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e-Bell Newsletter
The
flagship newsletter of Mental
Health America
April
2007
From the President
 The
energy that advocates have generated in Congress behind parity and other
mental health issues continues to drive us forward
as lawmakers consider legislation that would finally acknowledge the
indisputable connection between our mental health and overall health.
It’s
fair to say that for the first time since 1996, we are standing on the
brink of passing a federal mental health insurance parity bill. Congressional
committees also met this week to discuss curbing the criminalization of
mental illness through community-based and jail-diversion programs, and
expanding children’s access to health insurance coverage. Just
last week the House passed a bill to improve mental health benefits for
veterans and help reduce the incidence of suicide among vets.
All these
recent successes are barometers of progress in the move toward true health
care reform.
The Mental Health America network is ideally situated
to push this over the top because of its traditional focus of population
health, early intervention and prevention. Plus, the rationale for our
organizational rebrand is to underscore the importance of integrating mental
health and general health into treatment practices. The new Congress
presents opportunities to do so that we haven’t had in years.
Through our
collective outreach and advocacy, the public and policymakers are broadly
acknowledging
that discrimination in insurance coverage is not only unfair, inequitable,
discriminatory and stigmatizing—it simply doesn’t make sense
from a scientific or economic perspective.
Every day new research suggests that the pathways involved in the development
of ailments such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension may be some
of the same mechanisms that underlie depression and anxiety disorders.
A recent
study by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
also confirms what we have long held: that people with serious
mental illnesses suffer from poorer overall health and die earlier than
their counterparts without mental illnesses due to the onset of chronic
health issues such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
We’re also seeing
more data showing that collaborative care models that combine behavioral
health services and general health services into
single practice settings greatly improve patient health and produce cost
savings for the plans that use them.
We’re better positioned than we’ve ever been to move toward
an integrated system of care that will open up access to appropriate treatments,
help to reign in costs, and improve health and well-being across the lifespan.
It’s up to us to continue our work together for our movement and,
ultimately, for the nation’s health.
Take Action
That Makes a Difference: Join the "Equity Campaign"
After decades
of advocacy, there is strong reason to believe that in 2007 Congress will
pass long-overdue "parity" legislation, ending
insurance discrimination against Americans who have mental health and
substance abuse problems. Legislation introduced on Capitol Hill
would make behavioral health care available to Americans with employee-sponsored
health insurance by requiring health plans to offer equal coverage for
mental health treatments and general illnesses. Currently, most such plans
offer meager, if any, coverage for mental illnesses.
Under the
Campaign to Insure Mental Health and Addiction Equity, Mental Health
America
and its affiliates are working alongside members of Congress
to engage all Americans in the fight for parity. Sign on as a "citizen
co-sponsor" of the legislation and join the millions involved in
this campaign at www.equitycampaign.net.
The equity campaign is an online movement of consumers, advocates and
others that provides up-to-date resources, simple and fast ways to take
action, and all the latest news on insurance equity.
"Whatever the prism—whether from the perspective of science,
medicine, ethics or economics—there is simply no foundation for
erecting or maintaining artificial limits to needed mental health care," said
Mental Health America President and CEO Dr. David Shern. "It's critical that we tear down barriers that lead countless
Americans to forfeit healthy lives and the realization of their full potential.
We applaud congressional leaders who are making mental health and the
passage of a strong mental health and substance use parity bill this year
a real priority." Shern testified before the Health Subcommittee
of the House Ways and Means Committee this week as it begins to consider
the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act and Medicare
mental health modernization (view full testimony at www.equitycampaign.net).
Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I.
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Parity Tour
In
January, Reps. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I. and Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., embarked
on
a series
of hearings—sponsored by the Equity Campaign—to meet and hear
from communities on the importance of parity for individuals, workplaces
and society as a whole. For tour dates, audio and video highlights
and transcripts, visit www.equitycampaign.net.
The Case for Equity
Sixty
percent of Americans rely on employer-sponsored health coverage, which
generally
provides
most workers and their families with far less
generous mental health benefits than those for physical illnesses. Without
legislation to end this inequality, we are ALL at risk of bearing most
of the cost of needed mental health care.
