Search

Background: Post-secondary students frequently experience high rates of mental health challenges. However, they present meagre rates of treatment-seeking behaviours. This elevated prevalence of mental health problems, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to distress, poor academic performance, and lower job prospects following the completion of education. To address the needs of this population, it is important to understand students' perceptions of mental health and the barriers preventing or limiting their access to care. Methods: A broad-scoping online survey was publicly distributed to post-secondary students, collecting demographic, sociocultural, economic, and educational information while assessing various components of mental health. Results: In total, 448 students across post-secondary institutions in Ontario, Canada, responded to the survey. Over a third (n = 170; 38.6%) of respondents reported a formal mental health diagnosis. Depression and generalized anxiety disorder were the most commonly reported diagnoses. Most respondents felt that post-secondary students did not have good mental health (n = 253; 60.5%) and had inadequate coping strategies (n = 261; 62.4%). The most frequently reported barriers to care were financial (n = 214; 50.5%), long wait times (n = 202; 47.6%), insufficient resources (n = 165; 38.9%), time constraints (n = 148; 34.9%), stigma (n = 133; 31.4%), cultural barriers (n = 108; 25.5%), and past negative experiences with mental health care (n = 86; 20.3%). The majority of students felt their post-secondary institution needed to increase awareness (n = 231; 56.5%) and mental health resources (n = 306; 73.2%). Most viewed in-person therapy and online care with a therapist as more helpful than self-guided online care. However, there was uncertainty about the helpfulness and accessibility of different forms of treatment, including online interventions. The qualitative findings highlighted the need for personal strategies, mental health education and awareness, and institutional support and services. Conclusions: Various barriers to care, perceived lack of resources, and low knowledge of available interventions may contribute to compromised mental health in post-secondary students. The survey findings indicate that upstream approaches such as integrating mental health education for students may address the varying needs of this critical population. Therapist-involved online mental health interventions may be a promising solution to address accessibility issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea is a disabling sleep disorder characterized by obstructions or near obstructions of the upper airway. Sleep apnea shares many common features with major depressive disorder, which is a serious psychiatric disorder that can persist despite multiple treatment attempts. The current study utilizes baseline data from a study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with comorbid treatment-resistant depression and sleep apnea. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the Berlin questionnaire in predicting which individuals with treatment-resistant depression have obstructive sleep apnea., Methods: Eighty-two outpatients with treatment-resistant depression completed the Berlin questionnaire and underwent overnight polysomnography to determine whether they were suffering from undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea., Results: Scoring in the high-risk category on the Berlin questionnaire predicted an apnea/hypopnea index greater than 5 with a sensitivity of 25 % and a specificity of 85.4 %, an apnea/hypopnea index greater than 10 with a sensitivity of 24.5 % and a specificity of 91.7 %, and an apnea/hypopnea index greater than 15 with a sensitivity of 22.2 % and a specificity of 92.9 %. The Berlin questionnaire was better at predicting the presence of sleep apnea in our sample of predominantly pre-menopausal women than men, and category 2 of the questionnaire (daytime somnolence) was the poorest predictor of sleep apnea., Conclusions: The Berlin questionnaire appears to be a valid instrument for ruling out obstructive sleep apnea in treatment-resistant depression and may be a helpful tool in assisting with the allocation of diagnostic resources.

Primary polydipsia, excessive fluid intake without medical cause, is present in over 20% of seriously and persistently ill psychiatric inpatients. The long-term effects of primary polydipsia on longevity have not previously been examined. Inpatients in a psychiatric hospital were screened for polydipsia in 1985. Those identified to be polydipsic, the majority of whom suffered from schizophrenia, were re-evaluated in 2005 and compared with a control group of non-polydipsic patients. Chart reviews were conducted and follow-up data were obtained. Of 172 patients at the time of screening, 48 suffering from schizophrenia either had or went on to develop polydipsia; 42 non-polydipsic patients with schizophrenia from the original survey were randomly selected as controls. Primary polydipsia had a significant negative effect on longevity. The median age at death (age at which 50% of cases have died) was 59 years for polydipsic patients and 68 for non-polydipsic control patients. Adjusting for duration of schizophrenia, smoking, and diagnosis, a patient with polydipsia had a 74% greater chance of dying before a non-polydipsic patient (a hazard ratio of 2.84 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.22-6.64]). Outcome was worst in patients with severe polydipsia: the median age at death was 57 years and a patient with severe polydipsia had a 75% greater chance of dying before a non-polydipsic patient (hazard ratio of 3.36 [95% CI: 1.31-8.60]). When polydipsia is associated with schizophrenia, mortality is increased in comparison to that in patients with schizophrenia who do not drink water to excess.