2024 Edition
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
The Editor's Take: Welcome back!
Welcome back, AMWA UTD, to a new year! I am honored to serve as your Editor-in-Chief this year and share with you exciting articles exploring women’s health, current health-related news, health issues, and more.
The Newsletter team is composed of 5 incredible writers: Riya Ramani, Gauri Guruprasad, Sahaana Anand, Shannon-Renee Odoi, and Sahasra Guvvala. Every month, we will work to bring you engaging and informative articles in the form of individual articles, as well as columns like The Sex Talk You Never Had, Spotlight, Hot Button, Whats Poppin, Ask AMWA and Mind Over Matter. Stay tuned for more!
We also encourage AMWA UTD members to submit any pieces of work they would like to see featured in the Newsletter. Along with each monthly newsletter, we have a Spotify playlist!
In this issue, we bring to you articles on deconstructing the stigmatization of mental health of health professionals and students, Inside Out 2 and its lessons on emotional resilience, and electric bandages, a new technological development for wound healing. I hope you enjoy reading these articles, as we have truly put our whole hearts into them. If you have any topics, ideas, or your own pieces of writing that you would like to submit, please feel free to email me at Zoe.Du@utdallas.edu. I wish you all a great start to your semester!
- Zoe
Mental Health for Healthcare Workers and Students
By: Sahaana Anand and Sahasra Guvvala
It does not come with much shock that mental health has been a taboo within the community of medical professionals and students, but how has it been so normalized? It seems paradoxical that the people meant to be providing the population with healthcare and promoting well-being would then deny and discourage themselves from getting help, yet it is too often the reality. The stigmatization of mental health among health professionals and students does not only affect the providers, but can also bleed into how they treat the mental health of patients. Currently, intervention studies are necessary to support policy development, particularly to reduce the disparity in rates linked to inadequate access to physical health care for people with mental illness compared to those without mental illness. In the meantime, we would like to discuss how mental health became taboo, as well as small things we can do in our personal lives to meet our mental health needs.
Healthcare workers and students are often perceived to be “invincible”, but this viewpoint is degrading to everyone involved. Mental health challenges are immensely common within this group of people, and research shows that medical students, doctors, and nurses have low access to help for psychiatric problems because their competence may be deemed low if reported. Fear of exposure to this huge stigma is a huge factor in concealing symptoms of mental illness, and can contribute to further challenges in well-being and productivity. In fact, the results of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of Coming Out Proud with mental illness showed immediate positive effects on variables related to stigma stress.
Being a pre-health student is not easy, and it’s important to remember that it is completely okay to struggle. Recognizing burnout and high stress levels is the first step towards recovering, and there are many different resources out there that can help students achieve these goals and move past them. UTD has an amazing counseling center that offers up to six no-cost sessions, and if in person appointments don’t work, the UTD-sponsored free app TimelyCare is a great alternative. However, if counseling is too much of a commitment, there are simpler ways to develop healthy habits that can do wonders in the long run. An article by the American College of Physicians states that exercise, volunteering, and even taking a walk outside can have psychologically profound effects on the body and mind. Lastly, just remember that nobody goes through this journey alone. No one is perfect, and chances are most other pre-med students are going through the same kinds of struggles. Realizing and recognizing that this path is meant to be difficult can help many people feel less alone.
This path isn’t easy, and it’s okay to admit that. Especially at the beginning of the semester, when lifestyles can completely change, it can feel daunting and confusing to experience so many new changes. Surprisingly, so many of your peers probably feel the same way. You are not alone, and there are so many people here at AMWA and beyond that are willing to support and guide you. Wishing you all the best for a new semester!
Inside Out 2: Exploring Emotional Resilience Across Generations
By: Riya Ramani and Zoe Du
*Spoiler Alert!!! We will be discussing some of the plot points of Inside Out 2*
Inside Out was a cultural phenomenon when it was released. An animated children’s movie, it struck a chord with audiences both young and old through its depiction of mental health and the complexity of human emotions, all wrapped in a coming-of-age story. A decade later, the highly anticipated sequel, Inside Out 2, returns to Riley’s inner mind in an exploration of the anxiety and emotional turmoil of adolescence and the search for one’s identity. At its core, Inside Out 2 is a tale of emotional resilience that resonates with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Set two years after Riley’s move to San Francisco, Inside Out 2 follows her journey as she enters high school and it effectively portrays Riley's emotional journey during adolescence. The film captures the chaos and confusion, as well as the intense emotional growth and self-discovery of the teenage years, a time when individuals often face identity crises, fluctuating emotions, and pressure to conform to societal expectations. Inside Riley’s mind, these challenges are reflected as her personified emotions—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger—are joined by four new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui.
Riley's internal struggle is intensified when her newly developed "Sense of Self," which houses her memories and feelings, is disrupted. Her personified emotions try to manage this turmoil, but the introduction of new emotions adds complexity. This mirrors the psychological understanding that managing emotions rather than suppressing them is crucial for developing emotional resilience. The film highlights that resilience is not about eliminating negative emotions but learning to balance them with positive ones, showing that both are essential for growth.
The concepts of emotional resilience depicted in the movie are particularly relevant to child psychology. By personifying emotions and illustrating their complex interplay within Riley's mind, Inside Out 2 provides a unique and accessible way for children to understand their own feelings. This is crucial, as emotional awareness is a foundational skill in childhood development. The movie encourages children to recognize that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions, including negative ones like sadness or anxiety, and that these emotions are a natural part of life.
