scholarly journals Gaming your mental health: mitigating depression and anxiety symptoms via commercial video games (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kowal ◽  
Eoin Conroy ◽  
Niall Ramsbottom ◽  
Tim Smithies ◽  
Adam Toth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Subsequent Increase ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Health Disorders

UNSTRUCTURED Globally, depression and anxiety are the two most prevalent mental health disorders. Depression and anxiety occur both acutely and chronically, with various symptoms commonly expressed sub-clinically. The mental health treatment gap and stigma associated with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are common issues encountered worldwide. Given the economic and healthcare service burden of mental illness, there is a heightened demand for accessible and cost-effective methods that prevent and facilitate coping with mental health illness. This demand has only become exacerbated following the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent increase in incidence of mental health disorders. To address these demands, a growing body of research is exploring alternative solutions to traditional mental health treatment. Commercial video games have been shown to impart cognitive benefits to those that play regularly (ie attentional control, cognitive flexibility and information processing). In this paper, we specifically focus on mental health benefits from the use of commercial video games for tackling depression and anxiety symptoms. In the light of the current research, we conclude that commercial video games show great promise as an inexpensive, readily accessible, internationally available, effective and stigma free resource for the mitigation of some mental health issues in the absence of, or as an addition to, more traditional therapeutic treatments.

scholarly journals Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among General Hospital Employees in need of Mental Health Treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilson Silva ◽  
Anderson Sousa Martins da Silva ◽  
Lucas Pequeno Galvao ◽  
Julio Torales ◽  
Antonio Ventriglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Education Levels

Background Depression and anxiety are common and disabling mental disorders worldwide. It has been described a high prevalence of these disorders among health professionals. Aim This study aimed to investigate the association between occupation and depressive/anxiety symptoms, education levels, among professionals from a Brazilian General Hospital in need of mental health treatment. Methods This is a longitudinal twelve-years retrospective study, involving health professionals. Socio-demographic data were collected as well as two standardized scales for depression and anxiety symptoms. Results Data from 506 employees needing a mental health intervention have been described: mean age was 34.6 years, 46.2% of them worked in the administrative sector, 35.0% were nursing assistants, 7.5% were nursing technicians, 6.7% were nurses, and 4.5% reported other occupations. According to the ICD-10 criteria, the rates of diagnosis of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders were 60.9% and 37%, respectively. Conclusions The rate of depression and anxiety is higher among health professionals than the general population. Thus, specific programs of prevention based on resilience, continuing education and health promotion are needed.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Criminal and Legal Involvement After Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Among Veterans: Building Toward Needed Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117822181990128
Author(s):  
Christine Timko ◽  
Amia Nash ◽  
Mandy D Owens ◽  
Emmeline Taylor ◽  
Andrea K Finlay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Effective Treatments

Evidence indicates that substance use and mental health treatment is often associated with reduced criminal activity. The present systematic review examined this association among military veterans, and aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of needed research to further contribute to reduced criminal activity among veterans. This systematic review was derived from a scoping review that mapped existing research on justice-involved veterans’ health. For the current systematic review, a subset of 20 publications was selected that addressed the question of whether criminal activity declines among veterans treated for substance use and mental health disorders. Generally, veterans improved on criminal outcomes from pre- to post-treatment for opioid use, other substance use, or mental health conditions, and more sustained treatment was associated with better outcomes. This occurred despite high rates of criminal involvement among veterans prior to entering treatment. Needed are substance use and mental health treatment studies that include women justice-involved veterans, follow criminally-active veterans for longer periods of time, and use validated and reliable measures of criminal activity with fully transparent statistical procedures. Future randomized trials should evaluate new treatments against evidence-based treatments (versus no-treatment control conditions). Subsequent studies should examine how to link veterans to effective treatments, facilitate sustained treatment engagement, and ensure the availability of effective treatments, and examine mechanisms (mediators and moderators) that explain the association of treatment with reduced criminal activity among veterans. Best practices are needed for reducing criminal activity among the minority of justice-involved veterans who do not have diagnosed substance use and/or mental health disorders.

