scholarly journals Co-Designing a Mobile Application to Improve Mental Health and Well-being: Focus Group Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felwah Alqahtani ◽  
Andrea Winn ◽  
Rita Orji
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
End Users ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Relaxation Exercises ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND Recent advances in mobile technology have created opportunities to develop mobile applications (apps) to aid and assist people in achieving various health and wellness goals. Mental health apps hold significant potential to assist people suffering from various mental health issues at any time they may need it, considering the ubiquitous nature of mobile phones. However, there is a need for research exploring and understanding end-users’ perceptions, needs, and concerns with respect to such technologies. OBJECTIVE The goal of this paper is to explore the opinions, perceptions, preferences, and experiences of people who have experienced some forms of mental health issues based on self-diagnosis to inform the design of a next-generation mental health app that would be significantly more engaging and effective than currently available apps at improving mental health and well-being. METHODS We conducted six focus-group sessions with people who have experienced mental health issues based on self-diagnosis (Average age= 26.7, N = 32, 50% male, 50% female). We asked participants about their experiences with mental health issues and their viewpoints regarding two existing mental health apps (Happify app and the Self-Help Anxiety Management app). Finally, participants engaged in a design session where they each sketched a design for their ideal mental health and well-being mobile app. RESULTS Our findings revealed that participants used some strategies to deal with their mental health issues: 1) doing something to distract themselves from their current negative mood, 2) using relaxation exercises and methods to relieve symptoms, 3) interacting with others to share their issues, 4) looking for an external source to solve their problem, and 5) motivating themselves by repeating motivational sentences to support themselves or by following inspirational people. Moreover, regarding the design of mental health apps, participants identified that 1) general design characteristics, 2) personalization of the app, including 3) tracking and feedback, 4) live support, and 5) social community, and providing 6) motivational content and 7) relaxation exercises are the most important features users want in a mental health app. In contrast, including 8) games, 9) relaxation audio, 10) the Google map function, 11) personal assistance to provide suggestions, 12) goal setting, and 13) privacy preserving were surprisingly the least requested features. CONCLUSIONS Understanding end-users’ needs and concerns about mental health apps will inform the future design of mental health apps that are useful and used by many people. CLINICALTRIAL

Communicating about suicide during a global pandemic: impact on journalists and media audiences

2020 ◽  
pp. 1329878X2095641
Author(s):  
Alexandra Wake ◽  
Elizabeth Paton ◽  
Rebecca Pryor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Media Audiences ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Personal Stress ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Accurate Reporting

COVID-19 has brought with it an increase in predictions of mental ill-health and suicide impacts in Australia. For journalists, it has been a period not only of personal stress about their economic livelihoods and occupational safety, but also balancing providing up to date information about the pandemic with safe, sensitive and accurate reporting on associated suicide and mental health issues. Mindframe offers guidelines, resources and individualised support to help manage the complexities of reporting on suicide in this global pandemic, working with media to protect people in their audience who are vulnerable to suicide while also helping journalists protect their own mental health and well being.

scholarly journals How do Norwegian adolescents experience the role of social media in relation to mental health and well-being: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland ◽  
Viktor Schønning ◽  
Randi Træland Hella ◽  
Marius Veseth ◽  
Jens Christoffer Skogen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background During the last decade, social media has permeated most parts of society. Adolescents are particularly active users of social media, and their use has been suggested as a contributing factor to mental health issues in this group. Quantitative studies have found associations between the frequency and/or duration of social media use and more mental health issues. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the identified associations are weak and of questionable practical significance. The aim of this study was to investigate adolescents’ lived experiences of using social media, focusing on both negative and positive aspects, using a qualitative approach. Qualitative research enables in-depth explorations of the experiences of individuals, nuance quantitative findings, and offer the perspective of adolescents into policies regarding social media use. Methods Experiences and perspectives of 27 adolescents from two senior high schools in Norway were gathered using focus group interviews (mean age 16.8, range 15–18). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results According to the participants, social media use catalyse changes to how people communicate and relate to each other (theme 1). Some changes were positive, in terms of facilitating social connectedness, while others were negative, such as people behaving worse than in face-to-face interactions. Further, social media use affected the participants at the individual level (theme 2); positively in terms of a sense of belonging and social support, and negatively in terms of perceived stress, body pressure, and displacing other activities such as sleep and homework. The motivations for using, or not using, social media were multifaceted (theme 3), reflecting the positive and negative aspects of social media in terms of interpersonal and personal consequences. Conclusion Social media was described as an important part of the participants’ everyday life, with both a positive and negative impact on their mental health and well-being. Considering the compelling nature of social media and adolescents’ relatively limited self-regulatory capacities, efforts to modify social media use should avoid relying on self-regulation, while also recognizing the importance of social media as an arena for peer interaction.

scholarly journals Workplace-based interventions to promote healthy lifestyles in the NHS workforce: a rapid scoping and evidence map

