scholarly journals Acute military psychiatric casualties from the war in Iraq

2005 ◽  
Vol 186 (6) ◽  
pp. 476-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Turner ◽  
Mathew D. Kiernan ◽  
Andrew G. McKechanie ◽  
Peter J. C. Finch ◽  
Frank B. McManus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Combat Stress ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Aeromedical Evacuation ◽  
Military Psychiatry ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundThe view that most military personnel evacuated from war zones are suffering from combat stress reactions, or are otherwise traumatised by the horrors of war, has an impact on all aspects of military psychiatry.AimsTo delineate the reasons for psychiatric aeromedical evacuation from Iraq from the start of build-up of UK forces in January 2003 until the end of October that year, 6 months after the end of formal hostilities.MethodA retrospective study was conducted of field and in-patient psychiatric assessments of 116 military personnel evacuated to the UK military psychiatric in-patient facility in Catterick Garrison.ResultsEvacuees were mainly non-combatants (69%). A significant proportion were in reserve service (21%) and had a history of contact with mental health services (37%). Only 3% had a combat stress reaction. In over 85% of cases evacuation was for low mood attributed to separation from friends or family, or difficulties adjusting to the environment.ConclusionsThese findings have implications especially for screening for suitability for deployment, and for understanding any longer-term mental health problems arising in veterans from Iraq.

A retrospective cohort study describing characteristics of those repeatedly detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act over a 5-year period and the association with past abuse

2021 ◽  
pp. 002580242110454
Author(s):  
Laureen Adewusi ◽  
Isabel Mark ◽  
Paige Wells ◽  
Aileen O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Past History ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Community Support ◽  
White Ethnicity ◽  
Demographic Profiles ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
History Of ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Uk

Individuals repeatedly detained under Section 136 (S136) of the Mental Health Act account for a significant proportion of all detentions. This study provides a detailed analysis of those repeatedly detained (‘repeat attenders’) to a London Mental Health Trust, identifying key demographic profiles when compared to non-repeat attenders, describing core clinical characteristics and determining to what degree a past history of abuse might be associated with these. All detentions to the S136 suite at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust over a 5-year period (2015–2020) were examined. Data were collected retrospectively from electronic records. A total of 1767 patients had been detained, with 81 patients identified as being a ‘repeat attenders’ (having had > = 3 detentions to the S136 suite during the study period). Repeat attenders accounted for 400 detentions, 17.7% of all detentions. Repeat attenders included a higher proportion of females (49.4%, p = 0.0001), compared to non-repeat attenders, and a higher proportion of them were of white ethnicity (85.2%, p = 0.001). 52 (64%) patients reported being a victim of past abuse or trauma. Of repeat attenders who reported past abuse or trauma, a high proportion had diagnoses of personality disorders, with deliberate self-harm as the most common reason for detention. They were more commonly discharged home with community support, rather than considered for hospital admission. In light of these findings, this paper discusses support potential strategies for those most vulnerable to repeated S136 detention, thereby minimising the ever-growing number of S136 detentions in the UK.

scholarly journals Mental health in COVID-19 survivors from a general hospital: association with sociodemographic, clinical, and inflammatory variables

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Huarcaya-Victoria ◽  
Jesica Barreto ◽  
Lucia Aire ◽  
Angela Podestá ◽  
Mónica Caqui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Distress Symptoms ◽  
Mental Symptoms ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background: The current COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic constitutes a significant problem for the world's public health and generates mental health problems.Objective: To describe the characteristics of mental health in survivors of COVID-19 and the main sociodemographic, clinical, and immune factors related.Method: A Cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted on 318 patients (196 women, mean age 54.4 ± 15.1 years) surviving COVID-19 from one hospital in Peru in which sociodemographic, clinical, and immune characteristics were explored. Through telephone interviews, an evaluation of the presence of depressive, anxious, somatic, and distress symptoms was carried out using standardized scales. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PRa) were estimated.Results: A significant proportion of the patients have depressive (30.3%), anxious (29.9%), somatic (33.7%), and distress (28.7%) symptoms. In the regression analysis, the variables associated with a higher frequency of clinically relevant mental symptoms were female sex (depression: aPR = 2.29; anxiety: PRa = 2.71; somatic symptoms: PRa = 2.04; distress: PRa = 2.11), proceeding outside the capital (depression: PRa = 1.61; anxiety: PRa = 1.53), the self-perception of a greater severity of the infection (depression: PRa = 5.53; anxiety: PRa = 2.29; distress: PRa = 14.78), the presence of persistent COVID-19 symptoms (depression: PRa = 8.55; anxiety: PRa = 11.38; somatic symptoms: PRa = 5.46; distress: PRa = 20.55), a history of psychiatric treatment (depression: PRa = 2.29; somatic symptoms: PRa = 2.90 ; distress: PRa = 3.80), the history of a family member infected by COVID-19 (anxiety: PRa = 4.71; somatic symptoms: PRa = 1.99), and a neutrophil-lymphocyte index greater than 6.5 (depression: PRa = 1.67; anxiety: PRa = 1.82).Conclusion: COVID-19 survivors show a high prevalence of negative mental symptoms. Some useful variables have been found when identifying vulnerable patients requiring psychiatric care.

