Depression and anxiety are major global mental health disorders that require safer and more accessible adjunctive interventions. This review uniquely integrates current evidence on plant essential oils in aromatherapy and identifies the cAMP–PKA–CREB pathway as a key mechanistic hub linking neurotransmitter regulation, HPA axis modulation, neuroinflammation, and neuroplasticity. Relevant animal, cell, and preliminary clinical studies were reviewed to summarize therapeutic effects, active constituents, and commonly used essential oils. The evidence indicates that essential oils may alleviate depression- and anxiety-like symptoms by increasing monoamine neurotransmitters, suppressing HPA axis hyperactivity, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting NF-κB signaling, and restoring BDNF/CREB-related neuroplasticity. Representative active constituents include linalool, β-caryophyllene, and limonene, while lavender, bergamot, and chamomile are the most commonly studied essential oils. Overall, aromatherapy shows promise as a relatively safe and practical non-pharmacological adjunct for depression and anxiety, but its evidence base remains largely preclinical. More rigorous clinical studies are needed to confirm efficacy, standardize interventions, and clarify mechanisms in humans.
Transdiagnostic Sleep Intervention to Improve Mental Health in Adolescents
Conditions: Sleep Disturbance; Sleep Problems; Substance Use (Drugs, Alcohol); Anxiety; Depression
Interventions: Behavioral: Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction; Behavioral: Healthy habits psychoeducation
Sponsors: Universidad Pública de Navarra
Not yet recruiting
Interventions: Behavioral: Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction; Behavioral: Healthy habits psychoeducation
Sponsors: Universidad Pública de Navarra
Not yet recruiting
Child Mind Institute Study Finds Strong Link Between Teen Belonging and Mental Health
National survey of teens finds that meaningful relationships can serve as a powerful protective factor against anxiety and depression
New York, NY – A new study from the Child Mind Institute found that nearly half the teens surveyed reported experiencing moderate to severe loneliness, despite being the most digitally connected generation. The study was funded by the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health.
Released in recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10, Building Bridges: Teen Loneliness and Connection asked 1,000 U.S. teens aged 14-17 what connection means to them, where they feel most connected, and who they turn to when they need support. The survey examined connectedness across five domains — family, peers, school, self, and digital environments. The results underscore the importance of feeling a sense of connection during adolescence, finding that teens who experience a stronger sense of belonging report better mental health outcomes.
Key Findings
- Loneliness is widespread: 47% of teens reported moderate to severe loneliness, while 23% screened positive for anxiety and 21% for depression.
- Connection matters: 80% of teens reported connectedness as highly important to their lives, with a sense of belonging or community (24%), emotional closeness (21%), and mutual understanding (14%) as the core components.
- Relationship systems are essential: 88% of teens said in-person time is essential for feeling connected, citing home and family, friendships, and school as primary sources. · Connection may offer protection: Teens reporting higher overall connectedness experienced lower loneliness and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- AI companions warrant attention: 29% reported using AI as a source of connection; teens who reported using AI this way were more likely to screen positive for depression (44% vs. 25%).
“We’re currently experiencing a loneliness epidemic that has become an urgent concern, especially among young people,” said Angela Moyer, PsyD, a psychologist in School and Community Programs at the Child Mind Institute. “This study centers teens’ voices, helping us to move beyond identifying the problem and more toward understanding which forms of connection matter most and where families, schools, communities, and policymakers can invest to strengthen teen mental health.”
While past research has examined family, friendships, and school belonging in silos, Building Bridges: Teen Loneliness and Connection was designed to understand how these domains together affect teens’ mental health and pinpoint meaningful opportunities for impact. The findings offer important insights for parents, educators, and communities seeking to strengthen support for young people’s emotional well-being and how to foster in-person experiences.
To read the full Building Bridges: Teen Loneliness and Connection report, click here, and visit childmind.org to learn more.
About Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is the leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families experiencing mental health and learning disorders. Since its founding in 2009, the Child Mind Institute has become a global institution reaching millions of families each year through excellence in evidence-based clinical care, renowned educational resources and training, and science to advance the next generation of treatment.
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For press questions, contact us at childmindinstitute@ssmandl.com or mediaoffice@childmind.org.
