Effectiveness of mental health literacy intervention and contact-based education on knowledge, attitude, and stigma towards mental health among secondary school students in Chennai, South India: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Global trends indicate a rise in mental health disorders among youth, prompting need for effective interventions. Mental health literacy interventions have demonstrated benefits such as improved knowledge, treatment understanding, help-seeking behaviors, and stigma reduction. This study aimed to assess the impact of a comprehensive mental health literacy program on knowledge, attitudes, and stigma related to mental health among secondary school students in Chennai.

Global DNA and RNA Methylation Signature in Response to Antipsychotic Treatment in First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients.

Background: Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous chronic psychiatric disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors can alter epigenetic marks, which regulate gene expression and cause an array of systemic changes. Several studies have demonstrated the association of epigenetic modulations in schizophrenia, which can influence clinical course, symptoms, and even treatment.

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.

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.

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.

Genetic interactions of schizophrenia using gene-based statistical epistasis exclusively identify nervous system-related pathways and key hub genes.

The relationship between genotype and phenotype is governed by numerous genetic interactions (GIs), and the mapping of GI networks is of interest for two main reasons: 1) By modelling biological robustness, GIs provide a powerful opportunity to infer compensatory biological mechanisms via the identification of functional relationships between genes, which is of interest for biological discovery and translational research. Biological systems have evolved to compensate for genetic (i.e.

Structure, anti-SARS-CoV-2, and anticoagulant effects of two sulfated galactans from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis.

The structure of the sulfated galactan from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis (BoSG) was originally proposed as a simple repeating disaccharide of alternating 4-linked α-galactopyranose (Galp) and 3-linked β-Galp units with variable sulfation pattern. Abundance was estimated only for the α-Galp units: one-third of 2,3-disulfation and one-third of 2-monosulfation. Here, we isolated again the same BoSG fractions from the anion-exchange chromatography, obtaining the same NMR profile of the first report.

Cannabis use and psychotic disorders in diverse settings in the Global South: findings from INTREPID II.

Background: Cannabis use has been linked to psychotic disorders but this association has been primarily observed in the Global North. This study investigates patterns of cannabis use and associations with psychoses in three Global South (regions within Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania) settings.

Methods: Case-control study within the International Programme of Research on Psychotic Disorders (INTREPID) II conducted between May 2018 and September 2020.

Urbanicity and rates of untreated psychotic disorders in three diverse settings in the Global South.

Background: Extensive evidence indicates that rates of psychotic disorder are elevated in more urban compared with less urban areas, but this evidence largely originates from Northern Europe. It is unclear whether the same association holds globally. This study examined the association between urban residence and rates of psychotic disorder in catchment areas in India (Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu), Nigeria (Ibadan, Oyo), and Northern Trinidad.

Life events and psychosis: case-control study from India, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Background: There is evidence of an association between life events and psychosis in Europe, North America and Australasia, but few studies have examined this association in the rest of the world.

Aims: To test the association between exposure to life events and psychosis in catchment areas in India, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Method: We conducted a population-based, matched case-control study of 194 participants in India, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Understanding needs of stakeholders and outcomes desired from a home-based intervention program for "difficult to treat" schizophrenia and related disorders: A qualitative study.

Background: We aimed to understand the needs of service users - families and patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, and mental health professionals (MHPs) and expectations from a home-based psychosocial intervention program in Indian setting.

Materials And Methods: We conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) with families, patients with schizophrenia and related disorders and MHPs. Two FGDs were conducted with families and one each with the patients and MHPs.

Fractionation of sulfated galactan from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis separates its anticoagulant and anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties.

Sulfation pattern and molecular weight (MW) play a key role in the biological actions of sulfated glycans. Besides anticoagulant effects, certain sulfated glycans can also exhibit anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties. To develop a more selective antiviral carbohydrate, an efficient strategy to separate these two actions is required.

Prevalence and risk factors of perinatal depression among women in rural Bihar: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Perinatal depression (PND) is one of the most common mental disorders occurring during the perinatal period among women. Few studies examined prevalence and risk factors of PND from rural settings in India. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of perinatal depression and identify social risk factors for it among women from rural Bihar.

Evolution of Community Telepsychiatry in India Showcasing the SCARF Model.

This review chronicles the origin of telepsychiatry services started by the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in the community and traces the birth of the Scarf Telepsychiatry in Pudukkottai (STEP) program at Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu. This paper also examines the trajectory of STEP and highlights other relevant models existing in the country in the last decade.

Learnings from conducting mental health research during 2004 tsunami in Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: The Indian Ocean tsunami experience in 2004 caused a major loss of life and subsequent emotional trauma for survivors. Psychosocial needs in the aftermath of this disaster were extensive, yet the cohesion and effectiveness of response were limited due to lack of preparedness and relevant policy. The Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) was one of the organizations that quickly responded to provide psychosocial assistance to people in the tsunami affected areas and recognized a need for relevant research on disaster response.

A qualitative study on the use of mobile-based intervention for perinatal depression among perinatal mothers in rural Bihar, India.

Background: Perinatal depression (PND) is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses in women, with a prevalence around 22% in India. Leveraging mobile-based technologies could help in the prevention and treatment of perinatal depression even in remote places. Understanding the experiences and barriers of using such technology interventions by perinatal mothers could help in the better design and in delivery of these interventions.

INTREPID II: protocol for a multistudy programme of research on untreated psychosis in India, Nigeria and Trinidad.

Introduction: There are few robust and directly comparable studies of the epidemiology of psychotic disorders in the Global South. INTREPID II is designed to investigate variations in untreated psychotic disorders in the Global South in (1) incidence and presentation (2) 2-year course and outcome, (3) help-seeking and impact, and (4) physical health.

Methods: INTREPID II is a programme of research incorporating incidence, case-control and cohort studies of psychoses in contiguous urban and rural areas in India, Nigeria and Trinidad.