Mental health literacy can be defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention. Young generation and college going students have unique perceptions about mental illness in every section of the society. They are the future adults of this society and windows of modern India, so their opinions are important indicators of mental health literacy. Aim of the study was to assess the mental health literacy among students of university of Delhi. The study was conducted using a descriptive, exploratory, cross sectional survey design on 100 (50 males and 50 females) postgraduate students from the University of Delhi, India. A semi-structured interview, with a standardized tool, Mental Health Literacy (MHL) questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of students towards patients with mental disorders like depression and psychosis. Results shows Most of the subjects had well awareness about identification of the patients with mental disorder, whereas as more than half of the subjects had exact awareness to identify depression. Most of the subjects had adequate knowledge and identified poor outcome and prognosis for patients with psychosis as compared to depression if not treated. Stigmatization of subjects towards patient with depression and psychosis was present and was higher for psychosis. Most of the subjects rated psychiatrist and immediate community members as the most reliable help for the patients with depression and psychosis. Conclusions drawn from the study were, overall mental health literacy of the university students in Delhi was found to be adequate, but not satisfactory in the area of risk factors and stigmatization.

The present study was conducted to assess the perceived stress among elderly. The research design for the study was one group pre-test post-test design. A sample of 200 elderly persons were selected by using non- probability convenient sampling technique at Navajeevan Old age home, Tirupati. The tools used for conducting the study were a set of demographic variables and Standardized Cohen (1983) perceived stress scale. The subjects were administered audio video assisted humor for 30 days with pre and post assessment of perceived stress levels. Data were analyzed with the help of descriptive and inferential statistics. Among 50 elderly, majority 140 (70%) had moderate stress, 48 (24%) had severe stress and 12 (6%) had mild stress in the pre assessment of perceived stress levels. After the administration of audio video assisted humor, majority 136 (68%) had mild stress, 64 (32%) had moderate stress and none had severe stress in the post assessment of perceived stress levels. It represents that audio video assisted humor was effective in reduction of perceived stress levels among elderly people. There was statistically significant association between post assessment of perceived stress levels and the demographic variables such as financial assistance and frequency of visitors to the participant at p<0.01 level of significance.

Adolescent are regarded as one of the most valuable asset of any society. A study was aimed to assess the Knowledge regarding adolescent adjustment problems and its management among boys and girls of selected pre-university college, Hyderabad. A non experimental comparative descriptive design was adopted and 60 adolescent students among the age group of 14-18 years was selected by simple random sampling technique and screened for adolescent adjustment problem by structured questionnaire and students who scored more in the above average percentage calculated for girls was more in the above average category, which was 50% whereas only 17% of the boys had above average knowledge scores. The study results showed among 60 adolescent boys and girls out of 30 adolescent boys 1(3%) are with below average knowledge and 24(80%) are with average knowledge score and 5(17%) adolescent boys are with above average knowledge score. Where In adolescent girls 1(3%) are with below average knowledge score, 14(46%) are with average knowledge score, and 15(50%) are with above average knowledge score. The study findings revealed that more knowledge was found in academic stress and least knowledge in internet addiction. School health nurses can educate students and teach regarding early detection, prevention and management of adjustment disorders. Researches can be undertaken regarding management of several impulse disorders like kleptomania, pyromania, trichotilomania, pathological gambling, and intermittent explosive disorder.

Depression is a disorder of major public health importance, in term of its prevalence and the suffering, dysfunction, morbidity and economic burden. The study aims to assess the prevalence of depression among rural population of selected village. Subjects (N=92) who volunteered to participate in the study were recruited. The research design adopted for the study was descriptive survey design. Depression was assessed by using a self reported depression scale (CES-D). result shown majority of them were between 16 -60 yrs. The overall mean score of depressive affect is 17.04 and it was higher in illiterates. Among the dimensions somatic symptoms has mean score of 19.82 and it was higher in females. In association with demographic characteristics illiterates, females, married, nuclear family, middle class and laborers shows statistically significant association with depressive symptoms. The sudy concludes that prevalence of depression among the rural population is common especially in females, nuclear families and low socio economics due to variety of emotional and physical problems hence there is clear need to increase mental health services and to integrate this with general health services.

As adolescent health has become an increasingly important focus for governments, foundations, and behavioral researchers in contrast to other age groups. Mortality and morbidity rates for 10-25 year olds have been increasing in the past few decades. Self esteem is the most dominant and powerful predictor of happiness and life satisfaction but it is estimated that up to a half of adolescents will struggle with low self esteem and research had shown that, teens self esteem levels drop markedly in girls more than boys. To study the effectiveness of assertiveness training on self esteem and assertive behavior among adolescent girls of selected government schools, investigator developed a conceptual framework based on the Nola Pander's Health Promotion Model. The research approach adopted for the present study is a quantitative approach and the design selected was a quasi-experimental design (non equivalent pre test post test control group). Purposive sampling technique used to gather 40 adolescent girls in experimental and control group each. Data collected using socio-demographic variables and with standardized Rosenberg self esteem scale (r=0.94) and Rathus assertiveness schedule(r=0.732). Assertiveness training given for 5 days and post test-1 done after 15 days. Then the investigator administered the same intervention to the wait list control group. Post test-2 in experimental group assessed after two months of intervention. The mean post test-1 self esteem score in experimental group was 20.78 as compared with the mean post test self esteem score in control group was 13.55. The mean difference found was 7.225. Secondly, considering for assertive behavior mean post test-1 score in experimental group was 23.28 as compared with mean post test assertive behavior score in control group - 4.23 and the mean difference shown 27.5. While comparing the post test-1 and post test-2 in experimental group, both self esteem and assertive behavior increased a little. It is concluded that the assertiveness training is effective in building the level of self esteem as well as improving the assertive behavior among adolescent girls and the findings also reveals that it improve while time progress.

