bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient and Public Involvement in Developing and Testing Mental Health-care Interventions
Authors: Giacco Domenico , Chevalier Agnes , Mcnamee Philip , Barber Nick , Shafiq Kamran , Wells Imogen
Published: February 2024

Patient and public involvement (PPI) is valued and widely practiced in mental health research but in different ways. We present three research programs, aiming to develop and test mental healthcare interventions and we discuss their PPI strategies and activities. In all these programs, PPI has been sought from their initial conception and design and has helped their management, intervention development processes, quantitative and qualitative evaluations, and in the assessment of PPI activities themselves. The programs focus on different groups (patients with chronic depression, patients with psychotic disorders, and carers) and develop different interventions. Comparing these programs offers the opportunity to appreciate different models of involvement. These, for example, range from training lived experience collaborators to analyze qualitative data directly to asking them to comment on findings; from involving lived experience collaborators in the design of new interventions to involving them in intervention adaptation to a particular group or circumstance; and from carrying out formal PPI evaluations to collecting informal feedback during meetings. Even in the diversity of programs and PPI activities presented, common themes could be identified in relation to: specifying (and ideally co-designing) expectations and role of contributors; making bureaucratic procedures as user-friendly as possible; appropriately choosing or blending online and offline meetings; and designing flexible and inclusive arrangements to maximize participation. Our experiences contribute to a growing evidence base that can help researchers to develop meaningful, enjoyable, and constructive collaborations with people with lived experience. These collaborations will keep clinical mental health research relevant, impactful, and tailored to patients' needs.
Level of Care Determination
Authors: Janssens Astrid , Dongen Thirsa Van , Glazemakers Inge , Uvin Kathy , Pumariega Andres Julio , Deboutte Dirk
Published: February 2024

Background:

The Child and Adolescent Service Intensity Instrument (CASII) is a tool to determine the appropriate level of care placement for a child or adolescent. The CASII links a clinical assessment of the child and its environment with standardized levels of care using a detailed algorithm. It can be used for children aged 6–18 years with psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental disorders. This study reports on the translation of the instrument into Dutch and tests of its validity and reliability using both case vignettes and real-life cases seen within the Belgian mental health and child welfare systems.

Methods:

Reliability testing of the CASII was conducted based on both standard vignettes and live cases. To test the validity, the CASII was compared to the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Trained professionals with various education and active in different sectors completed the CASII.

Results:

Using case vignettes, the intraclass correlation coefficients for the different dimensions ranged from 0.29 to 0.79. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for placement recommendations was excellent (0.74). The ICCs for the subscale ratings for the live cases ranged from 0.40 to 0.90. The CASII showed good validity when compared to the CGAS (correlations ranging between 0.47 and 0.82). When compared to the SDQ, the CASII correlated low to moderate with the total difficulties score (0.05–0.37) but correlated slightly higher with the impact score (0.25–0.35).

Conclusions:

The data confirm the usefulness of the CASII among different service providers of different sectors with a broad range of clinical experience and professional training. The findings extend and partially replicate other findings and suggest reasonable but not unequivocal validity and reliability across linguistically and culturally different contexts.
Impact of Rural-Urban Immigration on Substance Use in a Sample of Turkish Youth
Authors: Yilmaz Hatice Burakgazi , Prajapati Parna , Dalkilic Alican , Unlu Ali , Rahmani Mariam , Pumariega Andres
Published: February 2024

Objectives:

This study examines the data from a large survey of youth in metropolitan Istanbul to examine the generation status in rural-urban immigration and its relationship of substance use/alcohol use in a high school (HS) setting.

Methods:

The study data were collected by the Istanbul Department of Education on 31,604 HS students which were a survey of 66 questions administered in the school setting. Immigration statuses of the students and their parents were categorized, and it was compared with the type of substance use. Odds ratios were calculated by using the participants from rural area as the reference category.

Results:

A total of 31,272 participants, 14,477 (46.6%) male and 16,581 (53.4%) females between the ages of 13 and 21 years constituted the final sample size for this study. Out of the total number of participants included in analyses (24,974), 18% had all family members from Istanbul, 16% had at least one family member from outside of Istanbul, 44% had majority of family members from outside of Istanbul, and 21% were from outside of Istanbul. About 15% of participants from Istanbul reported using tobacco, whereas those from outside of the city reported about 12%. Twenty-seven percent of participants from Istanbul reported using alcohol as compared to 18% in participants from outside of Istanbul. The combined category usage (alcohol and any substance use) was found in 33.7% in participants from Istanbul and 24% in participants from outside of the city.

