What’s this? Saturday Sanity is on time this week? Do tell!

This week at Mental Health Notes, things were pretty busy. In addition to Kristina’s Newsweek interview about John McCain’s talk of autism, I told you about a few mental health campaigns and communities like Howie Mandel’s Adult ADHD Is Real, Canada’s Let’s Face This, and icyou’s mental health videos and vlogs. I also told you about a new study regarding memory side effects of using ecstasy just once, and dove into the brains of sociopaths (well, kind of) with posts about Private Practice and resources to learn more about sociopathy.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Mental Health America wants everyone to send emails to their representatives urging them to include Medicaid in the next economic stimulus package, NARSAD wants to make sure everyone knows about the Third Annual Silver Ribbon Symposium on November 9th, NAMI is providing information and resources related to the current economic crisis and our mental health, and the DBSA is getting ready to announce the winner of the Facing Us: 2008 Music Contest.

In the world of mental health news, a new study suggests cortisol may help with post traumatic stress disorder, two doctors believe aerobic activity may reverse mental decline, and researchers have identified new candidate genes for schizophrenia. Teen suicide rates in the UK are declining, but economic problems may cause Korea’s suicide rates to increase and Canadian researchers are reporting young people in poor neighborhoods are more likely to attempt suicide.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we’re full of contests and interesting tidbits this week!

• At Grounded Fitness, Kelly’s kicked off her Danskin clothing giveaway spree with a scoop neck tee giveaway.
• Kristen’s wrapping up Lively Women’s October Prizepalooza with two giveaways: One for a Swiggies wrist water bottle (five winners) and one for Cocoon Total Body Rejuvenating Emollient (three winners).
• Grace Ibay is holding a giveaway for an Allergy Luxe bed bug barrier pillow cover at Kids Health Notes and she’s telling readers about an Alzheimer’s drug that may be beneficial for children with Down Syndrome at Genetics & Health.
• Mary Emma is discussing the voting rights of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients At Alzheimer’s Notes.
• Breastfeeding 1-2-3’s Angela White wants to know who’s up for NaBloPoMo in November.
• Scott Wharton has compiled a list of interesting facts about the human body over at Health & Men (take note of the stuff about your brain!).
• And finally, Marijke is talking about depression related to both chronic pain and pregnancy.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: New Research, Reports, and Giveaways

I stopped avoiding.

And I feel great.

Now it’s time for some Saturday Sanity, and I hope by this time next week, I still feel just as great.

At Mental Health Notes, I shared survey findings about saving money on prescription medications, passed along advocacy alerts about Mental Health Parity and Medicaid regulations, showed you where to find information about headaches and brain tumors, highlighted Web sites about two interesting -ologies (color psychology and graphology), and, very simply, told you that water is good for your brain. And, this week at Mental Health Notes was extra special because we were visited by triple-boarded psychiatrist and award-winning author Doreen Orion!

Mental health was prevalent in the news this week. Mental Health America salutes the service of veterans and families as well as offers tips on how to boost workplace wellness, and researchers from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) presented information about new depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia treatments. In other research news, Dr. Rosalind Wright of Harvard Medical School and colleagues found that women who experience stress during their pregnancies may have babies who are predisposed to allergies and asthma, and a new study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders suggests that anorexic women who had childhood anxiety may experience more severe symptoms of the eating disorder.

And finally, what’s going on with the rest of the b5media Health & Wellness Channel? Grace at Kids Health Notes points to a UCLA study that suggests that pregnant women who use cell phones may have children with behavior problems. Kendra at A Hearty Life gives a glimpse into her struggles with stress and how it affects diabetes. Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes offers 13 tips for caregivers to alleviate depression. Ruth at Eating Fabulous tells us about how celery and green pepper compound can prevent neuroinflammation.

That’s it for this week! If you have any Saturday Sanity-worthy news, send it my way for next Saturday!

All images courtesy of morgueFile.

Remember! You have until May 31, 2008 to enter the Mental Health Notes Birthday Giveaway, and forever to join the This Is Why I ROCK! series!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Keeping Up With Yesterday

I’m always passing along some kind of mental health news update, advocacy alert, or call for action here at Mental Health Notes, but, that’s what you get when you read a mental health blog. There’s always a ton of stuff going on in the news, regarding health insurance, and involving advocacy groups.

Today’s call for action comes from Mental Health America.

Back in April, I told you about how U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation (H.R. 5613) to block proposed federal Medicaid regulations, including limits on rehabilitation services for people with mental health problems.

Yay!

Because every one of us who contacted our representatives helped make that happen, Mental Health America would like us to contact them again regarding an upcoming vote this week on legislation that contains the same delay on Medicaid regulations – this time, as an amendment to the supplemental war funding bill.

