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The article presents the discussion on exploring the association between green space and the incidence of schizophrenia in a large Canadian urban center. Topics include childhood exposure to green space being a protective factor reducing the risk of developing schizophrenia during adolescence and adulthood; and reducing exposure to air pollution and noise increasing the opportunities for engaging in outdoor activities for stress reduction.

Objective: To determine if separation from a father is associated with short-term changes in mental health or substance use in adolescents. Methods: Every 3 months, during a 5-year period, we followed 1160 Grade 7 students participating in the Nicotine Dependence in Teens Study who were living with both parents. Participants who reported not living with their father for 6 or more consecutive months during follow-up were categorized as separated from father. Pooled regressions within the framework of generalized estimating equations were used to model the associations between separation from father and indicators of mental health (depressive symptoms, and worry and [or] stress about family relationships or the family situation) and substance use (alcohol use and cigarette smoking) 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 months postseparation, controlling for age, sex, and baseline level of the outcome variable. Results: Compared with adolescents living with both parents, adolescent offspring separated from their fathers were more likely to report depressive symptoms (β = 0.17, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.33) 4 to 6 months postseparation, as well as worry and (or) stress about their parents separating or divorcing (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.29 to 4.43), a new family (OR 4.25, 95% CI 2.33 to 7.76), and the family financial situation (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.60). Separation from father was also marginally significantly related to worry and (or) stress about their relationship with their father (OR 1.53; 95% CI 0.98 to 2.39). At 7 to 9 months postseparation, separation from father continued to be associated with worry and (or) stress about their parents separating or divorcing, a new family, and the family financial situation. Separation from father was no longer associated with worry and (or) stress about their relationship with their father, but it was associated with worry and (or) stress about their relationship with their mother. Separation from father was not related to use of alcohol or cigarettes. Conclusion: Adolescent offspring experienced family-related stress and transient depression symptoms in the 4- to 9-month period following separation from their fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which editor discusses the various articles within the issue on topics including protective factors of suicidal behaviors in adolescents, borderline personality disorder (BPD) and a research related to the mental disorders.