This week at Mental Health Notes, I recommended checking out John La Puma and the book he wrote with Rebecca Powell Marx, Chef MD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine, as well as I Dose, which claims to be “the perfect Binaural Beats experience.” I also introduced you to Frank Calloway and the Cover America Tour, and then asked you what you thought about Barack Obama’s stance on mental health parity and to share good stories about mental health.

In the world of mental health news, UC Irvine researchers may be quickening the pace to finding more effective medications to treat panic disorders now that they’ve found out how to “switch off” the traumatic feelings bad memories can bring about, and Oregon Health & Science University researchers may have a drug that could help people addicted to alcohol quit drinking. An international group of researchers have found that the proteins that modify DNA are more expressed in people who commit suicide and may help identify underlying causes of depression, while another group of researchers supported by the National Institute of Mental Health may have discovered why some mothers develop postpartum depression and others don’t.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Dr. Waqas. A. Awan would like to pass along news of the new Web site MyFamilyHealth.com, which “allows people to connect with their relatives and track family health history.” The DBSA’s 2008 National Conference: The Power of Peers is drawing closer (September 10-14), and you can still take advantage of Advance Rates if you register before August 3.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we’re as busy as ever! Mental Health Notes was featured at Best Health Mag yesterday, and a whole slue of us is in the Health & Wellness Channel are in included in eDrugsearch.com’s “The World’s Top Blogs On Health and Medicine.” Liz at Alzheimer’s Notes shares an informative video about the “creation of Leeza’s Place, an oasis for caregivers and loved ones dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease,” and Angelique at Breaking the Mirror issues a call for advice for a man suffering from postpartum depression and an eating disorder. Susan at Grounded Fitness explains why yoga can help make you happy, and Grace at Kids Health Notes offers a nice round up of blog contests and giveaways, while Karen at Pink Ribbon Review talks about the benefits and downfalls of emotional writing.

Oh, and Kristen at Lively Women has one of the worst. bruises. ever.

If you have something you’d like featured in next week’s Saturday Sanity, shoot me an email with “Saturday Sanity” (or similar) in the subject line and we’ll take it from there!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Tons Of New Mental Health Research

Boy, when I fall into a blogging slump, I really fall into a blogging slump, huh? This is the second week in a row I’ve not offered up more than one post a day here at Mental Health Notes and, honestly, that blows.

However, in my defense (what little bit of defense I have), I have been dealing with work-related matters, surprise visitors, and doing some housekeeping here at MHN, which includes putting an excellent editorial calendar together for the coming weeks here at MHN.

And do I have so great things lined up for y’all!

In the meantime, let’s take a look at what’s been going on in the world of mental health this week.

This week at Mental Health Notes, I talked about going green for your mental health at Daily Tomorrow, talked about an interesting study regarding visual impairment and suicide risk, started a conversation about the idea of compassionate release for brain cancer patient and former Manson Family member Susan Atkins, introduced you to the Health & Wellness Channel’s newest blog about fitness, and passed along an update about Mental Health Parity.

In the world of mental health news, researchers at Yale believe there’s a connection between bullying and suicide (I believe it), researchers at Cambridge believe they can measure brain activity to help identify people at risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder, a couple of doctors whose names I can’t pronounce have found a partially shared genetic profile between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, new research suggests tricyclic antidepressants increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and getting enough sleep is still good for your mental health – unless you count strokes as, you know, bad things.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Mental Health America provides updates on both the 2008 Annual Conference Hill Day and the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit, both held back in June, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance published the DBSA e-Update July 2008, which contains more information about the Facing Us 2008 Music Contest and the addition of another speaker at the 2008 National Conference, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness announced the appearance of two NAMI members on The New York Times’s Patient Voices.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, it’s giveaways and contests galore! Both Healthbolt and Alzheimer’s Notes are hosting book giveaways this week, Daily Tomorrow is offering a chance to win a “Learn to Create a Healthy Home” CD, and Fertility Notes is having a drawing for a free Fertility Scope. Of course, there’s plenty of news, too. Kendra discusses the heart health benefits of being optimistic, and good ol’ Scott tackles the prevalence of eating disorders among men.

Of course, the best news of all is…Angela at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 has given birth to her baby girl! Head on over and congratulate her!

And, that’s the end of another Saturday Sanity. Remember, if you have anything mental health-related to share for next week’s edition, send it my way. (You may want to include “Saturday Sanity” in the subject line so I’ll make sure to save it.)

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Slow Week For Mental Health Notes, But Not For Mental Health News

If you haven’t already heard, Susan Watiker and Kelly Turner have given birth to the newest addition to the b5media Health & Wellness Channel – Grounded Fitness!

Admittedly, the due date for this sucker seemed to take forever to arrive, but I’m so glad it has. I’ve been very excited about Grounded Fitness as it shows promise of being an excellent blog about fitness, yoga, and pilates – and I so want to get back into yoga. I really, really do.

So, why should you be interested in Grounded Fitness?

Well, we all know being physically fit helps us be mentally fit. In her first post, Kelly reminds us that the effects of exercise include “stress reduction, feelings of accomplishment, better sleep, improved mood, and increased self esteem.”

Plus, Grounded Fitness is already holding a contest for a GoFit Kettlebell.

So go check them out, share some love, and bust out a Sun Salutation or two.

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Say Hello To The b5media Health & Wellness Channel’s Newest Addition: Grounded Fitness!