Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of April 27, 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?
People with a family member or friend in prison or jail suffer worse physical and mental health and more stress and depressive symptoms than those without a loved one behind bars…more
*TODAY’S NEWS
US Spent Almost $9 Billion On Children’s Mental Health in 2006
The U.S. spent nearly $9 billion in 2006 treating depression and other mental health conditions in children. That made mental health conditions the most expensive medical problem to treat in childhood, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. An estimated 4.6 million children were treated for mental health conditions in 2006 at an average cost of $1,931 per child. But more children were treated for asthma than any other disease or injury. The agency gathered data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for the report. (Reuters, 4/23/09)
Budget Plan To Include Fast Track For Health Care Reform
A budget plan being assembled by Congressional leaders is expected to include a procedure that would protect a health care reform plan from a Senate filibuster. Known as reconciliation, it permits health care legislation that meets spending targets to be approved by a simple majority of the Senate. Without the procedure, 60 votes in the Senate would be needed to block a filibuster and advance legislation. (The Washington Post, 4/24/09)
Study Gives Broader Picture of College Mental Health
One in every four college students who has sought mental health assistance in campus counseling centers has seriously considered suicide, according to a new study. The study, which was released by the Center for the Study of Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State University, found that of the 28,000 students questioned who received mental health services at 66 campus counseling centers nationwide, 11 percent had seriously considered suicide only before they began college, six percent only after starting college, and eight percent both prior to and after beginning college. (The Harvard Crimson, 4/23/09)
Army Takes New Steps To Stem Suicides
The Army plans to hire more mental health workers and change other procedures to stem the rising number of soldier suicides. The plan also includes changing drug testing procedures and health screening. Suicides from January through March rose to a reported 56—22 confirmed and 34 still being investigated and pending confirmation. That compares to 140 for all of last year—a record blamed partly on strains caused by repeated deployments for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although a number of cases involve situations where soldiers were showing signs of problems, many also involve soldiers who had no apparent problems. (Associated Press, 4/23/09)
Latest Research
People With Family Member or Friend in Jail Have Worse Physical and Mental Health: People with a family member or friend in prison or jail suffer worse physical and mental health and more stress and depressive symptoms than those without a loved one behind bars, researchers say. Those who knew someone in prison had 40 percent more days in which poor physical health interfered with their usual activities, including work, and 54 percent more days in which poor mental or emotional health interfered with these activities, according to a study published in Progress in Community Health Partnerships. The results could help explain health disparities between minorities and whites, researchers said. African-Americans are more likely to know someone in prison and to feel closer to the person incarcerated than whites do. (United Press International, 4/23/09)
Children Given Stimulants for ADHD Symptoms Score Higher on Tests: Children given stimulants to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms score higher on math and reading tests than children with the condition who do not get drugs, a government-funded study finds. The study, which tracked 594 children diagnosed with ADHD from kindergarten through fifth grade, found the 60 percent who were prescribed drugs performed better on standardized tests than peers with ADHD who were not given medication. But the scores of children treated with drugs for ADHD still lagged children not diagnosed with the condition. (Reuters, 4/27/09)
Family History Tied To Violence in Schizophrenics: Among people with schizophrenia, those whose parents have a history of violence may be more likely to commit violent acts themselves, a new study suggests. Most people with schizophrenia are not violent, but studies show that they are more likely than people without the disorder to commit violent crimes. This is especially true if a person with schizophrenia abuses drugs or alcohol, or had a history of violence before developing the brain disorder. The findings, reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, suggest that assessing family history of violence could help doctors predict which schizophrenia patients are at greatest risk of violent behavior. (Reuters, 4/22/09)
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
A report two years ago by Mental Health America ranked Hawaii behind only South Dakota in low rates of depression and suicide. The report noted that it should come as no surprise that states such as Hawaii with fewer barriers in gaining access to mental health care have lower rates of depression. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, “Shared state of happiness,” April 25, 2009
Finding happiness is a big word and a very important process. The United States Declaration of Independence says we all have the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," and Mental Health America promotes good mental health and wellness. Newark Advocate, “Finding happiness is like finding yourself,” April 21, 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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