Toward a Blood Test for Mood Disorders

A team led by Alexander B. Niculescu III, M.D., Ph.D., of Indiana University School of Medicine reported that it has demonstrated how biomarkers in the blood might be able to measure the presence or absence, and even the intensity, of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. This advance, while preliminary, is encouraging for those who eagerly await the development of reliable tests for rapid, positive diagnosis of mental illness. Such tests, if perfected, would be a boon to patients, permitting early diagnosis, and a powerful means of overcoming stigma. The biomarkers found by Dr. Niculescu are present in differing amounts in individuals suffering from high or low mood states. Although much research must be performed before such relationships can be quantified and validated, the results reported indicate a path forward for this important work. Press release: http://www.narsad.org/news/press/rg_2008/res2008-03-05.html

The Holiday-Suicide Myth

One of the more persistent myths about the end-of-year holidays is that suicides rise during this period. According to a recently completed analysis of news reporting during last year’s holiday period, there was renewed repetition of this myth in newspaper reporting. The analysis, released by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, shows that about half of the articles written during last year’s holiday season that made a direct connection to the season perpetuated the myth.

The fact is that the rate of suicide in the U.S. is lowest in December and peaks in the spring and fall.

“Although there has been a drop in press support of the myth since 1999, it is disappointing to see that so many stories continue to reinforce the myth,” said Dan Romer, the director of Annenberg’s Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, which conducted the study. “Reporters who make the link should realize that they are making a connection that just doesn’t exist.”

Read the December 8, 2008 press release here: http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/Downloads/Releases/Release_HolidaySuicide/suiciderelease%202008%20with%20tables.pdf

While suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously at any time of year, there’s no reason to think that this month is especially dangerous.

Why Do the Mentally Ill Die Younger?

The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors published a study two years ago called "Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness." The report analyzed data from 16 states, and found that, on average, people with severe mental illness die 25 years earlier than the general population.

The causes of physical illness and death among psychiatric patients are much the same as those in other groups — cigarette smoking, obesity, diabetes — and are treatable.

Read the full story, published in the December 8, 2008 edition of Time magazine:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1863220,00.html

What a Difference a Friend Makes

Check out the 'What a Difference a Friend Makes' site: whatadifference.samhsa.gov, a site for people living with mental illness—and their friends. The site offers tools to help in the recovery process, information about the different kinds of mental illnesses, real-life stories about support and recovery, and videos about how friends can make all the difference.

Youth and Caregiver Survey on Mental Health Stigmatization

Are you a young person aged 14-25 who has an emotional or mental health condition?

OR

Are you a parent or other caregiver of a child between the ages of 14-25 with an emotional or mental health condition?

IF SO,

The Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health at Portland State University invites you to take a survey that asks about your experiences with discrimination or stigmatization. Results of the survey will be published in the January 2008 issue of Focal Point: Research, Practice and Policy in Children?s Mental Health.
o If you finish the survey, you can enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com
o The survey is completely anonymous
o The survey takes about 15 minutes

More information about the survey and the potential risks and benefits of participation can be found here, or, if that link does not work: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgInfoStigmaSurvey.php

TO TAKE THE YOUTH SURVEY, CLICK HERE:
Or, if the above link does not work:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vUyC0guSO3_2f0DT_2fQ_2fz91tw_3d_3d

TO TAKE THE PARENT/CAREGIVER SURVEY, CLICK HERE:
Or, if the above link does not work:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RDH20IkGeyfpyRbhreOqdA_3d_3d

o If you have questions about the survey, please contact Janet Walker at janetw@pdx.edu
o For more information about the organization that is sponsoring this survey, visit the website of the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children?s Mental Health at www.rtc.pdx.edu

Peer to Peer Online Community

Message from the Open Arms Drop In Center:

Open Arms Virtual Drop-In Center is a peer to peer online community where people diagnosed with a form of mental illness or psychiatric disorder may come and share their experiences regarding treatment and recovery journeys without fear of judgment, stigma or discrimination. Our goals as peers should be to serve one another in such a way that we may be able to feel empowered to change the quality of our lives; to listen to one another and let each one here know that they are heard, respected and validated. We should all offer supportive and constructive feedback and help one another to gain greater insight and understanding. Let us encourage independence in personal goal setting, decision making and problem solving. May we work in partnership with one another as guides, advocates and as critical friends.

