Wellness Interventions in Psychiatrically Ill Patients: Impact of WILD 5 Wellness, a Five-Domain Mental Health Wellness Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and Wellness.

Purpose/Background Adolescent mental health is a growing concern, with anxiety disorders being particularly prevalent among high school students. Left untreated, anxiety can significantly impact academic performance, social functioning, and long-term mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, highlighting the critical need for effective screening and intervention strategies. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a validated tool for identifying anxiety disorders, yet its application in high school settings is limited. This scoping review explores the effectiveness of GAD-7 in increasing mental health referrals and improving anxiety outcomes in high school students. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Scopus databases, focusing on studies published between 2014 and 2024. Inclusion criteria targeted peer-reviewed articles evaluating GAD-7 implementation in adolescents aged 14–19 years, with measurable outcomes such as mental health referral rates and anxiety symptom reduction. Studies not meeting these criteria or published in languages other than English were excluded. Four articles meeting the inclusion criteria were critically appraised and synthesized. Results The review revealed that three of the four studies demonstrated significant increases in mental health referrals following GAD-7 implementation. Two studies reported reductions in anxiety symptoms among students referred to mental health services. The GAD-7 consistently showed reliability in identifying moderate to severe anxiety cases, facilitating earlier intervention and access to mental health resources. Implications for Nursing Practice Integrating the GAD-7 into high school settings can address gaps in adolescent mental health care by promoting early identification and timely referrals. These findings support the development of school-based mental health programs incorporating the GAD-7 to mitigate long- term consequences of untreated anxiety and enhance overall student well-being. Further research is recommended to explore the tool’s long-term impact and cost-effectiveness in diverse educational settings.

Conversion practice recall and mental health symptoms in sexual and gender minority adults in the USA: a cross-sectional study

<p><b>Abstract Background: Migrants face specific mental health pressures. In addition, being a woman migrant might increase challenges. Digital tools for mental health and wellbeing (DTMH) have shown the potential to support people’s mental health and overcome some barriers to mental health care. However, there is limited research regarding how DTMH can better support migrants' mental health, and I identified no research about how DTMH can better support the mental health of women migrants in New Zealand. Aim: To investigate how DTMH can better support migrant women’s mental health in New Zealand with a particular focus on Brazilian women.</b></p> <p>Methods: I used a critical realist approach and sequential mixed-methods, comprising an online survey (n =104) and semi-structured interviews (n=10). Women who migrated to Aotearoa New Zealand at 18 years or over completed a brief online survey (n=104). Survey participants could opt in to be invited for semi-structured interviews to explore the topics more deeply; 48 did so. I purposely selected 10 Brazilian migrant women with varied experiences for the interviews. All 10 agreed and were interviewed. I used descriptive statistics to analyse the online survey data and an inductive thematic analysis to examine the semi-structured interviews. Survey findings were used to refine and focus interview questions as well as to select the interviewees. After each set of results was analysed, I triangulated the data and created a joint display to present the integrated findings on my primary research questions.</p> <p>Findings: Data from the online survey and semi-structured interviews demonstrated that being a migrant in Aotearoa New Zealand is hard and Brazilian migrant women (as well as migrant women, in general) are under pressure. Many seek help for their mental wellbeing; however, they experience this as a challenging journey. Many use digital resources to support their mental health. However, rather than using DTMH, which were built purposely to support mental health, they often used social media and internet resources to help connect to others and find social support. Integrated findings highlighted that they were open to DTMH but had usually found these unsatisfying or inaccessible (paid content). There were two key areas of insight regarding how DTMH could better meet participants needs. First, better promotion to increase DTMH reach, so migrant communities are aware of these resources. Second, improving DTMH engagement, improving features of the tools themselves such as increased chat or communication features, being free, and including a focus on active steps for mental wellbeing. There were key findings outside the primary research question: experiences of racism and discrimination were a key cause of distress, and many experienced a lack of culturally competent health care in Aotearoa New Zealand. Conclusions: This exploratory mixed-methods research suggests that Digital Tools for Mental Health have promise for supporting migrant women’s mental wellbeing. However, tailored promotion and specific areas of development of the tools appear important for Brazilian women in New Zealand. These findings can help support the wellbeing of this group and offer insights that may be valuable for supporting other migrant minorities. Keywords: migrant, immigrant, woman, digital, tools, mental health, wellbeing.</p>

