Mental health disorders are a major problem globally, particularly among vulnerable groups such as youth. In resource-limited settings, community health volunteers (CHVs), including youth volunteers, play a crucial role in mental health promotion, stigma reduction, early identification of distress and referral to formal services. However, evidence on training components and delivery strategies of mental health training programmes for youth CHVs remains limited. This systematic review following PRISMA guidelines aims to identify the key components, delivery strategies and reported outcomes of mental health training programmes for youth CHVs, in order to inform future module development to enhance volunteers' motivation, self-efficacy, knowledge and communication skills. English articles published between 2010 and 2024 were searched through PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Eligibility criteria included mental health training interventions for non-professional community volunteers, including youth volunteers with measurable outcomes. Data were extracted and quality assessment performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Seven studies were included in this review. Training content focusing on mental health literacy, building communication and counselling skills, stigma reduction and mental health promotion demonstrated the most significant improvement in CHV's knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy. Programs adapting interactive strategies of role-playing, case studies and group discussion, combined with classroom teaching methods were significantly effective as well. Participants expressed greater confidence in handling mental health disorders within their communities. In conclusion, training programmes that prioritise mental health literacy, stigma reduction, supportive communication, self-care and help-seeking behaviour skill, implemented through interactive delivery methods are the most effective. The findings are essential for the future development of training module for youth CHVs to empower and enhance their capability to deliver effective mental health care within their community. CRD42024562221 (PROSPERO).
Mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders affect an estimated 150 million people across Africa, yet services remain grossly under-resourced and largely inaccessible. In many settings, including Nigeria, limited awareness, stigmatizing attitudes, and suboptimal mental health practices further compound the burden. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward mental health among adults in northwest Nigeria. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in Jigawa State, northwest Nigeria, guided by the classical Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) framework. A total of 398 adults were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through a combination of online surveys and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 22.0, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Participants had a mean age of 34.5 ± 8.2 years (range: 18-65), with 83.9% aged 25-45 years. Although 70.9% demonstrated adequate mental health knowledge, attitudes and practices were considerably poorer. Less than half expressed willingness to interact comfortably with individuals living with mental illness (43.2%), believed they could lead productive lives (44.2%), or had ever sought professional help for mental or emotional concerns (43.7%). Only 34.7% rejected the notion that individuals with mental illness are inherently dangerous, and just 20.4% would permit their children to interact with someone experiencing mental illness. Overall, 48.5% exhibited positive attitudes, and 46.7% reported satisfactory practices. Female sex independently predicted both knowledge and attitudes. Females were twice as likely as males to have adequate knowledge (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1-3.6) and nearly twice as likely to demonstrate positive attitudes (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.5). Prior hospitalization and known family history of mental illness were significantly associated with more favorable attitudes. Residence in the southwest senatorial zone independently predicted satisfactory practices (aOR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.9), while absence of prior mental illness was associated with lower odds of appropriate practices (aOR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.9). Knowledge scores demonstrated moderate positive correlations with both attitudes (r = 0.4, p < 0.001) and practices (r = 0.4, p < 0.001). Despite relatively adequate levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices toward mental health remain suboptimal among adults in northwest Nigeria. Consistent with the classical KAP framework, knowledge was positively associated with both attitudes and practices. Strengthening community-level mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and expanding accessible services are urgently needed to translate knowledge gains into improved behavioral outcomes.
Mental health stigma and underutilization of psychiatric care remain significant challenges in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, driven by cultural norms of silence, the model minority myth, and structural barriers to care. Narrative medicine, a clinical approach that utilizes storytelling, reflective writing, and deep listening, offers a promising approach to address these challenges by centering identity, voice, and meaning making in mental health engagement, processes that are foundational to psychological healing. In this Perspective, we describe "A is for ___", a novel narrative medicine-based empowerment framework developed through A-Team Med, a community-based nonprofit organization. The framework is left intentionally blank to symbolize the tremendous diversity of the AANHPI experience and counter monolithic representations of Asian American identity. Applied in community settings, the framework invites participants to complete the prompt "A is for ___" by selecting a personally meaningful word beginning with the letter "A" that reflects the individual's AANHPI lived experience. This open-ended structure serves as an accessible entry point for self-authorship, critical reflection, and dialogue about the AANHPI experience and mental health topics traditionally underdiscussed within this community. We situate this intervention within theories of narrative identity, cultural psychiatry, and the social determinants of mental health. We describe the implementation of this framework in a community workshop with over 50 AANHPI adolescents across multiple underserved community centers in Los Angeles. Author observations of participant experiences suggest that the exercise facilitated emotional expression, reduced stigma surrounding mental health conversations, and fostered validation and a sense of belonging. We further discuss practical applications of this framework in clinical encounters, community psychoeducation, and youth programs, as well as its potential for digital and telehealth adaptation. By reframing mental health engagement through narrative agency rather than pathology, "A is for ___" offers a low-cost, scalable, and culturally responsive tool to support mental health destigmatization and empowerment in AANHPI and other marginalized communities.