Hansen's disease is a nonfatal, chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, whose clinical manifestations are largely confined to the skin, peripheral nervous system, upper respiratory tract and eyes. Hansen's disease patients go through lot of psychological distress, emotional suffering hence this study was conducted to assess psychological distress among patients of Hansen's disease in selected hospital in Bangalore. Descriptive research design was used. The population of the study constitutes all the Hansen's disease diagnosed patients who are attending the leprosy clinic during the period of study. Using simple random sampling technique 250 patients were selected who met the inclusion criteria. General Health questionnaires (Goldberg and Hillier 1972) with socio demographic schedule were administered for data collection. The study result shown that majority of the subjects participated were found aged between 41-60 years, male, married, belonged to nuclear family, drawn income of lesser than Rs. 1000. Majority of the subjects were unemployed, many subjects had 6 to 10 times of hospitalization. The results of the study revealed that Hansen's disease subjects have severe psychological distress and there was significant association between psychological distress with selected demographic variables such as gender and type of family.

The present study investigated the effectiveness of deep breathing exercises on physiological parameters and anxiety among patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty at Medical College Hospital, Kottayam. A total of 60 patients, with 30 each in control and experimental group, posted for elective coronary angioplasty at Medical College Hospital, Kottayam were selected for the study by using random sampling technique. The data were collected by using socio personal and clinical data sheet, observation record for physiological parameters, sphygmomanometer and Spielberger state trait anxiety inventory questionnaire. Pre test was conducted two weeks prior to elective coronary angioplasty. In the presence of bystander the steps and scientific method of deep breathing exercises were demonstrated by the investigator to the experimental group two weeks be fore the procedure with the help of a video. The experimental group was instructed to practice the exercises till the second day after elective coronary angioplasty. The first post test conducted to the control and experimental group one day before elective coronary angioplasty and the second post test conducted on the second day after elective coronary angioplasty. The results of the study revealed that deep breathing exercises had a significant effect on physiological parameters and anxiety among patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty (p <0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between anxiety and physiological parameters. There was a statistically significant association of anxiety with age an dcomorbidity (p<0.05).

Adolescent stress is an important health issue. Today teens are dealing with conflicting demands from teachers, parents and peers. They are afraid of facing the challenges of growing up in the life. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of laughter therapy to reduce the level of stress among high school students. Pre-experimental one group pre-test and post-test design was adopted for this study. The sample of 50 students studying 10^th standard were selected using convenience sampling technique. A self-structured questionnaire was used to assess the level of stress among high school students. The study findings showed that in pretest most of them 38 (76%) were in moderate stress, 7 (14%) were in severe stress and 5 (10%) were in mild stress. In posttest majority of the samples 35 (70%) were in mild stress, 12 (24%) were in normal and 3 (6%) were in moderate stress. There was a significant association between selected demographic variables such as age in post-test (P=0.044) with level of stress. The study concluded that the high school students had mild, moderate and severe stress. It has been proved statistically that the laughter therapy has an effect on reducing the level of stress among high school students.

Depression is a mental state characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem, and self-reproach; accompanying signs include psychomotor retardation. Complementary therapies span a broad range of treatments for depression. The aim of this review was to determine whether the use of complementary & alternative therapy (CAT) for treatment of depression is supported by evidence of effectiveness from rigorous clinical trials. Database literature searches were performed in a pre-defined manner. Thirteen RCTs were located that investigated Complementary & alternative therapy and depression: Reflexology (1), Cognitively Behavioural Therapy (3), Yoga (1), Mindfulness therapy (1), Reiki intervention (1), Aromatherapy massage (1), Essential oils (1), Creative arts therapy (1), Herbal medicine (1), Music therapy (1) and Massage (1). The evidence is not compelling for any of these therapies, with many trials suffering from significant methodological flaws. There is evidence to suggest some benefit of mindfulness therapy, yoga, creative art, massage and music therapy on reduction of depressive symptoms. Cognitive Behaviour therapy and aromatherapy massage have a short-term beneficial effect on depression. There is no difference in using herbal, reflexology, essential oil and Reiki therapy in depression but Reiki therapy within the bounds of the conventional care setting may be more effective. In all the CATs examined further investigations are needed in the form of rigorous large-scale trials.