Dissecting the exposome linked to mental health outcomes can help identify potentially modifiable targets to improve mental well-being. However, the multiplicity of exposures and the complexity of mental health phenotypes pose a challenge that requires data-driven approaches.

Guided by our previous systematic approach, we conducted hypothesis-free exposome-wide analyses to identify factors associated with 7 psychiatric diagnostic domains and 19 symptom dimensions in 157,298 participants from the UK Biobank Mental Health Survey. After quality control, 294 environmental, lifestyle, behavioral, and economic variables were included. An Exposome-Wide Association Study was conducted per outcome in two equally split datasets. Variables associated with each outcome were then tested in a multivariable model.

Across all diagnostic domains and symptom dimensions, the top three exposures were childhood adversities and traumatic events. Cannabis use was associated with common psychiatric disorders (depressive, anxiety, psychotic, and bipolar manic disorders), with ORs ranging from 1.10 to 1.79 in the multivariable models. Additionally, differential associations were identified between specific outcomes—such as neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders, and self-harm behaviors—and exposures, including early life experiences (being adopted), lifestyle (time spent using computers), and dietary habits (vegetarian diet).

This comprehensive mapping of the exposome revealed that several factors, particularly in the domains of those previously well-studied were shared across mental health phenotypes, providing further support for transdiagnostic pathoetiology. Our findings also showed that distinct relations might exist. Continued exposome research through multimodal mechanistic studies guided by the transdiagnostic mental health framework is required to better inform public health policies.

Little is known about the dose and pattern of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to prevent depression. We aimed to assess the prospective association of dose and pattern of accelerometer-derived MVPA with the risk of diagnosed depression.

We included 74,715 adults aged 40–69 years from the UK Biobank cohort who were free of severe disease at baseline and participated in accelerometer measurements (mean age 55.2 years [SD 7.8]; 58% women). MVPA at baseline was derived through 1-week wrist-worn accelerometry. Diagnosed depression was defined by hospitalization with ICD-10 codes F32.0-F32.A. Restricted cubic splines and Cox regression determined the prospective association of dose and pattern of MVPA with the risk of incident depression.

Over a median 7.9-year follow-up, there were 3,089 (4.1%) incident cases of depression. Higher doses of MVPA were curvilinearly associated with lower depression risk, with the largest minute-per-minute added benefits occurring between 5 (HR 0.99 [95% CI 0.96–0.99]) and 280 (HR 0.67 [95% CI 0.60–0.74]) minutes per week (reference: 0 MVPA minutes).

Regardless of pattern, higher doses of MVPA were associated with lower depression risk in a curvilinear manner, with the greatest incremental benefit per minute occurring during the first 4–5 h per week. Optimal benefits occurred around 15 h/week.

The human health impacts of disaster are predicted to increase in frequency and severity due to the effects of climate change. This has impacts on all nations, but understanding disaster-related health impacts in highly populous nations, such as India, will help to inform risk preparedness and reduction measures for large proportions of the global population.

Disaster-related human health impacts in India were examined via the use of survey data to inform risk reduction.

A cross-sectional analysis of Wave 1 (2017-2018) data from the Longitudinal Aging Study India (LASI) was conducted to explore the impact of both natural and human-induced disasters on the self-reported health of people 45 years and above, as well as their partners (irrespective of age). Descriptive statistics, chi square tests of association, odds ratio, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data by socio-demographics, geographic location, and health concern type.

Out of a total 72,250 respondents, 2,301 (3.5%) reported disaster-related health impacts, of which 90.1% were significant. Rural residents and those with no education were more likely to be affected. Droughts were most commonly responsible for affecting human health (41.7%), followed by floods (24.0%). Two-thirds of the sample reported psychological trauma and one-in-five experienced chronic illness.

The LASI study presents an important first understanding of the self-reported human health impacts of disasters, both natural and human-induced in India. Findings indicate social determinants such as education level and rurality impact risk of disaster-related health impacts, while mental health concerns represent the biggest disaster-related health concern.

Future waves of LASI should be examined to determine if human health impacts are increasing due to the effects of climate change, as well as the vulnerability of an aging cohort.

Recent studies have challenged the assumption that families are invariable sources of support for cancer caregivers, noting that relationships with family members can have both positive and negative effects on caregiver well-being. This study expands upon prior literature to examine the relationship between cancer caregivers’ perceptions of the quality of their family interactions and their symptoms of anxiety.

We employed secondary analysis of baseline data from a multisite randomized clinical trial of an intervention for cancer caregivers conducted at 3 large academic palliative care clinics. We performed linear regression analyses to analyze the relationship between caregivers’ perceptions of the quality of their family interactions and their symptoms of anxiety; additional models were estimated to further characterize this relationship with the addition of relevant covariates: race, ethnicity, sex, marital/relationship status, relationship to patient, employment status, household income, and perceived social support received from friends and significant others. We also conducted a sub-analysis of data provided by caregivers who were married or partnered to examine the relationship between their perceptions of the quality of their family interactions and their symptoms of anxiety with relationship satisfaction as a covariate.

