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Youth Mental Health 2022

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2022) | Viewed by 16139

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
Interests: early intervention for eating disorders

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Improving youth mental health is a global health priority. Most mental health difficulties develop in adolescence or early adulthood, and approximately 75% of adults with mental health difficulties have experienced onset of their difficulties prior to age 25. Effective treatments for youth mental health difficulties exist, but these treatments are often sub-optimal in reach, accessibility, scalability, and impact. Treatments developed for adult mental health difficulties may also need adaptation to the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults. Prevention and early intervention approaches are often underfunded but are essential for minimising illness impact, societal burden, and long-term healthcare costs. There is a need for innovative healthcare approaches for this age group. Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, especially those with a practical focus on improving youth mental healthcare. This may include research on new treatment approaches, efforts to improve the implementation and scaling of established evidence-based approaches, or other new developments in this area.

Dr. Karina Allen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • youth mental health
  • mental health
  • mental health services
  • public mental health
  • early intervention
  • prevention
  • emerging adulthood
  • adolescence
  • innovative therapies
  • healthcare systems

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 1110 KiB  
Article
The Impact of School Closures on Service Utilization in School-Based Health Centers
by Eleanor Castine Richards, Madelyn R. Allen and Margaret Danielle Weiss
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4588; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054588 - 5 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1972
Abstract
Background: The pandemic was followed by a severe mental health crisis in youth with both an increase in the prevalence of mental health problems and a decrease in requests for and access to care. Methods: data were extracted from the school-based health center [...] Read more.
Background: The pandemic was followed by a severe mental health crisis in youth with both an increase in the prevalence of mental health problems and a decrease in requests for and access to care. Methods: data were extracted from the school-based health center records in three large public high schools that include under-resourced and immigrant communities. Data from 2018/2019 (pre-pandemic), 2020 during the pandemic, and then in 2021 after the return to in-person school were compared regarding the impact of in-person, telehealth, and hybrid care. Results: Despite the increase in mental health needs globally, there was a dramatic decrease in referrals, evaluations, and the total number of students seen for behavioral health care. The time course of this decrease in care was specifically associated with the transition to telehealth, although treatment did not return to pre-pandemic levels, even after in-person care became available. Conclusions: Despite ease of access and increased need, these data suggest that telehealth has unique limitations when delivered in school-based health centers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Mental Health 2022)
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18 pages, 1607 KiB  
Article
Good Health Practices and Well-Being among Adolescents with Type-1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Role of Satisfaction and Frustration of Basic Psychological Needs
by Lika Hatzir, Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, Orit Pinhas-Hamiel and Tamar Silberg
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1688; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031688 - 17 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1465
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease requiring medical adherence. However, among adolescents, non-adherence rates may reach up to 75%. Satisfaction or frustration with psychological needs is a crucial factor in the motivation and management of health-related behaviors. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease requiring medical adherence. However, among adolescents, non-adherence rates may reach up to 75%. Satisfaction or frustration with psychological needs is a crucial factor in the motivation and management of health-related behaviors. This study aimed to examine the differences in good health practices and psychological and physical well-being among adolescents with and without T1D and the mediating role of satisfaction and frustration of psychological needs on the association between good health practices and well-being in this population. A total of 94 adolescents (42 with T1D, 52 healthy controls, mean age 14.83 ± 1.82 years) completed questionnaires assessing good health practices, satisfaction or frustration of psychological needs, and well-being. Adolescents with T1D reported lower levels of physical well-being compared to healthy controls. Satisfaction or frustration of psychological needs had an effect on good health practices and psychological and physical well-being among healthy controls. Among adolescents with T1D, satisfaction or frustration of psychological needs was related to psychological well-being and partially related to physical well-being, but not to good health practices. The results demonstrate that the satisfaction or frustration of psychological needs has a unique effect on health behaviors and well-being among adolescents with T1D. This calls for further examination of the underlying mechanisms involved in health-related behaviors and well-being among adolescents with T1D. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Mental Health 2022)
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12 pages, 818 KiB  
Article
Awareness of Behavioural Intervention Strategies in Curbing Mental Health Issues among Youth in Malaysia
by Sharmini Gopinathan, Anisha Haveena Kaur, Lai Ming Ming, Mazni Binti Alias and Segaran Veeraya
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15376; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215376 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2502
Abstract
Mental health is a growing concern among people worldwide. Mental health issues are one of the main factors contributing to adolescent health-related burden. Malaysia, in particular, has seen an increase in the number of youths facing mental health issues. The government aims to [...] Read more.
Mental health is a growing concern among people worldwide. Mental health issues are one of the main factors contributing to adolescent health-related burden. Malaysia, in particular, has seen an increase in the number of youths facing mental health issues. The government aims to take action by promoting mental health well-being as well as providing care and recovery to those who are affected. This study aimed to examine measures that could potentially improve and curb mental health issues among youth in Malaysia by adopting the use of behavioural intervention technologies. Three underlying models of intervention were studied, namely, the internet intervention model, Fogg behaviour model, and persuasive system design. A total of 103 respondents between the ages of 18 to 23 years participated in the research survey, and the results revealed that mood changes and thoughts, feelings, and actions were the intervention strategies that showed a positive significance in the improvement of mental health among youth in Malaysia. Social distractions, peer motivation, ease of access to help, and sense of belonging and mindfulness did not show a positive significance when it came to behavioural intervention technologies used to improve mental health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Mental Health 2022)
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13 pages, 467 KiB  
Article
Developing Long-Term Sustainable Collaborations between Welfare Providers That Support and Promote Child and Youth Mental Health in Sweden—A Qualitative Interview Study
by Maria Fjellfeldt
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7730; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137730 - 23 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1658
Abstract
When addressing child and youth mental health, policy makers around the world call for collaboration between welfare providers. Research shows, however, that cross-sector collaboration is challenging. This article aims to scrutinize the issue of sustainability in the collaborative work undertaken between welfare providers [...] Read more.
When addressing child and youth mental health, policy makers around the world call for collaboration between welfare providers. Research shows, however, that cross-sector collaboration is challenging. This article aims to scrutinize the issue of sustainability in the collaborative work undertaken between welfare providers to jointly support and promote child and youth mental health. In a qualitative interview study, 19 key officials involved in collaborative mental health work in three Swedish municipalities were interviewed, 13 individually and 6 in three small groups. Data were analyzed through content analysis and the application of practice-oriented collaboration theories. The results show that informants feel collaboration is beneficial for child and youth mental health. The results also show that five aspects of this collaborative work can affect its sustainability: (1) how the collaborative work was set up: if it was a special project or part of existing organizational structures; (2) what model of funding was used; (3) how many organizational levels were involved; (4) if goals were common, concurrent or contradictive; and (5) if important stakeholders were seen to be ‘missing’. Collaboration members felt their collaborative work had caused them to drift away from important non-participant stakeholders. This article concludes that to develop long-term sustainable collaborations addressing child and youth mental health, key features of collaborative work need to be taken into consideration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Mental Health 2022)

