Schools are a crucial part of child and adolescent care systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In today’s complex and rapidly evolving educational landscape, the role of high school teachers extends far beyond delivering academic content. School teachers are in a good position to identify common mental health problems in adolescents. However, their mental health literacy levels remain unclear.

To evaluate high school teachers’ mental health literacy about anxiety and depression and its determinants in three countries (Kenya, Pakistan and Colombia).

A self-administered questionnaire comprising the Anxiety Literacy Questionnaire (A-Lit), Depression Literacy Questionnaire (D-Lit) and statements from the teachers’ quiz in the Mental Health and High School Curriculum Guide was used to collect data.

We received 748 responses from teachers in the three countries; 56.6% of respondents identified as females. Mean scores on the A-Lit and D-Lit were low: 9.14 (s.d. = 3.14) and 9.36 (s.d. = 3.10) respectively (maximum score: 22 on each instrument). Many statements on the Mental Health and High School Curriculum Guide also had low proportions of correct answers. Country of residence (Colombia) and prior training in child mental health were positively correlated with total scores on the D-Lit (P < 0.05). Only 30.3% of teachers had confidence in helping students with anxiety and depression.

The participating high school teachers had low mental health literacy about anxiety and depression. By using teacher training and awareness programmes in schools, policymakers could work towards creating a more supportive and informed environment for students facing mental health challenges.

Psychiatric disorders are a major risk factor for suicidal behaviors. However, increasing attention is being given to anxiety disorders, which have also been associated with suicidal risk.

This study aims to examine the prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) among university students, explore its association with suicidal risk and assess the role of depression as a potential confounding factor in this relationship.

We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre study involving students from Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. Data were collected face-to-face using a structured questionnaire designed on the REDCap platform. The Moroccan Arabic version of the MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) was used to assess SAD, depression and suicidal risk. All students present and consenting were included. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the independent association between SAD and suicidal risk.

Among the 1168 students surveyed, 59.1% were women, and the average age was 20.63 years. The prevalence of social anxiety was 9.9% (95% CI: 8.3–11.8). Social anxiety disorder is an independent risk factor for suicide, even after adjustment for other well-known variables such as depression, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.84 (95% CI: 1.12–3.04).

SAD is a major risk factor for suicidal behaviors. These results highlight the importance of early identification and appropriate management of SAD among students in order to prevent suicidal risks.

The formative years of childhood and adolescence shape the course of future mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased mental health problems in young people. This study aimed to examine changes in referrals and clinical activity in a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) in Qatar following the pandemic.

To explore changes in referral trends and clinical activity in CAMHS, including referral numbers, reasons, sources, demographics, urgency and multidisciplinary team (MDT) allocation, comparing pre-pandemic (2019) with post-pandemic periods (2021, 2022).

A retrospective analysis of referral data from CAMHS was conducted. Data were collected from the administrative paper data archived in the relevant department for the years 2019, 2021 and 2022. Referral data included: source, reason, urgency, patient demographics and outcome. Chi-square analysis was employed to compare referral trends and patient characteristics across the 3 years. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with urgent referrals.

A significant increase in referrals was observed post-pandemic, with notable changes in referral reasons (increased mood and anxiety disorders), sources (increased referrals from public and private hospitals) and urgency (higher proportion of urgent referrals). MDT allocation shifted towards psychiatrists, with a decrease in joint assessments.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on CAMHS referrals and clinical activity in Qatar. The observed changes highlight the urgent need for additional resources and services. Adapting service delivery models and strengthening collaboration between healthcare sectors are crucial to addressing the evolving mental health needs of children and adolescents effectively.

Motivational interviewing is a patient-centred communication approach designed to facilitate behavioural change by enhancing intrinsic motivation. Despite its widespread global utility, research on the training and applications of motivational interviewing among resident physicians in Oman remains untapped.

To examine the awareness, training experiences and clinical implementation of motivational interviewing among psychiatry and family medicine residents enrolled with the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB).

A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 22 resident physicians from psychiatry and family medicine programmes. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes regarding motivational interviewing training and its application in clinical settings.

Three primary themes emerged: (a) residents’ understanding and application of motivational interviewing principles, (b) barriers to the integration of motivational interviewing into clinical practice, such as time constraints and insufficient training, and (c) the need for culturally adapted approaches to motivational interviewing tailored to Omani patients. Although participants appreciated the utility of motivational interviewing to improve patient engagement, they reported inconsistent training and limited opportunities to practise the technique in clinical settings.

The study highlights significant gaps in motivational interviewing training and practice within Oman’s residency programmes. It underscores the necessity for comprehensive, structured motivational interviewing curricula that are sensitive to the local context. Enhancing practical training opportunities may improve the integration of motivational interviewing into patient care, particularly in managing chronic diseases and addiction.

Mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, pose significant public health challenges globally, and in Saudi Arabia. Despite this, psychiatry suffers from a critical shortage of specialists. This study investigates factors influencing medical students’ career decisions in regard to psychiatry, aiming to enhance understanding of, and address workforce deficiencies in, mental healthcare.

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing medical students’ decision to choose psychiatry as a future career.

This cross-sectional study conducted an online survey among Saudi Arabian medical students from 28 December 2023 to 28 April 2024, employing validated questions refined through pilot testing. Participant selection included male and female students across preclinical and clinical stages, excluding non-medical students and those outside Saudi Arabia.

This study explores the perceptions and interest of 430 medical students in Saudi Arabia regarding psychiatry as a career. The majority were female (69.3%), with most in their preclinical years (60.2%). Key findings include limited personal connections to psychiatry (9.5% with a family psychiatrist), and primarily influenced by medical school (55.3%) and social media (42.1%). While 65.1% perceive psychiatry as mentally demanding, uncertainties exist about career prospects and stigma persists (39.1%). Gender differences were observed, with more females (34.6%) than males (22.7%) interested in psychiatry (P = 0.014). Early inspiration in medical education significantly increased interest (P = 0.001).

Early exposure, personal connections and gender-specific factors significantly influence medical students’ interest in psychiatry as a career. Integrating psychiatry education early in medical curricula and addressing stigma are critical for fostering positive perceptions and attracting diverse students to the field.