scholarly journals Automated Mobile Phone-Based Mental Health Resource for Homeless Youth: A Pilot Study Assessing Feasibility and Acceptability (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela C. Glover ◽  
Dominika A. Winiarski ◽  
Stephen M. Schueller ◽  
Alyson K. Zalta ◽  
Niranjan S. Karnik
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Homeless Youth ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Telephone Hotline ◽  
Marginally Housed

BACKGROUND Youth experiencing housing instability (e.g., homeless or marginally housed) have higher rates of mental health problems than their housed peers. Mobile technologies have often been touted for their potential to reduce health disparities and reach people who might not otherwise receive services. Few studies have developed and evaluated technological resources for these populations to determine how to effectively engage and reach them. OBJECTIVE The primary aims of this pilot study are to establish the feasibility and acceptability of delivering automated mental health resources via smartphone technology. METHODS Youth aged 16-25 (N=100) were recruited through homeless shelter agencies in the Chicagoland area. Eligible participants completed a baseline assessment and received an Android smartphone with a 3-month data plan. The phone was pre-loaded with several smartphone applications designed to promote mental health wellness, and an app designed to provide real-time resources for homeless individuals in Chicago. One app specifically designed for this study, Pocket Helper, sent participants a daily surveys and tips via push notification. Tips focused on coping and motivation, and surveys assessed mood. Pocket Helper also included an automated self-help system with brief cognitive-behavioral interventions (5-10 mins) and access to several interactive mobile tools including a crisis text line, a telephone hotline, and a crowd-based emotional support tool. Participants completed assessments at 3 and 6 months to assess changes in self-reported mental health symptoms, substance use, risk behaviors, psychological resources and strengths, and life satisfaction, as well as to provide feedback on and benefit from the intervention. RESULTS Participant satisfaction varied with the different apps. The majority of youth preferred daily tips (40.5% at midpoint, 41.2% at endpoint) and surveys (48.6% at midpoint, 41.2% at endpoint). At midpoint, participants least preferred the Illinois Warm Line and daily surveys (29.7% and 21.6%, respectively), though Koko was close behind (18.9%). At endpoint youth least preferred the Illinois Warm Line and Koko (35.3% and 23.5%, respectively). Overall, over 70% of respondents both time points reported benefiting from the intervention. Participants reported a preference for daily push features like the daily survey and tips, but reported lower engagement with other tools, such as those requiring them to open certain apps themselves interact with other users. CONCLUSIONS This set of automated mental health interventions seem to be an acceptable way to engage homeless youth in mental health treatment. Participants preferred fully automated features and brief interventions over features requiring interaction with others or more involved engagement. We plan to conduct focus groups with youth who participated to better understand their attitudes toward various components of the intervention. Future research should explore ways to retain homeless youth in these types of interventions, or evaluate whether briefer interventions are more feasible in this population. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03776422

scholarly journals Automated Mobile Phone–Based Mental Health Resource for Homeless Youth: Pilot Study Assessing Feasibility and Acceptability

10.2196/15144 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. e15144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela C Glover ◽  
Stephen M Schueller ◽  
Dominika A Winiarski ◽  
Dale L Smith ◽  
Niranjan S Karnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Homeless Youth ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Telephone Hotline ◽  
Help System

