Mental Health Family Tree

To help you uncover personal and family behavior patterns that may be associated with depression or bipolar disorder, Families for Depression Awareness developed the Mental Health Family Tree builder. After completing a simple questionnaire, you can print an easy-to-read "family tree" that maps the existence of behaviors associated with depression or bipolar disorder in your family. You can then share this family tree with your doctor or family.

"If I had built my Mental Health Family Tree earlier, it would have given my doctor and me a clearer picture of what I was dealing with," says Renee Rosolino. "It would have helped us realize that my father's constant mood swings and irritable behaviors may have been more than upsetting personality traits - he may have had bipolar disorder. Knowing this earlier could have helped my doctor differentiate my bipolar disorder from depression, and led to effective treatment and the happier life I have now much faster." - Renee Rosolino, Patient

"The Mental Health Family Tree is very useful in helping guide the differential diagnosis process (between depression and bipolar disorder) and in helping determine which treatment may be best for the patient." -Jean Endicott, Ph.D, Columbia University

Federal Government Seeks Public Comment on Issues Related to the Implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act signed into law in October 2008 consolidated longstanding efforts at the national and state level to establish parity between the financial health coverage for mental health/substance abuse conditions, and physical health disorders. The three federal government agencies principally responsible for implementing this law – the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service -- are issuing a request in the Federal Register seeking information and advice from the public addressing critical issues surrounding the best ways to implement the law and fulfill its objectives.

Among the issues that the departments are seeking information on are issues related to the most efficient and cost-effective ways of implementing this law. In addition, this request for information seeks information that would be helpful in the development of regulations needed to implement this law.

The Federal Register announcement can be accessed at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9629.pdf

Want information on Federal mental health grants, publications, meetings, policies, programs and other useful material for mental health consumers? Join the CMHS Consumer Affairs Listserv at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/listserv/

Task Force Recommends Routine Screening of Adolescents for Clinical Depression

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends routine screening of adolescents 12 to 18 years of age for clinical depression when systems are in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, treatment, and follow up. The Task Force found insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening children 7 to 11 years of age for clinical depression. The Task Force reviewed new evidence on the benefits and harms of screening children and adolescents for clinical depression, the accuracy of screening tests administered in the primary care setting, and the benefits and risks of treating clinical depression using psychotherapy and/or medications in patients 7 and 18 years of age. The recommendations appeared in the April issue of Pediatrics. To read the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) press release and access the recommendation, visit http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2009/tfaddeppr.htm.

Family Ties Provide Protection Against Young Adult Suicidal Behavior

ScienceDaily (Apr. 15, 2009)

Adolescents and young adults typically consider peer relationships to be all important. However, it appears that strong family support, not peer support, is protective in reducing future suicidal behavior among young adults when they have experienced depression or have attempted suicide.

New research that will be presented April 17 at the annual meeting of the American Association of Suicidology shows that high school depression and a previous suicide attempt were significant predictors of thinking about suicide one or two years later. But, those individuals who had high levels of depression or had attempted suicide in high school were less likely to engage in suicidal thinking if they had strong family support and bonds.

Creating a Pamphlet to Educate Parishioners about Mental Illness

From: NAMI FaithNet Newsletter April 2009
Two Portland Catholic mental health experts have written a pamphlet for national distribution to help educate parishes about ways to be supportive of mentally ill parishioners. The pamphlet provides simple suggestions for supporting and ministering to people with mental illness, insisting that no one needs to be a mental health expert to help others.
Read the full article.

Watch The HealthyPlace TV Show - America's Mental Health Channel

from www.healthyplace.com

The HealthyPlace TV Show brings personal stories of what life is like living with a mental illness. Their goal is to let others facing similar challenges know they are not alone in their feelings and experiences.

Each week, they'll be discussing different aspects of mental health. The host, Ruth Mendoza, will be talking with people about their experiences, how they're coping and what is and isn't working for them. The co-host and HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, will be providing insight and his expertise on the subject matter.

During the second half of the show, you can ask Dr. Croft your personal questions about anything you wish concerning mental health. Dr. Croft will give you an easy-to-understand straight answer.

How to Watch The HealthyPlace TV Show

The show airs live on Tuesday evenings at 8:30p ET, 7:30 CT, 5:30p PT. You can watch the show from the player on the TV Show homepage. If you happen to miss the live show, simply click on the word "on-demand" at the bottom of the player and select the recorded version of the show you would like to watch.

Are Teens Who Smoke at Risk for Later Depression?

A study published on Dec 17, 2008 in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology suggests there is a strong link between tobacco consumption and mood disorders. It has been suggested that afflicted individuals smoke to manage mood. However, there is also evidence indicating that tobacco consumption can induce negative mood. The Florida State study is the first to show that nicotine exposure early in life can have long-term neurobiological consequences evidenced in mood disorders. In addition, it indicates that even brief exposure to nicotine increases risk for mood disorders later in life.
www.narsad.org