We are not mental health professionals, but rather people who have diagnosable, yet treatable illnesses. We aim for recovery in all aspects of our being and strive to improve our condition and well-being, as well as work toward improving ourselves in the many roles we take on in our personal lives. We hope you find this a safe and comfortable place to share and look forward to meeting you all. Please drop in any time, and welcome to Open Arms.

http://www.openarmsdrop-in.com/
http://openarms.19.forumer.com/

Exciting Opportunity for Youth Ages 11 to 15!

The Oregon Center for Applied Science (ORCAS) has created a fun and educational computer program to help adolescents learn about and prevent depression. For this research study, ORCAS needs to recruit 300 adolescents ages 11-15 to evaluate the program. Adapted from an empirically validated intervention, the program will include six Cognitive Behavior Therapy modules, interactive and educational games, and additional content related to youth depression.

Youth who participate will be compensated up to $120 for their time. They will also have the unique opportunity to learn new skills to help them feel better more of the time while helping us develop a program to meet the needs of others their age.

To get additional information about the project, request recruitment materials, or sign up to participate, please call 1-866-822-0226 or email bluesblaster@orcasinc.com. ORCAS is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

PTSD Study

For Veterans Who Suffer from Combat Stress, there may be a free, effective, non-drug treatment for you. If you (or someone you know) has combat experience from Vietnam , Iraq , or Afghanistan , you may be eligible for a stress study. If you qualify, you will receive six free private sessions of an advanced technique for releasing the stress of combat memories. These sessions will take place near your home, or over the phone. This study is sponsored a private research nonprofit not affiliated with any government organization. All personal information is kept completely confidential. If you have any of the following conditions, please apply to participate in the study: You suffer from insomnia and / or nightmares; You're battling alcohol or drugs; You're dealing with anger, anxiety, panic attacks or depression; You're consumed with rage, grief, and guilt because you survived; You feel isolated, unsafe, jumpy, or triggered by other people; You haven't sought help for fear of damage to your military or civilian career.

How to apply: This study is organized and sponsored by the Iraq Vets Stress Project (www.StressProject.org), a project of Soul Medicine Institute, an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit public benefit corporation. To get further details, call Soul Medicine Institute at (707) 237-6951, or email deb@soulmedicine.net.

Welcome to the Montana Warm Line Blog

Eighty percent of Montana communities have less than 3,000 residents. Mental Health Problems don't only affect those living within 10 or 20 miles of a mental health clinic or provider, but many of the people who living in these rural communities as well. For those Montanans who live far away from services, there are few options for receiving support for their mental illness. Until now, that is. The Montana Mental Health Association was awarded a grant to create a "Virtual Drop-in Center," that utilized telephone and internet to provide home-based services for people with mental illness. In addition to rural residents, it is the belief of MMHA that this service will also benefit people uncomfortable with going to a 'real' drop-in center, those with physical disabilities, and those with limited mobility.

One of the components of this "Virtual Drop-in Center" is the Warm Line. This is a toll-free line for people with a mental illness who want to talk to a peer (that is a person who is in recovery for his/her own mental illness) about issues they are facing in theri lives or with therir treatment. It provides a friendly and understanding person for those who just need someone to talk to. Call 1-877-688-3377 Monday through Friday from 5:30-9:30 PM or Saturday from 1:00-5:00 PM.

Another component is the Montana Warm Line Blog. This is intended to help Montanans connect to resources and information. In addition, it provides a place to share stories and to connect with others from all over the state. We expect, and require, that all people who choose to participate in this blog do so in a respectful manner. We hope this will remain a safe and healthy space where participants feel heard, respected, and accepted.

Anyone who wants to participate as a blogger who can post to this blog should email info@montanamentalhealth.org so we can enable their email address. Those who do not wish to make posts, should still feel free to add constructive comments.