A 17-year-old B.Tech student from Haryana died by suicide at his aunt's house in Una, Himachal Pradesh. The police suspect that the student took his life due to exam failure.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/haryana-btech-student-dies-by-suicide-exam-failure-suspected-1846771The federal budget has taken a hit due to a backlog of claims from defence veterans being cleared, adding $1.8 billion to the deficit over four years. The backlog, which reached 66,000 people at one point, is being processed faster than expected, resulting in payments of $3.5 billion to tens of thousands of people with multiple physical and mental health problems. Despite a surplus of $15.8 billion in 2023-24, the budget is forecast to record a deficit of $28.3 billion for the current financial year.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/veterans-claims-add-1-8-billion-driving-budget-further-into-red-20241211-p5kxge.htmlA study presented at the ESC Acute CardioVascular Care 2023 congress found that women are more likely to experience long-term anxiety after a cardiac arrest than men. The research revealed that over 40% of women reported experiencing anxiety four months after a cardiac arrest, compared to 23% of men. Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in industrialized countries, and this study suggests that women may be at a higher risk for developing long-term anxiety as a result of the experience.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/health/anxiety-post-cardiac-arrest-more-common-in-women-than-men-study/The Australian government is being commended for its decision to impose limits on children's use of social media. Research has shown that excessive social media use can lead to depression and anxiety in both adults and children, as it fosters unhealthy comparisons with others' curated online profiles.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/us/1260476-anti-social-mediaThe author's life took a drastic turn after being involved in a bike accident that left them with injuries and depression. Despite struggling with mental health issues during high school at Long Island, attending Binghamton University provided a sense of freedom and relief from their parents' constant pressure, allowing the author to explore their identity.
https://www.insider.com/became-deeply-depressed-after-being-hit-by-car-injured-2024-12Discovery Behavioral Health's Houston-based Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) is now accepting Optum for Medicaid patients, expanding access to care for low-income individuals in Harris County. The center offers detox and residential and outpatient programs for adults and adolescents, addressing the significant need for substance use treatment in Texas. According to a 2023 report from The Perryman Group, the economic impact of addiction in Texas is substantial, with an estimated $50.1 billion loss in economic output and $84.6 billion in pain and suffering. Discovery Behavioral Health's President & CEO John Peloquin stated that the company has established trusted relationships with payers and managed care organizations serving Texans and welcomes the opportunity to serve more residents. The center offers a full continuum of care, including detoxification, residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and virtual care services.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/discovery-behavioral-health-expands-access-to-substance-use-treatment-through-optum-medicaid-in-texas-302331603.htmlDr. Viswanathan, a professor of psychiatry at Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, notes that stress and anxiety are primary culprits of racing thoughts at night, which can lead to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Consuming stimulants such as caffeine or certain medications close to bedtime can also interfere with relaxation and excessive mental activity. Dr. Viswanathan recommends establishing a bedtime routine, refraining from device use close to bedtime, taking a warm bath, creating an environment conducive to sleep, scheduling a time to worry, writing down concerns, and knowing when to seek help if these self-help techniques do not work. He emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep issues early on and seeking professional help when needed to prevent immediate and long-term consequences such as decreased brain function, difficulty making decisions, and increased risk of developing chronic health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
https://www.foxnews.com/health/cant-sleep-racing-thoughts-night-how-can-stop-them-ask-doctorResearch by Dr. Bowen Xiao at Carleton University in Canada suggests that excessive screen time can create a cycle of worsening sleep disturbances and increased attention problems, anxiety, and depression in children.
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2024/12/12/screen-time-harm-sleep-behavior-preschoolers/2221734021419/A French court has heard testimony in the trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other defendants accused of rape. The case has sparked widespread protests and raised awareness about the use of drugs to commit abuse. Gisele Pelicot, Dominique's ex-wife, had been drugged and raped for nearly a decade by her husband and dozens of strangers he recruited online. A helpline, CRAFS, has received calls from healthcare providers and victims seeking information on drug-related abuse. The service provides guidance on symptoms such as drowsiness, nausea, disorientation, blurred vision, and amnesia, which may indicate drug use. Prosecutors have sought a maximum 20-year jail term for Dominique Pelicot and 10-18 years in prison for the co-defendants.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/france-gets-new-helpline-amid-trauma-of-mass-rape-trial/article68982333.ece