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (18) ◽  
pp. 1-82
Author(s):  
Gary Raine ◽  
Sian Thomas ◽  
Mark Rodgers ◽  
Kath Wright ◽  
Alison Eastwood
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Evidence Map ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background The health and well-being of staff working in the NHS is a significant issue for UK health care. We sought to identify research relevant to the promotion of healthy lifestyles among NHS staff on behalf of NHS England. Objectives To map existing reviews on workplace-based interventions to promote health and well-being, and to assess the scope for further evidence synthesis work. Design Rapid and responsive scoping search and evidence map. Participants Adult employees in any occupational setting and in any role. Interventions Any intervention aimed at promoting or maintaining physical or mental health and well-being. Early intervention initiatives and those addressing violence against staff, workplace bullying or harassment were also included. Main outcome measures Any outcome related to the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness or implementation of interventions. Data sources A scoping search of nine databases was conducted to identify systematic reviews on health and well-being at work. Searches were limited by publication date (2000 to January/February 2019). Review methods The titles and abstracts of over 8241 records were screened and a total of 408 potentially relevant publications were identified. Information on key characteristics were extracted from the titles and abstracts of all potentially relevant publications. Descriptive statistics (counts and percentages) for key characteristics were generated and data from reviews and ‘reviews of reviews’ were used to produce the evidence map. Results Evidence related to a broad range of physical and mental health issues was identified across 12 ‘reviews of reviews’ and 312 other reviews, including 16 Cochrane reviews. There also exists National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance addressing multiple issues of potential relevance. A large number of reviews focused on mental health, changing lifestyle behaviour, such as physical activity, or on general workplace health/health promotion. Most of the reviews that focused only on health-care staff addressed mental health issues, and stress/burnout in particular. Limitations The scoping search process was extensive and clearly effective at identifying relevant publications, but the strategy used may not have identified every potentially relevant review. Owing to the large number of potentially relevant reviews identified from the scoping search, it was necessary to produce the evidence map using information from the titles and abstracts of reviews only. Conclusions It is doubtful that further evidence synthesis work at this stage would generate substantial new knowledge, particularly within the context of the NHS Health and Wellbeing Framework[NHS England. Workforce Health and Wellbeing Framework. 2018. URL: www.nhsemployers.org/-/media/Employers/Publications/Health-and-wellbeing/NHS-Workforce-HWB-Framework_updated-July-18.pdf (accessed 10 January 2019)] published in 2018. Additional synthesis work may be useful if it addressed an identifiable need and it was possible to identify one of the following: (1) a specific and focused research question arising from the current evidence map; it may then be appropriate to focus on a smaller number of reviews only, and provide a more thorough and critical assessment of the available evidence; and (2) a specific gap in the literature (i.e. an issue not already addressed by existing reviews or guidance); it may then be possible to undertake further literature searching and conduct a new evidence review. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 18. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals Health and well-being of Nepalese migrant workers abroad

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratik Adhikary ◽  
Zoë A. Sheppard ◽  
Steven Keen ◽  
Edwin van Teijlingen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Factory Workers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Purpose Although South Asia is a growing supplier of migrant labour, there is a paucity of research on the health and well-being of male Nepalese migrant workers. The purpose of this paper is to assess the health and mental well-being of Nepalese construction and factory workers employed in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire administered, in and around Nepal’s international airport, to 403 migrants who had worked for over six months in their host countries. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with self-reported health status and mental health symptoms. Findings Over 13 per cent reported poor or very poor health and nearly a quarter reported mental health issues. Whilst age and exercise were significantly associated with health status, poor work environments and perceived health risks were associated with both mental health issues and health status. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to males only and those working in the factories and the construction industry. To improve migrant health and mental well-being, Nepalese and host governments should consider mandatory health insurance and a range of pre-departure and arrival education around general literacy, mental health assessments and workplace health and safety. Originality/value There have been no known studies on the health and well-being of Nepalese migrant construction and factory workers in the Middle East and Malaysia. The strong association between self-reported poor health and perceived work environment is an important issue that policy makers in Nepal and destination countries should address.

scholarly journals Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being of Education Students: A Policy Issue Paper

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 328-337
Author(s):  
ALMA SONIA SANCHEZ-DANDAY
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Methodological Triangulation ◽  
Practice Teaching ◽  
Health And Well Being

Education students face various challenges and depressive situations from their admission to their practice teaching experience. This case study examined how an institution addressed the issues on mental health and well-being of the students through its policy initiatives and sought to identify which policy alternative is best to address mental health issues and psychological distress among education students. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the institution’s position and ensure trustworthiness of the results, a methodological triangulation was done. Themes were generated from the data collected through document analysis, observations, and interviews. Results revealed the inadequacy of the provisions of the university code and student handbook to address mental health issues of students, the absence of a clear program and school prevention support, and the existence of Waray habits which restrain a proactive approach to solve similar issues. The study concludes that dealing with these issues on a case-to-case basis necessitates the provision of parameters to guide its stakeholders. From among the five policy options analyzed, the study recommended the development of a comprehensive campus-based mental health and well-being program that will ensure students’ mental and emotional preparedness in facing the rigors of their chosen profession.

