Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
A study published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health found that animal-assisted therapy significantly reduced anxiety and loneliness symptoms among college students. The program, led by Dr. Leslie Stewart, involved interacting with a registered therapy dog named Sophie, resulting in a 60% decrease in self-reported symptoms.
Research from Oregon State University found that children's poor decision-making skills at age 10-11 can lead to behavioral difficulties and high-risk health behavior in their teen years. Early intervention may help improve outcomes by teaching decision-making skills.
Researchers found that individuals with severe mental illness use YouTube to share personal stories, strategies for coping, and seek support from others. This natural peer-to-peer connection helps alleviate feelings of loneliness and fosters a sense of hope and community.
The study will evaluate the benefits of genetic testing to guide medication decisions for patients with depression or schizophrenia, including clinical outcomes and cost benefits. The research aims to provide personalized treatment recommendations tailored to individual patient genetics.
A new study found that most youth suicide victims had underlying mental health problems, highlighting the need for increased public awareness and coordination of services. The research identified significant deficits in training, service coordination, and continuity of care among professionals.
Harvard researchers found that only 26% of psychiatrists offered appointments despite making multiple calls, highlighting the challenges faced by patients seeking mental health care. The study also reveals a significant difference in success rates between cities, with Houston having the most accessible psychiatric services.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $1.4 million grant to increase the number of mental health and substance abuse workers in the US. The funding will support stipends for UT Arlington students who receive specialized training.
Grand Challenges Canada announces funding for 11 innovative projects addressing critical challenges in low-resource settings. The projects aim to integrate screening and services into primary healthcare, improve medication supply, and develop IT technologies to increase access to care.
The study found that patients with schizophrenia who took antipsychotic medication had higher triglycerides, insulin, and insulin resistance. Obesity was also linked to longer duration of psychiatric illness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher body mass index and waist circumference were associated with worse outcomes.
Patients with first episode psychosis face elevated risks of heart disease and metabolic issues due to mental illness, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and antipsychotic medications. A team-based healthcare approach is necessary to address these needs and improve overall health.
A new review article suggests that a 'weight-inclusive' approach should be used instead of the current 'weight-normative' approach, which emphasizes weight as a key factor in defining health and wellbeing. This shift would focus on social determinants of health and accept human diversity, including size diversity.
A new Series on mental health interventions in schools published in The Lancet Psychiatry highlights the importance of childhood intervention and routine screening in identifying and treating mental health issues. The series aims to bridge the gap between research and practice, with a focus on child-centered approaches.
A study of 574 low-income adults found that stigma while receiving medical care was associated with unmet health needs and poorer perceptions of quality. Experiencing stigma led to worsening self-reported health despite equal use of healthcare services.
Research led by King's College London finds that the high heritability of exam grades reflects many genetically influenced traits such as personality and self-efficacy. The study, which analyzed 13,306 twins, found that individual traits were between 35% and 58% heritable, with intelligence being the most highly heritable.
A study of 9,288 Ontario students found that teenagers with traumatic brain injuries, especially girls, reported significantly higher rates of harmful behaviors. The research highlights the importance of monitoring adolescents with TBI and providing support to prevent mental health issues and addiction.
Fruit and vegetable consumption consistently associated with high and low mental wellbeing, suggesting potential role as driver of mental health in the general population. High mental wellbeing linked to healthier lifestyle habits, while low mental wellbeing strongly linked to mental illness and physical diseases.
New research from the Copenhagen Centre for Social Evolution and Yale University found a strong link between birth weight and risk of developing mental health disorders such as autism and schizophrenia in adolescence. The study, which analyzed medical records of 1.75 million Danish births, found that smaller babies were at higher risk ...
A new study by the University of Michigan found that one in five men in the US report violence towards their spouses or partners, with warning signs including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and insomnia. The study suggests that male aggression can be identified through routine health care visits and could potentially be intervened upon.
Research on over 4,000 participants found that binge drinking during pregnancy can lead to increased hyperactivity and inattention in children, affecting their academic performance. The study suggests that exposure to alcohol in the womb may be a risk factor for long-term mental health issues.
A collaborative study estimated long-term costs and health outcomes of depression-related absence compared to working employees with depression. Researchers found that continuing to work while experiencing a depressive illness may offer certain health benefits.
