Patients with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or mood disorders, as depression, often showed dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system, resulting in increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and heightened activity of the immune system that may cause alterations in the structure and function of brain regions through direct neurotoxic effects, oxidative stress, changes in levels of neurotransmitters and decreasing some neurotrophins. Among the most studied pro-inflammatory cytokines in this field there are Intereleukine-6 (IL-6) and Interleukine-1β (IL-1β); however, scant and conflicting data are currently available in the literature about their use as potential biomarkers, and even less on possible comparisons in PTSD and depression.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate circulating levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in patients with PTSD and to compare them with those of subjects with depression and healthy controls.

A sample of 45 subjects, including 15 subjects diagnosed with PTSD (PTSD group), 15 with depression (DEP group), and 15 healthy controls (HC group) were recruited at the Psychiatric Clinic of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa. HC group included subjects recruited on a voluntary basis. The psychiatric diagnosis was assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report lifetime version (TALS-SR). A peripheral venous blood sample was collected to perform the biochemical assays. The analyses of IL-6 and IL-1β were performed with a dedicated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs) achieved at the Laboratory of Biochemistry of the Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa.

No statistically significant gender or age differences emerged in the three groups. There were no statistically significant differences in IL-1β levels among the three groups. Conversely, the PTSD group showed higher levels of IL-6 compared to the DEP and to the HC ones, with a statistically significant difference in the post-hoc analysis among the PTSD and DEP groups with respect to the HC one (p<0.05).

Our results suggest the key role of a chronic low-grade inflammatory state in PTSD and in depression, probably related to a dysregulation in HPA axis and cortisol release, with an increase in proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6 that seemed to be more pronounced in PTSD.

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What topics from their personal lives do patients bring to talk to the clinical team, in addition to reporting their health-illness complaints, being examined, and receiving medical and nursing guidance? Knowing the symbolic aspects of the professional-patient relationship allows for care with more empathy and greater adherence to outpatient service follow-ups. The sociocultural contexts of vulnerable adolescents amplify the importance of reproductive health care and understanding perceptions about romantic relationships and sexuality. During adolescence, risky behaviours can interfere with life opportunities and the future. The lack of care for adolescents’ reproductive health is associated with irreparable physical and psychosocial consequences. In Brazil, the Unified Health System functions as an important support for the community.

To interpret the symbolic meanings attributed by pregnant teenagers regarding the possible experience of talking and receiving guidance about romantic relations and sexuality from the clinical team of public primary attention (in the EPA-2023, we presented the work “on family relationships”, another branch belonging to the same PhD research).

We used the Clinical-Qualitative Method (Turato. Portuguese Psychos. J, 2000 2(1): 93-108). For data collection, the main researcher used the Semi-Directed Interview with Open-ended Questions In-Depth and Field Notes, fully transcript. The employ of the Seven Steps of the Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis (Faria-Schützer et al. Cien Saude Colet. 2021; 26(1): 265-274) permits the solid discussion categories. Sample closed by saturation information criterion (Fontanella et al. Cad Saude Publica. 2008; 24(1): 17-27).

Sample of 10 adolescents, from 15 to 19 years. Interviewed by the first author, a female psychologist, online from September 2020 to June 2022. Findings validated by peer reviewers from Lab of Clinical-Qualitative Research. Categories to this congress: 1) maternal figure referred to as the axis of orientations on sexuality. This seems to empty the opportunity or the need to discuss these aspects in clinical consultations; 2) interviewees do not cite teenage pregnancy in its new emotional status as present in the prenatal consultation protocol; 3) there is a discourse of the re-signification of relationship with a loving partner by assuming also symbolically the pregnancy by both.

Professionals that the teenagers access in clinical consultations at primary attention are not perceived psychoanalytically as transferential figures for conversations about romantic relationships and/or sexuality. It is opportune to rediscuss the expected and/or desired roles of the clinical team in that studied context from the psychic and cultural symbolic universe.

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The modern understanding of AD allows us to consider it through the constructs of “vulnerability” and “stability” of the brain as a dynamic system of dialectical interaction between the pathogenic process and the protective process that prevents neurodegeneration. The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) is based on observations of discrepancy between the degree of brain pathology and the severity of clinical manifestations. The concept of “reserve” was proposed to describe the resistance of the brain to a developing damage caused by a pathological process. Stern (2002) considered CR as a protective factor that modifies the impact of brain pathology on cognitive function. The researchers have defined CR as an ability to optimize cognitive function through differential involvement of structures or neural networks of the brain into brain activity.