Among our analytic sample (n = 244), we identified a significant negative relationship between cancer caregivers’ perceptions of the quality of their family interactions and their symptoms of anxiety; this relationship remained statistically significant with the addition of covariates. Relationship satisfaction was not found to be a statistically significant covariate in our sub-analysis of married or partnered caregivers.

Study results provide strong support for the development, testing, and implementation of interventions to improve family interactions as a strategy to reduce caregiver anxiety.

Despite high levels of depression and anxiety, there is relatively little attention to psychological treatment approaches to mental health issues for older adults living in nursing homes. Recent studies support the use of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in this population and here we aim to highlight how CBT can be successfully adapted and implemented with beneficial results. The ELders AT Ease (ELATE) program is a unique service delivery model illustrating delivery of CBT with older adults living in nursing homes. The six modules forming the program, based on CBT, are described. A systems wide approach to delivery is emphasised and illustrated through two clinical case descriptions. Innovative mental health programs can have positive benefits for both residents and staff and support the use of CBT in this vulnerable and under-served client group.

1. (1) Knowledge of the content and application of CBT for older adults living in nursing homes.

2. (2) Understanding of CBT session structure as applied to older adults living in nursing homes.

3. (3) Recognising and utilising specific strategies to highlight a systemic approach as central to implementing CBT strategies, such as behavioural activation and reminiscence, with considered involvement by staff and family.

Research shows initial COVID-19 lockdowns increased population mental distress. Yet, the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns in England remains unknown.

To: (a) explore changes in population mental health symptoms over the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 2020 to March 2021) in England, comparing this with trends from a decade before (2009–2019) as well as after (2021–2023); (b) compare the mental health impact of each of the three lockdowns in England with periods of eased restrictions, determining who was most affected; (c) examine the impact of demographics and distinct time periods on the prevalence of mental health symptoms.

A secondary analysis of a national longitudinal cohort study, utilising data from Waves 1–13 of the UK Household Longitudinal Study and from Waves 1–9 of the COVID-19 Survey. Mental health was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Student t-tests and logistical regressions were conducted.

There was a significant increase in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of mental health during England's pandemic period, encompassing three lockdowns, compared with the average of rates from 10 years before. Rates of reported mental health symptoms were not significantly different across each lockdown, but were significantly higher than pre-pandemic rates, declining with eased restrictions. Rates from the end of lockdown to May 2023 revealed elevated mental health symptoms compared with pre-pandemic. Elevated symptoms were observed for women, people homeworking, those with health conditions, individuals aged 30–45 years and those experiencing loneliness.

Repeated lockdowns in England had a substantial impact on mental health, indicating requirements for ongoing mental health support.

Temperature increases in the context of climate change affect numerous mental health outcomes. One such relevant outcome is involuntary admissions as these often relate to severe (life)threatening psychiatric conditions. Due to a shortage of studies into this topic, relationships between mean ambient temperature and involuntary admissions have remained largely elusive.

To examine associations between involuntary admissions to psychiatric institutions and various meteorological variables.

Involuntary admissions data from 23 psychiatric institutions in the Netherlands were linked to meteorological data from their respective weather stations. Generalized additive models were used, integrating a restricted maximum likelihood method and thin plate regression splines to preserve generalizability and minimize the risk of overfitting. We thus conducted univariable, seasonally stratified, multivariable, and lagged analyses.

A total of 13,746 involuntary admissions were included over 21,549 days. In univariable and multivariable models, we found significant positive associations with involuntary admissions for ambient temperature and windspeed, with projected increases of up to 0.94% in involuntary admissions per degree Celsius temperature elevation. In the univariable analyses using all data, the strongest associations in terms of significance and explained variance were found for mean ambient temperature (p = 2.5 × 10−6, Variance Explained [r2] = 0.096%) and maximum ambient temperature (p = 8.65 × 10−4, r2 = 0.072%). We did not find evidence that the lagged associations explain the associations for ambient temperature better than the direct associations.

Mean ambient temperature is consistently but weakly associated with involuntary psychiatric admissions. Our findings set the stage for further epidemiological and mechanistic studies into this topic, as well as for modeling studies examining future involuntary psychiatric admissions.

Recent years show an exponential increased interest (“renaissance”) in the use of psychedelics for the treatment of mental disorders and broader. Some of these treatments, such as psilocybin for depression, are in the process of formal regulation by regulatory bodies in the US (FDA) and Europe (EMA), and as such on the brink of real-world implementation. In the slipstream of these developments increasing commercial initiatives are taking shape. The European Psychiatric Association (EPA) acknowledges both the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances and the challenges for both research and clinical implementation. Steps need to be taken toward a well-balanced policy based upon sound scientific evidence and research, aiming at safe, ethical responsible integration of psychedelic therapy available for all patients who can potentially benefit.

In this EPA policy paper, we highlight the potential benefits, and also the challenges of psychedelic treatments, which can be relevant for the future real-world implementation of these treatments.

In addition to an overview of the current evidence and hypotheses of working mechanisms of psychedelic treatment, this policy paper specifically highlights the importance of the psychosocial components of the treatment as well as the ethical and professional aspects playing a role in real-world implementation.

Four recommendations are formulated for further research and clinical implementation.