Part 1
Tam, Lawrence. “Mental Health literacy and mental health status in adolescents: a population-based survey.” Lam Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2014, 8:26 a.m. https://capmh.biomedcentral.com/articles
This article discusses and investigates the relationship between mental health literacy (MHL) and mental health status, particularly depression among the population of young adolescents in highschool. MHL which refers to the beliefs and knowledge about mental health disorders that help recognition, management and prevention. The study was conducted in Nanning city, China, and the survey included 1,678 high school students. MHL used questions from the Australian National Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Youth Survey which focus on recognition of mental health issues and intention to seek help. Whereas depression was measured by using the Depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale. The results, inadequate MHL is associated with the high likelihood of moderate to severe depression in adolescents.
Jorm, Anthony F. “Mental health literacy: Empowering the community to take action for a better mental health” American Psychologist, 67(3), 231-243. Mental health literacy: empowering the community to take action
This article signifies the immense gap within public knowledge on mental health disorders as compared to physical disorders. Identifying deficiencies in public awareness with regard to mental health prevention, early intervention and treatment. Emphasizing the necessity for increased Mental Health Literacy (MHL) in the community, thus being able to recognize the development of a mental health disorder and know the effective and helpful options. The article also mentions the disagreement between public and professional outlooks on mental health services ending with a call for national policies to enhance mental health literacy.
Weatherstone, Sarah. “Experiencing Mental health when Treating Others: experiences of mental health workers in relation to mental health problems: Stigma, Perception and employment” European Journal of Mental Health, December 2022 https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.17.2022.3.1
This article explores the issue of stigma surrounding mental health disorders, highlighting the detrimental effects on well-being and the hesitation to seek help. Specifically the examination of both internal and external astigmatisms regarding health services and also acknowledging the hesitation mental health professionals may have when seeking help due to fear of disclosure and judgment. This study has a mixed method design, which uses a survey and focus group to investigate stigma levels, disclosure patterns and various barriers when seeking help. The research highlights the necessity to address mental health astigmatisms to enhance our outcome and emphasize the complex dynamics involved with these challenges.
Andrade LH, Alonso J, Mneimneh Z, et al. “Barriers to mental health treatment: results from the WHO World Mental Health surveys.” Psychological medicine. 2014;44(6):1303-1317. Barriers to mental health treatment: results from the WHO World ...
This study investigates the obstacles that stand in between the initiation and continuation of mental health treatment, using data from the World Health Organization World Mental Health survey across 24 countries. Discovering that women and younger people with a mental health disorder are more likely to be recognized for the need of treatment. Egotistical barriers like the desire to fix an issue independently does outweigh the structural barriers, and are more common in mild to moderate cases. For the serve cases, a more structural barrier is the main problem as to why they don't seek treatment.
Ryan, Taylor. Suicide Loss Survivor, Mental Health Advocate and Intern at The American Foundation for Sucidie Prevention (AFSP)
Ryan lost her mother to suicide in 2017 when she was 14 years old. Ryan discusses the stigmatism around mental health in today's society, her direct impact and how she became an intern at AFSP and creates social media posts influencing a positive mental health. Ryan also brought an AFSP fundraising walk to USC’s campus which is happening in April for the second year! Interview is scheduled and coming soon!! (she is my best friend)
Hards, Emily, Loades Maria Elizabeth, “Loneliness and mental health in children and adolescents with pre-existing mental health problems: A rapid systematic review” British Journal of Clinical Psychology (2022), 61, 313-334 https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/bjc.12331
This study reviews the relationship between loneliness and mental health in children and the pre-existing mental health problems in young people, which takes place specifically during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 1,536 people ages 6 through 23 with mental disorders like anxiety, social phobia, depression and others show a significant association between loneliness and mental health problems. This highlights the importance of targeted interventions adapted from existing strategies.
