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Mental Health Stigma Can Be Public, Structural or Self-Directed

Mental Health Stigma Can Be Public, Structural or Self-Directed

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how individuals manage stress and make daily decisions. Desp...

Over Half of Mental Health Apps Disappear Within Three Years, Study Reveals

Over Half of Mental Health Apps Disappear Within Three Years, Study Reveals

A recent study tracking 865 mental health apps over six years found that more than half (54%) were removed from app stores, with the median app lasting approximately three years. The research, led by Julian Herpertz and John Torous, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, highlights that apps designed for serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and mood disorders had the highest disappearance rates. Surprisingly, features often highlighted in funding pitches, such as in-app chat, video, peer support, gamification, and AI capabilities, did not predict an app's longevity. Instead, simpler functionalities like journaling, goal-setting, data exportability, Spanish language availability, and cross-platform compatibility (iOS and Android) were associated with a 30% to 50% reduced risk of an app vanishing. Being platform-exclusive more than doubled the risk of disappearance. The study also noted that while more apps now have privacy policies, more are also sharing personal health data with third part...

IFRC Launches Free Online Psychological First Aid Course to Enhance Global Crisis Support

IFRC Launches Free Online Psychological First Aid Course to Enhance Global Crisis Support

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with the Danish Red Cross, has introduced a free online Psychological First Aid (PFA) e-learning course. This self-paced course, accessible via the IFRC Learning Platform, is designed to equip individuals worldwide with introductory skills to support people experiencing distress during or after crises. The 90-minute training covers essential aspects such as comforting distressed individuals, helping them feel safe and calm, understanding common crisis reactions, connecting people with further support, and practicing self-care. This initiative is part of the broader 'Psychological First Aid for All' pledge, which aims to increase global capacity for PFA through advocacy, training, and integration. The course was initially launched in English, with plans to make it available in Spanish, French, and Arabic later in the year to broaden its international reach.

Governor Mark Gordon Launches 'WY We Care Survivors' Campaign to Elevate Suicide Prevention and Awareness

Governor Mark Gordon Launches 'WY We Care Survivors' Campaign to Elevate Suicide Prevention and Awareness

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has announced the launch of the 'WY We Care Survivors' campaign, an initiative designed to elevate suicide prevention and awareness across the state. This new effort features four firsthand stories from Wyoming suicide survivors, each with unique backgrounds, who are committed to destigmatizing mental health struggles and highlighting the life-saving impact of connection. The campaign's debut is led by Carrie Bollock, the current Mrs. Wyoming America and a dedicated mental health advocate. Through her platform, 'Restored by Faith,' Bollock shares her personal journey from a period of crisis to a life of purpose and restoration. Governor Gordon emphasized the importance of changing the narrative around mental health during a recent podcast discussion about the state's wellness efforts. The 'WY We Care Survivors' campaign encourages residents to check in on their neighbors, friends, and themselves, serving as a central component of the Governor’s broader 'WY We Care' initiative, ...

Congresswoman Matsui Sponsors Bill to Bolster 988 Lifeline with $100 Million

Congresswoman Matsui Sponsors Bill to Bolster 988 Lifeline with $100 Million

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-California) has sponsored the 988 Implementation Act, a bill proposing to allocate $100 million in local grants to enhance the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This bipartisan legislative effort, also supported by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), aims to strengthen crisis services beyond initial phone calls, texts, and chats. Since its launch in 2022, the 988 lifeline has handled over 26 million contacts. The proposed funding would support communities in building comprehensive crisis care continuums, including increasing the mental health workforce, improving access to care, and removing insurance barriers. Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), emphasized that the goal is to provide a full spectrum of care, including mobile crisis response teams that can offer intensive mental health support and de-escalation in the community, available 24/7. The bill's introduction coincides with National Suicide...

Madhappy Foundation Partners with AC Milan to Promote Youth Mental Wellbeing

Madhappy Foundation Partners with AC Milan to Promote Youth Mental Wellbeing

Madhappy Foundation Partners with AC Milan to Promote Youth Mental Wellbeing

Red Bank Catholic High School and Conscientia Health Launch New Wellness Room to Enhance Student Mental Health Support

Red Bank Catholic High School and Conscientia Health Launch New Wellness Room to Enhance Student Mental Health Support

Red Bank Catholic High School (RBC) has officially opened a new Wellness Room on its Broad Street campus, developed in partnership with Conscientia Health. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on World Suicide Prevention Day within National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, signifies an expanded commitment to student mental and physical health. The Wellness Room is a key component of a broader initiative that includes a wellness curriculum focusing on mental health awareness, resilience, and coping strategies. It also offers educational programming workshops and enhanced support pathways for students and families. The facility provides a private consultation space, a group and workshop area for peer support sessions, and a self-guided check-in tool that directly connects students with a clinician when needed. This initiative is part of RISE by Conscientia, a program designed to integrate Conscientia Health's care model into school communities.

