Prevalence of substance use and substance use disorder in medically ill patients: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study from India.

Background Untreated co-occurring substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs) in patients with medical conditions may be associated with unfavourable medical outcomes. Understanding the prevalence of substance use and SUDs among patients admitted to hospital for medical illness may help in developing appropriate strategies to manage SUDs in this population and improve the outcomes of medical illness. We assessed the prevalence of substance use and SUDs among patients admitted for medical illnesses and the association between substance use and medical illness.

Knowledge of Mental Illness and Its Associations Among Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that greatly impacts the real-world functioning of patients. In India, caregivers are primarily responsible for their patients and function as their support system, often taking treatment decisions on their behalf. However, they may have insufficient knowledge of the illness, which can have a negative impact on their roles as effective caregivers.

Qualitative study to explore the perspectives and mental health experiences of first episode psychosis patients and their caregivers in North India.

Background: The onset of psychosis brings unfamiliar experiences that can be disturbing for patients and their caregivers. Few studies from India (only one from North India) have examined these experiences from the perspective of the patient and caregiver. We explored experiences of first episode psychosis (FEP) patients and their caregivers within a North Indian context.

Pilot study to test the feasibility and clinical efficacy of a psychosocial care programme for patients with psychosis in low-resource settings.

Background: Home-based psychosocial care has the potential to improving outcomes in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders (SCZ). There is lack of India data for such care in early psychosis. We developed the "Saksham" programme, a bespoke self-managed home-based psychosocial care model, available in two formats: manual-based and mobile-application based.

Development and validation of home-based psychosocial self-management interventions in schizophrenia and related disorders in low-resource settings: A mixed methods approach.

Background: Psychosocial interventions, crucial for recovery in patients with schizophrenia, have often been developed and tested in high income countries. We aimed at developing and validating home-based a booklet based psycho-social intervention with inputs from stakeholders: patients, families, and mental health professionals (MHP) for patients with schizophrenia and related disorders in low resource settings.

Methods: We developed a preliminary version of psychosocial intervention booklets based on six themes derived from focus group discussions conducted with patients, families, and MHP.

Protocol-based assessment and management of first episode psychosis: Comparison of short and medium-term outcomes in psychopathology, quality of life, functioning and family burden across two sites in India.

Background: Standard assessment and management protocols exist for first episode psychosis (FEP) in high income countries. Due to cultural and resource differences, these need to be modified for application in low-and middle-income countries.

Aims: To assess the applicability of standard assessment and management protocols across two cohorts of FEP patients in North and South India by examining trajectories of psychopathology, functioning, quality of life and family burden in both.

Effectiveness of a mental health literacy module on stigma related mental health knowledge and behaviour among youth in two educational settings in Chennai, South India: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: Improving mental health literacy (MHL) can reduce stigma towards mental illness, decreasing delays in help-seeking for mental disorders such as psychosis. We aimed to develop and assess the impact of an interactive MHL intervention on stigma related mental health knowledge and behaviour (SRMHKB) among youth in two urban colleges in South India.

Methods: Incorporating input from stakeholders (students, teachers, and mental health professionals), we developed a mental health literacy module to address SRMHKB.

An analysis of financial hardship faced by patients with First Episode Psychosis, and their families, in an Indian setting.

Background: The economic burden of psychotic disorders is not well documented in LMICs like India, due to several bottlenecks present in Indian healthcare system like lack of adequate resources, low budget for mental health services and inequity in accessibility of treatment. Hence, a large proportion of health expenditure is paid out of pocket by the households.

Objective: To evaluate the direct and indirect costs incurred by patients with First Episode Psychosis and their families in a North Indian setting.

Designing and implementing a physical exercise intervention for people with first episode psychosis using experience-based co-design: A pilot study from Chennai, India.

Background: Physical exercise can improve outcomes for people with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Co-designing physical exercise interventions with end users has the potential to enhance their acceptability, feasibility, and long-term viability. This study's objective was to use experience-based co-design (EBCD) methodology to develop a physical exercise intervention for FEP, and pilot test it.

