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Long-COVID, or the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms for months after initial infection, has been shown to impact the lives of those affected. The current study sought to investigate the relationships between long-COVID, COVID-19 related stress, depression, anxiety, and comorbid depression and anxiety outcomes. Data were collected in Winter 2021-2022 from a population of adults enrolled in at least one course across multiple City University of New York (CUNY) campuses. Frequencies and chi-square tests were computed to assess for demographics and relationships to probable diagnoses of depression and anxiety, and binary logistic regressions were computed to assess for the odds of probable comorbid depression and anxiety based on demographics, stressors, and long-COVID. Women participants reported higher odds of probable depression outcomes, and stressor levels were significant correlates of probable anxiety outcomes. Women participants, 3.2 [1.5-6.9], as compared to men, lower-SES participants, 2.16 [1.1-4.2], as compared to higher-SES participants, participants with higher COVID-19 related stress levels, 4.8 [2.0-12.0], as compared to those with low levels, and participants with long-COVID, 3.7 [1.9-7.0], as compared to those without, all had higher odds of probable comorbid depression and anxiety. Findings highlight the importance of social location, stress, and long-COVID, in tandem, as correlates of psychological health during the shifting pandemic.
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Background and objectives: This paper reviews Australia's take-up of digital mental health interventions, including some specific reference to their application in relation to employment. Use of these interventions in Australia was already significant. Under COVID-19 they have exploded. The Australian experience offers useful lessons for European and other countries, and these are summarised. Methods: This paper presents a narrative review of key texts, resources, policies and reports, from government and other sources. It also presents data reflecting the take-up of digital mental health services and the employment of people with a mental illness in Australia. Results: We present data showing the explosion in uptake of digital mental health services. There is very limited evidence about the impact of these services in improving employment outcomes for people with a mental illness in Australia. The Government has moved to make them a permanent feature of mental health care, in addition to traditional face-to-face care. Conclusion: Key lessons emerge from the Australian experience, including the need for target clarity;the importance of blending digital services into broader frameworks of mental health care;the need for quality and safety standards to be developed and applied to digital services;and the need for better evaluation of the outcomes of digital interventions in the workplace. The digital mental health genie is out of the bottle. New capacity for evaluation of the outcomes of digital mental health services is vital to ensure value and quality of such investments. © 2022 Asociación Universitaria de Zaragoza para el Progreso de la Psiquiatría y la Salud Mental
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Objectives In addition to physical damage, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause psychological problems in people. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and obsession caused by the COVID-19 in the elderly and their relationship with depression and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). Methods & Materials This descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on 300 older adults aged =60 years in Maneh and Samalghan county who were selected by a simple random sampling method. Data were collected by using a demographic form, the coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS), obsession with COVID-19 scale (OCS), ADL scale, Instrumental ADL scale, and geriatric depression scale (GDS). Data analysis was performed in SPSS v. 18 using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's correlation tests. Results Among participants, 214 (71.2%) had age <70 years. The prevalence of OCS and CAS in the elderly was 5.3% and 9%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the scores of OCD (r=0.220, P<0.001) and CAS (r=0.322, P<0.001) had a significant correlation with depression. The CAS score had a significant negative correlation with ADL (r=-0.114, P<0.05) Conclusion The prevalence of obsession and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 in the elderly is not different from that in other age groups. However, there is significant increase in them during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to their pre-pandemic levels. it seems necessary to pay attention to screening, referral, and more detailed follow-up of mental health services in clinics and health centers for the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Purpose: Adolescents are using social media now more than ever, especially given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A growing body of research demonstrates longitudinal associations between social media use and poor mental health outcomes among adolescents, including anxiety, suicidality, depression, poor body image, and eating disorders. One driving factor in the role of social media on mental health concerns is social media platforms' use of algorithms, which drive increasingly extreme content to vulnerable youth users over time;however, little is known about what specific policy action could be taken, and on what legal basis, to prevent the harms caused by social media to adolescents. The purpose of this study was to inform the development of practical, evidence-based policy strategies to regulate social media platforms' use of algorithms. Methods: We assembled a team of adolescent health researchers and legal scholars specializing in First Amendment law. Two separate narrative reviews were conducted to inform the legal research and summarize the evidence of the harms of social media on adolescents' (1) neurodevelopment (e.g., cognitive control, reward processing, neuronal activity);and (2) mental health (e.g., eating disorders, depression, cyberbullying). Legal scholars conducted reviews of federal and state legal precedent, with a focus on First Amendment rulings, to investigate avenues for the regulation of social media platforms' use of algorithms. Finally, the adolescent health and legal research teams conducted virtual consultations with stakeholders in business regulation, technology, and federal and state government, including state lawmakers and attorneys general, to inform the findings. Results: The findings of the narrative reviews highlight the significant harm posed to adolescents by social media algorithmic practices. Rigorous studies find that social media use poses negative effects for mental health (e.g., body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression) among youth who exhibit high use in early adolescence, frequently use image-based platforms, and who are girls. Normal processes of brain development in mid adolescence may heighten vulnerability to exaggerated emotional responses to platform algorithmic practices, such as feeds that are tailored to user behavior and content that becomes increasingly extreme the longer a session continues. These harms provide justification for legal approaches to regulate social media platform practices and protect adolescent mental health. Furthermore, our legal research indicates that states rather than the federal government are more able and likely to adopt innovative and effective legal strategies that could survive constitutional scrutiny (i.e., the First Amendment). One policy innovation that holds the most promise to protect adolescent mental health would be for states to compel social media companies to conduct algorithm risk audits by objective third parties and publicly disclose the results. Algorithm risk audits are a promising avenue to mitigate the harms caused to adolescent mental health resulting from social media platform algorithms. Conclusions: Our legal analysis has generated viable policy recommendations and actions that state lawmakers and attorneys general can take to protect adolescents from the harms of dangerous social media algorithms. Sources of Support: This study was funded by the Becca Schmill Foundation.
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In view of the mental health issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, this study draws on the theories of proactive coping and altruism to examine how knowledge sharing can be used to address employee performance and mental wellbeing. Emotional intelligence is modelled as a moderator in these relationships. Two studies were conducted in Australia and Vietnam to validate the proposed relationships. The results show that only knowledge donating has a positive effect on employee performance, whereas both types of knowledge sharing are significantly related to positive mental wellbeing. Emotional intelligence exerted significant moderation effects between knowledge donating and positive mental health in the case of Australia, and between collecting and performance in the Vietnam study. This study enriches knowledge sharing literature by integrating into position psychology. The findings have implications for practitioners to adopt a cost-effective means to address mental health and increase job performance. © 2023 The Operational Research Society.
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Latin American clinical researchers had participated in many controlled clinical trials in the 80 s and 90 s sponsored initiated that confirmed the place of calcium channel blockers and RAS blockade in hypertension treatment. Later, non-inferiority or superiority trials like ONTARGET, Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial and VALUE, Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation were performed worldwide including Latin-American countries. In the last decade, the absence of new drugs in the pipeline and sponsors portfolios at one side, and the recommendation of fixeddose combination as initial treatment tool at the other could be supposed as main causes of a dramatic reduction in sponsored hypertension research. At the same time, a huge increase in investigator initiated research was observed. Scientific national and regional societies in many cases fueled this increase. In this scenario, the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America, CARMELA study was the first large-scale population-based study that assessed cardiovascular risk factor prevalence in 7 Latin American cities and its relationship to hypertension mediated organ damage. CARMELA is an example of an epidemiological study investigator initiated supported by a sponsor in Latin America The FOCUS study, Fixed-Dose Combination Drug for Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention was another example of an investigator initiated research supported by a private company. FOCUS was funded by the 7th Framework Programme European Commission Consortium with the participation of the Centro Nacional De Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC Madrid, Spain, World Heart Federation, Federación Argentina De Cardiología, and some European research organizations, supported by FERRER Internacional. FOCUS help to understand the reasons of treatment non-adherence in Latin American countries and also to recognize the potential benefits of fixed-dose combinations in secondary prevention. More recently, the Interamerican Society of Cardiology SIAC developed the CorCOVID Latam study which aim was to study changes in lifestyle habits, treatment adherence, and mental health status in patients with cardiometabolic disease, but no clinical evidence of COVID-19 during the pandemic. This study is a good example of the feasibility of non-sponsored research in Latam supported by a regional scientific society structure and members. Five publications related to gender differences in the impact of the pandemic in Latam, Influenza and Pneumococcal vaccination during the pandemic, and the psychological impact in more than 4 thousand patients were the fruit of this society research initiative.
