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<bold>Introduction</bold>. This paper explores COVID-19 impact on Global attempts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3, specifically Target 3.4.
<bold>Purpose.</bold> Suggest a new WHO Mental Health Action Plan needs to be refocused to help achieve universal mental health.
<bold>Approach.</bold> The author discusses the context of COVID-19s impact on Governments inability to progress the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Target 3.4, reviewing this against the WHO Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP) 2013-2020 (WHO 2013). Utilizing relevant publications, progress/lack of progress are discussed, suggestions made as to how, by refocusing the MHAP to one more culturally sensitive and localized, to progress towards universal mental health.
<bold>Discussion.</bold> Contextualizing the lack of specific Sustainable Development Goals mental health target. The continual use by the WHO of promoting western medical approaches to achieve universal global mental health is explored, while using COVID-19 pandemic as a means of triggering change in how localized, culturally specific non-medical approaches could be championed.
<bold>Limitation/Strengths.</bold> The paper does not involve an extensive literature search. However, subject matter is timely and relevant. It challenges traditional approaches of how Global Mental Health has been addressed by organizations led by the UN/WHO. It identifies positive ways of progressing global mental health, by utilizing localized and culturally sensitive approaches.
<bold>Practical/Social value.</bold> The suggestions made are cost effective, given the financial challenges COVID-19 has brought, that is a practical and social value in its own right. Additionally, the practical local and culturally sensitive solutions can be used globally. They could be undertaken on their own or in conjunction with traditional western/medical models. The potential social value could be considerable, should it be the focus of the latest WHO Mental Health Action Plan.
<bold>Conclusion.</bold> Any new WHO Mental Health Action Plan must ensure non-traditional interventions are central and increasingly used to achieve universal mental health for all
</abstract>

COVID-19 the Trigger for SDG Solutions in a Revised WHO Mental Health Action Plan

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<bold>Introduction</bold>. The National Health Service cannot chronically sustain the overwhelming demands being placed on it due to financial cuts, staff numbers and presence of Covid-19. As a result, anxiety levels are on the rise thus increasing the need for effective self-care behaviors.
<bold>Purpose:</bold> The purpose of this study was to comprehend and acknowledge the profound influence Covid-19 has had on anxiety levels and explore what behaviors people engage in to manage their perceived stress levels themselves.
<bold>Methodology</bold>: This study was an exploratory mixed-methods design consisting of 110 self-referred adults aged 18-65 with anxiety completed an online survey guided by the “Harvard Anxiety and Depression Scale”. Data collected from the free-text questions were analyzed using the thematic analyses method to evoke the most relevant themes and generate an evidence-based narrative.
<bold>Results and Discussion</bold>: Self-care behaviors used for anxiety self-management pre and during lockdown were walks, virtual family/social peer support, cooking and aerobic exercise. Additionally, it was apparent that a lack of ongoing family/social support was a key predictor for the proclivity of anxiety-inducing thoughts to be experienced. Interestingly, individuals who continually engaged in activity experienced positive mood states irrespective of the current lockdown environment.
<bold>Conclusion</bold>: This study adds to novel literature on the current anxiety levels of adults living in the UK under the Covid-19 pandemic and what self-care behaviors people implement to self-manage their anxiety levels. This study stresses the significance of ongoing peer support as a self-care behavior that can act as a positive meditator for healthy cognitive processes to ensue. Therefore, future self-care programs advocating this strategy may, if not prevent, slow down the rising cases of anxiety and ill mental health due to the uncertain environment of Covid-19
</abstract>

Self-Care practices for anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK in adults

