Natural disasters have a significant impact on the mental health of affected populations. The February 2023 earthquakes in Syria and Turkey caused widespread devastation.

To explore the mental health impact of the earthquakes in Syria on the population across areas differentially damaged by the disaster.

This cross-sectional study conducted in Syria included 1406 adults recruited via social media platforms 1 month after the February 2023 earthquakes. Demographic information, earthquake exposure questions, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5: for probable post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9: for probable depression) and the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7: for probable anxiety) were included to compare outcomes across areas severely, moderately and slightly damaged by the earthquakes.

Probable PTSD and GAD rates were higher in the severely (57.9 and 57.3% respectively) and moderately damaged regions (55.4 and 56.3% respectively) than in the slightly damaged regions (44.6 and 48.3% respectively) (PTSD: P < 0.001, GAD: P = 0.005). More participants in severely damaged regions (60.6%) reported symptoms of depression compared with moderately (53.1%) and slightly damaged (50.8%) regions (P = 0.003). Poorer mental health outcomes were associated with being female, single, younger, having a damaged or destroyed house, seeing something tragic in person and hearing tragic stories. Seeing something tragic on social media was not statistically significant.

This study highlights the higher prevalence of probable mental disorders in areas with more severe earthquake damage, with over 50% of the population reporting probable PTSD, depression or anxiety. The study also suggests a significant cumulative effect of these earthquakes on an already trauma- and disaster-affected population.

Self-harm is a significant problem in university students because of its association with emotional distress, physical harm, broader mental health issues and potential suicidality. Research suggests that fewer than half of students who have self-harmed seek professional help when at university.

This study aimed to explore the help-seeking journeys of university students who had engaged in self-harm, to identify perceived facilitators and barriers to securing both formal and informal support.

Participants comprised 12 students who had self-harmed during their university tenure. Engaging in two semi-structured interviews over the academic year, they shared insights into their help-seeking behaviours and proposed enhancements to local services. Data underwent reflexive thematic analysis within a critical realist framework.

The analysis identified four themes: ‘The initial university phase poses the greatest challenge’, ‘Perceived criteria for “valid” mental health problems’, ‘Evading external judgements, concerns and consequences’ and ‘The pivotal role of treatment options and flexibility in recovery’.

Students felt isolated and misunderstood, which amplified self-harming tendencies and diminished inclinations for help-seeking. A prevalent belief was that for self-harm to be deemed ‘valid’, it must manifest with a certain severity; however, concurrent fears existed around the ramifications of perceived excessive severity. Participants expressed a desire for streamlined pathways to mental health resources, encompassing both university and external mental health services. Insights from this study could guide future research and inform current service paradigms within academic and healthcare systems.

Hearing loss and tinnitus have been proposed as potential indicators of impaired mental health and brain morphological changes.

To assess the associations of hearing loss and tinnitus with the risk of depression and anxiety and with brain volume.

We conducted a community-based cohort study including 129 610 participants aged 40−69 years at recruitment to the UK Biobank with a follow-up period during 2006–2021 to estimate the risk of depression and anxiety after detection of hearing loss and reported tinnitus. We also assessed the associations of hearing loss and tinnitus with brain volume in a subsample with available brain magnetic resonance imaging data (N = 5222).

We observed an increased risk of depression among individuals with hearing loss (hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.26), tinnitus (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.21–1.41) or both (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.15–1.52), compared with individuals with neither hearing loss nor tinnitus. Similar results were noted for anxiety (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07–1.30 for hearing loss; HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.22–1.43 for tinnitus; and HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.30–1.68 for both). Hearing loss was associated with decreased overall brain volume as well as decreased volume of different brain regions. The latter associations disappeared after adjustment for whole intracranial volume. Tinnitus was associated with greater left accumbens and right occipital pole volume after adjustment for the whole intracranial volume.

Individuals with tinnitus are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Hearing loss, on the other hand, is associated with both mood disorders and altered brain morphology.

