Children, adolescent, and youth mental health in Sri Lanka in the context of recent violence, COVID-19, and economic crisis: A call for action

Shoib, Sheikh; Chandradasa, Miyuru; Rathnayake, Layani; Usmani, Sadia; Saeed, Fahimeh

doi:10.1016/j.lansea.2022.100021

Cited by 11 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Currently, Sri Lanka is facing an unprecedented economic crisis with increased food insecurity, especially among the less-affluent groups [ 66 ]. The rates of depression are likely to increase in this context, and urgent measures need to be implemented to protect the vulnerable [ 67 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and associated factors of depression in Sri Lanka: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Alwis

Baminiwatta

Chandradasa

2023

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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Purpose Epidemiological data on depression are required to inform policies and service planning in mental health in Sri Lanka. This review aimed to synthesise data from existing studies to calculate the pooled prevalence of depression in Sri Lanka, assess its variability across subgroups, and identify associated factors within each subgroup. Methods PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Google Scholar and local journals were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies reporting the prevalence of depression among non-clinical adult, young, older, and maternal populations in Sri Lanka. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to calculate pooled prevalence estimates. Subgroup, sensitivity and moderator analyses were performed. A qualitative synthesis of factors associated with depression was conducted. Results A total of 33 studies representing a total of 52,778 participants were included. Overall, the pooled prevalence of depression was 19.4% [14.44–25.54%]. Among subpopulations, the highest prevalence was reported among young persons (39%); the rates in adults, older persons and maternal populations were 8.7%, 18.4% and 16.9%, respectively. Prevalence estimates were higher when based on screening instruments (21.2%) compared to diagnostic interviews (4.3%). A high degree of heterogeneity (I 2 = 99.2) was observed. A qualitative synthesis of factors associated with depression, including individual attributes and behaviours, socio-economic circumstances and broader environmental factors, is reported for each age group. Conclusion Approximately one-fifth of the population was detected to have depression. Notable variations in prevalence were observed across age groups. The heterogeneity of studies limits the inferences drawn from this review.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and associated factors of depression in Sri Lanka: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Alwis

Baminiwatta

Chandradasa

2023

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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“…Without a doubt, the economic crisis majorly affected the mental health of the Sri Lankan people. The recent research that investigated the immediate effects of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka has found that children's and young people's mental health is declining [19,20]. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence levels of perceived stress within the community as well as to identify potential socio-demographic predictors of increased risk of stress during the economic crisis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived stress among Sri Lankans during the economic crisis: an online survey

Sooriyaarachchi,

Jayawardena

2023

jidhealth

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Background: The Sri Lankan population's mental health was undoubtedly significantly impacted by the county’s economic crisis. This study investigated the prevalence of perceived stress and its socio-demographic predictor. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken in July-August 2022, using google forms. The respondents were assessed for socio-demographics, and the level of stress experienced over the previous month. Ten-item self-reported perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to assess stress levels analysis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: A total of 1214 respondents, aged ≥18 years were included in the survey. The majority were females (60%). The mean PSS score of this population was 21.95 ±6.09. More than half of the respondents reported moderate levels of stress (68.5%), while 23% registered high levels. A significant association was demonstrated between stress levels and variables age, gender, and residential area. Respondents below the age of 40 years (OR 1.936, 95% CI, 1.365-2.748, P<0.001) were more likely to report higher odds of having increased PSS scores, while men (OR 0.640, 95% CI, 0.491-0.835, P=0.001), and those without children (OR 0.556, 95% CI, 0.409-0.756, P<0.001) had significantly lower odds of reporting PSS. Conclusion: Respondents experienced moderate to high levels of stress during the financial crisis in Sri Lanka. Higher stress was predicted by younger age, female gender, and having children. The results highlight the urgent need for stress management interventions to boost resilience and improve psychological well-being in this situation.

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“…Sri Lankan-born Australians are the 10th largest group of overseas-born residents [ 5 ], therefore representing a significant minority group in present day Australia [ 6 ]. In light of the high rate of suicide in Sri Lankan diasporic communities [ 7 ] and the psychological impact of the Civil War [ 7 ], Easter Sunday bombings [ 8 , 9 ], tsunami [ 10 , 11 ] and economic and political crises [ 12 , 13 ] on this population, the paucity of the literature relating to their experiences of mental illness and factors that shape their help-seeking behaviours is a key research priority.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Sri Lankan Australians Recognise Depression? The Influence of Acculturation, Age and Experiences with Depression on Recognition

Daluwatta

Peiris

Fletcher

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Mental health literacy is an important determinant of mental health help-seeking and is associated with improved mental health. There is evidence that mental health literacy may be lower amongst some migrant communities in Australia. The present study conducted the first cross-sectional survey of mental health literacy in Sri Lankan Australians between April and October 2020. Participants (N = 404) were presented with a culturally-tailored vignette describing an individual with symptoms of major depressive disorder, with correct recognition determined by the coding of an open text response to the question ‘what’s wrong with Mr Silva?’. Binomial linear regression modelling was conducted to identify predictors of the correct recognition of depression. Approximately 74% of participants recognised the presented symptoms as depression, though multiple other labels were also used by the respondents. The results also suggested that younger age and having a prior diagnosis of depression were significant predictors of recognising depression in the vignette. In the first study of Sri Lankan migrants’ mental health literacy in an Australian context, the rates of depression recognition were comparable to those found in the general Australian population. Further research is urgently required to replicate and extend the present findings and ultimately support the development of tailored interventions aimed at improving mental health literacy across the diverse Sri Lankan Australian community.

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Children, adolescent, and youth mental health in Sri Lanka in the context of recent violence, COVID-19, and economic crisis: A call for action

Cited by 11 publications

References 11 publications

Prevalence and associated factors of depression in Sri Lanka: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prevalence and associated factors of depression in Sri Lanka: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Perceived stress among Sri Lankans during the economic crisis: an online survey

Can Sri Lankan Australians Recognise Depression? The Influence of Acculturation, Age and Experiences with Depression on Recognition

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