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<bold>Introduction</bold>: Infertility represents a major health problem that oftentimes is experienced as a crisis situation. Because it interposes with achieving an important life goal, that of having children, its implications on the psycho-emotional level are robust.
<bold>Purpose:</bold> The present article aimed at exploring the multidimensional effects of infertility on mental health, as well as suitable psychological intervention strategies for patients both at an individual and couple level.
<bold>Methodology:</bold> An extensive literature review was conducted to select the most relevant information. Articles included were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar and other similar databases within a seven years interval (2014-2021) to assure the up-to-date quality of the paper. The main criteria of inclusion were: studies about the consequences of infertility on mental health, epidemiology, risk and protective factors, psychological models for infertility, psychological evaluation, established instruments, psycho-social and therapeutic interventions, intervention protocols used in public health for infertility patients.
<bold>Results and Discussion:</bold> Infertility is often experienced as a crisis situation, in which the most common consequences are visible at the level of mood disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression, marked distress) and at the social level (stigma, divorce, social isolation, financial difficulties). Psychological counseling is needed throughout medical treatment and therapeutic interventions (e.g. cognitive-behavioral therapy) have shown favorable results in managing the emotional balance of the individual/couple and reducing the risk of psychopathology.
<bold>Conclusions:</bold> Research highlights the beneficial effects of psychological interventions on reducing levels of stress related to infertility, anxiety and depressive symptoms and on improving the quality of life and couple dynamics.
</abstract>

The psychological impact of infertility. Directions for the development of interventions

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<bold>Introduction</bold>: Bone cancer causes a significant mental health burden. Although the mental health implications of cancer as a whole have been widely discussed, there is limited evidence regarding the psychiatric and psychological sequelae of malignant and benign bone neoplasms in particular.
<bold>Purpose:</bold> To summarize the scientific literature, present relevant knowledge gaps and discuss a number of recommendations. Methodology: The authors searched Pubmed/Medline and Google Scholar with keywords (mental health, bone cancer, musculoskeletal neoplasms, psychiatric comorbidities). When appropriate, MeSH terms and Boolean operators were used. Relevant peer reviewed studies published in English, French or German until 05 May 2021 were included.
<bold>Results and Discussion</bold>: Loss of mobility, decrease of physical activity, chronic pain and amputations in combination with patient’s previous psychiatric history, socioeconomic conditions, cancer biology and treatment-related side effects undermine the mental wellbeing of patients and carers. Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed an additional burden, which is yet to be comprehensively evaluated.
<bold>Conclusion:</bold> More research and solid action towards the integration of mental health care into the management of bone cancer is crucial.
</abstract>

Mental health sequelae of bone cancer: A narrative review

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The aim of this work is to demonstrate and analyze a clinical case of catatonic stupor as a consequence of the complex effect of the infectious process, namely systemic inflammation and direct neurotoxicity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the nervous system. A retrospective analysis of outpatient and inpatient medical records was performed. Analysis of clinical case proves the possibility of catatonic syndrome due to acute respiratory disease COVID-19. 2. Given that catatonia is an urgent condition, it is necessary to be vigilant about its occurrence.
</abstract>

Clinical case of catatonic stupor developed as a result of acute respiratory disease COVID-19

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<bold>Introduction.</bold> Determining the benefits of basic human personality traits is one of the main components of the selection and staffing of small groups of peoples that are working in extreme environmental conditions and socio-spatial isolation. These groups include teams of polar explorers, scientists from outlying research bases, ship and submarine crews, and aircraft and space shuttles teams.
<bold>Purpose.</bold> To identify the prevailing type of temperament of and personal changes in people working on the Antarctic station during a one-year period of isolation to develop measures to maintain their mental and physical health.
<bold>Methodology.</bold> A total of 48 people (46 men and 2 women aged from 23 to 63 years) from four wintering teams of the Ukrainian Antarctic station (UAS) “Akademik Vernadsky” were voluntarily interviewed according to the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). The poll was conducted twice – before the departure to the Antarctic station and after their return after a year. Participants were studied in two groups (24 peoples) once again after a 6-month stay on the Antarctic station, to determine the level of psychoticism. The research was based on the analysis of preferences and changes in personality traits: Extraversion/Introversion, Neuroticism/Stability, and Psychoticism/Socialization.
<bold>Results.</bold> Based on the analysis of indicators such as Extraversion/Introversion, Neuroticism/Stability, and Psychoticism/Socialization, we determined the general structure of the personal characteristics of the expeditioners. Indicators of these characteristics showed that more than a third of the expeditioners (36.1%) were pronounced extroverts. A majority (61.1%) of the respondents were characterized by an intermediate between extraversion and introversion, and only 2.8% were pronounced introverts. 58.4% of the respondents were characterized by a low level of neuroticism, while 33.3% were characterized by medium level of neuroticism. Only 8.3% were found to have a high level of neuroticism. Low levels of psychoticism were predominant in 56.3% of the respondents while the remaining 43.7% had medium levels of psychoticism. A high level of psychoticism was absent in the respondents which indicates a psychologically correct selection of the team. Analysis of the dynamics of psychoticism revealed that there were higher growth rates (+0.97) of average indexes of psychoticism during the first 6 months of the expeditioners’ stay at the Antarctic station than at the end of the activity. This was due to the “acute adaptation” period when the respondent fit in the natural conditions of Antarctica. Furthermore, there was a development of psychoticism in the expeditioners during the “polar night”; the growth rates of psychoticism decreased after adaptation.
<bold>Conclusions.</bold> To maintain people’s mental health at the Antarctic station, it is optimal to select candidates for a one-year expedition with average rates of extraversion-introversion, and mostly low rates of neuroticism and psychoticism. These personal characteristics must be taken into account when forming an expedition team. The level of psychoticism during the expedition increases under the influence of the adverse environmental conditions of Antarctica and the socio-spatial isolation.
</abstract>