A large-scale study of over 7,000 women found that sustaining a desire for children after failed fertility treatment is linked to worse mental health. Women who still wished to have children were up to 2.8 times more likely to develop clinically significant mental health problems than those who did not sustain a child-wish.
Grand Challenges Canada awards $2.4 million to 22 projects addressing major health burdens in low-resource countries, including tuberculosis, deafness, and mental health problems. Innovations include a personal eyepiece for deaf children and sterile drill covers for low-cost orthopaedic trauma surgery.
The report highlights how stigma, including public and structural forms, prevents individuals from seeking mental health care. Effective approaches to addressing stigma, such as promoting personal stories of recovery and enhancing support systems, are identified.
A study of over 18,000 students found that frequent family dinners were associated with lower rates of mental health problems in teenagers, particularly those who experienced cyberbullying. The research suggests that family dinners can provide a protective buffer against the negative effects of cyberbullying.
A McGill study found that family meals can reduce the negative impacts of online bullying on adolescent mental health. Cyberbullying victimization was linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use among adolescents with fewer family dinners.
A new study published in Psychology and Health found that people aged 70 and over who identify themselves as 'old' feel worse about their own health in societies where they perceive lower value than younger age groups. In contrast, higher social status for older adults is linked to better subjective health.
A new study reveals that neurons in the brain's inferotemporal cortex fire strongly and selectively when exposed to familiar images, especially those seen many times before. This finding suggests that the brain uses this mechanism to track a rapidly changing visual environment and may lead to improvements in perception and cognition.
A new study found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly reduced non-mental health care visits among patients who were high health service users. Over eight years, this translates to a reduction of nearly 2,500 visits to primary care physicians, emergency departments, or non-psychiatric specialists in Ontario.
A survey of U.S. veterans receiving mental health services from the Veterans Health Administration finds general satisfaction, but also significant room for improvement among all areas studied. Patients who received treatment for substance use disorder were less satisfied and less likely to report symptom improvement.
A study of over 5,000 US adults found that those who felt part of their community had a 22% reduced risk of heart attack. The researchers suggest that friendly neighborhoods may be an extension of social support networks, excluding antisocial behaviors.
A new study in the Annals of Global Health highlights the urgent need for substance abuse programs in developing countries. The study calls on policymakers to design effective programs that meet known population needs, adapting models like Alcoholics Anonymous to fit different cultural norms.
New research finds that weight loss significantly improves physical health markers but is less effective in improving mood and overall wellbeing. Participants who lost at least 5% of their initial body weight were more likely to report depressed mood, even after adjusting for serious health issues.
New study reveals a significant relationship between motivational deficit and poor cognitive performance in people with schizophrenia. Lower levels of motivation are associated with greater cognitive impairment, suggesting that understanding the impact of motivational impairment is crucial for improving treatments.
A multinational collaboration has identified over 100 locations in the human genome associated with schizophrenia risk, shedding light on biological mechanisms and pathways. The study could lead to new approaches to treating the disorder, which has seen little innovation in drug development for over 60 years.
The Medical College of Georgia's psychology residency training program has received federal funding for five consecutive cycles, focusing on interdisciplinary training and care for the underserved. The program trains nine psychologists annually, with plans to expand to ten next year, and provides special emphasis areas in working with ...
A new study from UC San Francisco found that 60% of unstably housed HIV-infected or at-risk women experienced recent forms of violence. Researchers discovered social isolation may protect these women from danger, while psychiatric diagnoses increase the risk of violence.
Research at UC San Francisco found 60% of HIV-infected or high-risk unstably housed women experienced recent violence, including emotional, physical, and sexual violence. Social isolation unexpectedly reduced the odds of experiencing violence, while psychiatric diagnoses increased the risk.
A study of 19,849 participants found that those with vision impairment had significantly lower employment rates, especially among women and younger individuals. Poor eyesight was also associated with a higher likelihood of not working due to its impact on income.
A genetic variant in the HMG CoA reductase gene has been identified as a significant protector against common Alzheimer's disease, delaying its onset by up to 4 years. This breakthrough discovery opens up new possibilities for treatment and pharmaceutical interventions.
Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) experience heightened fear of rejection due to their appearance, leading to diminished quality of life. The study found associations between BDD severity and depressive symptoms, poorer mental and physical health.
