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In an effort to help the public better understand the mental health implications of gaming, an international foundation and a public health nonprofit this month released a white paper, calling it a first‐of‐its‐kind report, that analyzes the potential role of gaming as an innovative solution to the increasing mental health crisis in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the best efforts of clinicians and researchers for decades, there is still so much uncertainty about why some people develop mental disorders and others do not, the nonprofit journalism organization, The Conversation, reported Aug. 4. However, changes in the brain very likely offer the best clues to future mental health outcomes. The adolescent brain is particularly important in these predictions because brain changes during this time are rapid and dynamic, shaping a person's individual uniqueness. By monitoring and tracking brain changes as they happen, [researchers] contend that they can tackle emerging mental health problems in adolescence and target early treatment. The challenge is in accurately predicting the likelihood of a person developing a mental disorder before it happens. In a paper published recently in NeuroImage, study authors used data from the Australian Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study that monitors changes in adolescents' brains. "We have been tracking adolescent brain development, using MRI scans, for several years," stated researchers. "Our recent paper is the first to show [that] the uniqueness of an adolescent's brain (or their 'brain fingerprint') can predict mental health outcomes. Brain fingerprinting could be the future of mental disorder prevention, allowing us to identify signs of concern in teenagers through brain imaging and intervene early, before illness develops." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicare Advantage plans have become an increasingly attractive insurance option for older Americans, but results of a new study suggest that in many cases the cost savings they bring could come at the expense of access to psychiatric services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Untreated mental illness in the Hoosier state comes at a cost of more than $4 billion a year, according to a new Indiana University study, the Daily Journal reported Nov. 1. The research published by the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health found that one in five Indiana residents with mental illness do not receive the treatment they need. Hoosiers who do not receive such treatment are also more likely to experience other chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, researchers said. The economic burden of untreated mental illness in Indiana is estimated to be $4.2 billion annually, including $3.3 billion in indirect costs — like unemployment and caregiving — $708.5 million in direct health care costs, and $185.4 million in non‐health care costs. The largest cost attributable to untreated mental illness was premature mortality, at over $1.4 billion. Productivity losses were estimated to cost $885 million each year. "The findings were published Oct. 13 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers worked with the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission to perform their analysis. Through the researchers' work, they developed a framework that allows Indiana to prioritize key areas in mental health services and treatment. The framework also provides Indiana with a baseline for tracking progress toward improvement efforts. The research was used in support of Senate Enrolled Act 1, which passed during the 2023 legislative session. The sweeping legislation will create a new mental health care system in Indiana, fortifying the relatively new 988 crisis response center and hotline with funding for mental health emergencies. The IU study population consisted of more than 6.1 million individuals of whom an estimated 429,000 had untreated mental illness in 2019, according to the research paper. "One of the most significant impacts of this research is that other states can use this framework to understand the financial burden in their state," said Justin Blackburn, Ph.D., associate professor at the Fairbanks School. "There is a scarcity of data on the costs incurred by each state — especially by individuals, families and communities — from untreated mental illnesses in the United States. Policymakers, clinicians and employers need this sort of data to determine how we should allocate our societal resources." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that Whole Health Campaign (WHC) released series of policy papers outlining the need to include mental illness and substance use as health care policy priority in the health reform process in the U.S. It notes that the papers center on access, quality, and choice and cost of care for people with these disorders and their family. It adds that the paper depicts the reason why mental illness and substance use research is an important part of America's health care system.

The article discusses a research paper on strategies to reduce self-stigma among people with mental illness. It references a study by Dinesh Mittal et al. published in the October 2012 issue of "Psychiatric Services". The study suggests that psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy and contact with consumers with mental illness are effective in addressing public stigma and self-stigma.

The emerging field of digital medicine explores the potential benefit of using technologies as tools for measurement and intervention in health care delivery, say researchers of a new study published in Population Health Management. Digital tools can assist physician– patient relationships, which may potentially help improve treatment outcomes, the study found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the findings of a study mental depression, conducted by Joshua Fogel, assistant professor of Behavioral Sciences at the Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and associates. The researchers examined data obtained from interview of 1,634 people with a 15-year follow-up and found that 101 of them had either depression. And of those, 19 developed major depressive disorder sometime over the next 15 years. Based upon their findings, the researchers concluded that minor depression is not so minor. People who have an episode of minor depression are six times more likely to have a major depressive illness later.

The article focuses on launch of "Bring It Home: Better Funding for Better Care" campaign for seeking better funding for mental health housing units in New York, New York. It mentions awards announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for agencies which provide support services for units of supportive housing for homeless persons. It also mentions views of Toni Lasicki, executive director of the Association for Community Living, on condition of housing system for people with mental illness.

The article explains the influence of the U.S. economy and Affordable Care Act (ACA) towards emergency department (ED) trends concerning mental health, based on the report "Trends in Emergency Department Visits Involving Mental and Substance Use Disorders, 2006-2013." Topics discussed include substance use disorders as most common conditions among female patients aged 45 to 64 years, and bipolar disorders as the most common among people aged 18 to 44 years.