The aetiology and consequences of ‘baby blues’ (lower mood following childbirth) are yet to be sufficiently investigated with respect to an individual's clinical history.

The primary aim of the study was to assess the symptoms of baby blues and the relevant risk factors, their associations with clinical history and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and their possible contribution to the early recognition of postpartum depression (PPD).

Beginning shortly after childbirth, 369 mothers were followed up for 12 weeks. Information related to their clinical history, PMS, depression, stress and mother–child attachment was collected. At 12 weeks, mothers were classified as non-depressed, or with either PPD or adjustment disorder.

A correlation was found between the severity of baby blues and PMS (r = 0.397, P < 0.001), with both conditions increasing the possibility of adjustment disorder and PPD (baby blues: OR = 6.72, 95% CI 3.69–12.25; PMS: OR = 3.29, 95% CI 2.01–5.39). Baby blues and PMS independently predicted whether a mother would develop adjustment disorder or PPD after childbirth (χ2(64) = 198.16, P < 0.001). Among the non-depressed participants, baby blues were found to be associated with primiparity (P = 0.012), family psychiatric history (P = 0.001), PMS (P < 0.001) and childhood trauma (P = 0.017).

Baby blues are linked to a number of risk factors and a history of PMS, with both conditions adding to the risk of PPD. The neuroendocrine effects on mood need be understood in the context of individual risk factors. The assessment of both baby blues and PMS symptoms within the first postpartum days may contribute to an early identification of PPD.

The frequent prescribing of psychotropics and high prevalence of polypharmacy among older adults with intellectual disabilities require close monitoring.

To describe change in prevalence, predictors and health outcomes of psychotropic use during the four waves (2009/2010, 2013/2014, 2016/2017, 2019/2020) of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA).

Eligible participants were adults (≥40 years) with intellectual disabilities who participated in all four waves of IDS-TILDA and who reported medication use for the entire period. Differences between groups were tested using Cochran's Q test for binary variables and the McNemar–Bowker test for variables with more than two categories. Generalised estimating equation models were used to assess associations between psychotropic use, participants’ characteristics and health outcomes.

Across waves (433 participants) there were no significant differences in prevalence of psychotropic use (61.2–64.2%) and psychotropic polypharmacy (42.7–38.3%). Antipsychotics were the most used subgroup, without significant change in prevalence between waves (47.6–44.6%). A significant decrease was observed for anxiolytics (26.8–17.6%; P < 0.001) and hypnotics/sedatives (14.1–9.0%; P < 0.05). A significant increase was recorded for antidepressants (28.6–35.8%; P < 0.001) and mood-stabilising agents (11.5–14.6%; P < 0.05). Psychotropic polypharmacy (≥2 psychotropics) was significantly associated with moderate to total dependence in performing activities of daily living over the 10-year period (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.21–2.69; P < 0.05).

The study indicates an increase in usage of some classes of psychotropic, a reduction in others and no change in the relatively high rate of antipsychotic use over 10 years in a cohort of older adults with intellectual disabilities and consequent risk of psychotropic polypharmacy and medication-related harm.

Childhood maltreatment is associated with internet addiction, but most evidence is from retrospective studies.

We aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and internet addiction through a prospective cohort design.

In a prospective cohort study, self-reported data on childhood maltreatment (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form) at baseline, and internet addiction (Revised Chinese Internet Addiction Scale) at baseline and 6-month follow-up, were collected online from 756 Chinese junior middle school students aged 11–15 years and residing in Changsha, Hunan Province. Demographic data and covariates such as depression, anxiety, stress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21) and insomnia (Athens Insomnia Scale) were also surveyed at baseline. Logistic regression analysis measured the association between childhood maltreatment and internet addiction, and gender-related differences.

Childhood maltreatment was prevalent in Chinese junior middle school students (37.83%), and the incidence rate of internet addiction was 9.26% at the 6-month follow-up. Emotional abuse was a significant risk factor for internet addiction (adjusted odds ratio 2.618, 95% CI 1.194–5.738; P = 0.016) in both males and females.

