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The patterns of traditional healing practices among first-contact patients with psychiatric services in two mental health facilities in Jaffna

2024-08-27T03:06:43Z

Title: The patterns of traditional healing practices among first-contact patients with psychiatric services in two mental health facilities in Jaffna Authors: Mahendranathan, S.; Umahsuthan, V.; Ponnuraj, K.; Kamalnathan, P.; Sivayokan, S. Abstract: Background and objectives: Mental illnesses remain a global health challenge, mandating prompt identification and intervention. Social stigma and ignorance often deter individuals from seeking timely care. Sufferers explore alternative explanations for the origin of mental illnesses, and most resort to traditional healing rituals that are deeply rooted in our culture and are perceived to provide holistic care. This study investigated the relationship between different mental illnesses and traditional healing practices utilised by first-contact patients presenting to the psychiatry units of Teaching Hospital Jaffna and Base Hospital Tellippalai. Methods: This institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022, involving 353 participants. Data were collected through a semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaire at inpatients and outpatient settings of the above-mentioned psychiatric facilities. Chi-square test was used to determine the significance. Results: The mean age of the sample was 33.1 (SD = 13.86) years with slight male preponderance and the majority were Tamil Hindus. Common mental illnesses were depressive disorder (24.4%), followed by mental and behavioral disorders due to substance use (20.7%) and adjustment disorder (12.2%). Over half the sample (57.5%) had sought one or more traditional healing rituals before coming into contact with psychiatric services. Having adjustment disorders was significantly associated with the practice of evicting the evil eye (p=0.021), while depression was associated with chanting religious slogans (p=0.01), and schizophrenia with tying of enchanted threads/talismans/amulets (p=0.044). Conclusion: Integrating scientifically validated elements of traditional healing into mental health treatment, while ensuring the duration of untreated illness is not extended, is crucial. Additional research is needed to comprehend the intricate relationships between traditional healing practices and mental illness as well as their impact on mental health care. Educating Research Conference of Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna – August 2024 traditional healers on recognizing major mental illnesses and working with them for timely referrals would be considered the way forward.

Mental health literacy among first-year undergraduates at University of Jaffna

2024-08-23T06:22:27Z

Title: Mental health literacy among first-year undergraduates at University of Jaffna Authors: Sivapalan, S.; Sivayokan, B.; Achuthan, S.; Kesavan, S.; Saravanan, R.; Sithamparapanan, K.; Vijayakumaran, N.; Coonghe, P.A.D.; Sivayokan, S. Abstract: Background & objective: Mental health issues are prevalent in over 50% of university students globally. Mental health literacy has been repeatedly shown to influence the mental health of individuals and beyond. This study aimed to determine the level of mental health literacy among first-year undergraduates at University of Jaffna. Methods: This institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 541 students from ten faculties and one unit of University of Jaffna. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which included a locally developed mental health literacy scale. Data were analysed with one-way ANOVA and chi square tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 23. The protocol was approved by the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Jaffna (J/ERC/22/138/NDR/0279). Results: Females demonstrated greater knowledge than males [𝐹(1,538) = 13.29, 𝑝 < .001, 𝜂𝑝 2 = 0.02]. Responses of students with Buddhism as their religious identity suggested they were more inclusive of people with mental illness (𝑝 ≤ .05 for all relevant comparisons). Students from the A/L biology stream showed greater knowledge than those from commerce, technology, and mathematics streams, but not arts stream [𝐹(4,535) = 11.02, 𝑝 < .001, 𝜂𝑝 2 = 0.08]. Students from the biology stream also had less misconceptions about mental illnesses (𝑝 ≤ .02). Students preferred obtaining help from family and friends (92%) than mental health professionals (53%), and they did not seem aware of the diverse mental health resources available within and outside the university. Conclusion: Resources to improve mental health literacy should be provided by the university for all students as they begin their higher education. This would help to reduce adverse outcomes due to mental health issues.

Examining post-conflict stressors in northern Sri Lanka: A qualitative study

2023-10-05T06:50:30Z

Title: Examining post-conflict stressors in northern Sri Lanka: A qualitative study Authors: Thomas, F.C.; Souza, M.D.; Magwood, O.; Thilakanathan, D.; Sukumar, V.; Doherty, S.; Dass, G.; Hart, T.; Sivayokan, S.; Wickramage, K.; Kirupakaran, S.; McShane, K. Abstract: Citation: Thomas FC, D’souza M, Magwood O, Thilakanathan D, Sukumar V, Doherty S, et al. (2022) Examining post-conflict stressors in northern Sri Lanka: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE 17(9): e0267018.

Grandparenting Activities and Mental Health in Northern Sri Lanka

2023-08-24T05:12:24Z

Title: Grandparenting Activities and Mental Health in Northern Sri Lanka Authors: Hale, K.L.; Zalla, L.C.; Coonghe, P.A.D.; Surenthirakumaran, R.; Maselko, J.