Conclusion:

Rural background may play a protective role in substance and alcohol use in Turkish adolescents and young adults. In Istanbul, nonimmigrant individuals are more likely to use any type of illicit substance, or combination of illicit substances and alcohol as compared to immigrant individuals.
Contemporary Mental Health Rehabilitation
Authors: Killaspy Helen
Published: February 2024

A major driver during the era of 'deinstitutionalisation' was the change in societal attitudes towards people with mental illness, away from exclusion and marginalisation towards inclusion and participation in society. More recent mental health policy has tended to focus on promotion, prevention and early intervention, with little mention of those with more complex problems. However, despite the significant investment in early intervention services, long term studies consistently show that around a quarter of people newly presenting with psychosis do not do well. Nevertheless, there is good evidence that with appropriate treatment and support from specialist mental health rehabilitation services, even people with the most severe problems can achieve, sustain and enjoy a rewarding life in the community, yet many 'deinstitutionalised' countries fail to provide rehabilitation services, placing this group at risk of neglect, exploitation and institutionalisation. Happily, this situation is beginning to change. The publication of the first National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Guideline on Rehabilitation for People with Complex Psychosis (NICE; CG 181, 2020) represents a sea change in the recognition of the needs of those with the most severe mental health problems and provides evidence-based recommendations about the treatment and support that should be provided. Alongside this, policy makers in many countries are beginning to recognise the need to include rehabilitation services in their mental health plans. It has been a long time coming, but mental health rehabilitation services are finally being acknowledged as an essential component of the mental health system.
Poverty, Homelessness, Hunger in Children, and Adolescents
Authors: Pumariega Andres Julio , Gogineni Rama Rao , Benton Tami
Published: February 2024

Poverty, hunger, and homelessness have been shown to be perhaps the greatest adverse biological and social risk factors for mental health problems and disorders worldwide. They also have significant adverse impact on cognitive, psychological, psychosocial, and physical development in children and youth. This article reviews the psychosocial effects of poverty, hunger, and homelessness on children and youth, including their impact on psychopathology and mental health. It also includes recommendations for governmental entities, advocates, and care providers on mitigating their adverse effects.
Inside the Mind of the Adolescent School Shooter
Authors: Rothe Eugenio M.
Published: February 2024

Situations involving active firearm shooters in schools have increased exponentially in recent years, especially in the United States. These events result in death and psychological traumatization, not just to the involved school but also to the surrounding communities and to the rest of the population of the United States and other countries who observe these massacres in the media. This article will review the recent statistics of school shooting incidents in the United States, the psychological profiles of the perpetrators, the pattern of circumstances that contribute to the buildup until the point the act if committed, the effectiveness of the responses by authorities, the possible risk factors and precipitating factors for these attacks, the psychological sequelae to individuals, families, and the communities, and the evidence-based preventive interventions.
Beyond Shared Care in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Authors: Di Nicola Vincenzo
Published: February 2024

Based in the multicultural context of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, this article reviews shared care and collaborative care models which privilege consultations between primary and specialty care in children's mental health. An overview of Canada's two largest child psychiatric epidemiological studies outlines the nonclinical community prevalence in Ontario (18.5%) and Quebec (15%) of children's mental health problems along with salient family and community risk factors. Given the high prevalence of children's mental health problems and the burden of care undertaken by primary care practitioners, the interface between the first line of care and mental health services is crucial yet often characterized by poor communication, a lack of mutual comprehension, and limited collaboration. Collaborative mental health care has been defined as “a family physician or other primary care provider working together with a psychiatrist or other mental health worker in a mutually supportive partnership.” This definition is extended to describe a spectrum of partnerships in child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP): shared care, collaborative care, and related collaborative community practices. The author's experience with these models is presented with an overview of a pilot study on CAP shared care in Montreal. Two other recent trends in Quebec are explored: an innovation called “Medical Specialists Responding in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry” for community mental health-care teams and the pair aidant or “peer helper” model reaching out to patients and families with a member who suffers from mental health problem to serve as a helper, a model, and part of the support network.
Prison Mental Health in the United States of America and India
Authors: Varadarajulu Rachel Natasha , Mahapatra Ananya
Published: February 2024

Approximately 40% of the incarcerated population in the world are reported to suffer from a mental health condition. People in correctional settings are subjected to multiple psychosocial adversities which negatively affect their mental health. Moreover, people with mental illness are at higher risk for abuse and exploitation within the criminal justice system. The prison populations of the United States (US) and India are among the highest, among both high-income and low-middle-income countries, respectively. In this article, we aim to describe the existing prison mental health services in the US and India and discuss their challenges.
Photovoice
Authors: Mooney Roisin , Joseph Doreen , Bashrat Sayeeda , Molete Michaelt , Caton Neil , Bhui Kam
Published: February 2024