Background Youth experiencing housing instability have higher rates of mental health problems than their housed peers. Few studies have evaluated technological resources for homeless youth to determine how to effectively engage and reach them. Objective The primary aims of this pilot study were to establish the feasibility (as measured by phone retention rates) and acceptability (ie, participant ratings of resources) of delivering automated mental health resources via smartphone technology. Methods Youth aged 16 to 25 years (N=100) were recruited through homeless shelter agencies in the Chicago metropolitan area. Eligible participants completed a baseline assessment and received a smartphone with a 3-month data plan. The phone was preloaded with several apps designed to promote mental health wellness and provide real-time resources. One app specifically designed for this study, Pocket Helper 2.0, sent participants daily surveys and tips via push notification. The tips focused on coping and motivation, and the surveys assessed mood. This app also included an automated self-help system with brief cognitive behavioral interventions (5-10 min) and access to several interactive mobile tools, including a crisis text line, a telephone hotline, a crowd-based emotional support tool, and an app providing up-to-date information on social service and mental health resources for homeless youth in Chicago. Participants completed assessments at 3 and 6 months. Results Some individuals (23%, 23/100) experienced problems with the phones (eg, theft, loss, and technological issues) throughout the study. Participant retention at the midpoint was moderate, with 48% (48/100) of youth responding to the 3-month surveys. At 6 months, only 19% (19/100) of the total sample responded to the end point survey. Overall, 63% (30/48) to 68% (13/19) of respondents at both time points reported benefiting from the intervention; however, participant usage and satisfaction varied with the different features. At both time points, participants reported receiving the most benefit from the daily tips and daily surveys. Daily tips that were most preferred by participants involved motivational tips related to overcoming struggles and making progress in life. Aside from the tips and surveys, the most used features were the app providing up-to-date resources and the automated self-help system. Interactive features, including the telephone hotline and crowd-based emotional support tool, were the least used features and were rated as the least beneficial. Conclusions Automated mental health interventions seem to be an acceptable way to engage homeless youth in mental health support. The participants preferred fully automated features and brief interventions over features requiring interaction with others or more engagement. Future research should explore ways to retain homeless youth in interventions and evaluate the clinical impact of automated technology-based interventions for improving mental health. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03776422; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03776422

scholarly journals Automated Mobile Phone–Based Mental Health Resource for Homeless Youth: Pilot Study Assessing Feasibility and Acceptability (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela C Glover ◽  
Stephen M. Schueller ◽  
Dominika A Winiarski ◽  
Dale L Smith ◽  
Niranjan S Karnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Homeless Youth ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Telephone Hotline ◽  
Help System

BACKGROUND Youth experiencing housing instability have higher rates of mental health problems than their housed peers. Few studies have evaluated technological resources for homeless youth to determine how to effectively engage and reach them. OBJECTIVE The primary aims of this pilot study were to establish the feasibility (as measured by phone retention rates) and acceptability (ie, participant ratings of resources) of delivering automated mental health resources via smartphone technology. METHODS Youth aged 16 to 25 years (N=100) were recruited through homeless shelter agencies in the Chicago metropolitan area. Eligible participants completed a baseline assessment and received a smartphone with a 3-month data plan. The phone was preloaded with several apps designed to promote mental health wellness and provide real-time resources. One app specifically designed for this study, Pocket Helper 2.0, sent participants daily surveys and tips via push notification. The tips focused on coping and motivation, and the surveys assessed mood. This app also included an automated self-help system with brief cognitive behavioral interventions (5-10 min) and access to several interactive mobile tools, including a crisis text line, a telephone hotline, a crowd-based emotional support tool, and an app providing up-to-date information on social service and mental health resources for homeless youth in Chicago. Participants completed assessments at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS Some individuals (23%, 23/100) experienced problems with the phones (eg, theft, loss, and technological issues) throughout the study. Participant retention at the midpoint was moderate, with 48% (48/100) of youth responding to the 3-month surveys. At 6 months, only 19% (19/100) of the total sample responded to the end point survey. Overall, 63% (30/48) to 68% (13/19) of respondents at both time points reported benefiting from the intervention; however, participant usage and satisfaction varied with the different features. At both time points, participants reported receiving the most benefit from the daily tips and daily surveys. Daily tips that were most preferred by participants involved motivational tips related to overcoming struggles and making progress in life. Aside from the tips and surveys, the most used features were the app providing up-to-date resources and the automated self-help system. Interactive features, including the telephone hotline and crowd-based emotional support tool, were the least used features and were rated as the least beneficial. CONCLUSIONS Automated mental health interventions seem to be an acceptable way to engage homeless youth in mental health support. The participants preferred fully automated features and brief interventions over features requiring interaction with others or more engagement. Future research should explore ways to retain homeless youth in interventions and evaluate the clinical impact of automated technology-based interventions for improving mental health. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03776422; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03776422