Main features of expeditioners’personality traits in Antarctic conditions

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<bold>Introduction.</bold> This research focused on answering questions: how mental health literacy and psychological distress act as predictors of psychological well-being in Sriwijaya University students.
<bold>Methodology.</bold> This research used quantitative method, by conducting instrument preparation, data collection, and analysis of data results to see the role of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Psychological well-being was measured using an instrument in a form of psychological scale referred to Psychological Scale by Ryff &amp; Keyes (1995). Meanwhile, psychological distress was measured using WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20) Indonesian version, and Mental Health Literacy measurement was adapted from O’Connor and Casey (2015). The participants of this research were consisted of 418 college students.
<bold>Results.</bold> The analysis results show that there is a role of mental health literacy and psychological distress together on psychological well-being, thus the hypothesis is accepted. Major hypothesis test was done using multiple linear regression which shows a correlation value (R) of 0.586 and a significance of 0.001 (p&lt;0.05). For the results of minor hypothesis test, it is known that the beta value is 0.143 and the P value is 0.022 (p>0.05), this indicates that there is a role for mental health literacy on psychological well-being, thus the hypothesis is accepted. In addition, it is known that psychological well-being and psychological distress show a beta value of -1.945 and a P value of 0.001 (p>0.05), this indicates that there is a role for psychological distress on psychological well-being thus the hypothesis is accepted.
<bold>Conclusions.</bold> The percentage of mental health literacy and psychological pressure influences on psychological well-being (R adjusted) is 0.343, this also shows that the contribution of mental health literacy and psychological distress together on psychological well-being is 34.3%, while the rest is the contribution of other variables not examined in this study.
</abstract>

Mental health literacy and psychological distress as predictors of psychological well-being in Sriwijaya University students

