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
Tag: Mental Illness
Study of 18 million people finds increased mental illnesses incidence following severe COVID-19, especially in unvaccinated people
A new study that examined health data on 18 million people reveals higher incidence of mental illnesses for up to a year following severe COVID-19 in unvaccinated people.
Dismissed and discharged: health systems still failing people with poor mental health
A serious disconnect between emergency departments and the NDIS is failing people with mental health conditions, as new research from the University of South Australia shows that they frequently receive inadequate care within emergency departments, potentially putting thousands of vulnerable people at risk.
Study Examines U.S. Public Opinion of ‘Would-be’ Mass Shooters
A first-of-its-kind study sheds light on public opinion about would-be mass shooters, particularly regarding their mental health status. Willingness to “see something” and “say something,” especially when loved ones or associates are involved, hinges on whether the informant believes the criminal justice system will handle the situation effectively and fairly.
Women with serious mental illness want pregnancy information, resources from mental health providers
Women with serious mental illness (SMI) who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy face gaps in information, support and resources in mental health services. The findings highlight the need to integrate pregnancy and parenting interventions, education, and other resources for women with SMI.
Study finds LA County pilot program to aid gravely disabled residents could improve housing, hospitalization rates
A UCLA Health-led evaluation of Los Angeles County’s pilot program aimed at bolstering aid to gravely disabled homeless residents found the initiative could offer a promising framework to improve housing and health outcomes for this vulnerable population while also relieving overburdened psychiatric hospitals.
People with severe mental illness at 50 per cent higher risk of death following COVID-19 infection
New research from King’s College London has found that in the UK people with severe mental illness were at increased risk of death from all causes following COVID-19 infection compared to those without severe mental illness
MEDIA ADVISORY: Cedars-Sinai Experts Available to Discuss Safety, Benefits of Using Medications to Lose Weight
The science is unclear on exactly why an increasingly popular new class of federally approved diabetes and obesity medications work, but they do know that they are effective at helping people lose weight.
Owning a pet does not reduce symptoms of severe mental illness, study shows
Living with and having a close bond with a companion animal does not necessarily lead to significant mental health improvements in people with a serious mental illness, say researchers.
‘Taboo’ & ‘Crazy:’ Researchers Examine Mental Health Stigmas on the Border
Study on Hispanic mental health perspectives paves way for better treatment engagement
Mental illness obstructs cancer screening
A new study from Aarhus University shows that far too many people with psychological challenges do not accept offers of colorectal cancer screening.
Sleep disorders associated with suicidal thoughts in youth
Having a sleep disorder is linked to an increased risk of suicidal ideation in kids, teens and young adults, University of Oregon research finds.
Military Service Members Who Hide Their Suicidal Thoughts Are More Likely to Store Their Firearms Unsafely
Military service members who haven’t told anyone about their suicidal thoughts or talked with a behavioral health professional are most likely to store their firearms unsafely, according to a Rutgers study.
Research points to positive mental health outcomes for young people who have attended university
Surrey researchers also found that Black and Asian people were less likely to have declared a mental illness than their white counterparts.
Gut microbes may lead to therapies for mental illness, UTSW researcher reports
The role of the microbiome in intestinal and systemic health has garnered close attention among researchers for many years. Now evidence is mounting that this collection of microorganisms in the human gut can also impact a person’s neurological and emotional health, according to a recent perspective article in Science by a UT Southwestern researcher.
Clinical Psychologist Available to Comment on 988
Millions of Americans dial 911 each year to seek help for mental health and substance use emergencies. However, doing so may unnecessarily land them in the emergency room or the criminal justice system. Now, as Anu Raj, Psy.D., a clinical…
When reality fails: What to know about psychosis
More awareness of the symptoms of psychosis, and the availability of treatment, could mean more young people with psychosis get care quickly. And that can make a big difference in their immediate mental health and their long-term futures.
Increased overdose and mental health risks persist two years after opioid dose reduction
A new UC Davis Health study suggests that the increased rates of overdose and mental health crisis observed during the first year after opioid dose tapering persist through the second year. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
Fear, social context (not mental illness) fuel violent extremist views
Christine Reyna is director of the Social and Intergroup Perception Lab at DePaul University, where researchers examine how individuals and groups legitimize and leverage prejudice and discrimination to maintain status, cultural values and systems that benefit one’s own groups — often at the expense of others.
