Childhood depressive disorders represent a growing mental health concern, yet region-specific evidence in Asia remains limited. Asia hosts more than half of the global child population and has experienced rapid social and environmental changes that may heighten psychosocial stress. This study assessed the burden, temporal trends, geographic variation, and determinants of childhood depressive disorders across Asia from 1990 to 2023.

Data for children aged 0-14 years were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study. Incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were analyzed by age, sex, region, and country. Joinpoint regression quantified annual and long-term temporal trends. Bullying victimization was evaluated as a behavioral risk factor. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), which show how each variable influences model predictions, were used to identify the major predictors of incidence and DALYs.

In 2023, South Asia showed the highest incidence rate (1099 per 100,000) and DALYs rate (119 per 100,000). Across all regions, children aged 10-14 years and girls had the greatest incidence and DALYs rates. India, China, and Pakistan contributed the largest absolute numbers of cases and DALYs, while Mauritius, Bangladesh, and Pakistan recorded the highest rates. Pakistan demonstrated the steepest long-term increases in both incidence and DALYs. Bullying-attributable DALYs increased across all regions, with the largest growth in South and Southeast Asia. SHAP analyses identified age, sex, calendar year, and population size as the strongest predictors, with older children and girls showing markedly higher predicted burdens.

Childhood depressive disorders have increased steadily across Asia over the past three decades, with clear demographic and geographic disparities. These findings highlight the urgency of early detection, school-based mental health programs, antibullying interventions, and gender-responsive services. Strengthening child mental health systems in Asia is critical for improving developmental outcomes.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander emerging adults significantly underutilize traditional face-to-face mental health services despite experiencing prevalence of mental illness comparable to the general population. Digital mental health interventions offer a promising avenue for improving access for this "digitally native" population. This study utilizes the Seeking Mental Health Care model to examine the individual-level psychological and demographic factors associated with the intention to use digital mental health interventions among a diverse sample of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander emerging adults. Using multivariable logistic regression, key predictors included perceived need for support and mental health literacy, while controlling for symptom severity (anxiety and depression) and sociodemographic variables. A higher perceived public stigma was found to be associated with a greater likelihood of intending to use digital mental health interventions. Findings reveal that individual factors, such as higher perceived need and mental health literacy, are significantly associated with a greater intention to use digital mental health interventions, supporting the utility of using the Seeking Mental Health Care model to better understand the adoption of digital interventions in this underserved population, while suggesting other points of intervention such as psychoeducation for greater mental health literacy that could lead to greater treatment engagement.

Purpose Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in the United States. Rural breast cancer survivors (RBCS) face unique challenges because geographical isolation limits access to facilities, support groups, and mental health services. Expressive writing (EW), a therapeutic intervention navigates individuals through traumatic experiences, has demonstrated benefits for RBCS. However, first-person accounts of how RBCS experience EW remain limited. This study addresses this gap. Methods Virtual semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with participants (N = 14) who previously completed a virtual EW randomized controlled trial. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Interviewees' mean age was 54.71 years. Six themes emerged: rural-specific challenges (e.g., travel burden, infrastructure limit, gossip in small towns); emotion regulation and adaptive coping; personal strength through meaning-making; improved relationships; renewed purpose; and appreciation for life. These themes reflect participants' narratives of how EW fit into their cancer journeys. Conclusions Participants reported varied but positive experiences with EW. The intervention appeared to address key psychosocial needs of RBCS, helping to mitigate rural-specific disparities in supportive care and fostering elements of posttraumatic growth. Centering survivors' own narratives adds a nuanced understanding of what it feels like to engage in EW and how the process supports adaptation in survivorship. EW may address unmet cognitive and emotional needs among RBCS, and may serve as an economical, accessible, and scalable survivorship support strategy. Future studies may triangulate the writings, self-accounts of experiences and intervention outcomes from EW interventions to contextualize the findings.

