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This study investigated vocational students' mental health by identifying the prevalence of depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders and associated risk and protective factors among 16- to 18-year-old students attending a vocational college in Malta. Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) was also investigated. A sample of 422 students completed standardised self-report mental health tools and a demographic and personal variables' questionnaire. A total of 64.4% of students were found to be struggling with at least one of the mental health conditions assessed while 36.7% reported a suspected eating disorder. The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety and stress (moderate, severe or extremely severe) were 43.3%, 48.8% and 29.3% respectively. Students had a lower HRQOL than the reference population as indicated by European norm data. Only 13.5% of participants sought help from mental health services. Risk factors include female gender, poverty, being LGBTQ, not living with both parents, past negative school experiences, poor relationships and presence of suspected or diagnosed conditions or disabilities, amongst others. Having supportive relationships with family, peers and school personnel emerged as protective factors.

Research suggests that racially/ethnically minoritized (REM) students with psychiatric disabilities are less likely to receive support services, have poorer therapeutic outcomes, and experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidality than their non-REM college-aged peers without psychiatric disabilities. This study highlights how REM college students with psychiatric disabilities make meaning of their experiences and identities while navigating systemic racism and ableism in higher education. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews, and interpretative phenomenological analysis procedures were employed to identify themes. Disability Critical Race Theory served as the theoretical framework to guide the development of the study and interpretation of results. Analyses identified four superordinate themes and 16 sub-themes: "challenges with diagnoses" (sub-themes: cultural barriers to understanding mental health concerns, disclosing diagnoses, impact of diagnosis), "belonging" (sub-themes: isolation, inclusive intersectional spaces, connection to others with similar identities, navigating predominately white spaces, inevitable discrimination), "identity development" (sub-themes: self-awareness, negotiating identity, erasure of identity, navigating multiple marginalized identities, pride), "and support" (sub-themes: family support, social support, institutional support, self-support). This study demonstrates the importance of adopting an intersectional approach by centering race/ethnicity and disability for REM students with psychiatric disabilities and that systemic racism and ableism present major challenges for students navigating institutional settings.

The three of us met in 2014 through our shared interest in adult literacy. We are colleagues as practitioners and as researchers; altogether, we have been in the field of adult literacy in Canada since the 1980s. Our experiences working with learners come from our role as volunteer tutors and paid staff in provincially funded programs and grassroots initiatives funded only through private donations. Over the years, we have worked with learners who have diverse physical, mental and cognitive abilities. For many of these learners who have to contend with day-to-day challenges and discrimination stemming from their (dis)abilities, their learning is further compounded with their struggle with poverty due to the paltry financial support from the government. As we develop and evolve our approaches to support learners in their goals, we put into practice the principles from New Literacy Studies (Gee, 2020; Papen, 2023; Street, 1997) to connect literacy education with the social and historical contexts and to support learners in defining their own literacy. In this paper, each of us shares a story from our own practice to highlight how we offer a learner-centred approach to build a social practice of literacy for both the learners and ourselves as educators. While we use our stories to challenge the dominant narrative of literacy education for employment as seen in government policies (Elfert & Walker, 2020; Elias 2023; Walker & Rubenson, 2014), we also share our own learning, unlearning and relearning of how we define adult literacy as educators. The learner-centred approach in literacy education may not appear especially radical on its own; however, under the increasing pressure from the state to use adult literacy as a labour market tool, the possibility of pursuing learning outcomes other than employment could challenge the deficit narratives that are far-too-often attached to literacy learners with (dis)abilities (Elias et al., 2021).

In the past several decades, the number of college students who experience mental health concerns has increased astronomically. During that time, acts of campus violence have increased as well. Unfortunately, many colleges have been unable to effectively meet the needs of students with mental disorders. This article explores the challenges surrounding the mental health and wellness of college students. It also analyzes the impact of such challenges on students and the institution. Additionally, this paper examines best practices that colleges may implement to assist students in distress and discusses implications for higher education leaders.