Talbott and Financing Policy: Reducing Fragmentation

While active monitoring of adolescent menstrual and mental health is advocated, research on their possible bidirectional relationship is limited. This study examines the association between adolescent dysmenorrhea and psychological symptoms. Cross-sectional study. 116 schools in Stockholm, Sweden. 1054 postmenarchal school girls (mean age 14.1 ± 0.7) randomly sampled from a population of 10 299 lower-secondary pupils in a school-based project. A self-report health survey assessed psychological symptoms using validated instruments. A multiple-choice item identified dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain affecting everyday life) and severe dysmenorrhea (dysmenorrhea that is hard to cope with). Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and severe dysmenorrhea in girls with and without symptoms of depression (Beck's Depression Inventory-II score ≥ 20), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale score ≥ 10), self-injury (≥ 3 instances on a modified Deliberate Self-harm Inventory), and suicide ideation (recent serious thoughts/plans on the Paykel Suicide Scale). Overall, 55.1% reported dysmenorrhea while 11.7% reported severe dysmenorrhea. Prevalence was 29%-34% higher among girls with psychological symptoms compared to those without. Severe dysmenorrhea was significantly more frequent among girls with any symptom (prevalence ratio [PR] 2.25; 95% CI 1.61, 3.13), depression (PR 2.60; 95% CI 1.86, 3.63), anxiety (PR 2.89; 95% CI 2.09, 4.00), self-injury (PR 1.87; 95% CI 1.29, 2.71), and suicide ideation (PR 1.75; 95% CI 1.18, 2.58) compared to girls without the same manifestations. These findings were consistent after adjustments for age, age of menarche, country of birth, and hormonal contraception. These findings emphasise the need for integrated approaches to adolescent menstrual and mental health care.

Educator mental health plays an important role in schools, yet the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic remain unknown. We sought to estimate the prevalence of school employee stress, anxiety, and depression in the 2022-2023 school year within two school districts in the Northeastern United States. An electronic survey was distributed to school employees. Stress was assessed with the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale with scores 0-13, 14-26, and 27-40 representing low, moderate, and high stress. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression 10-item scale were used to assess clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms, with a cut-point of 10 applied to the total summed score of each scale. We used log-binomial regression models to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The majority (76.0%) of the 725 school employees surveyed reported moderate to severe stress with 31.2% and 49.5% reporting clinically significant anxiety or depressive symptoms, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of anxiety was reported among females (PR = 1.15 (CI: 1.02, 1.30)), instructional staff (PR = 1.15 (CI: 1.02, 1.30)), and employees reporting financial insecurity (PR = 1.18 (CI: 1.10, 1.27)). Likewise, a significantly higher prevalence of depression was reported was reported among women (PR = 1.24; CI (1.00-1.52)), instructional staff (PR = 1.31; CI (1.06-1.62)), and employees reporting financial insecurity (PR = 1.38; CI (1.19-1.60)). Stress, anxiety, and depression were each associated with employees' intention to quit. The residual effects of the pandemic remain prevalent among school employees. Improving school employees' mental health is crucial for the well-being and retention of educators.

To examine the impact of an employer-sponsored behavioral health program on depression and anxiety by assessing dose effect of psychotherapy. A retrospective data analysis of patients with baseline scores more than or equal to 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) or the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD7). Survival analyses were conducted to assess whether those with a higher number of therapy sessions per episode (dose) achieved faster response (score reduction by 50% or below 10). Patients with medium (8 to 12 visits) or high (more than 12 visits) dose achieved faster response than those with low dose (less than eight visits; hazard ratios more than 1.5, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the medium and high dose. Higher dose of psychotherapy is correlated with improved behavioral health outcomes, although there appears to be no incremental benefit beyond a certain level.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined characteristics of suicides among mental health care users reported between 1996 and 2006 to the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate and the inspectorate's follow-up responses. The aims were to determine whether follow-up was associated with particular characteristics and whether the responses could be improved in accordance with guidelines for treatment of suicidal patients. METHODS: Information about patient and treatment characteristics was collected from a sample of 505 of the 5,483 suicide notifications between 1996 and 2006. The 1996–2005 sample included an equal number of cases to which the inspectorate did and did not respond. The 2006 sample included the first 205 notifications in that year. RESULTS: For 2006 notifications the response rate was 37%. The responses most frequently addressed how and whether the suicide was evaluated and the adequacy of treatment for the psychiatric disorder. A follow-up response was more likely when the suicide involved a young patient or a patient treated in a mental health care setting for less than a year or when the notification was accompanied by the mental health institution's plans for improving its policies. A response was less likely when the patient was discharged from inpatient care in the three months before the suicide. Since 2002 responses have more frequently emphasized the importance of suicide risk assessment, in accordance with guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The inspectorate might improve its supervision system by placing greater emphasis on addressing suicidal impulses and treating older and chronically suicidal patients and patients soon after inpatient discharge.

Foundry’s Wellness Program aims to support wholistic health and reduce barriers to care through leisure-based group activities as part of an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) model in British Columbia, Canada. This evaluation examined perceived positive impacts on social connections, mental wellness, service integration, and program engagement among equity-denied groups for youth ages 12–24. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses of survey results and codebook thematic analyses of semi-structured focus groups were used to explore client demographics, outcomes, and experiences. Survey respondents (n = 145) and focus group participants (n = 7) reported high perceived impact on various wellness domains consistently across demographics. Clients also reported positive program experiences, highlighting accessibility, social benefits, and reduced screen time. Over half (54.6%) accessed additional Foundry services after participating in Wellness programming, suggesting that the program’s low-barrier and leisure-based approach supports Foundry’s IYS framework by facilitating access to a continuum of care.