scholarly journals Gaming your mental health: A narrative review on mitigating depression and anxiety symptoms via commercial video games (Preprint)

10.2196/26575 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kowal ◽  
Eoin Conroy ◽  
Niall Ramsbottom ◽  
Tim Smithies ◽  
Adam Toth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Depression And Anxiety

scholarly journals Treating Illness Distress in Chronic Illness

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna L. Hudson ◽  
Rona Moss-Morris
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Behavioral Mechanisms ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety recommended for those with and without physical long-term conditions (LTCs). However, the cognitive-behavioral mechanisms targeted in CBT protocols are based on empirical cognitive-behavioral models of depression and anxiety. In these models, emotions are conceptualized as primary mental health disorders rather than a reaction to the challenges of living with a LTC commonly referred to as illness distress. This raises important clinical questions with theoretical implications. These include: Is the experience of illness distress conceptually distinct from primary mental health diagnoses of anxiety and mood disorder? Are there unique cognitive-behavioral mechanisms related to illness self-management, which should be incorporated into CBT for illness distress? How can illness self-management interventions be embedded within existing CBT protocols for depression and anxiety? To address these questions, we distinguish between primary mental health disorders and illness distress conceptually and explore the impact of this on tailored treatment planning and engagement. Second, we review how health psychology theoretical models can help to inform modifications of existing cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety and depression to better support the needs of individuals experiencing illness distress. Third, we provide examples of how to embed processes important for illness self-management including, illness cognitions and adherence, alongside existing CBT techniques. The mechanisms and intervention techniques discussed may help to inform the development of integrated CBT treatments for illness distress for future hypothesis testing in comparative effectiveness trials.

scholarly journals Mental health disorders and utilization of mental healthcare services in United Nations personnel

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D. Brown ◽  
Katharina Schultebraucks ◽  
Meng Qian ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
Danny Horesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Disorder ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Health Disorders

Abstract Background United Nations (UN) personnel address a diverse range of political, social, and cultural crises throughout the world. Compared with other occupations routinely exposed to traumatic stress, there remains a paucity of research on mental health disorders and access to mental healthcare in this population. To fill this gap, personnel from UN agencies were surveyed for mental health disorders and mental healthcare utilization. Methods UN personnel (N = 17 363) from 11 UN entities completed online measures of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma exposure, mental healthcare usage, and socio-demographic information. Results Exposure to one or more traumatic events was reported by 36.2% of survey responders. Additionally, 17.9% screened positive for GAD, 22.8% for MDD, and 19.9% for PTSD. Employing multivariable logistic regressions, low job satisfaction, younger age (<35 years of age), greater length of employment, and trauma exposure on or off-duty was significantly associated with all the three disorders. Among individuals screening positive for a mental health disorder, 2.05% sought mental health treatment within and 10.01% outside the UN in the past year. Conclusions UN personnel appear to be at high risk for trauma exposure and screening positive for a mental health disorder, yet a small percentage screening positive for mental health disorders sought treatment. Despite the mental health gaps observed in this study, additional research is needed, as these data reflect a large sample of convenience and it cannot be determined if the findings are representative of the UN.

scholarly journals Mental health issues of the medical workforce during COVID-19: a review

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Domenicano
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Medical Workforce ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Disorders