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Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic profiling reveals C3-associated hippocampal neuroimmune remodeling in sodium bicarbonate-treated sepsis-associated encephalopathy
BackgroundSepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a neurological complication of sepsis characterized by cognitive impairment and persistent brain dysfunction. Although neuroinflammation and glial activation contribute to SAE pathogenesis, the molecular alterations underlying hippocampal neuroimmune dysfunction remain incompletely understood. The potential role of NaHCO₃ in SAE-associated neurological dysfunction remains unclear.MethodsAn LPS-induced mouse model of SAE was established to investigate the effects of NaHCO₃ administration. Survival and cognitive function were evaluated using survival analysis, novel object recognition, open-field, and Y-maze tests. Hippocampal transcriptomic and proteomic profiling was performed, followed by cross-omics integration. Candidate molecules were further assessed by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence.ResultsNaHCO₃ treatment improved survival and alleviated cognitive deficits in SAE mice. Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling revealed extensive hippocampal molecular alterations, with functional enrichment highlighting immune- and inflammation-related processes and pathways. Three-group cross-omics analysis identified 18 candidates meeting an FDR < 0.05 at both omics levels and showing a concordant SAE-associated increase followed by a decrease after NaHCO₃ treatment. Among these candidates, C3 was prioritized based on its cross-omics expression pattern and neuroimmune relevance. qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses supported increased hippocampal C3 expression during SAE and its responsiveness to NaHCO₃ treatment. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed increased spatial association between C3 and GFAP-positive astrocytic structures during SAE, which was attenuated following NaHCO₃ treatment.ConclusionNaHCO₃ treatment was associated with improved neurological outcomes and altered hippocampal molecular profiles in LPS-induced SAE. Cross-omics analysis identified C3 among candidate molecules associated with SAE and NaHCO₃ responsiveness. The increased C3–GFAP spatial association suggests that complement-associated alterations accompany astrocytic responses during SAE. The causal role of C3 and the mechanisms underlying the effects of NaHCO₃ require further investigation.
Sex differences in sleep architecture among patients with severe mental disorders: a polysomnographic study
BackgroundSleep disturbances are common in severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Yet sex-specific sleep patterns across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder remain poorly characterized.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we compared overnight polysomnography between 372 first-episode patients (aged 18-45) (93 schizophrenia, 181 major depressive disorder, 98 bipolar disorder). All participants underwent a single-night 10-channel polysomnography.ResultsAfter controlling for age, illness duration, BMI, and medications, women achieved significantly longer total sleep time (median 449.3 vs 420.3 min; p <0.001), time in bed (543.0 vs 525.5 min; p = 0.03), and higher sleep efficiency (83.3% vs 82.3%; p = 0.004) than men. Exploratory post-hoc analyses revealed potential sex-related differences in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (all p < 0.05, uncorrected for multiple comparisons). However, these findings did not survive correction for multiple comparisons, indicating that the observed differences should be interpreted with caution as preliminary.ConclusionsThis study found that biological sex modulated sleep macro-architecture in severe mental illness, with women exhibiting longer sleep duration and higher sleep efficiency relative to men. Although the cross-diagnosis comparison revealed only a marginally significant sex-by-diagnosis interaction that did not persist after multiple testing correction, these exploratory subgroup findings suggest potential nuanced variations in sleep architecture. Consequently, future studies with larger cohorts are warranted to evaluate whether sex-stratified approaches could refine clinical sleep interventions across psychiatric conditions.
