Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—systems theoretically capable of performing any intellectual task at human level or beyond—is projected by several research communities to emerge before 2030, with profound potential implications for mental health that remain inadequately examined. While AGI promises revolutionary advances in diagnosis and treatment accessibility, it also poses unprecedented risks including mass unemployment, erosion of authentic human relationships, and algorithmic manipulation. This study aims to: (1) analyse the theoretical benefits and risks of AGI on mental health from clinical, ethical, and socioeconomic perspectives; (2) identify regulatory and ethical strategies to mitigate risks associated with behavioural manipulation and inequality; and (3) examine AGI’s anticipated impact on human identity and social dynamics within cultural and occupational contexts. We conducted a systematic narrative review following PRISMA guidelines, operationalised through an explicit PICOS framework (Population, Intervention/Exposure, Comparison, Outcomes, Study design), across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Dialnet, and PsycINFO) covering publications from 2013 to 2023. Two reviewers independently screened records at the title/abstract and full-text stages, with disagreements resolved by discussion to consensus. Given that AGI does not yet exist as a clinically deployable technology, the eligible literature is predominantly theoretical, ethical, or conceptual in nature; the review therefore adopts an explicit hierarchy-of-evidence framework that differentiates empirical studies, secondary reviews, ethical/normative analyses, and theoretical/speculative work, and weights the synthesis accordingly. Of 72 initially identified records, 45 studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent thematic synthesis using NVivo software, with quality appraised using author-developed criteria explicitly aligned with the SANRA scale for narrative reviews [4] and the AACODS checklist for non-empirical and grey-adjacent sources [35]. Three key thematic findings emerged, each reported with explicit attention to the evidentiary status of the underlying literature. First, AGI-adjacent systems demonstrate potential to support mental health diagnoses through multimodal data processing and to reduce stigma via accessible conversational interfaces (empirically documented for narrow AI), though the literature consistently warns—at the level of ethical and normative analysis—of risks in automated emotional crisis management, diagnostic error, false reassurance, and challenges specific to psychotic and severe mental illness presentations, risks that would be substantially amplified in any future AGI system. Second, emerging regulatory frameworks—including mandatory algorithmic audits, transnational data protection policies, and clearer allocation of medico-legal accountability—are identified as necessary preconditions for safe AGI integration. Third, the intersection of AGI with human identity may generate phenomena theorised in the literature as “existential delaborisation” and the algorithmic reconfiguration of biographical narratives, with attendant risks of perpetuating biases in therapeutic interventions. These constructs are advanced as theoretical frameworks derived from established work-identity and AI ethics literatures rather than empirically documented phenomena. AGI integration in mental health represents a dual theoretical force offering democratised psychological care while posing existential and clinical-safety challenges that require urgent, evidence-differentiated ethical governance. Success depends on regulatory frameworks prioritising transparency, equity, accountability, and privacy, coupled with preservation of authentic human connection as the irreplaceable core of mental health care.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) lacks established biological markers, although immune dysregulation and gut-derived inflammation have been implicated in a subset of patients; however, their diagnostic utility across levels of depression severity and impact of psychotropic treatment remain unclear. This cross-sectional study examined circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ) in 95 patients with MDD and 51 healthy controls (HC), evaluating their diagnostic utility across depression severity and the influence of psychotropic medication. Depression severity was assessed using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, with patients stratified into mild-to-moderate and severe groups. Compared with HC, patients with MDD showed elevated LPS and TNF-α levels and reduced IL-10, while IL-6 and IFN-γ did not differ. LPS elevation was specific to mild-to-moderate MDD, whereas TNF-α was consistently elevated across all severity levels. A combined model including LPS, TNF-α, and IL-10 demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for MDD (AUC = 0.778) and mild-to-moderate MDD (AUC = 0.818). TNF-α alone was the strongest predictor of severe MDD (AUC = 0.677), while LPS alone distinguished mild-to-moderate from severe MDD (AUC = 0.679). These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking status, and psychotropic medication use. LPS levels were higher in mild-to-moderate MDD during antidepressant monotherapy and lower with combination therapy regardless of severity. Mild-to-moderate MDD is associated with elevated LPS, reflecting gut-derived inflammation and a distinct subtype, whereas severe MDD is linked to TNF-α. These biomarkers may aid in distinguishing MDD subtypes and inform targeted therapeutic strategies.
