The multiplication of social networking sites has led to increased frequency of use among young adults. While the association with mental wellbeing is still controversial, high levels of social media use were correlated with problematic behaviours, low self-esteem and depressive symptoms. 'Social Media Detoxification' (Detox) is the term used to describe voluntary attempts at reducing or stopping social media use to improve wellbeing. We conducted a pilot study to explore the characteristics of social media detoxification applied by 68 university students in their social media activity. Descriptive analysis revealed that most students reported a positive change in mood, reduced anxiety and improved sleep during and in the immediate aftermath of the detoxification period. These preliminary findings show that 'social media detoxification' is a phenomenon understood and used by university students to moderate their social media use. Wide variability in its application and effects is noted in our sample.

Lebanon is a medium-income country in the Eastern Mediterranean which has seen a surge in interest in mental health over the past two decades following years of stagnation. The mental health needs of the country at primary care level and for severe psychiatric disorders are underserved. Political instability, chronic underfunding and widespread stigma have all contributed to maintaining a traditional model of private clinics affiliated with inpatient and long-stay psychiatric units. A number of initiatives have recently been launched to cater for patients with psychotic disorders and also to offer partial hospitalization for others with mood-related conditions. In parallel, the Ministry of Public Health, with international funding, has been instrumental in its efforts to standardize care at a national level, particularly for early detection and treatment in primary care settings. The priorities of the national mental health programme are consistent with the global trend in shifting services to the community. Hurdles remain, in line with those facing countries with similar socio-demographics and resources. These include limited third-party coverage of mental health, absence of training opportunities in multidisciplinary community settings and some clinicians' reluctance to update their ways of working. Development of a local workforce, familiar with evidence-based models of care and dedicated to providing a patient-centred approach in the least restrictive settings, is essential for consolidating community care in Lebanon. This would be reinforced by (overdue) legislation and implementation of a mental health law. АННОТАЦИЯ Ливан-страна со средним уровнем доходов, расположенная в восточной части Средизем-номорья. В последние 20 лет, после долгого периода стагнации, в Ливане наблюдается рост интереса к вопросам психического здоровья. Потребности страны в психиатрической помо-щи на уровне первичного звена здравоохранения, а также при лечении тяжелых психических расстройств удовлетворяются недостаточно. Политическая нестабильность, хроническое недофинансирование, повсеместная стигматизация больных-все эти факторы вносят вклад в поддержание традиционной модели, когда частные клиники существуют при психиатриче-ских стационарах и стационарах длительного пребывания пациентов. Недавно в стране нача-лась реализация ряда инициатив, нацеленных на помощь пациентам с психотическими рас-стройствами, а также на обеспечение частичной госпитализации пациентов с аффективными расстройствами. Параллельно с этим Министерство здравоохранения страны, опираясь на международное финансирование, успешно реализует программу стандартизации психиатри-ческой и психологической помощи на национальном уровне, уделяя особое внимание мерам по раннему выявлению расстройств и лечению в системе первичной медицинской помощи. Приоритеты национальной программы по охране психического здоровья согласуются с об-щемировой тенденцией приближения помощи к месту жительства пациента. Тем не менее, как и в странах со сходными социально-демографическими характерист...

No abstract

Torture has been illegal in most of Europe and the United States for over a century but persisted in other parts of the world. The changing geopolitical landscape has led to its resurgence in recent years. The public rejection of traditional forms of torture that rely on the infliction of physical pain has paradoxically increased the reliance on psychological methods of torture. This critical commentary aims to define and characterize psychological torture (PT) while exploring practical, legal, ethical and therapeutic implications relevant to clinicians and policymakers. Psychological torture comes in a range of forms. It is being increasingly justified and adopted by legitimate authorities in the name of national security. The emphasis on the avoidance of physical pain leads to the assumption that PT does not produce the levels of suffering and harm that are associated with physically violent forms of torture. This same assumption has allowed for the implication of mental health professionals in theorizing and providing legitimacy for the actions of perpetrators. Psychological torture is still poorly defined with limited understanding of its long-term psychiatric impact on those who are subjected to it. The role of mental health professionals in preventing or addressing psychological torture remains ambiguous and needs to be reinforced.

No abstract