• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2017

Objectives : Severe mental illness is a major risk factor for suicide. This study aimed to identify characteristics of patients who died by suicide among subjects who had been received service from a community mental health center. Methods : We searched individuals who had committed suicide in Gwangju Bukgu Community Mental Health Center since 2006. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered from medical records and their case managers and they were compared with those of general members in the center. Characteristics of schizophrenia patients who died by suicide were particularly summarized. Results : Twelve person committed suicide between 2006 and 2016. The characteristics of those who died by suicide were male (67%), diagnosis of schizophrenia (75%), aged below 50 (83%), unemployed (92%), past history of psychiatric hospitalization (100%), recent admission within 3 months (67%), past history of suicidal attempt (78%), family history of schizophrenia (58%), poor adherence to medication (58%), and use of daily rehabilitation program (42%). Ten out of twelve (83%) showed warning sign for suicide. All identified method of suicide in patients with schizophrenia was jumping from high building. Many patients with schizophrenia, who committed suicide, suffered from comorbid depressive symptoms (67%) and auditory hallucination (78%). Conclusion : Case managers should pay attention to and carefully manage individuals who showed suicidal warning, particularly with risk factors for suicide, such as unemployment, admission state or recent discharge from psychiatric hospital, poor adherence to medication, family history of schizophrenia, and a history of suicidal attempt.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.122-128
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• 2018

Objectives: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Stigma Questionnaire (ASQ) and the effect of the source of information about mental health on ADHD stigma. Methods: The Korean translation of the ASQ was prepared, and 673 participants, 20-64 years of age, completed the questionnaire using an online panel survey in South Korea. The participants also completed questionnaires detailing sociodemographic variables and the source of their mental health knowledge. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to explore the internal consistency of the ASQ. Factor analysis using Varimax rotation was conducted to investigate the structure of the ASQ. Results: The 26-item ASQ demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.940). Factor analysis supported a three-factor structure, including Concerns with Public Attitudes, Negative Self-Image, and Disclosure Concerns. There were no significant differences in the total ASQ scores according to sociodemographic characteristics. Participants who reported the internet as their major source of information about mental health showed higher ASQ scores compared to those who used other sources for mental health information. Conclusion: The Korean translation of the ASQ has acceptable psychometric properties among Korean adults. Inaccurate information from the internet could increase the stigma toward ADHD.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2020

Objectives: Our aim was to answer the following questions: (1) Can mental health variance be partitioned to individual and higher levels (e.g., neighborhood and district); (2) How much (as a percentage) do individual-level determinants explain the variability of mental health at the individual-level; and (3) How much do determinants at the neighborhood- or district-level explain the variability of mental health at the neighborhood- or district-level? Methods: We used raw data from the second round of the Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool in Tehran (in 2012-2013, n=34 700 samples nested in 368 neighborhoods nested in 22 districts) and the results of the official report of Tehran's Center of Studies and Planning (in 2012-2013, n=22 districts). Multilevel linear regression models were used to answer the study questions. Results: Approximately 40% of Tehran residents provided responses suggestive of having mental health disorders (30-52%). According to estimates of residual variance, 7% of mental health variance was determined to be at the neighborhood-level and 93% at the individual-level. Approximately 21% of mental health variance at the individual-level and 49% of the remaining mental health variance at the neighborhood-level were determined by determinants at the individual-level and neighborhood-level, respectively. Conclusions: If we want to make the most effective decisions about the determinants of mental health, in addition to considering the therapeutic perspective, we should have a systemic or contextual view of the determinants of mental health.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.805-816
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• 2010

This study examined the affect of work environment and work-related stress on the mental health of employees. It further sought to provide insights into how employees' work environment and mental health might be improved. Results showed that the relationship between parents of work environment is related to the obsession, depression, working burden is related to the obsession, depression, concern. The lower parts of the relationship with parents and working burden effects every factors. Furthermore, levels of financial compensation and working stability also seemed to have adverse affects on mental health. Secondly, excessive working hours and duty trouble have lots of mutual relationship with the mental health. The lower parts of working stress: excess working hours, duty trouble, and imprecise responsibilities affects the mental health. Especially, the excessive working hours affected all nine parts of mental health level which were examined.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.129-139
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• 2009