A systematic review of scientific studies has been conducted

The review includes an analysis of full-text literature sources.

Several possible directions of CR influence on cognitive functions have been described:

1. 1) CR may reduce the risk of MCI or dementia through mechanisms, which do not depend on the level of neurodegenerative pathological changes in the brain.

2. 2) CR can interact with the markers of brain pathology or healthaffectingthe future cognitive decline or risk of progression. It has been found that smaller volumes or thickness in some AD vulnerable areas of the brain represent a stronger risk factor for cognitive impairment in people with low CR than in people with higher CR. CR protective effects on clinical outcomes reduce as the number of damaged neurons increases.

3. 3) The protective effect of CR increasesduring late AD onset and at a low rate of the damaged substrate accumulation.

4. 4) CR changes the relationship between genetic factors and aging withclinical and cognitive outcomes. The relationship between age and AD pathology level or age-related structural changes in the brain may weaken in people with higher CR

The concept of cerebral-cognitive reserve actualizes the problem of the search for compensatory mechanisms of cognitive deficit in AD, the assessmentof the structure of the reserve, the development and implementationof programs to maintain the reserve, the preventionof its depletion, starting from the preclinical stage of the disease, which can prevent the transformation of preclinical manifestations of AD into cognitive disorders

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The beneficial effects of yoga have been researched for decades, and in some countries it is also used in health care to maintain physical and mental health. Its effectiveness in the treatment of stress and anxiety, as well as in achieving a relaxed state, is supported by numerous studies.

In the present research, our aim was to investigate the direct and subclinical effects of yoga, where the subjects did at least 10 minutes of yoga a day for two weeks. Our hypotheses are that the participants experience relaxation, mindfulness and positive emotions significantly (1) more often and (2) more intensely as a result of yoga.

We included 25 average population, healthy people between the ages of 18 and 30, who exercised at least 10 minutes of yoga a day for two weeks with the help of a mobile app. We used the Smith Relaxation States Inventory (SRSI3) and its disposition-measuring version (SRSI3d), which examine 19 relaxation states (R-states) presumably related to relaxation, divided into 4 categories: basic relaxation, mindfulness, positive energy and transcendence. During the statistical analyses, the values taken at the beginning of the research, before practice, were compared with the values taken directly after the last practice using the Wilcoxon test. Bonferroni correction was used to correct the first-order error that increases when testing several hypotheses simultaneously.

Immediately after practicing yoga, the participants had significantly higher basic relaxation (M0=2.74, M1=4.24, p<0.0001), awareness (M0=2.71, M1=2.89, p<0.0001) and positive energy (M0=3.88, M1= 4.81, p<0.0001) and in the long term they experienced significantly more relaxation (M0=3.12, M1=3.94, p<0.0001), awareness (M0=3.41, M1=4.40, p<.0001), positive energy (M0= 4.39, M1=5.14, p<0.001) and transcendence (M0=3.23, M1=4.05, p=0.001).

Based on our results, yoga can be an effective additional tool in maintaining and improving health, but also in improving the condition and quality of life of mental and somatic patients.

None Declared

Climate change and its impact on mental health is a growing area of research. Several studies have explored the relationship between climate change and mental health, highlighting the various ways in which climate change can affect individuals’ psychological well-being. Incorporating mental health indicators into climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments is another important aspect of research in this area (Hayes & Poland, 2018). The study suggests that standardized methods to measure and predict the psychosocial outcomes of climate change should be implemented to better understand the mental health impacts. While the physical health consequences of climate change have received more attention, the mental health impacts are often overlooked (Nicholas et al., 2020).

This study was planned to examine the impact of climate change the impact of climate change on mental health

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals who willing to participate the study and above 18 years age. Individuals who saw the online advertisement and click on the study’s link were be brought to the study’s home page on Online Surveys. Should they wish to proceed, they will be brought to an information page detailing the purpose of the study, how their confidentiality and anonymity will be preserved and how their data will be treated.

Socio-Demographic Data Form, Climate Change Worry Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised- Abbreviated, general health questioner and Depression, Anxiety, Stress scale were used for collecting data. Data analyses was planned to run via Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version, 27.0.

The analysis of the data is still ongoing in detail by the researchers. The findings and relational implications of the study will be presented.

