Don't let corona become our only story

This chapter is about, what impact can the corona crisis have on our mental health? Besides the relational tensions that can arise from living on top of each other, many of us are also stuck in one negative story. The chapter is about the importance making room for stories that are not about corona. It discusses about work that consisting of broadening people's horizon by letting participants discover that they consist of multiple stories. This will have an enormous impact on the mental well-being of a large part of the population, which will have lots of consequences. That is why it is important to actively make room for other stories right now, in the middle of the pandemic. Memories from the past and dreams for the future. This is a responsibility one has to take towards one's own mental health (and resilience), just as we have to do for others. Sharing other stories and making sure people don't get stuck in that one difficult story is just as much part of caring about each other and will help us get through this crisis healthier. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Intensive Care Consultant: Superhero or normal human being but more capable!

Submission content Introduction: Intensive care medicine has become an admired, loved, hated, and definitely more interesting Specialty due to a special situation (COVID-19) that exposed the training process to numerous criticisms, positives, and negatives, and this is how I believe we could improve our beloved world. Proposal: 1. Ideal training program from medical school to Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT): * Medical school: In their last year they should do more than 1 week in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) * Stage 1: there should be a core surgical training of at least 6 months * Stage 2: there should be a rotation on Psychiatry of at least 4 weeks with on calls in ICU and 2 weeks in Palliative Care * Stage 3: acting as a consultant for the last six months on ST7 with backup from a formal consultant, and * Surgical training should be included in the possible dual or triple CCT 2. How would we be assessed? I agree with the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) staging program assessment, with some modifications: * As ST7 the trainee should act as a consultant with back support at least 50% of the stage and need to be evaluated by a Multi-Source Feedback (MSF). * Clinical Fellows should have a consultant as a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) guide who establishes the equivalent stage of training supporting them and assessing them under the same model. * Changing the way, the General Medical Council (GMC) conducts the CESR application and making it really equivalent to the ICM training with the FFICM curriculum. 3. What do we need to be taught? * Hot topics for ICU (academic), * Overseas talks to share experiences, * Ultrasound (FUSIC), * Wellbeing strategies, * Leadership training * Psychiatric and physiological effects post ICU for patients and staff, * The administrative and political model of the National Health Service (NHS), and * Communication skills to establish excellent relationships with the other specialties. 4. What would our working life look like? * Normal day: 8 am to 3 pm * Midday shift: 1 pm to 8:30 pm * Night shift: 8 pm to 8:30 am * A rolling rota of 12 weeks with 2 weekends during this time 5. How would you produce Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Consultants of the future who both love their job and their life: * Starting with less intense shifts, * More cordial relationships between the teams, * Supporting ICM trainees and Fellows going through their CESR pathway, * Making the training more attractive to either male-female doctors getting them involved in as many different specialties as ICM can cover, Conclusion(s): Having full-time ICM Consultants should be welcome in all ICUs in the country, which is not at the moment. This will definitely attract a lot of excellent doctors who are 100% focused on ICM.

Social media use, psychological well-being and physical health during lockdown

In efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, many countries have implemented a variety of lockdown and quarantine measures. With substantially reduced face-to-face interactions, many people may have relied heavily on social media for connection, information, and entertainment. However, little is known about the psychological and physical health implications of social media use during strict lockdown. The current study investigates the associations of social media use with psychological well-being and physical health among Wuhan residents (N = 1214). Our findings showed that non-COVID related self-disclosure was positively associated with psychological well-being, while COVID related information consumption and sharing were negatively associated with psychological well-being. Further, more generic use of social media was associated with lower psychological well-being, which in turn related to more somatic symptoms. Quarantined people used social media more frequently than non-quarantined people. Importantly, the negative association between social media use and psychological well-being was significantly stronger for quarantined people than unquarantined people. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Information, Communication & Society is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Emotional well-being and performance of middle leaders: the role of organisational trust in early childhood education

PurposeThe current study investigated the impact of organisational trust on emotional well-being and performance of middle leaders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA convenience sample of 265 middle leaders in kindergartens in China responded involving trust in schools (e.g. trust in principal and trust in colleagues), emotional well-being and job performance. Both confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used in the investigation.FindingsThree hypotheses on the relationships between the three constructs were verified. Trust in schools significantly influenced emotional well-being and job performance of middle leaders which correlated with each other. The interactive effects of trust in principal and trust in colleagues were discussed for improving the well-being and job performance of middle leaders. Relationships between the two kinds of trust and pride were also identified in the research.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies may put efforts towards improving these three outcomes synchronously.Practical implicationsBased on the evidence of the current study, future research may focus on how middle leaders act as a bridging role between different stakeholders such as principal and teachers, principal and parents, teachers and children, meanwhile how to boost the leaders' own well-being and performance in the early childhood education (ECE).Originality/valueThis study established the empirical linkages between school trusts, emotional well-being and job performance.