The increase in the prevalence of mental illness among Black millennials has led to more awareness and advocacy within the generation. However, Black millennial men are still utilizing counseling services at significantly lower rates than millennial Black women and men of other races. Consequently, this leads to an increase in suicide completions and undiagnosed mental health issues among Black men who experience more severe and disabling symptoms of mental illness. An exploration of racism, stigma, mental health in the Black community, and Black masculinity influenced the development of this study. Based on past reported themes, Black Masculinity and Critical Race Theory are utilized as a multi-dimensional framework for this phenomenological study to provide in-depth information on the barriers to counseling experienced by millennial Black men in a metropolitan city in North Carolina. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of the semi-structured interviews of this study, results indicated the following three themes as experienced barriers: "Black Pride", "Classical Masculinity", and "Negative Perceptions of Mental Health and Counseling." Implications for improving advocacy efforts in similar metropolitan areas by mental health professionals, universities, and general social justice advocates, as well as future research, are provided.

Little is known about OCD in people with learning disabilities (LD) in general and in terms of current and professional support. In this study, we examined caregivers' perceived challenges and strategies practiced in institutionalized settings in managing OCD in people with LD and derived implications for research and practice. We studied individual cases of people with LD (n = 7). Each case included group discussions (n = 28) and semistructured interviews with caregivers (n = 20). We used qualitative content analysis to analyze the data. Our findings reveal the following challenges for caregivers: recognizing and classifying ambiguous behaviors, recognizing emotional well-being and needs through nonverbal signals, finding and applying effective strategies, being unqualified regarding additional needs, managing inappropriate institutionalized conditions, and lacking external specialization. We identified five strategies for dealing with compulsive behavior: tolerating and allowing, accepting and supporting, involving, limiting the compulsive act, and stopping the act. Collaboration among psychiatric, therapeutic, and caregivers in institutionalized settings is critical for early identification and support of OCD. Challenges arise from caregivers' lack of training on the additional needs of people with LD and OCD, highlighting the urgent need for disorder-specific guidelines for identification and support.

The mental health of students in higher education is an increasing concern. Research indicates that university students are at a higher risk of poor mental health and wellbeing compared to the general population, which negatively impacts their studies. The main issue addressed in this study is the evident gap in mental health research dedicated to university students in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The purpose of this article is to review the literature on mental health of university students in SSA and to provide an overview of student mental health policy in educational institutions. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 recommendation was followed to objectively select and retain articles within the topic of interest for this systematic review. Findings indicate a significant gap in mental health research for university students in SSA. There is a need for higher education institutions to establish mental health empowerment policies and strategies. International examples, such as the University Mental Health Framework in Australia and the United Kingdom Universities Student Wellbeing Good Practice Guide, exist for benchmarking. Contribution: The higher education sector and policymakers can use the results to inform current policy decisions and identify priorities for future directions. It is crucial to translate international guidelines into the African context to address the specific mental health issues of students in the region.

Worldwide trends suggest we are witnessing a global "campus mental health crisis" (Andersen, Holm, & Côté, 2021). According to the most recent US National College Health Assessment, over the course of a typical month, 29% of students chronically experience high levels of stress, 42% experience stress that negatively impacts their performance or progress towards their degree, and 66% feel hopeless (National College Health Assessment, 2022a). Study reviews in various countries indicate that the prevalence of students meeting criteria for a mental health disorder is alarmingly high (e.g., 25% depressive disorder, Sheldon et al., 2021). Accordingly, students' demand for mental health services has reached new heights (Xiao et al., 2017). While this rise in psychological distress and help-seeking behavior is likely in part due to decreased mental health stigma (Lipson, Lattie, & Eisenberg, 2019), postsecondary students are also believed to be facing unprecedented challenges. Ensuring that colleges and universities procure learning environments that prioritize emerging adults' wellbeing has thus become necessary.

Existing research evidence pertaining to the occupational therapy (OT) role with adventure-based outdoor activities for military veterans and the authors' positive experience serving members of a non-profit veteran-run organization that promotes rehabilitation archeology suggest that outdoor rehabilitation for this client population is a promising avenue for the profession. Moreover, students' exposure to outdoor experiences designed for military veterans as well as other populations presenting with physical and mental health conditions has the potential to significantly augment OT curriculum by impacting both the learning trajectory and personal transformation of the students. This paper describes a unique service-learning experience involving graduate OT students who engaged with and provided services to veterans participating in archeological fieldwork, as well as the impact of this experience on the students.

