Articles tagged with Mental Health
A new collaborative study found loneliness strongly linked to poorer mental health and lower wellbeing, as well as worse general health. The research suggests that supporting people who feel lonely or socially isolated could help improve mental health and overall health.
This economic evaluation characterizes U.S. lobbying spending in the mental health field from 2014 to 2024, revealing significant growth. The study highlights increasing lobbying efforts in psychiatry and psychology, suggesting a shift towards more prominent advocacy for mental health issues.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognizes six early-career scientists for their outstanding contributions to mental health research, including Dr. Joline Fan's work on brain circuitry and personalized neuromodulation therapies, and Dr. Nili Solomonov's development of scalable neuroscience-informed psychotherapies for depression.
A new study from UT San Antonio finds that emergency call takers' word choice can predict depression and anxiety symptoms, while positive expressions are often suppressed in high-stress professions. The research uses natural language processing to evaluate the psychological well-being of a critical but under-researched workforce.
A joint KAIST–University of Tokyo research team found that temperature-related suicide mortality is expected to rise globally due to climate change. Regional differences in future rises are driven by varying temperature-suicide relationships, with East Asia and South America projected to see relatively small increases.
A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.
A new University of Michigan poll reveals that 31% of people aged 50 and over have never heard of any mental health crisis line, while 69% are unfamiliar with 988. Despite this, most participants expressed willingness to use these services in a mental health emergency, highlighting the need for increased awareness-raising efforts.
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that low body esteem, problematic social media use, and other factors are linked to addictive-like behavior in women who undergo repeated cosmetic treatments. Nearly 20% of surveyed women met the threshold for moderate-to-severe risk of addictive cosmetic procedure use.
A digital therapy platform, iACT4CARERS, has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in dementia carers after three and six months. The study, which involved almost 500 volunteers, found that carers using the platform had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those receiving usual care alone.
A new study by University College London researchers found that social prescribing improved behavior, relationships, and resilience among adolescents waiting for specialist mental health services. Young people who received social prescribing reported enhanced connections with others, increased confidence, and higher self-esteem.
A recent study reveals that astrocyte subtype dynamics play a crucial role in regulating mental health, particularly in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The review highlights how inflammatory signaling, metabolic imbalance, and ion channel dysfunction contribute to disease progression.
The Neuroscape Technology for Aging Health - Digital Approaches (TAH-DA) longitudinal study aims to identify biometric predictors of cognitive decline over a year. Participants will use Samsung wearable technology and digital interventions to assess brain health.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani individuals are more likely to develop multimorbidity, a condition where people experience multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously. The research identified sociodemographic and genetic factors that increase the risk of developing these conditions,...
A new project developed by the University of Birmingham and Mind in Camden aims to improve understanding and response to people who hear voices, particularly when linked to suicidal thoughts. The resources encourage listening, curiosity, and collaboration to help individuals make sense of their experiences and feel more supported.
A national study found that pediatric mental health treatment patterns rebounded and exceeded pre-pandemic levels, driven by new patients seeking care. Antidepressant prescriptions rose significantly among girls, with a notable increase in the youngest children.
A new book identifies nine types of procrastinators, from worriers to thrill seekers, and offers strategies for overcoming the problem. Procrastination causes serious harm to finances, health, relationships, and careers, but can be overcome with the right approach.
A survey of Illinois emergency departments found that many hospitals lack pediatric mental health specialists and struggle with timely access to evaluation by a mental health professional. The study proposes practical solutions, such as investing in mental health staffing, therapeutic activities, and real-time bed tracking to improve c...
Researchers from Penn, NYU, and the Linguistic Data Consortium create virtual patients with adjustable psychiatric symptoms to simulate real-world conversations. The STELLAR platform aims to augment clinician training practices with essential conversation scenarios.
A new study suggests that following a Mediterranean diet may provide additional benefits for mental health, particularly among older adults. The research found that individuals with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet had less decline in emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The e-BOCCHI program, developed to address adolescent loneliness, showed statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Participants demonstrated improvements in help-seeking skills compared to baseline, but modest improvements in loneliness and self-esteem scores.
