Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
This issue of Annals of Family Medicine highlights the complexity of war's effects on family doctors and patients. Research reveals the significant impact of trauma on healthcare professionals in Israel following a terrorist attack, highlighting burnout and well-being concerns. The article also shares challenges faced by physicians in ...
This special report highlights the importance of expanded training for family physicians to address the physical and psychological effects of war. Family physicians must be prepared to provide timely, accurate information and foster understanding and reconciliation in the midst of conflict.
A new study suggests that a cancer peer support program called Stronger Together improved psychological outcomes, as well as overall quality of life, among patients with breast and gynecological cancers in Vietnam. The program showed promise for providing critical social support in low-resource settings.
New Curtin University research reveals complex factors shaping child development beyond screen time. Parental mental health and the type of screen used are found to have an impact on infant development at 12 months.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine reveals a significant increase in severe maternal morbidity and birth complications in Illinois between 2016 and 2023. The findings highlight the impact of chronic health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and mental health disorders on pregnancy outcomes.
A researcher is helping young people and older adults tackle hoarding disorder through subtle and positive intervention methods. Her work focuses on the psychosocial impact of hoarding symptoms in college students and the potential for early intervention, finding that simple interventions can lead to life-changing outcomes.
Researchers at Rutgers University have uncovered how various brain cell types work together to form large-scale functional networks in the human brain. The study found that certain cell-type distributions align with specific networks in the brain's cortex, highlighting a connection between cellular underpinnings and brain function.
A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that people with poorer mental health are more prone to browsing negative content online, which further exacerbates their symptoms. The study found that adding 'content labels' to webpages can help users make healthier and more informed decisions about the content they consume.
A recent longitudinal study from the University of Toronto reveals that older adults with migraine are at a substantial increase in risk of depression during the pandemic. Increased family conflict, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and caregiving responsibilities were associated with higher risks of depression among this population.
A scoping review reveals that forcibly displaced children and young people experience high rates of mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to support their mental well-being.
A study found that maternal immune activity during pregnancy affects offspring's long-term memory circuitry and function in childhood and midlife. Elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-a in mothers were linked to adverse brain activity in memory circuitry, particularly in postmenopausal women.
A study of 1,264 case files found that adult survivors of commercial sexual exploitation had high rates of mental health diagnoses and lower educational achievements. Childhood abuse, history of arrest, and age at entry were also associated with longer exploitation periods.
US schools are struggling to deploy social workers effectively due to a lack of standardization in roles and implementation. Many districts are unclear about the types of work school social workers can do, leading to inconsistent utilization.
A new study finds that US abortion policy changes have a significant impact on the mental health of young women, with increased rates of anxiety reported. In contrast, younger men living in states where abortion became illegal experienced decreases in anxiety symptoms.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that virtual reality training increased empathy and sympathy towards individuals with mental health conditions in police officers. The training, which simulated realistic scenarios, allowed officers to practice handling complex civilian interactions with greater emotional connection.
The collaboration aims to expand access to comprehensive psychiatric services for primary care practices, promoting earlier intervention and more efficient treatment. With the Northwestern Medicine West Health Accelerator, the organizations will leverage expertise in patient care, technology, business development, and data management t...
A two-week arts intervention found to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being in adolescents with depression. The study suggests that engaging in the arts offers a pathway for exploring new ways of thinking, developing insights, and sparking self-discovery.
Research reveals a strong correlation between psychotic-like experiences and depressive symptoms in adolescents, highlighting the need for systematic surveying and consideration of individual factors. The study's findings suggest that brief cognitive psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms and improve mental health outcomes.
The study aims to confirm initial findings suggesting that increased step counts correlate with improved health indicators, such as reduced body fat and lower insulin levels. By establishing a model, the team hopes to provide healthcare professionals with a tool to recommend tailored walking goals for their patients.
Binghamton University Community Schools will expand mental health services in Chenango County with a $4.5 million grant, serving 2,310 students and their families. The initiative aims to address complex student needs and provide evidence-based social work support.
Researchers found that alcohol-related deaths in the US surged dramatically between 1999 and 2020, with a nearly fourfold increase in those aged 25-34. The study highlights significant gender differences and regional disparities, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to combat the growing US alcohol mortality epidemic.
