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Lemon CA, Svob C, Bonomo Y, Dhungana S, Supanya S, Sittanomai N, Diatri H, Haider II, Javed A, Chandra P, Herrman H, Hoven CW, Sartorius N. Priorities for research promoting mental health in the south and east of Asia. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2024; 23:100287. [PMID: 38404519 PMCID: PMC10884971 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Progress in promoting mental health, preventing mental illness, and improving care for people affected by mental illness is unlikely to occur if efforts remain separated from existing public health programs and the principles of public health action. Experts met recently to discuss integrating public health and mental health strategies in the south and east of Asia, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Areas of research identified as high priority were: 1) integrating mental health into perinatal care; 2) providing culturally-adjusted support for carers of people with mental and physical disorders; 3) using digital health technologies for mental health care in areas with limited resources and 4) building local research capacity. Selection of these areas was informed by their relative novelty in the region, ease of implementation, likely widespread benefit, and potential low costs. In this article, we summarise available evidence, highlight gaps and call for collaborations with research centres, leaders and persons with lived experience within and beyond the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Lemon
- NorthWestern Mental Health, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Connie Svob
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States of America
| | - Yvonne Bonomo
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Addiction Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Saraswati Dhungana
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
| | - Suttha Supanya
- Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Napat Sittanomai
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Hervita Diatri
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty Medicine Universitas Indonesia and Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Afzal Javed
- Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, Fountain House, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Prabha Chandra
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Helen Herrman
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christina W. Hoven
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States of America
| | - Norman Sartorius
- Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes (AMH), Geneva, Switzerland
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Buddhism and Depressive Symptoms among Married Women in Urban Thailand. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17030761. [PMID: 31991732 PMCID: PMC7037506 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17030761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of research has documented salutary associations between religious involvement and poor mental health outcomes, such as depressive symptoms and psychological distress. However, little scholarly attention has been given to the association between Buddhism, a non-Western religious faith, and depressive symptomatology in Thailand. Using random survey data collected from urban Thailand, this study examines the association between religious involvement and depressive symptoms among married women in Bangkok. Findings from multiple linear regression models reveal that (1) Buddhist respondents report significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms than their non-Buddhist counterparts, (2) the frequency of participation in religious activities is significantly and inversely associated with the level of depressive symptoms, and (3) the inverse association between religious participation and depressive symptoms is more salient for Buddhists who frequently practice their faith (i.e., significant interaction effect). Research limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review aims to provide an update on the recent work in mental health promotion with a special emphasis on emerging evidence and innovations in the field. RECENT FINDINGS Studies reviewed across settings like the home, school, workplace, communities, and internet-based platforms, have indicated a growing evidence base for effective mental health promotion strategies that are holistic, multicomponent, and targeted at both, specific vulnerable groups and whole populations. Innovative approaches involving online delivery platforms, sports and exercise, positive psychology and lifestyle interventions, mobilizing community networks, and mental health first aid, are some exciting and upcoming areas for future research. SUMMARY Mental health promotion interventions are applicable to individuals, groups, and whole populations and can be delivered in many ways, including media and communication technology. They can be applied in low-resource settings by mobilizing existing community resources like opinion leaders, health workers, and peer educators, thereby increasing cost-efficiency, cultural acceptability, and local capacity. There needs to be a greater focus on study designs and variable measures that examine process-factors affecting well being outcomes. Early interventions through intersectorial collaborations may result in improved long-term positive mental health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
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