Worldwide, food insecurity among university students is a growing concern as students face unique challenges that exacerbate their risk(1). Despite this, no data exists for New Zealand students. We aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among New Zealand university students, while also exploring students’ reported barriers to accessing food, how they navigate these, and how this differs by food security status. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among students at the University of Auckland. Food insecurity was assessed using the 10-item US Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module. Additional data were collected on student socio-demographic and course of study characteristics, barriers and coping strategies, and awareness, need, and use of university support. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess differences in variables of interest by food security status. The survey was completed by 347 students. Their mean age was 22.1 ± SD 4.7 years, 78% were female, and just under half (45%) experienced food insecurity. After adjusting for age, number of people living in the dwelling, and type of degree, we found that students who lived in off-campus rental accommodation (OR = 3.46, 95% CI 1.81, 6.61, p < 0.001) or lived on campus (OR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.57, 6.28, p = 0.001) were 3 times more likely to be food insecure compared to peers who lived with their parents or family. In comparison to students who reported feeling financially secure, those who reported being financially insecure had high odds of being food insecure (OR = 21.38, 95% CI 5.53, 82.71, p < 0.001). High cost of food and limited time to shop or cook were the most commonly reported barriers to food security. Strategies frequently used to address these were purchasing cheap food and saving food for later, particularly for food-insecure students. A large proportion of students said they would like information on how to cook simple or cheap healthy meals (52%) and how to budget (48%). Overall, there was low awareness (23%) and use (12%) of food relief or support initiatives available through the University (e.g., student food pantries). Our results show a high prevalence of food insecurity among New Zealand university students. Understanding the predictors of food insecurity may help to identify students at greater risk and who might benefit from additional support. Furthermore, findings shed light on the complexity of student food insecurity and warrant the need for future research that focuses on addressing the challenges students navigate.

Despite religion being an important part of some patients’ identity and value systems, therapists report finding it challenging to discuss religion in therapy. Avoiding religion for these patients can have detrimental effects on the therapeutic alliance, treatment outcomes, and parity of access for minoritised groups. Therefore, this clinical guidance paper aims to support therapists to bring religion into the therapy room by addressing six key concerns: (1) difficulties raising the topic, (2) ‘getting it wrong’ when discussing religion, (3) therapist and patient differences, (4) managing negative or ambivalent beliefs about religion, (5) perceptions of insufficient knowledge, and (6) a lack of time for meaningful discussions. These barriers are explored by drawing on empirical evidence, clinical experience, and illustrative case examples. The paper aims to provide suggestions and next steps for how therapists can reflect on and address these concerns, aiming to enhance confidence and competence in integrating religion into CBT.

Key learning aims

1. (1) To support therapists to overcome commonly held concerns around discussing religion in therapy.

2. (2) To provide practical guidance, tips, and suggestions for how therapists can discuss religion with patients.

3. (3) To help therapists to take responsibility for bringing religion into the therapy room where it is relevant.

The prevalence of mental health problems (MHPs) among school-going adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains high. However, help-seeking behaviours are disproportionately low in this population. This qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) aimed to identify and integrate existing qualitative findings on the barriers and facilitators of formal and informal mental health (MH) help-seeking behaviours in this population. The objective was to generate insights from relevant studies and settings to inform the development of effective interventions for culturally grounded public mental health initiatives in schools in SSA. We conducted a systematic search across six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC and Google Scholar) for qualitative studies published until September 2025. Eligible studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Thematic synthesis was employed to analyse and interpret the findings. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Six key barriers were identified: (1) perceived stigma, (2) gender norms as a barrier to help-seeking, (3) poor mental health knowledge, misconceptions and awareness gaps, (4) privacy, trust and confidentiality concerns with MH professionals, (5) lack of accessibility and availability of MH services and (6) family and parental attitudes, peer influence and alternative support. Facilitators included (1) MH education and literacy enhancement, (2) supportive school environment or climate, (3) improved professional services, (4) family, community involvement and peer support and (5) improved service accessibility and affordability. This synthesis highlights the significant structural and sociocultural determinants of help-seeking behaviour in school-going adolescents in SSA. The scarcity of qualitative studies in this area underscores a critical gap in the existing literature. Further context-sensitive qualitative research is urgently needed to gain insights into adolescents’ lived experiences with MHPs and to guide responsive school-based MH interventions.

