Self-stigma in suicide prevention of mental health professionals

Introduction

Stigma is one of the main factors hindering help-seeking, which can have debilitating effects on mental health and even lead to suicidality. Stigma can affect the general public but also mental health professionals. In this study we examined mental-illness and help-seeking self-stigma as well as public stigma of suicidal behavior among suicidologists.

Methods

Invitation to participate in the study was sent to 518 member of the Internat.l Assoc. for Suicide Prevention. 89 participants (55 female, 34 male; 17% response rate) completed the survey. We gathered sociodemographic data, data on personal history of mental illness and suicidal behavior and on different types of stigma. We hypothesized that help-seeking self-stigma is predicted by sociodemographic attributes and personal history of mental illness and that self-stigma related to mental illness and suicide act as mediators.

Results

Personal experience with mental illness predicted mental illness self-stigma. There was no significant predictive value of other variables (age, gender, years working in suicidology) for self-stigma of mental illness and suicide behavior. Both types of self-stigma (mental illness and suicide behavior) were correlated. Mental-illness self-stigma was shown to be a stronger predictor of help-seeking self-stigma than self-stigma of suicide behavior, though the effect did not reach statistical significance. Self-stigma of suicide behavior showed no independent contribution to help-seeking self-stigma.

Conclusions

Mental healthcare professionals represent a particularly vulnerable group for developing mental health issues and suicidality. However, due to fear of being perceived less competent by colleagues and the public, they often disguise their mental struggles and are reluctant to seek help. These pilot findings warrant further research to better understand self-stigma and its impact on help-seeking behavior in order to prevent suicidality in this population.

Positive mental health and COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on mental health. In contrast to studies on mental disorders, our study contributes to the under-researched area of the impact of the pandemic on positive mental health. We compare the prevalence of positive mental health before and during the pandemic and identify factors associated with flourishing and languishing mental health during the pandemic.

Methods

We used data from two nationally representative cross-sectional surveys of Slovenian adults conducted in 2019 and 2021. Outcome included positive mental health (Mental Health Continuum - Short Form). Cross-sectional prevalence estimates were calculated and logistic regression assessed associations between positive mental health and the COVID-19 specific and other health-related factors.

Results

In 2021, 38.6% (95% CI, 37.0%-40.2%) had flourishing mental health, compared to 61,5% (95% CI, 60.5%-62.5%) before the pandemic. In contrast, the share of people in languishing mental health during the pandemic (8.0%; 95% CI, 7.1%-8.9%) was nearly two times higher than in 2019 (4,5%; 95% CI, 4.1%-4.9%). Both flourishing and languishing were significantly associated with changes in family relations, social interactions and dietary habits, resilience and COVID-19 literacy.

Conclusions

Positive mental health in Slovenia worsened drastically during the pandemic compared with before. Results indicate important role of family relationships, social interactions and dietary habits on positive mental health. Both prevention of mental disorders and mental health promotion need to be considered in order to address the full range of public mental health needs, with increased attention to strengthening resilience and health literacy.

Key messages

• We noted an substantial decline in flourishing and rise in languishing mental health during the pandemic.

• Public health efforts need to address the impact of the pandemic on family relations and social interactions.

Internet gaming disorder symptoms among Slovenian gamers

Background

Problematic use of digital technologies has been attracting extensive amount of attention worldwide, especially (internet) gaming disorder (IGD). Prevalence of IGD varies across studies, depending mostly on the methodology, assessment tool and participant group. Despite numerous research on the topic a strong need to better understand technology's impact on population remains in order to better tackle this public health challenge.

Methods

National Survey on the Use of Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs was conducted in 2018 on a national representative sample (n = 16,000; age: 15-64 years; 62.4% response rate), using mixed-mode (CAWI and CAPI). The final sample consisted of 9,161 respondents, of those 24.2 % (n = 2,212) reported having played a videogame in the last 12 months (gamers-only sample). Prevalence of IGD symptoms was assessed with 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form using 5-point scale (total score: 9-45 points). Disordered and non-disordered gamers were dichotomized with a cut-off point at 36 points with higher scores indicating higher degree of IGD.

Results

Data shows 0.4% [95% CI:0.2-0.8] of the Slovenian gamers reported to have symptoms of IGD, whereas higher rates were observed within younger population. Namely, 1.0% [95% CI: 0.2-3.9] within 20-24 year olds and 0.7% [95% CI:0.2-2.2] within 15-19 year old. Men (0.5% [95% CI:0.2-1.2]) reported more IGD symptoms than women (0.1% [95% CI:0.0-0.8]). The share of IGD symptoms was also higher among unemployed and those who live without partner.

Conclusions

Results obtained in present study are consistent with results of comparable studies conducted in other countries. A relatively low share of IGD symptoms in the sample might be due to a high cut-off point. However, obtained data allows for tailored public health interventions in Slovenia, such as awareness raising and prevention and treatment programmes, as well calls for further analyses on IGD epidemiology and research methodology.

Key messages

0.4% of the Slovenian residents, who played videogames in the last 12 months reported to have symptoms of internet gaming disorder, with higher rates observed within younger population. The share of population experiencing symptoms of internet gaming disorder in Slovenia is similar to that of other countries where comparable studies were done.