Maternal mental illness (MMI) contributes significantly to maternal morbidity, particularly in low-resource settings. Although policies support integrating maternal mental health into routine maternity care, assessments of care quality have largely focused on health workers’ perspectives rather than women’s lived experiences. This study explored the quality of maternal mental health care as experienced by women recovering from MMI and family caregivers. A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted between November 2022 and February 2023. Nineteen participants were purposively recruited from two regional referral hospitals in southwestern Uganda. We included women who had recovered from MMI and family caregivers. Following REC and hospital approvals, participants were contacted by telephone and after consent, appointments for the interviews were scheduled. Data were collected using in-depth interview guide until saturation was reached and manual thematic analysis done, guided by a hybrid coding approach. Most participants were female with male caregivers being husbands, rural residents, and self-employed. Women were aged 23–37 and caregivers 28–65 years. Five interrelated themes emerged: perceived causes of MMI; clinical presentation and healthcare experiences; challenges, recommendations, and future hopes; community perceptions and stigma; and social support and family dynamics. These inform that sociocultural beliefs, health-system responsiveness, and family support shape perceptions of care quality. Recovery and satisfaction were mainly attributed to hospital-based mental health services, often accessed through self-referral after maternity discharge. Despite some positive experiences, maternal mental health care quality remained limited by experienced challenges. Interventions should focus on community education, integrating mental health screening and management into maternity services, improving medicine availability and addressing stigma through culturally appropriate approaches.
Mental Health in All Policies (MHiAP) is increasingly recognized as essential for population mental health promotion. Few resources exist, however, to guide MHiAP implementation. Consequently, we conducted a realist scoping review using Pawson’s six-stage approach, searching Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, and Scopus for publications addressing MHiAP frameworks and implementation strategies. We developed a theoretical implementation framework from the Atlantic Summer Institute policy brief, the Circle of Health model, and community resilience theory, then tested this framework against available literature. Data were analyzed using Atlas.ti. From 830 initial results, 38 publications were retrieved, and 20 included in the analysis. Findings supported our proposed framework: 90
Evidence regarding the combined effects of handgrip strength (HGS) and depressive symptoms on functional disability remains scarce. This study aimed to examine the additive interaction between HGS and depressive symptoms on functional disability among Chinese middle-aged and older adults. Data were extracted from 8,594 participants in the 2015–2020 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Abnormal HGS was defined using the cut-off points recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). Depressive symptoms and functional disability were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and an 11-item ADLs scale, respectively. Logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the additive interaction between abnormal HGS and depressive symptoms on functional disability. Over a 5-year follow-up, 2,658 (30.9
Although mental health problems are widespread, access to services remains limited. This study aims to examine the reasons for seeking mental healthcare among racially diverse individuals in Canada. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 553 participants (52
Suicidal ideation (SI) is an emerging public health problem in university students in Bangladesh, but its psychological antecedents are not well understood. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the link between emotional intelligence (EI) and SI and to test mood states as parallel mediators and as moderators of this association in separate models. The University of Rajshahi undergraduate and postgraduate students (M age = 23.32, SD = 1.34, 82.5
Ambulance clinicians in emergency medical services (EMS) work under demanding conditions characterised by high workload, unpredictable environments, and exposure to potentially traumatic incidents. These stressors may negatively affect their health and well-being. Understanding how psychosocial work environment factors relate to health outcomes is therefore important for developing preventive strategies in prehospital emergency care. This study aimed to describe ambulance clinicians’ self-rated psychosocial work environment and health in northern Sweden and to examine associations between psychosocial work environment factors and health outcomes. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous web-based survey of all ambulance clinicians in one northern Swedish region (November 2024; 22 ambulances across eight service areas). Of 187 eligible participants, 134 responded (71.6
Loneliness, hope, and religiosity are important psychological constructs associated with recovery in schizophrenia. However, individuals with chronic schizophrenia living in long-term institutional settings remain underrepresented in recovery-oriented research. This study examined levels of hope, loneliness, and religiosity, as well as their interrelationships, among chronically institutionalized individuals with schizophrenia in Lebanon. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2025 and January 2026 at the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross and included 101 individuals with schizophrenia. Eligible participants were adults (≥ 18 years) with a DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia established by treating psychiatrists, who were long-stay hospitalized patients, were clinically stable, and were able to provide informed consent. Participants were recruited consecutively using a convenience sampling approach from eligible individuals identified through the hospital electronic database. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Schizophrenia Hope Scale-9, the Centrality of Religiosity Scale-5, and the modified 5-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Participants reported a mean hope score of 9.38 ± 4.36, a mean religiosity score of 3.59 ± 0.85, and a mean loneliness score of 2.27 ± 1.37. Female participants showed significantly higher levels of hope and religiosity than males (p = 0.003), while loneliness did not differ by sex. Hope was positively correlated with religiosity (r = 0.454, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with loneliness (r = -0.432, p < 0.001), while religiosity was not significantly associated with loneliness (r = − 0.127, p = 0.205). In multivariable analysis, higher religiosity (B = 1.289, β = 0.254, 95
