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How Do Companion Animals and Therapy Animals Support Mental Well-being?
Companion animals are increasingly being used to support mental wellbeing and to augment mental health treatment. A new book from APA Publishing, The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders, reviews recent research and highlights the variety of ways mental health professionals are working with companion animals to support treatment and promote mental health.
Boosting the Immune System: An Added Benefit of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy and other psychosocial interventions can improve the function of a person’s immune system, according to a meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry in June. Immune system strength may be particularly important in helping minimize the potential impact of coronavirus.
The Opioid Crisis: Impact, Challenges, and Paths to Recovery
Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, illegal drugs like heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. These substances bind to opioid receptors in the brain, producing pain relief and euphoria. Prolonged use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction, characteristic of opioid use disorder (OUD). Fentanyl, due to its potency, has played a particularly lethal role in the opioid crisis.
Technology Playing Role in Veterans' Access to Mental Health Services
As we approach Veterans Day and look to honor the work and sacrifices of members of the military and their families, we look at several recent reports on veterans and mental health services.
January Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Cover New Research on Cannabis and Alcohol Use, Disparities in Coercive Treatment for Psychosis, and More
The January issues of two of the American Psychiatric Association journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services are available online. Also available is the latest issue of The American Journal of Psychotherapy.
Mental Health Apps: Cautions for College Students
There are a slew of mobile apps available that are designed to promote mental wellness and target mental health conditions. Apps are available to help monitor or track symptoms, offer relaxation and mindfulness exercises, and deliver a secondary treatment in combination with a primary treatment. A new study in Psychiatric Services takes a critical look at app recommendations by colleges.
Be Well at Work: Helping Employees with Depression
A new study highlights the Tufts Be Well at Work program, that helps employees with depression. Published in Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association, the study presents the results from 15 years of research evaluating the occupational, clinical, and economic impact of Be Well at Work.
AJ Klein, Linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, Talks Mental Health and the NFL
Austin Kayser, a 4th year medical student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health had the opportunity to sit down and talk with NFL linebacker AJ Klein of the Buffalo Bills. They talked about mental health in the NFL, stigma, recent high-profile cases of athletes sitting out for mental health reasons, and the value of therapy, among other topics.
Group Music Therapy: A Promising Approach
Group music therapy, delivered in person or online, may be effective in helping address symptoms of mental health conditions, according to several recent studies. The studies looked at the use of group music therapy in women with depression, older adults with dementia, and college students experiencing stress. One consistent theme in this research is that participants have improved quality of life.
Talking about Veteran’s Mental Health
The questions and answers below are some adapted from a recent Twitter chat APA hosted on veteran’s mental health.
Myths and Facts About Mental Health
How are you feeling? Checking in with your emotions might feel strange, especially if you're not used to it. Can you name what you're feeling—happiness, stress, boredom, or something else entirely? Whether you're feeling happy, stressed, bored, or something else, all emotions—positive or negative—are a natural part of being human. However, many people question themselves when life feels overwhelming. The truth is that emotions are normal, and how we navigate them, especially during stressful tim
How to Boost Mental Health Through Better Nutrition
The relationship between nutrition and mental health is bidirectional: the foods we eat affect our mental health, and our mental health status affects what and how well we eat. This month, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) are partnering to highlight the interconnectedness of nutrition and mental health. To learn more about how the public views diet and mental health, APA conducted a poll between March 16 and 17, 2023, among a sample of 2,200