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Psychedelics offer healing for concussion, traumatic brain injuries

A new review from the University of Victoria suggests that psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT may help treat concussions and traumatic brain injuries by increasing neuroplasticity and reducing inflammation. The compounds have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and other conditions in clinical research.

SourceUniversity of Victoria·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 17, 2025

Pregnancy-related anxiety and depression worsened by lack of screenings and inadequate support in healthcare system and workplace

A national study reveals gaps in healthcare screenings, lack of family networks, and insufficient paid leave for caregivers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The study calls for a coordinated effort to strengthen community resources and advance workplace and healthcare policy to support perinatal mental health care.

SourceNew York University·TypeSurvey·DateSep 15, 2025

New review highlights significant need for comprehensive care for gun violence survivors

A new review highlights the critical need for standardized long-term medical care for gun violence survivors, who suffer physical, neurological, psychological, and social consequences. The review provides guidance for primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and rehabilitation specialists to manage survivors' long-term care.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 4, 2025

AI reveals language links between Reddit groups for hate speech, psychiatric disorders

Researchers used AI tools to analyze posts from 54 Reddit communities, finding similarities in speech patterns between hate speech groups and communities for certain psychiatric disorders. The study suggests that exposing oneself to hate speech online may lead to decreased empathy and traits similar to Cluster B personality disorders.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 29, 2025

Ukrainian teachers' mental health benefits from training to help their students

A recent study found that Ukrainian educators who participated in a virtual mental health intervention significantly reduced their own symptoms of anxiety and depression. The PSE treatment group reported greater improvements in mental health, knowledge, and readiness to provide psychological support.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCambridge Prisms Global Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2025

New BrainHealth research demonstrates accelerated cognitive gains in active service members

A randomized clinical trial found that SMART training improved cognitive gains in active-duty service members with mTBI, with significant benefits seen after just one-third of the training time compared to traditional SCORE protocols. The study suggests that SMART brain training can contribute to faster return to mission readiness and ...

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 9, 2025

Certain young people more prone to anxiety and depression

A new study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that adolescents with both loneliness and low resilience are more likely to develop anxiety and depression as adults. Health professionals can identify and intervene early, using screening and targeted programs to promote social skills and build resilience.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 3, 2025

Youngest in class at higher risk of mental health problems

A recent Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that children born late in the year are more frequently diagnosed with mental health disorders, including ADHD. The researchers identified an increase in incidence of 20-80% for the youngest class members, regardless of birth weight or premature birth status.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalBMJ Paediatrics Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 1, 2025

Your genes reveal if anxiety medicine will help you or not

A new study by researchers from Germany, Sweden, and Denmark has found a way to predict which drugs will have an effect on anxiety or depression using polygenic risk scores. The study, led by professor Fredrik Åhs, used genetic data to identify individuals who were more likely to benefit from certain medications.

SourceAarhus University·JournalBiological Psychiatry Global Open Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 30, 2025

Self-harm in adolescence: young people report on strategies to alleviate mental suffering in a booklet

A recent study by Luiza Cesar Riani Costa and Diene Monique Carlos has provided insights into non-suicidal self-harm among adolescents. The booklet, featuring photographs and experiences of young people, offers a low-cost therapeutic and educational tool to address mental health concerns.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNew Trends in Qualitative Research·DateJun 4, 2025

Racism in schools harms Black youths’ mental health

A new study by the University of Ottawa reveals a clear link between racism in schools and symptoms of depression among Black students. The research identifies how academic racism hinders Black youths and their social and economic contribution to Canadian society.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalResearch on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 6, 2025

Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids’ and young adults’ access to chronic disease medicine

A new study finds that Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids' and young adults' access to chronic disease medication, particularly for those living in states with the largest drops in Medicaid enrollment. The disruptions led to increased use of private insurance or cash for prescriptions, exacerbating health issues.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2025

Young people with mental disorders are less likely to become parents

A nationwide Finnish register-based cohort study found that young people with mental disorders are less likely to become parents compared to those without such diagnoses. The strongest associations were for schizophrenia and depression, with men being 38% less likely to become fathers due to depression diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalBJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 15, 2025

Anxiety disorders in children can be screened through school health care

A new study from the University of Turku screened school-age children for anxiety and found that a Master Your Worries programme reduced symptoms of generalised anxiety, social anxiety, and separation anxiety. The study also showed that lighter digital study materials can reduce anxiety symptoms in children.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMar 20, 2025

Lack of appropriate mental health care impacts quality of life for people with COPD

A new study highlights the importance of diagnosing depression and anxiety in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to address gaps in care. The study found that fewer than half of those meeting the criteria for a depression or anxiety diagnosis were receiving mental health counseling or using antidepressants.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·DateMar 6, 2025

Only seven out of 100 people worldwide receive effective treatment for their mental health or substance-use disorders

Researchers found that a person's lack of recognition is the biggest barrier to effective treatment, while patients who contact healthcare often do not receive it. The study highlights gaps in service needs and outcomes for nine common disorders, identifying areas for targeted investments.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2025

Listening for multiple mental health disorders

Researchers developed a machine learning tool that screens for comorbid depression and anxiety disorders using acoustic voice signals. The study confirmed that a one-minute verbal fluency test can reliably identify subjects with comorbid AD/MDD, who tend to use simpler words and exhibit reduced variability in phonemic word length.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJASA Express Letters·DateFeb 4, 2025

Preventing transition to substance use disorders in teenagers: brief cognitive behavioural program PreVenture shows promising results

A cluster randomized trial involving 31 Canadian high schools and 3,800 students found that delivering personality-targeted brief cognitive behavioral interventions to students in the 7th grade reduced risk for substance use disorders by the end of high school. The intervention was associated with a 23%-80% reduced odds of SUD compared...

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 16, 2025

Psychedelic drug therapy may address mental health concerns in people with cancer and addiction

Two studies suggest that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can improve mental health outcomes for patients with cancer and alcohol use disorder, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts, while also promoting lasting personality changes.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 2, 2025

Teens with a reduced response to rewards are more susceptible to depression

Researchers found that a blunted response to reward feedback in teens predicts the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidal ideation. This study contributes to understanding neural risk factors for mental health disorders and developing new methods to assess mental health risks.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 17, 2024

Neuroscientists discover how the brain slows anxious breathing

Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a specific brain circuit responsible for slowing anxious breathing, connecting the frontal cortex to the brainstem. This discovery may offer a scientific explanation for the beneficial effects of practices like yoga and mindfulness on alleviating negative emotions and could lead to the devel...

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 19, 2024

The roots of fear: Understanding the amygdala

Scientists at UC Davis have identified new clusters of cells with differing gene expression patterns in the human and non-human primate amygdala. These findings suggest that alterations in specific cell types may contribute to disorders such as anxiety, and could lead to more targeted treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2024

Hoarding disorder: ‘sensory CBT’ treatment strategy shows promise

A novel sensory CBT treatment strategy has demonstrated its potential in a pre-clinical study, improving participants' ability to discard items and reducing anxiety and distress. The study found that imagery rescripting was more effective than other techniques in promoting discarding behavior and reducing negative emotions.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 3, 2024

HSE scientists propose using heart rate analysis to diagnose anxiety and depression

A study by HSE University scientists found that changes in heart rate can serve as an early biomarker for anxiety and depressive disorders. The research used PPG technology to analyze heart function during cognitive tasks, revealing more pronounced changes in individuals with higher levels of anxiety or depression.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2024