MENTAL HEALTH IN THE HEADLINES
Week of April 2, 2012
Mental Health in the Headlines is a weekly newsletter produced by Mental Health America, providing the latest developments at Mental Health America and summaries of news, views and research in the mental health field. Coverage of news items in this publication does not represent Mental Health America’s support for or opposition to the stories summarized or the views they express.
TODAY’S HEADLINE
Answering 911 calls for help may cause emergency dispatchers to experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder…more
NEWS FROM MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA
Mental Heal Month 2012 material now available: Go to http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/mentalhealthmonth2012.
IN THE NEWS
Autism Rates Rise, Better Diagnosis Explains Some of Increase: The rate of autism spectrum disorders continues to rise among American children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. About one in 88 now receive such a diagnosis—an increase from the one in 110 estimate of two years ago. The newer data, from 2008, also shows that autism is almost five times more common in boys than girls, with one in 54 boys diagnosed with the condition. The reasons for the increase aren’t entirely known. Better diagnosis may be part of the reason as well as greater awareness of autism by parents, doctors and school administrators. (Los Angeles Times, 3/30/12)
Pilot’s Medical Emergency Raises Questions: The medical emergency experienced by a JetBlue airline pilot has sparked concerns over whether he had a mental health condition and whether screening of airline personnel is adequate. However, there is no information confirming that mental illness was involved. Experts point out that there are many potential causes of sudden changes in behavior, ranging from diabetes to medication side effects to extreme sleep deprivation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) withholds first-class medical certificates for pilots who take certain medications. Since 2010, the FAA has had an exception for pilots who take an anti-depressant medication for mild to moderate depression. Out of 120,000 commercial pilots, about 30 have utilized the exception. The exception does not apply to other medical conditions such as anxiety disorders. (National Alliance on Mental Illness; CNN, 3/28/12)
Answering 911 Calls May Lead to PTSD Symptoms: Answering 911 calls for help may cause emergency dispatchers to experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), according to a new study. Even indirect exposure to traumatic events could lead to psychological disorders, whether a person personally knows the victims or not, according to a report in Journal of Traumatic Stress. The study, the first on emergency dispatchers, surveyed 171 emergency dispatchers currently working in 24 states. The study authors noted that the dispatchers experienced a high level of distress following an average of 32 percent of potentially traumatic calls. In addition, 3.5 percent of the dispatchers reported symptoms severe enough to be classified as PTSD. Not knowing what happens after calls are dispatched is a significant stressor for dispatchers. (Time, 3/29/12)
Embedding Mental Health Support in British Schools Lead to Behavioral Improvements: Embedded mental health support in British schools led to improvements in self-reported behavioral problems among primary school students, researchers say. A study of 18,235 children in 526 schools in England found tools designed to improve communication between health and education professionals—such as links between schools and specialized mental health services and mental health information supplied to pupils— were all associated with reductions in students’ difficulties in controlling aggression and anger in secondary school. About 10 percent of children had a clinically diagnosable mental health problem and the authors of the report recommend intervening early as a key to managing behavioral problems. (UPI, 3/31/12)
Court Rules for Employee with Bipolar Disorder in Employment Discrimination Case: In one of the first disability discrimination lawsuits taken to trial concerning bipolar disorder, a federal court has found an employer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plaintiff in the case, a store manager of a payday lender, alleged that he was fired because of his disability, bipolar disorder. The judge held that the employer’s reasons for terminating the plaintiff were a pretext for discrimination, and that the employer had in fact fired him because it regarded him as too disabled to work. The employer had denied the plaintiff's request for a short medical leave to adjust to new medication prescribed by his doctor to treat his condition. The employer fired him just days after his need for sick leave first arose. (JDSupra, 3/29/12)
IN DEPTH
The New York Times explores driving by individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
The Washington Post examines the weak relationship between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and violence.
Latest Research
Sleep Apnea Linked to Depression: Both men and women with obstructive sleep apnea are at elevated risk for major depression, a nationwide survey finds. Men who reported having been diagnosed with sleep apnea had twice the risk of depression compared with those without apnea. For women, the risk for depression was fivefold higher with sleep apnea, researchers report in the journal Sleep. (Medpage Today, 3/30/12)
Stigma Can Worsen Depression in Lung Cancer Patients: Feelings of shame, social isolation and rejection can heighten depression in lung cancer patients, a new study finds. For the study, reported in the journal Psycho-Oncology, the researchers gave mental health questionnaires to lung cancer patients and found that 38 percent of them suffered from depression. Greater levels of perceived stigma were associated with greater levels of depression. The findings may help explain why depression is more common among lung cancer patients than among patients with other kinds of cancer, according to the researchers. (HealthDay News, 3/29/12)
More News and Views:
Mental Health in the Headlines is produced weekly by Mental Health America. Staff: Steve Vetzner, senior director, Media Relations.
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