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In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Higher education institutions have a role in raising awareness and building skills among future professionals for implementing the SDGs. This review describes how the SDGs have been integrated into higher education globally. Determine how have the SDGs been integrated into higher education globally. Describe the differences in the integration of the SDGs in higher education across high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Following a scoping review methodology, we searched Medline, Web of Science, Global Health, and Educational Resources Information Center, as well as websites of key institutions including universities, identifying peer-reviewed articles and grey literature published between September 2015 and December 2021. We identified 20 articles and 38 grey literature sources. Since 2018, the number of publications about the topic has been increasing. The SDGs were most frequently included in bachelor-level education and disciplines such as engineering and technology; humanities and social sciences; business, administration, and economics. Methods of integrating the SDGs into higher education included workshops, courses, lectures, and other means. Workshops and courses were the most frequent. The methods of integration varied in high-income countries compared to low- and middle-income countries. High-income countries seemed to follow a more academic approach to the SDGs while low- and middle-income countries integrate the SDGs with the aim to solve real-world problems. This study provides examples of progress in integrating the SDGs into higher education. Such progress has been skewed to high-income countries, bachelor-level initiatives, and certain disciplines. To advance the integration of the SDGs, lessons learned from universities globally should be shared broadly, equitable partnerships formed, and students engaged, while simultaneously increasing funding for these processes.

With the increasing interest in mindfulness practices within clinical as well as non-clinical settings and the increasing body of research on the positive effects of mindfulness, concerns have been raised that mindfulness might also produce adverse effects including intense experiences and psychosis. The aim of this study was to investigate if intense experiences occur as a natural part of mindfulness practice, and if so to examine the characteristics of such experiences. We conducted a qualitative analysis based on fortnightly meditation reports from 13 mindfulness teacher trainees for 4 months. Intense experiences in meditation were frequently expressed in the reports of most of the practitioners and in some individuals these experiences were similar to psychotic-like experiences. This study presents suggestive evidence that mindfulness practices can produce intense experiences and that for some individuals these intense experiences may resemble psychotic-like experiences.

BackgroundA rise in mental illness is expected to follow the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also been projected to lead to a deep global economic recession, further adding to risk factors.AimsThe aim of this review was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics, epidemics and economic crises on mental health.MethodSearches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Sociological Abstracts. We included studies of all populations exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic, and other similar pandemics/epidemics and economic crises, compared with non-exposed time periods or regions. The outcome was mental health.ResultsThe 174 included studies assessed mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (87 studies), 2008 economic crisis (84 studies) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic (three studies). Outcomes were divided into affective disorders, suicides, mental healthcare utilisation and other mental health. COVID-19 pandemic studies were of lesser quality than those for the economic crisis or SARS epidemic. Most studies for all exposures showed increases in affective disorders and other mental health problems. For economic crisis exposure, increases in mental healthcare utilisation and suicides were also found, but these findings were mixed for COVID-19 pandemic exposure. This is probably because of quarantine measures affecting help-seeking and shorter follow-ups of studies of COVID-19 pandemic exposure.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the importance of available, accessible and sustainable mental health services. Also, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations should be particular targets of policy interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The intensification of radical and extremist thinking has become an international cause of concern and the fear related to terrorism has increased worldwide. Early 21st century public discourses have been correspondingly marked by hate speech and ideological propaganda spread from a variety of perspectives through the intensified presence of global social media networks. In many countries, governments have reacted to these perceived and actual threats by drafting policies and preventive programs and legal-security interventions to tackle radicalization, terrorism itself, as well as ideological extremism. Many of the current strategies point to the critical role of societal education. As a result, educational institutions have gained growing importance as platforms for different kinds of prevention protocols or counter-terrorism strategies. However, notably less attention has been paid on the consistencies of values between the aims of the educational strategies for preventing or countering ideological extremism and the core functions of education in fostering individual and societal well-being and growth. Using Finnish education as a case, this paper discusses the challenges and possibilities related to educational institutions as spaces for preventing violent extremism, with special regard to the religious and nationalistic ideologies that divert from those inherent in the national hegemony. This study highlights the need to plan counter-terrorism strategies in line with national educational policies through what we conceptualize as ‘institutional habitus’.