This study examines the association between the boarding protection/care service models offered by the General Directorate of Social Services and Child Protection Agency and the behavioral and emotional problems children and adolescents under protection or care. The relational scanning model guided the preparation of the study sample. The study's scope included an analysis of 296 children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 who needed protection or care. Various service models benefit the kids, including children's homes, orphanages, and nursery schools. Data collection tools included the Personal Information form, the Scale of Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 4-18, and the Scale of Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6-18. The software program used Mann Whitney and Kruskall Wallis test procedures to examine the study data. It has been noted that the behavioral and emotional disorders of children and adolescents receiving protection or care exhibit notable variations in the number of children in the family (p<0.05), the reasons for placement under protection or care (p<0.05), the kind of service model received (p<0.05), and the length of time the current service model has been assisting (p<0.05). Furthermore, it is noted that the kind of service model used has correlations with age (p<0.05), gender (p<0.05), the reason (p<0.05) for being placed under protection or care, and the length of time (p<0.05) that the person has benefitted from the present service model. The results are evaluated in light of the relevant literature covered.

Understanding the overlap of symptoms between oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) experienced by youth is pertinent for accurate diagnosis. A quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional design format was used to assess the relationship between ODD and OCD in addition to evaluating the difference in ODD severity and symptoms based on OCD severity. Symptoms and severity ratings of ODD and OCD were collected from youth diagnosed with ODD (N = 179). Fisher's exact test and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed. There were significant relationships between frustration related to obsessions and compulsions and the ODD symptoms of annoyance and anger. Results suggested that OCD severity predicted an increase in scores for ODD severity and symptoms.

Sense of coherence (SOC) is a relevant contributor and predictor of the individuals' mental and physical health. There are a number of studies about SOC, but only two validation articles of the sense of coherence scale (SOCS) were found on adolescents and none on children. The aim of this research was to validate the SOC scale in youth under 18. We hypothesized that younger children and children without psychiatric problems will have higher SOC than older ones, and children with psychiatric symptoms. We also wanted to examine the factor structure of both the 13 and the 29 item versions of the scale to study which is more valid in child and adolescent population. 199 children and 198 adolescents were included in the study; the mean age was 14.3 (SD 2.1) years. The sample included average youth from schools and youth under psychiatric treatment. Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Inventory of Life Quality (ILK) were used for validation of the SOCS. SOCS-13 was applied to compare SOC of children and adolescents. Children had higher SOC than adolescents in both samples. Males had higher SOC than females in children but not in adolescents. Psychiatric and behavioral symptoms were associated with a lower SOC regardless

In the United States, one in five adults are impacted by some form of mental illness in any given year, but only about 40% of individuals seek professional mental health support. While occupational therapists (OT) may work with individuals with mental illness to improve social skills, activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, and neurocognitive interventions, research suggests there is not enough emphasis on this content in professional OT education. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is designed to educate individuals on mental illness, including how to recognize signs and symptoms and how to support individuals experiencing a concern or crisis. This study examined changes in stigma, knowledge, and confidence among OT students following MHFA training, and compared to a control group. Results demonstrated improved knowledge and confidence within the experimental group, highlighting the impact of MHFA training in this population.

Mental health concerns are prevalent among occupational therapy graduate students and entry-level practitioners entering the workforce. Prior research has highlighted that the rise in mental health concerns and the high-achieving nature of occupational therapy students impacts their success in the classroom and the clinic. While formal and informal mental health accommodations are beneficial, obtaining and implementing such accommodations has been cited as a challenging process plagued with negative stigma. This study aimed to understand the perceived effectiveness of common academic and work-related mental health accommodations for meeting the role demands that occupational therapy students and practitioners encounter in the classroom, during fieldwork and capstone, and in entry-level practice. Data were gathered from 218 occupational therapy students and entry-level practitioners who completed an electronic survey, including checklists and Likert scale items. Results include the prevalence of mental health concerns, the use of formal and informal mental health accommodations, and the perceived effectiveness of mental health accommodations in meeting the role demands of occupational therapy students and entry-level practitioners. Participants reported that the commonly prescribed mental health accommodations effectively met role demands in academic and work settings. Qualitative responses to the survey provided a deeper understanding of these perceptions and the barriers students encountered when attaining or implementing such accommodations in the classroom and clinical settings. Implications for occupational therapy education address the prevalence of mental health concerns and the barriers occupational therapy students face when attaining and implementing mental health accommodations.