In conclusion, this study highlight the importance of understanding the mental health impacts of climate change and developing strategies to address them. Climate change can have direct and indirect consequences on mental health, and vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents may be particularly at risk. Reducing psychological distance and incorporating mental health indicators into assessments can help in understanding and addressing the mental health consequences of climate change.

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While the acoustic environment in the cities correlates with various health-related problems, health benefits of natural sounds are proven. These positive effects of the sounds of nature should probably be taken seriously in urban design and urban renewal projects.

The aim of this study was to review the paradigm of natural soundscapes in the cities, psychological effects of natural soundscapes and the potential urban recommendations for such architecture design.

We conducted a comprehensive review of the scientific literature using Web databases with the following keywords: natural soundscapes, natural sound, urban design, and mental health.

Our research found that improving the urban environment soundscape for the well-being of city dwellers has become one of the most pressing challenges of modern times. In a growing number of published studies, positive psychological effects of natural soundscapes are explored using various methods such as questionnaires, biofeedback sensors coupled with virtual reality experiences in laboratories, and quantification of the prevalence of restorative acoustic environments in parks. In a recent study (2023), Jian Kang from the United Kingdome, reported that “by taking psycho-acoustical, neural and physiological, and contextual factors into account, the European Research Council Soundscape Indices project will adequately reflect levels of human comfort, to integrate side-by-side with (and eventually replace) decibel-based metrics into existing (international) regulations”. The same paper highlighted how the transition from fighting noise pollution to creating soundscapes is key.

Architects should develop mandatory guidelines regarding the spatial planning focusing on managing natural soundscapes in cities. Various sites such as green urban public spaces that offers exposure to natural sounds should be an integral part of the urban environment. These areas must be with a high abundance of natural sound (geophony and bio phony) and a low anthropogenic sound to enhance human physical and psychological health.

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The epigenome involving chemical modifications of DNA and chromatin that modulates gene expression in response to external and environmental conditions is characterized by great plasticity and reacts by epigenetic marks such as methylation signatures that can be inherited across generations.

Urban dwellers likely adapt to the level and growth of urbanization and resulting environmental changes through epigenetic changes. The aim of this study is to present what is currently known about the DNA methylome (the information of DNA methylation of all cytosines in a genome) and cognition when humans are exposed to changing urban environments.

We conducted a comprehensive review of the scientific literature using PubMed database with the following keywords: DNA methylation, brain and urbanity.

Our search revealed a scarcity of scientific articles reporting methylome studies with assessment of correlations between methylome, cognitive status and urban environment. Among these papers, a Chinese study (2021) found a significant correlation between childhood urbanicity and better cognitive performance by measuring genome-wide methylation profile using more than 850,000 genome-wide CpG sites. In this study, the authors suggested that the impact of childhood urbanicity on cognition is partially mediated by the methylome and brain structure/function in humans whose childhood urbanicity differed. Other studies using other research approaches, suggested that the impact of living in an urban area is linked to better performance in terms of working memory, processing speed and verbal learning. We also found that the vast majority of studies investigating DNA methylation involved in rapid adaptation to new environments, including urban environments, focused on plant and animal species.

The effects of urbanization on human beings are a topic of ongoing debate. Some studies suggest that urbanization can have beneficial effects on cognition, while others find that it can have harmful effects. Quantitative studies of methylation and the correlations between methylome, cognition, and urbanicity offer new opportunities to measure these effects and gain a better understanding of their mechanisms.

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It is a well-known fact that regular physical activity (PA) has a positive effect on a person’s somatic health. Does PA have similar correlations with self-esteem in medical students of different cultural backgrounds?

To determine the intensity and correlations of PА and self-esteem in domestic and foreign undergraduate medical students

We carried out a survey of 305 domestic and 241 international medical students of both genders at Ulianov Chuvash State University. For this aim we used the Sociocultural Health Questionnaire (E. Nikolaev)

We have established that with the same duration of the sessions the average frequency of physical activity (PA) of foreign medical students is higher than that of domestic students (p=.001). The latter more often exercise in gyms (p=.001) and consume bodybuilding supplements (p=.01). Foreign medical students’ self-assessment of their health (p=.001) and sportiness (p=.001) is higher than that of domestic students (7.90 vs 6.98 и 6.72 vs 5.82 correspondingly). Higher frequency of PA correlates in domestic medical students with higher self-assessment of their successfulness (r=.47), attractiveness (r=.46), and confidence (r=.43); while in foreign students – of their sportiness (r=.49), confidence (r=.25), sociability (r=.23). Longer sessions of PA by domestic medical students are interrelated with higher self-assessment of their intellect (r=.35), confidence (r=.34), happiness (r=.34); while in foreign students – of sportiness (r=.47), health (r=.36), and successfulness (r=.36).