IntroductionMindfulness-based interventions are widely used, yet concerns about potential negative effects—particularly those related to mindfulness meditation practice—have gained increasing attention. Individuals with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD) represent a population of particular relevance due to heightened vulnerability, but comparative evidence on clinically relevant negative outcomes of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) versus established alternative psychotherapies in this group is lacking. This protocol describes a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) network meta-analysis to assess and compare the incidence of clinically relevant negative outcomes associated with MBCT and the cognitive behavioural analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP), an established individual psychotherapy for DTD.Methods and analysisRandomised controlled trials of MBCT and CBASP for adults with DTD were identified through systematic searches of major databases. Eligible studies must compare MBCT or CBASP (alone or with treatment as usual) to each other or to control groups. The primary outcome is clinically significant deterioration, defined as a ≥6-point increase on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 or equivalent. Secondary outcomes are suicidality and treatment dropout. IPD will be requested from trial investigators; aggregate data will be used when IPD is unavailable. One-stage random-effects IPD network meta-analyses will be conducted to integrate direct and indirect evidence and to examine participant-level moderators of deterioration. Adverse events reported in the included trials will be summarised descriptively at the study level.Ethics and disseminationNo local ethical review was required following consultation with the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. Primary trial investigators obtained local ethical approval and will share pseudonymised IPD. Findings will inform clinical decision-making and guideline development by strengthening the evidence base on potential negative effects of MBCT and CBASP in adults with DTD, including identification of subgroups at increased risk. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and accessible summaries for relevant stakeholders.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022332039

Background In the search for effective interventions aiming to prevent perinatal stress, depression and anxiety, we are evaluating a Mindfulness Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) Program. In this study we explore the participants’ experiences of the program. Method This is a descriptive qualitative study with influences of phenomenology. The participants were expectant couples who participated in the program and the pregnant women had an increased risk of perinatal stress, anxiety and depression. Ten mothers and six fathers were interviewed in depth, at four to six months postpartum. Thematic analysis of the transcripts was conducted. Results The participants’ descriptions show a variety in how motivated they were and how much value they ascribed to MBCP. Those who experienced that they benefitted from the intervention described that they did so at an intra-personal level–with deeper self-knowledge and self-compassion; and on an inter-personal level–being helpful in relationships. Furthermore, they perceived that what they had learned from MBCP was helpful during childbirth and early parenting. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that most of the parents experienced MBCP as a valuable preparation for the challenges they met when they went through the life-changing events of becoming parents. The phenomenon of participating in the intervention, integrating the teachings and embodying mindfulness seems to develop inner resources that foster the development of wisdom. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02441595, May 4, 2015.

Social participation plays a key role in the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into their host societies, and is also closely tied to the mental health of those populations. The aim of this scoping review was to study how the concept of social participation is described in empirical research, and how it is associated with mental health outcomes. Methods: In total, 64 studies were identified through searches in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Sociological Abstracts. These studies describe various forms of social participation among refugees and asylum seekers, and 33 of them also addressed various forms of mental health outcomes. Results: The identified studies described forms and conditions of social participation—both in the host country and transnationally—that could be synthesized into three broad dimensions: (1) Regulatory frameworks, conditions and initiatives; (2) Established societal organizations and social structures; and (3) Community organized groups. Each of these consisted of several sub-domains. The identified dimensions of social participation were also associated with psychosocial well-being and decreased psychological distress. Conclusions: There is a need for policies to enable and support the participation of refugees and asylum seekers in various dimensions of social structures in host societies. Social participation enhances resilience, re-establishes social lives, and acts as a protective factor against poor mental health outcomes.