Psychosocial Correlates of the Experience of Caregiving Among Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia.

Background: Family caregivers provide essential support to their loved ones with schizophrenia with profound outcomes for themselves. The caregiver burden fails to consider the entire caregiving experience, which also incorporates positive aspects of caring. Many potentially significant variables are associated with this.

Changes in Psychosocial Variables Among Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia: A Short-Term Follow-Up Study.

Background And Aims: Caring for a person with schizophrenia entails considerable effort. The caregiving experience while caring for a person with schizophrenia has been described as both stressful and enriching. The literature on changes in caregiving experience with time has been fairly limited.

Pattern of adult psychiatric emergencies at a tertiary care center before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A gap exists in published data on psychiatric emergencies presenting to Indian centers over the entire pandemic. We assessed 2,048 consecutive adult psychiatric emergencies for the period April 2019-September 2021 to compare 18 months following the onset of the pandemic, with the pre pandemic year as the control. Mean age was 33.

Challenges for setting up psychiatric services in a trauma centre in India.

Psychiatric sequelae may occur following traumatic injury irrespective of whether an insult has been caused to the brain. A range of psychiatric illnesses have been either causative of or associated with road traffic accidents and traumatic injuries, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Despite literature on such associations, psychiatric intervention in the treatment of patients following traumatic injury is limited.

Internet use among persons with common mental disorders: A qualitative study.

Aims And Objectives: To assess the current patterns and experience of internet use among persons with depressive and anxiety disorders, particularly for health-related issues.

Methodology: In-depth interviews were conducted with persons diagnosed with depressive and anxiety disorders (DSM-5), aged ≥18 years who could read and write in Hindi/English, using an interview guide. The interview guide contained questions related to internet use in daily life, internet use for health-related issues, and internet use for stress, and internet use for anxiety/depressive disorder.

A prospective observational study of change in caregiver burden and psychological distress in caregivers of patients with alcohol dependence.

Background: Alcohol use disorder has a substantial impact on patients' caregivers, leading to burden and adverse effects on their psychological health. Currently, there is limited literature which is available to suggest whether the burden and psychological distress of the family members change when patients with alcohol dependence undergo treatment. This study aimed to longitudinally examine the change in burden, depression, anxiety, and stress experienced by caregivers of patients with alcohol dependence undergoing treatment.

Relapse during opioid use disorder treatment: A pilot study to understand the reasons for opioid use during treatment.

Background: Opioid use is a cause of concern in many parts of the world. About 2.1% Indians use opioids.

Somatic symptoms in schizophrenia: Association with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, disability and quality of life.

Background And Aims: There is lack of research on somatic symptoms in schizophrenia. We aimed at finding prevalence and types of somatic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and assessed their association with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods: We assessed somatic symptoms using Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) in 93 patients with schizophrenia diagnosed on ICD10-DCR.

Polysubstance use in South Asia.

Purpose Of Review: Polysubstance use is very common in the world, but there has been limited research in this area. South Asia is sandwiched between two of the world's largest heroin producing areas: the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle. The burden and prevalence of polysubstance use have not been estimated in this region of the world.

Assessment of psychological distress pattern & its correlates among people receiving COVID-19 vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background & Objectives: There is a possibility that vaccinated people may experience lesser psychological distress due to the sense of safety felt by them against getting the COVID-19 infection as compared to those who are not vaccinated. However, there is a paucity of research examining the mental health status of this important sub-group of population. Thus, the present study was aimed to examine the pattern of psychological distress and its correlates among people receiving COVID-19 vaccine.

Pattern of Psychiatric Emergencies in Children and Adolescents at a Tertiary Care Centre After Onset of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: To assess changes in profile of psychiatric emergencies in children and adolescents (aged <19 year) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period.

Methods: The psychiatric emergency records were analyzed for the period of April, 2019 - September, 2021 to assess the pattern and profile of mental health emergencies in children and adolescents in the period before and after the onset of the pandemic lockdown (i.e.