Researchers found that podcasts significantly improved health knowledge, increased exercise levels, and boosted healthy eating habits. Engagement with health-related podcasts was generally high, suggesting they could be an effective medium for health information and behavior change interventions.
A recent survey found that only 15% of US adults are familiar with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number, up from 11% in August 2023. The number who inaccurately reported the number as 911 decreased to 1% in September 2024.
A national poll of parents finds that many struggle to help their kids manage anger, with 7 in 10 saying they sometimes set a bad example. Effective strategies include teaching children calming tools, recognizing underlying emotions, modeling calm responses, and providing positive reinforcement.
Researchers have developed a mindfulness therapy tailored to teenagers to combat increasing levels of depression and mental health problems. The ATTEND programme teaches participants to manage negative thought patterns and focus on the present moment, offering a family-centred approach to tackling depression.
A study found that spending two hours a week in nature reduced emotional distress among 10- to 12-year-olds with significant mental health problems. Teachers reported changes in behavior, including increased calmness and attentiveness.
A recent study published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma found that intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are as effective as inpatient treatment for PTSD patients, with better completion rates and lower drop-out levels. The study compared IOPs to traditional inpatient treatment programs and residential care.
A new study analyzed 21 years of data from over 2,300 older Dutch adults, finding that physical frailty can lead to social isolation and loneliness, while also being an indicator of future social isolation. Lifestyle changes such as better nutrition, exercise, and social activities can reverse these conditions.
The Medical University of South Carolina is using a $1.75 million grant to develop and test the effectiveness of telehealth-enabled collaborative care management for primary care patients in rural South Carolina. The goal is to improve behavioral health outcomes while reducing pressure on primary care physicians.
A UCL study reveals that unregulated experts appointed by family courts in England and Wales have caused devastating harm to children, separating them from their mothers and forcing them to live with abusive fathers. The 'alienation' belief system has become a legal weapon that punishes and controls those who speak up about abuse.
A nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies found significant variations in co-responder teams' characteristics, operations, and perceived effectiveness. The study aims to inform evidence-based guidelines and protocols for these initiatives.
A comprehensive review recommends computer-assisted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CCBT) and mobile mental health apps as a viable treatment option for depression and anxiety. Effective CCBT programs have been shown to reduce symptoms, while well-developed mobile apps can supplement in-person treatments.
The Fayetteville Police Department has seen a significant improvement in its response to mental health crises thanks to its partnership with the University of Arkansas School of Social Work. The co-response teams, which pair officers with trained social workers, have reduced workload and helped better serve individuals in crisis.
Research published in the Journal of American College Health reveals that LGBTQIA+ students experience alarmingly high rates of depression. The study, which analyzed data from 483,574 responses to the Healthy Minds Study, found that LGBTQIA+ students were three times more likely to report depression than their cisgender peers.
A new study found that individuals with hallucinogen-related emergency department visits are at a high risk of developing schizophrenia. The study analyzed health data for over 9.2 million individuals in Ontario, Canada, and found a 21-fold increased risk of schizophrenia compared to the general population.
A unique COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic at the UC Davis MIND Institute has shown remarkable success in increasing vaccination rates among individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The clinic's innovative approach, which incorporates community partners and tailored care plans, has resulted in a 99.3% success rate over two years.
Dr. Etienne Sibille's work develops novel therapeutics for cognitive deficits in depression and age-related disorders through Damona Pharmaceuticals, a biopharma company he co-founded.
Researchers found that cognitive performance worsened for older adults on days they felt lonelier than usual and the following day. The study suggests a vicious cycle between loneliness and cognitive decline over the short term, highlighting the importance of early intervention to prevent chronic loneliness.
A new digital toolkit aims to screen patients for intimate partner violence (IPV) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while providing resources and support for long-lasting recovery. The toolkit prioritizes patient safety and will be beta-tested before being rolled out in a large randomized clinical trial.
A new poll by Michigan Medicine reveals that having grandchildren and regularly seeing them can have a positive impact on older adults' mental health. Grandparents who care for their grandchildren under 18 or see them frequently are less likely to feel isolated and report better mental health.
The updated clinical practice guideline recommends buprenorphine and methadone as first-line treatments for patients with opioid use disorder. New research and clinical considerations have led to the removal of methadone prescribing restrictions in Canada, but opioid-related harms continue to rise.
