Discover mental health最新文献

{"title":"Job stress prevalence in Iranian drivers and contributing factors: Systematic review and Meta-analysis.","authors":"Parvaneh Isfahani, Rasoul Corani Bahador, Somayeh Samani, Mahdieh Poodineh Moghadam, Mohammad Sarani, Mahnaz Afshari","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00188-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00188-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Job stress is a significant concern among drivers, particularly in Iran, where its prevalence varies by geographical region. This study aims to systematically review and analyze the prevalence of job stress among Iranian drivers and identify contributing factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy was implemented across multiple databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar engine. Studies included were cross-sectional in nature, reporting on moderate to high job stress levels among Iranian drivers up to December 30, 2024. Quality assessment was performed using Mitton's checklist, and data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 320 articles screened, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of job stress among Iranian drivers was found to be 46.3% (95% CI: 30.3-63.1%). The highest prevalence was reported in North Khorasan province (87.9%), while the lowest was in Tehran (8.2%). Factors contributing to job stress included work shifts (31%) and noise exposure (23%), and working environment (23%). Meta-regression analysis indicated that sample size, average age, and work experience significantly influenced study heterogeneity (P < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This systematic review underscores the urgent need for policies aimed at reducing job stress among Iranian drivers, focusing on enhancing working conditions and providing mental health support to improve overall well-being and safety on the roads.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12009262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144060007","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":"A cross-sectional study on depression, anxiety, and stress among the Bangladeshi population amid COVID-19.","authors":"Mamunur Rahman, Sushmita Biswas, Nafisa Humayera Kabir, Ka Yiu Lee, Md Kamrul Hasan","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00185-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00185-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Depression, anxiety, and stress have surged worldwide, including in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the mental health condition of the Bangladeshi population during this pandemic. A cross-sectional study was carried out online between Feb 17, 2021, and Apr 8, 2021, during the lockdown period in Bangladesh with structured questions of the DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21), and about 310 responses were collected for the study purpose. One-way ANOVA and statistical analysis were performed by STATA-13 to determine the statistical significance. Depression was found to be significantly associated (p < 0.05) with both level of education (higher level observed among postgraduates) and previous psychological intervention (higher rate of being exposed to psychiatrists earlier). Comparing normal, mild, moderate and severe levels, the most common level of depression was moderate (28.06%) among the respondents, along with highly severe anxiety (22.26%) and moderate stress (18.39%). Participant's living area was significantly associated with depression (p = 0.033) and anxiety (p = 0.014), with individuals residing in urban areas exhibiting higher rates. Despite their adverse mental health status during the pandemic, only 36 out of 310 (12%) participants visited psychologists or psychiatrists. There remains substantial stigma around seeking formal mental health treatment in Bangladesh, such as low compliance rates even for talk therapy. Government organizations and NGOs should raise awareness among the public by conducting community-level campaigns, offering state-level insurance, initiating peer support programs, and using digital space to familiarize people with mental health issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12008098/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144060333","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":"COVID-19 and cognitive impairment: a review of the emerging evidence.","authors":"Nicholas Aderinto, Gbolahan Olatunji, Emmanuel Kokori, Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi, Ismaila Ajayi Yusuf, Emmanuel Egbunu, Bonaventure Michael Ukoaka, Adetola Emmanuel Babalola, Temiloluwa Oluwakorede Adefusi, John Ehi Aboje, Abdulrahmon Moradeyo","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00189-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00189-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The recent surge of COVID-19 cases has raised concerns about its potential long-term effects on cognitive function. This review explores the growing body of research investigating the link between COVID-19 infection and cognitive impairment. Studies employing observational, longitudinal, and case-control designs reveal a concerning prevalence of cognitive impairment in survivors, affecting domains like attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed. The persistence of these deficits for months after the initial infection highlights the potential for long-term consequences. While the precise mechanisms remain under investigation, potential contributing factors include neuroinflammation, hypoxia, and psychological effects. Limitations within the current research landscape necessitate further investigation into the long-term trajectory of cognitive decline, the potential for intervention and recovery, and the role of vaccination in mitigating these effects. Understanding the multifaceted nature of this issue is crucial for developing effective strategies to ensure optimal cognitive health outcomes for COVID-19 survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"56"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12006571/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144045641","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":"Exploring stress and recovery among students: examining the role of study modes.","authors":"Philipp Stang, Maren Weiss, Peter Jaensch, Stefanie Scholz","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00186-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00186-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding stress and recovery dynamics among students is essential for promoting their well-being and academic success. This study delves into the complex interplay of stressors and coping mechanisms among university students. Drawing upon health psychology and resilience research, we investigate the experiences of stress and recovery among both full-time and part-time students, considering gender and age. Our findings reveal significant differences between full-time and part-time students in various aspects of stress, including emotional stress, conflicts, and lack of energy. Full-time students reported higher levels of stress in these dimensions, which could indicate possible effects on their academic performance and general well-being. Moreover, gender-specific differences in stress experiences were observed, with female students exhibiting higher levels of stress compared to their male counterparts, particularly in terms of emotional stress and lack of energy. Interestingly, while age did not significantly impact stress and recovery experiences, other variables such as workload and coping strategies appeared to play crucial roles. Our study underscores the importance of the diverse needs of students. Overall, this research sheds light on the intricate relationship between stress, recovery, and study program variables among students, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and mental health practitioners seeking to enhance student well-being and academic success in higher education settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12003230/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144054660","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":"Strong support systems foster positive self-image in patients with scoliosis.","authors":"Megan Glahn Castille, Susan Resendiz Ortega","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00180-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00180-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Friend support and social support have been suggested to be beneficial for adolescents facing medical challenges; however, there is little research to identify who is providing emotional support for children and adolescents with scoliosis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the sources of emotional support and to analyze a program designed to encourage social support, the Scolios-us Mentor Program (Mentor Program).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study consisted of a cross-sectional survey. The survey included the SRS-22r, BSSQ-Brace, and questions about demographics, mental health, the Scolios-us Mentor Program, and general scoliosis experience. The survey was distributed via email to Mentor Program participants and to scoliosis clinicians to provide to their patients. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and correlations (Cochran-Armitage, Pearson's correlation, and Spearman's correlation) were used to analyze responses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 46 participants with an age range was 8-18 were included in the final analysis. The median current age was 13 (IQR: 3), and the median diagnosis age was 10 (IQR: 4). Our results indicate that most participants (76.1%) received emotional support from at least two sources, including family, friends, healthcare providers, and support groups. Participants with two or more support sources had significantly higher self-image scores than those below this threshold (p =.042). Self-image scores were significantly higher for those who reported receiving emotional support from a healthcare provider (p =.027). Over 60% (29/46) of participants participated in the Scolios-us Mentor Program. No significant differences were noted in BSSQ-Brace or SRS- 22r scores between those who participate in the Mentor Program versus those who do not, but mentees scored lower for function, self-image, and management than mentors. Interestingly, as program satisfaction increased, BSSQ-Brace scores decreased (p =.012).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Having a strong emotional support system is important for self-image in children and adolescents with scoliosis. Healthcare providers appear to play an important role in promoting a positive self-image in their scoliosis patients. To help patients foster a strong support system, healthcare providers should be knowledgeable of the available psychosocial resources, including scoliosis support groups, for children and adolescents with scoliosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11992324/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144057536","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":"Resettled refugee parent and young adult perspectives on mental health after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Rachel Fabi, Christina D Campagna, Nidaa Aljabarrin, Eloho Olojakpoke, Noora Alghazeer, Sana Alamarie, Warood Alamarie, Robert A Rubinstein, Ron Saletsky, Andrea V Shaw","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00182-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00182-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Refugees and other New Americans faced unique mental health barriers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced access to mental health supports and services in this population indicates a need for new community-based mental health interventions.