Public health centers (PHCs) played a critical role in managing health crises during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan. Sense of coherence (SOC), comprising comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness-a key framework for stress resilience-is important for mental health, with meaningfulness especially being important. This study examined the associations between SOC components and mental health among PHC directors during the pandemic. A nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among all 468 PHC directors in Japan between September and November 2022. Mental health was assessed using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), and SOC using the University of Tokyo Health Sociology version of the SOC3 scale (SOC3-UTHS). Information on the maximum number of consecutive working days and average sleep duration during the most demanding pandemic period were obtained. Logistic regression analyses were performed with K6 as the outcome and total SOC3-UTHS or each component as explanatory variables, adjusting for consecutive working days or sleep duration, and the interaction with SOC component. Overall, 189 valid responses were analyzed. After adjusting for the number of consecutive working days, higher K6 scores were significantly associated with lower total SOC3-UTHS scores (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.349), comprehensibility (OR = 0.413) and manageability (OR = 0.278), but not meaningfulness. Similar associations were observed after adjusting for average sleep duration. However, the interaction between comprehensibility and consecutive working days suggests the protective association of higher comprehensibility with mental health may be attenuated under prolonged working conditions. Shorter sleep duration also tended to be associated with worse mental health. SOC components may play different roles for leaders operating under crisis conditions, and comprehensibility, manageability, and adequate sleep may warrant attention in this context.
Mental health and psychosocial well-being remain critically underprioritized in Central Africa, a region characterized by persistent conflict, displacement, poverty, and fragile health systems. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs across Central Africa, identifies gaps, and informs policy directions. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted (January 2010-December 2025) using keywords related to mental health, psychosocial support, and Central African countries. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively. The literature reveals consistently elevated prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (> 30% among internally displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of Congo), depression, and anxiety among conflict-affected populations. Mental health services remain grossly inadequate, concentrated in urban areas, underfunded, and poorly integrated into primary healthcare. Key barriers include insufficient infrastructure, scarcity of trained professionals, pervasive stigma, and logistical challenges. Community-based and task-shifting approaches demonstrate promise, yet sustainability remains constrained. Cultural contexts significantly influence help-seeking behaviors. Addressing MHPSS needs in Central Africa requires multi-sectoral strategies that integrate mental health into broader public health agendas, strengthen community-based interventions, build local capacity, and foster partnerships. Context-specific research and policy reforms are essential.
Chronic pain presents a significant health challenge for military veterans, with a clear association with risk factors and a range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and mental health consequences. This scoping review sought to systematically synthesise studies on risk factors, cognitive and mental health effects, and interventions for chronic pain among veterans. Four major databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, HINARI, and JSTOR) were used for the search. Records from other search engines (Google and Google Scholar) were also included. This review followed the guidelines established by Arksey and O'Malley and PRISMA-ScR. The study established various risk elements related to chronic pain, such as age, gender (with a more significant occurrence among females), injury, particular medical or illness conditions, accidents and injuries, and strenuous physical activities from military service. The list of identified consequences of cognitive and mental health includes PTSD, depression, anxiety and anxiety disorders, suicide and suicide ideations, poor attention and executive function, poor learning and memory, catastrophic pain, mood disorders, poor concentration, and poor coping mechanisms. Interventions adopted within chronic pain were effective when implemented early and included multidisciplinary teams. To provide effective and prompt holistic care for veterans with chronic pain, multidisciplinary interventions should be employed, with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, including mental health and clinical health psychologists, at the centre of treatment. Their function shall be to evaluate pain and its implications for cognitive and mental health, ensuring that all facets of attention are covered.
