Posts tagged mental health
Healing Through Connection: How Narrative Medicine Circles Support Patients and Providers Alike
Healing Through Connection: How Narrative Medicine Circles Support Patients and Providers Alike

Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation and loneliness as a public health emergency, drawing urgent attention to an epidemic that harms both physical and mental well-being. Studies suggest that social factors—including our relationships—impact 40% to 80% of health outcomes, making social connection a critical pillar of wellness. In fact, individuals with strong social ties have a 50% greater chance of survival than those with weaker connections, while social isolation poses risks as serious as smoking 15 cigarettes daily. In contrast, meaningful social connection and a sense of purpose are shown to be protective factors, enhancing quality of life and even increasing survival rates.

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Editor's Picks, ResearchMoazzma Arshadnarrative medicine, social connection, mental health
The Invisible Minority
The Invisible Minority

The number of people self-identifying as LGBTQ is increasing in the United States, reaching a new high of 7.1% in 2022 according to a Gallup poll. The same poll found that 1 in 5 (20%) of adult members of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ – also known as sexual and gender diverse (SGD). This may have serious implications for our health systems and providers, as SGD people suffer disproportionately from many health problems, and are at greater risk for anxiety, suicidal ideation, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disease due to difficulty accessing health services and avoidance of primary care.

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ResearchRachel WolfeLGBTQ, healthcare, LGBTQ health, Sexual and gender diverse, mental health
The Mental Health of First Nations Children in Manitoba: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study Using Linked Administrative Data
The Mental Health of First Nations Children in Manitoba: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study Using Linked Administrative Data

Indigenous children worldwide are at risk of experiencing mental health problems due to historical, intergenerational and societal reasons, yet we know relatively little about their mental health.  The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525) called for frequent reporting of First Nation’s people health in order to keep the Canadian government and broader Canadian society accountable. Of note, the term First Nations people in Canada refers to Indigenous peoples who are registered members of a band. Given this gap in knowledge, First Nations people and their allies from the University of Manitoba created a research team to examine the mental health of both First Nations children and other children living in the Canadian province of Manitoba.

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Moazzma Arshadmental health, first nations, canada, manitoba
Who is looking after our student-athletes?
Who is looking after our student-athletes?

In the world of collegiate athletics this year, there are major shifts occurring in the alignment of Athletic Conferences: e.g., the Big 10 now includes 14 teams from coast to coast.  In the reporting about these discussions, deals, and decisions there has been no public consideration of the consequences for the student-athletes.  With the initial announcement in June 2022 that USC and UCLA were joining the Big10, many of us sleep and circadian rhythm scientists and clinicians were concerned about the negative effects of increased cross time-zone travel on the health and performance (athletic and academic) of the student-athletes. 

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ResearchWehida Niazistudents, athletes, jet lag, sleep health, mental health
Brief mental health support for Ontario healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Brief mental health support for Ontario healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

There is considerable research now, showing the negative mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Across many countries, about one in three people in the general population reported psychological distress. Those at higher risk for being infected with COVID-19, reported more depression and anxiety symptoms. But the healthcare system needed to keep functioning, as many people were sick and dying. How could HCWs be supported to continue their vital work? The current study looked at whether a brief coping-focused psychotherapy treatment, would be associated with positive changes in Ontario HCWs’ mental health during the pandemic.

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Research, Editor's PicksRachel Wolfehealthcare workers, mental health, COVID-19, pandemic, support
University Student Mental Health – An important window of opportunity for prevention and early intervention
University Student Mental Health – An important window of opportunity for prevention and early intervention

The transition to higher education coincides with a pivotal period in psychosocial and neurobiological development.  It is therefore a priority to understand the determinants of university student well-being and mental health and use this evidence to develop and further refine student well-being support – at the individual, learning community and institutional levels.

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Research, Editor's PicksRachel Wolfestudents, mental health, Higher Education, psychosocial, student stress
Want to be a Champion for Youth? Explore and Excavate Your Prejudices and Bias
Want to be a Champion for Youth? Explore and Excavate Your Prejudices and Bias

Youth with even one safe and responsive adult in their lives report significantly fewer mental health-related concerns. These adult supporters, known as Youth Champions, have a direct, positive impact on youth mental wellbeing by inspiring participation at school, reducing engagement in high-risk behaviors, and increasing the likelihood youth will flourish in adulthood. As simplistic as it may be to be a “safe and responsive adult,” we “grownups” can make it very complicated in real life due to our own prejudices and biases.   

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Research, Editor's PicksRachel Wolfeyouth, mental health, LGBTQIA2S+, Antiracism
Time for Global Action on Youth Mental Health
Time for Global Action on Youth Mental Health

There is growing recognition that the mental health of young people has reached a crisis point. Many countries are experiencing a rising demand for mental health care by young people that cannot be met by services, leading to excessive wait times. The potential consequences of this crisis are staggering on an individual and societal level. Young people deserve a promising future that is not eroded by the burden of mental illness.

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ResearchRachel Wolfeyouth, mental health, healthcare, global action
Improving Community Mental Health Services for Canadians of South Asian Origin: Using Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CaCBT)
Improving Community Mental Health Services for Canadians of South Asian Origin: Using Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CaCBT)

Focusing on Canadians of South Asian origin, this research reveals their limited access to culturally appropriate mental health services and the need for adapted treatments. Through collaboration with organizations and community involvement, the study developed a culturally adapted manual for anxiety and depression, resulting in positive outcomes and potential healthcare system relief.

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ResearchRachel Wolfemental health, South Asian Canadians, Culturally adapted treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy
Inclusive Healthcare for Transgender Individuals: Addressing Mental Health Disparities
Inclusive Healthcare for Transgender Individuals: Addressing Mental Health Disparities

Based on the 2021 census, approximately 0.33% of the total Canadian population aged 15 and over, or 1 in 300 people, identify as transgender or non-binary. This is likely an underestimate due to a variety of reasons, with the most obvious being that each household completes one survey, and depending on who is responding to the questions, they may not be aware of each person’s gender identity, especially if someone in the household has not come out as transgender yet. 

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Research, Editor's PicksWehida NiaziHealthcare, transgender, mental health
Authenticity, Belonging, and Connection – The ABCs of living Queer during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authenticity, Belonging, and Connection – The ABCs of living Queer during the COVID-19 pandemic

What matters most to LGBTQ+ people during times of pandemic are a sense of authenticity, belonging, and connection to Queer life in a straight world – as told in a synthesis of the COVID-19 qualitative research conducted by Queer and allied researchers in Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation, the School of Health and Social Development, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

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ResearchMaria Pia TissotLGBTQ+, COVID-19, mental health
The Paradoxes of Social Support – Social Media Groups Can Jeopardize Health and Wellness Goals
The Paradoxes of Social Support – Social Media Groups Can Jeopardize Health and Wellness Goals

Evidence shows that we have increasingly been turning to social media groups for advice on health, wellness and many other life matters. Most academic studies have documented the positive social dynamics of virtual support, but connections are not always constructive - here are our findings.

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Research, Editor's PicksMaria Pia Tissotsocial media, mental health, wellness, virtual communities