symptoms was minimized. Conclusion: Patients achieve positive outcomes not only through the support of their treatment management, but also through adaptation and family support. Then, with appropriate psychophysiological treatment, the patient gave a positive response and gradually all the planned goals were achieved. Finally, the patient was discharged and he is currently being monitored.

A Clinical Case Report: Schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a serious mental disorder in which people take reality as abnormally. SCZ may cause in combination of hallucination, delusions, and extremely disorder thinking and behaviour that impairs daily functioning and cannot be disabling. There are different reasons of SCZ this may be as of Genes, Environment or Change in Brain Structures.In India around 3/1000 people were affected due to SCZ Aim: The purpose of this case report is to determine the first line approach for a person with SCZ who has been referred to a public mental health facility for treatment. Objective: To identifying symptoms of SCZ early, providing treatment and preventing possible complications. Methods: Knowledge used to write this case description was gathered from PubMed outlets, search hand, searching college and personal libraries looking for research techniques and case report texts, engaging in or writing many case reports with experience. Results: The patient was taken psychopharmacological treatment antipsychotic drugs olanzapine, Risperidone along with antidepressant Sertraline and psycho social therapy, coping strategies, family therapy, yoga, cognitive behavioural therapy, medication. After those symptoms was minimized. Conclusion: Patients achieve positive outcomes not only through the support of their treatment management, but also through adaptation and familysupport. subsequently, with appropriate psychophysiological treatment, the patient gave a positive response and gradually all the planned goalswere achieved. Finally, the patient was discharged and she is currently beingmonitored.

Physical Health Profile and Associated Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased psychological strain on public mental health and may impact behavioral, mental, and physical health, presumably with effects on patients with severe mental disorders. This study examines pandemic-related physical and mental health and (compensatory) behavioral changes, in patients with BD as compared to healthy control individuals.Method: Physical and mental health and self-reported changes in daily structure and behavior due to the pandemic were assessed using a self-constructed questionnaire and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in Germany, Austria, and Denmark in individuals with BD and a healthy control group.Results: The present study included 118 individuals with BD and 215 healthy controls. Individuals with BD reported statistically significant higher physical risk burden, increased weight gain, more physical comorbidities, and a decrease in physical activity and they further reported higher rates of COVID-19 testing, had more worries concerning health, and experienced more anxiety but less social distancing.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have a greater impact on physical health in individuals with BD than in healthy controls. Individuals with BD appear to be having more difficulties compensating their behavior due to the pandemic which could amplify the effect of risk factors associated with poorer physical health. This highlights the necessity for optimizing and targeting the overall treatment of both mental and physical health in patients with BD during periods with far-reaching changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Limitations: Sampling issues and self-report forms, selectivity (missing elderly, and those lacking access or knowledge of technology).