Objectives : This study evaluated the effectiveness of school-based mental health screening and treatment linkage programs, focusing on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adolescent depression. Methods : All 11,158 children and adolescents aged 8-14 years in Seoul received a school-based mental health screening, consisting of the Korean versions of the ADHD rating scale and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), for ADHD, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-DS) and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR), for depression. The high-risk children's and adolescents' diagnoses were confirmed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV (DISC-IV). Treatment linkage programs were managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Community Mental Health Center (Program 1), the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (Program 2), or the Dongjak District Office of Education (Program 3). We estimated and compared the referral rates of the three programs. Results : Program 1 screened and referred 22.9% of ADHD youths to mental health services, Program 2, 68.8%, and Program 3, 40.0%. Program 1 screened and referred 22.8% of depressed youths to mental health services, Program 2, 53.8%, and Program 3, 88.9%. Key elements for successful screening and referral programs were an effective school/community mental health center/Office of Education network, the parents' financial support and perception of their child's mental health status as being problematic, and the teachers' active engagement. Conclusion : This is the first study investigating the effectiveness of school-based mental health screenings' linkage to treatment for primary and middle school students in Korea. An effective network for community mental health and improvements in parents' and teachers' perceptions regarding mental health are needed for more successful treatment linkage.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.94-103
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the results of the 2013 students' mental health school-community cooperative model. This study investigated teachers' awareness of change in school environment and analyzed the follow-up conditions of students. Methods : The sample consisted of 55 schools which participated in the 2013 students' mental health school-community cooperative model. Two questionnaires were used : one was composed of items about mental health resources, school policy and practice, school climate and community referral, and the other was on management of follow-up conditions for high risk students. Results : First, teachers' awareness regarding school mental health resources, school policy and practice, school climate, and community referral showed positive change. That is, the 2013 students' mental health school-community cooperative model works for improving teachers' interest, awareness and effort regarding mental health. Second, students, who were found by screening test and observation, were managed continually. Most students received follow-up interventions at school, and half of the students were referred to a specialized institution such as a mental health clinic, Wee center, personal counseling center, community welfare center, and so on. Conclusion : This study was a preliminary research, therefore follow-up studies are required in order to accomplish the 2013 students' mental health school-community cooperative model.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2020

Objectives Ketamine has been reported to have antidepressant effects or psychotomimetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral effects of ketamine treatment at various sub-anesthetic doses in adolescent and adult naïve mice. Methods In each experiment for adolescent and adult mice, a total of 60 male Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, which were intraperitoneally treated with physiological saline, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg ketamine for consecutive 3 days. At 1 day after last injection, the locomotor and depressive-like behaviors were evaluated in mice, using open field test (OFT) and forced swim test (FST), respectively. Results In case of adolescent mice, ketamine dose was negatively correlated with total distance traveled in the OFT (Spearman's rho = -0.27, p = 0.039). In case of adult mice, we found significant positive correlation between ketamine dose and duration of immobility in the FST (Spearman's rho = 0.45, p < 0.001). Immobility time in the 50 mg/kg ketamine-treated mice was significantly higher compared to the saline-treated mice (Dunnett's post-hoc test, p = 0.012). Conclusions We found that the repeated treatment with ketamine could decrease the locomotor or prolong the duration of immobility in mice as the dose of ketamine increased. Our findings suggest that sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine might induce schizophrenia-like negative symptoms but not antidepressant effects in naïve laboratory animals.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of a school-based character education program on the character development of elementary school students. Methods : A total of 1,325 elementary school students participated in the study. Pre-post changes in eight character virtues (self-esteem, self-regulation, honesty, sincerity, communication & caring, citizenship, justice, responsibility/cooperation) and student satisfaction were assessed. A paired t-test was performed to determine the effects of the program. Results : Of the students who participated in the program, the 4th and 5th grade students showed significantly increased scores on all eight character virtues ; whereas, the 6th grade students showed significantly increased scores on five character virtues. Conclusion : Despite the differences in effect based on the grade levels, the study results supported the effectiveness of a school-based socio-emotional character education program. This study could provide a basis for future research on the development of effective character education programs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-48
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to find the strategies of mental health screening in school. Based on the literature review, we discuss the importance of screening students in schools for mental health problems. Methods: Data from the 2008 Korean Mental Health Screening in Schools(2008-KMHSS) are used to estimate the outline of this screening. We administered the questionnaire for satisfaction of 2008-KMHSS for students(N=1,280), parents(N=2,672), school nurses(N=75), teachers(N=685), district personnels(N=6), and mental health center staffs(N=37). Also we interviewed a part of them by telephone and e-mail. And we reviewed the tools and methods for screening students for emotional/behavioral problems. Results: Mental health screening in schools is a very important, yet worrisome, agenda that is in its very early stages. From the 2008 Korean Mental Health Screening in Schools, 9,588 students(12.9%) needed more evaluation in the first stage. Of these, 6,910(72.1%) completed the second stage screening. In this sample, 1,975(28.6%) utilized the mental health services in school or community. 38.3% of students and 43.7% of their parents notified the 2008-KMHSS. But only 12.1% of students and 10.9% of their parents dissatisfied with the screening. 9.9% of teachers and 22.7% of school nurses dissatisfied with the screening. Among them the school nurses were mostly dissatisfied, and they complained work burden from KMHSS. Mental health center staffs complained similar issues. The Children's Problem-behavior Screening Questionnaire(CPSQ) and Adolescents' Mental-health & Problem-behavior Screening Questionnaire(AMPQ) were compatible to screen students in schools for mental health problems in first stage. Conclusion: Mental health screening in schools needs careful planning and implementation. For successful mental health screening in schools, several elements need to be considered: careful planning, collaboration, staff training, and integrative mental health programs and services in community or schools.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influencing mental health literacy. Methods : We obtained data on 2016 general population from the Korean Mental Health Literacy Survey (2021) conducted by Ministry of Health and Welfare. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the score of questionnaire items in Korean Mental Health Literacy Survey. Results : Among the factors, female (p<0.001), higher age (p=0.005), higher income level (p<0.001) were significantly correlated with higher score of questionnaire items. Awareness of mental health center & community addiction management center (p=0.002), awareness of mental health hotline service (p<0.001) were also significantly associated with higher response score. Conclusions : The factors affecting mental health literacy could be considered when providing community mental health services.