Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of December 1, 2008
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?
People who’ve had heart attacks are at a significantly higher risk of a second heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problem if they also have depression...more
*TODAY´S NEWS
Georgia To Embark On Privatization Plan
Plans are underway in Georgia to completely privatize the state’s psychiatric hospitals by hiring for-profit companies to build and operate three new facilities to replace all seven existing state hospitals. The move was prompted by budget cuts and a lack of money to build new facilities. Mental Health America of Georgia’s Ellyn Jeager said that she has “serious reservations about the plan.” For-profit companies “are in the business to make money,” she said. “I’m not sure it will improve the system.” Proponents of the plan say that the private sector can perform many government functions at less cost and with greater efficiency. Georgia would be the first state to embark on a total privatization of its state psychiatric facilities. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 11/30/08)
New Regulation Allows States To Charge More For Medicaid
States can now charge Medicaid enrollees premiums and higher copayments—and deny care to individuals who don’t make these payments—thanks to a new federal regulation published last week. Many health experts say that this regulation will cause people to delay both preventative care and care in the early stages of illnesses, only to seek treatment later when their illnesses are more severe and treatment costs are higher. Many states and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services see the new rule as a way to keep services funded without narrowing Medicaid’s eligibility requirements. (The New York Times, 11/27/08)
Global Economic Problems Attributed To Increase In Those Seeking Help
Although demand for mental health services usually increases during the autumn as the holidays approach, service providers in the Denver area say that they are seeing a steeper increase than usual. The increased demand includes both people who have private insurance coverage and people who have coverage through Medicaid. Mental health professionals attribute the increase to global economic problems and uncertainties that have affected individuals’ family lives. The problems are especially difficult for people who already have mental health problems, but the service providers say that they are seeing people who have never sought help before as well. (Denver Post, 11/30/08)
Latest Research
Depression Related Inactivity May Lead To Second Heart Attack: People who’ve had heart attacks are at a significantly higher risk of a second heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problem if they also have depression, researchers note in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The increase in risk of a second heart attack appears to be associated with the failure to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including exercising and smoking cessation, the researchers conclude. (Reuters, 11/25/08)
Teens’ Exposure To Media Violence Leads To Aggression: The finding of a study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence adds to the mounting evidence linking kids’ exposure to violence in the media to teens’ violent behavior. The study’s researchers found that even after taking into account factors such as academic difficulties, exposure to real-life violence and histories of psychological problems, there is a correlation between teens’ exposure to violence in games, television shows and other venues, and violent and aggressive behavior. (Reuters, 11/26/08)
Depression—Not Antidepressants—Responsible For Mortality Risk Among Heart Failure Patients: Researchers report in the Archives of Internal Medicine that depression, and not the use of antidepressants, is responsible for the increased risk of death among people who are recovering from heart failure. In fact, once other factors are taking into account, antidepressant use appears cancel out the increased risk, the researchers note. (Reuters, 11/28/08)
Taking Time Off For Mental Health Issue Tied to Poor Physical Health: A study examining nearly 20,000 French workers found that those workers who reported taking sick leave for depression or some other mental health condition were up to one-third more likely to die during the period studied than other workers. The study’s researchers wrote that because poor mental health is often linked to poor physical health, people examined in the study who took time off for mental health reasons may have been in worse physical health. The study appeared in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. The researchers stress that their finding relates only to a population as a whole and not necessarily to individuals’ circumstances. (Reuters, 11/25/08)
Millions Seek Help Through Self-Help Groups: Nearly one-half of the 5 million people who participated in self-help groups associated with drug and alcohol abuse in 2006 and 2007 report they abstained from using those substances, a U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey indicates. About two-thirds of those participating in such groups during this period were male and 80 percent were older than 25. (Reuters, 11/24/08)
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Marley Prunty-Lara, Mental Health America board member, discusses her experience living with bipolar disorder since she was a teenager. "I still have bipolar disorder," she said. “It is possible to be sick and well at the same time.” Argus Leader, “Mother, Daughter Hail Promise of Bipolar Help,” November 26, 2008
Mental Health America reports that most African Americans who have bipolar disorder live their lives both undiagnosed and untreated because of an over-reliance on family and religious communities; a mistrust of healthcare professionals; a lack of access to mental healthcare and cultural barriers dealing with the stigmas of mental health. The Daily Voice, “Black Teen’s Suicide Highlights Mental Illness,” November 24, 2008
“The holiday season can be a challenging time of year,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “Being aware of stressors and taking steps toward managing them is essential to making the holiday season healthy. Neglecting them, on the other hand, can abate a person’s well-being and overall health.” Mental Health America suggests people should keep their expectations for the holiday season manageable by setting realistic goals and make lists to prioritize important activities. Senior Spectrum, “Take Simple Steps to Beat Holiday Blues,” November 25, 2008
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
- View highlights of Mental Health America’s 2008 Annual Conference featuring the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit
- Save the Date: Mental Health America's Centennial Conference - June 10-13, 2009, Washington, D.C.
- Mental Health America’s 2008 Media Awards honor excellence in reporting of mental health issues
- Survey reveals obstacles to health care for people who have schizophrenia
- New report reveals link between states’ depression status and access to treatment
- Donate to our Resource Center and help save lives
- Share your story on realLIVES
- Join Mental Health America’s Advocacy Network
- Check out previous issues of Mental Health in the Headlines
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 Relations; Sarah Jones, communications coordinator; and Hazel Moran, senior director, Healthcare Reform.
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