This Week In Mental Health

TW// Mentions of suicide

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 October 18th.

Legislation

Area Code Required When Making Local Calls, FCC Says

In an effort to make the suicide prevention line more easily accessible, states across the country will be requiring 10-digit dialing codes instead of seven. By the end of this week, callers from 35 states will need to start including three-digit area codes when making local calls. This new requirement will help the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to roll out their new nationwide hotline number, 988, in July of next year. To read the full list of area codes affected, click the link below.

Learn more here.

Research

Children's Mental Health Is Now A National Emergency, Health Leaders Say

Leaders in pediatrics have announced that the mental health crisis among youth is now considered an emergency. The leaders consist of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Children's Hospital Association. The group cites several studies that show how the pandemic accelerated an already growing mental health crisis among youth. For BIPOC children in particular, they were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The coalition also urges policymakers to fund more mental health resources, such as teletherapy.

Learn more here.

Psychosis Cases Rise In England As Pandemic Hits Mental Health

In England, first episodes of psychosis have increased in the last two years. Data from the NHS shows that from April 2019 to April 2021, referrals for psychosis increased 29 percent. While psychosis can be an indication of a mental disorder, it can also be temporarily triggered by traumatic events, such as the pandemic. One charity, Rethink Mental Illness, has expressed concern over the continued rise in first episodes happening so late into the pandemic, and is calling on the government to fund intervention and treatment programs.

Learn more here.

Cannabis ADHD Study: Adults Self-Report Symptom Improvement

A new study shows that cannabis may help with ADHD symptoms. Researchers surveyed over 1,700 adults about the effects of self-medicating ADHD with cannabis. Around 25 percent showed signs of ADHD, and around 92 percent of those with ADHD who manage symptoms with occasional cannabis use find that it helps with improving symptoms. The authors of the study hope these findings can help clinicians see how acute cannabis use can be beneficial for patients with ADHD.

Learn more here.

What Our Wandering Thoughts Can Teach Us About Mental Health

A study from the University of Arizona looked at idle thoughts and how they can help with mental health diagnoses. Researchers had 78 participants sit in a room for ten minutes and say their wandering thoughts out loud. They found that the majority of participants had neutral thoughts about the present or future, but some participants had negative ruminative thoughts about the past. The authors explain how analyzing these thoughts could potentially help with identifying disorders like depression, which is often characterized by negative rumination. 

Learn more here.

Short Home Workouts Can Boost Your Mood And Reduce Stress

Jacob Meyer, director of the Wellbeing and Exercise lab at Iowa State University, shared insights about the effects of prolonged sitting. During the beginning of the pandemic, people who increased screen time and decreased exercise had a higher likelihood of experiencing stress, depression, and loneliness. However, he found that even light movement can have a big impact on health. He suggests tips such as making feasible workout plans and moving around from within the house.

Learn more here.

Advocacy

Eagles Coach Nick Sirianni Opens Up on Lane Johnson's Mental Health

Eagles coach Nick Sirianna shared how he helped give accommodations for one of his football players after learning he was struggling with anxiety and depression. When Coach Sirianna saw that Lane Johnson was missing games, he ensured that the player had the right mental health resources and support. He explains the importance of staying connected with players, which includes helping them through personal struggles such as mental health. The Eagles also have mental health professionals available to players and staff.

Learn more here.

NBA Star Opens Up About Mom's Covid-19 Death

Basketball player Karl-Anthony Towns talked about struggling with his mental health after losing eight of his family members, including his mom, to COVID-19. He recalls the traumatic timeline of his mother getting progressively sicker, and eventually passing away in April 2020. After Towns recovered from COVID-19 himself this past year, he struggled with survivor’s guilt for having the money and resources for recovery that many others lack. He also mentions being an advocate for therapy, and how societal expectations of masculinity can be harmful when trying to process feelings.

Learn more here.