A growing number of college students report mental health concerns including self-harming behaviors, and studies have shown that students with disabilities report an increased number of mental health concerns compared to students without disabilities. While there are many studies informing the risk factors of self-harming behaviors of the general college student population, there are limited studies focused solely on students with disabilities. This study examines the self-harming behaviors of college students with disabilities receiving counseling in the United States, using data provided by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH). Participants were 12,132 college students from 140 colleges and universities who were registered with their campus' office of disability services and who completed the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 (CCAPS-62). Three logistic regressions were conducted, predicting self-harming behaviors without suicidal intention, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, respectively. The findings suggested that those with psychological disorder/conditions reported more self-harming behaviors than those without psychological disorder/conditions. All psychological symptoms measured in the CCAPS-62 predicted higher rate(s) of self-harming behaviors, while lower academic distress, higher depression, and higher family concerns predicted higher rate(s) of suicidal ideation and attempt for students with disabilities. The discussion describes the importance of early identification and intervention to detect warning signs and/or symptoms and can inform practitioners working with students with disabilities in postsecondary settings in identifying potential students at risk.

School-aged youth with behavioral health needs often struggle in the academic environment. When admitted to acute psychiatric hospital settings, the student's difficulties and needs increase upon discharge and return to the school setting. While the literature describes systemic issues in transitioning from an acute psychiatric hospital to the school setting, limited resources exist for practitioners to plan for and support the successful reintegration of affected students. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the purpose of the current systematic review was to collect and synthesize evidence from the literature (N = 20) in the areas of barriers, challenges, and significance of the need for a formal transition planning framework. Four major key factors emerged as important to assist in creating a transition planning framework for acute psychiatric hospitals to school-based settings: (a) Stakeholder Voice (Student, Caregiver, Hospital/Treatment Team, or School Team Voice); (b) Establishing a Point Person for Transition (Medical or School Point Person); (c) Recommendations/Accommodations (Formal or Informal Supports); and (d) Having a Transition Meeting. Other common factors are discussed, and recommendations are provided to aid practitioners in increasing the likelihood that school-age youth succeed in the school environment post-discharge from acute psychiatric settings. Finally, gaps in the literature are identified as areas for further research.

Using survey data from 6,242 first-year students with disabilities that completed the National Survey of Student Engagement and the academic advising topical module, the purpose of the current study was to explore the aspects of academic advising behaviors that mediated overall self-reported grades and student engagement. Findings indicate academic advising is positively related to grades and engagement among students with disabilities; however, some advising practices were more beneficial for students with certain disabilities than others.

Limited literacy has a large impact on the U.S. population; about half of adults lack sufficient literacy proficiency. However, not all populations are impacted equally, as there is a significant comorbidity between low literacy and mental illness. The authors have found that smartphones can offer mental health patients with low literacy numerous resources. They will highlight two examples in this article and describe how each can be beneficial to a patient's health. While these resources have great potential, the authors realize that not all patients are able to use their smartphones like this as they lack basic digital literacy. [For part 1 of this Forum on supporting mental health, see EJ1389837. For part 3, see EJ1389833.]

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five adults living in the United States has a mental illness (2022). Despite the varying complexities and diagnoses associated with students who are navigating mental health issues, there are numerous approaches educators and professionals supporting adult learners can take to help students cope with mental health needs. The resources and accommodations presented in this article discuss best practices for students with mental health needs that are adapted using Hewitt's (2017) "Yes I Can: A Mental Health Guide for Adult Literacy Facilitators." The information in this article accounts for the most common student needs and ways for facilitators to incorporate best practices into their classrooms that can address various diverse learning requirements. [For part 2 of this Forum on supporting mental health, see EJ1389835. For part 3, see EJ1389833.]

