Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of July 12, 2010

Mental Health in the Headlines offers summaries of the latest news and views in the mental health field. Coverage of news items in this publication does not represent Mental Health America's support for or opposition to the stories summarized or the views they express.

*DID YOU KNOW?

Children who are attacked by animals may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...more

*TODAY’S NEWS

VA Issues New Rule on PTSD Compensation

The Department of Veterans Affairs finalized a new rule that will make it easier for vets to qualify for benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The change will essentially eliminate a requirement that veterans document specific events like bomb blasts, firefights or mortar attacks that might have caused PTSD. Providing evidence of those events has been difficult for many veterans, especially those who served in non-combat roles in Afghanistan and Iraq. (MHH Reporting, 7/12/10)

Hospital Representatives to Lobby for Medicaid Money

Representatives from hospital groups will come to Washington this week to lobby for an increase in Medicaid funding. Many governors have already pushed for the money and a number of states have already factored the funding into their 2011 budgets. But it remains unclear whether the Senate will take up legislation that would provide the funding before the August recess. (MHH Reporting, 7/12/10)

1 In 5 Preschoolers Display Mental Health Issues in Kindergarten

A new study finds that 1 in 5 preschoolers display mental health issues when entering kindergarten. Researchers studied 1,329 healthy children born between July 1995 and September 1997 in the New Haven-Meriden Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area of the 1990 Census. They found that as children transition to formal schooling, approximately 21.6 percent will have a psychiatric disorder. (Scienceblog.com, 7/08/10)

Latest Research

Dog Bites Can Cause PTSD in Children: Children who are attacked by animals may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), according to a new study. Chinese researchers studied 358 kids age 5-17 that came into the emergency room after being attacked by an animal. Most had dog bites. The children were also checked for symptoms of PTSD and similar conditions, as well as one week later and three months later. Reported in the journal Pediatrics, the study found that at their three-month check-up, 19 of the 358 children were diagnosed with PTSD. Kids who had been hospitalized for severe bites were most at risk for the disorder. (Reuters, 7/12/10)

Sexual Abuse Has Long-Term Adverse Consequences: A history of sexual abuse is strongly linked to psychiatric disorders, researchers say. Study investigators say a history of sexual abuse is associated with suicide attempts, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and eating and sleep disorders. A history of rape also strengthened the association with depression, eating disorders and PTSD. Writing in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers report prevalence rates of sexual abuse in some populations are as high as 21 percent in adults and 33 percent in children. (ScienceDaily, 7/12/10)

Brain Atrophy Related to Depression in MS Patients: Atrophy of a part of the brain is responsible for depression in patients with Multiple Sclerosis, a new study asserts. Researchers used high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging to identify three key sub-regions of the hippocampus (a critical part of the brain) that were found to be smaller in people with MS when compared with the brains of healthy individuals. Reporting in the journal Biological Psychiatry, researchers also found a relationship between this atrophy and hyperactivity among three glands. (ScienceDaily, 7/04/10)

*HEADLINES at Mental Health America

Coalition Hails Implementation of Mental Health Parity Law

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*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Reporting that reinforces the erroneous association of mental illness and violence perpetuates misinformation that underlies stigmatization and discrimination, writes David Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America. The Washington Post, “Link between killing and mental illness was unfair,” July 10, 2010

Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools

• New national survey shows economic downturn taking toll on Americans’ mental health
• Survey reveals obstacles to health care for people who have schizophrenia
• New report reveals link between states’ depression status and access to treatment
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• Check out previous issues of Mental Health in the Headlines

Mental Health in the Headlines is produced weekly by Mental Health America. Mental Health America's Mental Health in the Headlines staff: Steve Vetzner, senior director, Media Relations; Robert Redpath, director, Web Technology.

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