Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of May 18, 2009
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?
Children who suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can experience lasting or late-appearing neuro-psychological problems...more
*TODAY’S NEWS
Recession Threatens Progress in Children’s Health
The recession threatens years of progress made in the health, safety and education of young people, a new report finds. Authors of the 2009 Child Well-Being Index say that virtually all gains made in family economic well-being since 1975 will be erased because of current economic difficulties. The annual report, sponsored by the Foundation for Child Development, a private child advocacy group, measures economic, health, safety and social factors affecting children and teens. The report finds that the percentage of children in poverty will rise to 21 percent in 2010, up from about 17 percent in 2006. It said the housing crisis will disrupt social relationships for children as job losses uproot families searching for work and less costly housing. (Reuters, 5/18/09)
Health Care Groups Reiterate Commitment To Reduce Costs
Six major health care groups that promised President Obama they would find ways to reduce spending by $2 trillion over 10 years reiterated their commitment to that pledge. “Our organizations are currently engaged in an intensive process to develop proposals to reduce the rate of increase in future healthcare costs," the groups said in a joint statement Friday. The statement followed news reports that the groups were backing away from their promise. (Politico, 5/18/09)
Most Teenagers with Depression Don’t Receive Treatment
Most teenagers with major depression never receive treatment, a new report finds. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration study finds only about two-fifths receive treatment. About 8 percent of youth aged 12 to 17 experience at least one major depressive episode in the past year. The report also found that health insurance coverage seemed to be a major factor in determining access to treatment. Those without health insurance coverage were far less likely to have received treatment than those with Medicaid/CHIP or private health insurance. (US News & World Report, 5/13/09)
Report Underscores Gender Differences in Mental Health
A report released by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health finds that women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression and are two to three times as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The new report also underscores the young age of onset for both males and females. While the statistics are not new, their importance is generally underplayed, says Wanda Jones, Dr. P.H., health scientist and director of the Office. Jones emphasized the need for early detection and treatment of mental health conditions. (U.S. News & World Report, 5/12/09)
U.S. Military Launches Probe of Mental Health Care Following Shooting
The U.S. military has launched an investigation into whether it offers adequate mental health care to its soldiers, after a sergeant finishing up his third tour of Iraq allegedly shot and killed five comrades at a clinic on a U.S. base. The case, the deadliest of the war involving soldier-on-soldier violence, has cast a spotlight on combat stress and emotional problems resulting from frequent deployments to battle zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. The probe will determine whether there are enough mental health resources for troops serving in combat zones and whether screening and treatment are adequate. (The Washington Post, 5/13/09)
Latest Research
Headaches Linked to Trauma: Nearly half of U.S. soldiers returning from combat who receive specialized care for headaches have a history of mild head trauma, according to a new study. Researchers from Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, studied 81 soldiers from the same brigade who were assessed for recurrent headache after a 1-year combat tour. The study, published in the journal Headache, found over 40 percent of soldiers reported suffering mild trauma to the head or neck during deployment, mostly due to a bomb blast. (Reuters, 5/12/09)
Traumatic Brain Injury Haunts Children for Years: Children who suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can experience lasting or late-appearing neuro-psychological problems, according to two new studies. A study by Ohio researchers found that severe TBI can cause many lasting problems with day-to-day functioning. Some children may recover academically but then start acting up; other children do surprisingly well for unknown reasons. In a second study, researchers at UCLA summarized results from many single studies. They found that problems lasted over time and, in some cases, worsened with more serious injury. Some children with severe TBI started to fall even further behind their peers than one would normally expect. (Sciencedaily, 5/12/09)
Drinking To Chase Blues Tied To Depression: People who drink to chase away the blues are more likely to become depressed and at greater risk of alcohol dependence, a new study shows. Researchers the University of Southern California looked at 5,181 twins aged 30 and older. They found that drinking to improve mood was strongly inherited and accounted for basically all of the genetic and environmental influences shared by depression and alcohol dependence. Males (Reuters, 5/12/09)
Brain Scans Show How Humans 'Hear' Emotion: Swiss scientists report that they can detect a person's sense of the emotion behind a word by "reading" the brain as it processes sounds from the world around it. The findings could lead to better understanding of mental illnesses that affect how people interpret the emotions of others, such as autism and schizophrenia, said study co-author Patrik Vuilleumier, a researcher at University Hospital of Geneva. (HealthDay, 5/14/09)
HEADLINES at Mental Health America
Parity Regulations: The Federal Affairs and Advocacy and State Policy Departments at Mental Health America are working on responses to a request for public comment on regulations that will implement the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
Article on Parity in “Health Affairs”: David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America, participated in briefing in Washington, D.C., on a special thematic issue of the journal Health Affairs on mental health. Dr. Shern, Kirsten Beronio, senior director for federal policy, and health care consultant Henry Harbin co-authored an article for the issue on mental health parity, “After Parity—What’s Next.”
Budget for Mental Health: Julio Abreu, senior director for government relations, reports that the Obama Administration’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposes a $59 million increase—roughly 2 percent—for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The same percentage increase is proposed for the Centers for Mental Health Services. In particular, the funding proposal for CMHS includes an increase of $17 million for the Children's Mental Health Program (Systems of Care grants) and a nearly $8.5 million increase for the homelessness program. In a reversal of years past, programs for/by consumers were not targeted for proposed cuts. Funding for critical programs such as the Consumers Technical Assistance Centers and the Consumer/Family Statewide Network Grants did not face the budget scalpel for the first time in nearly half a decade.
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Mental Health America cites these sobering statistics on workplace mental health: one million employees miss work annually due to work stress, more than other leading causes like illness or injury; the cost in lost worker productivity is $44 billion; people suffering depression from stress and other causes are twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease. One simple solution to relieving job stress is, of course, vacation. Americans don't get enough of it, according to Joe Robinson, a so-called vacation advocate and founder of the Work to Live Movement, which seeks a federal minimum paid leave law. The Ledger, “Taking time off to recharge your battery even more important these days,” May 12, 2009
Working through the delicacies of a child’s mental and emotional health issues is no small task. Many families today face these challenges and more. Mental Health America offers tips that every parent should do daily to help their little ones feel great about life, including communicating, nurturing confidence and give appropriate guidance. Chattanooga Times Free Press, “How to protect your child’s mental health,” May 14, 2009
It's tough when a relationship ends—even if the breakup was your idea. Whether it's a marriage, a long-term commitment or even a brief affair, suddenly nothing is the same. Your identity as half of a couple has ended. Mental Health America provides a fact sheet on coping with separation and divorce. KOAM-TV, “After she’s gone: How to heal when your relationship ends,” May 13, 2009
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
- Register Today for Mental Health America’s Centennial Conference, June 10-13, 2009 in Washington, D.C. For information about speakers, the agenda and how to register, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/conference
- Mental Health America’s 2009 Media Awards to 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 Relation and Sarah Jones, communications coordinator.
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