Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
A new study from the University of Toronto finds that cyberbullying is associated with binge eating, weight gain worries and body image distress among 10-14 year olds. The study suggests that limiting social media that encourages eating disorders and appearance comparisons can help prevent these issues.
A new remote digital monitoring program improved blood pressure control rates in over half of patients, highlighting its potential to improve outcomes and decrease heart attacks and strokes. The study found significant improvements when combining digital monitoring capabilities with clinical feedback.
A systematic review found that antidepressants are equally effective and safe for patients with both depression and physical health issues as those without. The study suggests that treating these patients with antidepressants can improve quality of life and reduce the course of physical disease.
A study found that LGBTIQA+ Australians are 20 times more likely to consider suicide, but face unique barriers to accessing support due to intersecting identities. The research highlights the need for targeted early interventions and affirming services in remote areas.
A comprehensive review of over 70 years of menopause science emphasizes the need for more research into symptom timeline and treatment effectiveness. The authors advocate for holistic, individualized approaches addressing physical and mental health impacts of menopause.
A new survey by USC Street Medicine found that street medicine programs are helping to fill the gap in access to mental health and substance use treatments for unhoused individuals in California. The study suggests that these programs can serve as a strategy to expand access to behavioral health care for people who are unsheltered.
A study by University of Kansas and Georgetown University found that facilities with more religious orientation offered a wider range of services and were located in racially diverse communities. This can help service providers make better referrals and provide a roadmap for other communities to better understand their substance use se...
The latest issues of American Psychiatric Association journals focus on postpartum depression, structural racism, and suicidal behaviors. The September issue highlights new solutions to address these topics, including Power Redistribution and Upending White Supremacy in Community Mental Health.
A new opinion piece highlights the safety gap in clinical trials and drug labeling for people with obesity, arguing that correct dosing instructions should be included on labels. The authors recommend a three-pronged approach to address this gap, including conducting studies in people with obesity before market approval.
A new study by UCL and SafeLives found that education about domestic abuse increases awareness, understanding, and motivation to respond in positive ways. The training improved the ability of informal supporters to spot warning signs, understand devastating impacts, and increase motivation to help.
Research based on the Trøndelag Health Study found that people in good physical shape fill fewer prescriptions for anxiety and depression medications. The study suggests that improving physical fitness can help prevent anxiety and depression, with men experiencing greater benefits from exercise than women.
A soft ball designed to support mental health has been invented, giving users a tangible representation of their breath to regulate emotions. The device, called PAWS, shows significant improvement in reducing anxiety and increasing protection against worry-induced thoughts, with an average 75% reduction in anxiety.
A recent study by McGill University found that young adults who experience more frequent psychotic thoughts also spend more time on digital media. However, the study suggests that digital media use does not cause or exacerbate these experiences. Instead, it may be a factor in accessing mental health information and services.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that first-time fathers face a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction following childbirth compared to second-time fathers. Second-time fathers experience an increase in relationship satisfaction within 14 months postpartum, returning to baseline levels.
Research from Aarhus University suggests that smoking may increase the risk of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia by 250 percent. The study analyzed genetic data from over half a million people and found that certain genetic variants linked to smoking also contribute to mental illness.
Researchers studied 1,500 middle-aged women and found that those with four or more adverse childhood experiences were nearly twice as likely to be sexually inactive. The study also showed that these women were two times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction in midlife. Healthcare providers are encouraged to screen for childhood ...
An online course designed to curb negative thinking has shown strong results in reducing ruminating and worrying. The program, featuring three lessons over six weeks, significantly improved mental health outcomes for participants.
A new study by North Carolina State University reveals that posting about mental health challenges on LinkedIn can affect how potential employers perceive job applicants. Researchers found that disclosures about anxiety and depression led to viewers viewing candidates as less emotionally stable and less conscientious.
A study of 61,000 mother-child dyads found that postnatal SSRIs reduced the risk of postnatal depression in mothers and child externalizing behaviors. This suggests long-term benefits of SSRI treatment for women with postnatal depression and their offspring.
A recent MU study found that health and healthcare organizations are increasingly offering basic social services, such as transportation, housing, food, and mental health support, to address disparities in health outcomes. The research team explored innovative solutions implemented by care coordinators and social services to help overc...
