Search

This perspective paper presents a discussion around the issues of sexual violence (SV) in rural and remote areas and the associated discourses of shame. The authors propose that shame of SV adds additional trauma to survivors, further impacting survivors' mental health which may be exacerbated in rural areas. Shame is a complex emotion that can result in increased feelings of guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment. Shame has been identified as an underlying risk factor and a mechanism for post‐assault mental health problems. We propose it can be particularly pronounced for women subjected to sexual assault in rural or remote areas. This paper will explore the link between SV and shame, explain how shame attached to SV may be used as an informal social control mechanism for women, particularly in rural and remote areas, and discuss the role of health practitioners, particularly mental health nurses, who play a key role in supporting people impacted by SV. SV is an insidious social phenomenon that can have profound consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Addressing shame and stigma is a crucial component of supporting survivors of SV in rural and remote areas. There is a need for targeted community‐led interventions and responsive support services to address the complex and multifaceted issues contributing to SV in rural and remote communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate coping styles, posttraumatic stress, and mental health symptoms among a sample of community members affected by 2019–20 Australian bushfires. Using a convenience sampling approach, an online survey was used to assess a range of coping strategies, posttraumatic stress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among the affected community members of Black Summer bushfires. The results revealed that study participants reported moderate symptoms of depression and stress, and severe levels of anxiety. Additionally, participants reported use of both approach and avoidance coping strategies following the bushfire event as well as experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress, such as having intrusive thoughts and symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. Despite the durability of many individuals, others remain affected by the event and there is evidence there may be longer term mental health consequences of the bushfires for some people. Given these findings, it is imperative that mental health services be readily available for people in the bushfire‐affected areas. Mental health nurses have an important role to play in supporting individuals affected by disasters. Awareness of the short‐ and long‐term impacts of disasters on the mental health of people is paramount for mental health nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 spread rapidly causing widescale loss of life and economic devastation. Efforts to contain it have resulted in measures such as closing of borders and restrictions around travel, social activities and attending places of worship. We conducted this rapid review to systematically examine, synthesize, and critically appraise the available evidence on the relationship between pandemic‐related behaviours and psychological outcomes. The methods were compliant with the PRISMA guidelines. The review was preregistered with PROSPERO (Registration #: CRD42020181576). A literature search was conducted from January 2010 to April 2020 using ProQuest, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Scopus, SAGE Journals, and CINAHL. Of 3844 articles identified, we included 11 quantitative articles in the final synthesis, representing data from 32, 049 individual respondents from eight countries. We identified three pandemics (COVID‐19, MERS‐CoV, Influenza A(H1N1) pdm09) as well as several psychological outcomes including anxiety, mental distress, post‐traumatic stress disorder, and anger. We also identified several behaviours during pandemics and categorized them into protective, preparedness, and perverse behaviours. The review showed that even though there is limited evidence regarding pandemic‐related behaviours and psychological outcomes, the current findings showed that the psychological outcomes significantly impacted on the adoption of the pandemic‐related behaviours. Given the negative effects of psychological outcomes on behaviours, we recommend that mental health professionals should promote mental health support to people exhibiting psychological distress resulting from similar events in the future. Also, we recommend that future research should test the hypothesized effects of pandemics and psychological outcomes on behaviour change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss several factors associated with family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics mentioned include an increase in demand for domestic violence services in Australia, the efforts of Italy to commission hotels to offer shelter to the growing number of people fleeing abusive situations, and an increase in alcohol good sales in Australia as social distancing measures came into place.

The article discusses that people from Wuhan were targeted and blamed for the COVID-19 outbreak by other Chinese people and Chinese people have since been stigmatized internationally. It mentions the current state of the COVID-19 illness already paints a picture of inevitable and large-scale quarantine; and also mentions that most healthcare professionals have received relatively little training in the delivery of mental health care in the face of such pandemics.

An editorial is presented to the article has well established that bushfires and other natural disasters have long-term effects on the mental health of affected individuals and communities. Topics include rural communities have vulnerable to bushfires, and the 2019–2020 bushfire events impacted Australian rural communities; and the bushfires has a devastating impact on rural agricultural-based communities.

The author reflects on mental health impact of COVID-19 on pre-registration nursing students in Australia. Topics discussed include nursing students, social distancing and isolation requirements have resulted in the cancellation of classes, examinations and clinical placement activities; student learning, their normal support systems, and social activities, with little sign of return to normal in the immediate future and curriculum while ensuring adherence to requirements of social distancing.

The article offers information on the worldwide social movement and protests relating to climate change. It discusses the declaration of climate change as a health emergency by the Australian Medical Association. It mentions the environmental impact and physical health concerns related to the climate change.