A systematic review found that creatine monohydrate may reduce depressive symptoms in people taking standard antidepressants, with two trials showing significant benefits. However, three trials showed no effect, and the evidence is not yet settled due to limitations such as small sample sizes and biased patient enrollment.
Researchers at University of Toyama found three risk factors for mother-infant bonding disorders: difficulty holding a fussy baby, low happiness about pregnancy, and lack of social support. These factors predict increased risks of developmental delays and child abuse.
Researchers found limited benefits to under-twos' screen time and a lack of guidance for parents, calling for targeted support and reduced screen time. The iADDICT group recommends no intentional screen time for under-twos to mitigate developmental concerns and promote healthier habits.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that even modest changes in weather can impact mental health service demand, with increases during hot weather and low sunshine. Fluctuations in temperature and sunlight exposure were linked to shifts in unscheduled healthcare use, with rainfall appearing to have little consistent effect.
A new UNC study explores how social media can address youth loneliness. Peer-driven social media content, featuring relatable individuals, was found to be more effective at encouraging participants to seek in-person social interaction than control content.
A study of 87,577 adults found that average daytime light exposure above 1,000 lux reduced dementia risk by 16%. Longer exposure to bright light was associated with an even greater reduction in risk. Daytime light exposure was stronger predictor of dementia than established risk factors.
A decade of canine research suggests that genetically engineered Beagles could be a complementary and welfare-conscious model for autism treatments. The study gathers findings on the behavior and traits of these dogs in relation to human autism, including signs of treatment with oxytocin and psychedelics.
A new article by Trevor van Mierlo highlights the importance of trust in digital behavioral health. Key findings include the need for dynamic governance and verifiable audit trails to address mistrust issues.
Most adults in Singapore living with anxiety or depression are open to receiving support from peers, even if they haven't sought professional help. Peer support is identified as a potentially important complement to existing healthcare infrastructure, offering a community-based pathway to encourage more people to seek help earlier.
A Hiroshima University study finds that practical digital skills, positive financial attitudes, and self-protection are more consistently associated with lower old-age anxiety than traditional financial knowledge alone. The study suggests that financial education may need to move beyond knowledge alone in the digital age.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking approach to prioritize schizophrenia-associated genes by analyzing genetic data from over 102,000 individuals. This study uncovered 641 previously unrecognized genes associated with schizophrenia, shedding light on the complex interactions between distant genetic variants.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists is calling for stronger safeguards to address the growing problem of home delivery of ketamine and the lack of physician oversight in ketamine clinics. The risks are not theoretical, with a recent case resulting in death after at-home ketamine prescription.
The article explores ways clinicians can deliver care tailored to each patient's unique needs, priorities, and identities. Research highlights the importance of considering life transitions in supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer.
A study published in Psychological Medicine found that a laxative drug, Prucalopride, improved executive function and memory in patients with depression. The research suggests that targeting serotonin receptors may help alleviate cognitive problems associated with depression.
Leading child psychologist Dr. Barish argues that grandparents have a crucial role to play in helping children develop a sense of purpose beyond personal success and in providing emotional support. He recommends practices like volunteering together and frequent family conversations about kindness and understanding.
A new study reveals that written exposure therapy can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, comparable to intensive treatments. The narrative writing process allows patients to confront memories, fostering a sense of control over their experiences.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that women with HIV are more likely to die from preventable trauma-related conditions like substance use and mental illness. The researchers say these causes are largely missing from official death records, highlighting the need for broader goals in HIV care beyond just controlling the virus.
Adolescents who spend at least two hours a day on social media are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poorer wellbeing, with the strongest effects seen in girls aged 12–13 years. The study, which followed almost 1,200 children from age nine to 19, highlights the need for policies that reduce excessive screentime.
A new study found that a low-cost, simple intervention using a self-help workbook paired with brief phone support significantly improves the mental health of displaced refugees. The program reduced psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and improved wellbeing and daily functioning among participants.
A new Canadian study reveals that social anxiety disorder now affects nearly 1 in 7 adults, up from 8% in 2002. Young people are most at risk, and early life experiences, such as childhood trauma, and lack of social support play a significant role.
