This Week in 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 February 1.

Medication

Concert Pharmaceuticals Switches Focus After Schizophrenia Drug Falls Flat

Concert pharmaceuticals reported that its CTP-692 schizophrenia drug did not reach endpoints in its clinical II trials, causing the company to stop development. Although the company went into the study with compelling evidence to look into the drug, the trial did not go as hoped. Now, they will move onto studying a treatment for alopecia.

Learn more here.

Research

New Study Reveals Why Trauma-focused Psychotherapy Treatment Works

A new study looked at neuroimaging of PTSD patients undergoing psychotherapy. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, scans to measure traffic in the brain. They found certain brain regions had lessened traffic if the patient underwent psychotherapy, such as practicing in vivo or imaginal exposures.

Learn more here.

New Bill Tags $50 Million in Telehealth Grants for Mental Health Providers

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto reintroduced a $50 million bill that would help expand telehealth services. She originally introduced the bill last year, but it died in committee. If passed, the grants would help the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, to get more technology, hire more peer support specialists, and focus on helping marginalized communities.

Learn more here.

Mental Well-being Linked To Better Cardiovascular And Overall Health

The American Heart Association released a statement that having negative psychological health, such as stress or depression, showed an increase in cardiovascular disease. Inversely, positive psychological health, such as optimism and life satisfaction, lessens the risk for strokes or conditions like high blood pressure. The statement is based on 128 studies, and researchers highlighted the importance of intervention with tools like psychotherapy in order to increase health and wellness.

Learn more here.

Schizophrenia Is 2nd Highest Risk Factor For Dying Of Covid-19, After Age

A new study shows that schizophrenia is the second highest risk factor for dying from COVID-19, second only to age. Based on data from New York University, patients with schizophrenia were 2.7 more likely to die from COVID-19, ahead of other risk factors like cancer and diabetes. Although those with schizophrenia tend to have shorter life expectancy, researchers are still looking into why exactly they are more susceptible to dying of COVID-19.

Learn more here.

Brain Connectivity Reveals ADHD In Kids With 99% Accuracy

Researchers are now able to detect ADHD in children with 99% accuracy using fMRI scans and machine-learning classifiers. Diagnosing ADHD can be difficult when symptoms fluctuate, but brain connectivity proves to be an effective bio-marker for not only detection but also measuring severity. 

Learn more here.

Social Support in Young Adults Lowers Risk of Mental Health Problems

A study using data from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development shows that social support can help with youth mental health. Social support was able to create low levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation within a year among 20 year olds.

Learn more here.

Genomic Studies Implicate Specific Genes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

A new study was able to find genetics behind PTSD and its connection with common comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression. The study was conducted by University of San Diego, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), Yale University and West Haven VA, where they analyzed the genomes of 250,000 veterans. This new biological understanding will help in developing new treatments.

Learn more here.

Advocacy

Lana Condor Talks “To All The Boys” and Mental Health

Lana Condor, star of the Netflix movie series “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” talked to Self about her experience with fame, body dysmorphia, and being a person of color in Hollywood. After To All the Boys became one of Netflix’s most watched original films, Condor wanted to continue the momentum, and took up every opportunity that came to her. Her busyness caused her to burnout, to the point of being unable to sleep or eat. Her history with mental health struggles also include body dysmorphia due to being a ballet dancer. Now, she’s opening up in hopes of helping others feel less alone.

Learn more here.

Haley Smith: “My Relationship With Mental Illness Is Still Active”

Canadian XC racer Haley Hunter Smith opened up to Canada Olympic about her mental health. She says anxiety, perfectionism, and existentialism were a struggle for her growing up, and that it later morphed into an eating disorder. After recovering from hospitalization, she found mountain biking. She has spent the last five years training for the Tokyo Olympics, but COVID-19 took a toll on both her sport and mental health. Now, she is learning to prioritize her mental health and be more mindful as she continues to pursue her life goals.

Learn more here.