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

GRADING THE STATES 2009

New Report Card: Nation's Mental Health Care System

14 States Improve Grades; 12 Fall Backwards

Washington, DC -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has released a new report, Grading the States 2009, assessing the nation's public mental health care system for adults and finding that the national average grade is a D.

Fourteen states improved their grades since NAMI's last report card three years ago. Twelve states fell backwards.

Oklahoma showed the greatest improvement in the nation, rising from a D to a B. South Carolina fell the farthest, from a B to a D. However, the report comes at a time when state budget cuts are threatening mental health care overall.

"Mental health care in America is in crisis," said NAMI executive director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "Even states that have worked hard to build life-saving, recovery-oriented systems of care stand to see their progress wiped out."

See the complete state chart and report at Grading the States 2009 Online

"Ironically, state budget cuts occur during a time of economic crisis when mental heath services are needed even more urgently than before. It is a vicious cycle that can lead to ruin. States need to move forward, not retreat."

This is the second report NAMI has published to measure progress in transforming what a presidential commission on mental health called "a system in shambles."

NAMI's grades for 2009 include six Bs, 18 Cs, 21 Ds and six Fs, based on 65 specific criteria such as access to medicine, housing, family education, and support for National Guard members.

"Too many people living with mental illness end up hospitalized, on the street, in jail or dead," Fitzpatrick said. "We need governors and legislators willing to make investments in change."

In 2006, the national average was D. Three years later, it has not budged.

NAMI 2009 CONVENTION CONSUMER SCHOLARSHIP

NAMI 2009 CONVENTION

"Creating a Healthy Future for Us All"
June 6-9, 2009 San Francisco, CA

Center for Mental Health Services Application for Financial Support
Application deadline: April 24, 2009

The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is planning on providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who would like to participate in the annual conference sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The purpose of the scholarships is to foster transformation of mental health care to focus on recovery. Please note: To be eligible for this scholarship, a completed application and letter of recommendation must be sent by U. S. mail to SAMHSA and postmarked by April 24, 2009. Also note these scholarships are contingent on funding and availability.

Conference information is available at: www.nami.org