Task-shared psychological treatments play a critical role in addressing the global mental health treatment gap, yet their integration into routine care requires further study. This study evaluated the causal association between an implementation factor of a task-shared psychological treatment and participant outcomes to strengthen the implementation-to-outcome link within global mental health. This secondary analysis utilized cohort data from the Program for Improving Mental Health Care (PRIME) implemented in Sehore, India where trained non-specialist health workers delivered treatment for depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Propensity scores and inverse probability of treatment weights examined the impact of mental health service users’ treatment attendance on users’ symptom severity (PHQ-9 scores for depression; AUDIT scores for AUD) at 3 and 12-month follow-ups. Among the 240 patients with depression, higher treatment session attendance led to 1.3 points lower PHQ-9 scores (vs. no attendance) and 2.4 points lower PHQ-9 scores (vs. low attendance) at 3 months, with no significant effects at 12 months. Among the 190 AUD patients, treatment session attendance did not have a significant impact on AUDIT scores. Our findings have implications for enhancing treatment session attendance among those with depression within task-shared psychological treatments.

High rates of trauma exposure among patients with severe mental illness (SMI) in Botswana highlight the need for appropriate interventions. Culturally adapted interventions have been reported to be more acceptable, effective and feasible. This study aimed to culturally adapt the Brief Relaxation, Education and Trauma Healing (BREATHE), a brief psychological intervention to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among people with SMI in Botswana. The cultural adaptation process followed the steps outlined by previous research. They included a community assessment to identify needs, selecting an appropriate intervention and consultations with experts and stakeholders. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with patients living with SMI and mental health professionals, respectively, to inform domains of the intervention to be adapted. BREATHE was adapted to be culturally congruent to Botswana by following the ecological validity model framework and using data from the interviews. Examples of the adaptation include language that was translated to Setswana, and spoken English and the content that was revised to reflect the traumatic experiences and demographics of the Botswana population. The study underscores the utility of using evidence-based frameworks to culturally adapt interventions. The adaptation process resulted in a culturally relevant BREATHE for patients with comorbid PTSD and SMI in Botswana.

This study aims to discern similarities and differences associated with the impact of war on Ukrainian and Israeli women. We hypothesize that country affiliation significantly determines their mental health and psycho-emotional well-being. A total of 1,071 Ukrainian (N = 601) and Israeli (N = 470) women were surveyed online from September to December 2022 in Ukraine and November 2023 to March 2024 in Israel. Valid and reliable survey instruments were used to gather data about the fear of war, depression, loneliness, suicidal ideation and substance misuse. Fear of war and depression were higher among Israeli respondents. However, Ukrainian women reported more loneliness, substance use and psycho-emotional deterioration. Respondents from both countries did not show a different level of suicidal ideation. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) results show fear of war associated with country and depression; and depression linked to country and increased alcohol use, especially among Ukrainian respondents. Comparative results partially confirm the study hypothesis. The impact of the war on Ukrainian and Israeli women has similar effects; however, differences exist that may be attributed to culture and adaptation to war length. Further research, including uniform data collection and analysis, is needed to determine the impact of war on women as well as their familial and work-related responsibilities that tend to increase during such conditions.