Businesses
and society as a whole pay an enormous cost for this inaction. Workplace
costs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders—employee
turnover, lost productivity, absenteeism and disability—are estimated
to be as
high
as $105 billion
annually. Crime and welfare costs amount to $8 billion annually. Untreated
mental illnesses often lead to costly emergency room care and hospitalization,
homelessness and even suicide. Furthermore, countless nonpartisan
studies demonstrate that implementation of parity does not increase overall
health care costs for employers.
Though 38
states have enacted equity laws of their own, they vary widely, with
many falling
short of providing comprehensive coverage. Federal
legislation is required to level the playing field and guarantee Americans
access to the care they deserve.
We can no
longer delay justice. Join the millions fighting for
insurance equity at www.equitycampaign.net.
New Survey Confirms Public Support of Insurance Parity
| New Advocacy Network Makes it Easy to Take Action
Mental Health
America's Advocacy Network allows people from all over the country to
take an
active role in improving the health and quality
of life for all. As a member of the network, you will help promote
awareness of mental health issues and take action to seek adoption of
public policies that recognize mental health is vital to our country's
health and well-being. Joining just takes a minute. Visit the Mental
Health America website and click on "Take Action NOW".
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A new survey shows that nearly all Americans—regardless of political
party or job—support the idea of Congress signing into law mental health
insurance parity, also referred to as insurance equity, this year. About
89 percent of respondents to a Mental Health America nationwide survey
said that Congress should end insurance discrimination against people
with mental illnesses and offer equal coverage for mental health and general
health issues.
"This issue is not about politics," said Shern. "It's
about fairness." Survey highlights include:
- Nearly all Americans (96 percent) think health insurance should include
coverage of mental health care. Only 2 percent said health insurance
should not cover it.
- Most Americans (89 percent) assert that insurance plans should cover
mental health treatments at the same level as treatments for general
health problems. Only 8 percent feel they should not cover them equally.
- A large majority (74 percent) believe that insurance plans should
cover substance abuse treatments at the same levels as treatments for
general health issues. 23 percent feel that they should not be covered
equitably.
- The public demand for mental health equity is bipartisan—83 percent
of Republicans and 92 percent of Democrats want equitable health insurance.
- Employees
and employers alike (89 percent) want health insurance coverage for
mental health treatments to be equitable to general
health treatments.
Learn
more about survey findings.
Mental Health Becoming a Priority in Nation's Capitol
Congress Tackles Critical Issues
In addition to the widely reported congressional hearing on insurance
parity, two other subcommittee hearings held in the House of Representatives
last
week focused on issues that may have profound effects on people who
have mental health problems for years to come. The House Subcommittee
on Crime,
Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on a long overdue reform:
the need to end the criminalization of mental illness. Specifically,
the hearing provided an important platform for congressional efforts to
increase
funding for engaging the state or local law enforcement, justice and
behavioral health system to establish community-based treatment programs,
community
re-entry services and jail-diversion initiatives.
Also on Capitol Hill,
the House Subcommittee on Health of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
examined issues critical to mental health
benefits
under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). SCHIP,
a highly popular program designed to provide health insurance benefits to
children whose families lack insurance coverage but whose incomes are too
high to qualify for Medicaid, is up for reauthorization this year. Thanks
to the efforts of Mental Health America’s Government Affairs
staff, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. John
Dingell,
D-Mich., included language in a bill he introduced to improve SCHIP
that would strengthen
the mental health services available to kids in the program.
Separately last week,
the full House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Joshua Omvig
Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, which was
named after
a veteran will took his life after returning from Iraq. The legislation
calls for a comprehensive program to foster mental health and reduce
suicide rates among veterans. Our Government Affairs team and many
affiliates continue to work vigorously around veteran’s issues
to improve benefits and mental health care for returning veterans.
