Mental Health in the Headlines
Mental Health in the Headlines offers summaries of the latest news and views in the mental health field. Coverage of news items in this publication does not represent Mental Health America's support for or opposition to the stories summarized or the views they express. For comments and suggestions, send an e-mail to Mental Health America at postmaster@mentalhealthamerica.net.
Children who were born extremely early in their mothers' pregnancy are more likely to have behavior and emotional problems than kids born full term
Children born to women who experienced even moderate amounts of stress during pregnancy may face at least some language and verbal development limitations...
Of the 7 percent of all American adolescents who took pain medications not prescribed to them in 2005 and 2006, more than one-third of them were dependent on the drugs...
Although fewer teens used illegal drugs, such as cocaine, in 2007 than in 2006, the number of teens who abused prescription medications jumped 12 percent...
Early Life Stress May Increase Women's Breast Cancer Risk...
Women who have histories of depression or other psychiatric disorders are 27 times more likely to attempt suicide soon after becoming mothers than are women without such histories, researchers...
Veterans of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan were 31 percent more likely to begin abusing alcohol upon returning from those countries between 2004 and 2006 than were veterans not involved in combat...
People who have PTSD are about twice as likely to die prematurely from heart disease than are people who don't have PTSD...
Two studies published in the journal Nature, researchers report that they've identified three gene mutations that may provide the strongest genetic links yet found to schizophrenia...
Having depression appears to place older adults at a nearly three-fold increased risk for having a first stroke...
Teens recovering from serious injuries can be at risk for developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression...
Early Help for Pregnant Women with Substance Abuse Problems Key to Infants' Health...
U.S. Leads World in Substance Abuse...
Decline in teen smoking rate stalls...
Depression appears to increase the risk that a person will develop the most common form of diabetes
Smoking Appears to Affect Mental Acuity in Mid-Life
Early-life exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke appears to increase the likelihood that a child will be later hospitalized for an infection
There appears to be a strong correlation between prenatal or early childhood lead exposure and an increased likelihood of being arrested for crimes
Depression, Anxiety Can Undercut Stroke Victims' Efforts at Better Quality of Life
Depression Hits Nearly 10 percent of Teens
Early-in-life alcohol exposure might make people more vulnerable to future patterns of heavy drinking
Having social supports appears to help people who have chronic pain lessen their symptoms of depression
The obesity rate today among children in middle school is four times the rate it was in the 1960s
People generally report being happier as they age
Depression appears to be a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease later in life
Nearly 60 percent of American physicians say that they support a national health insurance program
Young adults who have had heart attacks can significantly reduce their risk of death as a result of another heart attack or other heart ailment if they quit smoking.
Metabolic Syndrome could be a Risk Factor for Depression
The U.S. Army reported last week that more than one-third of combat soldiers who are on their third or fourth tour in Iraq have mental health problems due in part to not having enough time at home between tours.
Teens who don't respond to antidepressants initially can be helped by changing medications and adding psychotherapy to their treatment.
Caregivers tending to ill loved ones face an emotional toll that can affect the quality of care they provide.
Nature and nurture together play a role in the development of mental illnesses.
Exercise programs help reverse the weight gain associated with antipsychotic medications.
The latest study on workplace stress shows the strongest evidence yet that chronic stress can lead to heart disease.
Nearly one out of 10 veterans who have served in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan report experiencing PTSD.
Men with high levels of anxiety are up to 40 percent more likely than men who aren't anxious to have a heart attack.
New research shows that happiness may be good for your health.
New research shows how exercise can help ease the symptoms of depression.
Some states are rethinking their tough juvenile sentencing laws
Teens who commit deliberate acts of self-injury are at a high risk for taking their lives later.
Tuning in to TV violence can make young boys overly aggressive later in childhood.
The suicide rate among U.S. military veterans is 7 to 8 times that of the general population.
Regular teen smokers are much more likely to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana
Many returning combat veterans show signs of Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)...
Contrary to conventional wisdom, older adults are more often satisfied with their lives than are younger people.
More than 1 billion sick days each year are attributed to mental health disorders and work stress is tied to depression.
Cardiac rehab can reduce depression-related mortality in heart patients by almost four-fold.
Older women who drink two or more alcoholic beverages daily may be at a higher risk for endometrial cancer
Depression may be one of the most disabling diseases in the world.
Meth use may lead to a Parkinson's related illness later in life.
Researchers have identified six personality traits that may help people be more resilient in times of trauma.
Bullying can lead to mental health problems later-for bullies and victims.
Marijuana users are 41 percent more likely to develop psychotic symptoms later in life than non-drug users.
A hostile temperament may lead to heart disease.
A new study suggests that expanding Medicare to uninsured "near-elderly" adults may cost less than previously thought.
For women recovering from anorexia, achieving normal levels of body fat may help prevent relapse.
Smoking among teenage males increases suicide risk in adulthood
Smoking may increase the risk for depression.
High-quality day care can reduce depression risk for kids in poor, unstable homes.
Anxiety can be a risk factor for heart attacks.
about one-third of American children go without health care annually.
Older adults who have depression might be at risk for developing diabetes due to an increase in stress-related hormones, which desensitizes them to insulin.
Spouses and partners of people who have survived cancer are likely to develop depression, but unlikely to receive treatment for depression.
Regular, vigorous exercise appears to help stave of depression among men.
Teens who have ADHD are at a greater risk than other teens for developing alcohol-related problems.
A quarter of 103,788 American military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2005 had a diagnosable mental health condition
Untreated depression can have a negative affect on our blood sugar levels.
People who have schizophrenia appear to have trouble discerning social and cultural cues based on vocal tone change.
There is no evidence of a "well-coordinated or well-disseminated approach to providing behavioral health care to [military] service members...
About 100 local VA clinics don't provide mental health services to veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Up to 35,000 children who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 are having emotional, behavioral or school problems.
Children who face corporal punishment from their parents are at risk of developing behavioral and emotional problems later on.
For More Information:
For help finding treatment, support groups, medication information, help paying for your medications, your local Mental Health America affiliate, and other mental health-related services in your community, please click here to access our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24 hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.
Page last updated: 02/02/2007
