Table 3 Perceived helpfulness of interventions for depression with suicidal thoughts vignette ‘Abdul’ (n = 146)
From: Mental health literacy of school nurses in the United Arab Emirates
| Treatments and activities | Helpful (%) | Harmful (%) | Neither (%) | Most helpfula (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment | ||||
| Psychotherapy focusing on changing thoughts and behaviors (cognitive behavior therapy) | 77.5 | 2.8 | 19.7 | 38.6 |
| Getting information about the problem and available services | 84.4 | 5.0 | 10.6 | 13.6 |
| Psychotherapy focusing on causes that stem from the past | 71.4 | 4.5 | 24.1 | 12.9 |
| Reading the Koran or Bible | 70.9 | 2.1 | 27.0 | 8.3 |
| Admission to a psychiatric hospital | 38.4 | 14.5 | 47.1 | 7.6 |
| Just talking about the problem (e.g. to a family member or close friend) | 68.3 | 4.2 | 27.5 | 5.3 |
| Psychotherapy focusing on relationships with others | 60.0 | 2.9 | 37.1 | 4.5 |
| Relaxation (e.g. having a massage) | 58.3 | 2.9 | 38.8 | 2.3 |
| Improving diet and/or getting more exercise | 62.7 | 2.8 | 34.5 | 1.5 |
| Trying to deal with the problem on her own | 25.0 | 25.7 | 49.3 | 1.5 |
| Traditional therapies (e.g. herbs, honey, black cumin seed, olive oil, dates, cupping—Hijama) | 24.6 | 11.3 | 64.1 | 1.5 |
| Getting out and about more/finding some new hobbies | 69.6 | 2.2 | 28.3 | 0.8 |
| Have a prayer session or reading with a religious leader | 48.2 | 3.6 | 48.2 | 0.8 |
| Reading a self-help book | 46.7 | 5.2 | 48.1 | 0.8 |
| Hypnosis | 19.0 | 14.3 | 66.7 | 0.0 |
| Drinking alcohol to relax | 7.1 | 76.6 | 16.3 | 0.0 |
| Medicine type | ||||
| Anti-depressant medication (e.g. prozac) | 80.3 | 8.5 | 11.3 | 73.7 |
| Vitamins and minerals (e.g. vitamin C) | 53.6 | 5.1 | 41.3 | 13.5 |
| Medication to help you relax (e.g. xanax, valium) | 51.7 | 10.5 | 37.8 | 12.8 |
| Person/service | ||||
| Psychiatrist | 79.6 | 4.2 | 16.2 | 43.3 |
| Psychologist | 78.7 | 1.4 | 19.9 | 22.4 |
| Religious person or priest | 67.8 | 2.8 | 29.4 | 8.2 |
| Family member | 71.0 | 0.0 | 29.0 | 7.5 |
| Community mental health worker/team (e.g. social worker, mental health nurse) | 71.1 | 3.5 | 25.4 | 6.0 |
| Family or local doctor | 58.9 | 2.1 | 39.0 | 3.7 |
| Homeland social group/club | 63.6 | 4.2 | 32.2 | 3.0 |
| Close male friend | 50.4 | 2.1 | 47.5 | 3.0 |
| Community religious organization | 42.9 | 0.7 | 56.4 | 1.5 |
| Close female friend | 35.4 | 4.9 | 59.7 | 1.5 |
| Telephone counselling | 32.6 | 7.1 | 60.3 | 0.0 |