The use of social media has been associated with various effects on mental health and addiction to these platforms, especially among university students. The aim of the study was to analize the impact of Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok on social media addiction and mental health, considering the mediating role of the latter. The study was conducted with a sample of 684 university students. Through Model 4 of the PROCESS macro for SPSS, direct and indirect relationships were evaluated between platform use (independent variables), mental health problems (mediating variable), and social media addiction (dependent variable). Regression analyses and bootstrapping with 10,000 samples were applied to estimate confidence intervals of indirect effects. The findings revealed Instagram and TikTok showed significant direct effects on social media addiction as well as indirect influences through mental health problems. These visually intensive platforms are associated with increases in psychological problems, which in turn contribute to higher levels of addiction. In contrast, Facebook and WhatsApp did not show significant direct or indirect effects on mental health or social media addiction. The findings highlight that platforms such as Instagram and TikTok pose significant risks to mental health and social media addiction among university students, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to mitigate these effects. On the other hand, Facebook and WhatsApp appear to have limited impact. This study fills gaps in the literature by differentiating psychological effects by platform and emphasizes the importance of considering social media design in digital well-being strategies.
The COVID-19 pandemic created major challenges to students' mental health. Research that university students continue to experience mental health challenges due to the changes in higher education and the increased technology integration in the post-COVID-19 era. The objective of this study was to examine association between academic stress related to technology integration and students' mental health problems (MHPs), with digital fatigue as a mediating variable and loneliness as a moderating variable. The study's research design was a cross-sectional survey. This study was guided by Job-Demands Resources (JD-R) Theory. The data were collected online from 388 university students through the post-COVID-19 University Students' Well-being Scale (PC-USWS). Academic stress was significantly associated with mental health problems (β = .639, SE = .04, 95% CI [.566, .713], t = 17.12, p < .001, R2 = .43). Digital fatigue partially explained the association between academic stress and mental health problems (ab = .18, SE = .04, 95% CI [.107, .261], Z = 4.64, p < .001, R2 = .51). The interaction between academic stress and loneliness was also statistically significant (βAS*Lo = .11, SE = .05, 95% CI [.008, .215], Z = 2.16, p = .03). The study suggests a more effective use of digital tools and greater socialization among students to improve their mental health. This study had several practical, policy, and research implications.
Millions of people and couples worldwide are impacted by the complex and emotionally taxing medical issue of infertility. Infertility describes a person's or a couple's inability to conceive a child or carry a pregnancy, leading to profound emotional, psychological, and social effects on them. There search into the mental health of infertile women is crucial in the managementof outcomes of infertility. Against this background, this study aims to discover mental health challenges that impact fertility in women and further help in the field to improve the overall outlook on the condition. In adherence with Prisma Guidelines, a systematic search was carried out of the literature published from 1 January 2010, to 3 March 2023, in PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Open Alex. All the synonyms of keywords or MeSH terms for mental health, infertile women, infertile females, and infertility were used. 1234 articles related to mental health and infertility in women were found, and after following the inclusion and exclusion criteria,47 studies were retained. Infertile women experience mental health threats like anxiety, depression, stress, marital dissatisfaction, and lower quality of life. In addition to the psychological and emotional burden of infertility, they often struggle with alack of social support and different types of abuse and violence in the irrelationships. With support from loved ones, support groups, and healthcare experts, timely, evidence-based, low-cost infertility interventions can provide great assistance and successfully navigate the emotional difficulties experienced by infertilewomen.
Over the years, numerous high-intensity hurricanes have struck Florida, United States of America, resulting in catastrophic damage. This is expected to surge, as climate change causes storms of greater intensity. Damage associated with hurricanes is typically based on destruction of property and loss of life; however, the impact on the mental health of those affected is more challenging to assess. The following case demonstrates a patient who survived a hurricane but emerged from the storm with an exacerbation of previously diagnosed mental health conditions. In the days following a major hurricane strike, a young male in his 20s required inpatient psychiatric hospitalization after reporting a suicide attempt by consuming large amounts of alcohol and cocaine. The patient, who lived on a boat, experienced total loss of housing and personal belongings following the hurricane, a stressor that contributed to significant psychosocial distress and a subsequent suicide attempt. The patient reported previous diagnoses of bipolar disorder and anxiety, for which he was currently being treated with psychotropic medications. At the initial presentation, his affect was flat, and he appeared guarded towards the staff. Adjustments to his psychotropic medication regimen were made throughout his admission. After the third day of admission, he was deemed stable for discharge. This case demonstrates the fragility of mental health in the setting of natural disasters and the complexity of maintaining mental health care in the aftermath. Most studies have focused on the incidence of mental health conditions after storms have caused areas of devastation, rather than on how storms precipitate decompensation in patients with pre-existing mental health illnesses, including substance use. This report explores management options and highlights the need for new policies and resources.
