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In the face of the unprecedented public health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, front-line health workers are under enormous mental pressure. This paper aims to explore the mental health challenges faced by front-line health workers in the early stages of a public health emergency, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. At the same time, the factors that increase their mental stress are analyzed, and practical measures are put forward to prevent and manage mental health problems, aiming at improving the quality of medical treatment during public health emergencies. This paper has some reference value for people engaged in mental health prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the long-term effects of public health emergencies, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, on mental health and well-being. It emphasizes the need to prioritize mental health in addition to medical concerns during such crises. The collection of research papers explores various aspects of the pandemic's impact, including the psychological effects of quarantine, the vulnerability of certain populations, and the resilience of individuals. The article calls for interdisciplinary collaboration and comprehensive mental health programs to address the mental health consequences of public health emergencies. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global daily life, including the world of elite athletes. This paper examines the multifaceted impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on elite swimmers and water polo athletes, specifically their mental health, their concerns over the virus, their intentions of getting vaccinated, and sleep disturbances that they may have faced. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on elite swimmers and water polo players, using an anonymous questionnaire. Results: A total of 200 elite athletes participated. The majority of the participants reported a negative impact on their mental health, screened positive for insomnia (n = 107 (53.5%), with females (n = 101; 57.7%), swimmers (n = 100, 66.7%), and university students (n = 71, 71.7%) being more vulnerable (p < 0.001). Concerns about contracting the disease especially during important training or tournament periods and potential career disruption also affected their psychological well-being. While the majority (75%) had the intention of getting vaccinated, an alarming percentage was yet uncertain over its decision. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant psychological distress faced by elite aquatic athletes during the pandemic. It emphasizes the difficulties faced by elite swimmers and water polo athletes and determines not only the importance of addressing the vaccination intentions of athletes, but also how critical it is to confront the challenges they face both for their personal health and for the restoration of world sports to their pre-pandemic state. More large-scale studies are required to inform policies targeted at minimizing disruption to the athletes' career, provision of information on preventive measures and vaccination, and improvement in psychological well-being in case of similar major public health issues in the future. Additionally, this study calls for further research to explore the unique challenges faced by aquatic athletes, such as those related to their training environments and fear of contagion, to better support them in future public health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry that discusses the ongoing issue of stigma towards individuals with mental illnesses. It emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and providing training to diverse groups in order to challenge existing stereotypes and reduce stigmas. The editorial provides a summary of 22 articles included in the research topic, covering various aspects of mental-health-related stigma and discrimination. These articles explore topics such as the impact of stigma on mental health patients, stigma experienced by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, public perceptions and reactions to the pandemic, attitudes of healthcare workers towards seeking psychological help, and the influence of stigma on the location and configuration of mental health establishments. The editorial also addresses the stigma associated with substance use disorder and the urgent need to reevaluate language surrounding addiction. It calls for decriminalization of drug use, allocation of resources towards prevention and treatment, and highlights instances of discrimination by clinicians towards individuals with substance use disorders. The article also discusses the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to stigma and mental health. It concludes by advocating for a comprehensive strategy to overcome mental health-related stigma through public awareness, education, and destigmatizing language. [Extracted from the article]