Under the Risk of COVID-19 Epidemic: A Study on the Influence of Life Attitudes, Leisure Sports Values, and Workplace Risk Perceptions on Urban Development and Public Well-Being

This study examined the impact of attitudes toward life, recreational sports values, and workplace risk perceptions on urban development and public well-being under the risk of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. A mixed-method research study was conducted, and 2400 valid questionnaires were collected via purposeful sampling. The questionnaires were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 statistical software and validated with basic statistical methods and Pearson's correlation analysis. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted to collect the opinions of 12 respondents on the questionnaire results, including academics, foreign entrepreneurs and employees, local entrepreneurs and employees, and official institutions. Finally, all the data collected were discussed via triangulation analysis. The survey found that different cities' social and industrial development and job market needs lead to different attitudes toward life, leisure values, and perceptions of job-seeking and employment risks. The smoother a person's growing-up background, the better their learning history, the better their learning and working experience, and the richer their life experience;consequently, positive attitudes toward life, correct leisure values, and positive attitudes toward job hunting and employment can be cultivated. In addition, people with positive attitudes toward life, leisure values, and job hunting and employment can improve their city's economy and environment for sustainable development, thereby improving their quality of life and increasing their well-being.

Insights into entrepreneurship: impact of entrepreneur psychological capital and employee well-being on business sustainable performance during and post-Covid-19 era

Since Covid-19 is an enduring disease that pushed the world to reshape business strategies to overcome the unprecedented situations in all sectors such as the sports industry. Although substantial research has been carried out to inspect this phenomenon globally. Nevertheless, how entrepreneurial initiatives can contribute to tackling the situation is still lacking. This study attempts to uncover the relationships between entrepreneur psychological capital (EPC) and business sustainable performance (BSF). Second, this study strives to reveal the relationships between employee wellbeing (EWb) and BSP. In addition, education is treated as a moderating factor to unfold the relationships among factors, i.e., EPC, EWb, and BSF. Data were collected from eight hundred (n = 800) participants who were associated with the Chinese sports industry from March to July 2022. The results demonstrated interesting and fruitful findings based on SEM statistical model. First, a positive connection was found between EPC and BSF. Second, it found a positive link between EWb and BSF. Finally, the study highlighted a significant moderating impact of education among implicit relationships, i.e., EPC, EWb, and BSF. This study provides insights into entrepreneurship, entrepreneur psychological capital, and employee wellbeing on how it can optimize the performance of a business during and post-Covid-19 era. Besides, certain shortcomings along with future potential lines are reported for future researchers. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The Contribution of Meaning Making and Religiosity to Individuals' Psychological Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prosocial Orientation Matters

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected individuals' psychological well-being worldwide, thus representing a challenge for flourishing among emerging adults. To understand psychological processes involved in the positive adaptation to this challenge, the present study examined the role of meaning in life and religious identity as crucial resources for flourishing in a sample of 255 Italian emerging adults. Specifically, as in the midst of a stressful event individuals may experience the potential for flourishing through the process of search for meaning, the study examined the mediated role of existential, spiritual/religious and prosocial orientations as the three primary trajectories for building meaning. Results from path analytic mediation models revealed a positive influence of presence of meaning and in-depth exploration on flourishing. Findings also suggested the contribution of prosocial orientation in building meaning and, ultimately, in increasing flourishing. Implications are discussed. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Europe's Journal of Psychology is the property of Leibniz Institute for Psychology (ZPID) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

A Wellbeing Specialist Case Management Service Providing Support to Students in a University Setting