Caring for the Physical Health of Those with Mental Illness
Researchers look into methods to reduce the early mortality in those with serious mental illnesses
Move the Stigma Needle of Mental Health for Children
Sarah Mallard Wakefield, M.D., pediatric psychiatrist and chair of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry offers tips on how to talk to adolescents and young adults who might be struggling with mental health.
ASU health economist studies effects of mental illness disclosure in the workplace
A person with a serious mental illness must confront the difficult decision of whether to reveal their disorder in their workplace. Disclosing their diagnosis might create stigma, but it could also mean additional support. Adding to the delicate balancing act…
Financial strain predicts future risk of homelessness and partly explains the effect of mental illness
Financial strains like debt or unemployment are significant risk factors for becoming homeless, and even help to explain increased risk of homelessness associated with severe mental illness, reports a study in a supplement to the April issue of Medical Care. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
Staying Ahead of the Curve: How Experts at Rutgers Are Addressing the Pandemic’s Impact on Mental Health and Risk for Suicide
A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the incidence of people seriously considering suicide in the prior 30 days almost doubled over the previous year. For essential workers, that figure jumps to 21.7 percent.
Anticipating the more significant impact on clinicians’ mental health, the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has been coordinating several initiatives designed to address mental and behavioral issues that could increase suicide risk.
Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every other Wednesday.
Happy childhood? That’s no guarantee for good mental health
It’s well understood that a difficult childhood can increase the likelihood of mental illness, but according to new research from the University of South Australia, a happy and secure childhood does not always protect a child from developing a mental illness later in life.
What are the links between violence and mental illness? Update from Harvard Review of Psychiatry
When there is news of a violent attack, we sometimes hear that it could be related to mental illness – which may make us ask whether the violence could have been predicted or prevented. Current research and perspectives on associations between violence and mental illness are presented in the special January/February issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
McLean Hospital Webinar Series: Regaining Control Over OCD
December 10 @ 3pm EST Keeping Obsessive Compulsive Disorder From Controlling Us While obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic disorder, it can be managed in a number of ways that can transform intrusive thoughts from a loud roar to…
Long-acting antipsychotic therapy plus cognitive training show promise for schizophrenia
FINDINGS UCLA scientists and colleagues found the use of long-acting antipsychotic medication combined with the use of cognitive training in group settings led to improved cognition and increased productivity. Researchers say patients using a combination of long-acting antipsychotic medication and…
McLean Psychiatrists Available to Discuss Trump’s COVID/Mental Health Connection
Media AdvisoryTrump’s COVID/Mental Health Connection WHAT: With today’s news about President Trump’s positive COVID test, more research to explore what we know about how older adults manage following a COVID diagnosis is crucial. A team from McLean geriatric department have…
The Medical Minute: Preventing suicide during COVID-19
People contemplating suicide want help. As the COVID-19 pandemic raises the overall level of anxiety, a Penn State Health expert explains how you can help people in crisis in this week’s Medical Minute.
With Digital Phenotyping, Smartphones May Play a Role in Assessing Severe Mental Illness
Digital phenotyping approaches that collect and analyze Smartphone-user data on locations, activities, and even feelings – combined with machine learning to recognize patterns and make predictions from the data – have emerged as promising tools for monitoring patients with psychosis spectrum illnesses, according to a report in the September/October issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
McLean Hospital Webinar Series: Ask Me Anything–Diet, Exercise, and the Mind
Q&A With Dr. Chris Palmer on the Mind-Body Connection Friday, August 21 at 11am EST Having a good diet and regular exercise regimen has plenty of physical health benefits. But what do they do to our mental health? Is it…
Men Scoring Higher on ’Man Box’ Scale are Prone to Violence, Mental Illness
Study finds that men who harbor more harmful attitudes about masculinity – including beliefs about aggression and homophobia – also tend toward bullying, sexual harassment, depression and suicidal thoughts.
McLean Hospital Webinar Series: Mental Health in the Asian American Community
Dr. Geoffrey Liu Discusses Stigma and Barriers to Care
McLean Hospital Ranks Among the Country’s Best Hospitals for 2020-2021
U.S. News & World Report’s annual best hospitals survey ranks McLean second overall in the nation for psychiatry, making McLean America’s top-ranked freestanding psychiatric hospital for the 18th consecutive year.