Forensic science professionals play a crucial role in the criminal justice system, but due to the nature of forensic science careers, exposure to traumatic material and occupational stressors remains common within the profession. The impacts of these aspects of the career field are not negligible, with prior research suggesting that forensic science professionals experience various forms of psychological distress, including but not limited to burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma. The present study sought to analyze open-ended responses to survey questions from forensic science professionals (N = 223) to better understand their experiences of occupational stressors and mental health. Using a qualitative approach, the results highlight several insights into stress and mental health among forensic science professionals. First, sources of stress are not limited to occupational stressors, and stressors may compound on one another. Second, the impact of stress has negative psychological outcomes, at times leading to both positive and negative coping mechanisms. Said coping mechanisms reflect not only stressors and the psychological impact of work, but also barriers to help-seeking behaviors, as well as the role of stigma for forensic science professionals seeking mental health assistance. We conclude with discussions of policy implementations, drawing from the perspectives of respondents.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring peritoneal dialysis imposes a substantial physical, emotional, and social burden on patients. Among the non-biological factors influencing patient outcomes, depressive symptoms have emerged as a key determinant of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the relationship between depression and HRQoL has not been fully characterized in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, particularly in Latin American populations. Objective To evaluate how depressive symptoms relate to HRQoL in patients with CKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Methods An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at a second-level healthcare center of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) between June and December 2025. A total of 150 adult patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were included. HRQoL was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 (KDQOL-36) instrument, and depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics were expressed as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR; q25-q75) or frequencies and percentages. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between variables. Results The median HRQoL score was 53.19 (q25-q75: 38.7-65.7), and the median PHQ-9 score was seven (q25-q75: 4-11), corresponding predominantly to mild depressive symptoms. A strong and statistically significant inverse relationship was observed between depressive symptoms and HRQoL (rₛ = -0.771, p<0.001). Additionally, a progressive decline in quality of life scores was identified with increasing severity of depressive symptoms, demonstrating a clear gradient effect. Conclusion Depressive symptoms are strongly related to impaired HRQoL among patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating routine mental health assessment and multidisciplinary interventions into nephrology care to improve patient-centered outcomes.

Medical training is commonly associated with increased psychological stress, yet changes in mental health from before to during medical school are not consistently evaluated using within-participant comparisons. This study aimed to assess whether mental health indicators and related behaviors worsen during medical school compared to premedical school status.

We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous survey of current U.S. medical students and recent graduates between April 2025 and January 2026. Using a self-developed questionnaire, we assessed recalled mental health status before medical school and current experiences during medical school via adaptations of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Social Functioning Scale (SFS). Additional self-developed items evaluated medication use, caffeine and nicotine use, physical activity, and perceived stressors. Paired ordinal outcomes were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests, and categorical variables were analyzed using McNemar tests.

A total of 118 respondents completed all survey items. Participants reported significant increases in frequent mental and physical exhaustion (+62, 52.5%, P < 0.001) and frequent self-doubt (+33, 28.0%, P < 0.001) during medical school compared to before enrollment. Physical activity declined (P < 0.001), with a decrease of 31 (26.3%) in frequent exercise and a 3.4-fold increase in respondents reporting no regular exercise. Use of prescribed antidepressants and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications did not significantly differ before versus during medical school (P = 0.68 and P = 0.38, respectively). Caffeine use was common (103, 87.3%), and use during medical school increased for 68 (57.6%) of students, while nicotine use was uncommon (105, 89% never used). Academic workload, lack of free time, and difficulty balancing personal well-being were the most frequently reported stressors.

Medical school was associated with worsening self-reported mental health symptoms and declines in health promoting behaviors, without a corresponding increase in prescribed psychiatric medication use. These findings suggest that psychological distress during medical training may not be adequately addressed through formal treatment pathways, highlighting the need for preventive and supportive institutional interventions.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication and patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Many individuals remain unrecognized until adulthood or later life, particularly those who develop adaptive strategies that allow them to navigate social and environmental demands. This may complicate clinical interpretation when psychiatric symptoms arise. We present the case of a 74-year-old individual whose first contact with mental health services occurred at age 23 following a brief psychotic episode, leading to a long-standing diagnosis within the schizophrenia spectrum. Over subsequent decades, there was no recurrence of psychotic experiences or evidence of progressive functional decline. A later longitudinal reassessment, informed by developmental history, collateral information, and standardized instruments, identified a pattern of traits consistent with previously unrecognized autism. Antipsychotic medication was gradually discontinued without adverse clinical outcomes. This case highlights the importance of integrating developmental trajectories and longitudinal course into psychiatric evaluation, particularly in individuals with well-established adaptive functioning. It also illustrates how enduring neurodevelopmental differences may be misinterpreted as chronic psychiatric conditions when assessment relies predominantly on cross-sectional symptomatology.