Development of the Student Wellbeing Connect (SWBC) service was a response to increased student support needs in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Due to the government-imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, students often faced complex psychosocial and wellbeing issues (Dodd et al., 2021). Two years on from its inception, the case management service has become a core component of La Trobe University's Student Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion services responding to the complex and compounding factors that can impact the wellbeing and success of university students. Varying psychosocial needs can underly a student's presentation to a counselling service;thus, the case management service complements the counsellor's role by providing practical-based interventions. The focus of the service on practical issues has provided an alternative support model for students who do not identify as primarily requiring mental health or counselling support. This has opened service provision to a broader cohort of students. Using a multi-disciplinary, strength-based, and person-centred case management approach, students work collaboratively with Wellbeing Coordinators to identify internal and external supports to address their needs through psychosocial assessments and implementation of goal-focused planning. SWBC acts as a safety net within the university setting if/when psychosocial difficulties are impacting the student's experience, academic performance, and wellbeing. This paper will outline the operational and service provision framework for providing case management to tertiary students. © 2023, Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association. All rights reserved.

Social connectedness for socially withdrawn and vulnerable young people's well-being: A qualitative study

Aims: The DisCOVery study sought to better understand the experiences of young people with complex emerging mental health problems over the longer-term social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A key focus investigated young people's attitudes and experiences of social connection, and how they perceived this to be related to their mental health and future recovery needs. Method(s): Semi-structured interviews were completed with 16 young people (aged 20 to 25) with pre-existing and complex mental health and social problems, between January to December 2021. N = 6 completed follow up interviews approximately 6 months after their initial interview. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results and Conclusion(s): Four themes were identified. These centred around a preference for balancing solitude and quality relationships within small social worlds, the complex role of in-person versus online connection and interaction, how the COVID-19 lockdowns were a facilitator of both social connection and disconnection, and the importance of relationships, talking and being listened to for well-being. The findings suggest that in-person, and to some extent online connection, is a key component of well-being, and is an active recovery goal that socially withdrawn young people with complex pre-existing mental health problems would like to work on.

Hope and social connectedness as intervention targets in youth mental health

The DisCOVery study sought to better understand the experiences of young people with complex emerging mental health problems over the longer-term social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Quantitative findings (N = 105) will be shared to demonstrated how belonging to multiple social groups can promote better mental health through the provision of hopefulness and social connectedness. Qualitative findings (N = 16) will be shared to elucidate how young people with complex emerging mental health problems experienced social connectedness during the ongoing social restrictions, and how they perceive social connection to be associated with their well-being Results also indicate young people's social preferences and the complex role of in-person versus online connection and interaction. A brief summary will be given regarding a linked trial (TOGETHER), evaluating the feasibility of delivering a social connectedness-focused intervention for young people with emerging complex mental health problems across clinical and community services in the UK.

Understanding Mental Wellbeing amongst Potentially Vulnerable Higher Education Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education students were reported as one of the most affected in terms of wellbeing. In the current study, we explored higher education students' self-perceptions on why and how their mental wellbeing was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its related measures. Focus group discussions with potentially vulnerable university student groups, as well as university staff, revealed that the students described the pandemic as a period of reduced mental wellbeing. Overall, students identified two main reasons for this: the lingering aspect of the pandemic and restricted social contact and support. Moreover, we identified several underlying factors of specific student groups' vulnerability in terms of wellbeing: entering the university during the COVID-19 pandemic and students' living situation, employment status, financial stress, and home environment. Moreover, as a potential mitigating factor, the availability of university facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as beneficial for students' mental wellbeing. Our results indicate the importance of universities acting as social spaces that facilitate connection and peer support and, thus, working preventively towards the improved mental wellbeing of students. Furthermore, university support in providing facilities to increase inclusivity should be organized or improved. © 2023 by the authors.