Review

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12 pages, 359 KiB  
Review
Functional Neurological Disorder–Old Problem New Perspective
by Radu-Stefan Perjoc, Eugenia Roza, Oana Aurelia Vladacenco, Daniel Mihai Teleanu, Roxana Neacsu and Raluca Ioana Teleanu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1099; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021099 - 8 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3975
Abstract
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common issue in the pediatric population. The concept and our understanding of functional neurological disorders have changed over the past years, and new etiologic models and treatment plans have been explored. Knowledge about FND in the pediatric [...] Read more.
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common issue in the pediatric population. The concept and our understanding of functional neurological disorders have changed over the past years, and new etiologic models and treatment plans have been explored. Knowledge about FND in the pediatric population, however, is lacking. The aim of this review is to provide an update on pediatric functional neurological disorder. We conducted a literature search of PubMed and SCOPUS databases and reviewed a total of 85 articles to gain insight into the current understanding of FND etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in children and adolescents. Functional and high resolution MRI revealed abnormal connectivity and structural changes in patients with functional symptoms. The diagnostic criteria no longer require the presence of a psychological factor and instead focus on a rule-in diagnosis. Treatment of FND includes a clear communication of the diagnosis and the support of a multidisciplinary team. Although FND typically has a poor prognosis, better outcomes appear to have been achieved in children and young adults. We conclude that pediatric functional neurological disorder is a prevalent pathology and that this patient population has additional specific needs compared to the adult population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Mental Health 2022)

Other

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18 pages, 1311 KiB  
Study Protocol
Participatory Systems Modelling for Youth Mental Health: An Evaluation Study Applying a Comprehensive Multi-Scale Framework
by Grace Yeeun Lee, Ian Bernard Hickie, Jo-An Occhipinti, Yun Ju Christine Song, Salvador Camacho, Adam Skinner, Kenny Lawson, Samuel J. Hockey, Adriane Martin Hilber and Louise Freebairn
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074015 - 28 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3254
Abstract
The youth mental health sector is persistently challenged by issues such as service fragmentation and inefficient resource allocation. Systems modelling and simulation, particularly utilizing participatory approaches, is offering promise in supporting evidence-informed decision making with limited resources by testing alternative strategies in safe [...] Read more.
The youth mental health sector is persistently challenged by issues such as service fragmentation and inefficient resource allocation. Systems modelling and simulation, particularly utilizing participatory approaches, is offering promise in supporting evidence-informed decision making with limited resources by testing alternative strategies in safe virtual environments before implementing them in the real world. However, improved evaluation efforts are needed to understand the critical elements involved in and to improve methods for implementing participatory modelling for youth mental health system and service delivery. An evaluation protocol is described to evaluate the feasibility, value, impact, and sustainability of participatory systems modelling in delivering advanced decision support capabilities for youth mental health. This study applies a comprehensive multi-scale evaluation framework, drawing on participatory action research principles as well as formative, summative, process, and outcome evaluation techniques. Novel data collection procedures are presented, including online surveys that incorporate gamification to enable social network analysis and patient journey mapping. The evaluation approach also explores the experiences of diverse stakeholders, including young people with lived (or living) experience of mental illness. Social and technical opportunities will be uncovered, as well as challenges implementing these interdisciplinary methods in complex settings to improve youth mental health policy, planning, and outcomes. This study protocol can also be adapted for broader international applications, disciplines, and contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Mental Health 2022)
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