Tian, HAO MM, Xue. “Humanistic care and psychological counseling on psychological disorders in medical students after COVID-19 outbreak” August 14, 2020 https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2020/08140/humanistic_care_and_psychological_counseling_on.28.aspx
This article discusses the systematic review protocol and its investigation on the impact of humanistic care and psychological counseling (HCPC) on psychological disorders in medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. This study used randomized controlled trials and medical students with diagnosed psychological disorders post COVID-19, with the primary outcomes being depression and anxiety. These results prove the value effectiveness of HCPC for treating PD.
Smith, Anthony D., “Ignore popular Culture Portrayals of Mental Illness” Psychology Today, February 13, 2024 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/up-and-running/202402/ignore-popular-culture-portrayals-of-mental-illness
The enormous amount of misportrayed mental illness in today's society are heavily influenced by entertainment and social media and contribute to the widespread misunderstanding. Particularly the social media platform TikTok, addresses stereotypes in a light hearted way like being dramatic or comedic. The author emphasizes that even accurate information from professional organizations may not discuss misconceptions people may have when reading the content regarding mental illness. The author provides an accurate description of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia. Highlighting the complexity of how diverse and real these conditions are in real life.
Toukhy, N. MA et al., “Implict identification with death detects and predicts short-term suicide risk among adolescents discharged from the emergency room” Suicide and Life-Treatening Behavior, 8 August 2022 DOI: 10.1111/sttb.12958 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/sltb.12958
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and the numbers of suicide attempts are concerningly increasing over the last decade, particularly among those younger than 15 years old. This increasing number has led to increased Emergency Room (ER) admissions for suicide. So much that ER admission has been identified as a risk factor for repeated attempts, specifically post discharge. This study investigates the Death-Suicide Imlicit Association Test (D/S-IAT) as a predictor of the short-term suicide risk amoung adolescents discharged from the ER.
Brelet, L, et al., “Stigmatization toward People with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder: A Scoping Review” Nutrients, National Library of Medicine, August 2021 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8400545/
This article highlights research on stigmatization in eating disorders (EDs), revealing stereotypes, prejudices, discriminations and the harmful effects these obtain. This article covers the specific ED’s like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Research was taken from 46 studies conducted between the years of 2004 and 2021. This review identifies the stigma of individuals are blamed for their condition, facing negative emotions and reactions and social distance. Demographic factors as in gender, age, income and identity all influence the extent of stigmatization.
Kaslow, Nadine, PhD, “Teen Suicides: What Are the Risk Factors?” Child Mind Institute, January 30, 2024 https://childmind.org/article/teen-suicides-risk-factors/
This article identifies the misconception and challenge specifically adolescents that suicidal talk is merely attention seeking. Stressing the importance of taking such threats or signs very seriously. The author touches on risk factors including recent losses, mental health issues, substance use, bullying, access to lethal means etc. The author also touches on the protective factors such as strong connections, access to clinical intervention and problem-solving abilities. Some warning signs of suicide the author includes changes in behavior and explicit talking about dying.
Courvoisie, Helen, MD. “Psychosis in Children: diagnosis and treatment” National Library of Medicine June 3, 2001 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181648/
This article discusses the challenges of diagnosing childhood psychosis and emphasizes developmental nuance issues as well as overlapping symptoms with various mental disorders. Highlighting the difficulty of differentiating childhood-onset schizophrenia from other psychiatric conditions. The lack of biological markers in childhood psychosis such as brain scans are the main issue as to why this is constantly misdiagnosed as a neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism or ADHD.