Examination of the Effects of COVID-19 on Happiness in Different Geographical Regions with Piecewise Linear Panel Data Models

The COVID-19 pandemic has recently caused the loss of millions of lives, and billions of others have been deeply affected. This crisis has changed the way people live, think about life, and perceive happiness. The aim of this study is to reveal differences between geographical regions by investigating the effect of the happiness variable on different countries during the international COVID-19 pandemic. The primary purpose is to demonstrate how such a pandemic may affect different countries in terms of happiness at the individual level and to identify possible strategies for the future. With this aim, both static and dynamic panel data models were used while applying fixed effects, random effects, and the generalized method of moments (GMM). A basic assumption in panel data models is that the coefficients do not change over time. This assumption is unlikely to hold, however, especially during major devastating events like COVID-19. Therefore, the piecewise linear panel data model was applied in this study. As a result of empirical analysis, pre- and post-COVID differences were seen between different geographical regions. Based on analysis conducted for three distinct geographical regions with piecewise linear models, it was determined that the piecewise random effects model was appropriate for European and Central Asian countries, the piecewise FGLS model for Latin American and Caribbean countries, and the piecewise linear GMM model for South Asian countries. According to the results, there are many variables that affect happiness, which vary according to different geographical conditions and societies with different cultural values.

Serological Evidence and Self-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Adrenal Insufficiency During The First Waves of COVID-19 in the North- East Italy

Background: East during COVID-19 is a potentially serious and fatal new infection that first broke out in Italys North Eastduring Spring 2020. Among subjects considered more clinically vulnerable, patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) have a known increased risk of infections, that could lead to poor prognosis and death due to adrenal crisis. Even the psychological and sociooccupational impact of COVID-19 could affect the health of AI patients, requiring a dynamic and continuous adaptation of the daily glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. Aim(s): To investigate if AI patients have a higher risk for COVID-19 infection than the general population, all residents in the red zone Veneto, in North-East Italy. Moreover, based on a purpose-built ADDI-COVID questionnaire, the study aimed to evaluate the subjective perception of an increased risk for COVID-19 infection and pandemic-related psycho-social impact, working life and self-adjustments of GC therapy. Method(s): Open-label, cross-sectional monocentric study on 84 (65 primary and 19 secondary) AI patients, all resident in Veneto, followed-up at the Endocrinology Unit, University-Hospital of Padua, for at least 3 years, in good and stable clinical conditions. At the end of the first COVID-19 wave (by August 2020), all patients underwent serological investigation of anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG and ADDI-COVID questionnaire. All AI patients enrolled were contacted during March-April 2021 to evaluate eventual COVID-19 infection occurrence after the second and third waves, completing a follow-up period of about 12 months. Result(s): All AI patients resulted negative to the serological test for anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG at the end of the first wave of COVID-19. After the second and third pandemic waves, COVID-19 infection occurred in 8 (10%) patients, and none needed intensive care or hospitalization. Half patients felt an increased risk of COVID-19 infection, significantly associated with an increased stress (p = 0,009) and the consequent increase of GC stress-dose (p = 0,002). Only one patient reported adrenal crisis stress correlated. The great majority of the 61 (73%) worker patients changed their working habits during the lockdown, which was inversely related with COVID-19-related stress (p = 0,0015). A significant association was found between workers and endocri- nologist contact (p= 0,046) since 18 among 20 AI patients who contacted the endocrinologist were workers. Discussion and Conclusion(s): Patients with AI residence in Veneto did not show a higher incidence of COVID19-infection compared with general population residents in Veneto after the first pandemic waves. However, the perception of increased COVID- 19 infection risk significantly impacted the psychological well-being, working habits and GC daily doses of AI patients. Especially during this pandemic period, therapeutic patient education was crucial to prevent and treat situations or conditions that could lead to an adrenal crisis. The endocrinologic consultation could help to strengthen the awareness of AI patients, especially if they were workers.

Financial Crisis and its Effect on Psychological Well-Being, Health, Satisfaction, and Financial Incapability, A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: The decline in GDP caused by the global economic recession of 2008 and that caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the poor economy of countries around the globe with increased rates of unemployment and adverse job conditions. This systematic review aims to identify the impact of a Financial crisis on Psychological well-being, Life satisfaction, Health Satisfaction, and Financial Incapability. Methodology: The literature included in the review was searched from Feb 1, 2023, to March 26, 2023, by using the PUBMED database as the search engine. Studies discussing the impact of the financial or economic crisis on psychological well-being, Health, Life satisfaction, and Financial Incapabilities published in the English Language were included in this review whereas systematic reviews and metanalysis, case reports, articles published in languages other than English and articles with limited access were excluded. Result(s): Of the 26 articles found eligible for the study, there were 22 Quantitative studies, 2 qualitative studies, and 2 Mixed Method Studies. Most of the articles included in this study discussed the Global Economic crisis caused by COVID-19 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. Almost 80% of the studies included in this review discussed psychological well-being and the prevalence of psychological disorders including Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Fear, Loneliness, Burnout, and Suicide whereas the rest of the articles discussed mortality regarding mental disorders. Conclusion(s): Financial crisis or economic recession results in an increased prevalence of common mental disorders affecting psychological well-being by increasing rates of unemployment and adverse job conditions. Policymakers with competitive financial behavior and knowledge are essential elements for psychological well-being and life satisfaction.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.