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<bold>Introduction.</bold> In the case of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on the background of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD) causes an even more significant deterioration in the QOL, including sleep disturbances and the onset of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Thus, the study of the peculiarities of GERD on the background of connective tissue dysplasia and determining the impact of comorbid pathology on the QOL of patients with GERD is a topical issue in internal medicine. It has significant socioeconomic significance. We believe that monitoring the most important variables that affect the quality of life of patients with GERD can help raise public awareness in this regard. In addition, it can guide the health care system to address these issues.
<bold>Purpose.</bold> The purpose of the work is to increase the awareness of medical workers about the scale of the problem and ways to solve it. to study the features of the dynamics of quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease comorbid with connective tissue dysplasia under the influence of the proposed complex therapy.
<bold>Methodology</bold>. 120 patients were included: 65 men and 55 women. In 75 of them (Study Group) GERD was in the background of UCTD, in 45 (Сomparison Group ) - developed as an independent disease. The Study Group was divided into three groups. Сomparison Group - 45 patients with GERD without UCTD, received basic standard therapy, which included PPI “Panocid” 40 mg once a day and alginate-antacid formulation (Gaviscon Double Action Liquid) 20 ml, 3 times per day after meals and before bedtime. I Group - 25 patients with GERD +UCTD, which to the standard basic therapy was added “Magne-B6” for 2 tablets 3 times per day. II Group - 25 patients with GERD +UCTD, which to the standard basic therapy was added “Calcium-D3 Nicomed” 1 tablet 3 times per day. III Group - 25 patients with GERD +UCTD, who used the drug “Magne-B6” 2 tablets 3 times per day and “Calcium-D3 Nicomed” 1 tablet 3 times per day on the background of standard basic therapy. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Status (SF-36), the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and the scale of “Personal and social performance” (PSP) - were used to study patients in detail. A comprehensive examination of patients was performed twice: before and after 30 days of comprehensive treatment.
<bold>Results and Discussion</bold>. Under the influence of the basic therapy in Comparison Group the General Health (GH) improved by 33.03%. While in the groups on the background of complex treatment is increased by 42.52% in patients of the I Group, by 13.10% in patients of the II Group, and 46.28% in patients of the III Group (p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05).Physical Functiong Scale (PF) improved by 17.9% in patients of the Comparison Group (p &lt;0.05) and by 30.38%; 27.47%, 29.17%, respectively (p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05). Role Physical Scale (RP) scores improved by 25.14% in Comparison Group (p &lt;0.05) and by 33.6 %, 22.58% and 40.20% respectively (p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05). Dynamics of data in Body Pain (BP) scale improved by 21.84% in patients of the Comparison Group (p &lt;0.05) and by 37.28%, 25.46%, 35.92% (p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05).As can
be seen from it, under the influence of complex therapy, the values of the Vitality (VT) increased by 17.18% in patients of Group I, by 21.93% – in Group II, by 37.87%– in Group III (p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05). Among patients of the Comparison Group, the influx of strength and energy felt 9.50% (p &lt;0.05). Data of Social Functioning Scale (SF) improved by 8.8% in patients of the Comparison Group (p &lt;0, 05) and by 22.7%, 29.6%, 29.31%, respectively(p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05). Mental Health Scale (MH) improved by 17.23% in patients of Group I, by 22.41% – in Group II, by 21.96% – in Group III (p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05) and 14.22% - in the Comparison Group (p &lt;0.05). Also in patients were positive dynamics of the Role Emotional functioning scale (RE): by 27.37% in patients of Group I, by 12.36%– in Group II, by 15.7% – in the Group III (p1, p2, p3 &lt;0.05) and 9.05% - in patients of the Comparison Group (p &lt; 0.05).
<bold>Conclusions.</bold> Thus, the inclusion in the standard therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with its development on the background of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia of magnesium lactate dihydrate in combination with pyridoxine hydrochloride (“Magne -B6 “) and calcium carbonate in combination with cholecalciferol (“Calcium-D3 Nicomed”) contributed to a significant improvement in their quality of life.
</abstract>

Dynamics of quality of life indicators in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease comorbid with connective tissue dysplasia under the influence of complex treatment

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 7 (2024): Issue 1 (January 2024)

Volume 6 (2023): Issue 1 (January 2023)

Volume 5 (2022): Issue 2 (June 2022)

Volume 4 (2021): Issue 1 (October 2021)

Volume 3 (2020): Issue 1 (November 2020)

Mental Health: Global Challenges

 Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal is an open access, peer-reviewed journal, with the primary aim of promoting thought, dialogue, and debate on topics related to mental health. It is an issue and a reality of major global concern, though it is often left to the margins as a topic of conversation. With one of the major aims to challenge and breaking the stigma of mental health, whilst promoting better health and health care, this journal has a general focus on mental health, mental health care systems, approaches to better mental health, mental health challenges for individuals, families, and groups in different cultures and contexts, mental health and trauma, as well as mental health and conflict, amongst other related aspects.   More specifically, Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal is a journal dedicated to studies of international interest related to mental health and mental health care systems in the global context of social challenges. Therefore, we encourage papers which focus on a variety of topics related to this complex issue. Some examples are as follows: the impact of stigma on mental health and mental health care, mental health and migration, mental health in the time of military conflicts, mental health post conflict, mental health in the workplace, mental health and gender, societal attitudes and approaches to mental health, higher education and mental health care, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to mental health, cultural as well as cross-cultural challenges related to mental health and related topics. The journal especially encourages manuscripts which may be of interest to policy makers and/or practitioners.   The journal accepts high quality English language manuscripts in the form of empirical research studies, case studies, theoretical articles, reviews, and some extended abstracts.   Archiving   Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.   Plagiarism Policy   The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 