Xuan Luu , Max R. Tran , Natalie A. Johnson , Melinda J. Hutchesson
{"title":"Factors associated with psychological distress among sexuality and/or gender diverse students at an Australian university: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Xuan Luu , Max R. Tran , Natalie A. Johnson , Melinda J. Hutchesson","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200386","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200386","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>While mental ill-health — such as psychological distress — is prevalent among university students, less is known about sexuality and/or gender diverse university students’ mental health. This study aimed to determine whether sociodemographic factors, basic needs security, resilience, and health-related behaviours were associated with psychological distress among a sample of sexuality and/or gender diverse students at an Australian university.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study involved a quantitative cross-sectional subgroup analysis of eligible student responses to a larger institutional survey at an Australian university. A multiple linear regression analysis assessed sociodemographic factors (age and gender identity), basic needs security (financial stress, food security, and experience of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment during time at university), resilience (specifically ‘bounce back’ resilience), and health-related behaviours (alcohol use, other drugs use, physical activity, and sleep duration), with psychological distress as the outcome of interest.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Analysis of 411 sexuality and/or gender diverse students’ responses yielded significant results (<em>F</em> [6,387] = 50.493, <em>p</em> < .001) explaining over 40% of the variance in psychological distress (adj. <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = .430). Identifying as a woman and experiencing food insecurity were associated with higher psychological distress. Younger age, greater ‘bounce back’ resilience, and longer sleep duration were associated with lower psychological distress.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Further research should investigate how these associations may change among sexuality and/or gender diverse university students in Australia — across different institutions, over time, and amid broader social and structural factors. Implications for future practice — particularly institutional interventions and data-gathering — are also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 200386"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143141883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jane Brandt Sørensen , Caroline Lomholt Øst , Parnûna Heilmann , Fransisco Alberdi , Britt Reuter Morthorst
{"title":"Exploring suicide in Greenland - A scoping review of the literature","authors":"Jane Brandt Sørensen , Caroline Lomholt Øst , Parnûna Heilmann , Fransisco Alberdi , Britt Reuter Morthorst","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200383","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200383","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Suicide is a global public health challenge. High rates are particularly pronounced among Indigenous populations. There is a lack of in-depth knowledge about suicide in Greenland, which is needed to develop relevant suicide prevention and treatment initiatives.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Aim was to review existing published peer-reviewed and grey literature on suicide in Greenland to inform future policies, research, and interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A scoping review methodology was applied, following the PRISMA-ScR standard. Searches were made in six databases and through hand-searches for literature published in Danish or English. The Social Ecological Model was used to structure the thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The search yielded 277 sources, with 43 included in the study. While descriptive, quantitative methods were predominant, only two studies used a strict qualitative approach. No studies reported on controlled trials. Following the Social Ecological Model, most articles addressed suicide at the individual level, societal- and relationship levels, whereas the community level was rarely addressed. Most sources reiterated risk factors related to suicide especially within the themes: gender at birth, age, alcohol, sexual abuse, societal transitions, and geographical inequalities. Few sources evaluated previous interventions and explored preventive factors. Little attention was paid to the media's role in suicide prevention.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Findings showed that research has primarily been descriptive, suggesting that qualitative methods would be relevant for future research. An investigation of protective factors and the role and opportunities of the media and social media would be relevant. A limited number of studies applied trial designs, suggesting lack of evidence-based treatment and prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 200383"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143142231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Psychological predictors of posttraumatic stress and depression in firefighters: A 2-year longitudinal study","authors":"Miriam J.J. Lommen","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200384","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200384","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and objectives</h3><div>Due to high trauma exposure in their job, first responders have an increased chance to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. A challenge in the psychotrauma field is to develop effective preventive strategies for high-risk professionals. The aim of this study was to test which malleable psychological factors (resilience, social support at work, experiential avoidance, repetitive negative thinking (RNT), meaning in life, sense of coherence) predict the development of PTSD and depression symptoms in firefighters.