Smartwatch Health Alerts Linked to Increased Anxiety and Healthcare Strain

Smartwatch Health Alerts Linked to Increased Anxiety and Healthcare Strain

Smartwatches and other wearable health devices, while offering advanced health monitoring features, are increasingly being linked to heightened health anxiety among users. Dr. Lindsey Rosman, assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, notes that the constant stream of health data can lead to anxiety, even in healthy individuals. A case report highlighted a patient who performed over 900 EKGs on her smartwatch in a single year, driven by anxiety from inconclusive alerts, leading to multiple emergency room visits and therapy. Dr. Karen Cassiday, author of 'Freedom from Health Anxiety,' explains that compulsive checking of vitals can become a negative reinforcement cycle, exacerbating anxiety. Experts recommend turning off unnecessary health alerts, reducing the frequency of checking devices, and focusing on long-term trends rather than isolated metrics. The concern is that these devices, often developed as wellness tools, are now being used for health monitoring w...

Oregon's Early Assessment Support Alliance Aids Young People in Psychosis Recovery

Oregon's Early Assessment Support Alliance Aids Young People in Psychosis Recovery

The Early Assessment Support Alliance (EASA) in Oregon is providing crucial services to young people experiencing or at risk of psychosis. Established by mental health advocates in 2001 and funded by the Oregon Legislature in 2008, EASA has served approximately 6,500 Oregonians and currently treats about 700 individuals. The program targets individuals aged 12 to 30 who are either at risk for developing psychosis or have experienced their first episode within the past 12 months. EASA offers individualized treatment plans, which can include medication, counseling, family support, substance use treatment, occupational therapy, and peer support groups, typically lasting two years. The program emphasizes early intervention, as studies show that earlier treatment leads to better outcomes and a higher likelihood of recovery. Services are available regardless of a person's ability to pay, insurance, or immigration status.

Music Industry Therapist Collective Launches Fund to Support Mental Health for Touring Musicians

Music Industry Therapist Collective Launches Fund to Support Mental Health for Touring Musicians

Music Industry Therapist Collective Launches Fund to Support Mental Health for Touring Musicians

Cyberchondria: The Internet's Impact on Health Anxiety and Gen Z's Well-being

Cyberchondria: The Internet's Impact on Health Anxiety and Gen Z's Well-being

Cyberchondria, an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive online searching for health information, is increasingly affecting individuals, particularly Gen Z. This phenomenon often leads to heightened fear and anxiety as common symptoms are misinterpreted or exaggerated based on internet search results. For instance, a headache can quickly escalate to a perceived brain tumor after a few clicks. Researchers like Ryen White and Eric Horvitz from Microsoft have mapped this pattern, noting that individuals often become more scared after seeking health information online, rather than reassured. The ease of access to vast amounts of medical information, often without proper context or expert interpretation, fuels this cycle of anxiety. This issue is compounded by the fact that many individuals, especially women, hesitate to ask health questions due to embarrassment, turning to the internet as an anonymous alternative, which frequently exacerbates their worries.

Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board Seeks Forensic Discharge Planner

Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board Seeks Forensic Discharge Planner

The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board (H-NNCSB) is actively seeking a Forensic Discharge Planner. This position is designed to support individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who are involved with the criminal justice system. The Forensic Discharge Planner will serve as a crucial liaison, connecting local jails, state psychiatric hospitals, community providers, and the H-NNCSB. The primary goal is to facilitate access to appropriate behavioral health services and community resources for this vulnerable population. Key responsibilities include interviewing individuals in forensic settings to assess their needs, gathering information, and identifying suitable services and supports. The role also involves collecting and maintaining necessary documentation for referrals, treatment services, and discharge planning, as well as determining eligibility for various community-based behavioral health services. The position aims to develop individualized discharge plans, coordinate service linkages t...