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Despite the emerging body of literature on the benefits of youth peer support, there is also evidence that peer support can have unintended negative impacts on peers themselves. It is important to explore what aspects of the peer role contribute to these difficulties in order to mitigate risks. This paper uses a participatory approach to examine the unique attributes of youth peer practice and the related challenges. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with both peer and non-peer staff from a community-based youth mental health program that provides peer support services (N = 29). Thematic analyses were completed using QSR NVivo. Analyses capture the defining features and related challenges of the peer support role (self-disclosure, boundaries, role confusion and dynamic recovery), and risk factors that affect peers (stigma, exposure to harm and burnout). This paper contributes to the literature on peer support as well as youth participatory evaluation. The findings will be useful to support the development of improved organizational contexts for peer practice and more effective peer support programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Research shows that women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) are at risk for a range of adverse mental health outcomes, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidality. However, few studies use measures that reflect the broad range of IPV exposures that women experience. This paper examines the associations between multiple IPV types and adverse mental health among a sample of survivors engaged in care. Methods: This article draws on data from a web-based survey administered to 377 women seeking IPV services in a Southwestern U.S. state. Multivariate regression analyses with multiple imputation were conducted to investigate the net association between multiple types of IPV and three mental health outcomes: depression, PTSD, and a prior suicidal attempt or threat, controlling for socio-demographics and self-rated health. Results: Multivariate analyses indicated significant associations between reproductive coercion (β = 6.89, p <.001), technology-facilitated violent threats (β = 5.27, p <.05), and psychological vulnerability/abuse (β = 4.45, p <.05) and symptoms of depression. Findings also indicated significant net associations between reproductive coercion (β = 7.05, p <.001), technology-facilitated humiliation (β = 4.87, p <.05), and psychological vulnerability/abuse (β = 7.76, p <.001) and increased PTSD symptomology. Finally, psychological vulnerability/abuse (aOR = 3.36, p <.01) increased the likelihood of reporting a prior suicidal attempt or threat. Conclusion: Women reporting reproductive coercion, technology-facilitated abuse, and psychological vulnerability/abuse had a higher risk of adverse mental health. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms that underlie these varied associations and to develop a cohesive practice model attuned to integrated needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on maternal mental health. We explored the lived experiences of women with perinatal depression and anxiety to elucidate their perceptions of how the pandemic influenced their mental health and access to care. Methods: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews. From March to October 2021, purposive sampling was used to recruit a socio-demographically diverse sample of women with self-reported perinatal depression or anxiety who were pregnant or within one year postpartum between March 2020 and October 2021. Interviews were conducted remotely and thematically analyzed. Results: Fourteen women were interviewed. Three major themes arose. Theme 1, Negative impacts of COVID-19 on symptoms of depression and anxiety, described how the pandemic magnified underlying symptoms of depression and anxiety, increased social isolation, generated anxiety due to fears of COVID-19 infection, and caused economic stress. In theme 2, Negative impacts of COVID-19 on access to and quality of health care, women described stressful and isolating delivery experiences, negative psychological impact of partners not being able to participate in their perinatal health care, interruptions and barriers to mental health treatment, and challenges in using telehealth services for mental health care. Theme 3, Positive impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, identified advantages of increased telehealth access and ability to work and study from home. Conclusions for Practice: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected women with perinatal depression and anxiety by magnifying underlying symptoms, increasing stress and social isolation, and disrupting access to mental health care. Findings provide support for policies and interventions to prevent and address social isolation, as well as optimization of telehealth services to prevent and address gaps in perinatal mental health treatment. Significance: What is Already Known on this Subject? Quantitative data suggest that the pandemic increased rates of perinatal mental illness. Yet the perspectives of women with perinatal depression and anxiety on how the pandemic affected their mental health and access to care remain underreported. What this Study adds? This paper offers new insight from the lived experience of women with perinatal depression and anxiety on ways the pandemic negatively and positively affected their mental health and access to mental health care. Implications for interventions, policies, and clinical practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing need for mental health support and a shortage of therapists have led to the development of the eXtended-reality Artificial Intelligence Assistant (XAIA). This platform combines spatial computing, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide immersive mental health support. Utilizing GPT-4 for AI-driven therapy, XAIA engaged participants with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression in biophilic VR environments. Speaking with an AI therapy avatar in VR was considered acceptable, helpful, and safe, with participants observed to engage genuinely with the program. However, some still favored human interaction and identified shortcomings with using a digital VR therapist. The study provides initial evidence of the acceptability and safety of AI psychotherapy via spatial computing, warranting further research on technical enhancements and clinical impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opioid crisis is an ever-growing issue nationwide. The role of peer support specialists has received widespread acceptance in the substance use and behavioral health spheres. However, there is a lack of standardization on the training required for peer support specialists to function as competent members of integrated behavioral health teams. We conducted qualitative focus groups with 14 practicing certified peer support specialists to determine their perceived educational needs. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and six themes emerged: mental health and suicide prevention training, diversity, equity, and inclusion training, counseling skills training, family systems approach to care training, professionalism training, and taking care of self – mind, soul, and body training. To improve peer support specialists' confidence in their ability to competently perform their jobs, important topics need to be incorporated into their educational training and preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]