The Mental Health Implications of Britain's Conservative Party Immigration Plan

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas G. Procter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Conservative Party ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Implications ◽  
Immigration Laws ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health And Well Being

This paper examines mental health issues surrounding Tory Party plans to radically change Britains' immigration laws making the processes attendant upon seeking asylum tougher for those who try. By looking beyond taken-forgranted assumptions associated with refugees and asylum seeking, a number of questions emerge from the Tory Party Plans. The mental health implications of the Tory Party plan for mandatory detention and processing according to quota rather than need are that individual suffering of asylum seekers is likely to be detrimental to individual mental health and well-being.

scholarly journals How do Norwegian Adolescents Experience The Role of Social Media in Relation to Mental Health and Well-Being: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland ◽  
Viktor Schønning ◽  
Randi Træland Hella ◽  
Marius Veseth ◽  
Jens Christoffer Skogen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background: During the last decade, social media has permeated most parts of society. Adolescents are particularly active users of social media, and their use has been suggested as a contributing factor to mental health issues in this group. Quantitative studies have found associations between the frequency and/or duration of social media use and more mental health issues. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the identified associations are weak and of questionable practical significance. The aim of this study was to investigate adolescents’ lived experiences of using social media, focusing on both negative and positive aspects, using a qualitative approach. Qualitative research enables in-depth explorations of the experiences of individuals, nuance quantitative findings, and offer the perspective of adolescents into policies regarding social media use.Methods: Experiences and perspectives of 27 adolescents from two upper secondary schools in Norway were gathered using focus group interviews (mean age 16.8, range 15-18). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: According to the participants, social media use catalyse changes to how people communicate and relate to each other (theme 1). Some changes were positive, in terms of facilitating social connectedness, while others were negative, such as people behaving worse than in face-to-face interactions. Further, social media use affected the participants at the individual level (theme 2); positively in terms of a sense of belonging and social support, and negatively in terms of perceived stress, body pressure, and displacing other activities such as sleep and homework. The motivations for using, or not using, social media were multifaceted (theme 3), reflecting the positive and negative aspects of social media in terms of interpersonal and personal consequences.Conclusion: Social media was described as an important part of the participants’ everyday life, with both a positive and negative impact on their mental health and well-being. Considering the compelling nature of social media and adolescents’ relatively limited self-regulatory capacities, efforts to modify social media use should avoid relying on self-regulation, while also recognizing the importance of social media as an arena for peer interaction.

scholarly journals Insights from user reviews to improve mental health apps

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 2042-2066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felwah Alqahtani ◽  
Rita Orji
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
User Reviews ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Applications

Mental health applications hold great promise as interventions for addressing common mental issues. Although many people with mental health issues use mobile app interventions, their adherence level remains low. Low engagement affects the effectiveness of mobile interventions. However, there is still a dearth of research to explain the reasons for low engagement. User experience and usability are two factors that determine the adoption and usage of apps. Analyzing user reviews of mobile apps for mental health issues reveals user experience and what features users liked and disliked in the apps and hence informs future app design and refinements. This research aims to analyze user reviews of publicly available mental health applications to uncover their strengths, weaknesses, and gaps, hence revealing why users are likely to cease using these applications. We mined reviews of 106 mental health apps retrieved from Apple’s App Store and Google Play and employed thematic analysis on 13,549 reviews. The review analysis shows that users placed more emphasis on the user interface and the user-friendliness of the app. Users also appreciated apps that present them with a variety of options, functionalities, and content that they can choose. Again, apps that offer adaptive functionalities that allow users to adapt some app features also received high ratings. In contrast, poor usability emerged as the most common reason for abandoning mental health apps. Other pitfalls include lack of a content variety, lack of personalization, lack of customer service and trust, and security and privacy issues.

scholarly journals Participation in community gardening: Sowing the seeds of well-being

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742199438
Author(s):  
Melinda J. Suto ◽  
Shelagh Smith ◽  
Natasha Damiano ◽  
Shurli Channe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Supported Housing ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Gardening ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Background. Sustaining well-being challenges people with serious mental health issues. Community gardening is an occupation used to promote clients’ well-being, yet there is limited evidence to support this intervention. Purpose. This paper examines how facilitated community gardening programs changed the subjective well-being and social connectedness of people living with mental health issues. Method. A community-based participatory research approach and qualitative methods were used with 23 adults living in supported housing and participating in supported community gardening programs. A constructivist approach guided inductive data analysis. Findings. Participation in community gardening programs enhanced well-being through welcoming places, a sense of belonging, and developing positive feelings through doing. The connection to living things and responsibility for plants grounded participants in the present and offered a unique venue for learning about gardening and themselves. Implications. Practitioners and service-users should collaborate to develop leadership, programs, places, and processes within community gardens to enhance well-being.

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.

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