There is a need in health services research for better processes that result in an evidence base that is informed by and includes voices of those who have experience of the services in an authentic manner. In the UK, public and patient involvement (PPI) has become a common, and in some cases, a mandatory component of much research pertaining to mental health research, often comprising a group that sits parallel to the research and advises on various processes. More recently, PPI has extended beyond a consultancy model to be more collaborative, with language such as participatory research and coproduction permeating the literature. However, there is often a little clarity as to what these terms represent in reality, the impact that they will have on those taking part, and consequently, the body of evidence that we draw up on to inform how mental health services are designed. We need to do more to enable those impacted by poor mental health to contribute to research in a meaningful and fulfilling way. This article was coproduced by the Co-Pact patient and public research group, and shares how photovoice as a research method may advance the current understanding of how patient voices are represented in mental health research.
Mental Health Disparities of Ukrainian Children Exposed to War
Authors: Mihajlovic Aida , Segalite Lara , Lawler Allison
Published: February 2024

Although there has been a lot of research focused on the effect of war on child refugees, along with those impacted directly, there are no recent studies comparing these two groups side-by-side. In this paper, we review psychiatric comorbidities associated with children (defined as 17-year-olds and younger) exposed to war, with an additional emphasis on approaches to treatment. In addition, we aim to understand these children's thoughts and insights into their situation(s). We will do so by presenting narratives given by close relatives of (1) two children currently in Ukraine in the midst of the war, (2) another young Ukrainian child war refugee who was able to recently leave the country, and (3) an adult and his experiences of being a war refugee and then resettling in the United States as a child. We never know when or where a war will begin. It is important that we have mental health professionals that can help children through the current and unexpected adversities that arise with war and displacement. These children need assistance with their uncertainties about the future and the risk of disruption of peace or comfort. Moreover, mental health disparities are substantial amongst children exposed to the traumas associated with war, and treatment is limited. We share this research to encourage mental health professionals to seek understanding of the impact the current war is having on Ukrainian youth. It is our hope that, with presenting these narrative accounts, mental health providers will gain a deeper understanding of what these children are encountering and will become prepared to support them and their mental health.
Children Orphaned Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cagande Consuelo , Marwaha Raman , Rahmani Mariam , Gogineni Rama Rao
Published: February 2024

A worldwide spread of children orphaned due to COVID-19 was another tragedy many families and communities faced. Between March 2020 and October 2021, 5·0 million COVID-19 deaths had occurred worldwide, and roughly 5·2 million children had lost a parent or caregiver due to COVID-19-associated death. However, the great orphaning was not affecting all demographic groups equally, with different racial and ethnic groups experiencing different levels of mortality. This study further discusses the impact of the pandemic on transnational orphans in the U.S., society, development, and emotions. In addition, there were lessons learned from prior global pandemics such as the Spanish Influenza of 1918 and the HIV pandemic that left children orphaned. Therefore, there were strategies to help mitigate the impact on children orphaned due to a pandemic. They include engaging the community, developing and improving evidence-based programs, and providing a safe environment as well as protective and mental health services and trauma-informed care for children worldwide. Lessons from the past should drive the advocacy for such programs and hope for the future.
A Review of Intersection of Social Determinants and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Authors: Chachar Aisha Sanober , Mian Ayesha I.
Published: February 2024

Pakistan faces the accelerated growth of a young population each year. The country's many structural challenges include an unstable economy, poverty, gender inequality, health disparities, and vulnerable systems (especially sectors serving education and justice). The advent of the 21st century has witnessed rapid societal change globally. This societal evolution has inevitably shaped the sociocultural landscape for Pakistan's children, families, and childrearing practices as well, yet the social determinants remain stacked against them. Although children make up one-third of the Pakistan population, they remain the most physically, economically, and socially vulnerable group. For children growing up in low-income families, which are the majority, these challenges are magnified to a greater degree. These children are more likely to experience multiple family transitions, frequent moves, and change of schools. The schools they attend are poorly funded, and their neighborhoods more disadvantaged. The parents of these children have fewer resources to invest in them. Thus, the home environment becomes less cognitively stimulating, and parents invest less in education. Living in poverty and struggling to meet daily needs can also impair parenting. Socioeconomic deprivation during childhood and adolescence can have a lasting effect, making it difficult for children to escape the cycle of poverty as adults because the adverse effects of deprivation on human development accumulate. Health services for children are also underresourced. This state is evident by the extreme shortage of child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) services in a country with a significantly high disease burden among children and adolescents experiencing mental health disorders. The article examines the social determinants of CAMH in Pakistan and their implications for the orientation and effectiveness of child mental health services.
The Physician's Role in Confronting Humanitarian Challenges
Authors: Guzman Jaime , Mcpherson Pamela , Allen Scott , Alphosus Dimitri , Gold Dana
Published: February 2024