scholarly journals Mental health of Kosovan Albanian refugees in the UK

2003 ◽  
Vol 182 (5) ◽  
pp. 444-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart W. Turner ◽  
Cameron Bowie ◽  
Graham Dunn ◽  
Laidon Shapo ◽  
William Yule
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundIn 1999 the UK received 4346 refugees from Kosovo.AimsTo determine the prevalence of mental health problems in this group.MethodA sample of 842 adults was surveyed. All were asked to complete self-report questionnaires (translated into Kosovan Albanian). A subset of 120 participants were later interviewed in Albanian using the Clinician Administered PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Scale and a depression interview.ResultsThe study yielded estimates of prevalence of PTSD and depression. Self-report measures appear to overestimate the prevalence of these disorders. Just under half of the group surveyed had a diagnosis of PTSD and less than one-fifth had a major depressive disorder.ConclusionsThese results may be taken as a sign of the resilience of many who survived this conflict but they also imply that there is still a substantial need for good health and social care in a significant proportion. Psychosocial interventions are likely to be an important part of the treatment programme.

Recovery Star: validating user recovery

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Dickens ◽  
Judy Weleminsky ◽  
Yetunde Onifade ◽  
Philip Sugarman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Addictive Behaviour ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
The Uk

Aims and methodMental Health Recovery Star is a multifaceted 10-item outcomes measure and key-working tool that has been widely adopted by service providers in the UK. We aimed to explore its factorial validity, internal consistency and responsiveness. Recovery Star readings were conducted twice with 203 working-age adults with moderate to severe mental health problems attending a range of mental health services, and a third time with 113 of these individuals.ResultsMental Health Recovery Star had high internal consistency and appeared to measure an underlying recovery-oriented construct. Results supported a valid two-factor structure which explained 48% of variance in Recovery Star ratings data. Two Recovery Star items (‘relationships’ and ‘addictive behaviour’) did not load onto either factor. There was good statistically significant item responsiveness, and no obvious item redundancy. Data for a small number of variables were not normally distributed and the implications of this are discussed.Clinical implicationsRecovery Star has been received enthusiastically by both mental health service providers and service users. This study provides further evidence for its adoption in recovery-focused mental health services and indicates that items relating to addictive behaviour, responsibilities and work could be further developed in future.

scholarly journals Survivors of Hell: Resilience Amongst Unaccompanied Minor Refugees and Implications for Treatment- a Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Mateos Rodriguez ◽  
Veronika Dobler
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Behaviour Problem ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
User Perspectives

AbstractApproximately half of the world’s displaced population are children and a significant proportion of these are unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). UASC are the most vulnerable of all refugee populations. Up to 90% of UASC have been subjected to exploitation, including trafficking or being drafted into military groups. Having survived the perils of flight, UASC are confronted with continued challenges, including the uncertainties regarding their residential rights in host counties. Unsurprisingly, the prevalence of mental health problems is higher amongst UASC than in any other refugee group. Yet, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) appears to neither reach nor engage UASC. This begs for re-examination of what and how MHPSS is offered. Despite high levels of adversity, UASC often have considerable resilience, and make remarkable recoveries. However, literature exploring their resources or their own views of what helps or hinders recovery is scarce. In this narrative review, we explore individual and systemic factors promoting recovery in UASC. We consider theoretical understanding of resilience, emerging data and user perspectives. From these we deduct four areas of resilience in UASC: Individual factors – prosocial behaviour, problem-solving skills; Lifetime relationships – positive early family relationships, connection with family and country of origin, positive peer and adult relationships in host country; Acculturation – integration of own and new culture, positive relationships with prosocial institutions; Care arrangements – supported but less restrictive living arrangements. We suggest, MHPSS may need to focus on enhancing social networks, including connectedness with positive relationships in the home-country, life-history work with a focus on resource-building experiences in addition to trauma, and promoting integration of old and new cultural values. We also conclude that despite growing data, there is a gap in both eliciting user perspectives and understanding adaptive resources, especially those emerging during early development and within their cultural setting.

scholarly journals Effects of Pregnancy Loss on Subsequent Postpartum Mental Health: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2179
Author(s):  
David C. Reardon ◽  
Christopher Craver
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Live Birth ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Reproductive Services ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mental Health Treatments ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Pregnancy loss, natural or induced, is linked to higher rates of mental health problems, but little is known about its effects during the postpartum period. This study identifies the percentages of women receiving at least one postpartum psychiatric treatment (PPT), defined as any psychiatric treatment (ICD-9 290-316) within six months of their first live birth, relative to their history of pregnancy loss, history of prior mental health treatments, age, and race. The population consists of young women eligible for Medicaid in states that covered all reproductive services between 1999–2012. Of 1,939,078 Medicaid beneficiaries with a first live birth, 207,654 (10.7%) experienced at least one PPT, and 216,828 (11.2%) had at least one prior pregnancy loss. A history of prior mental health treatments (MHTs) was the strongest predictor of PPT, but a history of pregnancy loss is also another important risk factor. Overall, women with a prior pregnancy loss were 35% more likely to require a PPT. When the interactions of prior mental health and prior pregnancy loss are examined in greater detail, important effects of these combinations were revealed. About 58% of those whose first MHT was after a pregnancy loss required PPT. In addition, over 99% of women with a history of MHT one year prior to their first pregnancy loss required PPT after their first live births. These findings reveal that pregnancy loss (natural or induced) is a risk factor for PPT, and that the timing of events and the time span for considering prior mental health in research on pregnancy loss can significantly change observed effects. Clinicians should screen for a convergence of a history of MHT and prior pregnancy loss when evaluating pregnant women, in order to make appropriate referrals for counseling.

scholarly journals Common Mental Disorders and Substance Use in School Children of Eastern Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
P Sharma ◽  
P Sharma ◽  
N Thakur ◽  
S Sharma ◽  
M Pokharel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
School Mental Health ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
History Of

Introduction: School mental health is one of the important areas where early detection can lead to appropriate early intervention and burden of disease can be minimized. There is dearth of prevalence studies of common mental disorders on school going adolescents in Nepal. Considering this we aimed to study the prevalence of common mental health problems and substance use in school going adolescents. Material And Method: We evaluated 240 students for common mental disorders (depression and anxiety) using translated version of PHQ-4 and substance use single validated question after taking consent from school authorities and assent from students. Results: It was seen that 68.8 % students had psychological distress. 22.9 % and 27.5% of students had anxiety and depression respectively on screener and 23.3% students had use of substance at least once within a year. When compared male had significantly higher number of substance use as compared to female but no difference in PHQ-4 scores were seen when compared between gender and history of substance use. Conclusion: The study shows the current scenario of school going adolescents in Nepal and highlights the need of prevalence data on more generalizable setting.

scholarly journals Predictors of clinical deterioration in patients with suspected COVID-19 managed in a ‘virtual hospital’ setting: a cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e045356
Author(s):  
Nick A Francis ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Matthew Knight ◽  
Rama Vancheeswaran ◽  
Charles Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Clinical Deterioration ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Remote Assessment ◽  
History Of

ObjectiveIdentify predictors of clinical deterioration in a virtual hospital (VH) setting for COVID-19.DesignReal-world prospective observational study.SettingVH remote assessment service in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, UK.ParticipantsPatients with suspected COVID-19 illness enrolled directly from the community (postaccident and emergency (A&E) or medical intake assessment) or postinpatient admission.Main outcome measureDeath or (re-)admission to inpatient hospital care during VH follow-up and for 2 weeks post-VH discharge.Results900 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 (455 referred from A&E or medical intake and 445 postinpatient) were included in the analysis. 76 (8.4%) of these experienced clinical deterioration (15 deaths in admitted patients, 3 deaths in patients not admitted and 58 additional inpatient admissions). Predictors of clinical deterioration were increase in age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) per year of age), history of cancer (OR 2.87 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.82)), history of mental health problems (OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.04)), severely impaired renal function (OR for eGFR <30=9.09 (95% CI 2.01 to 41.09)) and having a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result (OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.60)).ConclusionsThese predictors may help direct intensity of monitoring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who are being remotely monitored by primary or secondary care services. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and identify the reasons for increased risk of clinical deterioration associated with cancer and mental health problems.

Leveraging Twitter Using Artificial Intelligence to Explore Mental Health Insights in the UK During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Marshall ◽  
Kate Lanyi ◽  
Rhiannon Green ◽  
Georgie Wilkins ◽  
Fiona Pearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Key Topics ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND There is increasing need to explore the value of soft-intelligence, leveraged using the latest artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) techniques, as a source of analysed evidence to support public health research activity and decision-making. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to further explore the value of soft-intelligence analysed using AI through a case study, which examined a large collection of UK tweets relating to mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A search strategy comprising a list of terms related to mental health, COVID-19, and lockdown restrictions was developed to prospectively collate relevant tweets via Twitter’s advanced search application programming interface over a 24-week period. We deployed a specialist NLP platform to explore tweet frequency and sentiment across the UK and identify key topics of discussion. A series of keyword filters were used to clean the initial data retrieved and also set up to track specific mental health problems. Qualitative document analysis was carried out to further explore and expand upon the results generated by the NLP platform. All collated tweets were anonymised RESULTS We identified and analysed 286,902 tweets posted from UK user accounts from 23 July 2020 to 6 January 2021. The average sentiment score was 50%, suggesting overall neutral sentiment across all tweets over the study period. Major fluctuations in volume and sentiment appeared to coincide with key changes to any local and/or national social-distancing measures. Tweets around mental health were polarising, discussed with both positive and negative sentiment. Key topics of consistent discussion over the study period included the impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health (both positively and negatively), fear and anxiety over lockdowns, and anger and mistrust toward the government. CONCLUSIONS Through the primary use of an AI-based NLP platform, we were able to rapidly mine and analyse emerging health-related insights from UK tweets into how the pandemic may be impacting people’s mental health and well-being. This type of real-time analysed evidence could act as a useful intelligence source that agencies, local leaders, and health care decision makers can potentially draw from, particularly during a health crisis.

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