The article reveals that children with mental health disorders or those suffering from depression are more prone to bullying others, according to a research study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 24, 2012.

The article reports that the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) and the Kentucky Protection and Advocacy have signed a 19 million dollar settlement agreement for personal care home patients. It explains that under the agreement, serious mental illness patients in personal care homes will receive community support and services and have the option to live in a more integrated setting.

The article discusses a report released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that compares national trends in the number of children with mental disorders under 18 to trends in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) childhood disability population. Topics cited include an increase in the number of children who receive SSI from the Social Security Administration and the need for better data about diagnoses and comorbidities to inform improvement to the SSI program for children. INSET: Quality diagnosis essential in identifying children for....

Details the plans of the U.S. Social Security Administration to update and revise the rules it uses to evaluate mental disorders in persons who apply for Social Security disability benefits for Supplemental Security Income payments on disability. Comments and suggestions on the rules sought by the agency.

The article informs that a California-based program is helping persons with mental illness face the challenges of finding employment by helping them gain work experience and earn salaries by working at the agency's onsite business ventures. Hire-Ability is a division of the Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc., a community mental health agency, established in 1974 with over 30 different community services that operate in the San Francisco Bay Area. The goal of Hire-Ability is to enable participants with mental health disabilities gain successful employment and improve self-sufficiency. INSET: NYC agency places persons with MI on fast track to employment..

Discusses findings of a National Household Survey on Drug Abuse concerning the prevalence and treatment of mental health in the United States. Relationship between mental illness and substance use, education and income; Correlation between serious mental illness and alcohol use; Serious mental illness rates for both gender.

The article focuses on study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) which investigates the decreased percentage of youths with serious impairments along with increase in treatment rates in children with more serious mental health problems. Topics discussed include mental health services, alexithymia and bipolar disorders. INSET: CMS Medicaid and CHIP managed care proposal the first in over....

The article focuses on the collaborative efforts of National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and the National Coalition on Mental Health and Deaf Individuals (NCMHDI) for the advancement of mental health treatment and access to services for the deaf population with mental illness in the U.S. It mentions that both organizations will work towards encouraging research priorities and training in this population. Also, it explores the details with this joined efforts.

The article reports on the significant number of female prisoners with serious mental illness (SMI) in the U.S. According to the study "Prevalence of Serious Mental Illness Among Jail Inmates," there are twice female inmates with SMI and the percentage of people being jailed with such ailment is three to six times larger than the general public. Fred C. Osher, director of health systems and service policy of the Council of State Governments, said that the figure is the most reliable in 20 years.

The article reports on the "Learning About Healthy Living (LAHL)" manual for people with serious mental illness which was developed by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in Newark. It is stated that the manual has been developed to help mental health professionals treating mental health patients with nicotine addiction for it provides a special group treatment intervention approach to stem tobacco addiction.

The article reports on the proposed Medicaid system in Missouri which received some attention from national advocacy groups for its implementation. According to the article, the legislative bill will move forward, however without a plan for beneficiary wellness incentives that had worried advocates for individuals with serious mental illness and other disabilities.

Provides a forecast on the increase in the number of elderly people with psychiatric disorders by 2030 in the U.S. Inadequacy of the current system to treat the growing number of elderly patients with severe mental illness; Main challenges to caring for elderly persons with the disease; Investigation on the prevalence and causes of medical comorbidities in geriatric psychiatry disorders.

Reports on the significance of the presidential campaign for mental health advocates to present their priorities in the U.S. Need of improvement on the mental health services to Americans with mental illness; Failure of states to allocate money for mental health services; Prediction for the failure of mental health issues to get the attention of presidential candidates during the campaign.

Reports on the psychological disorder suffered by Asian Americans in New York City after the traumatic experience of World Trade Organization attack on September 11, 2001. Paucity of useful mental health services; Prevalence of mental problems among ethnic community; Need to expand the availability of mental health services to Asian Americans.

The article talks about social media campaign of Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) and the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems. Topics include aim of the social medial campaign such as Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion; impact of IMD exclusion on preventing people with serious mental illness from receiving hospital care; and letter of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding its willingness to improve access to substance use disorder care.

The article reports on the response of the mental health community in the U.S. to the shooting deaths of several people at a church in Texas by a 26-year-old gunman. The community has reportedly urged the government to provide more resources for mental health services and refrain from making premature statements that would perpetuate stigma. Comments from several mental health experts including Antonio E. Puente on the issue are also presented.

The article discusses the maternal mental health policies planned by the lawmakers in California. Particular focus is given to the introduction of a task force on the maternal mental health, the number of maternal depression cases, and the orders given to the healthcare professionals. Other topics addressed include information on the screening processes.