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There is emerging evidence of the detrimental impact of the pandemic and associated restrictions on young people's mental health in the UK but to date, these data have been largely quantitative. The aim of the current study was to gain a deeper understanding of young people's experiences in relation to their mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. Seventeen young people, aged 11 to 16 years, sampled for diverse characteristics, and living in the UK, were interviewed virtually between December 2020 and February 2021. Reflexive thematic analysis was carried out by the research team, which included two young people, and five themes were developed: (1) positives;(2) worries and anxiety;(3) sadness and anger about losses;(4) mental exhaustion;and (5) support from others. Aspects of young people's individual circumstances (e.g., pre-existing mental health difficulties;special educational needs and neurodevelopmental disorders) appeared to play a role in their experiences. Continued measurement of young people's mental health, initiatives to identify young people who have been struggling and the provision of support (including evidence-based and accessible interventions) will be important for protecting young people from future adversities as we emerge from the pandemic.
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Purpose: During COVID-19, Maudsley Simulation successfully pivoted to fully online delivery of simulation-based education (SBE) in mental health. In migrating digitally, the simulation faculty experienced a range of new phenomena and challenges. The authors' experiences may be transferable to other specialities and for other educator groups. By sharing the authors' experiences, this study aims to support others adapt to online SBE. Design/methodology/approach: This piece represents the authors' collective reflections on the challenges of adapting their facilitation skills to the online environment. It also offers various suggestions on how to improve the learner experience in view of these challenges. Findings: Beyond merely platform orientation and operating procedure familiarisation, the team gained insights into ensuring optimal learning, engagement and participant experience during online deliveries. Delivery of online SBE brings several potential barriers to psychological safety and these warrant careful consideration by experienced simulationists. Practical implications: Optimising participant engagement and psychological safety remain key considerations despite this novel medium. Facilitators must be willing to adapt accordingly to begin delivering high-quality online SBE. Originality/value: From their experience, facilitators must reframe their debriefing expectations and adjust how they engage participants and manage group dynamics given the inherently different nature of this new learning environment.
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The article discusses how indigenous talking circles can help health and social care professionals recover from moral injury due to the pandemic. Topics include reason for moral injury in the health and social care context, a therapeutic intervention that has been developed for moral injury in the U.S. military, and the evidence-based theory of post-traumatic growth.
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Why you should read this article: • To learn about some adaptations to practice adopted by a low secure mental health unit during the COVID-19 pandemic • To be aware of interventions used to enable staff to continue to support patients during the COVID-19 pandemic • To appreciate that staff's experience of the adaptations to practice and the well-being support offered to them during the pandemic can be used to inform post-pandemic practice The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly disrupted the work of healthcare professionals in forensic mental health settings, but also prompted them to adopt new ways of working that have benefits and challenges. A low secure mental health unit in the UK adapted its ways of working during the pandemic by providing staff who could work remotely with the necessary equipment. The unit also implemented a stepped psychological response, as recommended by The British Psychological Society, to assist its staff to continue to support patients. This article describes the unit's response to the pandemic and discusses the findings of two evaluations – staff experiences of remote working and of a group relaxation session. The findings could help inform post-pandemic practice in forensic mental health settings.
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Purpose: Physical activity is an important component of treatment for people living with mental illness, and exercise practitioners are well placed to deliver these interventions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lock-down regulations, exercise professionals have rapidly adapted to the online delivery of services to continue care for their clients. To date, the research surrounding the delivery of exercise sessions via telehealth for this population has been scarce. Therefore, this study aims to explore how exercise professionals working in mental health have adapted to telehealth, the barriers and facilitators they have experienced and the implications for the future. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative study using semi-structure interviews was conducted. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Nine exercise physiologists working in mental health settings in Australia participated in the interviews. Two main themes were explored. The first related to the implementation of telehealth and was divided into four sub-themes: service delivery, accessibility and suitability, technology barriers and facilitators, adaptations to exercise prescription. The second theme related to attitudes and was categorised into two sub-themes: attitudes towards telehealth and future recommendations. Practical implications: Telehealth appears to be a feasible and well accepted platform to deliver exercise sessions for people with mental illness, and this study provides guidance for clinicians including service and training recommendations. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the experiences of exercise physiologists working in mental health and using telehealth. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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The article discusses the significance of telework for workers with disabilities. Topics discussed include increased open-mindedness about granting part-time or full-time telework as a reasonable accommodation, reasonable accommodations under the Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and work environment or hiring process to create equality for someone with a disability.
