Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of November 10, 2008
Mental Health in the Headlines offers summaries of the latest news and views in the mental health field. Coverage of news items in this publication does not represent Mental Health America's support for or opposition to the stories summarized or the views they express.
*DID YOU KNOW?
The young children of American military service personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely than other kids in military families to exhibit behavioral problems...more
*TODAY´S NEWS
MHA Affiliate Takes Lead In Helping Local Vets
Officials of Maryland’s Montgomery County announced last week the creation of a mental health information and help line for military veterans and their families. The service will be run by the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County (an MHA affiliate). “We should welcome them home and at the same time make certain that they are provided with care and services due them,” said County Executive Isiah Legget, a Vietnam War veteran, at the association’s annual legislative breakfast. (The Washington Post, 11/6/08)
TennCare Services To Merge
Beginning Jan. 1, people enrolled in Tennessee’s Medicaid program, TennCare, will receive all health care, both physical and behavioral, from just one of the companies participating in the program. Currently, each enrollee receives physical and behavioral care coverage from two separate companies. The change was prompted by the “complex physical health needs of people with chronic mental illnesses” that require a coordination of care, health providers say. (Chattanooga Times Free Press, 11/3/08)
Veterans’ Need For Services In Buffalo Outstrip Availability
The number of veterans seeking mental health services in the Buffalo, N.Y., area has skyrocketed since 2001, when 1,700 people sought help from the local Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. In the 2007-08 fiscal year, almost 8,000 people sought help, resulting in what many veterans say is inadequate treatment that focuses solely on medication and not developing coping strategies. To help alleviate some of the stresses on veterans’ health services in and around Buffalo, many in the local mental health community are seeking mental health professionals to donate an hour of their time each week to work with vets. (The Buffalo News, 11/10/08)
Latest Research
Pediatric Prescriptions Increase: The number of children taking medications for ADHD, asthma and other conditions increased significantly between 2002 and 2005, a study published in Pediatrics indicates. During the period studied, the number of pediatric prescriptions for ADHD increased by more than 40 percent; for asthma, prescriptions rose by more than 46 percent. The increases could be the result of increased incidences of these conditions, but also could be due to better screenings for the conditions and better safety data on the drugs, which may have given pediatricians additional confidence in writing the prescriptions. (Reuters, 11/3/08)
Toddlers Of Deployed Service Personnel At Risk For Behavior Problems: The young children of American military service personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely than other kids in military families to exhibit behavioral problems, such as aggressiveness, researchers report in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. “The whole family dynamic changes when one parent is away for a long period,” said Deborah Frank, one of the researchers. “And in this case, on top of the usual stresses of separation, even very young children can sense the anxiety that not only is the parent not there, but something terrible might happen to them.” (Reuters, 11/3/08)
Close Family, Community Ties May Mitigate Risk of Mental Illness Development Among Immigrants: Researchers report in the Archives of General Psychiatry that immigrants in Britain, particularly those people who face discrimination and alienation, are more likely than people born in that country to develop schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other similar conditions. Close family and community ties, though, appears to mitigate many of these social factors. (Reuters, 11/3/08)
Long-Term Psychotic Episodes Associated With Marijuana May Be A Sign of Schizophrenia: People who have long-lasting psychotic episodes after smoking marijuana may be exhibiting the early stages of schizophrenia, Danish researchers report in the Archives of General Psychiatry. These psychotic symptoms usually last at least 48 hours. Earlier research shows that marijuana smoking may actually increase the risk of developing schizophrenia over time. If someone does have prolonged symptoms of psychosis after smoking marijuana, the researchers recommended that the person seek help as soon as possible; the earlier people get treatment for schizophrenia, the outcome is usually better. (Reuters, 11/3/08)
Brain Region Associated With Pain More Active In People With Depression: The regions of brains of people who have depression that are associated with pain show more activity in brain scans than the same regions in the brains of people who don’t have depression, researchers report in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The finding may help explain why people with depression also often report having chronic pain as well. (Reuters, 11/3/08)
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Research conducted by the Mental Health America found that seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is caused by less exposure to sunlight during shorter winter days, can compound holiday stress. Fatigue, financial constraints, the inability to be with friends and family, and lofty expectations also contribute to holiday season. Quality Health, "5 Ways to Stay Happy During the Holidays,” November 9, 2008
More than half of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder have substance abuse problems, according to Mental Health America. Shane Hmiel, a NASCAR driver banned for his drug use, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and is now working through his substance abuse and mental health condition. The Roanoke Times, “Hmiel Looking to Turn Life Around,” November 3, 2008
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008, included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424), will go into effect January 1, 2010."We're overjoyed with it because it will remove barriers that for long have prevented people with mental health conditions from getting the care they need," said Steve Vetzner, director of media relations for Mental Health America. The Daily Vidette, “Mental Health Law to Take Effect 2010,” November 6, 2008
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
- View highlights of Mental Health America’s 2008 Annual Conference featuring the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit
- Save the Date: Mental Health America's Centennial Conference - June 10-13, 2009, Washington, D.C.
- Mental Health America’s 2008 Media Awards honor excellence in reporting of mental health issues
- Survey reveals obstacles to health care for people who have schizophrenia
- New report reveals link between states’ depression status and access to treatment
- Donate to our Resource Center and help save lives
- Share your story on realLIVES
- Join Mental Health America’s Advocacy Network
- Check out previous issues of Mental Health in the Headlines
Mental Health in the Headlines is produced weekly by Mental Health America. Mental Health America's Mental Health in the Headlines staff: Steve Vetzner, senior director, Media Relations; Sarah Jones, communications coordinator; and Hazel Moran, senior director, Healthcare Reform.
To find out more about the Mental Health America, including how to make a tax-deductible contribution to help support Mental Health in the Headlines and the association's other educational activities, visit http://mentalhealthamerica.net/ or call 800-969-6MHA (6642).
For comments and suggestions, send an e-mail to Mental Health America at postmaster@mentalhealthamerica.net.