The revealed data testify to the fact that PA of both domestic and foreign medical students closely correlates with positive assessment of their own personality.

None Declared

The mental health for workers in the healthcare industry have been put through challenges.The first evaluation happened during the first wave of the pandemic, the second one, with grater sample size, have been conducted in Spring 2022.The healthcare system makes it less plausible to release stress adequately. The attitude of repression by the people makes the rise in stress-levels less knowledgeable This time the somatic symptoms makes the stress-levels steady shown. Our goal, to make visible, to categorise and recognise the somatic symptoms and the psychological symptoms, thus predicting the burn-out phase.

The attitude of repression by the people makes the rise in stress-levels less knowledgeable This time the somatic symptoms makes the stress-levels steady shown. Our goal, to make visible, to categorise and recognise the somatic symptoms and the psychological symptoms, thus predicting the burn-out phase.

Methods:

Participants: 497 medic workers

• - PPS - Perceived Stress Scale - Type d personality scale -

• - Workplace Stress Questionnaire and Symptom List (Hungarian Hypertonia Society)

• - Beck Depression Questionnaire (9-item)

• - Oldenburg Burn-Out Questionnaire Results: From the questionnaire answers we counted

• - WHO Well-being Scale (5-item)

12% of the people reached levels above the significant stress-level and 26% reached the mild-depression level. The burn-out levels have been significantly higher in the region of disappointment. Regarding the results of the somatic symptoms, depression and stress levels it had a leading factor, which was exhaustion.

The most frequent co-occurences of the 20 somatic and psychological symptoms of the Hungarian Hypertension Society Symptom List were also used in this study to refine the analysis. The factor analysis highlited 3 sypmtom clusters out of the 20 symptoms with the following co-occurrences (fatigue, concentration disturbance, headache, feeling of tension, palpitation, dizziness, inner tremor, distressing thoughts, sweating and nausea) The symptoms formed a total of 6 factors, of which 2 were found to be predictive of burnout and depression. The factors of muscle tension, fatigue, lack of concentration, feeling tense showed the strongest correlation with the measured varibles (burnout r=0,447, depression r=0,343, D-scale, negative mood r=0,369, p=0,000 at significance levels.)

The attention for the somatic complaints have a high attention between the workers, it’s part of the work culture to give more and more sacrifices, to hide the psychological effects, and deem them as weaknesses. Regarding the health of the worker it’s necessary to be more informative, to show more bearable physical symptoms to define and prevent the burn-out periods.

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Teachers encounter various challenges that can significantly affect their professional well-being. This issue stands as of paramount importance, for it not only wields influence over job satisfaction but also carries weighty implications for the quality of education provided.

This study aims to investigate the factors that affect teachers’ well-being, specifically examining the relationship between perceived stress, psychosocial risks, and burnout among public high school teachers in Tetouan, Morocco.

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 258 teachers, resulting in a response rate of 57%. Three distinct instruments were used to collect data: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to evaluate perceived stress levels, the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) to assess psychosocial risks at work, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) for burnout measurement. We examined the bivariate correlations among these three concepts.

The results demonstrate significant associations among the studied factors. Perceived stress has a positive correlation with emotional exhaustion (r=0.51; p<0.01) and depersonalization (r=0.56; p<0.01), and a negative correlation with personal accomplishment (r=-0.31; p<0.01). Additionally, emotional exhaustion has a positive correlation with psychological demand (r=0.38; p<0.01). Depersonalization shows a positive correlation with psychological demand (r=0.18; p<0.05), but a negative correlation with decision latitude (r=-0.30; p<0.01) and social assistance (r=-0.24; p<0.01). Conversely, personal accomplishment presents a positive correlation with decision latitude (r=0.58; p<0.01) and social assistance (r=0.50; p<0.01).

This study underscores the importance of decision latitude and social assistance in promoting personal accomplishment and mitigating burnout among teachers. Nonetheless, further research is required to substantiate these results and determine the fundamental cause and effect relationships.

