Mental Health

Teens are visiting the hospital for suicidal thoughts or actions more frequently.

Hospitals See Growing Numbers Of Kids And Teens At Risk For Suicide

1:50pm May 16, 2018

by Tara Haelle

The number of children and teens who visited the hospital for suicidal thoughts or attempts doubled from 2008 to 2015. Rates were highest during the school year.

Schools can take preventative measures to combat suicide.

As '13 Reasons Why' Returns, Schools Try To Help Students Who Are Thinking Of Suicide

12:42pm May 16, 2018

by Anya Kamenetz

About 1 in 5 teens may have contemplated suicide. But new research suggests that schools as a whole can make a difference.

Michael Pollan is out with a new book about the science behind psychedelics.

'Reluctant Psychonaut' Michael Pollan Embraces The 'New Science' Of Psychedelics

1:17pm May 15, 2018

by Terry Gross

Author Michael Pollan, who experimented with mushrooms, LSD and other psychedelics while researching his latest book, says: "I had an experience that was by turns frightening and ecstatic and weird."

Your Turn: What Do You Wish You'd Known Before Becoming A Parent?

4:33pm May 11, 2018

by Malaka Gharib

Mom and dad bloggers share their insights. We'd love for you to answer, too!

Marine Corps veteran and retired Vet Center counselor Ted Blickwedel says the VA's work demands on counselors threaten quality of care and the counselors' health.

Demand For Veteran Counseling Puts Stress On The Counselors

10:28am May 09, 2018

by Peter Biello

The VA's Vet Centers have changed the metrics by which they evaluate counselors who work with veterans. They're required to see at least 25 clients a week, which some say is untenable.

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Amanda Williammee and her daughter Taycee. Now a happy preschooler, the little girl was born with neonatal abstinence syndrome — a condition that includes opioid withdrawal symptoms like tremors, irritability, sleep problems and high-pitched crying.

For Babies Of The Opioid Crisis, Best Care May Be Mom's Recovery

6:00pm May 08, 2018

by Sarah Jane Tribble

Early findings on infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome are reassuring, and doctors are optimistic that normal development can continue. Making sure parents are treated for addiction is key.

Don Gregorio has lived all his life in the same home in Humacao, a city on Puerto Rico's eastern coast that was hard-hit by Hurricane Maria. Many of his old friends have since left for the mainland, the former carpenter says, and he feels very alone.

Listless And Lonely In Puerto Rico, Some Older Storm Survivors Consider Suicide

5:29pm May 07, 2018

by Sarah Varney

The electricity is back on across much of the island, but the disruption to community spirit continues. Isolation, anxiety and depression are up, as are suicides, especially among older adults.

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Schoolgirls walk home from school in a rural area in Southern Natal Province, South Africa.

4 Ideas To Stop Violence Against Girls: A Walking School Bus, Sports Talk And More

4:59pm May 07, 2018

by Malaka Gharib

The World Bank and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative are betting on local solutions to protect girls and women from abuse.

Bill, Amy, Edie and William (from left) are one of the families featured in the documentary A Dangerous Son.

The Struggle Of Finding Help For 'A Dangerous Son'

12:55pm May 06, 2018

by James Doubek

Stacy Shapiro and her son are featured in the new documentary A Dangerous Son, directed by Liz Garbus. It follows families with children who have violent outbursts due to mental illness.

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An average of 13,776 inmates in 45 California counties were on psychotropic medications in 2016-2017, a recent report found. That is up from 10,999 five years ago.

Big Jump Seen In Number Of Inmates Prescribed Psychiatric Drugs In California

4:16pm May 04, 2018

by Anna Gorman

Amid a severe shortage of psychiatric beds and community-based treatment throughout the state and nation, county jails have become repositories for people in the throes of acute mental health crises.