Introduction Children of military families face unique stressors, including frequent relocations and parental deployments, which can disrupt stability and influence behavioral development. These experiences may also contribute to conduct problems and challenges in social interactions, including bullying victimization and perpetration. However, limited research exists specifically examining behavioral risks in military-connected children. Objective To assess whether children with at least one parent with current or prior military service have increased behavioral problems or a history of being bullied. Methodology We performed secondary data analysis of U.S. children aged 0-17 years who participated in the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) from 2017 to 2021. The independent variable was parental military-duty status categorized as at least one parent with (1) current or (2) prior active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or the National Guard, and (3) parents never in military duty (reference group). Outcomes assessed included (1) history of child behavioral or conduct problems and (2) history of being bullied. Outcomes were assessed independently. Confounding variables included demographic factors, family poverty ratio, deployment status, child's general health, and a history of physical abuse and of living with mentally ill relatives. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted associations. Results We analyzed data from 140,542 children: 4,919 (3.5%) had parents in active service, and 13,914 (9.9%) had parents with prior military service. A total of 10,681 (7.6%) reported a history of behavioral problems. Among those with information available regarding bullying (n = 81,382), 35,808 (44%) reported having ever been bullied. Children of currently active-duty parents were not associated with increased odds of behavioral problems (adjusted OR 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-1.10, P = 0.289) but had higher odds of reporting being bullied (adjusted OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.58, P = 0.008), even after adjustment for selected covariates. Lastly, children of parents with prior military service had increased odds of both behavioral problems (adjusted OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.19-1.57) and being bullied (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08-1.31). Conclusions Parental military service was associated with increased risks of behavioral problems and risk of being bullied in U.S. children. Although we are unable to determine causation from this analysis, our findings support current literature highlighting the need for further research aimed at understanding the mechanisms and potential long-term health impacts of military service on child behavior. Behavioral health screening and early intervention programs could help to address emerging psychological and emotional challenges in this vulnerable population.

Female psychiatric patients face challenges in reproductive health due to a lack of knowledge and awareness about reproductive rights and limited access to healthcare facilities. Our primary objectives were to explore the level of knowledge and awareness, independence, autonomy, and decision-making power concerning reproductive rights among women with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder (BPAD).

The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and included 150 women with schizophrenia and BPAD using a purposive sampling technique in a tertiary care mental health setting in India and diagnosed according to ICD-10. The Clinical Global Impression (CGI, Improvement) and a predesigned questionnaire about fundamental rights, knowledge and awareness, liberty and freedom, and autonomy and decision-making of women with mental illness were used for data collection.

The majority of 120 (80.0%) of the respondents, irrespective of schizophrenia and BPAD, opined that females should be provided with proper education and awareness to help them become emotionally and physical easy. A total of 120 (80%) feel that girls should be educated in maintaining the highest level of hygiene during periods.

Women with schizophrenia and BPAD should be offered comprehensive counseling and awareness related to reproductive health, including accessing reproductive health services.

Children's exposure to sexually explicit online material has been associated with early sexualisation, distorted gender norms, risky sexual behaviours, and adverse mental health outcomes, with first exposure often occurring before the age of 12 and increasingly through mainstream digital platforms. Age assurance has therefore emerged as a regulatory approach that shifts the responsibility of restricting underage access from parents to digital services. The United Kingdom Online Safety Act 2023 establishes one of the first comprehensive statutory age assurance frameworks, combining risk-based duties, regulatory guidance, multiple verification pathways, privacy protections, and staged enforcement. This study applies a desk-based policy analysis, guided by the Health Policy Triangle, to examine the regulatory architecture of the United Kingdom age assurance framework and assess the conditional transferability of its safeguards to sub-Saharan Africa. The sources included legislation, regulatory guidance, official policy documents, civil society analyses, peer-reviewed literature, and early implementation reports published between 2020 and 2025. Early implementation signals indicate platform compliance actions, reported traffic reductions to certain adult sites, increased circumvention behaviour, including the use of virtual private networks, and mixed public responses characterised by broad support for child protection alongside concerns about the effectiveness of the measures and the sharing of identity credentials. These indicators are interpreted as preliminary governance and implementation signals rather than the evidence of policy effectiveness. Five policy design elements appear potentially adaptable under equity and capacity constraints: risk-based proportionality, multiple and document-free verification pathways, transparency and vendor accountability, staged supervision and enforcement, and cross-regulator coordination. The study provides a policy analytic framework for country-level adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa and highlights priorities for context-sensitive implementation and future evaluation.