Mental Health NewsFeed

March 31, 2025

Judge Debra Young Tackles Addiction in Courts

An Upstate New York judge is leading an expansion of "problem-solving" courts to address substance abuse and mental health issues among defendants. Judge Debra Young aims to provide treatment options, rather than just a "get-out-of-jail-free" card, as part of the judicial system's efforts to tackle these complex problems.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/esg/upstate-ny-judge-leads-expansion-of-problem-solving-courts

March 31, 2025

Parents Fear Social Media's Dark Impact on Kids

A growing concern among parents is the impact of social media on children's well-being, with two out of five kids reporting online insults or upsetting messages. A significant percentage of parents (75%) worry about exposure to inappropriate content and internet crimes, while 59% fear their child could become a victim. The digital world pressures young people to present a perfect image, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Experts from Save the Children recommend building secure attachment relationships, modeling emotional regulation, asking non-accusatory questions, and being gentle with one's own childhood experiences to help children develop healthy online habits.

https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/study-almost-half-of-children-spend-over-6-hours-day-in-the-digital-environment/113267

March 31, 2025

Pexels' Mindfulness Practice Reduces Anxiety by 30%

Pexels' mindfulness practice has been shown to lower anxiety by reducing overthinking and rumination, leading to a decrease in feelings of nervousness.

https://www.ndtv.com/webstories/feature/7-benefits-of-mindfulness-36994#pfrom=home-ndtv_webstories

March 31, 2025

Danish Study Links Antidepressants to Higher Heart Risk

A recent study conducted by scientists in Denmark found that individuals exposed to antidepressant medications have a significantly higher incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) compared to those not using such medications. The study, which analyzed data from 643,999 individuals and 4.3 million residents, revealed that the risk of SCD was higher across all age groups for those who had been on antidepressants, with notable differences depending on the length of exposure. For example, younger individuals aged 30-39 years faced a nearly three times higher risk of SCD with 1 to 5 years of antidepressant use, and up to five times higher for those using antidepressants for six or more years.

https://www.lokmattimes.com/health/study-links-long-term-antidepressant-use-to-increased-risk-of-sudden-cardiac-death/

March 31, 2025

UK Government Releases Priority Defendant Cohort Policy

The UK government has released an 85-page policy outlining "key criteria" for identifying priority defendant cohorts in the justice system. The framework includes vulnerable groups such as women, pregnant individuals, young adults aged 18-25, those with mental health conditions, and deemed vulnerable populations. Prime Minister's response to this policy is unclear, but Lord Chancellor Ms Mahmood has been engaged on the issue, prompting a reevaluation of government options.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14553135/ethnic-minority-suspects-priority-bail.html

March 30, 2025

Happiness Ads Linked to Unhealthy Snacking Habits

Researchers have discovered that pursuing happiness can lead to negative consequences, such as draining mental resources and reducing self-control. An experiment found that participants shown advertisements with the word 'happiness' were more likely to indulge in unhealthy behaviors like overeating chocolates compared to those not exposed to such prompts. In another study, a group given a task to gauge their self-control abilities quit earlier due to having fewer mental resources left after attempting to improve their mood.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14551325/happy-making-you-miserable.html

March 30, 2025

Brii Bio Advances HBV Cure Combination Studies

Brii Bio is developing a functional cure for HBV through multiple combination studies with its portfolio, including BRII-179, elebsiran, and tobevibart. Elebsiran, led by Brii Bio, is being evaluated in combination with PEG-IFNα, while tobevibart, also developed by Brii Bio, is being assessed in Phase 2 and 3 studies alongside elebsiran.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brii-bio-unveils-new-data-from-its-ongoing-phase-2-ensure-study-at-apasl-2025-showcasing-brii-179s-unique-potential-to-prime-and-boost-higher-hbsag-loss-through-target-patient-identification-302415033.html

March 30, 2025

Eamon Dolan's

Eamon Dolan, a Vice President and Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster, has written "The Power of Parting" to dismantle the false idol of family by presenting familial estrangement as an empowering solution for those who need to escape trauma. Inspired by his own experience with grief, guilt, and shame after cutting ties with his mother, Dolan spent three years researching and interviewing other survivors to create a unique perspective on the subject. His book aims to highlight the prevalence of familial abuse, citing statistics such as 27% of the population affected, 81% of physical abuse committed by family members, and 90% of children living in countries where corporal punishment is still legal. Dolan hopes his work will help readers realize that survivors are heroes who have retained their humanity despite being raised in inhumane circumstances.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14511713/power-parting-eamon-dolan-mom-estrangement-book.html

March 30, 2025

Father Locks Himself in Show Home Protest

Gary Prince, a 33-year-old father of three, locked himself in a Persimmon Homes show home in Yeovil, Somerset, after his family suffered seven years of severe mould and damp issues in their newbuild home. The stress has led to medical and mental health challenges for the entire family, with Mr. Prince's wife nearly divorcing him due to the unbearable living conditions. He took drastic action by moving into the show home, highlighting the contrast between the luxurious showroom and his own home's mould and fire safety issues. After a dramatic standoff, Persimmon Homes' managing director agreed to inspect the house, and Mr. Prince is now temporarily living in a single room with his family at a local hotel.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14539493/Father-three-locks-inside-developers-home.html