Beyond the ban: FSU expert available to comment on the effects of social media on youth mental health

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Australia created worldwide attention when the country approved a social media ban for children 16 years old and under, marking one of the most aggressive policies at curbing youth addiction to apps like Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.Vanessa Dennen, a professor of Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies at the Florida State University Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, has been actively researching the cognitive, motivational and social elements of computer-mediated communication.

FAU Receives $6M Grant to Propel Expansion of The FAU Marcus Institute of Integrative Health

The grant from the late Bernie Marcus and The Marcus Foundation will enable the FAU Marcus Institute of Integrative Health to expand its operations to provide more services and conduct more research. The institute also will enhance educational programs and expand community wellness initiatives, ultimately aiming to create a national model that demonstrates the effectiveness of comprehensive integrative health as the optimal approach for achieving overall well-being for everyone.

NJ Becomes First State to Have Statewide Law Enforcement & Mental Health Alternative Response Program in Nation

ARRIVE Together of Middlesex County, NJ, run by University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) at Rutgers Health, has expanded its partnerships to include the East Brunswick, South River and Cranbury police departments, making New Jersey the first state in the nation to have a statewide law enforcement and mental health alternative response program.

UC San Diego Health Study Sheds Light on Nurse Suicide Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic

Using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, a study published in The Journal of Nursing Administration found risk of suicide highest in female nurses as opposed to their male counterparts. Led by Judy E. Davidson, DNP, RN, nurse…

Max! Millie! How four-legged friends can ‘heel’ military veterans

Dogs are the bounding balls of energy that greet us at the door, and the beloved companions that curl up with us at night, yet for many military veterans, they’re also a vital support, helping manage their everyday wellbeing and promote positive mental health.

SLU Study: Integrative Palliative Care Critical to Improve Mental Health Among Pancreatic Cancer Patients

For patients facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, a compassionate approach to care can be transformative. Yet, a new study published in Healthcare reveals that palliative care, a service focused on enhancing the quality of life for those with serious illnesses, remains significantly underutilized among pancreatic cancer patients in the United States.

APA POLL: FUTURE OF NATION, ECONOMY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TOP U.S. STRESSORS

More than 7 in 10 adults said the future of the nation (77%) is a significant source of stress in their lives, with the economy (73%) and the 2024 U.S. presidential election (69%) following closely behind, according to the latest Stress in America™ survey released today by the American Psychological Association.

CHLA Psychologist Co-Hosts National Institute of Mental Health Webinar Focused on Disability, Equity and Mental Health

Key takeaways from Dr. Schwartzman’s presentation:Autistic people are frequently excluded from mental health research due to various factors.Including autistic individuals and scientists in the design of autism-focused research studies is crucial to effective research.Dr. Schwartzman’s lab is investigating tools to assess depression and suicide risk in autistic youth, testing autism-adapted cognitive behavioral therapy, and studying the needs of autistic youth and families following a suicide attempt.

Brain Imaging of Neuromelanin May be Key to Understanding Extensive Substance Use

A study that used a specialized type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), named neuromelanin-sensitive MRI, showed that this type of MRI signal was increased in regions of the midbrain in young adults ages 20 to 24 who had an extensive alcohol and drug use history. The findings are published early online in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Survey finds 25% of adults suspect they have undiagnosed ADHD

A new national survey of 1,000 American adults commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine finds that 25% of adults now suspect they may have undiagnosed ADHD but only 13% have talked to their doctor about it.

Multi-state center provides mental health support for farmers, agricultural workers

Agricultural producers and farm workers experience stressful working conditions that result in anxiety and depression at higher rates than the general population. At the same time, access to mental health care is often lacking in rural areas. In response, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded four regional farm and ranch stress assistance networks in 2019.

Study explores stress, social support, and mental health for men and women farmers

Agriculture is a stressful occupation, and farmers struggle with anxiety and depression at higher levels than the general population. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines differences in mental health challenges for men and women farmers, focusing on the role of social support in mitigating stress.

Experts offer advice for supporting children’s mental health

Prioritizing mental health is not only important for adults, but for children as well. “Stress and anxiety are normal parts of life that we all experience in order to keep us safe,” said Samantha Kempker-Margherio, assistant professor of psychology in Virginia Tech’s College of Science.

USU Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress Offers Essential Mental Health Resources for Helene Aftermath

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, the Uniformed Services University (USU) Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) has developed a series of vital mental health resources aimed at helping individuals, families, healthcare professionals, first responders and community leaders navigate the emotional aftermath of the disaster. These resources offer practical guidance to foster resilience, address trauma, and promote recovery across affected populations.

Mental health and self-care during election season: MSU experts can comment

MSU experts can comment on the role emotions play during election season and how to take care of yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the news.

Specially Designed Video Games May Benefit Mental Health of Children and Teenagers

In a review of previous studies, a Johns Hopkins Children’s Center team concludes that some video games created as mental health interventions can be helpful – if modest – tools in improving the mental well-being of children and teens with anxiety, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder at Risk of Liver Disease May be Less Commonly Referred for Liver Treatment if they are primarily seen for Mental Health Disorders

People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who are at risk of advanced liver disease are less likely to be referred for liver evaluation and care if they present primarily with alcohol-related mental health issues or a mental health diagnosis, according to a study of referral practices in Virginia’s largest health system. The findings point to the possibility of widespread missed opportunities for treating three conditions that commonly co-occur: AUD, mental health disorders, and liver disease. Recent years have seen notable increases in the USA in alcohol-related deaths, mental health disorders, and hospital admissions relating to alcohol use and concurrent mental health conditions. AUD is a significant cause of liver disease, and both addiction and co-occurring mental illness can be barriers to successful liver treatment. Integrating AUD treatment, mental health care, and hepatology (liver care) is necessary to improve outcomes, but data suggests this approach is not the norm. For the st

It’s not your life span you need to worry about. It’s your health span.

We’re living much longer than our ancestors, but is that always a good thing?

With many people living well into our late 70s or beyond, more of us are also spending a greater portion of our lives—sometimes a decade or more—saddled with physical and mental health conditions that can make it challenging to accomplish the tasks of daily life.

COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains, UW study shows

New research from the University of Washington found lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. This maturation was more pronounced in girls. When measured in terms of the number of years of accelerated brain development, the mean acceleration was 4.2 years in females and 1.4 years in males.

Physical health has its yardsticks. Mental health is still searching for the right ruler

A national initiative led by the National Institutes for Mental Health is now underway to find figurative “rulers” that can accurately measure and compare the quality of the various mental health treatments available.

UC Irvine study reveals health impacts of repeated wildfires and smoke exposure

Irvine, Calif., Aug. 28, 2024 — University of California, Irvine public health researchers have published a study in the journal Environmental Research Health highlighting the compounded effects of frequent wildfires and smoke exposure on physical and mental health, local economies and community resilience in Southern California.