Discourse theory has always played a significant role in Michel Foucault's larger theoretical framework. His discourse theories integrate language, power, and knowledge as to achieve the 'truth,' though there is a debate whether they are inherently linked. This paper explores the longitudinal evolution of Foucault's discourse theory from the external and internal aspects. It examined the evolution of Foucault's discourse theory through different stages, closely focusing on the efforts that he gradually made to perfect his discourse theory. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study established how language, power, and knowledge constituted three fulcrums of Foucault's discourse theory as it evolved. The findings indicate that Foucault introduced a novel concept into discourse theory when he established the internal relationship between language, power and knowledge and with insanity and sexuality as external aspects. His theories of madness (insanity) and sexuality did not so intellectually trigger the masses, but he succeeded in linking insanity and sexuality with language, power and knowledge, which are the center of Foucault's discourse theory. This evolution of the discourse theory is the evidence of the transformation and development of discourse production, power production, and knowledge production, which helped Foucault to establish his discourse theory. The study implies that knowledge is the link between Foucault's discourse analysis and power analysis and that Foucault's discourse theory is the representation of his core discourse thoughts placed among discourse, knowledge, and power.

The primary purpose of this study is to design a model that examines the mediating role of moral identity in the effect of self-efficacy on stress, depression, and anxiety. For this purpose, the researcher applied three scales to 366 students enrolled in state universities on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. The data analysis used parametric tests, correlation tests, structural equation models, and Bayesian reliability analyses. Based on the results from the structural equation modeling analysis, the variable of moral identity was found to have a significant effect on the positive impact to selfefficacy on psychological problems. Therefore moral identity has been concluded to be able to help reduce the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety.

The COVID-19 pandemic had has a impact on education in Bangladesh, especially for rural areas students. This research was conducted in the South Bali Para village of Trishal Upazila in Mymensingh and focused to investigate the difficulties faced by rural students in terms of accessing and adjusting to online education during the pandemic. A sample of 300 students from primary to higher secondary levels was surveyed, and empirical research revealed that economic hardship and lack of access to online education were the primary concerns for rural students. This contrasts with urban students, who were primarily affected by mental health issues. According to the research findings, more than 60% of households in rural areas lacked internet access or smartphones, despite the fact that approximately 70% of primary, lower, and higher secondary students resided in these regions. Efforts to provide remote learning through methods such as television or multimedia classrooms in remote areas did not effectively support rural students in their online education during the pandemic. Therefore, the study highlights the socioeconomic challenges and costs of pandemic-led online education in rural Bangladesh, including the increased risk of dropouts and child marriages. The findings emphasize the urgent need for an inclusive and accessible strategy for remote learning that specifically addresses the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable students in Bangladesh.

Although there is a growing body of research that suggests the mental health of graduate students differs from that of their undergraduate counterparts, studies examining international students at the graduate level are scarce. This study therefore compares mental health diagnoses, challenges and stressors experienced, and use of mental health support, of international and non-international students who identified as being graduate/professional students. Data from the 2019 Canadian National College Health Assessment were used to compare the international graduate students (n = 1,876) to their non-international peers (n = 4,809). Significant differences were found on prevalence of conditions, certain specific challenges that are experienced, and help-seeking behaviours. Overall, international and non-international students may experience similar challenges, but international students are less likely to seek support. The findings suggest a need for graduate advisors and student affairs professionals to recognize the unique experiences of international graduate students particularly with their help-seeking behaviours.

At the university level, mental health and mental illness education is still limited to clinical disciplines. However, Post COVID-19 mental health issues have become an epidemic that the university cannot ignore. Left alone to clinical disciplines, mental health issues appear as a health disturbance instead of a daily process of internal negotiations in need of acceptance and promotion. Indeed, the normalization of mental health can lead students to seek the required help with no fear of diagnosis stigma. By interviewing students and faculty about their mental health journey during COVID and Post-COVID 19, this paper proposes different spaces where the normalization of mental health can be integrated easily within Higher Education. One of the spaces alluded to in the paper is an inclusive language that incorporates neurodiversity mental illness. However, the main purpose of this focuses on intrapersonal conflict as a discursive space where teaching can become mindful.

The issue of educational work with trauma in juvenile detention centres (JDC) is a less explored area in the Czech Republic, even though the literature points to a higher incidence of trauma among children at risk in this target group. The aim of our research was to determine the extent of adverse childhood experiences among young people in detention centres in the Czech Republic. A quantitative research strategy was applied in the research. The results show that more than 90% of the surveyed adolescents living in JDC had more than one adverse childhood experience (captured in the ACE-Q). In light of the findings, it seems important to pay attention to traumatic experience of youth in JDC and to design comprehensive holistic interventions based on the individual needs of the at-risk youth with traumatic experiences.

Female adolescents with disabilities are at an increased risk for mental health concerns, which can negatively impact their self-determination, making transition to postschool opportunities difficult. We analyzed two waves of survey data from 366 female adolescents with disabilities, recruited from 26 U.S. public high schools, as part of a randomized controlled trial of a career development intervention. Participants with mental health concerns evidenced a slower increase in self-determination over the follow-up period than those without such concerns. Individuals assigned to the intervention condition experienced significant gains in self-determination compared with the control. Findings suggest that mental health concerns can operate as a barrier to growth in self-determination skills among this population, though targeted interventions can help in boosting these skills.

In Malaysia, the prevalence of mental diseases has risen dramatically over the last decade. University students tend to be particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of quarantine when compared to the general population. Indeed, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, young adults' mental health was already a global concern. Young adults (aged 16-24 years) have been demonstrated to be especially vulnerable to mental health difficulties during prior lockdowns. Furthermore, increased public and clinician knowledge of mental health issues has likely resulted in improved reporting and identification of mental disorders. The study aims to evaluate Malaysian students' mental health, particularly from private universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a quantitative research approach. Descriptive analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were used to analyze the data collected among university students in Malaysia. The results show that Malaysian university students were facing mental health issues due to high anxiety and depression. Furthermore, results of this study show that high level of depression, anxiety, and stress among Malaysian universities students incurred due to a drastic change in the education system especially in teaching delivery. Overall, this study will contribute to the advancement of research on the mental health and well-being of tertiary education students, particularly in Malaysia for their future growth and further development of the education system.

The current study aims to explore the serial mediating role of ADHD symptoms and self-criticism between dysfunctional attitudes and mental health problems in young adults. The sample of 315 university students (13men and 180 women) with age ranging from 18 to 24 years were given a Demographic Performa, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Symptom Scale (ADHSS), Self-Criticism Scale (SCS), Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) and Student Problem Checklist (SPCL). Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to explore the relationship among dysfunctional attitudes, ADHD symptoms, self-criticism, and mental health problems in university students. Mediation analysis was carried out through Process, and results revealed that ADHD symptoms and self-criticism fully mediated between dysfunctional attitudes and mental health problems in university students ([beta] = 0.04, SE = 0.14, p < 0.01). The current study highlights that dysfunctional attitudes, ADHD symptoms and self-criticism increase mental health problems, provides insight regarding counseling services for university students and in Pakistan as a developing country, policies should be developed that promote the mental health of university students.

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a challenging disease pattern and has gained increasing scientific and public interest in recent years due to the Corona pandemic and Long-COVID. The aim of this study was to investigate (1) medical students' health-related control beliefs, (2) students' awareness and views about ME/CFS at the beginning of their medical education, and (3) to examine whether there are correlations between students' health-related control beliefs and their views about ME/CFS. Methods: A cross-sectional online-survey was conducted in October 2020 with all new medical students at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the Technical University Munich. Results: A total of 251 students completed the survey, representing a response rate of 27.0% (251/929). The examined health related locus of control of the students was predominantly internal oriented. Students' awareness about ME/CFS at the beginning of their medical education were found to be low: 46,8% (117/250) of the students surveyed disagreed that they have heard or read about ME/CFS and 81,6% (204/250) disagreed that they feel sufficiently well informed about the disease. A possible correlation between students' health-related locus of control and their views regarding ME/CFS-specific issues was found: The higher the students' internal locus of control, the less they favored a strict separation of mental and physical suffering in medical practice, the less they believed that psychological causes for an illness should only be sought when no physically objective causes could be found, and the less they agreed that there is no indication for therapy if a disease is not objectively detectable. Conclusion: As ME/CFS is a medical challenge and increasingly relevant in medical practice, the fact that 50% of medical students have never heard of this disease underscores the need for awareness and education. We found that the majority students in the sample largely have an internal health related locus of control. They rate their own influence on their health higher than those with an externally oriented control conviction.