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency. As we write, the world counts more than 10 million positive cases and more than 500 thousand deaths. The difficult conditions faced by healthcare workers helping with the COVID-19 pandemic are leading to severe adverse mental health consequences.The aim of this review is to summarize and analyze the mental health issues that healthcare workers are experiencing during the COVID-19 outbreak. We conduct a systematic literature review to investigate the healthcare workforce’s mental health disorders. About 145 articles were retrieved for the period between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020. After screening, 27 articles were selected for full-text examination, 13 were included in the review. Of the studies included, 69% (9/13) and 61% (8/13) investigated depression and anxiety, respectively, although other mental health disorders such as insomnia, distress, stress, and fear were also assessed. Most of the healthcare workers in the studies reported high levels of stress, anxiety, and severe symptoms of depressions.Caregivers are working under high levels of pressure, in a high-risk environment, and are dealing with many physical and psychological challenges. Appropriate actions and well-timed psychological support to protect medical workers’ mental health should be considered.

scholarly journals The prevalence, incidence, prognosis and risk factors for depression and anxiety in a UK cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru Jia ◽  
Kieran Ayling ◽  
Trudie Chalder ◽  
Adam Massey ◽  
Norina Gasteiger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Mood ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Population Mental Health ◽  
Health Disorders

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had profound immediate impacts on population mental health. However, in whom the effects may be prolonged is less clear. Aims: To investigate the prevalence, incidence, prognosis, and risk factors for depression and anxiety reported in a UK cohort over three distinct periods in the pandemic in 2020. Method: An online survey was distributed to a UK community cohort (n=3097) at three points: April (baseline), July-September (T2) and November-December (T3). Participants completed validated measures of depression and anxiety on each occasion and we prospectively explored the role of socio-demographic factors and psychological factors (loneliness, positive mood, perceived risk of and worry about COVID-19) as risk factors. Results: Depression (PHQ-9 means - baseline: 7.69, T2: 5.53, T3: 6.06) and anxiety scores (GAD-7 means -baseline: 6.59, T2: 4.60, T3: 4.98) were considerably greater than pre-pandemic population norms. Women reported greater depression and anxiety than men. Being younger, having prior mental health disorders, more negative life events due to COVID-19, as well as greater loneliness and lower positive mood at baseline were significant predictors of poorer mental health outcomes. Conclusion: The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has persisted to some degree. Younger people and individuals with prior mental health disorders were at greatest risk. Easing of restrictions might bring the opportunity for a return to social interaction, which could mitigate the risk factors of loneliness and positive mood.

Compass

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-235
Author(s):  
Aurora Cristina Bunn Vieira da Silva ◽  
Juliana Bueno
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Functional Prototype

Abstract Depression and anxiety are common mental health disorders worldwide. People with psychiatric disorders often lack the ability to deal with aspects/activities of daily life. This article describes the development of the Compass app, an app designed to help individuals suffering from mental health disorders. The app presents organizational and planning tools to improve the daily life of these individuals, and, consequently, their well-being. A user-centered design approach was employed in the development of the app, and design requirements were established based on the literature on Mental Health, Psychology, Information and Graphic Design. A functional prototype of the app was created for user testing, and a satisfaction questionnaire was conducted with potential users. The results showed that Compass was a useful and usable app, and that its interface design was easy to interact with and navigate. The results also showed that there were some problems with the design of the app. These problems were taken into consideration in the redesign stage and led to improvements.

scholarly journals Understanding Refugee Mental Health and Employment Issues: Implications for Social Work Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Disney ◽  
Jane McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Refugee Mental Health ◽  
Policy Work ◽  
Health Disorders

Resettled refugees have high rates of some mental health disorders, such as PTSD and MDD, largely due to trauma histories and current resettlement stressors. Resettled refugees also have employment struggles that are unique to their status as refugees. This article provides overviews of refugee mental health and refugee employment issues with a specific focus on how these factors are interrelated in U.S. resettled refugee populations. The article describes prevalence rates of mental health disorders among refugees, barriers that limit refugees’ access to mental health treatment, and evidence-based mental health. Additionally, prevalence rates of refugee unemployment and underemployment are reported, along with barriers to adequate refugee employment. The article concludes with recommendations for social work professionals in their practices with resettled refugees in multiple settings: clinical practice, refugee resettlement, policy work, and research.

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