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Introduction: The level of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) associated with the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms was assessed. Risk factors for mental health in the Polish population have been identified. Material and methods: Nine hundred and twenty-six respondents completed a set of questionnaires consisting of questions concerning COVID-19, PTSS related to the COVID-19 outbreak (Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R), and their mental health status (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS-21). Results: Most respondents reported severe PTSS related to the COVID-19 outbreak (44.06%), the normal intensity of depressive symptoms (52.38%), anxiety symptoms (56.05%), and stress (56.48%). Almost 20% of Polish respondents were characterized by a severe or extremely severe level of stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. Every seventh respondent reported an extremely severe level of depressive symptoms. Female gender, parental status, having a relationship, at least a two-person household were associated with higher PTSS or DASS-21 subscales. A few physical symptoms, a medical visit, quarantine, negative health evaluation, chronic diseases, knowledge about the increase in the number of infected people or deaths were associated with higher levels of PTSS. Some of the precautions and the need for additional information on COVID-19, the certainty of a high COVID-19 contracting probability or of a low survival rate, and concerns about the loved ones were associated with higher PTSS. Conclusions: The indicated risk factors can be used for developing psychological interventions to improve mental health. It is necessary to conduct qualitative research on the psychological reasons for the occurrence of mental symptoms during the pandemic.
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Background: Dentists and dental auxiliaries are considered at high risk for the spread of COVID-19 due to their direct contact with the patient's oral cavity. The stress of being infected with the virus was high during the pandemic. This research aims to estimate the psychological impact of COVID-19 on dental assistants in Saudi Arabia during this pandemic. Methodology: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study used a pre-validated Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale with 21 Items (DASS-21) to assess the psychological impact on the mental health of dental assistants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire was sent to the participants through the mail using Google Forms. One reminder email was sent after a week to fill out and submit the form. Data were entered using Microsoft Excel and later analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Results: The response rate was 75% (210 out of 280). Most participants were 20–40 years old and only 10 were above 50. Most participants were females (180) and were of non-Saudi origin. The results of a comparison of DASS scores between males and females were statistically significant (p = 0.001), with a higher mean total DASS score noted in males (20.03) compared to females (13.68). Conclusion: Healthcare workers in direct contact with patients, such as dental assistants, have a higher risk of contracting the infection, which increases their psychological stress and anxiety.
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The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a study that showed suicide among adolescents, already on the increase before the March 2020 beginning of the pandemic in the United States, was contributed to by the adversity experienced before and during the pandemic.
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If you noticed increased problems in your child or teen during COVID‐19, you're not alone. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study that showed suicide among adolescents, already on the increase before the March 2020 beginning of the pandemic in the United States, was contributed to by the adversity experienced before and during the pandemic.
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The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) last week released an updated fact sheet for provisions of the Synar Amendment, including revisions made as a result of COVID‐19. The Synar Amendment, named for the late former Congressman Mike Synar (D‐Okla.), requires states to prohibit the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors. The update, by NASADAD's Lacy Adams, noted the following events.
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Inequalities in health care exist in many countries in the world. In 2008 the then UK Secretary of State for Health commissioned the Marmot review, ‘Fair Society, Healthy Lives', to propose strategies to address health inequalities in the UK. Most of Marmot's proposals were not acted upon and in 2020, 10 years after the initial recommendations were published, Marmot found that there had been no improvement and some things were worse. In diabetes care inequalities are widespread, impacting on prevention, treatment, access to technology, screening for complications, risk of complications, morbidity and mortality. Ethnicity is a major risk factor, starkly demonstrated by the increased COVID-19 related mortality in people from minority ethnic groups with diabetes. Disadvantaged groups include, but are not limited to, those with social deprivation, intellectual and physical disabilities and severe mental illness. The decision to shelve the long-awaited white paper on tackling health inequalities, taken recently by the last Secretary of State for Health amid protests from a coalition of medical organisations, makes it unlikely that the government will take the actions proposed by Marmot. In the absence of a national strategy, responsibility to recognise and address inequalities in diabetes care falls on health care professionals, in teams and as individuals. Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons.