Suicidal ideation and trauma exposure are significant health challenges worldwide, and their interaction increases their burden on individuals and communities. However, limited research has been devoted to these conditions in low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of the burden of these disorders exists. Additionally, unique cultural factors that may contribute to differential relationships in these symptoms and disorders make this an important area to explore. This study examines relationships between the number and types of adverse exposures, PTSD symptoms and severity, depression and suicidal ideation in a sample of Cambodian women with experiences of trauma using logistic and linear regressions. Overall, PTSD severity significantly contributes to suicidal ideation, with hyperarousal symptoms playing a particularly influential role in this association. Further, adverse experiences, including physical abuse and parental mental health problems, contributed significantly to increased suicidal ideation. Lastly, depression severity partially mediates the relationship between PTSD severity and suicidal ideation. These results illustrate the significant role of PTSD in the experience of suicidal ideation, particularly within regions like Cambodia with high trauma loads. These findings point to psychological constructs that may be especially important to include in suicidality screening tools and to target within prevention and intervention efforts.

Chronic stress can lead to physical and mental health conditions. This study aimed to identify the different stress profiles and stress relief methods among Filipinos living in the Philippines using latent class analysis. A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study was employed in this study. The stressors and stress-relief practices among Filipinos were investigated using the I-HEART-FILIPINOS data set. Latent class analysis was used to identify the different profiles of stress causes and management methods among 1,196 Filipinos residing in the Philippines, specifically the Northern Luzon area. Four stress-related profiles were identified: (1) low financial stress relieved by eating and exercise; (2) work-related stress relieved by self-care; (3) familial and economic turmoil relieved by eating, exercise and prayer; (4) high financial stress relieved by staying at home and remaining indoors. The four-class solution explained 58% of the variation in the data through classification. Disparities were observed between classes in terms of emotional distress and sociodemographic variables, implying how sociocultural factors could affect stress presentation and management in Filipinos. The findings of this study inform the development of stress management interventions specifically designed to address the needs of underserved populations in the Philippines and neighboring countries to improve overall health.

The study evaluated a training programme adapted from the WHO mhGAP to enhance suicide prevention knowledge, attitudes, and confidence among 436 Community Health Workers (CHWs) in India. A pre–post intervention design assessed outcomes at four time points using a structured questionnaire, analysed via repeated-measures ANOVA. Mean knowledge scores increased from 6.32 ± 0.14 at baseline to 11.12 ± 0.12 post-training, then levelled off at 10.10 ± 0.14 and 10.10 ± 0.13 at 6 and 12 months, respectively; similarly, mean confidence scores increased from 4.96 ± 0.11 to 7.84 ± 0.11, remaining at 7.28 ± 0.10 and 7.44 ± 0.10 at the same time points. Mean attitude scores changed slightly from 41.00 ± 0.38 to 42.72 ± 0.43 over 12 months, indicating increased negative attitudes. Knowledge and confidence scores across time points were statistically significant (p < 0.05); however, this was not observed for attitude scores. Improvements were associated with CHW cadre and educational status. Post-training, CHWs demonstrated sustained improvements in knowledge and confidence for identifying, referring, and managing suicidal behaviour over 12 months, with those having lower baseline scores improving uniformly following the programme.

Mental health disorders are prevalent among adolescents and evidence suggests that stigma, poor mental health literacy (MHL) and access are key barriers to help-seeking for mental health difficulties in adolescence and throughout life. The study purpose is to assess existing mental health knowledge, stigma and help-seeking behaviour among adolescents in Uganda. A total of 889 secondary school students in Kampala completed standardised self-report questionnaires. The results reveal low-to-moderate levels of mental health knowledge (MAKS, range 12–60, M = 16.35, SD = 5.18, AMHLQ, range 33–138, M = 64.01, SD = 12.98), stigma (RIBS, range 4–20, M = 12.30, SD = 3.52) and prejudice towards people with mental illness (PPMI-TR, range 133–19, M = 73.85, SD = 13.38). Knowledge correlated with stigma (r = 0.166 and r = 0.135, p < 0.01), and with one’s capacity to assess own mental health (SELF-I range 5–25, M = 12.34, SD = 4.4). Adolescents are open to seek help from mental health professionals but reluctant to seek it from most accessible help sources like schoolteachers. The findings provide insights for future mental health-promoting and anti-stigma interventions for adolescents.

Individuals from refugee backgrounds may experience higher rates of mental and physical health problems compared to the general population, yet the interdependence of these outcomes within couples remains poorly understood. This study aims to understand the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), socio-economic status and self-rated general health (SRGH) among couples from refugee backgrounds living in Australia. Couples were nested within dyads using multi-level frameworks and mixed-effects logistic regression (n = 436 dyads). In respondents with likely PTSD, 61% of their partners were also likely to have PTSD compared to only 26% of partners in refugees with unlikely PTSD. After controlling for socio-economic factors, respondents with likely PTSD were significantly less likely to rate their health as ‘excellent/very good’ (OR = 0.20), compared to those with unlikely PTSD. Partners with likely PTSD were also less likely to rate their health as ‘excellent/very good’ (OR = 0.54). Individuals who were older, female, born in the Middle East, experienced less community support or more economic stressors were at greater risk of poorer SRGH. PTSD and SRGH had an interdependent effect within couples from refugee backgrounds. Familial and psychosocial contexts must be considered when developing health promotion and policies for refugee communities.

The role of Law enforcement agencies (LEA) is significant in suicide prevention efforts as first responders. Nevertheless, no published study to date has systematically compiled the body of knowledge about suicide prevention efforts involving LEA. The current scoping review aims to methodically map and examine the peer-reviewed literature and grey literature on the role of LEA in suicide prevention. Electronic searches of the databases like Medline, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL and Google were conducted using a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant resources. Grey literature was searched searches were undertaken on relevant databases and, as well as government and organisational websites. The reporting of the review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The inclusion criteria comprised research articles, reports, and guidelines/policy documents on the role of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in suicide prevention. Studies on prevalence, custodial settings, non-English publications, and reviews were excluded. Inclusion criteria comprised research articles, reports and guidelines/policy documents focusing on law enforcement’s role in suicide prevention. Studies focusing solely on prevalence or epidemiology, studies confined strictly to custodial settings, publications not in English and systematic reviews or meta-analyses were excluded. Out of 3,327 records screened, the full texts of 82 resources were included in the review. All the resources identified were categorised between peer-reviewed literature and grey literature. Resources were thematically categorised based on functional roles into- I. Strategic and System-Embedded Roles of LEA, II. Capacity Building and Training Oriented Engagements, III. Surveillance Reporting and Data Systems Role, IV. Community Facing and Preventive Engagement, and V. Means Restriction and Environmental Prevention Roles. The chronological development of the resources was inconsistent. Most resources were from high-income countries, focusing on the evaluation of training, capacity building programmes, surveillance initiatives and the exploration of varied roles of LEA across custodial, community and crisis settings and other interdisciplinary collaborations. Notably, the resources show increased disparity in quantity and research methodological approaches across geographies. The review highlights substantial heterogeneity and a limited resource base from low- and middle-income countries on the role of LEA in suicide prevention, with a dearth of structured, evidence-based, scalable models in these settings. These gaps point to an urgent need for locally relevant and cross-sectoral models that position law enforcement as integral partners in suicide prevention efforts, especially where these agencies play a major role as first responders.

Loneliness is a public health concern influenced by environmental contexts. Among youth, it manifests differently at school and home, yet research in low-resource settings is limited. This study examined patterns of loneliness and how economic and sociodemographic factors correlate with it in school and home environments among Kenyan youths in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,972 youths aged 14–25 years using a self-administered questionnaires. Analyses included paired t-tests, ANOVA and generalized estimating equations (GEEs). Among participants with complete paired data (n = 1,166), loneliness was significantly higher at school (M =23.15) than at home (M = 21.53). Females reported higher loneliness than males (school: p=.011; home: p<.001). Education level and marital status were significantly related to loneliness at home (p<.001 and p=.022) but not at school. Loneliness at home was higher among the poorest households compared to middle-class households (mean difference =2.556, p=.048). GEE models confirmed these patterns and indicated that employment status influenced differences in loneliness between home and school settings. School settings were linked with higher loneliness, while home loneliness varied by socioeconomic and demographic factors, underscoring the need for targeted interventions addressing environmental and social determinants of youth loneliness.

To address challenges in the real-world implementation of digital health for mental healthcare in Nigeria, this study conducted a process evaluation of five World Health Organization-recommended digital tools within a state-wide primary health care program in Lagos. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design across five facilities, we measured implementation fidelity through observation and platform analytics, and assessed stakeholder perceptions via validated surveys and interviews. The findings revealed a sharp divergence in success. Administrative tools that streamlined workflows, such as drug stock notification and automated client reminders, achieved high fidelity (>90% adherence). In contrast, clinical tools that altered provider–patient interactions, including a decision support app and a client helpline, demonstrated low fidelity (<66% adherence). Qualitative analysis attributed this gap to the successful tools’ seamless workflow integration versus the clinical tools’ disruption of practice and introduction of perceived professional and liability risks. The study concludes that digital health adoption is determined less by technological sophistication than by its integration into human systems. Scaling these innovations effectively requires prioritizing tools that align with existing workflows and developing a supportive policy ecosystem to address the professional concerns of frontline health workers.

Evidence on the association between self-esteem and suicide risk (SR) among adolescents in Latin America is limited. To address this gap, we examined this association in secondary school students from northern Peru. We performed an analytical cross-sectional study based on secondary data collected in 2022 from 1,314 adolescents attending 5 secondary schools. SR was assessed using the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale, while self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated through Poisson regression with robust variance, both in crude and adjusted models. The study population comprised 54.2% males, with the majority (69%) in middle adolescence. Low self-esteem was identified in 44.7% of participants, while 29.4% presented average self-esteem. Overall, 33.3% of adolescents reported SR (95% CI: 30.8–36.0). In crude analyses, both average and low self-esteem were associated with a higher prevalence of SR compared with high self-esteem (PR = 2.30 and PR = 4.11, respectively). In adjusted models, average self-esteem was associated with a 42% higher prevalence (PR = 1.42) and low self-esteem with a 67% higher prevalence (PR = 1.67). One in three adolescents presented an SR, underscoring the need to integrate school- and community-based programs that promote self-esteem within suicide prevention.

Approximately 20% of Nigerians experience a mental health condition, yet fewer than 10% receive minimally adequate care. This scoping review synthesises the development, implementation and outcomes of mental health policies in Nigeria from 1916 to 2025. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, systematic searches were conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, AJOL and Google Scholar (inception–December 2024), supplemented by grey literature from governmental and non-governmental sources. The Walt and Gilson Policy Triangle guided the analysis of policy context, content, processes and actors. Nigeria’s policy trajectory demonstrates normative progress, transitioning from custodial approaches under the Lunacy Ordinance (1916) to a rights-based orientation in the Mental Health Act (2023). However, implementation outcomes remain constrained. Workforce expansion has been modest (psychiatrists increased from 250 in 2018 to approximately 350 in 2024), treatment coverage remains low (10–15%) and budget allocation is insufficient (3.3% of the health budget). Barriers include inadequate financing, weak coordination across federal and state levels, limited stakeholder engagement and insufficient integration of community, traditional and faith-based providers. Comparative analysis highlights that Ghana’s autonomous Mental Health Authority, South Africa’s provincial directorates and Kenya’s community health volunteer model provide governance and implementation structures absent in Nigeria. Findings indicate that Nigerian mental health policies, while necessary, are insufficient alone for system strengthening. Effective policy translation requires increased and protected financing (target: 5% of health budget by 2027), task-shifting strategies, establishment of a National Mental Health Information System, federal incentives for state-level adoption, integration into primary healthcare (5,000 PHCs by 2028) and inclusive governance that incorporates service users and traditional healers.

Anxiety is a common mental health concern worldwide, with a growing burden in Bangladesh. This study investigates the prevalence of anxiety among women of reproductive age, emphasizing rural–urban disparities and examining how sociodemographic factors and nutritional status contribute to anxiety across these geographic contexts. Data were obtained from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Anxiety was assessed using the GAD-7 scale, with scores ≥10 indicating moderate-to-severe anxiety. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals for associated factors. Among women, 22.11% reported mild anxiety (22.63% rural; 20.81% urban) and 4.37% moderate-to-severe anxiety (4.50% rural; 4.05% urban). Women aged 35–49 years had higher odds (rural AOR = 2.004; national AOR = 1.75). Relative to Dhaka, anxiety risk was greater in Khulna (AOR = 1.86) and Sylhet (AOR = 1.74). Muslim women and those in urban areas with secondary education showed increased odds. Agricultural and nonworking women had lower odds than skilled workers. Husbands’ low education and unemployment raised anxiety risk. Those not wanting more children, experiencing family pressure to conceive (AOR = 3.41), justifying wife-beating and with pregnancy termination history faced higher odds. Recent menstruation was protective (AOR = 0.81). Anxiety among Bangladeshi women of reproductive age is influenced by age, region, education, occupation and reproductive health factors. Higher odds were found among older women, the uneducated and those in regions like Sylhet. Family pressure to conceive, domestic violence justification and abortion history were significantly linked to higher anxiety.