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Firefighters (<em>n</em> = 393) were tested at baseline (PTSD, depression and risk factors) and filled out questionnaires in the following 2 years (PTSD and depression). Regression analyses were run testing which set of risk factors best predicted PTSD or depression symptoms at follow-up, when controlling for baseline symptomatology.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Lower social support at work and higher experiential avoidance predicted PTSD symptom development, and lower meaning in life and higher RNT predicted depression symptom development.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Decreasing experiential avoidance and RNT and promoting social support at work and meaning in life seem promising targets for primary prevention interventions in first responders. Future studies should test whether targeting these risk factors would indeed decrease the development of post-trauma psychopathology in high-risk professionals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"36 ","pages":"Article 200384"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142743482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lea Mayer , Anne Barzel , Vera Clemens , Jörg Fegert , Katharina Grau , Harald Gündel , Maria Haun , Natalie Lamp , Miriam Rassenhofer , Eva Rothermund , Nathalie Oexle
{"title":"Barriers to suicide prevention in primary care: A qualitative study among general practitioners in Germany","authors":"Lea Mayer , Anne Barzel , Vera Clemens , Jörg Fegert , Katharina Grau , Harald Gündel , Maria Haun , Natalie Lamp , Miriam Rassenhofer , Eva Rothermund , Nathalie Oexle","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200381","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200381","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Suicide is a global public health issue and general practitioners (GPs) are important frontline responders to ensure treatment for persons experiencing suicidality. Although valid assessment tools and guidelines for managing suicidality in primary care are available, previous studies suggest that these are not yet sufficiently adhered to. Knowledge about the challenges experienced by GPs in identifying and managing suicidality among their patients is needed for the development of interventions to improve suicide prevention within primary care.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The current study seeks to examine the challenges GPs in Germany encounter when managing suicidality among patients in primary care.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted qualitative online interviews with 15 GPs practising in Germany. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We included a diverse sample of mainly early-practise GPs (mean age: 42 years; w = 9, m = 6). GPs in our study reported 1) difficulties in identifying suicidality, 2) uncertainty and insufficient knowledge, 3) responsibility and discomfort and 4) challenges due to the health care system.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings suggest that GPs in Germany would benefit from specialised trainings to increase their knowledge and reduce uncertainties in handling suicidality among their patients. Reported challenges could be an important focus of successful suicide prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 200381"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143141879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniel Sadler, Deirdre McCaughey, Amy Metcalfe, Katrina Milaney, Paul Ronksley
{"title":"Teaching mental health in the classroom: A mixed-methods implementation evaluation of a mental health literacy program in elementary schools","authors":"Daniel Sadler, Deirdre McCaughey, Amy Metcalfe, Katrina Milaney, Paul Ronksley","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200377","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200377","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Mental illnesses are the largest disease burden for adolescents, affecting 20 % of youth in Canada. As mental health needs arise earlier and with greater prevalence, it is essential to work upstream and prepare youth before psychological distress emerges. When implemented in the classroom as part of the educational curriculum, Mental Health Literacy (MHL) fulfills these goals as a universal response to the societal and development stressors experienced by youth.</div><div>The aim of this implementation evaluation was to explore the experience of educators delivering the Elementary Mental Health Literacy Resources (EMHLR) during a 4-month period across Canada. The specific objectives were to identify the individual (educator) and organizational (district) level barriers and facilitators to delivery of the EMHLR to improve future implementation of the program.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An explanatory sequential design used data from an existing feedback survey and qualitative data was gathered from group interviews with Educators. Findings were integrated using the RE-AIM framework to identify barriers and facilitators and develop considerations for implementation</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>System level barriers included the pre-existing stigma around mental health, competing priorities for classroom time, and cultivating buy-in from leadership. Individual level barriers included the time and knowledge to teach MHL. The flexible design of the EMHLR curriculum and specific implementation strategies were seen as facilitators. Mental Health Literacy offers language for youth to communicate about their experience clearly and accurately.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The EMHLR curriculum offers an evidence-based and adaptable means to build the MHL of youth across Canada. This holds potential for improving youth mental health but requires intentional implementation strategies to be successful.