Students’ mental health issues are a common concern on college campuses and are often addressed via prevention programming called mental health literacy. This dissertation consists of two studies regarding mental health literacy programming for college students at a western university in the United States. In study one, the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy Assessment Tool (MHAA-AT) was created and evaluated for its utility in assessing college students’ mental health literacy. This assessment tool is unique in that it is built upon a process-based approach to mental health literacy. The assessment tool demonstrated adequate psychometric properties and it was deemed an appropriate tool to assess college students’ mental health literacy, specifically their declarative knowledge, self-efficacy, and behaviors. In study two the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy (MHAA) curriculum was created and evaluated in a college student population. The MHAA curriculum is unique in that is taught in-person or online in a degree seeking program at a college or university. Results from study two suggest that the MHAA curriculum was effective in increasing college students’ mental health literacy scores, specifically their declarative knowledge and self-efficacy. The benefit of this two-study dissertation is that it provides a unique way to deliver and evaluate effective mental health literacy prevention programming on a larger scale via a degree-seeking program to college students.

TITLE: Race, gender, and mental health outcomes in Tennessee AUTHOR INFO Eugene Annor Manik Ahuja PhD, MA1 Author Affiliations: 1College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States Background: Tennessee has been disproportionally burdened with high levels of mental health disorders. Over the last decade, Tennessee has consistently ranked in the bottom 10 U.S. states in prevalence of mental health disorders. While it is known that Tennessee ranks lower in mental health status, less is known of how these differences vary across race. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative U.S. telephone-based survey of adults aged 18 years or older for the State of Tennessee (n=6,242). Chi-square tests were conducted to assess differences across race. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the association between gender and past month mentally unhealthy days, stratified by race. We coded mentally unhealthy days binary, at 15 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month, and less than 15 days. We controlled for income, educational attainment, health insurance, and age. Results: Overall, 22.9% of American Indian/Alaska Natives, followed by White (14.8%), Black (13.6%) and Hispanic (12.0%) reported 15 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month. Among Blacks, there were no significant differences between males (13.2%) and females (13.9%) for 15 or more past month mentally unhealthy days (p=.76), as well as among Hispanics (p=.17) Among Whites, females (16.6) reported a significantly higher (p Conclusions: Our findings reveal that among Blacks and Hispanics in Tennessee, there were no significant gender differences in mental health outcomes. White among Whites and American Indian/Alaska Natives, females reported a significantly higher rate of past month mentally unhealthy days. The current study reports that the gap among males and females in report of poorer mental health has narrowed, particularly among Blacks and Hispanics in Tennessee. Further efforts towards providing equitable access to mental health services across race and gender in Tennessee, is essential.

Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast and subjected the city of New Orleans to disastrous flooding, which resulted in numerous after effects that impacted the children and adolescents of the city. The disaster contributed to high levels of stress, increased risk of psychological disorders, and was associated with an increased percentage of New Orleans children presenting symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To help address these problems associated with hurricanes and other disasters, the current study investigated how age, gender, race, and pre-existing conditions increased or decreased the likelihood of a child being diagnosed with PTSD following Hurricane Katrina. A binary logistical regression was utilized in this study. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory formed the framework of the study, based on the functionality of an individual's life and development in his or her environment. The findings revealed age to be a significant predictor on PTSD. As children's ages increase, the likelihood of having PTSD increases. The result can promote positive social change by providing mental healthcare professionals with comprehensive information regarding possible health risk of developing PTSD and the possibilities of getting treatment with evidence-based therapeutic support, medicine, and psychotherapy.

The purpose of this study is to provide a descriptive analysis of the problems presented by a specific group of women seeking out-patient mental health treatment and to relate these problems to the ontogenetic (age-related) developmental issues presented in a study of the literature. The researcher’s involvement in this area developed from interest in current literature on adult development, and a personal commitment to life-long growth and acceptance of the inherent changes. In order to investigate whether developmental issues exist for this group of women, and if so to describe them, two distinct age groups--the decades of the 20's and the 40's--were chosen as the focus of this study.

The inclusion of social workers in delivering and maintaining excellent mental health services is key. Good quality social work can transform the lives of people with mental health illnesses and is an essential part of a multidisciplinary and interrelated team (Lamb, 2014:2). Furthermore, social workers play a pivotal role in improving health services and mental health outcomes for all citizens (Allen, 2014:5). However, the state of mental health services in South African is declining. This is also observed in other African countries as well as globally (Allen, 2014:5; Lamb, 2014:2). Even though South Africa has progressive mental health legislation, there are a number of challenges to the financing and development of mental health services (Eaton, McCay, Semrau, Chatterjee, Baingana, Araya, Ntulo, Thornicroft & Saxena, 2011:1593). These challenges have resulted in psychiatric hospitals remaining outdated; a scarcity of mental health professionals; an inability to develop tertiary level psychiatric services; and an underdeveloped community for mental health and psychosocial rehabilitation services (Burns, 2011:100). The goal of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of social workers in the provision of mental health services in South Africa specifically in Southern Free State Mental Health; Vaal mental health; Kungwini welfare organisation; and YANA. A qualitative research approach was used in the present study. Applied research was conducted and the study made use of both exploratory and descriptive research purposes. Both research purposes allowed the researcher to explore and develop a deeper understanding of a notion that had not been explored in South Africa before (Babbie, 2017:97; Fouche & De Vos, 2011:95). The research design that was utilised in the present study was the case study research design, specifically instrumental case study (Nieuwenhuis, 2016:81). Semi-structured one-on-one and virtual interviews were used. The findings relate to the following factors that contribute to the experiences of social workers rendering mental health services: knowledge and understanding of mental health services; roles and tasks of a social worker in mental health; skills required to provide mental health services; knowledge and understanding of mental of health policies; challenges experienced by social workers rendering mental health services; training in the provision of mental health services; social work supervision; and suggestions to better equip mental health social workers and improve mental health services. The findings further revealed that a lack of resources have a great influence on the provision of mental health services. / Mini Dissertation (MSW (Healthcare))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Humanities Education / MSW (Healthcare) / Unrestricted

No description available.