Despite the high prevalence of Internet addiction in previous studies, there is an existential dearth of epidemiological data among Ghanaian tertiary students on the associated factors. We sought to model the factors associated with internet addiction and use among university students. Using a cross-sectional survey design with a self-administered questionnaire, a sample of 850 students was selected with simple random sampling from six schools in the university. The data collected, entered, and coded in Excel were analysed using R software to implement the Mann–Whitney test, the Kruskal–Wallis test and logistic regression analysis. Internet addiction and internet use were high in 52
Fatal selfimmolation is a severe form of intentional burn injury with high mortality and a substantial psychosocial burden. However, limited evidence exists regarding its longterm epidemiological trends and associated factors among hospitalized burn patients in northern Iran. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, temporal trend, and determinants of fatal selfimmolation among deceased burn patients in a hospital in Northern Iran over 11 years. This retrospective study included all burnrelated deaths recorded in a referral burn center in northern Iran from March 2011 to March 2022. The study was conducted in a university- affiliated burn hospital located in Mazandaran province, which also serves as a referral center for patients from other cities. Data was collected and analyzed to assess the prevalence of selfimmolation and its associated factors. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 21 to examine factors associated with fatal selfimmolation. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were applied; Variables with p < 0.3 in univariate analysis were entered into the final model, and model adequacy was assessed. This study reflects the proportion of selfimmolation only among fatal burn cases and does not include surviving patients; therefore, results should be interpreted within the context of a hospital based mortality cohort. Among all burn cases during the study period, 882 patients (10.65
Poverty imposes multiple stressors that heighten mental health challenges, especially among low-income women. Community-based financial capability (FC) interventions have the potential to improve mental health while strengthening household assets, food security, social support, and general health. This study analyzed de-identified data from a February 2023 program evaluation in Central Mozambique, using a post-test-only quasi-experimental design with a random subsample of 653 women (317 intervention, 336 comparison). Multiple linear regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to assess the influence of FC participation and duration on depression, with household assets, neighborhood social capital (NSC), general health, and hunger as mediators. Results showed that FC participants had significantly lower depression scores than non-participants. SEM analyses indicated inverse associations between participation (β = − 0.78, ovp < .05) and duration (β = − 0.30, p < .01) with depression. Participation was positively associated with household assets and general health and negatively with household hunger. Mediators revealed that NSC and household hunger were positively linked to depression, while general health had a strong inverse link. FC participation influenced depression both directly and indirectly through general health (β = − 0.08, p < .01) and household hunger (β = − 0.19, p < .01), and duration showed indirect pathway via hunger (β = 0.04, p < .05). The SEM models explained 51
Within the last decade, translational research into Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) has embraced the complexity of disease mechanisms and pluralistic approaches to therapeutics. As part of this broader shift, the “multimodal precision prevention paradigm” has emerged as an actionable approach to reduce the public health burden of ADRD. To provide an overview of the definitions, scope, and limitations of the multimodal precision prevention paradigm for ADRD and propose a broader definition of translational research in ADRD research and policy. This article performs a critical analysis of leading proposals by different international research initiatives working on multimodal precision medicine for ADRD prevention. Within the multimodal precision prevention paradigm, two overlapping approaches are distinguished on a continuum: on one hand, researchers predominantly from the global North propose a multimodal therapy approach. On the other hand, authors from the global South are proposing a “multimodal diversity” approach stressing the need for a deeper understanding of, and action against, broader contributors to risk of ADRD. It is argued that the complexity of multimodal diversity requires extending the scope of what is typically called “translational research” beyond the “bench-to-bedside” metaphor to include broader policy entry points for prevention (such as action against the social determinants of ADRD). Translational research into ADRD faces a choice between narrow and broader policy entry points. This article suggests a broader definition of translational research as follows: translational research in Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias should promote a multi-directional interaction between, and multimodal integration of, laboratory-based and diverse population research to achieve a robust, global understanding of brain health and disease that can inspire equitable public health policy and advance precision medicine.