Real Lives Aims to Break the Silence Surrounding Mental Health
Issues
News Veteran Jeff Bell Named Official Spokesperson
For too
long, misunderstanding and fear has reinforced the wall of silence that
surrounds people living
with mental health problems in the United
States.
Mental Health America aims to change that with Real
Lives, a new online project that invites people who've
struggled with mental illnesses to break the silence and share their
stories.
By sharing these stories, individuals can give a voice to the 57.7 million
American adults-and as many as one in 10 children-who have a mental health
problem.
We all know how vital human connections are for everyone, and
they are especially empowering for people seeking wellness and recovery.
For those who try to
ignore, trivialize or deny the reality of mental illness and the importance
of mental health, there is no response more powerful than the real experiences
of real people. And there's no better antidote to silence and stigma than
speaking out.
Together we can empower individuals and educate the public.
Mental Health America is now collecting stories for our public launch
of Real Lives. So tell your story and use your voice to promote a great
cause. Your words may change a life, and even save one.
Visit Real
Lives today.
Bell Takes the Reigns as Spokesperson
Long-time radio
and news veteran Jeff Bell is now an official spokesperson for the soon-to-be-launched
Real Lives online program. Bell, who will
also be the emcee during the media awards luncheon at the Mental
Health America Annual Meeting in June, recently wrote a book, Rewind,
Repeat, Replay (Hazelden), recounting his struggles with obsessive compulsive
disorder. He currently co-anchors
the afternoon news on San Francisco’s KCBS, one of the most successful
news radio stations in the country. “Real Lives is such an important
vehicle for individuals to speak out. There is no other national web site
of its kind. Jeff is an excellent spokesperson for Real Lives. He lives
successfully with OCD,” said David L. Shern, Ph.D., president and
CEO of Mental Health America. To contribute a story to Real Lives, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/action/share-your-story.
Advocates' Message Prevails at FDA Panel Hearing on Antidepressant Safety
FDA
Decision Reflects Advocates' Call
Mental Health
America in December led a powerful coalition of advocacy and consumer
groups
to the Food and Drug Administration hearings on the
safety of antidepressant medications for adults, and sent a clear message
that warning labels would add additional barriers to treatment for Americans
living with depression.
"Treatment-including
medications, psychotherapy and other 'talk' therapies
or the preferred combination of the two-lessens the risk of suicide," Mental
Health America President and CEO David Shern, Ph.D., testified before
the panel. "Recent research even shows a 30 percent decrease in suicide
rates since SSRIs were developed."
Mental Health
America board member Nada Stotland, M.D., M.P.H. told the panel that
it is "untreated
depression that deserves a black box label."
"My medical colleagues have reported at these hearings on the very
favorable statistics with SSRIs and the shortcomings of the research on
which FDA's concerns about SSRIs are based," said Stotland, who is
a practicing psychiatrist and the American Psychiatric Association's president-elect. "I
am here to tell you that I know, as a doctor and as a parent, that the
important risk for the FDA to consider is the risk of frightening the
many people suffering and dying from depression about medication that
could save their lives."
Heeding
our coalition's call, the FDA committee responded with serious concern
that a "black box" warning on antidepressants dispensed
to adults might limit access to these medications for people who need
them most. The committee ultimately recommended extending the current
warning label to include young adults up to the age of 25, rather than
to all age groups, and strongly urged the FDA to include in its labeling
some language emphasizing the inherent risk of suicide in untreated depression.
The coalition
also successfully reached out to the media to promote fair coverage
of the
issue, which will help ensure the public has balanced
information on which to make decisions regarding treatment for depression.
Such stories were published or broadcast by the New York Times, the Washington
Post, Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, CNN, the Fox News Channel,
NPR
and many
other
prominent outlets.