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This paper explored refugee parents' and young adults' perceptions of the mental health barriers and facilitators encountered by young resettled refugees (ages 10-24) and their parents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using an interpretive phenomenology approach and a form of community-based participatory research (CBPR), we designed a focus group guide with student community members from various refugee and immigrant communities. We held eight gender- and language-concordant focus groups with refugee parents, and four gender-concordant focus groups with refugee young adults (18-24), facilitated by student community members. Translated transcripts were analyzed for major themes using an iterative emergent thematic coding approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The conversations in these focus groups were wide-ranging. Here we explore the themes and subthemes that emerged in three primary areas: the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, mental health stigma and other social barriers to mental health, and community strengths and strategies for addressing mental health.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>COVID-19 surfaced and intensified existing mental health challenges within resettled refugee communities. Community-based mental health interventions should be designed in partnership with the communities they aim to serve. The findings of this study suggest several possible intervention points to support refugee youth and parent mental health, including culturally sensitive group and individual therapy in a trusted community setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11992285/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143993672","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":"Mindfulness enhancements predict aberrant salience reductions and improve stress management.","authors":"Isabel Wießner, Júlia Paula Souza, Marcelo Demarzo, Luís Fernando Tófoli","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00179-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00179-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mindfulness improves mental health and clinical conditions including psychosis and modulates attentional processes including salience-the automatic direction of attention to prominent elements. Aberrant salience-the exaggerated significance attribution to perceived elements-is associated with psychotic experiences, but its interactions with mindfulness remain unexplored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This pre-post-intervention pilot study included 21 participants completing an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Health Promotion (MBHP) course with measurements before (T0), after (T1), and three months post-course (T2). Primary outcomes were mindful attention (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS), decentering (Experiences Questionnaire, EQ), aberrant salience (Aberrant Salience Inventory, ASI), and correlations between time-dependent changes (T1-T0, T2-T0, T2-T1). Secondary outcomes included qualitative reports on Motivations, Learnings, Preferred Practices, and Stress Management.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Regarding mindfulness, MAAS and EQ continuingly increased (T0 vs. T1/T2). Regarding aberrant salience, the factor Heightened Cognition (ASI) increased post-course (T0 vs. T1), whereas Heightened Emotionality (T0 vs. T2) and Total Aberrant Salience (T1 vs. T2) decreased. Importantly, MAAS (T1-T0, T2-T0) correlated negatively with Heightened Emotionality (T2-T0). Qualitative findings revealed consistent stressors but improved stress management, integrated mindfulness practices into participants' daily lives, and potential mechanisms of presence, observation, perspective change, and emotion regulation underlying decreased aberrant salience.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mindfulness may modulate pre-attentional and attentional processes and improve well-being and stress management, as reflected by reduced aberrant salience and promoted mindful attention and decentering. Our findings suggest that mindful attention may play a crucial role in reducing aberrant salience, offering a promising direction for future research on mindfulness interventions in psychosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11979052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143812877","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":"The interplay of psychological distress, stigma, and social support in determining quality of life among Vietnamese people living with HIV.","authors":"Vu Hoang Anh Nguyen, Thanh Nguyen Ai Tran, Thanh Tri Vu, Yen Thi Hoai Phan, Thao Thi Ngoc Nguyen, Gia-Phuoc Tran-Thien, Vinh-Long Tran-Chi","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00171-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00171-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study explores the intersection of psychological distress, stigma, and social support among Vietnamese people living with HIV (PLWH), focusing on their impact on quality of life (QoL). While antiretroviral therapy (ART) enhances survival, stigma and mental health issues persist, undermining QoL. Addressing these gaps in Vietnam is critical for improving comprehensive HIV care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was employed at Thu Duc City Hospital from March to May 2024, involving 369 PLWH receiving ART. Data collection utilized validated tools to assess anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), perceived social support (MSPSS), HIV stigma (HSS), and health-related QoL (PozQoL). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine interrelationships among these factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The distribution of moderate or severe anxiety and depression was 6.8% and 2.1%, respectively. SEM analysis revealed that anxiety and depression significantly increased perceived stigma, while social support reduced it. Stigma negatively impacted QoL. Social support showed complex effects on QoL, depending on contextual factors. Viral load and weight also moderated stigma's impact on QoL.