Parent–child relationship and parents' psychological well‐being among Malaysian families amid pandemic: The role of stress and gender

The COVID‐19 pandemic has taken most part of the world by surprise. The orders of nationwide movement control and social distancing by the Malaysian authority to curb the spread of the airborne virus have sent working‐class families into a novel work‐from‐home condition. This study aimed to examine the association between positive experiences in parent–child relationships, parental stress and working parents' psychological well‐being in Malaysia during the pandemic by considering the mediating role of parental stress and the moderating role of parental gender role. A total of 214 working‐from‐home parents (Mage = 46.39;SDage = 9.06;51.9% working mothers;76.6% Chinese) participated in a cross‐sectional quantitative online survey. A significant positive relationship was found between parent–child relationships and parents' psychological well‐being. Parental stress was negatively correlated with parent–child relationships and parents' psychological well‐being. Meanwhile, parental stress significantly mediates the link between parent–child relationships and parents' psychological well‐being. Besides, parental gender role was found to be a significant moderator where fathers experience better psychological well‐being when they have more positive parent–child relationships. The findings further support the importance of positive interaction between parents and children and parental stress, which could affect parents' psychological well‐being. This study may fill a knowledge gap by providing an overview of working parents' psychological well‐being in their experience of working from home during the pandemic. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Child & Family Social Work is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Security Issues at the Time of the Pandemic and Distance Work

Security issues have always been central to workplaces. Increased work performed at home environments caused by COVID-19 pandemic has changed the security landscape of work radically. Security arrangements are no more at the domain of the employer, yet the risks remain, and responsibilities. In this chapter we discuss this new boom of distance work from the viewpoints of data privacy and security, physical safety and mental well-being. The issues are intertwined, and changes, risks and solutions in one of these cause implications for the other areas too. In data privacy and security, the home office environment causes several risks, and the mixed use of devices and facilities both in work and leisure use causes difficulties. Physical safety is compromised in several ways at home environment, which is partly confounding, as the very core of work at home and social distancing is the search for physical security from COVID viruses. Mental well-being problems are a key product of this social distancing, and they do not typically emerge immediately, but first after a long period. With the COVID-19 pandemic over two years, we first start to see the magnitude of the mental well-being problems it has caused. The COVID-19 pandemic is a very short period in history. For individuals living now, it can deeply affect life, especially in critical periods of life. On the positive side, the very special pressure COVID-19 has caused on working life has surely improved and speeded up academic and practical work in distance work development. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

Floating Laborers of India and Their Welfare: A Situation Analysis

Migration is a pronounced trend that has massively contributed to the industrialization process across the world. This vast labor pool that floated from a less-developed place to a more-developed place for better livelihood is our population of interest. This chapter examines the health and well-being of the floating laborer community of India, who are involved in some form of development projects both within the nation. It identifies the role of socioeconomic and political correlates in setting the context of migration in the country. Aspects of health including both physical and mental health with special emphasis on occupational hazards are explored. The general status of older adults, women, and children is studied to further expand on how needs such as housing, schooling, ration, and pediatric, maternity and geriatric healthcare needs are met in their migrated land. Benefits and risk factors of migrants, as well as topics such as inequity, discrimination, resources availability, and unemployment are analyzed. A dedicated session is set that observes the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the overall health and well-being of laborer community and investigates the exploitation they are subjected to from their host companies/agencies. The chapter is exclusively tailored to learn about the overall health and wellbeing of the migrant community, and to identify the key factors involved in determining their well-being. The discussion concludes with a few recommendations that involve the collaborative effort of all stakeholders involved in migration. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Taylor and Francis Pte Ltd. 2022.

