Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of August 17, 2009
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.
*DID YOU KNOW?
About one-third of children with a parent deployed in the Global War on Terror are at a high risk for psychosocial problems...more
*HEALTH REFORM UPDATE
Administration Signal Willingness to Drop Public Option
Administration officials signaled over the weekend that it is willing to drop a public option as part of a health reform overhaul. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said a public plan, which would compete with private plans, is not an essential element for reform. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to present a reform plan that includes a nonprofit co-op instead of a public insurance plan. A co-op would offer insurance through an organization run by members. But some question whether a co-op could create enough competition to private insurers. (The New York Times, 8/17/09)
Obama: Mental Health Undervalued in Health Insurance Market
Responding to a question at town hall on health care, President Obama said mental health has always been undervalued in the health insurance market and that severe depression can be as serious as a broken leg. He added that he has been a strong believer in mental health parity and wants to see a mental health component in a health care reform package. (USA Today, 8/11/09)
*TODAY’S NEWS
Science Panel Urges Changes in Screening, Treatment of Depression
A new report by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recommends that screening of depression consider the impact of a parent’s mental health status on the health and development of children. It calls for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend coverage for mothers in the Medicaid program to 24 months postpartum and that it remove restrictions on Medicaid’s rehabilitation option and other payment options; allow same-day visit reimbursement for mental health and primary care services; reimburse primary care providers for mental health services; and remove prohibitions on serving children without medical diagnoses, thereby covering health promotion services for children at risk before diagnosis. (Psychiatric Times, 8/11/09)
Court Urges Settlement in Suit Over Vets’ Mental Health Care
A federal appeals court judge in San Francisco urged lawyers for two advocacy groups to reach a settlement on a suit against government on improvements to veterans' mental health care. Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth filed the lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs, saying that the agency failed to provide adequate mental health treatment to thousands of military members because of unnecessary exam requirements, referral and treatment delays, and a complicated benefits system. A government attorney said he was "not optimistic this is something that can be settled.” (San Francisco Chronicle, 8/13/09)
Study Finds Stigma of Mental Illness Not Changed By Ads
Prescription drug advertising has done little to remove the stigma attached to mental health conditions, a new study finds. Sociologists sought to determine if attitudes had changed since the Food and Drug Administration issued new guidelines allowing TV ads for pharmaceuticals. Using the Mental Health Modules in the General Social Survey, they saw no change in attitudes toward people with mental illness, specifically when they compared depression, which was a focus of many TV commercials, to schizophrenia, for which no drugs have been advertised. (Medical News Today, 8/12/09)
Sexual Minorities More Likely To Use Mental Health Services
Gays, lesbians and bisexuals are twice as likely to seek mental health treatment as heterosexuals, a new study finds. Researchers at the University of California–Los Angeles also found that gender plays a large role; lesbians and bisexual women were more likely to receive treatment, while heterosexual men were the least likely. The reasons, the researches say, could be higher exposure to discrimination, violence and other stressful life events. (The Los Angeles Times, 8/15/09)
Latest Research
Children of Deployed Soldiers at High Risk for Psychosocial Problems: About one-third of children with a parent deployed in the Global War on Terror are at high risk for psychosocial problems, a new study suggests. High stress in the at-home parent is the main factor affecting children's risk of psychological problems, according to the study, which appears in the August issue of the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatric. Researchers recommend that all families of deployed soldiers should be offered support services, which are more available to families living on military bases. (News-Medical.net, 8/11/09)
Teaching Children to be Resilient Can Improve Learning, Curb Depression: Teaching children how to be more resilient along with regular classroom instruction can improve children's outlook on life, curb depression and boost grades, according to new research. Researchers looked at evidence-based programs that seek to increase students’ ability to handle day-to-day stressors and problems and increase character strengths. Teaching children how to foster their own resiliency, purpose in life and positive feelings can bring "new prosperity" to people's lives, said psychologist Martin Seligman, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania. (Sciencedaily, 8/9/09)
Mental Health Conditions Linked to Increased Risk for Obesity: Common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are strongly linked to an increased risk for obesity, new research suggests. The association also grows stronger as individuals age, according to a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. In a longitudinal study, researchers found that at age 40, six percent of the subjects were obese with no difference as to those with mental health conditions. However, at age 70, 35 percent of the participants who had common mental health conditions were obese compared with 27 percent of those who didn’t. The risk of being obese did not vary by sex, ethnic background, or socioeconomic status. (Medscape.com, 8/14/09)
HEADLINES at Mental Health America
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*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
The crisis in the country’s juvenile corrections system will only worsen unless we reverse course and aggressively put in place early identification, prevention and effective treatment programs for mental health conditions, writes David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. The New York Times, “Young, Mentally Ill and Behind Bars,” August 17, 2009
A project to put names on graves at Western State mental hospital in Washington is part of a national movement to reduce stigma and recognize those who were shunned in life. The effort is “symbolically giving voice and dignity to people who have been ostracized by their communities," said David Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America. Associated Press, Washington group puts markers on graves of mentally ill,” August 15, 2009
Chronic stress can cause a constant state of malaise, says Diana Morales, vice president of public education for Mental Health America. This spring, the organization began a program called Live Your Life Well that is designed to raise awareness that mental health is critical to overall health. The Journal News, “Don’t worry, be happy,” August 14, 2009
Confusion over whether Iowa can distribute millions in federal money earmarked for mental health services is causing hundreds of people in Polk County who are waiting for help to wait even longer. Only one-third of Americans with mental health conditions get proper care, according to Mental Health America. The Des Moines Register, “Snags delay help for mentally ill,” August 14, 2009
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
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- New report reveals link between states’ depression status and access to treatment
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Mental Health in the Headlines is produced weekly by Mental Health America. Mental Health America's Mental Health in the Headlines staff: Steve Vetzner, senior director, Media Relation and Sarah Jones, communications coordinator.
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