Researchers See an Increase in Self-Harm During the Pandemic

• Patients and Families

Non-suicidal self-harm is common, particularly among youth and young adults, and new research says it may have become more common during the pandemic.

June Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Cover Substance Use Disorders, Opioids, Youth Self-Harm and Suicide and More

The latest issues of two of the American Psychiatric Association’s journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and Psychiatric Services are now available online.

Suicide and Self-Harm: Cultural Connections May Help Protect Hispanic/Latino Youth

• Diverse populations, Suicide and self-harm, Teens and young adults

Suicide is a growing concern among the Hispanic/Latino population, especially among youth. Research finds that aspects of Hispanic/Latino culture and their associated familial and community connections may help in preventing suicide

‘Outbreak’ of Sudden Tics Among Teen Girls

Researchers in several countries are reporting that the pandemic has triggered an increase in the number of teen girls with tic-like behaviors that are severe, frequent and disabling.

New Research Highlights Lack of Follow-up Care for Youth and Young Adults after Hospitalization or ER Visit for Mental Health

In a study of more than 100,000 emergency room visits and 95,000 mental health hospitalizations of youth and young adults with private insurance, less than half who visited the emergency room had follow-up care within 30 days and two-thirds of those hospitalized received follow-up care within that same time period.

Intersectionality and Crisis Intervention

• Suicide and self-harm, Teens and young adults, Trauma

Officer for Crisis Text Line. “We are losing children of color at rates that are epidemic,” says Shairi Turner, M.D., M.P.H., an internist and pediatrician with a background in trauma.  She is Chief Health Officer for Crisis Text Line, a national non-profit providing 24/7 crisis counseling via text in both English and Spanish. 

New Report Calls for Research on 988 Crisis Line Effectiveness, Caller Demographics, and More

• New research, Public awareness, Suicide and self-harm, Trauma

It has been nearly six months since the launch of 988—the nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis line. While available evidence suggests that crisis lines may help to reduce immediate crisis, substantial gaps remain in understanding how crisis lines work, according to a report in the December issue of JAMA Psychiatry.

How to Talk About Suicide on Social Media

• Patients and Families, Public awareness, Suicide and self-harm

Social media has tremendous reach and influence. When people post on social media about suicide, that influence can be helpful or hurtful. Conversations about suicide on social media can promote misperceptions and stigma and potentially influence others to attempt suicide

Better Together: Changing Public Health Outcomes in Virginia with the Co-Responder Model

• Public awareness, Serious mental illness, Suicide and self-harm

The co-responder model is a recent innovation in behavioral health services that employs a mental health professional and a law enforcement official as dual first responders when an individual experiences a mental health crisis. The Marcus-David Peters Act (“Marcus Alert” or “MA”), signed into law in Virginia in late 2020, commemorates Marcus-David Peters, a young Black biology teacher in Richmond, VA, who was killed by police while undergoing a mental health crisis.

The Menstrual Cycle and Mental Health

• Patients and Families, Suicide and self-harm, Women

Premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of psychiatric symptoms (worsening of mental health conditions just prior to a woman’s period), is not a new term or idea. Yet PME of psychiatric symptoms such as depression, mania, and psychosis, to name a few, has been understudied compared to other illnesses related to the menstrual cycle. The work that has been done surrounding this idea has mostly asked women to report past experience of worsening psychiatric symptoms around their menstrual cycle. This is pro

American Psychiatric Association Offers Resource on Responsible Reporting on Suicide

• Suicide and self-harm

News reports of suicide are unfortunately common. How that reporting is done can influence the response and becomes part of the public health issue, according to a new resource from the American Psychiatric Association.

Elevating Bebe Moore Campbell's Legacy in 2023: APA's Dynamic Approach to National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

• Diverse populations, Patients and Families, Suicide and self-harm, Teens and young adults

In July American Psychiatric Association (APA) embarked on its annual effort to honor of the late renowned author and mental health advocate, Bebe Moore Campbell. Established by Congress in 2008, Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is a call to action and reminder of the mental health inequities affecting communities, and in particular, young people of color. This month-long recognition is especially important considering the prevalent mental health inequities fac