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Men’s help seeking for depression continues to gain focussed research and clinical attention. In this study, 125 men (M = 39.02 years) provided data on perceived barriers to mental health help seeking, and self-reported depression at baseline, and 15 weeks. Longitudinal depression caseness was used to investigate group differences in perceived barriers to help seeking. Those experiencing unremitting depression reported the highest perceived help-seeking barriers. This finding was consistent over all domains of help-seeking barriers, and it was independent of previous mental health help-seeking efforts. Findings are discussed in the broader context of men’s mental health and health psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim US authorities have recommended 'black-box' warnings for antidepressants because of the increased risk of suicidality for individuals up to age 25. There is thus a clinical and ethical imperative to provide effective treatment for youth depression with an acceptable risk-benefit balance. Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) play an important role in a range of physiological processes in living organisms. Supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs has been shown to have a range of beneficial effects on both physical and mental health, and results of previous trials suggest that omega-3 PUFAs may be a safe and effective treatment for depression. However, conclusions from these trials have been limited by their relatively small sample sizes. Methods This trial will test the effectiveness of a 12-week parallel group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 1.4 g day−1 omega-3 PUFAs in help seeking 15- to 25-year-olds ( N = 400) presenting with major depressive disorder. The primary hypothesis is that young people will show greater improvement of depressive symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment with omega-3 PUFAs plus cognitive behavioural case management compared with treatment with placebo plus cognitive behavioural case management. Conclusion Because of using a large sample, results from this study will provide the strongest evidence to date to inform the use of omega-3 PUFAs as first-line therapy in young people presenting with major depressive disorder. The study also heralds an important step towards indicated prevention of persistent depression, which may reduce the burden, stigmatization, disability and economic consequences of this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction This study aims to review the literature on barriers and facilitators to accessing and engaging with mental health care among young people from potentially disadvantaged groups, including young people identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ( ATSI); culturally and linguistically diverse ( CALD); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex ( LGBTQI); homeless; substance using; and youth residing in rural or remote areas. Methods Fourteen databases were searched to identify qualitative and quantitative researches that examined barriers and/or facilitators to mental health care among the six groups of potentially disadvantaged young people. Results Out of 62 studies identified, 3 were conducted with ATSI young people, 1 with CALD young people, 4 with LGBTQI young people, 14 with homeless young people, 24 with substance-using young people, and 16 with young people residing in rural or remote areas. Findings generally confirmed barriers already established for all young people, but indicated that some may be heightened for young people in the six identified groups. Findings also pointed to both similarities and differences between these groups, suggesting that ATSI, CALD, LGBTQI, homeless, substance-using, and rural young people have some similar needs with respect to not only mental health care, but also other needs likely to reflect their individual circumstances. Discussion This systematic review highlights that young people from potentially disadvantaged groups have distinct needs that must be recognized to improve their experiences with mental health care. Future research of good methodological quality with young people is needed to increase accessibility of, and engagement with, mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Physical activity (PA) and exercise is increasingly being recognised as an efficacious component of treatment for various mental disorders. The association between PA and cardiometabolic disease is well established, as is the strong link between mental illness, sedentary behaviour and poor cardiometabolic health. Examples of successful integration of clinical PA programs within mental health treatment facilities are increasing. The aim of this review was to summarise the evidence regarding PA and mental illness, and to present examples of clinical exercise programs within Australian mental health facilities.Methods: A narrative synthesis of systematic reviews and clinical trials was conducted.Results: Evidence supporting the inclusion of PA programs as an adjunct to treatment for various conditions was presented; including depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. In light of the available evidence, the inclusion of clinical PA programs within mental health treatment, facilitated by dedicated clinicians (exercise physiologists / physiotherapists) was justified.Conclusions: PA is a feasible, effective and acceptable adjunct to usual care for a variety of mental disorders. There is a clear need for greater investment in initiatives aiming to increase PA among people experiencing mental illness, given the benefits to both mental and physical health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a study of psychological distress and psychosocial functioning in young mentally ill patients throughout Australia. It mentions that 24,034 of them who are aged 12-25 years were sent to headspace centers in the country. An overview of the analysis of the routine data from them is also presented.

The article reports on the study on the services offered by headspace mental health centers to young people in Australia. It mentions that the facilities provide indirect and direct access to mental health care for them. An overview of data collection as well as analysis of wait time and funding stream is also presented.