For adolescents, who are often in the throes of self-discovery and emotional turbulence, Inside Out 2 offers a comforting narrative that normalizes these experiences. It shows that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and that these emotions can be managed with self-awareness and support from others. The film also highlights the importance of not suppressing emotions, as seen when Anxiety tries to take control of Riley’s behavior, leading to a breakdown of her “Sense of Self.”
Inside Out 2 has the potential to influence broader conversations about mental health across all age groups. The film opens a dialogue about the importance of recognizing and addressing emotional health, a vital conversation in both personal and educational settings. By depicting the inner workings of Riley’s mind in an engaging and educational manner, the film encourages viewers to reflect on their emotional experiences and how they manage them. This understanding can foster empathy and improve communication between children and their caregivers, educators, and peers, creating a more supportive environment for emotional development.
In conclusion, Inside Out 2 is more than just an animated film; it is a powerful narrative on emotional resilience and mental health that speaks to audiences of all ages. The movie’s themes of growth, adaptability, and emotional intelligence offer valuable insights that are directly applicable to everyday life, especially for children and adolescents navigating their emotional landscapes. By promoting a deeper understanding of emotional health and resilience, the film not only entertains but also educates, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and emotional well-being for all.
Smart Bandages: The Future of Wound Healing
By: Gauri Guruprasad and Shannon-Renee Odoi
Researchers have introduced a groundbreaking solution to the persistent problem of chronic wound healing: the "electric bandage." Developed by a team from Stanford University, this innovative technology employs low-level electrical stimulation to significantly accelerate the healing of stubborn wounds, such as diabetic ulcers. This bandage expedites the recovery process and decreases the risk of infection, marking a substantial advancement in wound care. The implications of this research could greatly improve the lives of patients suffering from non-healing wounds, offering new hope where traditional methods have often fallen short.
The research behind the electric bandage was driven by a clear and pressing need: to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of chronic wound treatment. Traditional wound care methods often face significant challenges, including prolonged healing times and an increased risk of infection. Chronic wounds, like diabetic ulcers, are particularly problematic due to their resistance to standard treatments. The Stanford team sought to address these issues by developing a bandage that stimulates faster healing and monitors the wound environment to optimize care.
The researchers conducted extensive experiments, including histological analysis of skin tissues and open-field tests on rodents, to evaluate the efficacy of their electric bandages. These experiments revealed promising results, showing accelerated wound healing and reduced inflammation. However, the study also acknowledged limitations, such as the need for further testing in human trials to confirm the bandage's effectiveness across a broader patient population.
For those of us who have worked in research labs, particularly with rodents, the dedication required to carry out such studies is well understood. This resonates with both of our own experiences in the Thorn lab, where we spent countless hours training rats for lever-pressing tasks. The time, effort, and repetition involved in these studies highlight the immense commitment behind the research that led to the development of this innovative bandage.
The study is highly interdisciplinary, combining organic chemistry, physics, biology, and statistics to achieve its revolutionary findings. Although these results are still preliminary and require much more testing and clinical trials before they can be approved for public use, it is exciting to foresee a future where wound care is less cumbersome. Imagine a time when we may not be left with scars from minor cuts or major burns and when we won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on ER visits for lengthy debridement procedures. This advancement could save individuals money and eventually reduce the healthcare system's annual cost of over $25 billion in managing chronic wound-related complications (Jiang et al., 2023). The interdisciplinary approach is fascinating, and I am beginning to understand why mastering physics is essential for the MCAT and as a prerequisite for many graduate programs.
This study marks just the beginning of our journey toward the widespread use of advanced wound care technology. Future research could build on this work and potentially adapt the technology for broader medical applications, such as utilizing AI-driven analysis for patients with chronic pain and inflammation. As future healthcare professionals, it is crucial to understand the scope of such studies to appreciate the technologies we will prescribe and use in our practices, regardless of our specific fields. As we continue our education, let’s remember that the physics we painstakingly pore over today could be the foundation for tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs.
Sources
Akron Children's Hospital. (2024, July 18). Inside Out 2 sparks pertinent talking points for families of adolescents. Inside Children's Blog. https://www.akronchildrens.org/inside/2024/07/18/inside-out-2-sparks-pertinent-talking-points-for-families-of-adolescents/#:~:text=All%20kids%20go%20through%20complex,builds%20confidence%20and%20self%2Dassurance
Glickfeld, M. (2024, June 6). Insights on Inside Out 2. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making-the-whole-beautiful/202406/insights-on-inside-out-2
Greater Good Science Center. (n.d.). The science behind Inside Out. https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/event/the_science_behind_inside_out
Hankir, A. K., Northall, A., & Zaman, R. (2014). Stigma and mental health challenges in medical students. BMJ Case Reports. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2014-205226
Henderson, C., Noblett, J., Parke, H., Clement, S., Caffrey, A., Gale-Grant, O., Schulze, B., Druss, B., & Thornicroft, G. (2014). Mental health-related stigma in health care and mental health-care settings. The Lancet Psychiatry, 1(6), 467–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(14)00023-6
Jiang, Y., Trotsyuk, A.A., Niu, S. et al. Wireless, closed-loop, smart bandage with integrated sensors and stimulators for advanced wound care and accelerated healing. Nat Biotechnol 41, 652–662 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-022-01528-3
Lakhan, S. E. (2024, June 21). Inside Out 2: A movie for our mental health. Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/inside-out-2-a-movie-for-our-mental-health
Raghupathy, R. (2023, September 5). A beginner’s guide to staying sane in medical school. A Beginner’s Guide to Staying Sane in Medical School . https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/career-paths/medical-student-career-path/medical-student-well-being-resources/a-beginners-guide-to-staying-sane-in-medical-school
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