Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Combination SSRI and CBT Most Effective for Adolescent Depression
Medscape Medical News story - "Adolescents with major depressive disorder are more likely to respond to a combination of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (Prozac) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) than to either as monotherapy, according to investigators of a publicly funded study who presented their findings here at the 51st annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). In addition, the researchers found that the combination — and each therapy alone — were more effective than placebo, said principal investigator John S. March, MD. He spearheaded the Teenage Depression Study (TADS), which was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

State Expenditure Report 2003
Report, in Adobe Acrobat format, from the National Association of State Budget Governors. A related story at the NAMI site notes that the report indicates "Medicaid costs increased faster than any other area of state spending in FY 2003, and are expected to consume a greater portion of total spending than elementary and secondary education for the first time in FY 2004" - and that 18 are likely to experience Medicaid budget shortfalls this year. "Based on these reports," says NAMI, "advocates will need to be vigilant in monitoring cost containment initiatives in their state, especially in the prescription drug area, as states report that growth in this area is the primary or secondary reason for higher Medicaid expenditure growth. Advocates must develop better relationships with their Medicaid officials and make clear arguments about how NAMI can assist their agencies, as well as working in broader coalitions..."  
  

Curing campus blues
US News & World Report interview with Richard Kadison, chief of Harvard's mental health service and author of College of the Overwhelmed: The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What to Do About It - "What explains the surge in depression among college students? For one thing, a lot of people come to college on psychotropic medications now who probably wouldn't have been able to come in the past. Certainly, when there's a trauma like 9/11, it stirs up whatever losses and fears we've had in our own lives. Also, families are incurring higher debt, which adds to the pressure. And what's happening in high school and society creates stress..."  
  

New technologies shed light on schizophrenia
APA press release reprinted at EurekAlert - "Researchers at the Boston Veterans Affairs Health Care System – Brockton Division, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Massachusetts-Boston are using new imaging technology to gather valuable information about the brains of people with schizophrenia. This new variety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Using DTI on patients with schizophrenia, neuropsychologists have related smaller sizes in two distinct webs of brain fibers to two distinct types of cognitive malfunction. The findings appear in the October issue of Neuropsychology.."  
  

Mental services: not good enough (Virginia)
Richmond Times Dispatch story - "Years after state officials promised to get more people out of state mental hospitals and to help them more when they leave, care in the community is still measured in minutes a month. Virginia is spending more money serving fewer people in the community, a Times-Dispatch analysis of community mental-health agency financial and performance data found. In several key categories of care, the time spent serving the mentally ill has declined. And some types of care, particularly residential programs, are falling by the wayside more and more..."  
  

Two co-owners arrested in Medicaid fraud probe (Louisiana)
Brief KATC-TV story - "Two co-owners of Cross Roads Mental Health in Plaquemine face several charges in connection with Medicaid billing fraud.Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti Junior says JoLynn Thibodeaux was booked on 30 counts of medical fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit medical fraud, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice, filing false public records and conspiracy to commit filing false public records..."  
  

Ontario conference will address crisis in mental health (Canada)
Press release from the National Union of Public and General Employees - "The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) and the Ontario Health Coalition will host a conference called Building Links for Better Mental Health Nov. 3-4 Toronto. The gathering will bring together people working in a wide variety of mental health programs, including those who use mental health services, survivors and family members. The goal is to provide an opportunity to share information and to discuss key mental health issues." See also the conference agenda at the OPSEU web site.  
  

Community updated on mental health (North Carolina)
Asheville Courier-Tribune story - "Area residents got an update Monday on what is happening with local mental health services after state mandated changes that took effect last year. Representatives of The Sandhills Center For Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services held the fourth of seven public forums for its six-county area in the Randolph Community College Foundation Conference Center. ... In addition to filling out surveys to provide Sandhills operators with feedback, participants were asked to consider joining the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC). CFAC is comprised of individuals (or their family members) who use mental health, developmental disabilities or substance abuse services. Members volunteer advice guidance to Sandhills as the state plan is implemented for mental health reform..."  
  

Mental health gets feedback (Michigan)
Detroit Free Press story - "Michigan's mental health system needs to undergo a sweeping overhaul, including better funding and earlier intervention for people with mental health problems, the Michigan Health Commission told Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday. The 33-member commission presented its recommendations in Lansing to Granholm, who appointed the group to suggest improvements to Michigan's beleaguered mental health system." See also the press release by the state's Department of Community Health, the full report (available for download in two parts, in Adobe Acrobat format) and the press release reprinted at Yahoo from the Mental Health Association in Michigan, which "commended Governor Granholm's Commission on Mental Health for its just-released report. The Association called on the legislative and executive branches to begin planning and developmental work immediately to lay the groundwork for implementation of key report recommendations."   
  

Mental health officials pitch returning interest to its fund (Michigan)`
Grand Rapids Press story - "Mental health leaders in Ottawa County are calling on the county board to allow interest earned on proceeds in the mental health fund to be used for those services instead of being transferred to the county's general fund budget. The Community Mental Health Board on Monday unanimously approved a resolution supporting the change, which must be approved by county commissioners. Board members say the change could generate at least $171,000 in additional revenues during the new fiscal year, which could be used as local matching funds to leverage additional state funding for mental health services."