June 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
  • Suicide rates are rising across the United States. In the most recent Vital Signs report from the CDC, statistics showed that in 2016 nearly 45,000 Americans aged 10 or older died by suicide and that the suicide rate has increased by 25% since 1999. To read more about the report click here.
  • A new study published in the May 2018 issue of Preventative Medicine shows that African Americans and Latinos are significantly more likely to experience serious depression than Whites.
  • SAMHSA announced a $196 million funding opportunity to treat opioid use. Read more about the Targeted Capacity Expansion: Medication Assisted Treatment-Prescription Drug Opioid Addiction grant program here.
  • A new study has identified an association between paternally-inherited rare structural variants in noncoding segments of genes and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • SAMHSA has published an update to its Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit. The toolkit addresses several factors that can lead to an opioid overdose death, from intentional misuse to accidental over-medication, and recommends that health care providers follow CDC guidelines when considering prescribing opioids.
  • The FDA has approved the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults. Lucemyra mitigates withdrawal symptoms to facilitate abrupt discontinuation of opioids in adults but does not completely eliminate symptoms and can only be used for up to 14 days. Read more here.
New Publications and Resources
  • The new CDC report referenced above has brought the topic of suicide into everyday conversations. Visit this link to learn what to do if you think someone might be at risk for self-harm by reading NIMH's 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain, some contributing factors and warning signs for suicide, and how you can make a difference in suicide prevention.
  • In a message on the importance of mental health awareness, NIMH Director Dr. Joshua Gordon recounts how he came to be aware of the personal impact of mental illness.
  • Read this NIDA Drugs and Health Blog Post to learn more about the connection between drug use and mental health issues.
  • This issue of The Dialogue from SAMHSA highlights the challenges first responders experience throughout all phases of disaster response.
  • The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Spring 2018 Spectrum issue is now online. It features new prevalence estimates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and new research about alcohol and adolescent brain development.
Get Involved
  • June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. The purpose is to encourage everyone to raise public awareness of PTSD and effective treatments. Visit the website for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD to get involved.
  • NIMH is hosting the 24th Mental Health Services Research Conference with the theme "What's the Next Big Thing?" The conference aims to promote high-priority areas in mental health services research and identify opportunities with potential for significant impact for people with mental disorders.
  • NIMH is recruiting participants aged 11-17 who are depressed and have a pediatric or medical provider for its study on causes and treatments of depression in teenagers. For more information visit this website, call 1-301-827-1350, or email depressedkids@mail.nih.gov
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