After the
FDA committee made its determinations, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
released data demonstrating that the suicide rate
among teenagers and children in 2004 soared by 19 percent—the first rise
in what had previously been a downward trend since the early 1990s. Although
it is not conclusive, the correlations between this grim increase and
the FDA's 2004 black box decision, which led to lopsided media coverage
of the debate, have led many experts to point to the black box warnings
as a catalyst for the spike in teen suicides. (See
related article)
Recent
History of "Black Box" Warnings
In
2004, the agency held similar hearings that examined the pediatric use
of
antidepressants,
which resulted in a "black box" label
for these medications that warns they can increase the risk of suicidal
thoughts and behaviors in young people. The pediatric hearings also
led to far-from-balanced media coverage, which often neglected to acknowledge
the inherent risk of untreated depression—although our recent media outreach
turned that around.
Mental Health
America and many other advocacy groups strongly believe that the warning
labels
coupled with persistently inaccurate media reports
surrounding antidepressants at the time unnecessarily frightened many
families from these treatments, which are widely recognized by scientists
and mental health professionals as critical and effective tools in fighting
depression and suicide. Suicide claims the lives of 30,000 Americans
each year and depression is the leading cause, despite being highly treatable.
In the FDA's Hands-And Ours
Now,
the ball is back in the FDA's court. To ensure safety for
people who may need treatment for depression or another mental illness,
the agency must focus greater attention on the inherent risk of untreated
depression and carefully consider the new warning label's implications
on individuals 25 and under. It must also determine the consequences of
the 2004-imposed black box.
For the
19 million Americans who live with depression each year, there are already
too
many barriers to treatment; the black boxes should improve
safety, not become another hurdle to wellness. As advocates, we
will continue to rally around this cause and ensure our voice remains
heard, and heeded.
Read
a full statement by David Shern, Ph.D., Mental Health America's
president and CEO.
Top News
Increased Suicide Rate in Children and Teens Sparks Concern
 The
suicide rate among pre-teens and teenagers jumped by 8 percent and
11 percent during the years 2003 and 2004, respectively,
the first increase
in childhood suicide rates in years, a study published in the journal
Pediatrics indicates. Although it is difficult to prove conclusively,
many experts are drawing strong correlations between this unfortunate
increase and reports surrounding antidepressant medications' possible
link to suicidal thinking among teens, which subsequently led to
a relabeling of the prescription drugs with an FDA-imposed "black
box warning." The
FDA label did not include language warning families of the inherent
risk of suicide if depression is left untreated.
Dramatic decreases in the number of these drugs being
prescribed to adolescents were noted at this time, apparently due to
concerns about their safety. "We
must therefore wonder if the FDA's actions and the subsequent decrease
in access to these antidepressants in fact have caused an increase in
youth suicide," Mental Health America President and CEO David Shern,
Ph.D., said. Read
Shern's full statement and get more information.
We Are Mental Health America!
Name Change Heralds New Era for Public Health
David Shern, Ph.D., President and CEO of Mental Health Ameria
(right) ringing the Mental Health Bell with Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola,
Chair of the Board, (left) at our Capitol Hill Ceremony Nov.
16 |
Mental
Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association)
unveiled its new name and look
this past November at a ceremony on
Capitol Hill
in Washington, D.C., signaling a new focus on wellness and the
nation's public
health. We chose our new name to communicate how fundamental
mental health is to the overall health and well-being of every
American and of
the nation
as a whole.
Today, protecting and strengthening our mental
health couldn't be more important. With our fast paced,
24/7 culture, we face more stress from our daily lives than
ever before. Stress alone
is linked to the
six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments,
accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. And more than
one in four adults
suffer
from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Whatever
the source of our challenges—from
job stress to divorce or the death of a loved
one—how we deal with them can positively or negatively
impact our mental health,
overall health and well-being.
The good news is that we now have the science base and experience to
know what works to promote good mental health, and how to effectively
support the 60+ million individuals and families living with mental health
and substance use problems. Read more about
our goals and how we will advance our revitalized agenda to improve
the public health. Read about our new
Stress Survey.
Mental Health America Board Member Elected APA President-Elect
Comments on the Next DSM Encouraged
Mental Health America board member Nada Stotland, M.D., M.P.H., was elected
last month to become the 2007 president-elect of the American Psychiatric
Association's board of directors. Dr. Stotland has served in a variety
of positions at the APA, including the speaker of the APA Assembly. As
the APA's new president-elect, she is reminding Mental Health America
affiliates of a unique opportunity that they and the public at-large has
in influencing the future of mental health care in the United States.
