Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

NIH grants for UNC investigators to study HIV/AIDS prevention methods

Investigators at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comprise one of 12 scientific teams in more than a dozen states that will receive National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to study effective ways to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS among people in the criminal justice system.

30 Sep 2010

Repligen Corporation completes patient enrollment in RG2417 Phase 2b clinical trial

Repligen Corporation reported today that it has completed enrollment of patients in its Phase 2b clinical trial of RG2417, an oral formulation of uridine, in patients with bipolar depression.

30 Sep 2010

Legal storm brews in area of mental health protection at work

Financial rewards for damages caused by mental injury at work have increased over the past five years by as much as 700%, according to a report released today by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). The report warns that a perfect legal storm is brewing in the area of mental health protection at work, and points to emerging responsibilities for employers to provide a psychologically safe workplace. This is timely, since October is Canada's Healthy Workplace Month and next week is Mental Illness Awareness Week.

30 Sep 2010

New approach to prevent psychotic symptoms

New research has linked psychosis with an abnormal relationship between two signalling chemicals in the brain. The findings, published in tomorrow's edition of the journal Biological Psychiatry, suggest a new approach to preventing psychotic symptoms, which could lead to better drugs for schizophrenia.

30 Sep 2010

Men may connect strongly to publicity campaigns about depression and suicide

A recent study revealed that men might connect strongly to publicity campaigns about depression and suicide, particularly when they have options for anonymous help. In Regensburg, Germany, a two-year intervention campaign resulted in a marked drop in male suicides.

30 Sep 2010

Study suggests drugs targeting glutamatergic transmission may help treat psychotic illness

There is growing evidence that two neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate are abnormal in people with psychotic illness, including schizophrenia. Among many other things, these chemicals play a role in cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, and problem solving.

30 Sep 2010

First direct genetic link to ADHD

The latest study shows evidence of a genetic link to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. The researchers from Cardiff University, Wales said the disorder was a brain problem like autism and not due to bad parenting. The paper appeared in the acclaimed journal Lancet.

30 Sep 2010

Midlife crisis is hitting Britons earlier: Survey

The latest British research shows that the tmidlife crisis that was once thought to hit people on their fifties is now affecting people in their mid-thirties. The changes in the work culture may be the main reason say researchers.

30 Sep 2010

Health Alliance/Burbank Hospital to close inpatient psychiatric Acute Care Unit

Registered Nurses who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association were told in a meeting on Tuesday that Health Alliance/Burbank Hospital will be closing the inpatient psychiatric Acute Care Unit. The hospital plan is to close the unit no later than December 31, 2010. The Burbank unit is the only inpatient locked unit in the area.

30 Sep 2010

Increased drug use linked to father's incarceration

In a recently published study in the journal Addiction, researchers from Bowling Green State University report evidence of an association between father's incarceration and substantially elevated risks for illegal drug use in adolescence and early adulthood.

29 Sep 2010

New computer program to help young adults manage mental illness

While many young adults will share the details of their daily lives with dozens - sometimes hundreds - of friends on Facebook, communicating with their health care providers about mental illness is another story.

29 Sep 2010

Canadians living with depression significantly underestimate others' perceptions about illness

A new national survey reveals a vast gap between how Canadians living with depression view their condition, compared to how it is viewed in reality by the general population, possibly preventing them from seeking the best treatment and care. Most Canadians with depression feel their illness is not perceived by the public as a medical condition or a serious illness (81 per cent) when in fact less than five per cent of the general population actually has that view. In fact, the majority of Canadians (72 per cent) recognize depression as both serious and treatable.

29 Sep 2010

Florida likely to seek waiver on medical loss ratio; Ariz. cuts back Medicaid benefits

The Hill Healthwatch: "Florida's 14-member insurance advisory board has unanimously passed a resolution to seek a waiver from the health law's medical loss ratio. An official with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation tells The Hill that the board's vote means it's a 'done deal' that the state will formally seek some kind of waiver but the board is gathering public input through Oct. 8.

29 Sep 2010

Teens who experience manic phase of bipolar disorder more likely to engage in high risk sexual behaviors

Although research has shown that teens with mental health disorders are more likely to engage in high risk sexual behaviors, like unprotected sex, a new study from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center suggests there is an additional risk associated with certain psychiatric diagnoses.

29 Sep 2010

Study analyses PTSD treatment guidelines

In recent years, several guidelines in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder have been put into practice globally. Practice guidelines across the health sphere are very important in guiding the care people receive. Although there is a high level of consensus on these guidelines among practitioners, there are also differences that can lead to confusion among providers, patients, and purchasers of mental health services for people affected by trauma.

29 Sep 2010

Healthcare professionals need appropriate training, support to help people who self-harm: Research

Healthcare professionals are still not receiving the appropriate training and support they need to help people who self-harm and this can result in negative attitudes and inadequate levels of care.

28 Sep 2010

Study reveals hunger costs Minnesotans $1.62 billion per annum

A University of Minnesota Food Industry Center study funded by Target and released today reveals that hunger is costing Minnesotans upwards of $1.62 billion annually in direct and indirect health and education costs. The Cost/Benefit Study also suggests that interventions aimed at preventing hunger are sound moral, social and financial investments.

28 Sep 2010

Researchers develop microelectronic circuitry to guide axon growth in damaged brain

Researchers in the Midwest are developing microelectronic circuitry to guide the growth of axons in a brain damaged by an exploding bomb, car crash or stroke. The goal is to rewire the brain connectivity and bypass the region damaged by trauma, in order to restore normal behavior and movement.

28 Sep 2010

Children with food allergies experience bullying: Study

In the first ever study to assess the social impact of food allergies in children, Mount Sinai researchers have found that approximately 35 percent of children with food allergies, who are over the age of five, were reported to have experienced bullying, teasing, or harassment as a result of their allergies.

28 Sep 2010

Conmed Healthcare signs full-service agreement with City of Virginia Beach

Conmed Healthcare Management, Inc, a leading full service provider of correctional facility healthcare services to county and municipal detention centers, today announced that it has signed a full-service agreement with the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, for an initial three-year term with options for two one-year extensions at the City's option.

28 Sep 2010