Potential Factors of Mental Health Challenges During COVID-19 on the Young People in Dhaka, Bangladesh

In this manuscript, we perform a Chi-square association test to find whether there is an association between the quarrelsome environment in the residence and mental health challenge and the corresponding p-value found to be 0.011, which is statistically significant. In addition, we fit a logistic model to determine the factors influencing mental health challenges during the pandemic. The model shows that age, number of leaving home during the past 14 days, the effectiveness of work from home or online class, and feeling in response to COVID-19 are the significant factors affect the odds that a participant faces mental health challenges.

91 Mental Health Burden of Adolescents with Dysautonomia

Background Dysautonomia of Adolescence (DAOA) results from a dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system during puberty and affects multiple organ systems in the body. Symptoms have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL) with many adolescents reporting a poorer QoL compared to other pediatric chronic illness populations. Furthermore, there is a paucity of research looking at underlying mental health conditions in patients with DAOA that might be contributing to poor QoL. Objectives The aim of this review was to characterize the underlying mental health status of patients with DAOA followed in a tertiary care DAOA Clinic. Design/Methods Single-centre retrospective chart review (January 2017-November 2019) of all current patients followed in a tertiary care DAOA Clinic. Mental health challenges were classified as significant symptoms reported and/or formal diagnosis of anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, somatization, mood disorders, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Frequency tables were generated for all categorical variables. Results Seventy-three patients are currently being followed in the DAOA clinic. Fifty-five of 73 (75%) had some form of mental health challenge including 11 (15%) which had a history of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, 12 (17%) had no mental health concerns, and 6 (8%) are unknown. Of the 55 patients with a mental health challenge, 27 (49%) were diagnosed with a mental health condition prior to formal DAOA diagnosis and 10 (18%) were diagnosed after DAOA diagnosis. Eighteen (14%) reported symptoms of a mental health challenge but no confirmed mental health diagnosis. A breakdown of mental health symptoms and diagnoses are shown in Table 1. Of the 73 current patients, 41 (56%) accessed psychology services either through the DAOA Clinic or in the community, 9 (12%) have been referred to other health care services, and 8 (11%) did not access services. Psychiatric services were required by 15 patients (21%). Conclusion Three-quarters of DAOA patients report some mental health challenges. This emphasizes the need for psychology to support patients with DAOA. It is unclear as to whether a mental health challenge exacerbates symptoms of DAOA or DAOA symptoms negatively impact their mental health.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a major public health and mental health challenge and claims as many as one million lives worldwide each year. It is also an individual tragedy with devastating consequences for family members, friends, and others who have been bereaved. Attempted suicide and suicidal behaviour are even more common. In recent years there has been an enormous amount of research and a growing realization that suicide can be prevented. There are approaches that we can use at societal and individual levels which will potentially save lives. This book provides a comprehensive but concise overview of the field of suicide prevention. It places suicide in a historical context before highlighting its complexity and possible causes. It goes on to discuss public health strategies and policy as well as psychological and pharmacological approaches to treatment and prevention. It also includes guidance for assessing people who present to services with suicidal thoughts or behaviours, along with a number of case vignettes. Suicide bereavement and technology-based approaches to intervention are discussed, and frequently asked questions on topics as diverse as enquiring about suicidal thoughts, rational suicide, and suicide terrorism are answered. This text is practical in its focus but strongly evidence-based and will be relevant to all those with an interest in preventing suicide.

The role of television in perceptions of dangerousness

PurposeThis critical review of historical and contemporary literature explores the role of television media in the prevalence of stigma towards persons experiencing a mental health challenge. In addition to this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the notion of perceived dangerousness, which is a concept where persons with mental illness are thought by others to be inherently dangerous.Design/methodology/approachA vigorous search of databases was undertaken for articles published between 2000 and 2016. Some seminal literature prior to 2000 was used to compare historical data with current literature. In total, 1,037 publications were reviewed against inclusion criteria.FindingsWhile mental illness stigma has received much attention in the literature, television media and public perceptions of dangerousness have not. While these concepts are complex and multi-factorial, what we do understand is that approaches to address stigma have been largely unsuccessful, and that persons experiencing mental health challenges continue to be significantly disadvantaged.Practical implicationsImplications to practice for clinicians working in mental health on this issue have not been adequately explored within the literature. While media guidelines assist journalists to make informed choices when they portray mental health issues in television news, there are no such guidelines to inform drama television viewing.Originality/valueSignificantly, television’s role in perpetuation of perceptions of dangerousness has not been adequately explored as a combined co-occurring factor associated with the stigmatisation and avoidance of persons experiencing a mental health challenge. In an era when mental health challenges are on the rise, it is of great importance that we collectively seek to minimise negative impacts and improve the experiences of those with a mental health challenge through addressing stigma both individually and in television media.