Provide Your Comments on Next Edition of DSM
The APA is currently developing the next edition of the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, otherwise known as the DSM, which
is used throughout the mental health field as the standard for diagnosing
mental health disorders. Although it won't be published by the APA for
another three to four years, they are looking for your input now. Provide
your comments about the current or future edition of the DSM.
President Bush Nominates Mental Health America Board Member to National
Council on Disability
 Cynthia
Wainscott, current board member and former board chair of Mental Health
America,
has been nominated by President George W. Bush to serve
as a member of the National Council on Disability (NCD). NCD is
an independent federal agency that makes recommendations to the President
and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities
and their families. It is composed of 15 members appointed by the President
and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Notably, it first proposed that
Congress enact a civil rights law for people with disabilities. In
1990 that bill—now known as the Americans with Disabilities Act—was signed
into law. Learn
more.
New Study Shows Depression's Burden on African Americans
Depression
is more disabling and persistent for African Americans, according to
the largest
psychiatric epidemiologic study of African Americans in
the United States to date. Published March 6 in the Archives of
General Psychiatry, the study found that African Americans and Caribbean
blacks are significantly less likely to receive treatment than non-Hispanic
whites. The National Study of American Life demonstrates the tremendous
burden depression and other mental illnesses place on African Americans. Read
more.
Advocates
Get Heard: Car Companies Agree to Pull "Suicide" Ads
Car
manufacturer Volkswagen pulled a television advertisement that featured
a man threatening to jump off a building—until he finds out the relatively
low price of some Volkswagen cars. As reported in the New York Times,
several advocacy organizations, including Mental
Health America, complained to the company saying that it was irresponsible
and called for the ad to be pulled. General Motors also responded to similar
calls from advocates by pulling an advertisement that depicted a car manufacturing
robot killing itself after mistakes it made at work. GM re-edited the
piece and put it back on the air. To prevent such ads in the future, Mental
Health America worked with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,
American Psychiatric Association, and the National Alliance on Mental
Illness to
issue an open letter to the advertising community. Read
more.
NIMH Releases Landmark Research on Schizophrenia Treatment
The
latest phase of the National Institute of Mental Health's landmark research
into schizophrenia
treatments validates what consumers and advocates
have long known: schizophrenia is a highly individualized disease
that requires specialized, tailored treatment plans. The findings
also demonstrate just how much more additional research is needed.
"We have far to go in uncovering the nuanced treatment needs of
individuals living with schizophrenia," said David Shern, Ph.D.,
president and CEO of Mental Health America. "There is no single
treatment strategy that will work for everyone. Medication alone
is rarely the answer and there is no sequence of treatment that will work
for all people."
The findings of the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness
(CATIE) are published in the March issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Read
the journal article.
Budget
Would Be Balanced on the Backs of Kids and Consumers
 President
Bush has proposed a federal budget that would not only critically shortchange
Americans who
have mental illnesses but would target for cuts
and elimination programs that help our nation's children. "The president's
budget zeroes in on several key areas that, if cut, would thwart consumer
involvement in the recovery process and threaten the well-being of our nation's
children," said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health
America. "Cuts to recovery and prevention programs, which have relatively
small price tags in comparison with other budget items, would not move the
needle significantly in balancing the budget," Shern said. Programs slated
for elimination range from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention to the School Counselors Program. Even more programs would suffer
extreme funding cuts, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program,
Medicaid and supportive housing programs. Get
additional details.
CMS
Final Seclusion and Restraint Rule Weakens Consumer Protections
In releasing its final regulation on the use of seclusion
and restraint practices in facilities, the federal Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid
Services significantly weakened its own interim final rule, which was
issued in 1999. The differences in consumer protections, in particular,
between the interim and final rules are substantial. A physician or
licensed independent practitioner, for example, will no longer have
to evaluate
an individual within one hour of being placed in seclusion or restraint.
