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CASE VIGNETTE Brandon' is a 42-year-old African American man with acquired hearing loss who lost his job due to layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been admitted to the [...]

Introduction: Caregivers of autistic children and caregivers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience considerable stress. However, what is unique or similar across these groups remains understudied. This study explored how female caregivers of children with FASD who registered to participate in a caregiver focused mental health intervention differed from female caregivers of autistic children participating in a similar intervention. Methods: Prior to the intervention, caregivers of children with FASD (n = 21), and caregivers of autistic children (n = 22) were asked to complete an online baseline questionnaire. This questionnaire collected information pertaining to caregiver and child demographics, as well as clinical characteristics related to wellbeing, values, and what caregivers identified as rewarding and challenging about raising their child. Results: identified similarities across caregiver groups in terms of wellbeing, values, and the challenges and rewards they identified with raising their children. Conclusions: Given the similarities in these two caregiver groups, and the shortage of research on families of people with FASD relative to families of autistic people, interventions for family caregivers in the autism community may also be applicable for FASD families, for whom fewer resources are available.

Myocardial strain using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a sensitive marker for predicting adverse outcomes in many cardiac disease states, but the prognostic value in the general population has not been studied conclusively. The goal of this study was to assess the independent prognostic value of CMR feature tracking (FT)—derived LV global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), and radial strain (GRS) metrics in predicting adverse outcomes (heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and death). Participants from the UK Biobank population imaging study were included. Univariable and multivariable Cox models were used for each outcome and each strain marker (GLS, GCS, GRS) separately. The multivariable models were tested with adjustment for prognostically important clinical features and conventional global LV imaging markers relevant for each outcome. Overall, 45,700 participants were included in the study (average age 65 ± 8 years), with a median follow-up period of 3 years. All univariable and multivariable models demonstrated that lower absolute GLS, GCS, and GRS were associated with increased incidence of heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and death. All strain markers were independent predictors (incrementally above some respective conventional LV imaging markers) for the morbidity outcomes, but only GLS predicted death independently: (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.07-1.30). In the general population, LV strain metrics derived using CMR-FT in radial, circumferential, and longitudinal directions are strongly and independently predictive of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke, but only GLS is independently predictive of death in an adult population cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence shows that there is a high prevalence of mental health challenges including depression and anxiety, among Chinese university students. Providing mental health care providers with professional training is crucial to implementing effective mental health promotion initiatives in university settings. Globally, the focus of the mental health system is shifting to recovery and the importance of empowerment is increasingly being emphasized. There is a call to integrate empowerment education into professional training programs for health service providers with the goal of mobilizing them to become mental health champions capable of advancing mental health care. Method: The ACE-LYNX (Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment-Linking Youth and Xin i.e., "heart(s)" in Chinese) intervention took place at six universities in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. It aimed to promote mental health literacy and build capacity among mental health service providers (MHSPs) to enable them to become mental health champions at their universities and beyond. A total of 139 university MHSPs participated. We collected pre-, immediate post- and three-month-post-surveys. In addition, we recruited forty-five participants to take part in three-month-post-intervention focus group interviews to explore their experiences taking part in ACE-LYNX and applying the knowledge, skills, and insights they gained from the intervention. Result: This paper reports on the effects of empowerment education, which is a key component of ACE-LYNX, on the MHSPs. Four themes were identified: 1) conscious awareness and behavioral change through psychological empowerment users; 2) professional insights and motivation for organizational empowerment; 3) non-self in the continuum of collective empowerment; and 4) interdisciplinary challenges and divergences in empowerment action. Discussion: We found that it is critical to integrate empowerment education into professional training. The process of MHSPs developing their empowerment practice is characterized by their moving from individual to collective empowerment along a continuum, with organizational and collective empowerment taking place in a longer time frame. Experiential learning, empathy education, and critical reflection accelerated the continuous iterative transformative process of empowerment practices. To advance the integration of empowerment into mental health care, the engagement of organizational decision-makers and policy makers in empowerment training is critical to ensure alignment of empowerment values and competence at all levels of service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to cultural and systemic factors, Chinese-Canadians tend to use mental health services less or when mental health problems are more severe. Services need to be more culturally responsive in their treatment of mental illness. Around important life events, when there may be heightened vulnerability to mental illness, this is especially important. In this study, postpartum cultural practices were examined among recent immigrant, longer-term immigrant, and Canadian-born Chinese women. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 493 women in Toronto, Ontario, with livebirths in 2011–2014. Participants completed a demographic survey and Postpartum Rituals Questionnaire. Most women (82.2%) practiced at least one postpartum ritual. Younger age (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87–0.99) and greater participation in the heritage culture (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.02–1.61) were associated with ritual practice. From among five types of postpartum rituals identified (i.e., avoidance of homeostatic disturbances, dietary practices, wind avoidance, organized support, and cold avoidance), dietary practices were most commonly undertaken and cold avoidance was least commonly undertaken. There were differences in postpartum ritual patterns by immigration status, with immigrant women being more likely to undertake a greater number of rituals, to attribute these rituals to Chinese culture, and to ascribe health benefits to these rituals and being less likely to feel forced into performing these rituals. Our findings underscore the importance of clinicians becoming more aware of Chinese postpartum rituals to provide women with culturally competent and patient-centered care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging research shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may improve mental health for caregivers. Parents of autistic children, adolescents, and adults (N = 54) were randomly assigned to either complete a brief group-based ACT intervention or remain on the waitlist. Participants completed surveys immediately prior to randomization, and 3-, 7-, and 17-weeks post-randomization. The primary outcome was depression symptoms and secondary outcomes included stress, goal attainment, positive affect, ACT psychological processes, child mental health, and family functioning. Mixed effects linear models testing Group × Time interaction indicated the Treatment group (n = 27) demonstrated greater post-intervention improvements than the Waitlist group (n = 27) in parent depression (p =.03, d = −0.64) and family distress (p =.04, d = −0.57). Treatment group parents also reported greater short-term gains in positive affect (p =<.001, d = 0.77) and personal goal attainment (p =.007, d = 0.80), compared to the Waitlist group. Although there was no significant Group × Time interaction for other outcomes, stress (b = −2.58, p =.01), defusion (b = −3.78, p =.001), and experiential avoidance (b = −4.22, p =.01) showed improvement for the Treatment group, but not the Waitlist group, at post-intervention. All Treatment group improvements were maintained at follow-up. Results suggest that a brief ACT group intervention is efficacious for improving some aspects of mental health for parents of autistic children. Parents of autistic children commonly experience difficulties with their own mental health. This study looked at the effects of a brief group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program, developed for parents of autistic children, youth, and adults. ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility, which is the ability to be mindful and accepting of difficult thoughts and experiences, shown to be important for mental wellness. Participants included 54 parents of autistic people, ages 3–34. Parents were randomly divided into two groups: a Treatment group that received the intervention right away, and a Waitlist group that completed the program after the Treatment group completed the trial. All parents filled out questionnaires right before the program began, and at 3, 7, and 17 weeks after randomization. Compared to the group that was waiting to participate in the program, parents in the Treatment group reported greater improvements in depression and family distress, and these improvements were still present 4 months later. Parents in the Treatment group also reported short-term improvements in their positive feelings and personal goals, compared to those waiting. Results showed that ACT may help improve some aspects of mental health for parents of autistic children, but further research is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a commentary on a study conducted in Wuhan City, China, which examined the factors influencing professional help-seeking intention for depression among community-dwelling populations. The study found that positive attitudes towards seeking professional help and knowledge about depression were associated with a higher likelihood of seeking help, while stigma was associated with a lower likelihood. The study emphasized the importance of considering cultural factors, such as the impact of stigma on different cultural beliefs and values, including Confucianism. The commentary also discussed the significance of internalized stigma, the impact of stigma on families, and the influence of social identities on help-seeking behaviors. The article highlights the ongoing issue of stigma surrounding mental illness and the need to address cultural factors to reduce stigma and promote mental health. It emphasizes the importance of a knowledge-based approach that incorporates cultural perspectives and appropriate research methodologies. The text also suggests the importance of conducting research on treatments that combine Western approaches with traditional practices, particularly for the Asian population, in order to expand our understanding of mental health and illness. The overall goal is to foster greater compassion, acceptance, and cultural competence in the field of mental health. [Extracted from the article]