A recent study published by the University of the Basque Country found that girls are the biggest consumers of psychotropic drugs among adolescents in most European countries. The research team analyzed data from 32 European countries and discovered a significant link between consumption rates, gender equality, and economic level.
A pilot study by Penn State researchers found that wearing a cooling cap for 30 minutes can improve a person's sense of well-being and reduce depressive symptoms. The study also showed an increase in alpha brain waves, indicating a calming effect.
College students who take more daily steps tend to have better sleep quality and reduced mental health issues. The study, published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Chronobiology International, found that excessive sedentary behavior can lead to negative mental health outcomes.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology reveals that proactive brain training can strengthen the human mind before mental health challenges take root. The research found that a five-minute daily training program delivered digitally can lower stress, lift mental health metrics, and improve cognitive clarity among adults with an...
A new bipartisan report from Tulane University's State of the Nation Project analyzes 4,000 indicators to provide a long-term progress report for each state. The report finds significant regional divides, with Southern states ranking low on trust in institutions and Mountain states having high levels of trust but low personal well-being.
A pilot study published in Communications Medicine demonstrates the potential of a ketogenic nutritional intervention in treating anorexia nervosa. The intervention was well-tolerated and showed significant improvements in eating disorder symptoms and depression scores.
A new book titled SocialsVoice presents a complex portrait of the relationship between social media content and mental health from the perspective of Latino youth. Through participatory research, youth share their experiences online, including both negative stigmatizing content and supportive voices.
A Simon Fraser University study found that over 91% of adults with ADHD reported hiding or suppressing their traits to fit in socially. This 'camouflaging' can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Researchers emphasize the need for society to reduce stigma and shift norms towards accepting diverse neurotypes.
A new framework, criticome, integrates experience until age 25, reframing autism, schizophrenia, depression, and trauma as developmental disorders. The study suggests that screen-saturated childhoods may produce adult dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early experience in brain development.
Women experience anxiety and depression at higher rates due to factors such as hormonal imbalances, violence, and discrimination. The authors advocate for evidence-based solutions like group therapy, telehealth, and policy changes to reduce women's stress, including paid maternal leave and financial support.
A new study found that middle-aged women who experienced poor sleep problems had lower psychological well-being nine years later. The association remained significant even after adjusting for other health and lifestyle factors, suggesting that sleep may play an outsized role in how women feel and function later in life.
A new study finds that individuals with later sleep schedules report poorer mental health, higher general loneliness, and greater nocturnal loneliness. Nighttime loneliness is a key pathway connecting later sleep patterns to anxiety.
A study from Texas A&M University found a strong link between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms among college students. The study revealed that using multiple substances, particularly cannabis and stimulants, increases health risks and makes substance use disorders harder to treat.
A difference-in-differences analysis found that Georgia's Pathways to Coverage program worsened mental health among low-income adults. This suggests that work requirements may create barriers to coverage and care access, affecting population health and equity.
A nationally representative survey of US adolescents and young adults found that a fifth used AI chatbots for mental health advice. Proactive discussion with parents and clinicians about chatbot use is necessary to promote safety and linkages to evidence-based care.
A recent study published in Depression and Anxiety found that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sufficient sleep are crucial for protecting mental health in middle age. Replacing sedentary behavior with light activity produced smaller benefits compared to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, highlighting the importance of i...
LGBTQ+ adults over 50 face disparities in health care, mental health, and social connections compared to non-LGBTQ+ peers. They are more likely to experience discrimination and feel isolated from others.
A new book by a Cambridge child psychotherapist argues that treating parents alongside children is crucial for addressing the youth mental health crisis. The author highlights the importance of considering an 'ecological system', including families, communities, and environment, in understanding young people's wellbeing.
A study found that no social media restriction experiments have included people under the age of 16, making it impossible to know how bans will affect young people. Bans may also backfire by invading privacy, hurting marginalized people, and forcing teens to circumvent the ban.
Perfectionism has increased among American college students over the past 35 years, with rising rates tied to economic factors such as growing inequality. Higher levels of perfectionism are associated with depression and anxiety, regardless of time period, suggesting a public health risk that needs to be addressed.