Faced with personal and study-related stressors, students in higher education experience elevated levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms while often showing low help-seeking behavior. Although interventions have shown promise in enhancing student well-being, their potential to address stigma, which is closely linked to help-seeking, remains largely unexplored. The present study evaluates The Inquiring Mind (TIM), a Canadian anti-stigma program for post-secondary education, adapted for the German university context, assessing its potential to reduce stigma, increase mental health literacy and encourage continuum beliefs, the understanding of mental health and illness as existing on a spectrum rather than as fixed categories. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was applied, using a quasi-experimental online survey (pre-, post- and follow-up assessment), and a subsequent focus group with program participants. A total of 58 students participated. The mixed-methods approach was selected to gain a better understanding of the program's impact and the effectiveness of specific components. Findings revealed significant reductions in stigma in the intervention group at post-test and a significant increase in continuum beliefs at follow-up. While quantitative results showed no improvements in mental health literacy, qualitative analyses revealed greater awareness of mental health issues and self-stigmatizing processes, as well as improvements in the normality aspect of continuum beliefs. Findings support the applicability of TIM in a new cultural context, contributing to research on the emerging concept of continuum beliefs and to the understanding of how interventions can influence post-secondary students' stigma. This systematic evaluation of an early, campus-based prevention program offers relevant insights for developing prevention strategies addressing students' post-pandemic mental health needs across diverse cultural and geographic settings.
Elite sports place high psychological and physical demands on adolescent elite athletes, increasing the risk for mental health problems. E-mental health interventions may offer flexible and low-threshold support. This study investigated adolescent elite athletes' acceptance of e-mental health interventions, identified predictors of acceptance, and explored their specific needs and demands. Data from N = 217 adolescent elite athletes (age range: 14-17 years) participating in a web-based survey (March 2022-March 2023) were analyzed. Frequencies for preferred program features and delivery modes were calculated. Acceptance and its predictors were examined using an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Group comparisons (t-tests, ANOVAs) and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Overall acceptance of e-mental health interventions was moderate. Female athletes and those in individual sports indicated higher acceptance than male and team-sport athletes. Gender (β = 0.097, p = .017), the UTAUT predictors performance expectancy (β = 0.458, p < .001), effort expectancy (β = 0.309, p < .001), and social influence (β = 0.152, p = .015) significantly explained variance in acceptance in adolescent elite athletes, whereas sport type, depression-, anxiety-, and distress symptoms, internet anxiety, digital confidence, and -overload were not significant predictors. Preferred interventions were customizable, delivered via smartphone app, and completed in 10-20-minutes sessions. Findings highlight the need for user-centered, flexible e-mental health interventions tailored to adolescent elite athletes. Targeting key acceptance drivers and preferred design features may support sustained engagement and inform indicated prevention strategies in this population.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by abnormal brain connections, impaired cognitive functions, and dysfunctional behaviors, which, in mental health, is a major challenge to diagnose at an early age. Recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computational neuroscience have made it possible to use neuroanalytic methods to identify subtle patterns related to brain disorders. Inspired by this, this study investigates facial pattern analysis as a non-invasive surrogate biomarker. A neuroanalytic deep-learning model is suggested on the basis of a Modified Histogram of Oriented Gradients-based Multichannel Convolutional Neural Network (MHMCNN). The technique comprises three steps, that is, (i) preprocessing and normalization of facial images, (ii) extraction of discriminative neuro-inspired features based on modified HOG descriptors, and (iii) multichannel CNN-based classification to discover complex structural and micro-pattern variations. The model is trained and tested on a publicly accessible facial autism dataset, and the performance of the model is tested using k-fold cross-validation. The proposed MHMCNN framework achieved a validation accuracy of 98% and a test accuracy of 96.2%, demonstrating strong generalization capability for ASD facial image classification. The model attained a training accuracy of 99.8%, indicating effective feature learning during optimization. The combination of handcrafted feature descriptors and deep learning improves the feature representation and the strength of classification. Experimental findings support the enhanced generalization and stable recognition of ASD-related patterns. The results emphasize the possible application of AI and computational neuroscience in neuroanalytic pattern detection in mental health diagnostics. The proposed solution offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to early screening of ASD by allowing observable facial characteristics to be related to underlying neurodevelopmental features. The work has helped in filling the gap between the phenotypic observations and the diagnosis of the disorder of the brain. Future studies will target the use of multimodal integration of neuroimaging and behavioral data to enhance understanding and clinical utility. This research introduces a new combination of AI and neuroanalytic principles to detect ASD that can further advance computational neuroscience-based mental health diagnostics. The suggested framework offers a scalable and affordable outcome of early screening and future expansion to multimodal frameworks of neuroimaging and behavioral data to increase clinical utility and interpretation.