The current study aimed to test the association between traumatic events and psycholgocial wellbeing among Palestinians, and to explore whether mattering, anti-ant-mattering, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) moderate the association between these two variables. A total of 610 Palestinian adults participated in the study, comprising 220 males and 390 females. Participants were recruited using online methods, including emails, social media, and advertisements. Results of correlational analysis revealed that traumatic events showed a negative correlation with PTG (r = −.19, p < .01), psychological well-being (r = −.22, p < .01), and mattering (r = −.17, p < .01). In contrast, traumatic events were positively associated with anti- mattering (r = .18, p < .01). Results of regression analysis showed that psychological well-being was negatively predicted by traumatic events and anti-mattering, while it was positively predicted by mattering and PTG. The current study emphasizes the importance of creating interventions that promote PTG, allowing Palestinians to transform their traumatic experiences into opportunities for personal and communal development. Additionally, enhancing self-mattering is strongly associated with psychological well-being and resilience. Encouraging Palestinians to feel valued and connected to their communities may help mitigate the negative effects of prolonged trauma, ultimately leading to better mental health outcomes.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of parenting attitudes on the suicide risk of adolescents in South Korea, and to verify the moderating effect of out-of-school youth status. Utilizing data from the Mental Health Survey of Korean Adolescents (2021), conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute, 5,937 school youths (SYs) and 752 out-of-school youths (OSYs) were selected for this study. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between parenting attitudes and the impact on the suicide risk of adolescents along with the moderating effect of OSY status. Parenting attitudes consist of a total of six sub-types: warmth, autonomy support, structure, rejection, coercion and chaos. The results showed that the parenting attitude of warmth, autonomy support and rejection had a significant effect on the risk of suicide among adolescents. The study also confirmed that OSY had a moderating effect related to the parenting attitude types of structure, rejection and chaos. The result of this study filled the gap in prior research which overlooked the moderating factor of OSY related to parent attitudes and the suicide risk of adolescents. Some useful insights for practical and policy measures to reduce the suicide risk of adolescents are suggested.

This study examined changes in public knowledge, behaviours and attitudes towards individuals with mental health disorders in Ukraine. A nationwide survey was used to gather data from Ukrainian adults; this data was then compared with data gathered by Quirke et al. (2021, Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health, 8) to form a comparison study. In congruence with the original study, the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, the Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness Scale and the Reported Intended Behaviour scales were used. Measures of knowledge and attitudes towards individuals with mental disorders reflected a small reduction of knowledge (r = 0.13, p < .001) and a large reduction in benevolent attitudes (r = 0.96, p < .001). Conversely, there was a large decrease in authoritarian attitudes (r = −0.50, p < .001). Measures of behaviour reflected a medium positive increase in past and present behaviour (r = 0.33, p < .001) and a small positive increase in intended future behaviour towards individuals with mental illness (r = 0.24, p < .001). These findings provide a snapshot of changes in stigma towards those with mental health disorders in Ukraine and highlighted the growing need for evidence-based anti-stigma interventions and the monitoring of their impact.

Climate change is exacerbating the frequency and severity of disasters across Africa, with profound psychological consequences for young people. This paper examines the mental health impacts of climate-related events like droughts, floods and extreme weather on African youth. It explores how climate stresses compound existing societal issues, affecting young people’s well-being. Studies highlighted indicate events strongly associated with negative emotions, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among youth. Vulnerabilities are due to disrupted community contexts and limited support systems. Challenges in providing adequate care are also reviewed, with African health systems grappling with a shortage of professionals and inadequate youth-focused care. This article proposes solutions centred on integrated disaster response, community resilience programmes and specialised youth services. Recommendations involve prioritising mental health education, establishing accessible services and collaborating with local partners. The overall aim is to comprehensively address African youth mental health needs in climate-changing contexts through holistic multi-stakeholder approaches, building coping skills and promoting wellness.

Youth depression is a critical target for early intervention due to its strong links with adult depression and long-term functional impairment. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like the Philippines, limited epidemiological data hampers mental health service planning for youth. This study analyzed nationally representative survey data from 2013 (n = 19,178) and 2021 (n = 10,949) to estimate the prevalence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms (MSDS) among Filipinos aged 15–24 years, using the 11-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Survey-weighted analyses revealed that MSDS prevalence more than doubled from 9.6% in 2013 to 20.9% in 2021. The rise was most pronounced among females (10.8% to 24.3%), non-cisgender or homonormative individuals (9.7% to 32.3%), youth with primary education or less (10.8% to 26.5%), youth from economically disadvantaged households (10.6% to 25.1%) and youth who were separated, widowed or divorced (18.3% to 41.3%). Disparities in MSDS also widened over time, with some groups bearing a disproportionate burden. These findings underscore the need to expand accessible, high-quality mental health services for youth in LMICs, such as the Philippines. Continued monitoring and targeted interventions are essential to address the rising burden of depression, particularly among underserved and disproportionately affected groups.