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Psychological help-seeking attitudes are influenced by various factors, including self-stigma, mental health literacy, and levels of depression and anxiety. Several studies have examined the relationships between these variables and help-seeking attitudes, shedding light on the predictors of seeking psychological help. Self-stigma, or the internalization of negative attitudes towards seeking psychological help, has been found to significantly impact help-seeking attitudes. Individuals who experience higher levels of self-stigma are more likely to hold negative attitudes towards seeking help. Additionally, mental health literacy, which refers to knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, has been identified as another important predictor of help-seeking attitudes. Individuals with higher mental health literacy are more likely to have positive attitudes towards seeking psychological help. Depression and anxiety, two common mental health concerns, have also been found to influence help-seeking attitudes. Research has shown that individuals with higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms are more likely to express intentions to seek counseling for psychological and interpersonal concerns. These mental health concerns can serve as motivators for individuals to seek professional help. Furthermore, cultural and demographic factors can also play a role in shaping help-seeking attitudes.

This study was planned to examine the variables predicting psychological help seeking attitudes: self-stigma, mental health literacy, and depression/anxiety

The sample of the study was determined by purposive sampling method. The study was conducted with individuals who willing to participate the study and above 18 years age.

Individuals who saw the online advertisement and click on the study’s link were be brought to the study’s home page on Online Surveys. Should they wish to proceed, they will be brought to an information page detailing the purpose of the study, how their confidentiality and anonymity will be preserved and how their data will be treated.

Socio-Demographic Data Form, Mental Health Literacy Scale, Self-Stigma of Seeking Psychological Help Scale and Attitudes Towards Seeking Psychological Help Scale were used. Data analyses was planned to run via Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version, 27.0.

The analysis of the data is still ongoing in detail by the researchers. The findings and relational implications of the study will be presented.

In conclusion, self-stigma, mental health literacy, and levels of depression and anxiety are important variables that predict psychological help-seeking attitudes. Understanding these factors can inform the development of interventions and strategies to promote help-seeking behaviors and reduce barriers to seeking psychological help.

None Declared

Nefashot, meaning ‘Souls’ and ‘People’ in Hebrew, emerged from a local group of impassioned activists. Our core mission is to promote mental health awareness through cultural and artistic expressions, bridging gaps in open and inclusive conversations.

In our early years, our primary goal was to infuse MH discussions into public spaces through art. However, as our community has evolved, so too have our objectives. Today, we recognize the profound impact of these connections and discussions, both within and beyond our dynamic community. We’ve come to understand that belonging to this community is, in itself, a catalyst for change. This shift in perspective has allowed us to fully embrace the transformative potential of community engagement and direct our activities.

At the heart of our approach is the nurturing of a profound sense of belonging within our diverse community. We achieve this through two vital activities: (1) Ongoing Community Communication: Within our dynamic community, which includes individuals dealing with mental health challenges, professionals, family members, friends, and allies, communication is paramount to our unity. We maintain an open and continuous dialogue through a dedicated WhatsApp group. This platform facilitates connection, sharing of experiences, and mutual support, strengthening the bonds that unite us in our shared mission. (2) Community-Driven Event Production: Beyond our annual ‘Osim Nefashot’ week, held around World Mental Health Day, we seize opportunities throughout the year to organize events or collaborate with larger events like International Women’s Day in March or Book Week in June. Encouraging active participation in event planning and execution not only amplifies the voices of our members but also deepens their sense of belonging within our ever-evolving community.

Our hallmark is a sustainable process, welcoming new creators, forging connections, and expanding our influence while retaining core members. This renewal and continuity enable us to reach new audiences and expand mental health awareness through art and culture. Our growth is showcased, with 90 events organized last year.

Nefashot’s transformation from activists to a diverse community is an ongoing journey requiring commitment and deliberate steps. Our allocated resources and activities ensure each participant, from creators to venues to attendees, plays a vital role in advancing mental health awareness. We remain dedicated to nurturing inclusivity and promoting mental well-being through art and culture.

None Declared

Measuring carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaled breath with a visual representation can aid in smoking cessation by increasing smokers’ awareness of how smoking negatively affects their health and how many harmful substances they introduce into their bodies. Individuals attempting to quit smoking can regularly measure CO levels to monitor their progress in reducing this gas in their system.

The national „Smoke Out Day” is a day aimed at encouraging smokers to quit smoking in the Republic of Croatia. It is celebrated on the first day of Lent, as it is a period when most people contemplate giving up something they enjoy throughout the year.

