Transformation Matters

According to the a new report published by the American Psychological Association, there is no credible evidence that abortion, in and of itself, causes depression in women. Read press release.

According to an article in the current issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, psychotherapy visits declined from 1996 to 2005. The change coincided with changes in reimbursement, increases in managed care, and growth in medication prescriptions.

SAMHSA announced the release of "Sustaining Grassroots Community-based Programs: A Toolkit for Community and Faith-based Service Providers." Grassroots community and faith-based treatment and recovery providers are concerned about continuing critical services for people affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders. Read full press release.

In a long-term study of Vietnam vets published in the July issue of Psychosomotic Medicine, those suffering from PTSD have been shown to have a higher rate of premature death from heart disease than vets without PTSD.

Recent analysis of the Australian National Health Survey, revealed that workders between the age of 45 and 74 years were less likely to have chronic health conditions than retirees.

International researchers have identified three new DNA varieties that increase the risk of schizophrenia. The findings, published in the journal Nature, suggest that the variants occur about 1 in every 10,000 people, far higher than other uncommon mutations.

From 1981-2004, homicides due to mental disorder declined in the United Kingdom according to a study published in the August issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced in a new report, the development of a record 300 new medications in development to treat mental illness and substance abuse.

A one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax increase to fund mental health and substance abuse programs was signed into law today in Whatcom County. Read press release.

The Bazelon Center and the UPENN Collaborative on Community Integration have published a guide to help consumers and advocates find policies that give consumers a primary role in their recovery planning. Titled In the Driver’s Seat, is a 40-page document which includes advocacy strategies and examples of existing programs’ approaches to self-directed care.

According to a recent report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, prescriptions filled for antidepressant drugs increased from 154 in 2002 to 170 million in 2005.

Each year Mental Health America (MHA) honors professional and student journalists who excel in reporting and portrayal of mental health issues. This year's honorees were recognized On June 6 at MHA's annual meeting. You can see the 2008 Media Award highlights on the MHA website.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and AVMETS, a leading veterans organization, recently signed a memo of understanding to share resources to assist veterans and their families. Together the two organizations have more than 2,500 locations where vets and their families can learn more about readjustment and mental illness issues. Read Department of Defense press release.