The Power Of Community: Mental Health Awareness Week at PLOS Mental Health

This year, May 12th – 18th is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK and the theme is ‘Community’. Mental health discussions should, and do, take place all year and although this week is observed in the UK, the mental health community is international. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the content in PLOS Mental Health that reflects the importance of communities for mental health globally and what we can learn from regional policies, practices and barriers.

• Student & Adolescent Communities
  • 1. USA
  • 2. South Africa
  • 3. Australia
  • 4. American Samoa
• Women’s Mental Health 
  • 5. Brazil
  • 6. India
• Men’s Mental Health
  • 7. UK
• Elderly Communities
  • 8. Switzerland
• Support within the community 
  • 9. Ghana
  • 10. Nepal
• Communities Experiencing Conflict, Trauma and Unrest
  • 11. Rwanda
  • 12. Lebanon
  • 13. Afghanistan
• Religious Communities
  • 14. China
• LGBTQ+ Communities
  • 15. Malaysia

Student & Adolescent Communities

1. USA

The importance of belonging for well-being in college students 

Authors: Isabella Romeo, Harold Stanislaw, Jamie McCreary, Marcus Hawley (USA)

Academic Editor: Jinjin LuXi’an (China)

A study from California State University explores how the well-being of college students is influenced by the availability of practical and emotional support, as well as a sense of belonging. The authors highlight a key role for a sense of belonging in particular and encourage institutions to endorse activities that build on this. 

2. South Africa

The social determinants of adolescent anxiety and depression in peri-urban South Africa

Authors: Laura Rossouw, Kathryn Watt, Leslie L. Davidson, Chris Desmond (South Africa, USA)

A collaboration between University of the Witwatersrand, University of KwaZulu-Natal and Columbia University sheds light on the social protective and risk factors that may influence adolescent mental health in under-resourced settings. The findings inform interventions within this specific setting as well as providing insight for similar communities.

3. Australia

Reshaping youth mental health care for optimal system-level outcomes: a dynamic modelling analysis

Authors: Adam Skinner, Eloisa Perez-Bennetts, Frank Iorfino, Mathew Varidel, Matthew Richards, Jo-An Occhipinti, Yun Ju Christine Song, Sebastian Rosenberg, Elizabeth M. Scott, Ian B. Hickie (Australia)

In this work from Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, a dynamic modelling analysis assesses the potential for improving mental health care outcomes for young people through changes in services system composition and policies. The authors find indications that policy interventions designed to promote early access to effective care are of highest importance and that service reforms, which prioritize engagement directly with specialized treatment, irrespective of clinical stage, would reduce the likelihood of deterioration of mental health.  

4. American Samoa

Community perspectives on adolescent mental health stigma in American Samoa 

Authors: Vanessa Blas, Emma J. Mew, Julia Winschel, Leiema Hunt, Si’itia Soliai Lemusu, Sarah R. Lowe, Joshua Naseri, Robert L. M. Toelupe, Nicola L. Hawley, Jueta McCutchan-Tofaeono (USA, American Samoa)

Academic Editor: Kizito Omona (Uganda)

Researchers from Yale School of Public Health teamed up with colleagues from Department of Health – American Samoa Government, Department of Veterans Affairs (Pago Pago) and Empowering Pacific Island Communities (EPIC) to better understand perceived stigmatization of mental health in American Samoa through the eyes of the adolescent community. Lived Experience accounts revealed that although there has been recent progress, remaining gaps were identified in terms of the perceived structural, social, interpersonal, and self-stigma of mental health that prevents help-seeking and the utilizing of mental health services.

Women’s Mental Health 

5. Brazil

Associations between neighborhood characteristics, mental health, and parenting among mothers with young children in Brazil

Authors: Clariana Vitória Ramos de Oliveira, Silvana Freire, Simoní Saraiva Bordignon, Laura Chechel, Paul Springer, Claudia Nery Teixeira Palombo (USA, Brazil)

A collaboration between University of Nevada Las Vegas, New York University, Federal University of Rio Grande, Virginia Tech University and Federal University of Bahia, expands our understanding of the multifaceted dynamics between community environments and maternal well-being and parenting behaviors in Salvador, Brazil. 

6: India 

Coping strategies and perceptions of mental health services among women in South India 

Authors: Lesley Jo Weaver, Alex Jagielski, Nagalambika Ningaiah, Purnima Madhivanan, Poornima Jaykrishna, Karl Krupp (USA, India)

Academic Editor: Geoffrey Maina (Canada)

A study from University of Oregon, Public Health Research Institute of India, and University of Arizona, explores the reasons for the rejection of mental health support among South Indian women and the coping mechanisms they choose to use. Authors reveal two key reasons for the rejection of support. One is the perception that mental health services are not relevant to their needs, and the other is stigma surrounding help seeking. They find that many of the existing coping strategies resemble existing therapy practices, thus suggesting that interventions should use culturally modified versions of existing resources.

Men’s Mental Health

7.  UK

A mixed methods longitudinal case study exploring the impact of a community-based, brief psychological intervention for men experiencing suicidal crisis

Authors: Claire Anne Hanlon, Jennifer Chopra, Jane Boland, David McIlroy, Helen Poole, Pooja Saini (UK)

Liverpool John Moores University explores perceptions of the short- and long-term outcomes and acceptability of the James’ Place Model (JPM), which is a therapeutic community-based intervention for men experiencing suicidal crisis. Whilst authors conclude that it is effective, they explain that more work is needed to understand the longer term sustainability of the intervention.