Instead, a nurse or physician's assistant can conduct the assessment.
Perhaps the most troubling change is the new requirement that a patient's
death, which can be reasonably attributed to the use of seclusion or
restraint, need not be reported by a facility if the patient dies more
than a week
after being secluded or restrained. Mental Health America encourages
readers to contact their senators and representatives to let them know
about the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' new rule. Get
more details and find out how to contact your representatives and
suggestions about what to say.
Across the Nation
Colorado: MHA of Colorado Executive
Director Jeanne Rohner discussed in a Denver Post article the state's
first lady, Jeannie Ritter, and her
commitment to mental health issues. Read
the story here.
Iowa: The Mental Health Association
of Souixland organized
a legislative breakfast last month in Des Moines at which was more
than one-third of the state's legislators attended.
New York: The Mental Health Association
of New York State and its partners celebrated a significant and long-fought
victory
at the end of 2006 when
Gov. George Pataki signed "Timothy's Law," a mental health
parity law. The law is named after Timothy O'Clair, a 12-year-old boy
who killed
himself in 2001 after his parents' mental health insurance benefits,
which they used to pay for his treatment, ran out. Years of opposition
from
business groups and insurance companies dissipated late last year after
small businesses were exempted and mandated alcohol and substance abuse
coverage were dropped from the bill. Read
more about the new law.
Ohio: After years of hard work and tireless
advocacy, the Mental Health America of Franklin County and affiliates
from across the state achieved
an important success last month when Gov. Bob Taft signed mental health
parity legislation into law. Read
more about the new law.
Vermont: After negotiations with the
Vermont Association for Mental Health (VAMH), Gov. Jim Douglas agreed
to support the association's
top legislative
priority for 2007: Restoring a commissioner's post for a Department
of Mental Health. The post had been eliminated as part of a broad reorganization
of the state's Agency of Human Services, which resulted in the state's
health commissioner to take over the mental health department. While
it
was logical to merge mental health within a larger public health department,
according to the VAMH, "it has been detrimental to the mental health
community."
Stress Survey Says...
 Our finances, health issues and job situations top the
list of Americans' stressors, according to a recent survey by Mental
Health America.
Although the majority of people view their mental health
and overall well-being as "excellent" or "very good," they
say they're besieged by stress on a daily basis.
Nearly half of all Americans feel anxiety over their
finances, with Native Americans and African Americans reporting even
higher levels of stress
in this area. And roughly one in three of us rate health problems and
employment issues as our biggest stressors.
"As evidenced by this survey, each of us lives with
daily stress as well as challenges—such
as living with a chronic illness or experiencing
a traumatic event—that
can impact our entire lives," said David
Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. "The
science base is deep on the relationship between mental health and overall
health.
We have the knowledge and experience to know how to improve the nation's
mental health. What we lack is a national response commensurate with
the
magnitude of the issue."
Parents report feeling the most stress of any group,
with the least stressed group being college grads. People living with
mental illnesses are far
more likely to feel stress than those without mental health problems.
Some of the most compelling survey findings show how
we cope with the stress we feel. Most of us—eight
out of 10—distract
ourselves by watching
T.V., listening to music or reading. Talking to family and friends
also ranks high at 71 percent. More than 60 percent of us turn to
prayer
or meditation and 55 percent exercise to burn off excess steam.
Unfortunately, many of us use less healthy coping mechanisms.
Eating is used as a way to decompress by more than a third of us. And
a quarter
of us turn to cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs.
Mental Health America will be using this survey
and other measures to engage the public in a dialogue about mental
health and
wellness and how
it affects our lives and overall health individually and as a nation. Read
more here.