From Mental Health America:

Amending the war funding bill seems to be the best way to overcome opposition to delaying these ill-advised regulations. But, the President has threatened to veto the war funding bill for various reasons, so we need to generate as much support in the Senate as possible.

Mental Health America has conveniently made it possible for you to contact your representatives about this issue via email. Even easier is that you don’t have to come up with your own well-drafted message. Just enter your contact information and click “send.” (But, keep in mind, original messages probably do carry the most impact, so feel free to add your own thoughts and opinions.)

Image: WV Senators Robert C. Byrd and John D. Rockefeller: Newscom

Remember! You have until May 31, 2008 to enter the Mental Health Notes Birthday Giveaway, and forever to join the This Is Why I ROCK! series!

Post from: Blisstree

Delay Medicaid Regulations In The War Funding Supplemental Bill

Anyway, on to what went on this week in the world of mental health!

Here at Mental Health Notes, I was all over the place. From sharing a few thoughts about LiveJournal to reviewing Google’s top five results for “brain games” to offering resources for help with cyberbullies in light of Megan Meier’s suicide and Lori Drew’s indictment, the topics this week were certainly diverse at Mental Health Notes. Too, I had to lash out about the battle against abusing mentally ill patients, pass up the opportunity to present an A.S.S. Award, share a little mental health humor, and remind everyone about the current Mental Health Notes Birthday Giveaway and This Is Why I ROCK! series!

Mental health advocacy group news was definitely a challenge to keep up with this week – there was so much! The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is reminding everyone about registration discounts for their Power of Peers conference in September, as well as their upcoming June webinar course Not a Pity Party: Effective Peer Support Groups. Mental Health America sent around a reminder for us to urge our House representatives to support including a delay on the Medicaid regs in the war funding supplemental bill. And TIME Magazine has named Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D., who speaks at many National Alliance on Mental Illness conferences and is president of NAMI Indiana’s Greater Bloomington affiliate, one of “the world’s 100 most influential people.”

Of course, keeping up with mental health in the news is always a busy time. Ira Katz, the VA’s director of mental health, has apologized for his email discussing veterans’ suicide attempts – you know, the one that read “Shh!” in the subject line. An study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggests low levels of vitamin D and high levels of the parathyroid hormone could lead to depression in older adults. After recent studies, researchers are paying more attention to the role a distinctive pattern of the genetic variations single nucleotide polymorphisms may be playing in the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. And, assistant professor of neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Roberto Fernández Galán, Ph.D., used math and a computer model of brain activity (and no rats) to show new looks at the dynamics of the brain’s cortex.

And finally, perhaps the easiest thing to keep up with this week was the b5media Health & Wellness Channel’s involvement in the world of mental health. Because May is Mental Health Month, our monthly theme day was focused on the topic of mental health. I hosted the event, so make sure you check out what all my fellow bloggers had to say! Also, the Health & Wellness Channel bloggers got together and shared their versions of “Top 5″ posts. Find out which posts I chose, and check out the rest of the channel’s lists courtesy of Kendra James!

That’s all for this week’s Saturday Sanity. If you have any news you’d like to share, send it my way for next week!

All images (except for the b5 logo) courtesy of Newscom.

Remember! You have until May 31, 2008 to enter the Mental Health Notes Birthday Giveaway, and forever to join the This Is Why I ROCK! series!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Light Your Fire

Let’s glance back at some of the topics I covered this week here at Mental Health Notes. I shared pictures during Sunday’s Brain Break, mused on the mental health repercussions for the FLDS religious sect children, explained why being kind to the earth (and not just on Earth Day!) was good for our minds, offered tips on how to nurture your mental health after a cancer diagnosis, honored National Poetry Month by recognizing famous poets with mental illness, and reminded you ALL that This Is Why I ROCK! is still accepting entries.

What are some of the big mental health advocacy groups up to lately? Well, Mental Health America is “calling on presidential candidates to emphasize mental health in [their] health policy plans,” as well as urging the rest of us to contact our senators about cosponsoring two bills to block harmful Medicaid regulations.

Want to know what’s going on in the world of scientific-, research-, and government-related mental health news? According to an independent study by RAND Corp., about half of the 300,000 American troops returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health problems are receiving treatment, while 320,000 American troops have sustained brain injuries. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) in Rock County, Wisconsin is looking for new ways to address the issue of folks who are arrested and sent into the criminal justice system. Dr. Michael J. Rivkin of Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston led a study that suggests mothers who drink, smoke, or use other drugs during pregnancy put their babies at risk for being born with smaller brains.

And finally, what’s going on around the rest of the b5media Health & Wellness Channel? Well, aside from the fact that we’ve changed our name to the Health & Wellness Channel (remember, it used to be Science & Health Channel?), tons!

