Mental health news covering awareness, treatment advances, therapy research, mental health policy, and psychological wellbeing.
Ibrahima Konaté opened up about struggling with depression following the death of his father and former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota. He emphasized that depression in football is real and should not be dismissed due to players' high earnings. Konaté is set to join Real Madrid after not renewing his Liverpool contract.
A small study of 22 women with anorexia found that a supervised ketogenic diet for 14 weeks led to 72% of participants falling below the clinical diagnosis threshold for both anorexia and depression. Participants maintained a healthy to slightly underweight BMI and did not relapse.
A survey of over 300 fired US federal probationary employees found 95% reported ongoing mental health effects, with nearly half experiencing PTSD-like symptoms and a quarter taking new medications. The survey, conducted by 27UNIHTED, covered respondents across 43 states and the US Virgin Islands. A federal judge ruled the firings unlawful but did not require reinstatement.
This commentary argues that doomscrolling—unintentionally consuming negative news on smartphones—wastes significant time, citing a UK survey suggesting up to five years of waking life. It suggests using technology like AI reminders to curb the habit, framing the issue as a consequence of design by tech billionaires.
This commentary argues that focus apps designed to block distractions often fail neurodivergent users, as their inflexible designs clash with neurodivergent thinking patterns like hyperfocus and time blindness. The authors contend that such apps can deepen feelings of shame and inadequacy, and introduce the concept of 'digital stimming' as a self-regulation strategy.
This commentary argues that Western PTSD treatments may not be effective for non-Western populations because they emphasize individual agency and control, whereas collectivist cultures value relationships and family. It contends that culturally adapted approaches are necessary for effective trauma recovery.
A group of Ukrainian mental health specialists traveled to Armidale, Australia for trauma training funded by the Australian government. Led by psychiatrist Antonina Pushko, they learn strategies from local clinicians experienced with refugee populations and natural disasters. Upon returning to Ukraine in June, they aim to strengthen frontline capacity to support millions affected by the war.
The commentary argues that the FDA's recent decision to expedite review of psychedelic medicines for mental health conditions is a necessary step, given the high prevalence of treatment-resistant depression and suicide. It contends that these science-backed treatments should be evaluated with urgency, distinguishing regulated medical use from recreational drug use.
A study from Oregon Health & Science University found veterans with cancer have a suicide attempt rate of 203 per 100,000, significantly higher than the general population. Risk is highest in the first six months after diagnosis but persists up to five years. Veterans under 45, females, and those with certain cancers had higher rates.
The author argues that the grief of losing a pet is as profound as losing a human relative, yet often socially disenfranchised. Drawing on personal experience with eight rescue dogs, he contends that the depth of this grief reflects the depth of love, and that the quality of time spent together outweighs its duration.