Research Snapshot
Study Shows Poor Overall Health and
Premature Death for People With Serious Mental Illnesses: People who
have serious mental
illnesses and who receive mental health services through public
systems are more likely to die much earlier in life of natural
causes than are other people, a National Association of State
Mental Health Program Directors study released late last year
indicates. The goal of the study, “Morbidity and Mortality
in People with Serious Mental Illness,” was to examine
the state of physical health in people with serious mental illnesses,
such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, compared with the
physical health of people in the general population. On average,
people with these disorders die at least 25 years before others
as a result of cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, respiratory
illnesses and infectious diseases. Among people who have schizophrenia,
in particular, the researchers found that 60 percent of premature
deaths are due to these illnesses. For more information about
the study, visit www.nasmhpd.org.
Depression Linked to Diabetes Blood Sugar Levels: The
result of a study of people who have both type 2 diabetes and depression
indicates that
untreated depression can have a negative impact on blood sugar levels.
The study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, also affirms previous
research, which showed that treating depression can improve diabetes
control, the researchers note. (Reuters,
3/6/07)
Depression Linked to Atherosclerosis: Depression
appears to increase the build up of plaques in blood vessels, or atherosclerosis,
which can
lead to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular
problems, a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry indicates. The
researchers from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis also
examined the effects of anxiety and anger on blood vessel plaque build
up but found no link. "Taken together, our results indicate that
depression, but perhaps not anxiety and hostility/anger, may be involved
in the initiation and/or progression of atherosclerosis," the researchers
conclude. (Reuters,
2/15/07)
Anxiety Disorders Common, Not Always Treated: A
survey of patients who sought medical treatment from 15 health centers
across the United States
indicates that while at least 20 percent of the patients had symptoms
of anxiety disorders, 41 percent were receiving no treatment for the
disorders, a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates. (Reuters,
3/6/07)
People Who Have Schizophrenia Have
Trouble Discerning Tones: At least
some people who have schizophrenia appear to have difficulty
in detecting changes in sound tones, such as when a person
asks a question, a study
in the American Journal of Psychiatry indicates. The study's
findings may help explain why teachers and parents of many
kids who are later
diagnosed
with schizophrenia often notice that they have social problems.
The basis of such problems may be an inability to discern
social cues
from others
that are based on voice tone. The results of the study could
lead to the development of treatments for the disease with
drugs, therapy
or both,
the researchers wrote. (Reuters,
3/1/07)
 Katrina Victims Living With Emotional Aftermath: Up
to 35,000 children who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 are
having emotional,
behavioral or school problems, according to a study conducted jointly
by Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP)
and the Children's Health Fund. "There was a nearly fourfold increase
in the clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety in children after
the hurricane, and the prevalence of behavioral or conduct problems
doubled," according
to the organizations. In addition, more than 60 percent of parents tested
high for anxiety, depression and PTSD. (Dow Jones Newswires, 2/2/07) Read
more.
Percentage of College Students Binge Drinking,
Taking Drugs Skyrockets: The
number of U.S. college students who either binge drink or abuse drugs,
both legal and illegal, increased by 300 percent between 1993 and 2005,
an increase representing 49 percent of all college students in 2005,
a National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse survey indicated. The
center, which is a part of Columbia University in New York, released
the
survey's findings last week. "College presidents, deans and trustees
have facilitated a college culture of alcohol and drug abuse that is
linked to poor student academic performance, depression, anxiety, suicide,
property
damage, vandalism, fights and a host of medical problems," wrote
the survey's authors. (Reuters,
3/15/07)
Binge Eating Most Common Eating Disorder: Binge
eating is the most common eating disorder in the United States, even
though other eating disorders,
such as anorexia nervosa, tend to garner more attention, Harvard University
researchers reported last week. Binge eating is defined as ingesting
well-beyond the point of being full at least twice a week. About 3.5
percent of women
and 2 percent of men are affected by binge eating at some point in their
lives. By comparison, 0.9 percent of women and 0.3 percent of men are
affected by anorexia at some point. The health risks associated with
binge eating include obesity and cardiovascular diseases. (Reuters,
2/1/07) Read
more.