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"36 ","pages":"Article 200377"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142743479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effectiveness of school-based Scaling up Teen Mental Health Program through peer synergy (SUTMP) on mental health promotion, mental health literacy, and resilience among senior secondary students of Sikkim, India- A cluster randomized controlled trial protocol","authors":"Reshma Tamang , Binil Velayudhan , Samrat Singh Bhandari , Tessy Treesa Jose , Vani Lakshmi R , Blessy Prabha Valsaraj","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200370","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200370","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Mental health conditions are a significant burden during adolescence, with up to 50 % starting before age 14. Suicide is among the top three causes of death in this age group, highlighting the need for effective mental health interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The primary objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of school-based Scaling up Teen Mental Health Program through peer synergy (SUTMP) on mental health literacy among senior secondary students.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted among the students of government senior secondary schools. The intervention comprises five modules focusing on mental health literacy, mental health promotion, peer synergy on first aid in mental health, strengthening resilience, and the fifth module focuses on relaxation exercises, meditation and deep breathing techniques, and mindfulness with 'Teen mental health app.' Students will be assessed using the Resilience Scale, Mental Health Promotion Knowledge Scale, Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale, Teen Mental Health Literacy Scale, and Peer Synergy on Mental Health First Aid Scale. Assessment will be done before the intervention, one week after, at three and six months post-intervention.</div></div><div><h3>Expected results</h3><div>The anticipated outcome of the study is that the school-based Scaling up Teen Mental Health Program (SUTMP) will increase mental health literacy among school students, strengthen their resilience skills, and increase the use of a peer-led approach for providing initial mental health first aid.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study will employ an innovative module for delivering the intervention, integrating on-site and app-based approaches in a blended manner.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"36 ","pages":"Article 200370"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142743480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Need for greater action on child emotional abuse to prevent its impact on depression, anxiety and suicide","authors":"Amy J. Morgan","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200367","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"36 ","pages":"Article 200367"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143173650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What should a nation do to prevent mental and behavioural disorders? Key elements of a national strategy","authors":"Nicola J Reavley, Anthony F Jorm","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200360","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200360","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"36 ","pages":"Article 200360"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143172455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The case for participant payments in mental health prevention research","authors":"Elizabeth M Westrupp","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200373","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200373","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"36 ","pages":"Article 200373"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143173649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K Paton , S Darling , C Nowell , S Gandhi , A Jorm , LM Hart , MBH Yap , F Oberklaid
{"title":"Development of the children's wellbeing continuum: Fostering conversation in child mental health","authors":"K Paton , S Darling , C Nowell , S Gandhi , A Jorm , LM Hart , MBH Yap , F Oberklaid","doi":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200385","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200385","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Objective: The growing focus on child mental health presents opportunities for prevention and early intervention. A shared, accessible language to describe child mental health that is understood by both parents and professionals across diverse settings is crucial. This study aimed to design and test a novel Children's Wellbeing Continuum tool as a shared communication resource to help adults discuss and reflect on a child's mental health.</div><div>Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with Australian educators, health professionals, and parents/caregivers. A Delphi consensus study (<em>n</em> = 261) was used to establish consensus on the language for a four-point continuum model. Subsequently, focus groups (<em>n</em> = 69) gathered qualitative feedback on the language, visual elements and utility of the continuum tool across diverse contexts (e.g., schools, primary health care, First Nations Communities).</div><div>Findings: The terms “good, coping, struggling, overwhelmed” emerged as the preferred terms for the anchor points along the continuum tool. A traffic-light colour system and accompanying emoticons were supported for visual accessibility. Descriptors of functioning/symptoms were deemed too confusing and excluded from the final version. Inductive content analysis revealed that participants valued the continuum as a tool to facilitate discussions about a child's mental health among stakeholders in the ‘team’ supporting the child.</div><div>Conclusions: The Children's Wellbeing Continuum, developed through extensive stakeholder consultation, is designed as a universal early intervention and prevention tool to start a conversation and encourage dialogue about a child's mental health. It has the potential to improve early help-seeking, reduce stigma, and strengthen support systems for children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55864,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Prevention","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 200385"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143141881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}