Universities could positively impact the health and well-being of employees through workplace wellness programs (WWP). To assess the prevalence of WWP among Asia-Pacific universities, identify gaps and challenges, and solutions to challenges. An online survey was sent to members of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities to assess programs on physical fitness, nutrition/weight, mental health/stress, family support, chronic disease prevention, and safety. Employees at 28 universities in 13 economies completed the survey on behalf of their university. Most common WWP were paid maternity/paternity leave (89.3% /85.7%), disaster preparedness training (85.7%), fitness challenges (78.6%), written policies regarding discrimination/hate speech (75.0%), and quiet rest areas (71.4%). However, few addressed childcare, breastfeeding support, workplace sexual harassment, tobacco use, or mental health. Programs rarely aligned with the reported goal of increasing employee morale, but instead resulted from government mandates. Many universities offered sporadic, one-off programs but lacked comprehensive, coordinated programming and adequate evaluation procedures. Key challenges were low employee participation, limited budget, and lack of leadership support. This study highlights the need for improved program administration, information dissemination, data collection to evaluate impact, and leadership support. WWP could benefit universities and employees but should be implemented and evaluated as part of a comprehensive campus wellness culture.

The longitudinal effect of social media use on adolescent mental health in the UK: findings from the UK Longitudinal Household Study

BackgroundThe study investigated the self-assessed mental and general health status of informal carers in Australia. It evaluated the influence of carer’s health behaviours, namely physical activity, smoking and drinking status, along with their social connectedness and workforce engagement on their health status.MethodsThe study used a retrospective longitudinal design using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia survey, waves 5–15 (2005–2015). It included individuals aged 15 years and older from Australian households surveyed over a period of 11 years. The sample consisted of 23,251 individuals. The outcome measures included: mental health, general health and physical functioning domains of the Short Form 36 Questionnaire, a widely used multi-dimensional measure of health-related quality of life. Using fixed effects regression and following individuals over time, the analysis took care of the issue of individuals self-selecting themselves as carers due to some predisposing factors such as age, poor health, socioeconomic status and sedentary behaviour.ResultsThere were statistically significant carer-noncarer status differences in mental (Beta = − 0.587, p = 0.003) and general health (Beta = − 0.670, p = 0.001) outcomes. Aging had a modifying impact on carers’ mental and general health outcomes. Older carers coped better with their caregiving responsibilities than younger ones. Moreover, while physical activities had a positive influence on both mental and general health for non-carers, with more activities generating better health outcomes, it only had a modifying impact on carers’ mental health. Furthermore, the study found that moderate levels of social drinking had beneficial modifying impact on carers’ mental and general health.ConclusionThis study added value to the literature on informal carers’ mental and general health in Australia by identifying some of the protective and risk factors. The study found the modifying effects of carers’ age, health behaviours such as physical activity, smoking and drinking status on their health. Finally, the study identified an apparent beneficial link between moderate levels of social drinking and carer health that needs to be further explored with more targeted future research.

As social media use continues to rise, concerns about its effects on mental health remain debated. While some research links social media to adverse mental health outcomes, others highlight its benefits, such as social connectedness. Inconsistencies in research raise concerns that pre-existing beliefs may influence self-reported mental health outcomes in experimental settings, particularly when the negatives of social media are highlighted. This study examines whether individuals who strongly believe that social media is harmful will report poorer well-being, particularly when social media is framed in a negative light. A sample of 556 participants were initially screened through an online survey. Of these, 19 participants were selected and assigned to conditions emphasizing either the harms or benefits of social media, after which they completed mental health questionnaires in a laboratory setting. We hypothesized that negatively framed social media information would result in lower mental health scores, especially amongst those with negative pre-existing beliefs about social media. We aim to clarify whether the observed effects stem from actual social media use or biases introduced by experimental framing and participant expectations. We did notfind significant differences in mental health scores based on the social media framing conditions to which participants were assigned.

Lack of social connection is a key health risk factor, yet few studies examine whether the components of social connections exert independent and synergistic effects on health outcomes, especially in non-Western contexts. This study examined the independent and synergistic effects of structural and functional social connection on physical and mental health in a nationally representative sample of Chinese adults. Results revealed that structural social connection was more strongly associated with physical health, and functional social connection was more strongly associated with mental health. They also exerted opposite synergistic effects. Functional social connection was more strongly associated with physical health among individuals with weaker structural social connection, but was more strongly associated with mental health among individuals with stronger structural social connection. These findings underscore the necessity of reconceptualizing social connection as a multi-component construct, wherein its structural and functional components play distinct roles in amplifying or complementing each other's effects on physical and mental health.

Report Calls for Overhaul Of Crippled MH System