Background Healthcare work and even studies towards a healthcare profession is associated with a high prevalence of distress. According to recent meta-analyses, half of the medical students worldwide suffer from burn out prior to residency, and 34% of nursing students suffer from depression. The aim of this study was to investigate healthcare students’ long-term experiences of mindfulness training, and whether, how and why students were continuing their mindfulness practice after graduation. Further, to assess if background characteristics were associated with continuing mindfulness practice. Methods A mixed method survey study based on predetermined and open-ended questions. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed concurrently to assess effects on, and a deepened understanding of stress management, use of mindfulness in relation to patients, oneself and others, and continued practice of mindfulness. Results Two hundred one of the 380 (52,8%) students completing the mindfulness based stress management course (MBSM) answered the questionnaire. Of all, 175 (87,1%) students also answered free text questions. The qualitative analysis identified five themes: “Positive” Experiences, “Negative” Experiences, “Origin and development of interest in mindfulness” and “Continuing practice of mindfulness”. A considerable proportion of the participants experienced increased acceptance, relaxation, ability to face difficulties, self-compassion and better interaction with patients, but some participants also experienced negative experiences such as aversiveness and ineffectiveness of the course. Those continuing to practice mindfulness after graduation were more likely (85.3%) to say that the gained competence helped in their relationship with patients, compared to those who did not continue to practice (57.1%); ( chi2  = 18.13;  df  = 2;  p  < 0.001). Among those who had previous mindfulness or similar experience, 84% continue to practice mindfulness after the course, compared to 50% of those who had no previous experience ( chi2  = 26;  df  = 1;  p  < 0.001). Conclusion The long-term follow-up of mindfulness training for healthcare students shows that participants maintain a sustained capability to handle stressful work situations in their professional practice and develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves. We argue that skills to care for one's inner environment, such as learning mindfulness as a student, can contribute to a sustainable future professional life. However, further research is needed to confirm the transferability of the results.

The emergence of religiously motivated terrorist attacks and the increasing xenophobia expressed in Europe concern religions in many ways. Questions related to religion also lie at the core of educational aims and practices used to create national cohesion and understanding about different types of values and worldviews. However, despite the topicality of the issue, we have little knowledge about the ways in which young adults experience religions in a secular state. In order to contribute to the discussion regarding the relationships between religion, nationality, security, and education, this study focuses on investigating how politically active young adults experience the role of religions in Finnish society. The qualitative data of this study were collected from young adults (18–30-year-olds) through an online questionnaire distributed through political youth organisations. The content analysis of the responses (altogether 250 respondents) identified five main orientations towards religions. The findings highlight the importance of providing young people with education about different faiths and worldviews for reducing prejudices, especially those related to Islam. The findings also highlight the need to address in education and society the possible but not as self-evident relationship between violence and religion, and to do this more explicitly than is currently done.

Living with chronic pain is associated with substantial suffering and high societal costs. Patient reported outcomes (PROM’s) and cellular ageing should be considered in pain management. The aim of this study was to explore correlations of PROM’s and cellular ageing (telomere length [TL] and telomerase activity [TA]) amongst patients with chronic non-malignant pain. This was an explorative pilot study with cross-sectional design and recruitment was done at two pain rehabilitation facilities in Sweden, with inpatient setting/integrative care and outpatient setting/multimodal care, respectively. Eighty-four patients were enrolled by referral to pain rehabilitation in Sweden. The main outcome measures collected after admission in addition to TL and TA were the following PROMs: Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), WHO Quality of Life–Spiritual, Religious and Personal Beliefs (WHOQoL-SRPB) and EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). All the PROM’s showed evidence of poor overall health status among the participants. TL correlated negatively with HADS score (r = -.219, p = .047) and positively with WHOQoL-SRPB (r = .224, p = .052). TL did not correlate with any of the pain measures. TA correlated positively with pain spread (r = .222, p = .049). A mediation of the direct effect of spiritual well-being on TL by anxiety and depression could be shown (b = 0.008; p = .045). The correlations between TL and SRPB and anxiety and depression suggest some importance of emotional and SRPB dimensions in pain management, with implications for cellular aging, which may warrant further study. Trial registration : ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02459639 .