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Participating in Social Groups to Help Manage Depression
Participation in social groups may be an effective way to manage mild to moderate depression, according to a new study from researchers at The University of Queensland, Australia. It can be especially for useful for people seeking to stop using antidepressants, they note.
Rosalynn Carter: Ahead of Her Time as a Mental Health Advocate
This is how Former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter opened her remarks to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) on May 16, 1979. Nearly 45 years later, it might seem odd to younger generations that mental health was ever treated as a taboo topic. For many, COVID-19 accelerated an irreversible transition to speaking openly about mental health and substance use disorders – but historically, the topic has been treated quite differently by the press, in the workplace, and by legi
Mental Health Equity Champion Spotlight: Mary Hasbah Roessel, M.D.
Welcome to Women’s History Month. This month, we highlight a phenomenal mental health equity champion, Mary Hasbah Roessel, M.D. Dr. Roessel is a Navajo psychiatrist and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). She shares her experience on how to infuse cultural considerations of Indigenous peoples into psychiatric treatment.
Treating Sleep Problems May Help Prevent Depression
Sleep problems and depression are closely interconnected and have a bidirectional relationship. In The American Journal of Psychiatry, authors David T. Plante, M.D., Ph.D., with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, suggests that there is important “opportunity to prevent depressive episodes using evidence-based treatments for insomnia.” Plante highlights several factors contributing to the potential for broad public health impact.
Practicing Gratitude to Boost Mental Well-being
Good mental health means emotional, social and psychological well-being, healthy relationships, effective functioning and productive activities, and an ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity. One approach that has been shown to foster mental well-being is focusing on gratitude. Many studies have found an association between being more grateful and a greater sense of overall well-being.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health and Participation in Sports
Approximately 7-9% of youth identify as LGBTQ+, including 2% identifying as transgender. Well-established research shows LGBTQ+ persons are at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, substance misuse, disordered eating, homelessness, and suicide. Since youth participation in sports has been linked to better outcomes in academics, self-esteem, confidence, stress, anxiety, depression, and risky behavior engagement, it would seem to make sense to encourage LGBTQ+ people to participate in sports as o
American Psychiatric Association Opposes Efforts to Ban Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives in Medical Education
Today the American Psychiatric Association issued this statement: “In today’s medical schools and academic psychiatry departments, the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to ensure that the next generation of physicians can serve the needs of evolving, diverse, underrepresented, and underserved patient populations. These principles are also central to creating healthy learning environments for the future workforce.
Updates in the Understanding of Autism
April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting inclusion for individuals with autism. Once considered a rare condition, autism is now recognized as affecting 2% of the general population. Consequently, the needs of autistic individuals have become a focal point for health care professionals, especially given that those with autism experience psychiatric concerns at significantly higher rates than those without.
COVID-19 and Anti-Asian Racism
For Asian Americans, including myself, a run to the grocery store might mean additional risks under the COVID-19 pandemic like physical and verbal assaults. During stay-at-home orders, there were more than 1,700 anti-Asian incidents reported to the Stop AAPI Hate online tracker, managed by several Asian American interest organizations.
December Issues of APA Journals Cover Childhood Resilience and Adult Outcomes, Genetics and Postpartum Depression, Increasing Rates of Suicide Among Black Women, and More
The latest issues of two American Psychiatric Association journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services are now available online.
New Study Correlates Increased Sparring with Brain Changes in Mixed Martial Arts
New research presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting today examined brain changes associated with sparring in people participating in mixed martial arts (MMA) and observed a significant correlation between the number of sparring sessions and brain changes.
Returning to School as the Pandemic Draws on: Addressing Concerns, Fears and Worries
Across the country, communities and families are challenged by the prospect of sending children back to school amidst the ongoing pandemic uncertainties. You and members of your community may be wondering: what should I consider when choosing to return to the classroom? How do we keep students and teachers safe? How are students coping mentally and emotionally? How can we tell when a child or teen might need help and support from a professional? How can we make sure children can access the help