This Week In Mental Health

TW// Mentions of suicide, self harm

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 September 20th.

Legislation

Mounting Research Suggests Benefits Of Psychedelics As California Considers Legislation

A California bill passed by the State Senate could potentially decriminalize psychedelics for those 21 and older. The bill would allow for possessing and sharing of limited quantities of psychedelics, including psilocybin, psilocin, LSD, ibogaine, and DMT. This bill comes in light of research that shows psychedelic assisted treatments help with a number of conditions like PTSD and depression. 

Learn more here.

Research 

Gun Violence Exposure Associated with Higher Rates of Mental Health-Related ED Visits by Children

Children who live in neighborhoods with gun violence have an increased risk for emergency mental health visits. Researchers from University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia looked at over 54,000 patients, and found that children exposed to a shooting can experience mental health distress within the first couple of days. The risk for visits is highest within the first two weeks of a shooting, for children closest to the shooting, and children who experience multiple shootings. 

Learn more here.

Australia’s First National Strategy For Eating Disorders Released

Australia is the first country to create a national strategy for addressing eating disorders. The National Eating Disorder Research Strategy will focus on ten areas of research, such as early intervention and equity of access. The strategy was developed by over 480 clinicians, researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience. Many of those involved emphasize the importance of having evidence based treatment readily available to those who need it at the right moment.

Learn more here.

Heightened Food Worries Linked To Worse Mental Health During Covid-19 Pandemic

Canadians with food insecurity have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. During the first wave of the pandemic, researchers surveyed over 2,900 Canadians. Those with food insecurity were two times more likely to have negative mental health symptoms, and were three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts. 

Learn more here.

Men, Jobless And People With Mental Health Diagnoses Most Vulnerable In 2020 Overdose Spike 

Researchers from Brown University studied health data from the past two years to better understand overdose deaths. Using four Rhode Island statewide databases, they looked at overdose deaths of adults during the pandemic and compared them to overdose deaths prior to the pandemic. Among those most affected during the pandemic were men, those who lost their jobs, those who used synthetic opioids, and those with mental health diagnoses. More people were also dying from overdose in their homes, largely due to social distancing and no opportunities for a bystander to intervene.

Learn more here.

Covid Pandemic Fuels Spike In Heavy Drinking, Alcohol Use

Around one in five Americans are drinking unhealthy amounts of alcohol. Researchers surveyed over 6,000 participants from March to April of this year, with 17 percent reporting that they were heavily drinking. Many participants also reported experiencing negative impacts on their mental health in the past year, and three in ten continued to drink even when it caused depression or anxiety. Although more than half knew they had treatment options, 87 percent were not in treatment. For those who went through treatment, around half said that they were motivated to go because of family who said they were concerned.

Learn more here.

Advocacy

Meghan Trainor Opens Up About Panic Disorder Battle

Meghan Trainor was the feature story this week for People Magazine, where she talked about being diagnosed with panic disorder. In 2016, when she was at the height of her career, she experienced her first panic attack while on live television. After the initial incident, she would often visit the emergency room thinking she was experiencing allergic reactions, but was eventually diagnosed with panic disorder. Through therapy and medication, she now reports feeling better than ever.

Learn more here.

Canadian Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles During Tokyo Olympics

As a part of FIFPRO's "Are You Ready To Talk" program, Olympian Stephanie Labbéshared her mental health journey to encourage fellow pro soccer players. After suffering a rib injury, she said she began to have anxiety and panic attacks between games. Further reflection made her realize that the stressors from the pandemic and her sport lead to the onset of her anxiety. She mentions the difficulty about being open and defining mental illness, especially as a pro athlete, and called for more support to be given to athletes after big events. 

Learn more here.

Tik Tok Rolls Out Mental Health Resources For Users As Instagram Faces Criticism  

Tik Tok announced that it will be providing new mental health resources to users. The app now has guides for topics like eating disorders and self harm in its Safety Center. The app also recommends mental health resources when people search for terms like “suicide.” While there’s some concerns for misdiagnosis and improper treatment on the app, Tik Tok clarifies that its guides are not meant to provide mental health services.

Learn more here.