The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis associated with adverse mental health consequences. This study examined 2908 calls made to a national mental health helpline over a 10 month period, 2 months prior to (Pre-COVID) and 8 months during the pandemic phase, that incorporated the imposition of a partial lockdown, followed by the removal and reintroduction of restrictive measures locally. Data collected included reason/s for call assistance, gender, age and number of daily diagnosed cases and deaths due to COVID-19. In the Pre-COVID phase, calls for assistance were related to information needs and depression. With the imposition of a partial lockdown, coupled with the first local deaths and spikes in number of diagnosed cases, a significant increase in number of calls targeting mental health, medication management and physical and financial issues were identified. Following the removal of local restrictions, the number of calls decreased significantly; however, with the subsequent reintroduction of restrictions, coupled with the rise in cases and deaths, assistance requested significantly targeted informational needs. Hence, whilst calls in the initial phase of the pandemic mainly targeted mental health issues, over time this shifted towards information seeking requests, even within a context where the number of deaths and cases had significantly risen.

Lymphoedema arises when the lymphatic system has been damaged and may occur secondary to cancer treatment. While much of the extant literature focuses on quality of life in females with breast cancer- related lymphoedema, this study explores the impact of living with lymphoedema secondary to cancer treatment in males. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 male participants, aged between 50 to 85 years. Data collected were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The super-ordinate theme ‘Hit by a wave’ encompasses the profound impact of lymphoedema on the participants’ quality of life. The males expressed body image concerns and struggled with feelings of frustration, anger, anxiety and depression. Physical changes such as weight increase, disrupted sleep, pain, swollen genitals and urinary difficulties were experienced. Changes in lifestyle were also expressed, such as an increased dependence on carers; work-related and role changes. Nevertheless, many participants endorsed the need to focus on the present moment and expressed a heightened appreciation of authenticity in life. By understanding the unique narratives of males with lymphoedema, health care practitioners together with patients can formulate care plans that truly resonate with the needs, concerns, and experiences of males living with lymphoedema.

Background: That a diagnosis of, and treatment to cancer brings along shock, distress and possible long-term negative life changes is very clear from human experience and research alike. But such an experience can also relate to positive life changes, as increasing research on the aftermath of serious illness, such as cancer diagnosis consistently shows. Observations of positive outcomes linked to quality of life are increasingly being found in cancer studies. These results seem to converge with post-traumatic growth (PTG) which emphasize positive life changes as resulting from considerable life-changing events that are borne from crises or trauma. Objectives: Aims to this study were to 1) investigate the holistic impact and ramifications of PTG on the recovery from serious illness such as cancer; 2) clarify the relationship, if any, of PTG with mental health outcomes; and 3) how is PTG strengthened or otherwise, when one is faced by such life-changing event. Methods: Using a Thematic Analysis design, we investigated how the diagnosis of, and treatment to cancer impacted the patients and survivors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people who had received treatment for breast (n=3), MSS (n=1), ovarian (n=2), bone (n=2), H. Lymphoma (n=1), Liver (n=1). Using descriptive mapping, we clarified whether this study results are consistent with Tedeschi and Calhoun’s PTG framework. Results: Findings charted on the key factors of PTG. Conclusions: Cancer results in varied consequences and in negative and positive adjustments. Further development of findings which charted on major PTG dimensions is warranted.

The relationship between artwork and mental health has been the subject of various research endeavours. Whilst artwork has been long used as a means of emotional expression, it is also a method of raising mental health awareness. In this study, an art collection was presented to depict the challenges faced by many individuals living with a mental illness. Through a series of open-ended questions, twenty-nine participants were requested to give a title to each piece and to describe the perceived message and emotions related to each painting. The thematic analysis process of the participants’ descriptions led to the identification of three themes, namely those of Darkness, Solitude and Recovery. Whilst congruence was often observed between the participants themselves and between the viewers and the artist, discrepancies were also noted. Artwork can be an important medium in addressing stigma and in guiding reflections on mental health topics.

Background: Sexual trauma can have enduring psychological and social consequences. Creative expression and online disclosure may provide opportunities for meaning-making, while also exposing survivors to further scrutiny and harmful responses. Objective: This study explores how a rape survivor used her publicly shared artwork to process the physical and psychological impacts of sexual trauma, which can have significant short- and long-term effects on overall well-being. Method: An interpretivist, arts-based qualitative single-case study examined five participant-selected artworks and accompanying textual material, interpreted in relation to a broader repository of drawings, captions and participant reflections. Visual semiotic, phenomenologically informed and narrative readings were integrated to examine symbolism, personal meaning and the account of survival. The analysis does not establish clinical treatment effects. Results: Two overarching interpretative themes were identified: rape culture, encompassing betrayal, perpetrator representations and contested survivor identity; and survival, encompassing responses to disclosure and ongoing efforts to live with trauma. Public sharing was described by the participant as a source of expression and validation, alongside potential exposure to negative reactions. Conclusions: This case illustrates the potential value of visual self-expression for understanding one survivor’s meaning-making, and the importance of sensitive, trauma-informed responses. Its findings are interpretative and cannot demonstrate that social media causes recovery or support population-level conclusions.

Mental health students, who are still undergoing training, might find it challenging to visualise and fully understand what their patients experience. For this reason, the authors created a virtual reality simulator which mimics the symptoms of a person suffering from schizophrenia at a virtual workplace. The simulation is managed by an artificial intelligence system which asks the user to attempt simple tasks, while simultaneously facing both visual and auditory hallucinations. The AI also adapts the storyline and character behaviour dynamically to increase the immersiveness of the experience. A pilot study was carried out, and the initial results were very encouraging. In fact, the absolute majority of the users stated that the simulation has helped increase their understanding of schizophrenia. In this chapter, the authors evaluate this experiment but from a different perspective. They focus mainly on the use of emerging technologies such as AI and VR and discuss the ethical considerations of their use within the field of mental health.