General Mental Health
- While rural residents are facing a growing mental health crisis, an initiative to direct them to the help they need is seeing success across the country. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities works with people not necessarily in the health professions to give them the tools they need to recognize and respond to the signs of mental health or substance use challenges. Once trained, those rural residents can provide critical support to their rural neighbors until professional help is available. Read more here.
Research Studies
- This secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized clinical trial found that personality-targeted interventions protected against the escalation in substance use during adolescence, with similar effects for males and females. Read more here.
- In this randomized clinical trial, DCBT provided significant and sustained benefits to adults with GAD. Given the limitations in access to empirically supported CBT, an efficacious DCBT program has clear potential for public health benefit. Read more here.
- This randomized clinical trial found that BCBT reduced suicide attempts among U.S. military personnel and veterans reporting recent suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behaviors compared with an active comparator. These results replicate earlier findings. Read more here.
- Depression is linked to major adverse cardiac events (MACE), yet the role of stress-related neural activity–previously implicated in stress and anxiety—in mediating this association remains unclear. Read more here.
Transgender Issues
- Half of transgender and gender diverse youth reported suicidal ideation or self-injury, and a quarter reported a suicide attempt, a large meta-analysis showed. These rates were 2 to 3.5 times higher than those reported for cisgender youth. Routine screening for distress, suicidal ideation, and self-injury should be part of pediatric and primary care, the researchers suggested. Read more here.
Health Insurance Subsidies
- Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said he would leave it to the American people to decide whether they blame Republicans for the lapse in enhanced ObamaCare subsidies, but he defended GOP efforts to strike a deal on the issue in recent weeks. In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the conservative senator was asked if he shares Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) view that Republicans could pay the price politically if they let the COVID-era enhanced tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans expire. Read more here.
- In Maine, Graham Platner said he’s making Medicare for All a “core part” of his platform in his race against Gov. Janet Mills, the establishment pick who’s called for a universal health care program. In Illinois, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Rep. Robin Kelly are both championing the concept — and calling out rival Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi for not fully embracing it. Read more here.
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