Aim Recent findings from systematic reviews and primary research studies have shown more modest effects of cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT) for youth depression than previously shown, highlighting the need to further enhance the effectiveness of this intervention, or components of this intervention. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the work that has been done to identify the different components of CBT and their varying effectiveness for young people with depression. Methods Narrative overview of English language reviews/meta-analyses and primary intervention studies retrieved from searches of computerized databases as well as ancestry searches. Results Reviews of intervention studies of adults as well as young people with depression have shown that behavioural approaches are equally as effective as cognitive approaches in reducing depression symptoms. Post-hoc analyses of large studies in youth depression have also shown that behavioural approaches might be more suitable for young people. Conclusions Behaviourally based approaches appear promising in treating youth depression; however, further research is required. This research will represent an essential step towards refining interventions for youth depression, and enabling interventions to be targeted to particular subgroups, to optimize their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia experienced significant COVID-19 lockdown restrictions throughout 2020 that had an impact on mental health and disrupted health-promoting lifestyle behaviours. Lockdowns may have exacerbated existing mental health concerns among tertiary students, who experience higher levels of mental health concerns compared to the wider community. This study aimed to investigate the association between modifiable lifestyle factors and wellbeing of students at a Melbourne-based tertiary education institution during COVID-19 lockdown. This quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted across campuses in Melbourne and Sydney. Data was collected via online questionnaire during the 7th week of a second-wave lockdown. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic variables (n = 239). Linear regression models were estimated to determine multivariate associations between lifestyle variables and psychological distress. Participants were on average 30.98 years old (SD = 9.78), predominantly female, domestic students, undergraduate, not the first member of their family to attend university and living out of family home. Mindfulness, diet quality, sleep quality and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were all inversely correlated with psychological distress. Unadjusted and adjusted models show that mindfulness, sleep quality, and MVPA were all independently inversely related to psychological distress. Greater mindfulness, sleep quality and engagement in MVPA were associated with lower psychological distress during COVID-19 lockdowns. As this study is cross-sectional and we cannot rule out reverse causality. This study highlights the potential for lifestyle focused mental-health promotion delivered through tertiary education institutions to support students in times of crisis as well as more generally. • Australia had strict COVID-19 lockdowns that impacted mental health and daily life. • Among students lifestyle factors were related to psychological distress. • This shows the potential to use lifestyle strategies used to support mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive measurement tool for assessing client satisfaction at a youth mental health service. Methods:We developed a scale based on existing scale items and by generating new items, before undertaking revisions and item reduction in consultation with an expert panel composed of researchers, clinicians and consumer representatives. This draft scale was then pilot tested in seven enhanced primary care youth mental health services across Australia. Results: A total of 215 respondents completed the scale. Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.953) demonstrated excellent internal consistency, and exploratory factor analysis suggested that the scale measures a global construct of satisfaction. Conclusions: Through a rigorous and participatory process involving key experts, service providers and service users, this study has resulted in the development of a scale that can appropriately measure the level of user satisfaction with youth-friendly early intervention services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive condition that can be effectively managed via conservative treatments including exercise, weight management and education. Offering these treatments contemporaneously and digitally may increase adherence and engagement due to the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of digital program delivery. The objective of this review was to summarise the characteristics of current digital self-management interventions for individuals with OA and synthesise adherence and attrition outcomes.Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials utilising digital self-management interventions in individuals with OA. Two reviewers independently screened the search results and extracted data relating to study characteristics, intervention characteristics, and adherence and dropout rates.Results: Eleven studies were included in this review. Intervention length ranged from 6 weeks to 9 months. All interventions were designed for individuals with OA and mostwere multi-component and were constructed around physical activity. The reporting of intervention adherence varied greatly between studies and limited the ability to form conclusions regarding the impact of intervention characteristics. However, of the seven studies that quantified adherence, six reported adherence > 70%. Seven of the included studies reported attrition rates < 20%, with contact and support from researchers not appearing to influence adherence or attrition.Conclusions: Holistic digital interventions designed for a targeted condition are a promising approach for promoting high adherence and reducing attrition. Future studies should explore how adherence of digital interventions compares to face-to-face interventions and determine potential influencers of adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental disorders are common, and they are a significant contributor to disability in the community. There is growing interest in the effectiveness of exercise interventions for improving mental and physical health in individuals with mental disorders. This paper reviews the evidence for the benefits Official Research Journal of the American Society of of exercise for mental health problems and provides some practical Exercise Physiologists recommendations for patients and clinical exercise professionals. Exercise appears most effective for depressive disorders and may also ISSN 1097-9751 improve mental well-being and physical health in individuals with serious mental disorders. There is limited research on the optimal type and dose of exercise suitable for individuals with mental disorders. It is recommended that exercise dose should meet minimum public health guidelines for maintaining health. Higher doses may have stronger effects on mental health, but may be more difficult to implement in practice. Exercise programs should be adapted to accommodate individual circumstances and preferences and to minimize barriers to exercise medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]