This study suggests a high prevalence of childhood maltreatment in Chinese junior middle school students, and that emotional abuse plays a significant role in internet addiction. More attention should be paid to parenting style and adolescents’ mental health.

Bipolar disorder, a chronic mental health condition characterised by fluctuations in mood, energy and functionality, affects millions of individuals worldwide. Its management requires a comprehensive approach, and, as such, treatment guidelines have a pivotal role in guiding clinicians to alleviate symptoms, prevent relapse and enhance overall patient well-being. However, the treatment landscape is far from homogenous, with significant variations existing across different countries.

This study aimed to explore and compare treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder in various regions, shedding light on the factors that influence therapeutic approaches and thus offering insights that could contribute to the ongoing refinement of evidence-based practices in management.

The study explores various international treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder that have been updated after 2014. Guidelines from the UK, Canada, Australia/New Zealand, South Korea and the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology are scrutinised to identify factors contributing to the observed differences among them.

The variations in recommended drugs across guidelines arise from the approaches employed in guideline development – whether relying on expert consensus or meta-analysis results. Timing disparities in conducting these analyses and the selection of studies also exert influence. Moreover, differences in metabolic enzymes among diverse races and the health policies implemented by individual nations play a significant part in shaping these differences.

The primary hindrance to consistent treatment conclusions lies in the scarcity of high-quality research results, leading to variations in guidelines. Enhancing evidence-based recommendations necessitates the undertaking of large-scale studies dedicated to assessing treatments for bipolar disorder.

As people age, survival after a heart attack can affect their quality of life and lead to a decrease in life satisfaction. After a myocardial infarction, elderly patients may experience physical, psychological, emotional and social changes that affect their thoughts and behaviour in relation to spirituality.

To investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being and other sociodemographic and medical history-related factors on quality of life and life satisfaction among elderly people after myocardial infarction.

In a census-based cross-sectional study conducted at the Imam Reza Hospital in Amol, Iran, from May 2020 to May 2021, data on sociodemographics, medical history, subjective well-being, life satisfaction and quality of life were collected from 502 participants who were referred at the heart clinic.

The findings showed that spiritual well-being dimensions (religious well-being, [self-assessment of one's relationship with God], and existential well-being, [self-assessment of one's sense of purpose in life and life satisfaction]) were not significantly associated with life satisfaction, but a high perception of both dimensions of spiritual well-being were associated with higher self-reported quality of life. A history of past-year hospital admission and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were significant predictors of life satisfaction, and educational level was a predictor of quality of life.

The study found no significant association between spiritual well-being and life satisfaction among elderly people following myocardial infarction. This finding might have been influenced by the physical and emotional challenges experienced by the participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.

COVID-19 carriers experience psychological stresses and mental health issues such as varying degrees of stigma. The Social Impact Scale (SIS) can be used to measure the stigmatisation of COVID-19 carriers who experience such problems.

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the SIS, and the association between stigma and depression among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers in Shanghai, China.

A total of 1283 asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers from Shanghai Ruijin Jiahe Fangcang Shelter Hospital were recruited, with a mean age of 39.64 ± 11.14 years (59.6% male). Participants completed questionnaires, including baseline information and psychological measurements, the SIS and Self-Rating Depression Scale. The psychometrics of the SIS and its association with depression were examined through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis.

The average participant SIS score was 42.66 ± 14.61 (range: 24–96) years. Analyses suggested the model had four factors: social rejection, financial insecurity, internalised shame and social isolation. The model fit statistics of the four-factor SIS were 0.913 for the comparative fit index, 0.902 for the Tucker–Lewis index and 0.088 for root-mean-square error of approximation. Standard estimated factor loadings ranged from 0.509 to 0.836. After controlling for demographic characteristics, the total score of the 23-item SIS predicted depression (odds ratio: 1.087, 95% CI 1.061–1.115; area under the curve: 0.84, 95% CI 0.788–0.892).

