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"Oregon Parents Forced to Send Teens Out of State for Behavioral Health Care"
Oregon parents are facing the difficult decision of sending their teens out of state for behavioral health care due to the state's failure to provide adequate mental health treatment. The Oregonian/OregonLive's teen recovery series sheds light on the challenges within Oregon's youth behavioral health system, highlighting the struggles of parents and the experiences of teens in accessing quality care.

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"Suicide Surpasses Dementia as Eighth Leading Cause of Death in Men: CDC Data"
Daily Mail•1 year ago
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"Tragic Consequences: Americans Driven to Psychosis and Suicide After 11-Day Meditation Retreat"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Daily Mail

Experts warn of the serious mental health risks associated with intense meditation following the suicides of two Americans and one Canadian who attended a popular 10-day Vipassana retreat. The retreats, which involve sitting in silence for up to 11 hours per day, have been linked to cases of psychosis, hallucinations, and severe mental illness in vulnerable individuals. Critics accuse the centers of exhibiting irresponsible behavior, while some attendees describe the experience as akin to a voluntary prison sentence. Despite the potential benefits of meditation, such as easing mental health problems, experts caution that being left alone with one's thoughts for extended periods can trigger severe mental illness in a small number of people who are vulnerable.
"Rising Mental Distress Among Young Americans: The Lingering Impact of Covid"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Al Jazeera English

Reports show a sharp decline in mental health among young adults in the US since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Factors contributing to this distress include financial worries, loneliness, and concerns about social issues such as gun violence and climate change. Experts emphasize the need for immediate policy action and support to address the emotional plight of young people.
"Sexual Dysfunction Linked to Antidepressant Use in 19% of Patients"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by PsyPost

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Reports found that 19% of individuals without prior sexual issues reported encountering sexual problems related to the usage of at least one antidepressant. The survey involved 900 people aged 18 to 64 with major depressive disorder, categorizing them based on their antidepressant use over the past year into continuers, switchers, and discontinuers. The study sheds light on the experiences of antidepressant use, highlighting the impact of treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction and the reasons for continuing therapy, switching to a different antidepressant, and discontinuation.
"The Hidden Toll: Unrecognized Depression in Teenage Boys During Covid Lockdowns"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian

A comprehensive academic study found that teenage boys' mental health was more adversely affected by Covid lockdowns than girls, with their mental state failing to recover despite the return to normality. The research followed a cohort of about 200 children aged 11-14, showing an immediate decline in mental health for both sexes, but boys did not experience the natural improvement in mental wellbeing that usually comes with maturation. Experts believe the disruption to their lives at a crucial point in adolescent development, including isolation from peers and disrupted integration into new social groups, contributed to this impact.
"Global Ranking of Antidepressant Prescription Rates Unveiled"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Daily Mail

Iceland has the highest rate of antidepressant prescriptions, with 161 per 1,000 residents, followed by Portugal and Canada. The US ranks fifth with 110 per 1,000 people, while South Korea has the lowest rate at 27 per 1,000. Factors contributing to high prescription rates include the cost of drugs versus therapy and social support. In the US, depression rates are high, particularly in regions with other chronic diseases and social factors. Living alone is associated with increased risk of mental health problems. England also has high prescription rates, with 1 million antidepressant prescriptions for teens in 2022.
"Uncovering Hidden Depression in Teen Boys: Recognizing Warning Signs"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News

Teenage boys are experiencing depression and anxiety at similar rates to girls, but their symptoms often go undetected due to differences in how they express their mental health struggles. A decline in antidepressant prescriptions for young men during the pandemic has raised concerns about underdetection and undertreatment of mental health problems in boys. Symptoms of depression in boys may include irritability, risk-taking behavior, and impulsivity, which can be mistaken for normal teenage behavior. Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues in boys, and encourage parents to allow their sons to express their emotions and provide alternative outlets for communication and support.
"Reducing Suicide Risk After Depression Hospitalization: The Finnish Miracle and Critical Days"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian

Finland has successfully halved its suicide rate over the past three decades through national initiatives and interventions, including improved care for depressive disorders, quicker detection, and better treatments. The country's success in suicide prevention is attributed to initiatives such as the national suicide prevention project and the introduction of best-practice guidelines for treating psychiatric disorders. Despite progress, challenges remain, including the need for improved access to therapy and mental health support. The country's transformation in attitudes towards suicide has led to increased openness in discussing mental health, with a focus on encouraging individuals to ask directly about suicidal thoughts and to listen to the responses.
Tragic Death: Inquest Reveals Kirsty Thain Choked on Chip Butty
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com

An inquest heard that Kirsty Thain, a 36-year-old woman from Wakefield, died after choking on a chip butty at Kendray Hospital in Barnsley while under intensive observation due to previous suicide attempts. She had been detained under the Mental Health Act and had a history of self-harm. The inquest also revealed that she had been given an accidental overdose of medication on the day of her death.
"Hot Topic: The Surprising Link Between Body Temperature and Depression"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Gizmodo

A new study suggests a link between higher body temperature and clinical depression, with data from over 20,000 participants showing a noticeable association. While the exact cause-and-effect relationship is still unclear, researchers are conducting human trials to explore temperature-based interventions, such as sauna therapy, as potential treatments for depression. The findings could lead to unique body-based treatments for depression that don't involve medications or traditional psychotherapy.
Iron Dysregulation Linked to Schizophrenia
Originally Published 2 years ago — by PsyPost

A study of brain tissue from deceased individuals with schizophrenia revealed elevated iron levels and reduced ferritin levels, indicating disrupted iron regulation in the prefrontal cortex. This suggests a potential link between iron dysregulation and cognitive changes observed in schizophrenia. The findings highlight the importance of understanding iron biology in schizophrenia, but further research is needed to determine if similar changes occur in other brain regions.