Mental health challenges are common among college students, highlighting the need for scalable approaches that aim to reduce distress and support well-being. mHealth tools may complement campus services, though sustained engagement may be difficult. This study sought to discover how a blended intervention combining an mHealth positive psychology intervention (PPI) app with optional wellness coaching might impact student well-being. In this single-arm pilot study, 28 students at a public university were given access to a PPI app (Roadmap 2.0) with mood tracking, a Fitbit® wearable device, and optional wellness coaching. Data sources included PROMIS® surveys at baseline and monthly follow-ups, daily mood ratings, app engagement logs, wearable-derived activity metrics, coaching attendance, and optional exit interviews. Analyses were descriptive and exploratory. From baseline to exit, participants showed descriptive increases in PROMIS® global mental health and positive affect and decreases in depression, anxiety, fatigue, and anger. App engagement declined over time. In exploratory models, app engagement was lower among participants reporting greater psychosocial resources or support. Mood ratings were higher in the days following PPI activity completion, and PPI activity users were observed to have higher mood ratings over time. Interviews supported perceived app-coaching synergy and identified barriers to sustained engagement. A blended PPI mHealth app plus wellness coaching appears feasible in a real-world college setting and was associated with favorable descriptive trends in mental health and well-being outcomes. Controlled studies are needed to evaluate efficacy and assess app versus coaching contributions.
The present study presents a structural model of clients' mental health and their motivation to participate in prison vocational training courses. The research population included all male and female clients in Arak Prison, located in Markazi Province, Iran. Among them, 83 individuals were selected as the research sample using a stratified sampling technique with proportional assignment. The data collection instruments were the Goldberg General Health Standard Questionnaire and the Harter Academic Motivation Questionnaire. The validity of these instruments was confirmed by a panel of experts, and their reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the composite reliability index. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares statistical method in SmartPLS software. Based on the total mental health score (sum of the four subscales: physical health, anxiety, social action, and depression), 41% of clients were found to be at risk. Moreover, more than 60% of the clients demonstrated an average level of educational motivation. Physical health, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders, and social action explained 44.2% of the variance in clients' educational motivation to participate in vocational training courses, with physical health, anxiety and sleep disorders, social action, and depression contributing the most, respectively. In addition, the three constructs of physical health, depression, and anxiety and sleep disorders accounted for a total of 64.6% of the variance in clients' social action.
Adolescence is an important stage of development marked by quick changes in the brain and emotions. During this time, young people become more vulnerable to mental health issues. Taking part in organized sports can help build resilience, social connections, and self-esteem; however, new evidence shows that it might also create psychological stress. This review looks at mental health outcomes in adolescent athletes aged 12-19, based on peer-reviewed studies published from January 2000 to December 2025. We included and summarized 45 studies using a biopsychosocial and ecological approach to find key risk factors, protective mechanisms, and intervention strategies. The findings indicate that adolescent athletes face a variety of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, burnout, and disordered eating. Reported rates indicate higher levels of anxiety (about 40-50%), disordered eating (up to 42% in aesthetic sports), and burnout (35-45% in endurance sports), while lower rates of anxiety and depression are seen in team sports (around 10-20%). Common risk factors include performance pressure, fear of failure, early specialization in sports, overtraining, injury-related identity changes, unhealthy perfectionism, controlling coaching styles, and body image issues. On the other hand, protective factors include supportive coaching, a strong team environment, family support, a balanced athletic identity, and good coping skills. In summary, organized sports can both pose risks and offer protection for young people's mental health. This underscores the importance of developing comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies.