Researchers at UC Irvine issue a warning that GLP-1RA's may be dangerous for children due to the risk of nutrient imbalance and abuse. The team notes that children need energy and sufficient calories for growth and development, and any change in their diet and exercise balance can have long-term health consequences.
The medical community should build systems responsive to the LGBTQI+ population, providing safe spaces for refugees and asylum-seekers. Clinicians need to know how to probe and document experiences of childhood trauma and abuse to provide effective support.
A retrospective cohort study found that LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those identifying as lesbian, gay, and transgender, have higher rates of alcohol use disorder and lower access to treatment. The study suggests that targeted interventions are necessary to address these disparities.
A new study found that mental health spending rose by 53% from March 2020 to August 2022 among privately insured Americans, with in-person care experiencing a significant increase. Despite plateaued telehealth use, overall mental health service use grew nearly 39%. The trend's sustainability remains uncertain.
A new essay highlights how news stories about healthcare workers during COVID-19 often left out crucial socioeconomic and environmental contexts, which can impact consumer thoughts and responses. By introducing a public health framework, experts aim to broaden storytelling and reframed scientific information dissemination.
Researchers found that telomere shortening, a biomarker of cellular aging, accelerated in untreated obstructive sleep apnea patients. However, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) attenuated this damage. The study suggests that CPAP can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to slower aging.
Researchers from FAU will examine the effects of smoke-related air pollution on social isolation, cognitive function and risk of Alzheimer's disease in rural residents along Lake Okeechobee. The five-year study aims to promote early awareness of the disease and earlier modification of associated risk factors.
A new study finds that climate distress in young adults is associated with negative emotions like anger and frustration, yet also motivates them to take positive actions for the environment. The study suggests that targeting climate-aware psychosocial support can help sustain young people's climate engagement and mental health.
Most research focuses on treating existing mental health conditions rather than preventing them or promoting mental health. Depression and anxiety disorders are frequently researched outcomes. The findings reveal a lack of evidence-based interventions for child and adolescent mental health in low-resource settings.
A new study found that children's mental health and wellbeing gradually worsened over the past six years, with measures of life satisfaction, optimism, and emotional regulation declining consistently since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on young Australians, particularly those in higher year levels and from lower...
A new study finds SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly associated with development of high blood pressure in hospitalized adults. Persistent high blood pressure was more common in people with COVID-19 than influenza, highlighting potential long-term cardiovascular risk.
The University of Tennessee Extension will address health disparities related to poor nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in seven rural Tennessee counties. The CDC's High Obesity Program funding aims to reduce chronic diseases by improving access to fresh foods and opportunities for physical activity.
A study of 34,000 adolescents in Northern California found that those from disadvantaged neighborhoods were more likely to experience depressive symptoms and suicidality. The findings highlight the impact of structural racism on adolescent mental health.
Researchers highlight concerns among healthcare providers about patients with cognitive decline living alone, who are vulnerable to missing medical appointments and failing to respond to follow-up phone calls. The study emphasizes the need for improved support systems to prevent untreated medical conditions, self-neglect, and falls.
A study of over 4.4 million residents at 15,000 skilled nursing facilities found that telemedicine use was higher than pre-2020 levels and associated with improved access to psychiatry visits. Higher adoption rates were linked to better outcomes for patients in these facilities.
A new study reveals that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a leading cause of death in African countries, resulting in estimated 44,320 excess deaths per year. The practice remains legal in five countries and requires cultural change to be effective.
Children who experienced physical assault are more likely to receive mental health diagnoses and require acute care. Early support for assaulted children is crucial, particularly in the first year following the assault.
A new study examines the association between impulsivity and suicidal risk in Black emerging adults, finding that mindfulness may be a key buffer against negative consequences. The research suggests that mindfulness can help mitigate suicidal ideation by reducing impulsivity, offering hope for improved mental health outcomes.
A large study of 175,000 participants found that shift work significantly increases the risk of depression and anxiety. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and social connections, partially mediate this association, highlighting the need for public health interventions to promote healthy lifestyles among shift workers.
A study of 92 straight men found that neo-traditional, egalitarian, and progressive masculinities have different benefits and challenges for mental well-being. Men who promote gender equity report improved mental health, while those who challenge these ideals may face isolation or criticism.