To examine factors associated with elevated risk of suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and death by suicide among high functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with particular emphasis on phenotypes characterized by high cognitive ability and delayed recognition. A structured review of the literature was conducted across multiple electronic databases using controlled vocabulary and key terms including suicidal risk, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, high functioning, and neurodivergence. After screening for relevance, duplication, and methodological rigor, 7 studies meeting inclusion criteria were synthesized from an initial yield of fifty publications. Across studies, individuals with ASD demonstrated a consistently elevated risk of STB and death by suicide compared with the general population, both over the lifetime and within shorter follow up periods. Risk was disproportionately concentrated among individuals without intellectual disability, with higher cognitive ability emerging as a vulnerability factor rather than a protective one. Communication differences, alexithymia, and impaired interoceptive awareness limited the sensitivity of caregiver and clinician assessments, contributing to under recognition of suicidality. Traditional protective factors such as educational attainment, employment, and relationship status did not reliably mitigate risk in ASD and ADHD populations. Camouflaging behaviors and diagnostic overshadowing frequently delayed identification, increasing exposure to cumulative psychosocial stress and untreated mental health conditions. High functioning individuals with ASD and co-occurring ADHD represent a concealed yet high risk population for suicidality. These findings underscore the urgent need for autism informed suicide risk assessment, early identification of neurodevelopmental traits in suicidal individuals, and prevention strategies tailored to cognitive profile, developmental history, and comorbidity. Advances in the current screening and intervention frameworks may mitigate adverse outcomes in this vulnerable group.
Depression and suicidality are prevalent among individuals with chronic illnesses. Data on their prevalence in children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia in Uganda are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression and suicidality among children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in Eastern Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study among children with SCA between 9 and 17 years, at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital between 01/02/2024 and 05/06/2024. Depression and suicidality were measured using the MINI KID. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into Kobo Toolbox for electronic data management. Analysis was performed using Stata 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to examine factors associated with depression and suicidality. Statistical significance was assessed at α = 0.05. 421 participants were enrolled; the prevalence of depression was 31.8
Road congestion is a chronic crisis in African megacities and can put significant psychological pressure on road users. However, local data on its influence on mental health remains limited. This study aimed to assess the association between repeated exposure to traffic congestion and symptoms of mental health disorders among road users in Kinshasa. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 among road users in Kinshasa, the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, between November 3 and December 20, 2025. A two-phase sequential protocol was adopted. First, a spatial analysis of road congestion was carried out based on systematic traffic observations, using real-time traffic data from Google Maps during peak hours, i.e. from 05:00 to 10:00 and from 15:00 to 21:00, over a period of four weeks. The observed congestion points were geolocated and then analyzed in QGIS version 3.44.6-Solothurn using a density estimate per core, in order to identify the main congestion hotspots. This analysis made it possible to select five highly congested roads as study sites. In a second step, the participants were recruited using a spatio-temporal sampling approach. The sampling units were defined by the combination of location, day and time slot on each selected axis. A minimum size of 427 participants was calculated using the Schwartz formula and increased to 430 participants to facilitate distribution among the sites. Road users included drivers of private vehicles, drivers of public transit vehicles, transit passengers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to traffic congestion, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 scale. After quality control, 404 participants were included in the final analysis. A total of 404 participants were included in the analysis. The prevalences of stress, depression and anxiety symptoms were 45.3, 36.9 and 25.9
Nursing students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits may struggle with demanding academic and clinical training, potentially increasing the risk of insomnia and depressive symptoms. This study examined whether insomnia statistically mediates the association between ADHD traits and depressive symptoms in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 131 nursing students (96.9
Research on social isolation suggests that psychosocial factors are not only associated with adverse mental health conditions but also associated with various neurobiological and immunological processes. The physiological mechanisms underlying the health effects of social isolation can be indicated by various biomarkers such as cortisol, cytokines, C-reactive protein, telomere length, DNA methylation, epigenetic clocks. Though the research concerning the relationship between social isolation and biomarkers of ageing is expanding, a detailed and comprehensive picture of global research trends, emerging patterns of themes is limited. The present study attempts to examine the scientific production, influential contributions of authors, evolution of major research themes on social isolation and biomarkers of ageing. Scopus database has been used to retrieve relevant publications using a structured search strategy. Systematic and transparent data extraction, filtering, and cleaning procedures resulted in construction of the final bibliometric dataset. The records were published during the time period of 1971–2026 and included only scientific articles, review and English-language documents. The final dataset consisted of 1973 publications. Bibliometrix packages in Rstudio are used to conduct performance and conceptual mapping. The findings of the study are represented under performance indicators, thematic mapping, evolution of themes during different time slices and factorial analysis. The results reflected the major contributions from developed countries and leading institutions showing scholarly interest in the biological consequences of social isolation. The future research can be directed towards finding relationships between biopsychosocial determinants of overall well-being of the person, developing intervention strategies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of social isolation.