Internally displaced women (IDW) affected by the "Anglophone crisis" in Cameroon navigate a landscape of overlapping vulnerabilities, including displacement-related poverty, gender-based violence (GBV), and systemic linguistic minoritization. While the psychological impact of war is well-documented, the mental health consequences of intersecting urban stressors in host settings like Douala remain under-researched. To explore how displacement, GBV exposure, and Anglophone identity intersect to shape the mental health experiences and resilience strategies of IDW in Douala, Cameroon. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with 33 Anglophone IDW (Median age: 34 years); residing in the Littoral Region for a median duration of 5 years). Participants were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling from various urban neighborhoods (e.g., Bonabéri, Mbanga). Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis using NVivo 12, guided by an intersectional socio-ecological framework. Four major themes emerged: (1) "Swallowed Silence," where emotional repression functions as a strategic social protection against stigma; (2) Embodied Trauma and Cognitive Paralysis, manifesting as somatic distress and dissociation; (3) Chronic Survival Anxiety, driven by the "scarcity mindset" of economic precarity and ethno-linguistic discrimination; and (4) Adaptive Resilience, anchored in informal peer networks, spirituality, and cognitive restructuring. Mental health among Anglophone IDW is a dynamic process shaped more by ongoing structural "daily stressors" than by past events alone. Interventions must transcend clinical models to integrate GBV prevention, livelihood protection, and culturally safe mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services delivered in English and Pidgin.
Caring for persons with mental illness can be burdensome and could lead to home-based caregivers experiencing various physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Despite these challenges, studies prioritise the experiences of the mentally ill persons and their immediate families, with less focus on the experiences of the home-based caregivers, especially those in rural areas. Thus, this study sought to explore the experiences of home-based caregivers of people living with chronic mental illness in Ga-Dikgale, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used a qualitative research approach and an exploratory case study design. The population included home-based caregivers from Dikgale. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques was used to sample eight (six female and two male) home-based caregivers of family members with chronic mental illness from Ga-Dikgale, Limpopo Province. Data was collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that some caregivers are not adequately prepared to care for patients due to a lack of training and knowledge of handling mental health patients. Caregivers were also emotionally burdened, with minimal support from patients' families, the government, and mental health professionals. These caregivers used coping mechanisms such as group discussions, prayer, and support from their friends and families to deal with these challenges. This study recommends a collaborative approach among the Department of Health, NGOs, and community healthcare services to facilitate support for home-based caregivers.
Collegiate sport environments often bring mental health (MH) and performance (MP) into close interaction; yet, screening, triage, referral, and MP support often remain operationally fragmented. This fragmentation may weaken follow-through after screening, limit coordination across clinical and performance services, and create uncertainty around privacy, scope boundaries, and accountability. In this Perspective, drawing on implementation science, integrated care, and systems-oriented organizational design, we suggest that a promising direction in athlete MH-MP support is not simply expanding screening availability, but building governed infrastructure that better connects identification to action. We propose a sport science hub model for coordinating two linked but distinct lanes: (1) structured MH screening, triage, and clinician-led referral workflows, and (2) MP profiling and skills-based support delivered within non-clinical scope. The model is organized around explicit guardrails, including role separation, privacy-secured and auditable access, non-punitive use protections, and emergency escalation pathways. We discuss the rationale for using structured screening and referral processes while acknowledging the limitations of current screening tools, including false-negative and false-positive concerns, and the importance of interpreting performance disruption in context rather than medicalizing normal variation. We conclude with governance principles and a forward-looking research agenda focused on implementation, trust, acceptability, screening accuracy, and prospective evaluation of integrated MH-MP systems.
Physical activity is an effective non-pharmacological approach to enhance the well-being of individuals with schizophrenia. This study examined the impact of group sports-recreational activities on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia. The statistical population of this semi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design included 75 men with schizophrenia (mean age = 53.77 ± 4.74 years) residing in the neuropsychological rehabilitation center of Susa city in southern Iran in 2024. Sixty participants were randomly selected and assigned to either an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The experimental group engaged in group sports-recreational activities for 12 weeks (three sessions per week, 20 min per session). Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and the World Health Organization's Quality of Life questionnaire, covering four subscales: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health. ANCOVA results, controlling for pretest scores, revealed significant differences between the groups in overall quality of life (F = 45.42, P = 0.001, η2 = 0.61). Significant improvements were also observed in physical health (F = 12.26, P = 0.002, η2 = 0.30), psychological health (F = 31.22, P = 0.001, η2 = 0.52), social relationships (F = 12.20, P = 0.002, η2 = 0.37), and environmental health (F = 10.80, P = 0.003, η2 = 0.30) for the experimental group compared to the control group. Group sports-recreational activities significantly improve the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and should be included in rehabilitation programs.