An increase in humanitarian challenges has resulted in an increased demand for mental health resources. Social psychiatrists face a clinical and moral imperative to study and treat mental disorders precipitated or impacted by sociocultural events. Immigration detention is but one example of a setting that can take a toll on the mental health of those detained. Psychiatrists working in detention settings do not have immunity from feeling overwhelmed and may suffer the effects of moral distress. Many question how to take action beyond direct clinical care. Here we present a case study on physician action to address the humanitarian crisis of family separation and family detention of immigrants at the US. Southern border. Subject matter and advisory committee experts for the US Department of Homeland Security were recruited to identify concerns and provide recommendations in this guide for action.
Continuous Traumatic Stress in Palestine
Authors: Farajallah Iman
Published: February 2024

For more than 70 years, the children of Palestine have experienced increasing levels of war trauma due to the ongoing conflicts with Israel. These children have been subjected to danger and violence to such an extent that it has created a societal underclass that has become the focus of research to determine the psychological impact of near-constant war. This article examines the growing body of literature devoted to analyzing how war and postwar trauma in children, specifically the children of Palestine, reveals a modern-day tragedy of epic proportions. The article presents the continuous traumatic stress in Palestine and the psychological effects of the occupation and chronic warfare on Palestinian children through the victims' war trauma experiences.
School Mental Health as a Public Health Strategy: Progress, Implementation, and Sustainability Considerations
Authors: Rowe Emily M. , Singh Swaran P.
Published: February 2024

Mental health is an immediate concern for public health and government officials due to the increase in mental ill health issues among young people and adults. School-based mental health services (SBMHSs) have grown rapidly in recent years, in response to this, as policy debates focus on the health and economic implications of mental for individuals and society. School-based mental health programs are focused on identifying, intervening, and providing mental health support to children and young people through the promotion of mental health and well-being within schools. With their increased presence and funding in both high- and low-income countries, concerns have been raised regarding their effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability as a means of early intervention and reducing adult mental health issues. While there are some promising results on the effectiveness of SBMHS, many barriers have been identified which hinder the implementation and sustainability of these services. Barriers include cultural and contextual factors for local adaptation; the specifics of intervention delivery; school capacity, leadership, and commitment; and system-level factors such as frameworks, policies, and government support. The research findings highlight that barriers and facilitators for the implementation and sustainability of school-based mental health interventions are not dissimilar to those observed in health, improvement, and educational interventions. As such, further research is needed to provide clarity on the principles needed to implement and sustain school-based mental services which effectively provide relevant and timely access to mental health support and services to children and young people.
Child and Adolescent Service Intensity Instrument Development in Japan
Authors: Ono Yoshiro , Pumariega Andres Julio , Yamamoto Akira , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Nakayama Hiroshi , Nakanishi Daisuke , Aihara Kanae , Ichikawa Kayoko , Hanafusa Masami , Millsaps Udema
Published: February 2024

Objectives:

Level of Care (LOC) determination is an important process of care planning for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. As a tool of LOC determination, the Child and Adolescent Service Intensity Instrument (CASII) has been developed and tried to extend the usage out of the United States. As part of that effort, the CASII is currently being evaluated for its psychometric property in Japan.

Methods:

The CASII has been translated into Japanese, and then, 23 child psychiatrists and 70 nonpsychiatrist professionals who completed CASII training rated 7 vignettes to test inter-rater reliability. External validity was being evaluated by comparing the CASII ratings of 163 participants aged 6–17 against the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)/Youth Self-Report (YSR) and Child Global Assessment Scale (CGAS).

Results:

Inter-rater reliability among psychiatrists showed intra-class correlation coefficients ranging from 0.63 to 0.91 and those by nonpsychiatrists from 0.42 to 0.80. Cronbach's alpha was higher than 0.97 for both psychiatrists and nonpsychiatrists. The CASII ratings and LOC determination for 145 participants were significantly correlated with the Actual LOC and ratings of CBCL/YSR and CGAS except for the Internalizing Problem scores. There was no significant difference between LOC Recommended and Actual LOC.