No description available.

The University of Ottawa (UO) has been dealing with a mental health crisis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate UO students’ knowledge, awareness, and use of mental health services (MHS) and to address limited research on knowledge of on-campus MHS. A cross-sectional online, bilingual, survey was administered to 235 UO students over 18 years old and registered at the university since Fall 2019. Data analysis included descriptive data, categorical analysis, and inductive thematic analysis. Awareness and use of services varied depending on the services in question. 48.9% of students only heard about the services but could not explain them. 57.4% would use a service if in distress and those who would not mainly point to Use of other methods and Lack of information as their reasons. This study contributes to the ongoing efforts of improving UO community’s mental wellbeing.

Problem: A major gap in adolescent mental health services exists in the United States. Nearly 80% of children and adolescents who are defined as needing mental health services are not receiving mental health care. School-based services have demonstrated promise as a strategy to address this gap. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine how a large urban school system implemented and sustained an innovative service of care model in response to financial, human resource, and community constraints and opportunities. Methods: A case study of the San Diego Unified School District’s (SDUSD) Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC) was completed using Pettigrew and Whipp's Content, Context, and Process Model of Strategic Change (PWM) as the theoretical framework that guided the research. Three primary sources of evidence were collected covering a fifteen-year period of implementation (1999–2014): 1) documents; 2) archival records; and, 3) interviews. The interviews were conducted with local and state stakeholders (n=20) and with students who received MHRC services and their parents (n= 15). A chronological reconstruction was completed and all data underwent a content analysis to organize and identify emergent themes based on the PWM framework. Results: Eight factors were identified as critical to the implementation and sustainability of the MHRC: establishing the legitimacy of school as environment for the delivery of mental health services; aligning education and mental health policies; implementing cross systems collaboration; utilizing data to improve performance and prioritize services; strengthening parent and student involvement; commitment to lead; institutionalization of mental health training; and, investment in staff. Further analysis assessed potential system improvements and opportunities for new collaborations and produced sustainability recommendations for SDUSD and MHRC administration, staff, and stakeholders. Conclusion: The MHRC provides a unique systems model that can inform best practices and policy decisions regarding the implementation and sustainability of school-based mental health services. Lessons learned from the sustainability of the MHRC support schools as a legitimate environment for the delivery of mental health services and the integration of mental health services in schools as a feasible strategy to improve student academic and mental health outcomes.

Culture is critical to delivering effective mental health care, necessitating tailored approaches aligned with the respective cultural contexts. The rise of globalization and transcultural psychiatry highlights the importance of integrating culture comprehensively into mental health and psychosocial interventions within humanitarian contexts. Existing research underscores the significance of culture in mental health. However, a prevailing influence of Western perspectives on mental health is evident globally, leading to the widespread implementation of Euro-American viewpoints in humanitarian fieldwork. This approach negatively impacts individuals affected by crisis by sidelining culturally grounded understandings of illness. While several studies examine the impact of culture on mental health care, there is limited research on how humanitarian organizations perceive and incorporate culture in training materials. This study aims to examine how the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement conceptualizes and integrates culture within its mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) intervention. I collected data from nineteen Red Cross guidebooks to conduct a thematic analysis and extract insights into the organization’s approach. I found nine themes: understanding culture through self, culture as behaviour, culture as meanings, community-based approach, assessment, planning and implementation, training, monitoring and evaluation, and universality of mental illness. My findings indicate that the Red Cross conceptualizes culture holistically, and by doing so, they aim to produce culturally relevant care. While the Red Cross emphasizes cultural relativism in its MHPSS responses, encouraging cultural competency, it also tends towards universalism when discussing mental health, reflecting the nuanced nature of MHPSS interventions. This tension highlights the complex relationship between these two perspectives in creating the Movement’s MHPSS responses and speaks to broader challenges in delivering mental health and psychosocial care in humanitarian fields. Further avenues for research lie in exploring strategies to reconcile relativist and universalist frameworks, aiming to produce seamless MHPSSs. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA) / Effective mental health care respects and incorporates the cultural beliefs and practices of the individuals receiving it. However, according to the literature, there is a pattern amongst international aid agencies of applying Westernized mental health ideas globally. In this study, I investigate how the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement understands and incorporates local culture in its mental health and psychosocial supports (MHPSS). The study reveals that the Movement recognizes culture holistically. The Movement closely works with communities, aiming to ensure that the support matches local ways of understanding well-being and distress. However, the Movement tends to apply a more universal understanding regarding specific mental disorders. This discrepancy highlights issues within the humanitarian field at large. My findings suggest that while the Red Cross does well to integrate cultural understandings of psychosocial distress, there is a need for better collaboration between universal and local perspectives in MHPSS.