By John MacPhee, Executive Director and CEO, The Jed Foundation
The Jed and Clinton Foundation Health Matters Campus Program (The Campus Program) is designed to help colleges and universities promote emotional well-being and improve mental health programming, reduce substance abuse, and prevent suicide.
By RADM Boris D. Lushniak, M.D., M.P.H., Acting U.S. Surgeon General
Most people don't realize how common mental health and substance abuse problems are in the United States. Just as there are many types of physical illness, mental illness is varied and can affect people at all stages of life. In fact, at some time in their lives, nearly all Americans will be affected by a mental health or substance use disorder in themselves or their families.
By Elinore F. McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., FAAAP, Chief Medical Officer, and Paolo del Vecchio, M.S.W., Director, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Bipolar disorder, sometimes called “manic-depressive illness,” is a serious mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. In any given year, it impacts approximately 2.6 percent of the American public.
Young people are often told we're too immature to understand pain. But I refused to be silenced. Instead, I cried louder. My turning point came when I was 18 years old and my friend Dina, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, committed suicide.
By Kimberly Konkel, MSW, Associate Director for Health, HHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and Anne Mathews-Younes, Ed.D., D.Min, Director of SAMHSA Division of Prevention, Traumatic Stress and Special Programs
A recent survey in North Carolina found depression rates among United Methodist clergy were twice as high as the general public. The researchers suggest that unique demands of the job put clergy mental health at risk. While many factors undoubtedly contribute, there might be another possible explanation – the trauma that clergy encounter on a daily basis.
By Chelsea Perugini, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Duke University professors published research that shows the degree to which bullying can affect someone’s mental health. The study followed more than 1,000 youth, starting at the ages of 9, 11 and 13. The youth were interviewed each year until they turned 16. Follow-up interviews were then conducted into adulthood.
By Tiffany Farchione M.D., Division of Psychiatry Products, Food and Drug Administration
FDA-approved labeling helps guide doctors' treatment choices. However, when a medication has not been studied in children, there is no information in the FDA-approved label to guide prescribing for this age group. This can lead to what is known as “off-label” use of a prescription drug.
By Jackie Oberst Ph.D., and Matthew Rudorfer M.D., National Institute of Mental Health
Winter blues is a general term, not a formal medical diagnosis. Typically it comes about from some specific event such as a stressful holiday period or reminders of absent loved ones. This type of lowered mood usually clears up on its own without treatment.
By Pamela Hyde, Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Mental illness has been in the news a lot lately, and it's good that we as a nation are talking about it. We now have more tools than ever to make a real difference and provide treatment for those experiencing mental illness.
