People have had to make a lot of changes to their lives due to the COVID-19 healthcrisis. Most experts agree that social distancing and other safety measures have taken atoll on people s mental health. Amish and Mennonite communities often have largefamilies. They may have limited access to health care. Their lifestyle is based oninteraction and group events rather than technology. So people in Amish and Mennonitecommunities may experience the pandemic in their own special ways.Objective:To describe the relationship between stress related to the pandemic and self-ratedmeasures of mental health symptoms and distress among Amish and Mennonite people withbipolar disorder and related conditions, and their family members.Eligibility:Adults ages 18 and older who are taking part in the NIMH AMBiGen study (80-M-0083).Design:Participants will be mailed 4 surveys. One survey will ask about depression symptoms. Onesurvey will ask about mania symptoms. One survey will assess a broad range ofpsychological problems. One survey will assess the impact of COVID-19 on their mentalhealth. They will fill out the surveys 4 times over 24 months.The surveys will not include participants names, just codes. This will help protectprivacy.Data collected in 80-M-0083 will be used. This includes data about participants genes,medical conditions, and assessments.Participants will get an 800 number they can call to speak to the research team. They canalso write to the team if they prefer. Participants who wish will get referrals formental health services. Participation will last up to 24 months. There will be an optionfor recontact in the future.
This protocol leverages existing NIMH studies and participants to accomplish
time-sensitive research on the mental health impact of environmental stressors imposed by
the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will describe the relationship between stressors related
to COVID-19 and self-rated measures of mental health symptoms and distress among Amish
and Mennonite participants in an ongoing study of bipolar disorder (AMBiGen), and their
family members.
Objectives: The primary objective is to describe the relationship between stressors
related to COVID-19 and self-rated measures of mental health symptoms and distress among
individuals with bipolar disorder, related conditions, and their family members. The
secondary objectives are to determine the roles played by psychiatric diagnosis, genetic
risk of various mental illnesses, and perceived social support in moderating risk and
resilience for mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the
following criteria:
1. Active enrollment in Protocol 80-M-0083
2. 18 years of age and older.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
1. Under age 18.
INCLUSION OF VULNERABLE PARTICIPANTS:
The study will be not be targeting any vulnerable populations. We are not planning to
recruit children; all participants being invited to participate have previously been
assessed under Protocol 80-M-0083 as over the age of 18.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Francis J McMahon, M.D., Principal Investigator
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)