Despite global initiatives like WHO’s mhGAP, mental health treatment gaps remain substantial, especially in LMICs. Barriers are often presented collectively, with an emphasis on supply-side solutions, while demand-side factors are frequently overlooked. Distinguishing these barriers and implementing tailored strategies is critical for improving access and utilization. This study explores stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of demand- and supply-side barriers to mental healthcare in Nepal.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 65 community stakeholders, including people with lived experience, using vignettes and the McGill Illness Narrative Interview (MINI) guide. Data were analyzed thematically in NVivo and interpreted through Levesque et al.’s access framework, which examines health system characteristics and individual capabilities.

Demand-side barriers included spiritual attributions of mental illness, stigma, low perceived need, financial hardship, lack of family support and limited awareness of conditions and available services. These factors hindered recognition, help-seeking, affordability and engagement. Supply-side barriers involved frequent staff transfers, inadequate training, lack of privacy, poor infrastructure and irregular psychotropic medicine supply, affecting service acceptability, availability and appropriateness.

Access to mental healthcare in Nepal is shaped by interconnected demand- and supply-side barriers. Addressing these requires culturally sensitive stigma-reduction, mental health literacy programs, workforce stabilization, reliable medication supply, privacy-friendly facilities and financial protection.

Mental health conditions represent a major global burden. However, minimally adequate treatment coverage for common mental disorders remains critically low. Task-sharing solutions using non-specialist providers are promising, but successful implementation requires understanding local culture and context. This study explored facilitators and barriers to implementing non-specialist mental health interventions in Senegal. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 53 stakeholders, including social protection program facilitators, beneficiaries and community members. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four primary themes were constructed: (1) implementation barriers, (2) facilitating factors, (3) health-seeking beliefs and practices and (4) community recommendations. Key barriers include strong preferences for family-based problem-solving, stigma and financial constraints. Facilitators included recognition of the therapeutic benefit of interpersonal dialogue, empathetic values towards helping those with mental health conditions and community enthusiasm for mental health interventions. Culturally adapted interventions need to navigate cultural norms and leverage existing community strengths in interpersonal support. The coexistence of stigma and empathy, alongside both resistance and openness to non-specialist services, highlights a dynamic tension that not only challenges implementation but also presents an opportunity for change. These findings contribute essential formative evidence for designing effective, sustainable non-specialist mental health interventions in Senegal and the sub-Saharan African region.

Understanding the barriers to women’s employment and implementing inclusive initiatives in STEM workplaces is a critical global challenge. This systematic literature review applied a PRISMA-guided protocol to screen and critically appraise 44 empirical publications across four multidisciplinary databases. This review produced a structured analysis of the nature of barriers, their outcomes, and inclusive organisational initiatives for women in STEM workplaces. The study identifies intersecting barriers – bias-related, stereotype threat, culture, and structural – that hinder women’s representation and career progression. Inclusive initiatives, such as mentorship, stereotype reduction, equitable policies, and transparent promotion pathways, are explored as solutions; however, there are gaps in measuring their long-term efficacy and incorporating cross-cultural and intersectional perspectives. The findings underscore the need for robust theoretical frameworks and empirical research to promote equity and inclusion, thereby unlocking the full potential of women in STEM.