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder and paraphilic disorders in a large Brazilian community sample: an online investigation
BackgroundThe International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) includes Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) among impulse control disorders, aiming to standardize diagnostic criteria and improve the understanding of problematic sexual behaviors across cultures. However, few large-scale studies have investigated CSBD and its association with Paraphilic Disorders (PD) in Latin American populations.ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence of high-risk CSBD in a large Brazilian community sample, examine its association with paraphilic interests and disorders, and evaluate associated sociodemographic and clinical factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional online study included 5,227 Brazilian adults recruited through convenience sampling between September 2022 and April 2023. Participants completed sociodemographic questionnaires, a Brazilian Portuguese version of the CSBD-19, and a translated inventory assessing paraphilic interests and disorders based on DSM-5-TR criteria. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, linear discriminant analysis, and multivariate backward stepwise logistic regression were performed.ResultsThe prevalence of high-risk CSBD (CSBD-19 > 50) was 5.4% (n = 282). The mean CSBD-19 score was 30.4 (SD = 9.7), increasing to 56.4 (SD = 6.1) among individuals classified as high risk. Male sex was strongly associated with high-risk CSBD (OR = 3.32, 95%CI: 2.45–4.50, p < 0.001). Significant associations were also identified for sexual sadism disorder (OR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.79–4.07), paraphilic disorder involving specific body characteristics (OR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.49–4.04), zoophilic interest (OR = 2.39, 95%CI: 1.70–3.37), partialism disorder (OR = 2.00, 95%CI: 1.17–3.42), and paraphilia-related distress (OR = 1.94, 95%CI: 1.44–2.61). Linear discriminant analysis demonstrated that the Negative Consequences domain showed the strongest discriminative contribution for high-risk CSBD classification (ω = 1.23).ConclusionsThis study contributes to more inclusive research on compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) by investigating a large Brazilian sample, including individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Using the ICD-11 framework, the estimated prevalence of high-risk CSBD was 5.4%, a rate comparable to those reported for other common mental health conditions. The study also supports the psychometric applicability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the CSBD-19 for future epidemiological and cross-cultural research in Latin American populations. Further longitudinal and nationally representative studies are needed to clarify causal pathways, psychiatric comorbidities, minority stress influences, and the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying the relationship between CSBD and paraphilic disorders.
Reliability of Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition, Assessments Using Telepsychiatry for Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Their Caregivers: Randomized Feasibility Study
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for telepsychiatry in neurodevelopmental assessment; however, few studies have examined the interrater reliability of clinician-rated autism scales, such as the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS2), when used remotely. Although the feasibility and validity of telehealth assessments have been explored previously, the consistency between remote and in person CARS2 ratings by different clinicians remains underinvestigated. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate agreement between CARS2 total scores obtained by different evaluators using telepsychiatry and face-to-face assessments in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: In this randomized feasibility study, 75 children aged 6 to 17 years with diagnoses of ASD, ADHD, or both were enrolled at 5 medical institutions in Japan; 73 of 75 were included in the final analysis. Each participant underwent 2 independent CARS2 evaluations, one face-to-face and the other via telepsychiatry, conducted by different evaluators who were blinded to each other’s ratings. Remote assessments were conducted using a secure video platform with caregiver facilitation. Agreement was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the overall sample and subgroups defined by primary diagnosis, sex, and age. Results: The overall ICC for CARS2 total scores between face-to-face and telepsychiatry assessments was 0.582 (95% CI 0.407‐0.717), indicating moderate agreement. The ICC was 0.546 among participants with ASD as the primary diagnosis and 0.495 among those with ADHD as the primary diagnosis. Point estimates were higher among girls than boys (0.666 vs 0.495) and among children aged 11 years or older than among those aged 10 years or younger (0.676 vs 0.419). In a sensitivity analysis including all participants with an ASD diagnosis, the ICC was 0.580. Conclusions: CARS2 total scores obtained through telepsychiatry showed moderate agreement with scores obtained through face-to-face assessment when the assessments were conducted by different evaluators in different settings. Higher point estimates were observed among older children and girls, although these subgroup findings should be interpreted cautiously. Telepsychiatry-based CARS2 assessment may be considered a complementary approach rather than a replacement for comprehensive face-to-face evaluation. Larger studies using more standardized assessment protocols are needed.