The Institute of Public Health of Virovitičko-podravska County sets up a booth in one of the cities in County on that day. There we offer pamphlets to passersby with information about the harmful effects of smoking and provide them with the opportunity to measure carbon monoxide in their exhaled breath.

The aim of this study was to explore relationship between smoking status, smoke exposure and the levels of exhaled carbon monoxide.

For measuring CO we used piCO simple Smokerlyzer. From April 2015 till May 2023, 462 individuals have participated in this measurement. The data were processed using the Python programming language version 3.9 and the statistical library Pingouin version 0.5.3. Data visualization was performed using the Seaborn library version 0.12.2. The statistical analyses employed in this study are partial correlations. The Spearman method was used for partial correlations because it can identify nonlinear relationships and is more accurate and robust when the assumptions for Pearson correlation are not met.

Partial correlation analysis indicates that there is a statistically significant relationship between the level of carbon monoxide and the following parameters:

• - Non-smoking status in years (rho = -0.526, p <0.001, two-tailed test).

• - Number of cigarettes smoked per day (rho = 0.369, p <0.001, two-tailed test).

• - Testing time after 3 PM (rho = 0.234, p <0.001, two-tailed test).

• - Number of years as a smoker (rho = 0.230, p <0.001, two-tailed test).

• - Age in years (rho = -0.179, p <0.001, two-tailed test).

• - Time spent in a smoky area (rho = 0.114, p <0.016, two-tailed test).

In summary, these results provide valuable insights into the factors associated with carbon monoxide levels in humans, with smoking-related variables, age, and testing time showing notable partial correlations. It is important to consider these relationships when assessing and managing carbon monoxide exposure and its potential health implications.

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Medical students have been under immense pressure throughout their studies, impacting their mental health and academic performance. Stress reduction is a fundamental skill that all students require to manage their studies and lives efficiently. Biofeedback devices providing information about physiological states have been shown to aid stress reduction. Methods to reduce stress should be taught to medical students to help them tackle the challenges of medical school.

Our goal was to teach stress reduction methods such as extracurricular activities and paced breathing aided by biofeedback training and its application in simulated healthcare situations to medical students.

15 medical students who completed medical physiology were recruited for an elective course of 7 sessions on practical techniques in stress management. One credit was offered to those who completed the course requirements consisting of participation in sessions and individual biofeedback training.

Sessions (classes) consisted of presentations on good sleeping and eating patterns, group simulations of stressful hospital environments, visiting a science centre with interactive displays, an orchestra performance, and nature walks. Before biofeedback training, heart and respiration rates were taken individually by a biofeedback device during the first week of the course. Data was processed using a code created in statistical software. Heartbeats per minute and heart rate variability (HRV) for every 10 seconds were calculated and plotted on a graph. Two measurements were taken with each student: a baseline measurement for 10 minutes and another measurement during controlled breathing paced at 6 breaths per minute for 15 minutes, of which the first 10 minutes were used for calculation and plotting. Students provided narrative feedback in an essay submitted after the course was completed.

5 males and 10 females from years 2-5 registered for the elective, and 12 participated in individually scheduled sessions. Heart beats per minute decreased, whereas HRV increased during paced breathing sessions in 83% of them. Most students reported feeling calm and drowsy during the sessions, and 2 students fell asleep by the end.

Feedback from 11 students showed that the music session and the science centre visit were the highlights throughout the elective. Improvements recommended were to have a consistent time slot for all sessions and fewer simulations.

In concert with the literature, biofeedback training seems to be a feasible and effective method for relaxation in medical students. This method could be offered as part of mental health services for students. Data could be used to follow students’ progress and identify those requiring extra support. Providing them with avenues to de-stress while emphasizing activities outside medicine could boost their confidence and improve their coping skills.

None Declared

Stigma towards mental health disorders is an issue standing in the way of healing and integrating the patient into the social life. Stigmatising does not only come from the general population but also from health care providers. Studies found out that lack of knowledge and skills among health care professionals is associated with stigmatization, which affects the attitudes and the patient’s treatment process.

The main aims of this study were to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge about mental health among nurses and psychiatry residents working in psychiatric departments, to explore the relationship between knowledge and attitude toward mental health and to find out the possible link with sociodemographic and work characteristics

A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted in two departments of psychiatry at RAZI hospital focusing on nurses and psychiatrist trainees. The sociodemographic informations, duration and choice of working in psychiatric field, personal experience with mental illness were collected .

The Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ) and the mental illness clinicians attitude scale (MICA-4 )were used to evaluate the participants mental health knowledge and attitude towards psychiatry and people with mental disorders .

A total of 30 health care providers finished the questionnaire. Their median (± interquartile range) age was 29 (±9)  years within a range of 25 to 60 years old. Our participants were predominantly female (N = 26; 86.7%). The overall median of MHKQ scale was 10 (±6) with a higher score in psychiatrist trainees than nurses but no significant difference was found (p= 0.066) However there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the MICA scale (p=0.02) with a negative attitude found in the group of nurses . Participants with no personal experience with mental illness along with those who were obliged to work in psychiatric facilities tend to have higher score on the MICA scale with significant statistically relationships, respectively, p =0.18 and p=0.09 We didn’t find any statistically significant relationship between the total scores of the MICA and MHKQ scales ( rho = -0.206, p = 0.275)

In our study negative attitude toward mental disorders were found in the group of nurses. Education about mental health disorders as well as addressing the importance of mental health outcomes must be included in the first year training of every healthcare provider. New strategies Focusing on improving the knowledge and skills among healthcare professionals are important to make due to their positive effect on the recovery.

None Declared

Resilience is defined as the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, and adjustment to external and internal demands, including challenges in family or relationship dynamics, serious health concerns, financial pressure or work-related stress. Employees’ creative self-sufficiency, work environment, as well as the interpersonal relationships developing in the workplace which constitute basic parameters of professional satisfaction can potentially affect both psychosomatic resilience of the employees as well as their performance at work. Exploring the available bibliography, it was revealed that the mental health professionals’ community has not been sufficiently examined in terms of emotional resilience.

To examine the dimensions of psychological resilience among mental health professionals.

In the context of a postdoctoral research which is conducted on a sample of the Greek population- personnel working in mental health hospital and community-based settings -a review of 35 articles from 1985 to 2023 on PubMed and Google Scholar was proceeded regarding psychological resilience among mental health professionals.

Creative self-sufficiency and professional satisfaction were found to be positively correlated with resilience among mental health professionals. Additional factors have been found to influence mental resilience among mental health professionals, such as individual personality traits, coping style, perceived social support, a sense of security, and organizational support.

This review contributes to the evolving understanding of resilience, particularly regarding mental health prοviders. The positive correlation between creative self-sufficiency and professional satisfaction highlights the importance of fostering these dimensions to enhance mental resilience through implementing emotional capacity-building practices, social skills counseling, as well as mindfulness-based interventions.

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Treatment-resistant depression can pose a major challenge to mental health professionals, both in identifying cases and in devising consequent therapeutic strategies (1). However, it is not uncommon that the lack of response to antidepressant treatment is actually due to non-adherence to it in many cases (2).

In this context, it would be interesting to know the rate of abandonment of antidepressant treatment in patients with anxious-depressive symptomatology, since the patient’s evolution may depend entirely on this.

To this end, the psychiatry service of the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid has collected data on adult patients who come for a first consultation in the mental health team, referred for presenting symptoms of anxiety and depression.

These data have been recorded over the last 2 years, including different socio-demographic and clinical variables. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis was carried out, the preliminary results of which are presented below.

We started from a sample of 222 patients at the present time: 69 men and 153 women, which is in accordance with previous data on the prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression by gender (3).

Antidepressant treatment was prescribed (from psychiatry or primary care) in 80% of them. A review 6 months later showed that up to 1/3 of these patients (34%) had abandoned treatment on their own before completing this period, as can be seen in the first graph (image 1), which is contemplated in several guidelines and recommendations in the scientific literature (4). No major differences were observed between genders for treatment indication or treatment abandonment.

On the other hand, 61% of the patients in the sample had been treated with benzodiazepines. Among them, up to 74% were still taking these drugs 6 months later (image 2). This result is striking, since in reality, the duration of treatment with benzodiazepines should be much shorter, according to the latest reviews (5).

Finally, cross-checking these data, it was observed that for 116 patients (52% of the total) the initial treatment included antidepressants and benzodiazepines. At 6 months, 18 of these patients (16%) had voluntarily discontinued the antidepressant, but continued with benzodiazepines.