Local terms and understandings of mental health problems in Burundi

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pacifique Irankunda ◽  
Laurie Heatherington ◽  
Jessica Fitts
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Causal Beliefs ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
And Gender

A pilot study and two intensive studies were conducted to document the local vocabularies used by Burundians to describe mental health problems and their understandings about the causes. The pilot study—in which 14 different large groups of community members awaiting appointments at a village health clinic were engaged in open-ended discussions of the local terminology and causal beliefs about mental health problems—suggested three key syndromes: akabonge (a set of depression-like symptoms), guhahamuka (a set of trauma-related symptoms), and ibisigo (a set of psychosis-like symptoms). In Study 1 ( N = 542), individual interviews or surveys presented participants with the names of these syndromes and asked what they considered to be the symptoms and causes of them. Study 2 ( N = 143) cross-validated these terms with a different sample (also in individual interviews/surveys), by presenting the symptom clusters and asking what each would be called and about their causes. Findings of both studies validated this set of terms and yielded a rich body of data about causal beliefs. The influence of education level and gender on familiarity with these terms was also assessed. Implications for the development of mental health services and directions for future research are discussed.

Physical and Psychological Benefits of Written Emotional Expression

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éva Kállay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. The last several decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from both diagnosable and subsyndromal mental health problems. Consequently, the development of cost-effective treatment methods, accessible to large populations suffering from different forms of mental health problems, became imperative. A very promising intervention is the method of expressive writing (EW), which may be used in both clinically diagnosable cases and subthreshold symptomatology. This method, in which people express their feelings and thoughts related to stressful situations in writing, has been found to improve participants’ long-term psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social functioning. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the published literature (also including most recent meta-analyses), the present paper presents the expressive writing method, its short- and long-term, intra-and interpersonal effects, different situations and conditions in which it has been proven to be effective, the most important mechanisms implied in the process of recovery, advantages, disadvantages, and possible pitfalls of the method, as well as variants of the original technique and future research directions.

scholarly journals Media consumption and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown: a UK cross-sectional study across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth D Neill ◽  
Carolyn Blair ◽  
Paul Best ◽  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
Cherie Armour
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Media Exposure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Media Consumption ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Longitudinal Data Collection

Abstract Aim As individuals adjust to new ‘norms’ and ways of living during the COVID-19 lockdown, there is a continuing need for up-to-date information and guidance. Evidence suggests that frequent media exposure is related to a higher prevalence of mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to determine whether COVID-19 related media consumption is associated with changes in mental health outcomes. Methods This paper presents baseline data from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study. The cross-sectional study data was collected using an online survey following the Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with some other basic information collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of socio-demographic and media specific factors on anxiety and depression. Results The study suggested that media usage is statistically significantly associated with anxiety and depression on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales with excessive media exposure related to higher anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion This study indicated that higher media consumption was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Worldwide it should be acknowledged that excessive media consumption, particularly social media relating to COVID-19, can have an effect on mental health. However, as this was a cross-sectional study we cannot infer any directionality as we cannot infer cause and effect; therefore, future research involving longitudinal data collection and analyses of variables over time is warranted.

The Association Between Problem Recognition, Race/Ethnicity, and Professional Help-Seeking Intentions Across Psychological Disorders

2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110004
Author(s):  
Ayanda Chakawa ◽  
Steven K. Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Problem Recognition ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Race Ethnicity