A new study found that middle-aged people who engage in everyday physical activity show improvements in cognitive processing speed, which can counteract the natural decline in cognitive abilities with age. The study, led by Penn State researcher Jonathan Hakun, used ecological momentary assessment to track participants' daily activitie...
A study from Emory University reveals that 56-62% of individuals treated for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression are eligible for psilocybin-assisted therapy, which could benefit around 5.1-5.6 million people in the US. The treatment has potential to reduce symptoms of depression with a single dose of 25 mg of ...
A new study has identified ten priorities for future research on reducing and stopping psychiatric medication, covering topics such as safely reducing/stopping medication and providing support to individuals undergoing discontinuation. The findings highlight the value of co-production and address gaps in the existing evidence base.
A new study published in JMIR Publications reveals a gamified mobile app can reduce depressive symptoms by disrupting ruminative thinking. The app's effectiveness was demonstrated in an 8-week randomized controlled trial, with positive effects still evident up to 4 weeks after the study ended.
Cardiovascular disease death rates increased by 21% for adults aged 25-64 living in rural areas, while urban adults saw a 9% decline between 2010 and 2022. Younger rural adults are particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular mortality due to worsening cardiometabolic health and reduced healthcare access.
The webinar discusses how early experiences impact children's mental and physical health, leading to intergenerational transmission of adversity. Dr. Callaghan presents data on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, highlighting the role of the gastrointestinal microbiome in emotional wellbeing.
Clinicians should avoid using 'never words' that can scare, offend, or diminish agency in patients and families dealing with serious illness. Researchers recommend alternative language and methods for clinicians to identify their own never words.
Dr. Andreazza's work focuses on identifying biomarkers for personalized treatments in metabolic psychiatry, with breakthroughs in brain organoids and mitochondrial transplantation techniques. Her innovative approach aims to revolutionize treatment for both psychiatric and metabolic disorders.
Mount Sinai researchers discovered a neural mechanism for memory integration that involves replaying experiences, integrating new information with existing memories, and linking memories across time. This finding has implications for understanding adaptive and maladaptive memory processes, such as PTSD.
A new study from the University of Georgia analyzed Reddit posts in the self-harm subreddit and found that users often view self-injury as an addictive behavior. The researchers caution that online communities cannot replace face-to-face interactions and professional help for mental health support.
A new locally adapted mental health intervention for women with young children in Zambia has shown promising results, with 80% of participants completing the program and 90% expressing high satisfaction. The intervention was associated with a 50% reduction in mental health symptoms at the six-month follow-up.
A study found that differences in sexual orientation measurement approaches lead to underestimation of the sexual minority population and their mental health disparities. The research used two survey questions to measure sexual orientation, detecting more respondents as sexual minorities than traditional labels.
The NHS mental health workforce decreased significantly during austerity, with notable disparity in staffing levels across the country. The growth in the mental health workforce appears about half that of the wider clinical workforce, suggesting that ambitions to create a 'parity of esteem' between mental and physical health conditions...
A new study from the University of Copenhagen aims to replace fecal capsules with a standardized treatment using fermented feces. The method employs fermentation to cultivate beneficial microorganisms, producing a complex mixture of bacteria and bacteriophages that can fight gastrointestinal disorders.
A recent study found that exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy are interconnected dimensions of school burnout. Students who were emotionally engaged in their studies experienced less exhaustion and feelings of inadequacy. Effective support measures should be targeted to prevent burnout in general upper secondary education.
A study by Osaka University found that Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) perceive stress in a unique way, with heightened sensitivity enabling them to connect deeply with others. This can foster a more supportive work environment and improve employee retention.
Researchers analyzed data from 26 countries, revealing that Mondays have the highest suicide risk, while New Year's Day increases risk across all nations. Men are also more vulnerable to day-of-the-week and holiday-related variations in suicide risk.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas are using a 7-Tesla MRI machine to study brain structure, function, and cognition across time. The team aims to identify biomarkers for healthy or pathological aging, shedding light on individual differences in brain aging.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute found that restricting menthol cigarettes led to an increase in the purchase of nicotine replacement options. This shift is likely due to the fact that menthol flavors are perceived as more appealing, making alternative products a practical substitute.