This Week in Mental Health

The latest on research and advocacy for the week of May 10th.

Written by Esther Fernandez

This Week in Mental Health

01 Research looks at the mental health risks of secondhand exposure to police violence, the connection between bullying, obesity, and depression among youth, how mental health emergency department visits may be prevented, and more.

02 Oprah And Prince Harry, the NFL, singer Dodie, and rugby player Joe Marler start conversations around mental health.

Conversations about mental health have grown exponentially over the last decade, with more and more people committing to personal and collective wellness. While we have a ways to go before mental health awareness, education and treatment are accessible to all, each day brings new and positive strides within the field. 

Our This Week In Mental Health series covers the latest happenings in research, treatment, human interest stories, and more. Stay updated on new developments so you’re better equipped to navigate the world, and most importantly, your own recovery.

Here’s what’s happening the week of May 10th.

Research

The Mental Health Risks of Secondhand Exposure to Police Violence

A new study looked at the distress levels among different races when witnessing police stops. Researchers looked at over a thousand individuals, and found that Black and Latinx youth experienced higher levels of distress than White youth. This distress is in part caused by officer intrusiveness, like pat downs, racist language, and physical force. Researchers suggest that this, “...may be a significant driver of mental health inequities among urban-born youth.”

Learn more here.

Black Mental Health Following Derek Chauvin Verdict

NOCD Funds Actuarial Study to Reveal Social, Clinical, and Financial Impact of OCD

NOCD and Santa Barbara Actuaries collaborated on a study to see the prevalence of OCD in the U.S., as well as levels of care and cost of treatments. Researchers looked at a million-member sample of national healthcare claims to predict data that reflects the general U.S. population. The findings will be presented at the Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech conference on June 3rd.

Learn more here.

Many Emergency Department Visits for Mental Health and Addiction-Related Issues May Be Prevented 

A new study from Ontario, Canada showed that almost half of patients who visited an incident psychiatric emergency department were visiting for the first time. These findings suggest the importance of outpatient psychiatric care to prevent emergency visits. Researchers looked at data from over 650,000 people from 2010 to 2018. 

Learn more here.

How Bullying And Obesity Can Affect Girls' And Boys' Mental Health 

Researchers from Uppsala University looked at youth for six years to study the connection between body mass index, bullying, and depressive symptoms. It was found that exposure to bullying heightens the risk of depressive symptoms, and boys’ mental health can suffer more than girls if they are obese. These findings suggest the importance of bullying prevention in order to better mental health among youth.

Learn more here.

New UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building Will Stand as a Statement Against Stigma

UCSF is scheduled to open a new psychiatry building in the fall that will be a, “state-of-the-art facility that co-locates mental and physical health care.” The building will include research, outpatient mental health care, psychiatry and psychology training, and design that aims to reduce stigma. Philanthropists John Pritzker and Lisa Stone Pritzker donated $60 million for the project, and the building will be named Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building, in honor of John’s sister who died by suicide. It will also include features like an auditorium and conference center, psychedelics research, a sleep clinic, and more.

Learn more here.

Advocacy

Oprah And Prince Harry Team Up For Series On Mental Health

Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry announced they will release a new mental health docu-series later this month called “The Me You Can’t See”. The series will feature celebrities, mental health professionals, and more, along with Oprah and Prince Harry as hosts. Both the guests and hosts will open about their personal journeys with mental health, aiming to eliminate shame and stigma.

Learn more here.

Prince Harry And Oprah Team Up For TV Series On Mental Health

NFL Launching Video Series In Support Of Mental Health Awareness Month

The NFL launched a mental health video series this month for football players and fans. Players involved in the series includes Solomon Thomas, Joey Bosa and Ali Marpet, who talk about topics like depression, suicide, and support systems. The NFL Vice President of Wellness and Clinical Services, Dr. Nyaka NiiLampti, explains how people in the sports industry have largely prioritized physical health, and she hopes this series will encourage people to talk more openly about mental health and seek treatment.

Learn more here.

Dodie Breaks Down Every Song on Her Debut Album 'Build a Problem' 

Dodie spoke to Our Culture about her newest album “Build A Problem”, which includes themes of depression and depersonalization. Dodie has been outspoken about her depersonalization in the past, and is currently an ambassador for the charity “Unreal”. Her closing track “Before the Line” describes her frustrations of wanting to feel things normally again.

Learn more here.

Joe Marler On His Documentary And Mental Health In Rugby 

Rugby player Joe Marler released a documentary this week that shows his journey with mental health called “Big Boys Don’t Cry”. The documentary features him visiting a therapist for the first time, getting diagnosed with depression, exploring his childhood, his life as a professional rugby player, and more. In his interview with GQ magazine about the film, he encourages men to have open conversations and be proactive in checking in with one another.

Learn more here.

Original Series

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