Scott over at Health and Men offers up two very important posts for consumers of any gender: First, he gives us tips on how to get the most out of health-related Web sites while still protecting ourselves with The Internet And How It Has Changed Health; then, he highlights a quite in-depth health resource with which many of you may not be familiar in Taking Steps Towards A Healthier Lifestyle With SmallStep.Gov.

Liz over at Alzheimer’s Notes offers up a nice collection of personal stories about Alzheimer’s Disease, while Kristina at Autism Vox lets us know what she thinks of Adam Jasinki, the Big Brother finalist who called autistic children “retards” (why haven’t I given this punk an A.S.S Award yet?!).

Laura at Baldiness reminds teenagers that managing stress and learning to chill out can help prevent hair loss, and Elaine at Genetics & Health tells us about the connection between doggy DNA and human psychiatric problems.

Ruth at Eating Fabulous points out the importance of Vitamin D regarding brain function, and Liberty over at Healthbolt explains how dandelions can help relieve stress.

That’s all for this week! As always, if you have any Saturday Sanity-worthy news to share, send it my way!

Image sources and credits here, here, and here.

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Gathers No Moss

Anyway…

First, let’s take a look back at some of the things that have gone on here at Mental Health Notes this week. We kicked off the stress-busting Goin’ to the Chapel series with Molly McDonald (which wraps up later today), learned how Harry Potter saved J.K. Rowling’s sanity, took a really brief peek into possible new French legislation regarding eating disorders, and pondered the University of Virginia’s new policy on students with mental illness. Oh, and of course, I’m still accepting applications for This Is Why I ROCK!

Next, let’s get up to speed with what’s going on with advocacy groups. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) April newsletter is online with information about postpartum depression legislation and about about peer services and training, as well as discounts on the DBSA 2008 National Conference. The UIC National Research and Training Center and the NAMI STAR Center are conducting the cultural competence survey regarding consumer-run mental health programs. And, in honor of Mental Health Month (it’s in May – just around the corner!), Mental Health America has developed the Get Connected theme.

Now, let’s acknowledge some scientific-, research-, and government-related mental health news. Last week, the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation (H.R. 5613) to block proposed federal Medicaid regulations, including limits on rehabilitation services for people with mental health problems. Small businesses and the insurance industry haven’t succeeded in beating back mental health parity in Arizona this time around. New research suggests anxious or depressed children are more likely to grow up and work occupations that cause anxiety and depression.

And, finally, what’s going on in the rest of b5media’s Science & Health Channel? Angelique weighs in on the French bill to stop media promotion of “extreme thinness” over at Breaking the Mirror. Ruth at Eating Fabulous tells us about the cognitive and motor development benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for babies. Mary Emma Allen honors Charlton Heston’s Alzheimer’s battle and nods to her co-blogger Liz Lewis’s tribute, as well as Jean Murray’s thoughts on the matter.

That’s all for this week! If you have any Saturday Sanity-worthy news, send it my way and I’ll get it in next week’s edition!

Image credits and sources here, here, here, and here.

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Upgrade Your Brain

• If you missed Wednesday’s post about Prescription for Change, the Consumers Union petition to the FDA to make it easier for consumers to report side effects of medications, I highly recommend checking it out.
• In other drug news, the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Programs now have a total of three “AZ & Me” prescription assistance programs (particularly interesting for those of you who take Seroquel and Seroquel XR.
• Mental Health America has issued another call to action for us. This one regards proposed cuts in Medicaid funding for rehabilitative, case management, and school administrative services – all of which include mental health services and support of “Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008″ (H.R. 5613). Of course I sent a letter to my decision makers, but I had to giggle while I was doing so because I’m positive dear old Nick Rahall is getting tired of finding emails from me! God bless him, though. He always responds via snail mail with his views on the matter and a nice thank you. Find out if your decision maker(s) are cosponsoring H.R. 5613, and send a letter of support.
• Another update from Mental Health America: “No Health Without Mental Health,” Mental Health America’s 2008 Conference in Washington, D.C. is right around the corner (June 4-7), and Mental Health America President and CEO David Shern, Ph.D. has prepared a 30-second video to invite us all!
• Why is it that when states experience budget problems, health and education services are usually the first to suffer? I honestly don’t know which is worse: increased taxes, or decreased health services and laid off state employees. At this point, I’m pretty sure I feel the latter is much worse.
• New findings regarding genes and their relationship to schizophrenia could lead to new treatment options for managing the mental illness.
• Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have stumbled upon some findings they may not only help “test” patients for depression, but may also help speed along the process of finding the best antidepressant.
• And, I’m a bit late on reporting this, but better late than never, right? The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the reauthorization of the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (S. 2304) on March 9. According to the article, the bill “will help provide states and counties with the resources needed to design and implement collaborative efforts between the criminal justice and mental health systems.”

That’s all for this week, folks! If you think you have any Saturday Sanity-worthy news, send it my way before next Saturday!

Image source and credit.

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Drugs And Government Issues