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings underscore the bidirectional relationship between mental health and stigma, emphasizing the need for integrated mental health services within HIV care. Social support can mitigate stigma but requires careful contextual tailoring to avoid unintended negative consequences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Enhancing QoL in PLWH necessitates addressing mental health, stigma, and social support. Integrating psychological care and stigma-reduction strategies into ART programs is vital. Future research should explore longitudinal dynamics and refine social interventions to maximize their benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"48"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11977041/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796981","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":"Charting the course of depression care: a meta-analysis of reliability generalization of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ- 9) as the measure.","authors":"Kenni Wojujutari Ajele, Erhabor Sunday Idemudia","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00181-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00181-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, requiring reliable and adaptable screening tools. The Patient Health Questionnaire- 9 (PHQ- 9) is widely used, yet its reliability across diverse populations and cultural adaptations remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This meta-analysis assessed the reliability generalization of the PHQ- 9 across different populations, settings, and cultural contexts to determine its applicability in global mental health assessments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A reliability generalization (RG) meta-analysis was conducted on 60 studies with 232,147 participants. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and test-retest reliability. Subgroup analyses examined the effects of administration modes, cultural adaptations, and study settings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pooled Cronbach's α was 0.86 (95% CI [0.85, 0.87]), indicating high internal consistency. Test-retest reliability, based on eight studies, was 0.82 (95% CI [0.74, 0.90]). Self-administered formats had the highest reliability (α = 0.87), while face-to-face interviews were lower (α = 0.80). Substantial heterogeneity (I² = 99.3%) was observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The PHQ- 9 is a reliable depression screening tool globally, but significant heterogeneity highlights the need for continued cultural adaptation and validation to enhance its applicability across diverse contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11977096/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143804828","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":"A comprehensive review of mental health services across selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa: assessing progress, challenges, and future direction.","authors":"Faith Atewologun, Olaniyi Abideen Adigun, Olalekan John Okesanya, Hakeem Kayode Hassan, Olaleke Noah Olabode, Abioye Sunday Micheal, Mohamed Mustaf Ahmed, Bonaventure Michael Ukoaka, Nimat Bola Idris, Tolutope Adebimpe Oso, Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00177-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00177-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mental health is a crucial but frequently neglected aspect of general health and well-being that faces numerous challenges, including underfunding, shortage of trained professionals, pervasive stigma, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient policies in sub-Saharan Africa. This review reports the significant progress and initiatives that have been made in this region. South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ghana have developed national policies and integrated mental health services into primary healthcare, marking a shift towards community-based care and reducing stigma through awareness campaigns. Countries such as South Africa and Rwanda have robust infrastructure, while Ethiopia and Kenya emphasize training primary healthcare providers and community-based models. Ghana's Mental Health Act and Uganda's collaboration with NGOs has enhanced awareness and resource mobilization. Mental healthcare-targeted programs, such as Kenya's Friendship Bench and Ethiopia's Health Extension Program, have demonstrated the efficacy of community-based interventions. South Africa has leveraged innovative approaches, such as telepsychiatry, to expand access to holistic mental health services, particularly in rural areas. Partnerships with traditional healers in Uganda and Rwanda have enhanced early identification and referral. Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Common issues include a severe shortage of mental health professionals, inadequate budget allocation, limited access to services in rural areas, and the need for comprehensive policy frameworks that continue to stall the desired goals. Urban-centric services in Nigeria, financial constraints in Tanzania, and resource limitations in Ethiopia and Rwanda have hindered equitable access. While public-private partnerships and technological innovations are emerging, the dominance of institutionalized care in several regions limits community outreach. To chart the path forward, improving mental health services in Sub-Saharan Africa requires increased funding, expanded training programs for mental health professionals, and incorporation of mental health into basic healthcare systems. Utilizing technology such as telemedicine and mobile health applications holds promise for overcoming geographical barriers and supporting ongoing education. Community-based models and advocacy efforts are essential for reducing stigma, promoting sustainable mental healthcare, and enhancing the overall well-being of citizens insub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11977099/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143804827","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}