The Chinese version of the SIS showed good psychometric properties and can be used to assess the level of perceived stigma experienced by asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers.

Depression, anxiety and insomnia often co-occur. However, there is a lack of research regarding how they cluster and how this is related to medication used to treat them.

To describe the frequencies and associations between depression, anxiety and insomnia, and treatment for these conditions in primary care.

A retrospective cohort study using UK electronic primary care records. We included individuals aged between 18 and 99 years old with one or more records suggesting they had a diagnosis, symptom or drug treatment for anxiety, depression or insomnia between 2015 and 2017. We report the conditional probabilities of having different combinations of diagnoses, symptoms and treatments recorded.

There were 1 325 960 records indicative of depression, anxiety or insomnia, for 739 834 individuals. Depression was the most common condition (n = 106 117 records), and SSRIs were the most commonly prescribed medication (n = 347 751 records). Overall, individuals with a record of anxiety were most likely to have co-occurring symptoms and diagnoses of other mental health conditions. For example, of the individuals with a record of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), 24% also had a diagnosis of depression. In contrast, only 0.6% of those who had a diagnosis of depression had a diagnosis or symptom of GAD. Prescribing of more than one psychotropic medication within the same year was common. For example, of those who were prescribed an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), 40% were also prescribed an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

The conditional probabilities of co-occurring anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms, diagnoses and treatments are high.

Feelings of emptiness are commonly reported as deeply distressing experiences. Despite established relationships between emptiness and many mental health difficulties, alongside self-harm and suicide, further study into this phenomenon has been restricted by vague definition and clinical measures with limited utility. Recently the first definition validated by individuals with lived experience of emptiness has been conceptualised, providing an opportunity to create a new measure of emptiness.

This study aimed to psychometrically evaluate the 31-item Psychological Emptiness Scale (PES), identifying redundancy, and thus creating a psychometrically robust scale with optimised clinical utility.

Utilising an online survey design, 768 participants completed the 31 items of the initial PES alongside other measures of mental health. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and item response theory employed to identify item redundancy and reduce test burden. Expert clinicians provided ratings of each item's clinical relevance and, combined with the psychometric analysis, led to the removal of a number of items. Confirmatory factor analysis was then undertaken. Reliability including test–retest, validity and sensitivity of the measure were evaluated.

A two-factor structure encompassing ‘nothingness’ and ‘detachment’ was identified, and found to have acceptable fit. The resulting 19-item PES was found to have internal consistency (α = 0.95), convergent validity and test–retest reliability.

This study demonstrated strong psychometric properties of the PES. The PES has potential to support research into the role of emptiness in psychological distress and treatment in clinical practice.

Brief intervention services provide rapid, mobile and flexible short-term delivery of interventions to resolve mental health crises. These interventions may provide an alternative pathway to the emergency department or in-patient psychiatric services for children and young people (CYP), presenting with an acute mental health condition.

To synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of brief interventions in improving mental health outcomes for CYP (0–17 years) presenting with an acute mental health condition.

A systematic literature search was conducted, and the studies’ methodological quality was assessed. Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles between January 2000 and September 2022.

We synthesised 30 articles on the effectiveness of brief interventions in the form of (a) crisis intervention, (b) integrated services, (c) group therapies, (d) individualised therapy, (e) parent–child dyadic therapy, (f) general services, (g) pharmacotherapy, (h) assessment services, (i) safety and risk planning and (j) in-hospital treatment, to improve outcomes for CYP with an acute mental health condition. Among included studies, one study was rated as providing a high level of evidence based on the National Health and Medical Research Council levels of evidence hierarchy scale, which was a crisis intervention showing a reduction in length of stay and return emergency department visits. Other studies, of moderate-quality evidence, described multimodal brief interventions that suggested beneficial effects.

This review provides evidence to substantiate the benefits of brief interventions, in different settings, to reduce the burden of in-patient hospital and readmission rates to the emergency department.