While 75% mental health problems emerge by young adulthood, there is a strong reluctance during this developmental stage to seek professional help. Although limitations in mental health literacy, such as incorrect problem recognition, may hinder professional help-seeking intentions, the relationship between these variables has been understudied among young adults in the United States (U.S.) and racial/ethnic differences in help-seeking intentions for specific disorders have not been well explored. Using a vignette-based design, the current study examines the association between psychological disorder recognition and professional help-seeking intentions among 1,585 Black/African American and White/European American young adults. Correctly identifying a psychological disorder was significantly associated with intentions to seek professional help for several disorders and race/ethnicity significantly influenced intentions to seek professional help for some disorders. Implications for ways to address unmet mental health care needs, especially among racially/ethnically diverse young adults, and directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Mental Health in Women Living With HIV: The Unique and Unmet Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 232595822098566
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Waldron ◽  
Inger Burnett-Zeigler ◽  
Victoria Wee ◽  
Yiukee Warren Ng ◽  
Linda J. Koenig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Hiv Management ◽  
Living With Hiv

Women living with HIV (WLWH) experience depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms at higher rates than their male counterparts and more often than HIV-unaffected women. These mental health issues affect not only the well-being and quality of life of WLWH, but have implications for HIV management and transmission prevention. Despite these ramifications, WLWH are under-treated for mental health concerns and they are underrepresented in the mental health treatment literature. In this review, we illustrate the unique mental health issues faced by WLWH such as a high prevalence of physical and sexual abuse histories, caregiving stress, and elevated internalized stigma as well as myriad barriers to care. We examine the feasibility and outcomes of mental health interventions that have been tested in WLWH including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and supportive counseling. Future research is required to address individual and systemic barriers to mental health care for WLWH.

scholarly journals Preconception prediction of expectant fathers' mental health: 20-year cohort study from adolescence

BJPsych Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Spry ◽  
Rebecca Giallo ◽  
Margarita Moreno-Betancur ◽  
Jacqui Macdonald ◽  
Denise Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Expectant Fathers

We examined prospective associations between men's common mental disorders in the decades prior to offspring conception and subsequent paternal antenatal mental health problems. Data came from a prospective intergenerational cohort study which assessed common mental disorder nine times from age 14 to 29 years, and in the third trimester of subsequent pregnancies to age 35 years (N = 295 pregnancies to 214 men). Men with histories of adolescent and young adult common mental disorders were over four times more likely to experience antenatal mental health problems. Future research identifying modifiable perinatal factors that counteract preconception risk would provide further targets for intervention.Declaration of interestNone.

Mental Health and Well-Being Among Individuals With a Sensory Loss During COVID-19 Lockdown Measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 409-409
Author(s):  
Natascha Merten ◽  
Amy Schultz ◽  
Matthew Walsh ◽  
Suzanne van Landingham ◽  
Paul Peppard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Hearing and vision impairment are highly prevalent chronic conditions and are associated with poorer mental health and well-being. Mental health problems may be exacerbated by COVID-19-related lockdown measures and limitations of in-person contacts may affect those with sensory impairments more severely. We aimed to determine whether hearing and/or visual impairment were associated with worse mental health and psychological well-being during lockdown measures in Spring/Summer 2020 in Wisconsin. We included 1341 (64% women, aged 20-92 years) Survey of the Health of Wisconsin participants of a COVID-19 survey (May-June, 2020). We assessed self-reported current mental health and psychological well-being and vision and hearing impairment. Logistic regression models with vision and hearing impairments as determinants and multiple mental health and well-being outcomes were used and adjusted for age, gender, race, education, heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. In preliminary analyses, we found associations of vision impairment with increased odds of generalized anxiety disorder (odds ratio=2.10; 95% confidence interval=1.32-3.29) and depression (2.57; 1.58-4.11). Individuals with a vision impairment were more likely to be taking medication for depression (1.75; 1.13-2.68), report being lonely (1.65; 1.00-2.64) and report hopelessness (1.45; 1.01-2.08). Individuals with a hearing impairment were more likely to be taking depression medications (1.72; 1.07-2.73) and to report being lonely (1.80; 1.05-2.98). Sensory impairment was not associated with stress levels or sense of purpose in life. Individuals with sensory impairment may represent a particularly vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should determine underlying reasons and interventions to mitigate this populations’ disadvantages.

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