November 2017
National Institute of Mental Health
Monthly Update
MAMH is proud to partner with the National Institute of Mental Health to disseminate knowledge about science-based mental health each month. With each update, we offer emerging research, important dates and publications to be aware of, and opportunities to get involved in research.
Emerging Research and Updates
  • NIH launched a major effort to discover and catalog the brain's "parts list." The NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive reference of the diverse cell types in human, monkey, and mouse brains.
  • HHS and SAMHSA will maintain the Opioid State Targeted Response grant funding for the second year of the program. This funding is a significant component of the Trump Administration's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
  • The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has launched two evidence-based online screening tools that providers can use to assess substance use disorder risk among adolescents 12-17 years old. They are being offered through the NIDAMED Web Portal and can be self-administered or completed by clinicians in less than two minutes.
  • NIH has launched PregSource, a research project that aims to improve knowledge about pregnancy by collecting information directly from pregnant women. It will explore the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy, labor, and delivery and will identify challenges faced by subgroup of women, such as those with physical disabilities. It promises to inform strategies for improving maternal care in the U.S. Women who sign up can catalog their experiences on the portal, compare experiences with other women, and access informational services.
  • The FDA approved the first drug in the U.S. with a digital ingestion tracking system. Abilify MyCite, used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I, and depression, has an ingestible sensor that records that the medication was taken. Read more here.
  • Recent research by the CDC showed that during 2014-2016, children aged 6-17 years with serious emotional or behavioral difficulties (EBDs) were almost four times as likely to miss more than 10 days of school because of illness or injury compared with children without EBDs.
Publications, New Resources, and Upcoming Events
  • In a blog post, NIH Director Francis Collins describes the work of the international research team that has uncovered four genes involved in OCD that turn out to play a role in the synapses, where nerve impulses are transmitted between neurons and the brain.
  • In a blog post, NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow examines how factors such as health care access, and environmental and social factors contribute to addiction.
  • This addition of Research Matters describes how researchers used machine learning to analyze brain images and identify individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. Taken to scale, this approach could be used to assess suicide risk and monitor response to treatments.
  • The NIDA Drugs and Health Blog this month includes a post that highlights the connection between substance abuse and bullying and a post that describes a study examining teen brain development and risk-taking behavior.
  • SAMHSA and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network released this new policy brief for policymakers and other stakeholders, which provides an overview of intimate partner violence and its relationship to child trauma.
  • This SAMHSA bulletin discusses the effects of mass violence events and the sequence of behavioral health reactions after the event in adult and youth survivors of mass violence trauma.
  • A new app out from the CDC called the Milestone Tracker app, developed by the CDC's Learn the Signs, helps parents track their child's developmental milestones to identify developmental delays and disabilities early. Read more here.
  • SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention Resource Center launched this new interactive online tool, which helps state and community leaders build strategic partnerships and improve their suicide prevention efforts.
  • Stopbullying.gov was recently redeveloped. The website includes information on recognizing the warning signs of cyberbullying, how to best respond when someone is experiencing bullying, and what can be done to prevent cyberbullying.
Get Involved
  • The HHS Office of the Chief Technology Officer will host an opioid symposium and Code-a-Thon to promote and employ innovative ways to leverage technology and data to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. The symposium is taking place on December 6th at the HHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. Individuals may register to join in person, or view the event via live video stream. Register here.
  • November 23rd is Family Health History Day. Use My Family Health Portrait to create a family health history.
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is hosting a webinar on the role of crisis centers in the Zero Suicide initiative. Register here.
  • Click here to read more about funding for the CDC's Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances Impact grants.
  • NIMH is conducting a study to evaluate the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of repeat doses of ketamine in the brain. They are enrolling adults ages 18-65 with major depressive disorder. To learn more about the study and if you are eligible, email NIMH at moodresearch@mail.nih.gov or call 1-877-646-3644 [TTY: 1-866-411-1010].
  • To learn more about clinical trials near you, visit the this website.
November Spotlights
  • November is National Adoption Month, an initiative of ACF's Children's Bureau to increase national awareness and bring attention to the need for permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. The 2017 theme, "Teens Need Families, No Matter What," highlights the importance of identifying well-prepared and committed families for the thousands of teenagers in foster care. Read more about National Adoption Month and see how you can get involved, here.
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