Researchers have found that mental health patients are at their highest risk of dying by suicide in the first two weeks after leaving hospital. The study, which analyzed data from 2002 to 2012, shows that around 3,225 patients died by suicide within three months of discharge, with 526 deaths occurring within the first week.
A QUT study found that moderate to high-intensity exercise can significantly reduce the risk of death in older women. Tailored exercise programs are recommended to promote healthy ageing and improve mental well-being.
Research published in Tobacco Control finds that people with mental health issues who smoke incur significant economic costs due to premature death, lost productivity, and healthcare expenses. The total estimated annual cost is around £2.5 billion, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to help this group quit smoking.
The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey found that over one-third of licensed drivers in grades 10 to 12 reported texting while driving, with 46% of grade 12 students admitting to this behavior. The survey also revealed alarming trends in risk behaviors, physical health, mental health, and home life among Ontario students.
A survey of UK GPs reveals soaring workloads due to financial hardship among patients, with over two-thirds believing patient health is being harmed by benefit cuts. GPs are also asked to provide medical information for Work Capacity Assessments and help patients appeal against benefits removal.
Researchers found a strong correlation between retirement savings and health improvement behaviors, with 401(k) contributors improving their health by 27% more than non-contributors. The study controlled for initial health, demographics, and job type to find that financial planning predicts future health changes.
A new smartphone-based system detects changes in patients' behavioral patterns and transmits them to professionals in real time, facilitating patient observation and improving clinical psychiatry. The technology has the potential to greatly improve response time and efficacy of clinical psychiatrists.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital and ICES found that women with chronic physical illnesses are 10% more likely to use mental health services than men. Women also seek out mental health services on average six months earlier than men, highlighting a significant gender divide in care.
A new study reveals a correlation between unhappy marital interactions and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as thicker carotid arteries. The research found that individuals with positive marital interactions had an 8.5% greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
A new study found that gastric bypass surgery leads to a greater reduction in adverse effects of obesity on quality of life compared to intensive weight loss programs. Patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery lost an average of 64.4 pounds and reported a 60% greater reduction in diabetes-related problems.
The Institute of Medicine report reveals that millions of dollars spent on PTSD treatment effectiveness are unmeasured, with neither department having a coordinated system to track outcomes. Mental health is crucial for successful re-entry after military service, but treatments' efficacy remains unknown.
Leading medical authorities call for global mental health objectives, a UN High Level Meeting on Mental Health, and efforts to end stigma and human rights violations. The experts say action is urgently needed, particularly in Africa, where mental health disorders account for a huge burden of disease and disability.
A study found that over 50% of minors have exchanged explicit text messages, with most unaware of the legal ramifications. Researchers highlight the need for education and specific laws to address this issue. The study revealed a significant relationship between awareness of legal consequences and sexting behavior as minors.
A national study reveals that mental health patients are two and a half times more likely to be victims of homicide than the general public. The study found that 6% of homicide victims had been under mental health care in the year preceding their death, with many cases involving substance misuse and a history of violence.
The e-Mental Health in Practice (eMHPrac) initiative aims to train primary health practitioners in the use of e-mental health services, promoting access to e-health for people with mental health-related conditions. The program seeks to increase users of e-mental health services by at least 20% by 2016.
The Douglas Mental Health University Institute is leading a major Canada-wide research network to improve youth mental health services. The five-year, $25M ACCESS Canada project aims to develop and implement strategies for quick access to flexible mental health services.
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that delinquency in youth, particularly females, significantly increases the risk of violent death in adulthood. The study reveals that female delinquents are nearly five times more likely to die violently than the general population.
A VicHealth-funded survey found that nearly all Aboriginal Australians experienced racism in the past year, with racism in healthcare settings linked to high psychological distress. The study highlights the need for urgent action to address racism in healthcare and promote better mental health outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
A Harvard study found that men who have sex with men (MSM) with mental health and substance abuse problems struggle to adhere to their HIV medication regimens. The research highlights the importance of addressing these issues to improve treatment outcomes and reduce viral transmission.
A recent study by CAMH found that pre-menopausal women have higher levels of a brain protein called monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), linked to depression. MAO-A breaks down brain chemicals that help regulate mood. The study suggests new opportunities for prevention, including dietary supplements and hormone replacement therapy.