Image:

Image 2:

It is very important to review adherence to treatment in all patients, especially in those cases in which the persistence of symptoms makes us think of a possible resistant depression. For this reason, it would be advisable to try to establish an adequate doctor-patient relationship that allows trust in the therapist and communication between both and leads to a favorable evolution.

None Declared

The admission and hospitalization of a child in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) creates stress and anxiety in the family. The family is called upon to make important decisions about the child’s treatment, while roles within the family environment are disrupted.

The investigation of the psychosocial needs of the relatives of hospitalized children in the NICU.

We conducted a systematic review of studies published until the end of 2022 in the Greek and English languages in the databases “Pubmed”, “Scopus” and “Iatrotec” with the following keywords: “Pediatric Intensive Care Unit”, “Socio-psychological Needs’ and ‘Parents’.

Of the 26 studies found, 5 studies met the inclusion-exclusion criteria and were included in the review. The most frequently mentioned psychosocial needs of the parents were: (1) the need for complete, immediate and honest information regarding the health status of their hospitalized child and the changes in their condition, (2) the need to provide comfort to the parents during duration of their child’s hospitalization, (3) the parents’ need for psychological support and guidance regarding the care of their hospitalized child, (4) the feeling of security regarding the care provided, and (5) the need for frequent contact with the hospitalized child. Also, it was observed that the medical and nursing staff underestimated some needs of the parents, such as the need for closeness, while there were others that we underestimated, such as the religious needs.

Parents present increased psychosocial needs during their child’s hospitalization in the PICU. Nursing staff play an important role in supporting relatives by providing family-centered care.

None Declared

The admission of children to PICU is a painful experience for parents. Regularly, they are asked to make important decisions about treatment options in collaboration with the care team, which causes them stress, uncertainty and trauma.

To investigate the needs of parents during the child’s hospitalization in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

A systematic review of the literature and a search of articles in the international databases PubMed, Cinahl, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Greek scientific journals was performed with a peer review process during the period between April and July 2022. A time limit was set regarding the date of publication of the articles (articles published in the last 15 years).

Nine studies were found that met the criteria for inclusion in the review. The thematic analysis of the results deduced the following sections A: Need for information from health professionals regarding the child’s health status and the possible treatment options available, B: Need for psychological support from health professionals (psychologists, nurses, doctors) in order to be able to manage the difficult situation they are experiencing due to the hospitalization of their child, but also to be able to manage their grief and sorrow in case of loss of the child. C: Need for safe hospitalisation of the child.

Parents have needs during their child’s hospitalization in the PICU, which if put in boundaries-frames and guided by health professionals (who possess knowledge and composure in difficult moments) can bring about a smooth course of the child’s health during hospitalization.

None Declared

Children and adolescents with thalassemia suffer from chronicity of the disease and its treatment, including transfusion dependence and complications of iron overload.

To investigate the quality of life of children and adolescents with Beta Thalassaemia.

This study is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Greek public Children’s Hospital. PedsQL ™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale (Greek version) was used to evaluate HRQOL in 41 thalassemia patients aged between 5 and 18 years and in 41 healthy controls of the same age range. For the analysis, the Statistic Package (SPSS ver.24) was used. Using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, t-test and MannWhitney tests were used, while for variables with three or more levels the Anova and Kruskall-Wallis. In order to investigate the relationship between two quantitative variables, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used, while the relationship between two qualitative variables was used to control x2. As a statistical significance level, α = 5% was defined.

Of the 41 children with beta Thalassemia who participated in the study, 48.8% (n = 20) were boys and 51.2% (n = 21) girls. The mean age of children was 10.02 ± 4.10 years. For healthy children who participated in the study 51.2% (n = 21) were boys while 48.8% (n = 20) were girls. The mean age of the children was 9.63 ± 3.77 years. Children with Beta Thalassaemia have a lower quality of life in Physical Health and Activity(<0,001), Emotional Health(0,031), School Activities(0,008), Psychosocial Health(0,014), and the overall PedsQL 4.0 (<0,001)questionnaire compared to healthy children. Children between the ages of 5 and 7 have higher levels of quality of life in physical health and activity than older children(<0,001). In addition, children aged 5 to 7 have higher quality of life and overall PedsQL 4.0 score than older children(0,033) Children receiving combination therapy show better quality of life than children receiving subcutaneous therapy (total PedsQL 4.0 <0,001).

Children and adolescents in all five categories had a better quality of life, after improved iron chelating methods and other psychosocial interventions.

None Declared