HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE FROM THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STAFF AT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE
NIMH Director Thomas Insel reviews his "top 10" selections for 2013, including research advances and historic policy changes affecting mental health care. Befitting the complexity of the problems, many of the breakthroughs were not individually reported findings but the cumulative results of several groups contributing different pieces of the puzzle. Topics include: DSMV and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project, psychiatric genetics, Early Prediction and Prevention of Psychosis (EPPP) and much more.
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCES $100 MILLION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
As part of the Administration's ongoing commitment to help individuals experiencing mental health problems, Vice President Biden announced that $100 million will soon be available to increase access to mental health services and improve mental health facilities. Announcement
NIH DEPOSITS BATCH OF GENOMIC DATA FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE; RESEARCHS GAIN RAPID ACCESS TO FIRST SET OF RAW HUMAN GENOME SEQUENCE
Researchers can now freely access the first batch of genome sequence data from the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced. The ADSP is one of the first projects undertaken under an intensified national program of research to prevent or effectively treat Alzheimer's disease. The first data release includes whole genome sequence data from 410 individuals in 89 families.
NIH DEPOSITS FIRST BATCH OF GENOMIC DATA FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE; RESEARCHERS GAIN RAPID ACCESS TO FIRST SET OF RAW HUMAN GENOME SEQUENCE
Researchers can now freely access the first batch of genome sequence data from the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced. The ADSP is one of the first projects undertaken under an intensified national program of research to prevent or effectively treat Alzheimer's disease. The first data release includes whole genome sequence data from 410 individuals in 89 families.
TOBACCO, DRUG USE IN PREGNANCY CAN DOUBLE RISK OF STILLBIRTH; NIH NETWORK STUDY DOCUMENTS ELEVATED RISK ASSOCIATED WITH MARIJUANA, OTHER SUBSTANCES
Smoking tobacco or marijuana, taking prescription painkillers, or using illegal drugs during pregnancy is associated with double or even triple the risk of stillbirth, according to research funded by the NIH. Researchers based their findings on measurements of the chemical byproducts of nicotine in maternal blood samples, and cannabis, prescription painkillers, and other drugs in umbilical cords. The study findings appear in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Video: How does a PET scan Work?
This 60 Seconds of Science video from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and bioengineering explains what is happening in the body when it undergoes a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A PET scan uses readioactive tracers to create 3D images of the body. The radiation from the tracers poses little danger to the patient since they quickly pass out of the body.
NATIONAL DRUG FACTS WEEK 2014
January 27 - February 2, 2014
Coordinated by NIDA, National Drug Facts Week encourages and stimulates community-based events where teens ask questions of addiction scientists or health experts. Events can be sponsored by a variety of organizations, including schools, community groups, sports clubs, and hospitals. Topics for discussion include the science behind illicit drug use, prescription drug abuse, and use of alcohol and tobacco. Event holders who register will receive free booklets with science-based facts about drugs, designed specifically for teens.
NEW FROM AHRQ
SUICIDE PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention has released nine suicide prevention publications to support the work of juvenile justice professionals. These online publications address critical program areas and promote life-saving practices, including effective screening, risk assessment, and the drafting of model policies in collaboration with other child-serving agencies, particularly those addressing mental health issues. The resources were developed by the Alliance's Suicide Prevention for Youth in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System Task Force, co-led by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice.
REAL WARRIORS ARTICLE: Resiliencey Program for Military Families
Balancing the demands of a military career with family responsibilities can be challenging for many warriors and their families. It is common for military families to experience stress in response to times of transition such as before, during, and after deployment. The ability of military families to build resilience and overcome these barriers is critical to a warrior's psychological strength and mission readiness. This article reviews the numerous programs that can help military families build resilience and thrive under the common pressures of military family life.
New Tool Assesses Effectiveness of Patient Education Materials
A new tool funded by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) helps healthcare professionals identify high-quality informational print and audiovisual patient education materials. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) helps users select from the many patient education materials available to determine those that are easier to understand and act on.
MENTAL HEALTH.GOV BLOG: NEW PARITY RULES REINFORCE PROTECTIONS FOR COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE
Acting HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation describes the final rule published for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Parity Act). The Parity Act makes it easier for Americans to get the care they need by prohibiting certain discriminatory practices that limit coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services. The Parity Act generally requires that, when offered, health insurance coverage for mental and substance use disorder benefits is no more restrictive than benefits for physical health conditions.
NIMH TWITTER CHAT ON DEPRESSION AND OLDER ADULTS
December 20, 2013, 2:00PM - 3:00PM ET
Join NIMH for a Twitter chat on depression and older adults. Jovier Evans, Ph.D., Chief of the Geriatric Translational Neuroscience Program at NIMH, will be on-hand to discuss the topic and answer questions. Use the hashtag #NIMHchats to follow and participate in the Twitter chat.
HEALTHOBSERVANCE: NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
February 2014
