As the mental well-being of our youth has seemingly deteriorated slowly but surely over at least the last decade, and questions about their use of social media increase, competent psychiatrists are needed more than ever. The loss of child psychiatrists in these eulogies will emphasize the increased need, but fortunately they all dedicated themselves to training their successors. As usual, information about their lives was obtained from public obituaries and my personal knowledge of them.
The UK's Office for National Statistics reports a significant rise in sick days due to mental health issues, especially in the public sector. In 2022, 18.5 million sick days were attributed to mental health concerns, with 13% of public sector workers and 7% of private sector workers citing mental health as the reason for their absence. This trend has prompted calls for improved mental health support in workplaces.
China's National Health Commission has announced plans to improve mental health services between 2025 and 2027. The initiative includes establishing a mental health hotline, creating regional mental health centers, and developing key clinical specialties. This response addresses the rise in mental health issues, particularly among children and adolescents, and aims to provide outpatient services for mental and sleep disorders in at least one hospital per prefecture and city by 2025.
Inspired by incidents involving individuals like Taylor Swift's stalker, New York State is proposing the "SUPPORT Act." This legislation aims to provide better care for mentally ill defendants found "unfit for trial." The bill proposes assigning case workers and ensuring ongoing mental health services to reduce recidivism and protect the community. The legislation gained attention after David Crowe, a stalker of Swift, was released and immediately reoffended. The bill's supporters emphasize the need for comprehensive mental health treatment for individuals to attain lasting stability.
A study by researchers at the JJ Peters VA Medical Center and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai analyzed data from over 400,000 individuals aged 30 or older. They discovered correlations between certain professions and genetic predispositions to mental health conditions. For example, individuals with higher genetic risks for ADHD were more commonly found in roles such as cleaners, chefs, and police officers, while computer technicians were more often linked to autism. Teachers and lawyers showed genetic traits associated with anorexia. The study suggests that genetic predispositions might influence career paths, although demographic and social factors have a significantly larger impact on occupational outcomes.
Dr. Eddie Murphy, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes the importance of confronting avoidance behaviors to effectively manage anxiety. He suggests that avoidance perpetuates anxiety and limits life experiences. By identifying and addressing avoidant behaviors, individuals can reduce anxiety and improve their quality of life.
Gen Z is “micro-retiring” — taking lengthy breaks from work that extend beyond a simple vacation — claiming that it benefits their mental health.
“When you are away from that work…this time, this retirement frees up your mind,” says one creator, Adama Lorna, who describes herself as having "a renaissance approach to personal development." Lorna, who says she is "in her 20s" — and has 140,000 followers on YouTube and 36,000 on TikTok — advocates for "micro-retirement." As she explains, “Instead of waiting until you were 60 or 70 to travel the world … you do them [while] you have your youth, your energy, your health.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into mental health care. Recent developments include AI-driven chatbots like Wysa, which secured $20 million in funding, and virtual therapists such as "Woebot" and "Heartfelt Services" that provide accessible mental health support. These technologies aim to offer support and early intervention, though their effectiveness and ethical implications continue to be studied.
In Britain, there's an ongoing debate about the rise in mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety. Some experts suggest that increased mental health awareness and self-diagnosis may contribute to the perception of a depression epidemic. They caution against the medicalization of routine emotional distress and advocate for addressing underlying social issues rather than over-relying on medical interventions.
Headspace Challenges: Australia's leading youth mental health service, Headspace, is struggling to manage increasing demand. A study by the University of Sydney found that only one-third of patients show improvement after receiving care, with the rest seeing no change or deterioration. The study highlights systemic issues and calls for a new funding model to enhance service delivery.
Questioning the Serotonin Theory: Professor Joanna Moncrieff of University College London challenges the established serotonin theory of depression. Her research indicates no conclusive evidence linking low serotonin levels to depression and questions the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). She advocates for non-pharmacological treatments, such as therapy and lifestyle changes, over the prevalent use of antidepressants.
Research from the Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind indicates a decline in mental health among Indians aged 18-24 since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors such as reduced social interactions, increased unemployment, and heightened internet usage have contributed to this trend
New research has shown that diet could influence the risk of both depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence suggests that depressive symptoms are both a risk factor for AD and a reaction to early memory problems.
Depression affects 280 million people worldwide. The mental illness has been proven to lead to changes in eating behavior. Researchers have discovered that although patients with depression generally have less appetite, they prefer carbohydrate-rich foods.