Publications on Mental Health Topics

Botox could ease depression in addition to wrinkles, study finds, by Kristen Rogers, CNN Health, Jul 30 2020.

“More than 264 million people worldwide are suffering from depression. But common treatments for depression aren't effective for nearly one third of these people, even when they stick to their treatment plans and tolerate the medications, according to the study, which published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports. ”

Should schools reopen for students' mental health? Experts weigh in, by Dr. Yalda Safai, ABC News, Jul 29 2020.

“The talk of schools reopening in the fall and the push from President Donald Trump and his secretary of education to open in-person classes have many parents worried about the safety of their children. "It is critically important for our public health to open schools this fall," said CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield. School closures due to the coronavirus pandemic have disrupted normal ways of life for children and parents, and have had negative health consequences for our youth, he said. Although the CDC has said that scientific studies suggest COVID-19 transmission among children in schools may be low, many remain concerned. ”

Loneliness Hasn't Increased Despite Pandemic, Research Finds. What Helped?, by JOANNE SILBERNER, NPR, Jul 15 2020.

“When the coronavirus barreled into the U.S. this year, the predominant public health advice for avoiding infection focused on physical isolation: No parties, concerts or sports events. No congregating inside bars or restaurants. No on-site family reunions. No play dates for kids. Just keep away from other people. Meanwhile, although social scientists supported that medical advice, they feared the required physical distancing would spark another epidemic — one of loneliness, which was already at a high level in the U.S. "You might expect this would make things much worse," says Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a neuroscientist and social psychologist at Brigham Young University. But several new studies suggest that huge increase in loneliness hasn't come to pass — at least, not yet. And the researchers studying the pandemic's emotional fallout say humans may have ourselves to thank. ”

Back to school: What doctors say about children and COVID-19, by Denise Chow, NBC News, Jul 12 2020.

“Evidence suggests that children aren't as susceptible as adults to COVID-19, but the risks aren't the same for all young people. ”

Kids Feel Pandemic Stress Too. Here's How To Help Them Thrive, by PATTI NEIGHMOND , NPR, Jul 11 2020.

“As the pandemic continues, children are still mostly at home. Summer activities are canceled or up in the air, and many children are suffering confusion and stress. Parents may be stressed themselves, but there are ways to help kids feel better. ”

Can probiotics help with depression? New research suggests a link, by Katie Hunt, CNN, Jul 6 2020.

“A gut-wrenching experience. Butterflies in your stomach. Many of us instinctively feel the connection between our gut and our brain. That connection and how the range of bacteria residing in our digestive tract -- our microbiome -- might help treat mental illness has become a field of interest for scientists in recent years. A new review of medical literature has suggested that probiotics -- foods or supplements containing microbes thought to exert a positive influence on our gut -- could help ease depression. ”

Therapists share how to manage anxiety over returning to work, by Jennifer Liu, CNBC, Jun 30 2020.

“The coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed daily life around the world. The virus’s ongoing health threat, new levels of financial uncertainty and long stretches of recommended social isolation have, for many, resulted in unprecedented levels of stress and exacerbated existing mental health conditions. A Pew survey from May found that one-third of Americans reported experiencing high levels of psychological distress since the start of the pandemic.  ”

Exchanging COs For Clinicians, Mass. Makes Changes To Involuntary Addiction Treatment In Prison, by Deborah Becker, WBUR, Jun 30 2020.

“Correction officers will no longer be in charge of men involuntarily committed to addiction treatment at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center (MASAC) at the state prison in Plymouth. The Baker administration said MASAC is undergoing a "comprehensive transformation." The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, which oversees the prison, said that as of last month, correction officers will maintain the perimeter of the facility and clinical staff work inside. EOPSS said clinically trained, non-uniformed staff will provide supervision and deliver more hours of programming each day. ”

Pediatric Group Calls for Children to Return to Schools Despite Coronavirus, by Lauren Camera, U.S. News & World Report, Jun 29 2020.

“PEDIATRICIANS SAY students should be in classrooms for in-person learning as soon as possible – the most full-throated endorsement yet for getting children back into schools amid the coronavirus pandemic and one that was included in a set of recommendations released by the American Academy of Pediatrics for how schools should safely reopen. ”

Feeling overwhelmed by lockdown parenting? These small wins may help ease the stress., by Lindsey M. Roberts , Washington Post , Jun 17 2020.

“Control what you can control, experts say. That advice is applicable now more than ever. When the news cycle, changing regulations and perils of self-quarantining with children underfoot threaten to overwhelm us, it’s time to turn to the small “wins.” There are things that we can accomplish, even if we have to shrink our goals smaller than ever. ”

How to Help Children Cope with Depression and Anxiety Right Now, by Tessa Yannone, Boston Magazine, Jun 16 2020.

“Growing up like a “regular kid” is anything but regular these days. From virtual learning to days on end spent with parents and siblings instead of friends and classmates, plus urgent new Black Lives Matter protests (read more on how to speak to kids about the protest movement here) and nonstop fireworks keeping neighborhoods up at night, parents may be wondering how to gauge how anxious kids are and how to help. This article addresses this issue! ”

Mental illness is a health issue, not a police issue, by Pete Earley , Washington Post, Jun 15 2020.

“Pete Earley is the parent designee on the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee, which advises the federal government about mental health reform. Americans with mental illnesses make up nearly a quarter of those killed by police officers, according to The Post’s Fatal Force database. Meanwhile, a cumulative list shows 115 police officers have been killed since the 1970s by individuals with untreated serious mental illnesses. ”

These are challenging times — here's how to get free mental health assistance, by Cory Stieg, CNBC, Jun 7 2020.

“As millions of people around the world are protesting police brutality in the wake of George Floyd's death, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to sweep the nation. Many people are experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety as a result. From therapy to coping mechanisms, here are some free and low-cost resources that can help you during this time: ”

4 Ways to Help if Your Kid Is Depressed, by Melinda Wenner Moye, New York Times, Jun 2 2020.

““This unusual, unprecedented, extraordinary public health crisis is literally affecting everyone’s mental health,” said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., a child psychiatrist and the medical director of the Child Mind Institute in New York City.  This article includes several strategies to support the emotional well-being of your children during this time.  ”

How to talk to your children about protests and racism, by Sandee LaMotte, CNN, Jun 2 2020.

“As cities and social media explode with anger over the killing of yet another black man at the hands of police, worried parents struggle with how to protect their children from seeing the worst of the violence while simultaneously explaining the ravages of racism. ”