Mental Disorder News and Research

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Psychopharmacology expert calls for more mental health staffing at army bases

The recent shootings at the Ft. Hood, Texas army base, allegedly by an army psychiatrist, have placed much-needed focus on mental health care in the army. In an article published in the December issue of the journal CNS Spectrum, renowned psychopharmacology expert Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, calls for increased mental health staffing at Fort Hood and other army bases.

14 Dec 2009

Survey provides comprehensive look at prevalence of common mental disorders

Only about half of American children and teenagers who have certain mental disorders receive professional services, according to a nationally representative survey funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The survey also provides a comprehensive look at the prevalence of common mental disorders.

14 Dec 2009

Researchers discover new explanation for differences in severity of mental illness in males

Researchers have discovered a new explanation for differences in the severity of mental illness in males. The more excess copies of a certain gene, the more serious the handicap. The genetic defect is situated on the X-chromosome; and it is suspected that it is the amount of copies of the GDI1 gene that is responsible.

11 Dec 2009

People of diverse communities are at increased risk for depression and suicide

Americans do not believe that they know much about depression, but are highly aware of the risks of not receiving care, according to a survey released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

11 Dec 2009

CMHA calls to extend Employment Insurance benefits and Pharmacare program for mentally-ill patients

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), National supports several of the recommendations of "In From The Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness", Report of the Subcommittee on Cities of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology tabled yesterday in Ottawa.

10 Dec 2009

Social scientists say compassion is humans' strongest trait

Researchers at UC Berkeley are challenging long-held beliefs that human beings are wired to be selfish. In a wide range of studies, social scientists are amassing a growing body of evidence to show we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive.

10 Dec 2009

Behavioral intervention can improve cognitive performance in children

Carnegie Mellon University scientists Timothy Keller and Marcel Just have uncovered the first evidence that intensive instruction to improve reading skills in young children causes the brain to physically rewire itself, creating new white matter that improves communication within the brain.

10 Dec 2009

Climate change may affect mental health, but more research is needed

Among the many topics to be discussed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this month, one that is unlikely to feature is that of increasing concern about the effects on climate change on people with a history of mental health, and the potential for an increase in the overall burden of mental disorder worldwide.

8 Dec 2009

Climate change can cause major impact on global mental health

Leading mental health researchers are warning that some of the most important health consequences of climate change will be on mental health, yet this issue is unlikely to be given much attention at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen next week.

4 Dec 2009

NIDA funds proposed 'seek and treat' strategy in the fight against HIV/AIDS

Dr. Julio Montaner - Director, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE), and President, International AIDS Society - congratulated Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for taking a leadership role in the evaluation of the "Seek and Treat" strategy originally developed at the BC-CfE.

3 Dec 2009

New PBS documentary examines why people view happiness as an elusive goal

On the eve of a new year, as millions of Americans struggle to find more meaning in their lives, Vulcan Productions and NOVA/WGBH have teamed up with Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, Professor Daniel Gilbert, to produce This Emotional Life. This three-part documentary premieres on PBS January 4-6, 2010 (at 9:00 p.m. check local listings) and examines why people find happiness to be such an elusive goal.

2 Dec 2009

Human-animal bond offers significant benefits

A pet owner knows the enormous joy and comfort that an animal can provide, especially in troubled times. Most pets are considered important members of the family and irreplaceable companions.

1 Dec 2009

Framework for Canada's national mental health strategy released

In a first step toward changing Canada's status as the only G8 country without a mental health strategy, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) today released the framework for Canada's national strategy.

1 Dec 2009

Leading mental health experts to hold conference in Vancouver

Leading experts in the field of mental health are holding one of the largest conferences of its kind in Vancouver, November Sunday 29 - Tuesday December 1. The conference, titled 'Into the Light,' is being jointly organized by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Vancouver Coastal Health and Simon Fraser University and will be looking at mental health issues across Canada.

28 Nov 2009

MHCC's initiative for homeless people living with mental illness

Moncton is one of five cities selected by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) for implementation of its ground-breaking national research project to find the best way to provide housing and services to people who are living with mental illness and homelessness. Using a 'Housing First' approach, the research project focuses on first providing people who are homeless with a place to live, and then the other assistance and services they require. The goal is to see if this approach is better than traditional 'care as usual'.

23 Nov 2009

Children exposed to lead and tobacco are 2.4 times more likely to have ADHD

Children exposed prenatally to tobacco smoke and during childhood to lead face a particularly high risk for ADHD, according to research done at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

23 Nov 2009

Training program to address mental health issues in developing countries

Worldwide, more than 450 million people live with unmet mental health care needs. Wake Forest University Counseling Professor Donna Henderson co-developed a training course with easy-to-follow lessons that helps nonprofessional community volunteers in developing countries respond to mental health issues.

21 Nov 2009

FDA approves sNDA for pediatric autism drug ABILIFY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, including symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods.

20 Nov 2009

New program to address mental health issues of youth and children

Every year, thousands of youngsters in Ontario experience a mental health crisis, yet the vast majority end up waiting months for psychiatric assessment and treatment because of the severe shortage of these specialists. Now a groundbreaking new program is bridging the gap between kids and care.

20 Nov 2009

Experts available to discuss health effects of abuse and domestic violence

Did you know that in 2007-08, there were 62,000 Canadian women living in shelters to escape domestic violence and abusive situations, according to Statistics Canada? While violence appears in different forms and locations, the results are always the same: physical and psychological damage to the victims. How can we break the vicious circle of violence and improve the lives and health of our populations?

19 Nov 2009