Behavioral Health

"The Child Mind Institute, dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere, is waging war against the stigma, lack of awareness, and misinformation that cause so many children to miss out on treatments that can change their lives with its second annual national public education program, Speak Up for Kids. It will be held during National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, May 6-12, 2012."

Abstract"Objective To evaluate whether a new computerised cognitive behavioural therapy intervention (SPARX, Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) could reduce depressive symptoms in help seeking adolescents as much or more than treatment as usual.Design Multicentre randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.Setting 24 primary healthcare sites in New Zealand (youth clinics, general practices, and school based counselling services).Participants 187 adolescents aged 12-19, seeking help for depressive symptoms, with no major risk of self harm and deemed in need of treatment by their primary healthcare clinicians: 94 were allocated to SPARX and 93 to treatment as usual.Interventions Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (SPARX) comprising seven modules delivered over a period of between four and seven weeks, versus treatment as usual comprising primarily face to face counselling delivered by trained counsellors and clinical psychologists.Outcomes The primary outcome was the change in score on the children's depression rating scale-revised."

"Summary: Congress and the VA Secretary requested the OIG determine how accurately the Veterans Health Administration records wait times for mental health services for both new patients and established patients visits and if the wait time data VA collects is an accurate depiction of the veteran's ability to access those services."

Large compilation of online resources for mental healthcare professionals, including innovation profiles and tools.

" Parenting teenagers can often trigger your own memories of growing up and the roller coaster ride of emotions, drama, unpredictability, and the need to fit in. You may be realizing that being a teenager today is more complicated than ever due to the steady stream of social media in all its various forms. Now as the parent of a teen who was adopted, your role has become even more challenging as you need to keep in mind the extra layers of teen emotions and identity issues that come with being adopted. You may be wondering what is considered typical teenage behavior and what requires more immediate attention. This tipsheet focuses on whether your teen may be going through a temporary phase, or instead, may be suffering from teen depression. "

There is increasing interest in online collaborative learning tools in health education, to reduce costs, and to offer alternative communication opportunities. Patients and students often have extensive experience of using the Internet for health information and support, and many health organisations are increasingly trying out online tools, while many healthcare professionals are unused to, and have reservations about, online interaction. ... In this article we address two main research questions: 1. How did MHPs and MHSUs interact on an online collaborative forum? 2. What helped or hindered collaborative learning in this online medical education context? "

Criticisms from two authors and perspectives from trauma victims in Africa

" The American Psychiatric Association (APA) instituted a financial conflict of interest disclosure policy for the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The new disclosure policy has not been accompanied by a reduction in the financial conflicts of interest of DSM panel members. Transparency alone cannot mitigate the potential for bias and is an insufficient solution for protecting the integrity of the revision process. Gaps in APA's disclosure policy are identified and recommendations for more stringent safeguards are offered."

"Family and friends are well placed to provide support which consumers perceive to be positive and which can assist them in obtaining formal mental health treatment. However, the input of some family members may be unhelpful or toxic. There may be benefits in undertaking community education and destigmatisation programs which target carers. "

Literature review of twenty years worth of studies revealing some disadvantages for people with behavioral health issues

A husband tells the story of his spouse's sudden onset of severe mental illness, how he supported her through it and about his own coping mechanisms, as well as perspective gained upon reflection

Discusses benefits and drawbacks of online therapy or telepsychiatry using online applications such as Skype. Considerations include disconnect because of lack of eye contact, insurance issues, ability to evaluate pathologies that can be observed in person but not so much online,

Report of a study involving four therapists, eight sessions of CBT, thirty clients, evaluating therapists' resistance to clients.

Profile of Marsha Linehan who developed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, revealing that she suffers from the disease herself.

a personal recollection of a sister struggling with bipolar affective disorder