Depression and suicidal ideation among the geriatric population of Kashmir, India

Background: Depression is a common disorder that can lead to suicidal behaviours among the geriatric population. Aim: We aimed to assess depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation among the elderly population of Kashmir. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts of Kashmir between June and August 2019. The sample consisted of 200 persons aged &gt;65 years. Beck’s Depression Inventory, Beck’s Hopelessness Scale, and the Beck Suicide Ideation scale were used to determine depression, hopelessness, and suicide ideation. Pearson’s correlation was performed to assess the relationships between depression, hopelessness, and suicide. Results: The prevalence of severe depression with a score of ⩾31 on Beck’s Depression Inventory was 56% among the studied population. Most of these elderly were found to have moderate levels of suicidal ideation (62.5%) and hopelessness (61%). Depression had a positive correlation with suicidal ideation ( r = 0.35). Hopelessness and suicidal intent had a more significant positive correlation ( r = 0.54), as compared to depression and hopelessness ( r = 0.43). Conclusion: More than half of the older persons in Kashmir had depression with superimposed hopelessness which is an important risk factor of suicidal ideation. </jats:sec

COVID-19 Related Psychological Distress, Fear and Coping: Identification of High-Risk Groups in Bangladesh

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed psychological distress and fear across the globe; however, factors associated with those issues or the ways people cope may vary by country or context. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies for people living in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in August-September 2020 using online platforms in Bangladesh. People residing in Bangladesh, aged &ge;18 years, who were proficient in English and able to respond to online questionnaire. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was used to assess the psychological stress. Level of fear was assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and strategies to cope were assessed using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale.Results: Of the 962 participants, half of them were aged between 30 and 59 years. Being born in Bangladesh, having graduate education, perceived distress due to employment change, effect of COVID-19 on financial situation, having multiple comorbidities, and visiting a healthcare provider in the last 4 weeks were associated with higher levels of both psychological distress and fear of COVID-19. Furthermore, higher psychological distress was associated with being a female (AOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.33&ndash;2.47, p &amp;lt; 0.001), being a frontline worker (AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.04&ndash;2.15, p &amp;lt; 0.05), having pre-existing psychiatric problems (AOR 4.03, 95% CI 1.19&ndash;13.7, p &amp;lt; 0.05), being a smoker (AOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.32&ndash;3.09, p &amp;lt; 0.01), providing care to a known/suspected COVID-19 patient (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.40&ndash;2.72, p &amp;lt; 0.001), having a recent overseas travel history and being in self-quarantine (AOR 4.59, 95% CI 1.23&ndash;17.2, p &amp;lt; 0.05), self-isolation without COVID-19 (AOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.68&ndash;4.13, p &amp;lt; 0.001) or being COVID-19 positive (AOR 2.53, 95% CI 1.19&ndash;5.34, p &amp;lt; 0.05), and having high levels of fear of COVID-19 (AOR 3.27, 95% CI 2.29&ndash;4.66, p &amp;lt; 0.001). A higher level of fear was associated with moderate to high levels of psychological distress (AOR 3.29, 95% CI 2.31&ndash;4.69, p &amp;lt; 0.001). People with pre-existing mental health problems were less likely to be resilient (AOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.11&ndash;0.54, p &amp;lt; 0.01), whereas those with having an income were more likely to be resilient (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02&ndash;2.11, p &amp;lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Effective interventions to support the vulnerable groups including improved access to mental health services are of utmost importance during the pandemic.</jats:p