Conclusions:

The Japanese version of the CASII showed fairly good inter-rater reliability and validity to use in the practice of mental health as well as child welfare in Japan.
Hot Topics in Public Mental Health
Authors: Bhui Kamaldeep , Mooney Roisin , Butcher Isabelle , Hugh-Jones Siobhan
Published: February 2024

Public mental health, preventive psychiatry, health promotion, and community psychiatry share many concepts and philosophies around the power of organized efforts of society. This article focuses on public mental health and prevention specifically, thinking about multiple social disadvantages and adverse childhood experiences, the limitations of diagnostic conventions in public health, epistemic injustices in research and practice, the complex interplay of genetic and social factors in the prevention of psychosis, the role of social media, and school-based interventions in preventing poor mental health. These areas are rapidly advancing, and we need better, more ambitious research in low- and middle-income countries, using methods that empower, engage, and promote interdisciplinary dialogue to break down epistemic and institutional barriers in research.
Juvenile Delinquency around the World: Public Psychiatry
Authors: Gogineni Rama Rao , Qari Omar , Sharma Shridhar
Published: February 2024

Delinquency population in the world increased from 18 million to 250 million between 1992 and 2007. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that approximately 200,000 youth homicides occur among individuals aged between 10 and 29 years old, with the main perpetrators being youths themselves. For many young people today, traditional patterns guiding the relationships and transitions between family, school, and work are being challenged. Lifestyle trajectories are becoming more varied and less predictable. The restructuring of the labor market, extension of the maturity gap, and limitation in the opportunities to become an independent adult are all challenges. About 70% of delinquent youth are affected with the mental disorder, and 1 in 5 suffers from mental illness so severe as to impair their ability to function. Treatments that include professional clinical care, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions are helpful. The WHO advocates a need to develop a comprehensive guideline to deal with almost every social area with main environmental and socialization processes including family, school, and community to prevent and treat juvenile delinquency.
Digital Mental Health: A Way Forward for Public Mental Health
Authors: Annajigowda Harshitha H. , Chaturvedi Santosh K.
Published: February 2024

Digital technology has an important role in health care, including mental health. This has the potential to achieve what contemporary mental health could not achieve in public mental health. The phenomenology of psychiatric disorders, psychiatric signs, and symptoms has got digital coloring and manifestations of psychological phenomena, which has led to the need for the categorization of new disorders as social media-related disorders. Technology has also provided new ways of fulfilling basic physiological needs in recent years ranging from feeling safe with gadgets to technological self-actualization. Digital phenotyping could aid in the early detection of illness and relapse and has technology for early intervention. Soon, ChatGPT will be used to create psychiatric history and assessments of patients and artificial intelligence and machine learning to diagnose and predict the prognosis of psychiatric disorders and rehabilitation. Social media is the new social support, and it can act as a platform for mass communication. The effectiveness of internet-based therapies compared to face-to-face therapies has to be closely examined. This article gives a futuristic bird’s-eye view of recent developments in digital mental health, its impact on phenomenology and the evolution of new psychiatric disorders, and its usefulness in mental health service delivery.
Mental Illness: Social Dimension, is it Being Systematically Ignored?
Authors: Chadda Rakesh Kumar
Published: February 2024

For nearly half a century, the predominant focus of research in mental health has been on understanding the biological basis of mental disorders and new drugs. This was a major shift from the first half of the 20th century, when the psychoanalytic model was dominating the scene. Our understanding of the biological basis of many mental disorders has definitely improved in the last few decades with the advances in structural and functional imaging. However, there has not been any major advancement on the therapeutic side, with no significant introductions after the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin dopamine antagonists. Mental disorders have been identified as an important contributor to the global burden of disease, with the burden not shown any fall over the last 3 decades. Thus, there is a need to focus on the social dimension of mental disorders which has been systematically ignored. The strategies may include following a public health approach, dealing with stigma associated with mental disorders, strengthening the mental health services in the community, and improving their accessibility, and promotion of mental health well-being, dealing with disease burden, building resilience, involving families in management, targeting recovery, social prescribing, and using information technology, wherever appropriate.
Fighting for Human Rights and Social Justice and the Promotion of Mental Health: Complementary Efforts
Authors: Sartorius Norman , Gill Neeraj , Virani Sanya , Salvador-Carulla Luis
Published: February 2024

The concepts of human rights, social justice, and social determinants of health are inextricably intertwined with public health. Globally, attention is increasingly being paid to the connections between social determinants and the challenges of sustainability, well-being, and justice. Social factors and socioeconomic inequities are among the root causes of many public health problems. Yet, research in psychiatry over the past few decades has paid insufficient attention to their impact and focused its main attention on neuroscience research and biological models. Health authorities emphasized the need to develop algorithmic approaches for patient care, paying little attention to the social contexts of health care. In this article, we highlight the complementary relationship between human rights, social justice, social determinants, and public mental health. We argue that the promotion of the mental health of the population requires protection and promotion of economic and social rights and equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Global Aspects of Psychosocial Rehabilitation
Authors: Kastrup Marianne
Published: February 2024