Kelley, Laura, “Expert Untangles Complexities of grief for Suicide Loss Survivors” CU Anschutz Medical Group, November 15, 2022 https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/expert-untangles-complexities-of-grief-for-suicide-loss-survivors
Winefield, Helen R. “Psychological well-being and psychological distress:is it necessary to measure both?” Psychology of well being: Theory, Research and Practice, June 25, 2012 https://psywb.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2211-1522-2-3
Atkins, Marc,“Toward the Integration of Education and Mental Health in Schools” Administration and Policy in Mental Health, March 23, 2010, Volume 37, pages 40-47
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10488-010-0299-7
Stephan, Sharon Hoover, “Transformation of children’s Mental Health Services: The Role of School Mental Health” Psychiatric Services, October 1, 2007 https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/ps.2007.58.10.1330
Braghieri, Luca, “Social Media and Mental Health” American Economic Association Review, 112(11):3660-93 https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257%2Faer.20211218&ref=twelvetables.blog
Russell M Viner, PhD, “Roles of cyberbullying, sleep and physical activity in mediating the effects of social media use on mental health and wellbeing among young people in England: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data” August 13, 2019 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(19)30186-5/abstract
Pantic, Igor, “Online Social Networking and Mental Health” Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking. October 1, 2014 https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2014.0070
“Mental Health Issues: Alcohol Use Disorder and Common Co-occuring Conditions” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: The Healthcare Professional’s Core Resource on Alcohol: knowledge. Impacts. Strategies https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/mental-health-issues-alcohol-use-disorder-and-common-co-occurring-conditions
Part 2
The first article opened my eyes even more to the mental health field, although I am a psychology major and did not think it was possible to know more. In researching the underlying stigma that surrounds mental health in today's society, I discovered "Mental Health Literacy" (MHL), which refers to the beliefs and knowledge about mental health disorders that help recognize them, manage the disorder, and prevent them. The first study I researched used questions to survey high school students to focus on recognizing mental health issues and the overall intention to seek help. The MHL is beneficial in combating the common social stigmas associated with mental health and identifying the deficiencies in public awareness concerning mental health. The articles showed me that there is action to normalize mental health resources and guidance and gave me more ideas to write about. It was also surprising to learn about the association between low mental health literacy and a higher likelihood of depression in adolescents. The third article I read continues on the stigma around psychological disorders and highlights the horrible effects on well-being and how many do not seek help. Mental health care professionals are especially struggling.
I learned very shocking and horrible statistics like suicide being the second cause of death among adolescents and a large number of attempts in the last decade. This leads to increased Emergency Room admissions, which has now been identified as a risk factor for people who repeatedly attempt suicide. This happens so frequently that there is now a test called the "Death-Suicide Implicit Association Test," which predicts short-term suicide risk among adolescents discharged from the ER. This fact was so shocking to me, considering hospitals are supposed to "cure" you.
I did know this, but I would like to mention that Loneliness is one common cause of mental health problems, and the study I read explicitly focused on the time during the COVID-19 Pandemic. It highlights the understanding of mental health within the context of a global crisis and how it caused a significant increase in mental health problems.
Diving into the discourse of mental health has widened my understanding of the connected issues from stigma and literacy to treatment barriers. The experiences of specific groups like adolescents and mental health professionals are a new profession and age range in which I have not studied. I have been reminded how urgent it is to address these misconceptions perpetuated by popular culture. In the Psychology Today article, the influence of the media, especially TikTok and other similar platforms, shapes the public's perception, regardless of the source.
Delving deeper into this topic has influenced me in multiple ways. I want to write an informative but personal essay on mental health. My mother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was three years old and was ill until I was fifteen. Watching her struggle with herself was torture for me as I knew it was for her; this is what has prompted me to study psychology altogether; I could never understand it but always sympathized. I feel very inclined to write a piece like this, although fear and the entire stigma hold me back. So maybe I can write a policy brief or magazine profile raising awareness on mental health. I am not sure; I know I am passionate about mental health and want to help people.
Exploring the various articles on mental health has been a transformative journey for me, which has challenged my preconceived notions and has expanded my understanding. The concept of Mental Health Literacy is outstanding, offering a structured approach to combating the stigmas surrounding mental health. The research discovered on high school students shows that recognizing, managing, and preventing mental health disorders helps significantly. On a personal note, witnessing my mother's struggle has been my driving force in the decision to study psychology and help individuals who struggle. This assignment has inspired a deep-seated passion to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health.