This study examined the level of social communication problems (SCP), social anxiety (SA), and mood problems (MP) among children with ASD (age 4-13 years) enrolled in special classes (n = 74) and regular classes (n = 73) and grade level (kindergarten, 1st-3rd, 4th-6th) from teachers' perspective in schools of Palestinian Arabs in Israel. Teachers responded to three questionnaires about (1) SCP, (2) SA and (3) MP; the teachers' responses to the questionnaires were used to answer the research questions. Results: SCP, SA and MP were of medium rates for students with ASD enrolled in regular and special classes. No significant differences in the level of SCP could be attributed to class type (Regular, Special) or the grade level (kindergarten, 1st-3rd, 4th-6th). There were significant differences in SA levels that could be attributed to grade level in favor of the 4th-6th grades but there were no significant differences according to class type (Regular, Special). There were statistically significant differences in MP levels that could be attributed to the class type in favor of special classes, and the effect of grade level was not significant. There was a direct significant relationship between SCP, SA, and MP. Conclusion: SCP may be an important risk factor for the development of SA and MP among students with ASD, which lead us to incorporating social skills interventions by educational staff to alleviate or even prevent symptoms of SA and MP among students with ASD, which supports the view of inclusion

Introduction: The current study aimed to investigate the psychological impact of the Turkey 2023 earthquakes on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents residing in Hatay, Sanliurfa, and Ankara provinces, encompassing the periods both before and after the Turkey 2023 earthquakes. Method: This cross-sectional, multicenter study included 103 children and adolescents with ASD aged between 6 and 18. Participants were evaluated based on their residence in Ankara, Hatay, and Sanliurfa, three cities affected differently by the earthquake. Parent-report questionnaires were utilized to assess the children's autism symptoms and behavioural problems. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale was used to determine autism severity. The psychiatric problems of mothers were also assessed with self-report scales. Results: Significantly increased levels of core autism symptoms, irritability, and hyperactivity were found in Hatay and Sanliurfa participants after the earthquakes compared to before, while no differences were detected in children from the Ankara group. Scale score increases in the Hatay group, which had to take a more extended break from special education, were higher than in the Sanliurfa group. Participants with late-diagnosed ASD exhibited a more significant increase in their scale scores after the earthquake. Depression, stress and hopelessness scores were the highest, and the life satisfaction levels were the lowest in mothers of the Hatay and Sanliurfa groups. More pronounced increases were observed in aberrant behaviours among children of mothers with low educational levels following the earthquake. Discussion: Our findings demonstrate that the exacerbation of core ASD symptoms and behavioural deterioration after the earthquakes are associated with disruptions in specialized education services, exposure to earthquake-related trauma, and the educational level of mothers.

Aim: This project sought to ascertain views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, their carers', and specialist intellectual disability psychiatrists as to use of telepsychiatry consultations. Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic specialist psychiatrists in intellectual disability services in the United Kingdom (UK) have explored and adopted use of telepsychiatry for psychiatric consultations. Method: An easy-read co-designed questionnaire was sent to potential respondents N = 590 potential respondents (N = 280 patients, N = 280 carers), and a separate questionnaire was sent electronically to N = 30 specialist intellectual disability psychiatrists. Findings: Responses were received from N = 192 respondents (N = 68 (24%) patients, N = 98 (35%) carers, and N = 26 (90%)) psychiatrists. Advantages of telepsychiatry cited were flexibility, and it being less disruptive to patients' routines, offering convenient practice and saving travel time and cost. Disadvantages reported included loss of rapport and relationship with patients, and an inability to conduct an effective mental state examination. Conclusion: This survey has produced equivocal evidence as to acceptability of telepsychiatry for all people with intellectual disabilities, carers and psychiatrists cannot be assumed. Some patients may need significant support to enable them to engage with such an approach.