Rehabilitation is required when limitations in health prevent full functioning. On a global level, WHO estimates that more than 2.4 billion could benefit from a rehabilitative intervention of some kind. The health limitations may have several causes frequently with a mental health dimension and the benefits of psychosocial rehabilitation are increasingly recognized globally. An example is given of a psychosocial model focusing on traumatized individuals and the development of a rehabilitative field manual to be used in Low and middle income countries (LOMIC) or settings of limited resources.
Social Psychiatric Consultation to a Rural Public Primary Care Team: From Individual to Planetary Health
Authors: Falceto Olga Garcia , de Barros Enrique Falceto
Published: February 2024

This article describes some of the experiences that resulted from the hybrid (online and on the ground) consultations that a social psychiatrist gave to a public family and community medical team in a rural setting in South Brazil. The consultation works on several levels: orienting the approach to difficult cases, with continuing education, helping with team relational difficulties among themselves and with the city administration, helping design innovative approaches to cases and to preventive mental health work, and also, helping to shape the approach to planetary health in town.
Prevention is Better than Cure: A Public Health Imperative
Authors: Craig Tom K. J.
Published: February 2024

In this brief article, I provide a personal perspective and selected literature review on the merits of giving greater attention to interventions that tackle the known social risk factors for common mental disorders. These include both universal actions targeted at the general population and more focused interventions aimed at high-risk subgroups. In practice, most effective efforts involve a combination of both strategies. Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals could have a key role in promoting prevention, working closely with governmental bodies, and nongovernmental organizations that may be in the best position to deliver the required interventions. Having evidence from gold standard randomized controlled trials may be ideal, but in practice, are extremely difficult to deliver in this field and their absence should not be taken as an excuse for inaction.
A Whole of Society Response to Depression
Authors: Herrman Helen
Published: February 2024

The world is failing to tackle the global crisis of depression, a leading cause of avoidable suffering and premature death. Poor understanding of this condition and lack of psychosocial and financial resources are holding back prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the impact on the economic prosperity of nations. Despite effective strategies for prevention, treatment, and care, not enough is done to avoid and alleviate the suffering and disadvantages linked with depression, and few governments acknowledge the brake that depression places on social and economic development. The recently published report of The Lancet – World Psychiatric Association Commission on depression calls on governments, health-care providers, researchers, people living with depression, and their families to work together. Making depression a priority means taking a public health approach to its prevention and treatment and to recovery from it.
Rethinking Public Mental Health – Personal Reflections
Authors: Murthy R. Srinivasa
Published: February 2024

We are facing a mental health crisis all over the world. For too long, the focus has been on delivering of mental health care. There is sufficient evidence to support the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental disorders by initiatives by individuals, families, and communities. The public mental health approach should move from for the people to by the people and of the people. Social psychiatry has a vital role in this transformation of mental health.
Prioritizing Public Mental Health
Authors: Ndetei David M. , Nyamai Pascalyne , Mutiso Victoria
Published: February 2024

There is a need to consider mental well-being as an integral part of overall health, beyond the mere absence of disease. Mental health disorders have significant consequences, including disability, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. Africa faces unique challenges with mental health, including stigmatization, a scarcity of mental health workers, and limited resources for mental healthcare. To address public mental health challenges, concerted efforts and strategic interventions are required. Collaboration with community partners and respect for cultural beliefs are essential in developing culturally valid mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Additionally, promoting resilience among young people and integrating mental health care into primary healthcare services can improve access and equity. LMICs must rethink strategies to reduce the mental health treatment gap, utilizing existing resources effectively through innovative interventions and partnerships. Prioritizing affordability, personalization, and integration within existing caregiving systems can make mental health services more accessible to all.
Culture and Mental Health: Focus on Suicide
Authors: Ventriglio Antonio , Castaldelli-Maia João Mauricio , Bellomo Antonello , Torales Julio
Published: February 2024

Suicide is an increasing mental health issue worldwide and has explanatory bases in many cultures. The reported rates of suicide can often be underestimated because in many societies and countries, the act of suicide is considered to be illegal and punishable by law. Cultural factors such as gender role, religion, sexual orientation, poverty, unemployment, economic downturn and other factors can play a significant role in contributing to the incidence rates of suicide and its explanation. In clinical assessments and management, it is critical to be cognisant of cultural factors and the role that culture can play in suicide.
Status and Clinical Experiences from the Challenge Trial – A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Virtual Reality-based Therapy for Auditory Hallucinations
Authors: Vernal Ditte Lammers , Nordentoft Merete , Christensen Mads Juul , Smith Lisa Charlotte , Mariegaard Lise , Mainz Jan , Glenthøj Louise Birkedal
Published: February 2024

Background:

Auditory verbal hallucinations are a prevalent symptom in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, affecting around 70% of patients. A sizable proportion does not achieve adequate treatment response with current interventions, including antipsychotic medication. Virtual reality-based therapy (VRT) shows promise as a new intervention.