Impact of free insulin scheme to patients with type 1 diabetes during Covid-19 pandemic

Aim: Our institute provided the required monthly insulin free to patients with type 1 diabetes, where either patients or parents became unemployed and/or economically weaker during the pandemic. Method(s): All 296 patients with type 1 diabetes were given questionnaires to assess their or their family's economic status during Covid-19. 33 patients fell below poverty line and had a Priority Household Card (with 35kgs of free rice every month) and ration cards enrolled for monthly free insulin scheme. The patients were given monthly requirements of insulin based on existing regimens. Their weight, HbA1c and episodes of ketoacidosis were measured at 3-and 6-months following initiation of the scheme. Additional financial and material support were organized from NGO's and philanthropic individuals. Measurable impact of this project was ascertained through glycaemic control through HbA1C levels prior and after, overall wellbeing and prevention of acute complications like ketoacidosis. Result(s): 33 patients enrolled for the study, 9 were less than 15 years of age, 19 between 15 and 30 years and 5 above 30 years of age. HbA1c levels fell cumulative by 0.8% by 3 months and 1.2% by six months. Weight increased by 1 kg by 3 months and 1.5 kg by six months. Few episodes of ketoacidosis were reported during six months primarily due to engagement issues issue rather than availability of insulin. Conclusion(s): There was a dramatic impact on overall wellbeing of these patients with type 1 diabetes with significant improvement on glycaemic control and on emotional by reducing the financial burden of procuring monthly doses of insulin.

THE WELL-BEING EFFECTS OF DEVELOPING AND STAGING A COMMUNITY FESTIVAL DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

This article considers the well-being outcomes of a community festival that was developed and staged in 2020, during the first lockdown associated with the coronavirus pandemic (hereafter the pandemic). It is an autoethnographic account that reports on well-being benefits as people engaged in a festival project together. Social aspects of well-being were enhanced through collaboration and connection, positivity, and community volunteering. Environmental aspects of well-being were enhanced by activities that reconceptualized and reworked the local environment and enabled learning and sharing. The festival created opportunities for play, laughter, and frivolity and developing a community story of sharing and coping. The conclusion identifies the learning from the process of creating a community festival in the midst of crises in the hope that others will be able to take some of these ideas forward in their own communities. © Copyright 2023 Cognizant, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide efficacy in post-COVID-19 patient rehabilitation treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered people's lifestyles around the world. Prevention of recurrent episodes of the disease and mitigation of its consequences are especially associated with effective post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the drug Likopid (glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide, GMDP) for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in patients. Material and methods. Patients who recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19 (n=60, mean age 54+/- 11.7 years) were randomized into the observation group (n=30, 15 men and 15 women) who received 2 courses of Licopid (1 mg twice a day) and the comparison group (n=30, 15 men and 15 women). Analysis of the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the innate immune cellular factors was carried out before the start of immunomodulatory therapy, immediately after the end of the course, and also after 6 months observations. In order to assess the quality of life of all patients, we used the SF-36 Health Status Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires. Results. During assessing the effect of immunomodulatory therapy on the parameters of innate immunity of patients at the stage of rehabilitation after COVID-19, an increase in the protective cytolytic activity of CD16+ and CD8+Gr+ cells, as well as a persistent increase in TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 expression was found, which indicates the antigen recognition recovery and presentation at the level of the monocytic link of the immune system. The use of GMDP as an immunomodulatory agent resulted in an 8-fold reduction in the frequency and severity of respiratory infections due to an increase in the total monocyte count. As a result of assessing patients' quality of life against the background of the therapy, a positive dynamic in role functioning was revealed in patients. In the general assessment of their health status, an increase in physical and mental well-being was noted during 6 months of observation. The comparison group showed no improvement in the psychoemotional state. Discussion. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of GMDP immunomodulatory therapy in correcting immunological parameters for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in patients. The data obtained are consistent with the previously discovered ability of GMDP to restore impaired functions of phagocytic cells and induce the expression of their surface activation markers, which in turn contributes to an adequate response to pathogens. Conclusion. The study revealed that the correction of immunological parameters with the use of GMDP in COVID-19 convalescents contributed not only to a decrease in the frequency and severity of respiratory infections, but also to an improvement in the psycho-emotional state of patients, and a decrease in anxiety and depression.Copyright © Eco-Vector, 2023. All rights reserved.