Elderly Communities 

8. Switzerland

 The quality of life and well-being of nursing home residents and their relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic: a quantitative approach 

Authors: Philippe Schneider, Maryline Abt, Christine Cohen, Nadine Marmier, Lucia Ribeiro Carvalho, Claudia Ortoleva Bucher (Switzerland)

Academic Editor: Martin Mabunda Baluku (Uganda)

A study from Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source and Université de Lausanne examines the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the mental well-being of nursing home residents and their families in Switzerland. They highlight the importance of paying attention to quality of life when designing protection measures in this context.

Support Within the Community 

9. Ghana

Does supporting Self-Help Groups of people with mental conditions for longer duration lead to more effective groups? 

Authors: Adam Dokurugu Yahaya, Lyla Adwan-Kamara, Peter Badimak Yaro, Philip Teg-Nefaah Tabong (Ghana)

Researchers at University of Ghana and colleagues at BasicNeeds Ghana and Ghana Somubie Dwumadie evaluate the effectiveness of self-help groups in Ghana. They highlight that a longer duration of support to such groups, from their initiation, can improve their operational effectiveness. This demonstrates the importance of committed investment in such initiatives from their inception.

10. Nepal

Task-shifting or problem-shifting? How lay counselling is redefining mental healthcare 

Authors: Liana Chase, Parbati Shrestha, Gaurav Datta, Nicky Forsythe, Sumeet Jain, Sujen Man Maharjan, Kaaren Mathias, Xandra Miguel-Lorenzo, Shubha Ranganathan, Sujan Shrestha, Kripa Sidgel, Prasansa Subba, Kamal Gautam, Dristy Gurung, Maura Cranny Ntow (UK, Nepal, New Zealand, India, Denmark)

This international collaboration (Durham University, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization-Nepal, University of North Dakota, University of Edinburgh, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, UCL, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Tribhuvan University, Tribhuvan University and University of Copenhagen) calls for a more inclusive lay counselling research agenda that recognizes that new therapeutic practices within communities do not only react to the world; they help to shape it.

Communities Experiencing Conflict, Trauma and Unrest

11. Rwanda

Contribution of Narrative Therapy in Reduction of Anxiety, Depression and PTSD among Survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 in Rwanda 

Authors: Emmanuel Mihigo Murengera, Japhet Niyonsenga, Eugene Rutembesa, Vincent Sezibera, Augustin Nshimiyimana (Rwanda, Italy)

Researchers from University of Rwanda assess the impact of narrative therapy on reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in survivors of genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. They provide preliminary evidence that narrative therapy provides an effective framework for addressing psychological distress in this context – though further work is needed to inform interventions, which support well-being and resilience in the face of such unimaginable adversity.

12. Lebanon

Developing guidelines for culturally relevant informed consent: an example from Lebanon

Authors: Sandy Chaar, Emily Oliver, Rayane Ali, Imad Abou Khalil, Joseph Elias, Bassel Meksassi, Rozane El Masri, Thurayya Zreik, Michèle Kosremelli Asmar, Bayard Roberts, Rabih El Chammay, Felicity Brown (Lebanon, UK)

Work from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, War Child, BeyondText and Saint Joseph’s University explores the importance of, and develops guidelines for, culturally relevant informed consent. This study emphasizes the importance of inclusive and participant-centric approaches in informed consent processes, which helps to decolonize research and ensures diverse perspectives and thus a comprehensive and relevant outcome.

13. Afghanistan

The association of diminished quality of life of Afghan adults’ psychosocial wellbeing, in the era of the Taliban 2.0 government

Authors: Jessi Hanson-DeFusco, Anton Sobolov, Sami Stanekzai, Alexis McMaster, Hamid Popalzai, Heer Shah, Min Shi, Nandita Kumar (USA, Afghanistan)

A study from Lawrence Technological University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Pittsburgh and Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute explores the changes in well-being among Afghan adults during the turbulent political shift in Afghanistan. The authors aim to inform how international communities could consider supporting affected communities and not forget ongoing suffering

Religious Communities

14. China

Prevalence of mental health in relation to religious practices in a contemporary small-scale older Amdo Tibetans 

Authors: Liqiong Zhou, Aijie Zhang, Yasi Zhang, Yuan Chen, Erhao Ge, Juan Du, Zhao Hu, Ruth Mace, Yiqiang Zhan (China, Sweden, UK, France)

Academic Editor: Haroon Lone (India)

Although very much a personal choice, religion can have a positive impact on mental health for some. In a study led by Sun Yat-Sen University and UCL, the positive effects of religious practices on mental health among older Amdo Tibetans are explored. Authors highlight a need for understanding the cultural significance of religious practices when developing mental health interventions.

LGBTQ+ Communities

15. Malaysia

It’s time to transform the LGBT health research landscape in Malaysia

Authors: Kyle Tan, Jun Wei Liow (New Zealand, Hong Kong)

In this Opinion from researchers at University of Waikato and University of Hong Kong, recommendations are provided to expand the capacity of culturally safe LGBT+ research in Malaysia and drive change at academic, community, and policy levels.

The above articles are just a very small snapshot of all of our important publications. But within this small snapshot, we hope to demonstrate not just how much we can learn from all communities across the world, but that, in order to create an authentic journal that helps to drive progress globally, it requires an inclusive, global effort. Our diverse board of Section Editors and Academic Editors, in addition to all of our Reviewers, ensure that we are handling manuscripts in a way, which is informed by all perspectives. We hope this approach and our mission does justice to the diverse perspectives and experiences of our authors and readers.