Spanking Children Can Lead to Long-Term Problems: Punishments
for toddlers such as time-outs and taking away privileges are
at least as effective
as spankings and other forms of corporal punishments. Unlike
time-outs, however, corporal punishment often can lead to
long-term behavioral
and emotional problems, a study in the Journal of Applied Developmental
Psychology
indicates. Children who are hit for acting out or doing something
wrong can learn that hitting is how to deal with being angry
and upset, said
University of New Orleans researcher Paul Frick, the study's
lead author. (Reuters/National
Library of Medicine, 1/23/07)
Downsizing Has Negative Effects for Surviving
Employees: Male employees
who survive downsizing efforts at work are 50 percent more likely to
be prescribed antidepressant and sleeping pill medications than men
whose
workplaces suffered no downsizing, a Finnish study published in the
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health indicates. Women in similar
situations
were 12 times more likely than other women to be prescribed the drugs.
The study shows that employers, policymakers and others should take
into consideration the mental health of the workers who survive layoffs,
the
study's lead researcher said. (Reuters,
1/17/07) More
information.
Newly Released Inmates at Risk for Death: Former
prison inmates have a high risk of dying, especially within
the first two weeks of being released
from prison, University of Colorado researchers report in The
New England Journal of Medicine. The leading cause of death
among newly released
inmates was drug overdoses, followed by heart disease, homicide
and suicide. Interventions
are needed to decrease the risk of death among former inmates,
the researchers concluded, including work-release programs,
drug education programs
and preventative care for heart disease. (Reuters,
1/10/07)
New Resources and Events
New Advocacy
Network Makes it Easy to Take Action
Mental Health
America's Advocacy Network allows people from all over the country to
take an
active role in improving the health and quality
of life for all. As a member of the network, you will help promote
awareness of mental health issues and take action to seek adoption of
public policies that recognize mental health is vital to our country's
health and well-being. Joining just takes a minute. Visit the Mental
Health America website and click on "Take Action NOW" under "Take
Action."
Mental Health America Issues New Position Statements
Mental Health
America has issued new public policy position statements reflecting
its official
stance on four critical issues affecting the mental
health of Americans. These policy positions guide advocates, policymakers
and mental health stakeholders as they promote quality mental health systems.
The new position statements are:
View a complete list of position statements.
Get Ready for Mental Health Month This May
 For more
than 50 years, our country has celebrated May as Mental Health Month
to raise awareness
about the importance of mental wellness for all
and to educate the public about mental illnesses. Mental Health America
invites you to join us for this year's important observance under the
theme MIND Your Health.
Mental Health
America is providing materials to support local Mental Health Month
efforts,
including tip sheets, media materials and more. Visit
the Mental Health Month
website to download selected materials free of charge. Affiliates
can find additional materials on the affiliate-only
website.
And be sure to visit our online
store later this month for our popular printed tip
sheets and MIND Your Health Merchandise such as post-it notes, decals
and buttons.
Leaders in the Field to Convene at Mental Health America Annual Meeting
Don't miss
your opportunity to join hundreds of fellow advocates, mental health
professionals and others at Mental Health America's 2007 Annual
Meeting, June 6-9 in Washington, D.C. At the meeting, you'll hear from
national political and other leaders, learn about the latest medical research
and policy developments, and have a chance to network with colleagues
from throughout the country. Register
today.
 New Brochures-PTSD and Spanish Version of What Does Gay Mean?
Mental Health
America has published online a Spanish language and cultural adaptation
of its
popular brochure, "What Does Gay Mean?" which
is designed to help parents talk to their children about the issue of
prejudice and homesexuality. Download
the brochure free of charge.
We're also
set to release a new brochure on post-traumatic stress disorder for
returning military veterans and others. Be among the first
to find out about the brochure when it's available. Sign
up here.
The e-Bell Newsletter is published by the Mental Health America, which
works with its 320 affiliates nationwide to promote health, prevent mental
disorders and achieve victory over illnesses through advocacy, education, research
and service. To receive the e-Bell, visit Mental
Health America’s
Web site www.mentalhealthamerica.net or
call 800-969-6642. Cited reproductions, comments and suggestions are
encouraged. |