Perinatal mental health disorders are prevalent in Ecuador and Peru. Despite national health policies supporting maternal mental health care, service provision remains fragmented, relying on a mix of public, private, and nongovernmental actors. This study examined professional interest holders’ perceptions of barriers to perinatal mental health care and the solutions they propose. We employed a mixed-methods approach. First, a systematic review of publicly available data was conducted to identify organizations engaged in maternal and mental health care in Ecuador and Peru. Following this, in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 key informants representing research institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and private sector entities. Thematic analysis was applied to identify structural barriers, institutional challenges, and proposed solutions. Findings revealed multilevel barriers to perinatal mental health care, including stigma, financial constraints, limited provider training, fragmented health services, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Community-based interventions, task-shifting strategies, and increased public education were identified as effective approaches to addressing these challenges. Participants also emphasized the need for intersectoral collaboration, increased governmental investment, and policy reforms to strengthen maternal mental health services. Efforts to improve perinatal mental health care in Ecuador and Peru require a combination of culturally sensitive, community-driven interventions, as well as sustainable government investment and commitment.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) applications hold transformative potential for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in addressing social issues. However, the integration of GenAI applications in NGOs is challenging due to the presence of several barriers. Contemporary research has not investigated barriers to GenAI adoption within the context of NGOs. Thus, this study aims to explore and prioritize these barriers to GenAI adoption in NGOs. Our study adopts a three-phase mixed methods research approach. First, GenAI adoption barriers were identified through a comprehensive review of extant literature. Second, a deductive approach was used to finalize the most relevant barriers in context of NGOs. Finally, these barriers were prioritized using a level-based weight assessment method. Results reveal fourteen barriers to GenAI adoption in NGOs. The key barriers include lack of awareness about benefits of GenAI, lack of trust in AI, inadequate training opportunities, limited digital infrastructure, and lack of technical expertise. These barriers reflect sociocultural and ethical challenges that prevent NGOs from realizing benefits of GenAI. Our study is one of the first to provide insights into GenAI adoption barriers among NGOs in India. Prioritization of these barriers provides a systematic approach to overcome them and improve NGOs’ efficiency. Findings highlight the need for a forward-thinking mindset duly supported by a bold and strategic approach to change management in order to promote the GenAI adoption in NGOs. Finally, the study contributes to limited literature on intersection of NGOs and GenAI and provides useful implications for practitioners and policymakers.

Despite volunteering being a feature of community life in the UK, differences as to who volunteers are evident. Reporting on a rapid review of the evidence on volunteering and inequalities, the aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the breadth and interconnectedness of barriers to volunteering for potentially disadvantaged groups. Sixty-seven articles were identified, to produce a map of factors affecting volunteer participation. Findings suggest that whilst different demographic groups experience specific barriers to volunteering, there are areas of commonality. Analysis shifts the onus of volunteering away from the level of individual choice (a dominant emphasis in policy and practical discussions around promoting volunteering) and towards the influence of structural factors related to broader exclusionary processes. Those who potentially have the most to gain from volunteering are the least likely to participate. Whilst the benefits of volunteering are increasingly documented by research and championed by policy, there are questions about the success of this approach given that the underlying social inequalities present substantive barriers to volunteering and must be addressed to promote greater access.

The weekly iron and folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) programme is a school-based initiative designed to reduce iron and folate deficiency anaemia among adolescent girls. In Ethiopia, donor-supported pilot programmes are implementing WIFAS in schools, but evaluations of its demand- and supply-side barriers and facilitators remain limited. This study aimed to explore these barriers and facilitators in the Sidama Region of Ethiopia. An exploratory qualitative study collected data from ten WIFAS-targeted schools using key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Participants included purposively selected school directors, WIFAS-trained teachers, health centre heads, district health and education office nutrition focal points, and regional health and education bureau delegates. Ten FGDs were conducted with adolescent girls and their mothers. Thematic analysis was performed using Open Code software to identify emerging themes. This study identified low awareness of iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets, negative community perceptions, fear of side effects, supplementation interruptions due to school closures, and inadequate coverage as key barriers. Structural barriers included poor programme coordination, weak supply chain management, and water scarcity. Facilitators included free IFA tablet distribution, health extension workers’ involvement in awareness campaigns, positive testimonials, local leader support, training, and regular supervision. The WIFAS programme implemented in schools of the Sidama Region faces programmatic and structural barriers. However, facilitators like free IFA distribution, health extension worker involvement, and community support offer opportunities for improvement. These findings highlight the need for addressing barriers while leveraging existing facilitators for enhancing programme success.

This study examines multilevel barriers to women’s participation and contribution to the process manufacturing industry in an emerging economy. We employed an exploratory multiple-case study approach, and 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior corporate managers. Drawing on the behavioral reasoning theory, intellectual capital-based view, and institutional theory-based view, the findings highlighted several individual, organizational, sociocultural, infrastructure, and institutional barriers at micro, meso, and macro levels that inhibited female participation in the manufacturing sector. This study is one of the early empirical investigations to examine the obstacles hindering women’s contributions to the process manufacturing industry in an emerging country, applying three theoretical lenses – behavioral reasoning theory, intellectual capital-based view, and institutional theory-based view. Furthermore, the insights gained from the study contribute to the literature on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the operations management domain by developing a multilevel integrative model of barriers to women’s participation in the manufacturing sector.