Fetal or neonatal death is a tragic event that frequently leads to the mother experiencing grief, as well as the development of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study aimed to determine the impact of grief counseling on depression and PTSD in women following perinatal deaths. This experimental study was conducted on 56 women who had experienced perinatal deaths within the previous 1–3 months in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group based on the type of perinatal loss (stillbirth or neonatal death). For the intervention group, grief counseling was provided individually in three sessions, one per week, lasting 45–60 min. Data collection tools included a demographic and obstetric questionnaire, the Edinburgh Depression Scale, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. ANCOVA was employed to compare depression and PTSD ratings pre- and post-intervention while adjusting for confounding variables. The two groups had no significant demographic differences (p > 0.05). One month after the intervention, the mean depression score in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group (adjusted mean difference = − 2, 95
In the recent times, the field of mental health is witnessing rolling out of digital mental health applications (apps) as a newer medium of mental health support, particularly for young adults navigating academic and life transitions. There are number of mental health apps being launched but survival and effectiveness of apps depend on various factors. As per few research studies on mental health applications, apps such as Wysa, Woebot, Talkspace, Headspace, etc. are performing well in this field. Whereas, some apps are unable to suffice the set purpose to the benefit of the users. Moreover, these apps are reaching to the people who are well versed with digital technology but leaving behind the ones unfamiliar or less familiar with the digital ecosystem. In some cases, these apps are also the first point of contact further powered by Artificial Intelligence integration. It would be of interest to understand that how these apps are being viewed by the users. As users provide important insight into the app features and effectivity to relieve their distress. Users’ experiences are key to transform the mental health apps which is a viable option to narrow down the service demand and supply gap. Quality, effectivity with ethical standards are important area of current study as these apps are seen as feasible medium to combat diverse and growing mental health needs. This study aims to explore user experiences, perceptions, and reported benefits and challenges associated with a digital mental health application by conducting a qualitative thematic analysis of publicly available user reviews. This study used a user-led approach to analyze reviews (n = 3249) of the mental health app Amaha posted on the Google Play Store over a 3 years period to discover determinants for engagement and helpfulness in digital mental health. Amaha, was created in 2016 by an Indian team operating as a private entity, and offers to provide free with in app purchases mental health support to 18 and above individuals in India and with free primary information and education on mental health but advanced support comes with in-app purchase features and plans. The reported user experience was categorized and assessed into the fundamental domains of acceptability, usability, utility, and integration through the analysis of keywords in the user feedback. Along with identifying the app’s main merits and shortcomings, the study also looked at the prominent features of the user types giving important information on characteristics of people accessing digital mental health care. The analysis consisted of 3249 reviews from the year 2022 to 2025, out of which 2764 were positively rated reviews and 363 were negatively rated. The app’s acceptability was demonstrated by its interactive design, entertaining exercises, and Chatbot conversational skills; its usability was emphasized by its non-judgmental nature and ease of talking. Themes including cognitive restructuring activities, easy access, and mental health enhancement demonstrated the app’s value. Users’ desire for the app’s integrated features was highlighted by themes of privacy and confidentiality. However, affordability of the app and technical glitches were discouraging factors to using the application. Subsequent investigation identified typically four main emerging patterns in users including people communicating symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress or loneliness. As digital platforms are transforming mental health care, it is imperative to ensure that these tools foster genuine care and support in addition to providing scientifically sound psychological interventions, especially in low-resource settings. Knowing how users interact with Digital mental health apps is essential to understand people’s expectations and nature of app usage. By offering insights that may benefit users, mental health professionals, and app developers this research advances the field of digital therapeutic solutions and brings out the trust factors and challenges in affordability of the private run mental health apps. The findings may hold important implications for universities and educational institutions exploring scalable and accessible mental health support systems for students in hybrid and post-pandemic learning environments.