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Australian Digital Mental Health Services for Anxiety and Depression: Meta-Analysis and Comparison Study
Background: Mental Health Online, MindSpot, and THIS WAY UP are 3 Australian Government–funded digital mental health services (DMHSs). These services are free for consumers and deliver a range of (depression and anxiety disorder) psychological assessments and interventions using the internet, with or without clinician support. Objective: This study examines the uptake and effectiveness of these services. Methods: We used 3 data sources to examine the performance of the three DMHSs: (1) aggregated routinely collected service data to describe uptake of the services from January 2013 to December 2021, (2) peer-reviewed and gray literature reporting treatment outcomes, and (3) treatment outcome data from one evaluation conducted by Mental Health Online. The second and third data sources were used to analyze the effectiveness of the DMHSs compared to other mental health treatment programs (Australian primary, public, and low-intensity mental health care; UK stepped psychological care). We generated pooled mental health symptom (Cohen ) effect sizes for each service’s clinician-supported and self-directed treatments and compared those with effect sizes we calculated for the alternative treatment programs. Results: The 3 DMHSs offered care to more than 282,000 consumers and therefore contributed to improving overall access to mental health care in Australia. Clinician-supported online treatment significantly improved the mental health of consumers who use these services (Mental Health Online, Cohen =0.95; MindSpot, Cohen =1.42; and THIS WAY UP, Cohen =1.04), and self-directed treatment by Mental Health Online produced a moderate reduction (Cohen =0.59) in anxiety disorder severity ratings. Clinician-supported treatments produced improvements in mental health symptoms that are close or equivalent to most (face-to-face, phone, and stepped or symptom severity–matched mental health care) comparison treatments examined. Conclusions: Mental Health Online, MindSpot, and THIS WAY UP are producing clinically significant improvement for consumers experiencing psychological distress and anxiety and depression symptoms. The magnitude of improvement produced by clinician-supported treatment is comparable with more resource-intensive face-to-face treatment options. Heterogeneity in the magnitude of improvements produced by the 3 DMHSs (and comparator interventions across levels of clinical need) indicates that findings should be interpreted with caution, particularly in relation to the populations for whom DMHSs may be most appropriate.
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Effectiveness of Chatbots in Mental Health Screening and Assessment: Systematic Review
Background: Mental health disorders affect 970 million people globally; yet, over 50% do not access timely evaluation due to structural barriers and professional shortages. Chatbots and AI-based conversational agents have emerged as promising tools for mental health screening and assessment. Objective: This study systematically evaluated the effectiveness, accuracy, reliability, and acceptability of chatbots and AI-based conversational agents for mental health screening and assessment in adults. Methods: Systematic search conducted in May 2025 across PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science (2019‐2025), following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies evaluated chatbots or AI for mental health screening/assessment in adults (≥18 y). Risk of bias was assessed using appropriate tools (Risk of Bias 2, Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2, Joanna Briggs Institute checklists, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool). This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD420251072392). Results: Eighteen studies (2021‐2025) were included, with samples ranging from 20 to 3902 participants. Rule-based chatbots demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach α >0.85) and good acceptability (Acceptability of Intervention Measure >19/25). Generative models (large language models) achieved sensitivities of 0.84 to 0.93 and specificities of 0.80 to 0.96 for depression and anxiety, with correlations up to =0.96 with expert clinicians in suicide risk assessment. Hybrid approaches combining large language models with machine learning achieved exceptional performance for cognitive impairment (-score of 92.1%, specificity of 99.6%). Most studies reported high user satisfaction (≥70%), although barriers existed among older populations. Methodological quality was heterogeneous with a moderate risk of bias in critical dimensions. Conclusions: Chatbots and AI conversational agents demonstrate clinically relevant performance in mental health screening and assessment. However, safe implementation requires clear clinical protocols, professional supervision, integration with electronic health records, and active mitigation of algorithmic bias. These technologies should complement rather than replace clinical judgment. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251072392; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251072392
Psychologists’ knowledge, attitudes, and training experiences regarding mental illness in individuals with intellectual disabilities in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
IntroductionIntellectual disability (ID) impacts an estimated 1-3% of the population worldwide, with a higher incidence in regions with limited healthcare access. In Saudi Arabia, current prevalence data, especially for adults, are scarce. This cross-sectional study explores the systemic challenges psychologists perceived in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses in individuals with intellectual disabilities.MethodsA standardized Arabic-language questionnaire was distributed to 144 licensed psychologists in Saudi Arabia to collect data on professional backgrounds, educational history, work experience, attitudes, and knowledge.ResultsData were analyzed using factorial ANOVA and Spearman’s correlation tests. The analysis revealed that years of professional experience significantly influenced attitudes (F = 5.024, p =.008, partial η² =.073), while training experience had a pronounced effect on knowledge of mental comorbidities in ID (F = 75.83, p <.001, partial η² =.367). A strong correlation was identified between training experience and knowledge (ρ =.811, p <.001), whereas no significant correlation was found for attitudes.