Understanding the Mental Health Burden of Trauma and Chronic Stress

Dear Colleagues,

Trauma and chronic stress are more relevant than ever in today’s world, with global crises, economic insecurity, climate change, and war constituting threats that have a significant impact on mental health. We know from research that trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and other conditions, and COVID-19 has shown how chronic stress can be associated with an increase in mental health issues. In addition, there is a lack of studies that showcase the role of chronic stress among children and adolescents or in the workplace.

The world has significantly changed in the past few years, and new challenges and threats have arisen on a global scale. To address these threats, more focused research is needed, and global research on these topics is of vital importance. Mental health is complex and varies across populations; thus, studies showcasing evidence on the relationship between trauma/chronic stress and mental health are essential for policy makers.

We are pleased to invite you to provide public policy proposals and research containing evidence of the relationship between trauma/chronic stress and mental health, showcasing risk factors and protective factors, and highlighting vulnerable populations, whether through original research or through review articles.

Overall, the aim of this Special Issue is to provide evidence on the relationship between trauma and/or chronic stress and mental health, with a special focus on post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders, although studies on other mental health issues are welcomed as well. The overall goal is to better understand the burden of trauma and/or chronic stress on mental health.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Reviews (systematic or others) and meta-analyses of the association between mental health and trauma or chronic stress.
• Cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies of mental health assessments in relation to trauma or chronic stress.
• Studies on a wide variety of topics, whether occupational mental health, child mental health, refugee mental health, general population mental health, etc., in relation to trauma exposure and/or chronic stress.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Roel Van Overmeire
Guest Editor

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• trauma
• chronic stress
• PTSD
• depression
• anxiety disorder