Beyond the Asylum Walls: Tracing the Tapestry of Mental Health Interventions Across Eras and Cultures

This article offers an extensive review of the changing field of mental health therapies, charting a transformational path from traditional methods to modern breakthroughs and speculating on potential future developments. The story develops by investigating historical viewpoints while reflecting on the present and highlighting the lessons learned and their impact on contemporary practices. We have advanced from the stigmatized constraints of asylums to a paradigm that puts human rights, dignity, and individualized, culturally sensitive treatment first. Modern methods are much more varied and evidence-based, from cutting-edge technical advancements to evidence-based psychotherapies. The ethical considerations arising from the delicate balance of pharmacological therapies underline the responsibility of administering drugs that significantly affect mental health. Cultural factors become a pillar, highlighting how crucial cultural sensitivity is to promoting tolerance. By acknowledging how many facets of the human experience are interrelated, holistic methods help close the gap between the mind and body. Integrative medicine and alternative therapies represent a shift away from reductionist approaches and toward a holistic viewpoint. The delivery of mental health treatment is being reimagined by technological advancements, with virtual and digital environments opening up new access and support channels. These developments cut beyond regional boundaries, reinventing conventional therapy dynamics and paving the way for individualized therapies. Cultural concerns highlight the significance of cultural competency in navigating the complex mental health treatment system and adapting interventions to fit the particular requirements of various cultural contexts. With telepsychiatry, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence among the new technologies that promise to further revolutionize mental health therapies, the essay looks to the future. This review concludes by imagining a day when mental health is prioritized, therapies are available, and the diversity of human experience is valued. The path to a society that values, nurtures, and celebrates mental health continues.

Vision Loss in a Healthy Child: A Case of Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is common in developing countries but rare in resource-rich countries. In developed countries, malabsorption and behavioral issues are more common reasons for VAD. The current case is an example of a healthy child who developed ocular symptoms due to vitamin A deficiency in the setting of cultural influences and emotional stressors.

Internalized Homonegativity and the Challenges of Having Same-Sex Desires in the Lebanese Context: A Study Examining Risk and Protective Factors

Internalized homonegativity (IH) has received increased attention in the literature on sexual minorities. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research on IH in conservative Arab cultures like Lebanon. The present study aimed to cover this gap by exploring risk and protective factors of IH in Lebanese sexual minorities. A hierarchical multiple regression (N = 210) revealed that religiosity, parental rejection (actual or anticipated), and legal discrimination were significant risk factors of IH, while sense of belonging to the LGBT community was a strong protective factor. Although self-compassion did not emerge as a predictor, it had interesting interactions on the bivariate level. Results, limitations, clinical implications, and recommendations for future research and policy making are discussed.

Perceptions of Endocrine Therapy in African-American Breast Cancer Survivors: Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Although the incidence of breast cancer is lower in African-American women than in White women, African-American women have a decreased survival rate. The difference in survival rate may stem from poor endocrine therapy adherence, which increases breast cancer recurrence. Therefore, accessible and culturally sensitive interventions to increase endocrine therapy adherence are necessary.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this concurrent convergent mixed methods study was to provide further data to guide the development of the proposed culturally sensitive mHealth app, STORY+ for African-American women with breast cancer.

METHODS

We recruited 20 African-American women diagnosed with estrogen-positive breast cancer and currently prescribed endocrine therapy. We used a concurrent convergent data collection method to (1) assess the use of smartphones and computers related to health care and (2) identify foundational aspects to support endocrine therapy adherence for incorporation in a mobile health app.

RESULTS

Overwhelmingly, the participants preferred using smartphones to using computers for health care. Communicating with health care providers and pharmacies was the most frequent health care use of smartphones, followed by exercise tracking, and accessing the patient portal. We identified 4 aspects of adherence to endocrine therapy and smartphone use for incorporation in app development. The factors that emerged from the integrated qualitative and quantitative data were (1) willingness to use, (2) side effects, (3) social connection, and (4) beliefs about endocrine therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is needed to develop a culturally sensitive app for African-American women with breast cancer to improve adherence to endocrine therapy. Our work strongly suggests that this population would use the app to connect with other African-American breast cancer survivors and manage endocrine therapy.