Research found integrated behavioral health care improves children's mental health and school performance, supporting the potential benefits of pediatric integrated behavioral health care. The study, which included 51 children served by FQHCs in Massachusetts, showed significant improvements over 12 months.
Chronic pain patients who take opioids need access to gold-standard multi-modal pain care, including physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and integrative medicine techniques. The experts recommend restructuring insurance models, enhancing provider education, and addressing racial inequities in care.
A new review challenges the dominant Western approach to mindfulness, emphasizing its potential to foster connection with others and the natural world. The study suggests mindfulness can be used to address issues like eco-anxiety and promote a sense of place within nature.
Researchers have discovered that gene therapy may prevent relapse in patients with serious alcohol addiction by altering dopamine function in the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway. The treatment involves sustained release of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a specific region of the brain.
A new digital headset can detect subtle forces exerted on the skull as the heart contracts, revealing brain changes even in athletes whose symptoms have subsided. The device could help clinicians and coaches make more informed decisions about when athletes are ready to return to play after a concussion.
A multicenter study found that long COVID symptoms can emerge months after infection and persist for at least a year in about 16% of cases. The study highlights significant impacts the epidemic has had on the US healthcare system and emphasizes the need for further research into post-COVID conditions.
A randomized clinical trial found that exercise significantly reduced depressive symptoms and burnout in healthcare workers, while improving mental health. However, low adherence to exercise programming was noted towards the end of the study.
A new University of British Columbia study found that simple home workouts using exercise apps can effectively reduce depressive symptoms in healthcare workers. The research suggests that offering accessible, easy ways to exercise could be a major tool to combat the global mental health crisis in the sector.
A new study from ICES and CAMH found that autistic females have an 83% increased risk of self-harm, while autistic males have a 47% greater risk of self-harm events. The study calls for improved mental health support tailored to the needs of autistic individuals.
A new American Heart Association science advisory emphasizes the need for more resources and best practices in pediatric preventive cardiovascular care. The survey found that many programs are overwhelmed with referrals and have long wait times, highlighting the importance of updated guidelines and strategic action plans.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that working in a shared space while performing craft activities boosts parasympathetic activity, leading to relaxation. The parallel group condition showed higher parasympathetic activity compared to the individual alone condition.
A Hong Kong study of 1.5 million people found that young-onset type 2 diabetes is associated with higher rates of hospital stays for mental health disorders. The study suggests that addressing mental health needs may be crucial in reducing hospitalization rates for young adults with type 2 diabetes.
A two-week study found that participants' own perception of their sleep quality was consistently linked to their mood and life satisfaction. Positive evaluations of sleep were associated with more positive emotions and higher life satisfaction the next day.
Researchers propose GABA-modulating treatments as potential therapeutic targets for depression's cognitive and affective symptoms. The study highlights the importance of GABA-A receptors in regulating balance and signals between neurons, and suggests compounds that promote or inhibit these receptors may alleviate depressive symptoms.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that an e-health and telehealth-based collaborative care intervention had a significant impact on patients with depression. The intervention resulted in a 43% reduction in depressive symptoms among participants, compared to only 17% in the usual primary care group.
A recent study published in Neurology found an association between bullying and suicidal thoughts with more frequent headaches in teenagers. The research, which analyzed over 2.2 million teen participants, revealed that those who experienced bullying or suicidal tendencies were nearly twice as likely to have frequent headaches.
A clinical trial suggests that extending antidepressant treatment beyond eight weeks can help prevent depressive relapses in patients with bipolar disorder. The study found that continued treatment was associated with a 40% lower risk of relapse compared to tapering off and switching to a placebo.
A new review recommends raising the age of body contact in hockey leagues from 13 to 15 to reduce concussion rates. Studies show injury rates are four times higher for kids and teens with body checking, while eliminating it reduces concussion rates by over 50%.
Researchers found that adults who experienced violence, financial stress, or separation from parents as children were more likely to experience physical and cognitive impairments. Adverse childhood experiences can have lifelong consequences, including difficulty walking, carrying out daily activities, and problems with memory.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland identified 58 plasma proteins associated with mental health risk in adolescents aged 11-16. These biomarkers could revolutionize early detection and prevention of mental health problems in young individuals.