The article reports on the announcement of the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) as a member of the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) collaborative network. Topics discussed include views of Ray DePaulo, chairperson of the NNDC, on the APA PsychPro Registry; views of Robert Roca, medical director of Sheppard Pratt Health System, on medication dosage; and creation of linkages between electronic medical records and the registry.

The article discusses the inclusion of mental illness in Associated Press (AP) Style-book published online on March 6, 2013. Guidelines for media personnel on reporting mental illness include media people must not rely on hearsay or speculated diagnosis and a person should not be labeled as mentally ill unless a diagnosis is at hand. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Carter Center Mental Health Program promotes the use of appropriate word in addressing mental health issues.

The article offers information on the in-person trainings being provided by the National Council for Behavioral Health to help peers achieve "whole health" goals. Peer specialists will be taught of working in mental health programs to help consumers improve their own health. It notes that the Whole Health Action Management (WHAM) program is aimed at helping people with mental illness who are employed in behavioral health organizations.

The article reports on the complex regulatory methods employed by states in monitoring residential facilities for adults and children with mental illness as discussed in the reports of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the U.S. Two reports released by SAMHSA discusses these complexities and provides information that could help policy makers improve procedures in monitoring residential facilities.

The article presents information about system reform, which is addressed as part of disability grants by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For the year 2004, 3.3 million dollars would be earmarked specifically for mental health systems reform. The grants are a part of U.S. President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which promotes the goal of community living for individuals with disabilities and long-term illnesses. The grants will support consumer-directed, evidence-based practices such as illness management and recovery, assertive community treatment, and peer support programs.

The article reports that the access to specialty mental health care has increased over the past decade for the most seriously mentally ill, though people with other mental illnesses or just a perceived need for services saw their access decline. Ironically, however, people with other mental illnesses who reported a need for help accessed less specialty mental health care in HCC2 than those without mental illness who perceived a need for care.

Presents several brief news concerning medicines and health management in the U.S. Approval of a plan of five states to pool their purchasing power for deeper discounts on prescription medicines; Method used by the U.S. military to treat combat stress in Iraq; State which has the highest rate of serious mental illness.

Reports on news and developments concerning the mental health service industry. Mental health advocacy groups in Pennsylvania and the state Department of Public Welfare Secretary Feather O. Houston's launched of a statewide public-awareness campaign to educate communities about the dangers of stigma surrounding mental illness.

Presents a sampling of comments from mental health practitioners on key mental health care issues in the United States, for the year 2000. Criminalization of the mentally ill; Strengthening of the voice of mental health consumers/survivors; Education of the public on issues of freedom and responsibility for those with mental illness.

The article offers information on several meetings and conferences on mental health in the U.S. from November 2013 to March 2014 including the 24th Annual Conference of the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health in Washington, D.C., the 27th Annual Children's Mental Health Research & Policy Conference in Tampa, Florida, and the Anxiety and Depression Conference 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.

The article focuses on a study performed by Hungarian researcher Szabolcs Kéri which examines the association between psychotic features and creativity. The study finds that people with gene neuregulin 1 have highest creative achievements and creative-thinking. It also shows the effect of a genetic polymorphism related to severe mental disorders on people's psychological functions.

The article offers information on several 2007 conferences including the conference of the National Association of Peer Specialists to be held on August 16-17 in Denver, Colorado, the conference sponsored by the Memphis Police Department on August 28-30 in Memphis, Tennessee, and the conference of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada on September 27-30 in Toronto, Ontario.

The article reports on Angela Bowers, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based psychologist, has launched two compact discs (CDs) that utilize a technique called guided imagery to help lower anxiety. The CDs, "Embracing Healing: Guided Imagery for Surgical Patients" and "Transforming Anxiety: Guided Imagery for Anxiety, Panic Attack or Chronic Stress," are available to both physicians and patients. Bowers is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been in private practice for over 20 years. She teaches guided imagery to patients with cancer and other illnesses.

The article reports on Aetna Inc., which recently launched a new website designed to shed light on depression and to help people who may be suffering from depression decide whether or not they might benefit from professional help. The site, called the Reawakening Center, presents information about depression and is designed to help participants learn more about themselves. The online center also aims to help participants understand their readiness to take action so that they can be more successful in addressing their feelings of depression.

Reports on the New Jersey Association of Mental Health Agencies Inc.'s warning that the holiday season may place more stress on people at risk for developing mental illness.

Reports the release of a series of self-help guides by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration aimed at helping people with psychiatric disabilities.

Focuses on the honor received by the 'A Beautiful Mind' motion picture from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Contribution of the movie to national dialogue on schizophrenia and mental illness; Schedule of the award presentation; View of Richard Birkel, NAMI executive director, on the movie.

Reports that the US Center of Mental Health Services (CMHS) has issued a national estimate of the adult population with serious mental illness. Correction of the lack of uniformity in states' own estimates of the population to be served with block grant; Implications of the estimates on the mentally ill.