Mental Health Units in Correctional Facilities: Scarce Data but Promising Outcomes
Specialized mental health units (MHUs) may be critical to managing the high rates of serious mental illness in incarcerated populations. But research data on unit characteristics, services provided, and outcomes achieved by MHUs in correctional facilities are scarce, according to a report in the July/August issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
FREE McLean Hospital Webinar Series: Ask Me Anything About Teen & Child Mental Health
Dr. Lisa Coyne Answers Questions About Youth Mental Health June 25 @ 11am EST Mental health is an enormous component of overall health for both children and teens alike. The World Health Organization reports that across the globe, 10-20% of…
Unexpected Mental Illnesses Found in a Spectrum of a Rare Genetic Disorder
UC Davis MIND Institute researchers found an unexpected spectrum of mental illnesses in patients with a rare gene mutation. These patients had a “double hit” condition that combined features and symptoms of fragile X syndrome and premutation disorder, in addition to a range of psychiatric symptoms. The findings revealed the need for clinicians to consider the complexities of the co-existing conditions of patients with both psychological and fragile X associated disorders.
Vets Walking Pets: Strolls with Shelter Dogs May Reduce PTSD Symptoms in Military Veterans
About 6 to 8 million dogs end up in shelters in the U.S. each year. Researchers worked with two no-kill shelters on a study examining the effects of walking with a shelter dog on psychological and physiological stress indicators in military veterans. Results confirm the importance of the human-animal bond and provide evidence that walking with a shelter dog may affect psychological and physiological stress indicators in veterans – with particular potential benefits for those with an increase in PTSD symptom severity.
Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every Tuesday throughout the duration of the outbreak.
Roth Leads $26.9 Million Project to Create Better Psychiatric Medications
Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a team of internationally acclaimed researchers led by UNC School of Medicine’s Bryan L. Roth, MD, PhD, aims to create new medications to effectively and rapidly treat depression, anxiety, and substance abuse without major side effects.
Survey Finds Large Increase in Psychological Distress Reported Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A new survey conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health during the COVID-19 pandemic found a more-than-threefold increase in the percentage of U.S. adults who reported symptoms of psychological distress—from 3.9 percent in 2018 to 13.6 percent in April 2020.
McLean Hospital: Tips to Help College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
With the national emergency of the coronavirus pandemic, college students’ lives have been upended as they have been asked to leave campus and adjust to new living situations. As the director of psychological services in McLean Hospital’s College Mental Health Program…
Skills Training Opens ‘DOORS’ to Digital Mental Health for Patients with Serious Mental Illness
Digital technologies, especially smartphone apps, have great promise for increasing access to care for patients with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia. A new training program, called DOORS, can help patients get the full benefit of innovative digital mental health tools, reports a study in the March issue of Journal of Psychiatric Practice. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
Lack of Motivation the Most Central Domain for Successful Treatment of Schizophrenia Symptoms
A recent conceptual development in schizophrenia is to view its manifestations as interactive networks rather than individual symptoms. Negative symptoms, which are associated with poor functional outcome and reduced rates of recovery, represent a critical need in schizophrenia therapeutics. MIN101…
University of Utah researchers publish article posing powerful moral conflict between physician aid-in-dying and suicide prevention
Researchers at the University of Utah have published an article in the October edition of the American Journal of Bioethics posing the powerful moral conflict between physician aid-in-dying and suicide prevention. In the article, Brent Kious, assistant professor of psychiatry, and Margaret Battin, distinguished professor of philosophy, ask the question, if the practice of PAD for terminal illness is permissible, then should it be justifiable for those who suffer from psychiatric illness, since the suffering can be equally severe?
From one student to another: How to navigate college while dealing with anxiety
The new school year is here. I’ll hold for your applause. All joking aside, the beginning of a new semester can be scary. For many students, including me, that fear manifests itself as anxiety, the most common mental illness in the U.S.
Mental Illness Does Not Cause Racism, Society’s Ills
Paul Carrola, Ph.D., an assistant professor in The University of Texas at El Paso’s Department of Educational Psychology and Special Services, comments on the recent El Paso, Texas shooting He is a licensed professional counselor, national certified counselor and certified clinical mental health counselor. He coordinates UTEP’s Mental Health Counseling Program. His research interests include correctional counseling, counselor burnout and secondary trauma, and border related mental health issues.