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..."  
  

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..."  
  

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.  
  

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."