Methods:

The Challenge Trial is a randomized controlled study examining the efficacy of VRT compared to standard treatment for auditory hallucinations in patients with psychotic disorders. In the intervention arm, virtual reality software and voice modulation are used to design a visual representation of the patient's voice (an avatar) and to transform the therapist's voice to sound like the voice the patient hears. The aim is to foster a dialogue for the patient to strengthen their power, practice self-efficacy, and alter their relation to the voice. During therapy, the avatar becomes more compassionate and/or less powerful.

Results:

Quantitative data are currently unavailable as recruitment is ongoing. Instead, the design and intervention are presented along with recruitment data, retention rates, and case vignettes. Early clinical experiences are promising, with high acceptability and tolerance among patients. The trial has successfully enrolled a diverse patient population, including those with long-standing histories of hospitalization, medication use, and chronic hallucinations. The effectiveness of VRT varies, for example, some patients have reported significant reductions in the frequency of voices and associated distress, whereas others have primarily noted improvements in emotional responses to the voices.

Conclusions:

Based on the first 2 years of the Challenge Trial, VRT shows considerable promise as a potential treatment for auditory verbal hallucinations.
A Pandemic Presidency
Authors: James Adrian , Gibbons Emily
Published: February 2024

Having become President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in July 2020, Dr. Adrian James had a first-hand experience of how the health-care system in England responded to the pandemic. This article explores the College's response to COVID-19's impact on mental health services and how they worked to support psychiatrists and patients alike. It also reflects on how the long-term implications of the pandemic on mental health are just starting to come to light, as well as some of the new challenges facing psychiatry worldwide.
A Robust Approach for Licence Plate Detection Using Deep Learning
Authors: Arora Shefali , Mittal Ruchi , Arora Dhruv , Shrivastava Avinash Kumar
Published: February 2024

Intelligent transport systems must be developed due to the rising use of vehicles, particularly cars. In the field of computer vision, the identification of a vehicle's licence plate (LP) has been crucial. Various methods and algorithms have been used for the detection process. It becomes challenging to find similar photos, nevertheless, because the features of these plates change depending on colour, font, and language of characters. The research proposes a powerful deep learning framework based on feature extraction using convolutional neural networks and localization using canny-edge detection. Three steps make up the model's operation. An improved approach integrating the usage of bilateral filters and Canny edge detection is used for the processes of segmentation and localization. Further, a CNN architecture is used to extract features from images and classify the presence of licence plates in unseen vehicles. If present, the stage is followed by recognition of numbers written on the plates. An extensive experimental investigation takes place using three datasets namely Stanford Cars, Car Licence Plate Detection dataset and Indian Licence Plates Database. The attained simulation outcome ensures a superior performance over existing techniques in a significant way.
Anodic Treatment of Magnesium Alloys Acid Type, Thin coat
Authors:   AMS B Finishes Processes and Fluids Committee
Published: February 2024

This specification establishes the engineering requirements for producing an acid-type, anodic coating on magnesium alloys and the properties of the coating.
Guide pour l’application de l’AQAP 2110 dans un Système de Management de la Qualité 9100
Authors:   IAQG-1 Standards Committee
Published: February 2024

Ce document a été élaboré et publié en vue de fournir des informations et un guide pour l’application de l’AQAP-2110 lorsque le fournisseur se conforme aux dispositions de la 9100. Ce document est publié en tant qu’AQAP -2110-SRD.2 et IA9137. Il a été élaboré conjointement par l’OTAN et les représentants de l’industrie pour utilisation par l’OTAN et l’industrie de façon à faciliter l’utilisation et la compréhension de la relation entre l’AQAP-2110 et la 9100. Les AQAP peuvent être exigées lorsqu’un État acquéreur utilise les Ventes Militaires Etrangères (VME) comme méthode d’approvisionnement.

Son but est de contribuer à une communauté d’interprétation des exigences de l’AQAP-2110 par l’acquéreur et son fournisseur 9100.

Son contenu n’a aucun statut légal ou contractuel, ni ne remplace, s’ajoute à ou ne supprime aucune des exigences de l’AQAP-2110 ou de la 9100.

En raison de la multiplicité des conditions susceptibles d’exister (en fonction de facteurs tels que le type de travail ou de processus, les dispositifs utilisés et la compétence du personnel impliqué), il convient de ne pas considérer ce guide comme exhaustif ni de le considérer comme imposant des moyens et des méthodes spécifiques pour satisfaire les exigences du contrat. Il convient que les parties prenantes sachent que d’autres moyens et méthodes peuvent être utilisés pour satisfaire les exigences.