Indigenous peoples across the world are at disproportionate risk of mental health problems. Colonial hegemony, cultural infiltration, language loss, land grabbing, limited access to healthcare services, including mental health, and geographical isolation – all in synergy – contribute to the heightened risk of developing mental health problems. Epistemic injustice, apparently unrelated, yet another major determinant – can also contribute to the higher prevalence of mental health problems among Indigenous peoples. Systemic exclusion and marginalization of Indigenous people from the generation, dissemination, and validation of knowledge – the central concept of epistemic injustice – provides an opportunity to reflect on the disproportionate rates of mental health problems. If epistemic injustice is left unaddressed, the impetus for Indigenous peoples to participate in conventional health practices would be greatly impeded. In this article, I present the case of Bangladesh, where the conventional mental healthcare system has historically been ignorant of the inclusion of Indigenous people’s perspectives and lived experiences, eventually perpetuating epistemic injustice. Finally, I provide a framework to address epistemic injustices to reform mental healthcare in Bangladesh that can inform a system equipped with equitability, accessibility, cultural sensitivity, human rights, social justice, and collaborative alliance – key tenets of global mental health.

Mental health and substance use are increasingly pressing issues in communities across low-and-middle income countries, including Belize, particularly Toledo, the country’s most rural and resource-limited district. Using community-based participatory research methods, this preliminary mixed methods study (quantitative n = 163; qualitative n = 10) aims to (1) investigate mental health symptoms and substance use patterns in a non-randomized sample of individuals from southern Belize and (2) explore community perspectives on mental health among community stakeholders. Findings show high levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among survey participants, which were supported by qualitative interviews. While low levels of substance use were reported by survey participants, qualitative findings diverged and showed alcohol use to be of significant concern among participants. Our study highlights the critical need for increased research, advocacy, and policy implementation regarding mental health and substance use in Toledo and across Belize. Given the scarcity of mental health resources in Toledo, findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions that expand access to psychiatric services, integrate community-based mental health approaches, and address socioeconomic drivers of poor mental health outcomes.

The global utility of acceptance and commitment therapy highlights the need for adapting measures that can effectively capture the richness of psychological flexibility. One such instrument is the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes (CompACT). We translated the CompACT into Luganda and adapted it for use in Uganda. The original CompACT was translated into the Luganda language and reviewed through a series of evaluations. Nine mental health professionals participated in one-on-one interviews, while a focus group of eight culturally competent laypersons provided further insights. Their feedback resulted in revisions to enhance the instrument’s clarity, relevance, acceptability and completeness. The revised version was then cognitively tested with n = 25 trainees at Makerere University. Input from these various groups was synthesized and triangulated to develop the final version. A total of 23 items were adapted to improve the comprehensibility and completeness of the scale. Overall, respondents deemed the tool clear and acceptable. This study highlights the importance of a rigorous adaptation process, including translation, expert review, cognitive testing and feedback triangulation, to ensure psychological measures remain valid and relevant across cultures. Such an approach ensures accuracy in diverse contexts and provides a model for adapting psychological instruments for non-Western populations.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) significantly impact physical, mental and social well-being, making them a critical area of research. This study analyzed the emerging trends and intellectual structure of ACE research and identified key contributors, including the most productive nations, journals and authors. Using bibliometric tools and VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20), 1,957 articles from the Scopus database (2004 to March 2024) were systematically analyzed. A notable finding was the surge in ACE-related publications during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially reflecting increased global attention on childhood adversity amid heightened social and economic challenges. The analysis also revealed a striking dearth of studies from the Global South, with the field predominantly shaped by Western nations, like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Leading journals, such as the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and prolific authors, like Kevin T. Wolff, played a central role in advancing the field. Co-citation analysis uncovered four thematic clusters: (1) conceptualization and assessment of ACE, (2) health implications, (3) mental health impacts and (4) juvenile delinquency. These clusters, though distinct, showed significant thematic overlaps, reflecting the interconnected nature of ACE research and its intellectual structure. These findings underscore the need for more regionally diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding global childhood adversity.