Il convient que les utilisateurs de ce guide gardent à l’esprit que les exigences de l’AQAP 2110 sont obligatoires, comme indiqué dans le contrat, pour les fournisseurs et les sous-traitants.
Linee guida per l’impiego della AQAP 2110 in un Sistema di gestione per la qualità 9100
Authors:   IAQG-1 Standards Committee
Published: February 2024

Il presente documento è stato preparato e rilasciato al fine di fornire informazioni e linee guida sull’applicazione della AQAP-2110, laddove il fornitore si attenga a quanto previsto dalla 9100. Il presente documento viene pubblicato come AQAP-2110-SRD.2 e IA9137. Il documento è stato sviluppato congiuntamente dalla NATO e dai rappresentanti dell’industria affinché sia utilizzato dalla NATO e dall’industria per facilitare l’utilizzo e la comprensione del rapporto tra la AQAP-2110 e la 9100. Le AQAP possono costituire un requisito qualora un Paese acquirente utilizzi le Foreign Military Sales (FMS) come proprio metodo di approvvigionamento.

Esso mira a contribuire all’interpretazione condivisa dei requisiti della AQAP-2110 da parte dell’acquirente e del fornitore 9100.

Il suo contenuto non ha natura giuridica o contrattuale, né sostituisce, integra o annulla alcuno dei requisiti della AQAP-2110 o della 9100.

A causa della molteplicità delle condizioni che possono sussistere (dipendenti da fattori come la tipologia di lavoro o processo, i dispositivi utilizzati e le abilità del personale coinvolto), le presenti linee guida non devono essere considerate come onnicomprensive, né devono essere considerate tali da imporre mezzi o metodi specifici per l’adempimento dei requisiti contrattuali. Le parti interessate sono tenute a sapere che è possibile servirsi di altri mezzi e metodi per l’adempimento di tali requisiti.

Gli utenti delle presenti linee guida devono tenere presente che i requisiti della AQAP 2110 sono obbligatori, come citato nel contratto, per fornitori e sub-fornitori.
The Importance Factors in Selecting Extensively Hydrolyzed Formulas for Cow’s Milk Allergy Management
Authors: Wasito Erika , Murti Laksmi
Published: February 2024

Current guidelines recommend extensively hydrolyzed formulas (eHF) as the first choice for infants with mild to moderate cow’s milk allergy (CMA) symptoms. Different eHF producers may apply different technical processes that can influence the end characteristics of the products, the efficacy and effectiveness in CMA management. Thi s review aims to summarizes references and reports to indicate the importance factors that should be considered in selecting eHF available in the market for CMA treatment. The most important factor is the clinical evidence on tolerance level of the eHF formula above 90% among allergic children or the efficacy and effectiveness in CMA management. Other factors are the composition of protein molecular size in the end product and the long history of usage of the product in the population with positive feedback from more than 90% healthcare professionals that could indicate as the real-world evidence.
Impact of Gut Dysbiosis on Child Development by Caesarean Section
Authors: Stephanie Kartjito Melissa , Nurjannah Aisyah
Published: February 2024

Caesarean delivery is an important medical procedure, and it is important to understand how this surgery may affect the balance of the child's gut microbiota. This study aims to determine the impact of gut dysbiosis on growth and development for children with Caesarean section. The research method used in this study is a literature study method with a qualitative approach, namely data collection by understanding and studying theories from various literatures related to the research. The results showed that gut dysbiosis can lead to digestive disorders, impaired nutrient absorption, and impaired physical growth. The compromised composition of the gut microbiota leads to a weakened immune system that can make children susceptible to infections and diseases, hindering their overall growth. Thus, medical and nutritionist care is needed to overcome the negative effects of gut dysbiosis in children born by caesarean section.
Safety of Soy Formula in Children With Cow's Milk Protein Allergy
Authors: Wasito Erika , Azzahra Adelia
Published: February 2024

Cow's milk protein allergy is a common health problem among children. Children with cow's milk protein allergy cannot consume cow's milk or other dairy products because their bodies react to cow's milk proteins. In an effort to meet the nutritional needs of these children, soy formula is a commonly used option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of soy milk formula in children with cow's milk protein allergy. This study used qualitative research methods. The data collection technique was done by literature study. The data that has been collected was then analyzed using three stages namely data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. The results showed that soy milk formula is generally safe to be given to children with cow's milk protein allergy. Soy milk formula does not cause significant allergic symptoms in children with cow's milk protein allergy. In addition, soy milk formula also fulfills the nutritional needs of children with cow's milk protein allergy. Soy formula contains all the essential nutrients that children need to grow and develop. Based on the results of the study, soy milk formula can be a safe and effective formula option for children with cow's milk protein allergy.